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  5. § 135.617
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14 CFR · Part 135

14 CFR § 135.617

Pre-flight risk analysis.

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Read in Subpart L
Part 135 Contents
  • Subpart A: General
  • Subpart B: Flight Operations
  • Subpart C: Aircraft and Equipment
  • Subpart D: VFR/IFR Operating Limitations and Weather Requirements
  • Subpart E: Flight Crewmember Requirements
  • Subpart F: Crewmember Flight Time and Duty Period Limitations and Rest Requirements
  • Subpart G: Crewmember Testing Requirements
  • Subpart H: Training
  • Subpart I: Airplane Performance Operating Limitations
  • Subpart J: Maintenance, Preventive Maintenance, and Alterations
  • Subpart K: Hazardous Materials Training Program
  • Subpart L: Helicopter Air Ambulance Equipment, Operations, and Training Requirements
  • Appendix A to Part 135: Additional Airworthiness Standards for 10 or More Passenger Airplanes
  • Appendix B to Part 135: Airplane Flight Recorder Specifications
  • Appendix C to Part 135: Helicopter Flight Recorder Specifications
  • Appendix D to Part 135: Airplane Flight Recorder Specification
  • Appendix E to Part 135: Helicopter Flight Recorder Specifications
  • Appendix F to Part 135: Airplane Flight Recorder Specification
  • Appendix G to Part 135: Extended Operations (ETOPS)
(a)

Each certificate holder conducting helicopter air ambulance operations must establish, and document in its operations manual, an FAA-approved preflight risk analysis that includes at least the following—

(1)

Flight considerations, to include obstacles and terrain along the planned route of flight, landing zone conditions, and fuel requirements;

(2)

Human factors, such as crew fatigue, life events, and other stressors;

(3)

Weather, including departure, en route, destination, and forecasted;

(4)

A procedure for determining whether another helicopter air ambulance operator has refused or rejected a flight request; and

(5)

Strategies and procedures for mitigating identified risks, including procedures for obtaining and documenting approval of the certificate holder's management personnel to release a flight when a risk exceeds a level predetermined by the certificate holder.

(b)

Each certificate holder must develop a preflight risk analysis worksheet to include, at a minimum, the items in paragraph (a) of this section.

(c)

Prior to the first leg of each helicopter air ambulance operation, the pilot in command must conduct a preflight risk analysis and complete the preflight risk analysis worksheet in accordance with the certificate holder's FAA-approved procedures. The pilot in command must sign the preflight risk analysis worksheet and specify the date and time it was completed.

(d)

The certificate holder must retain the original or a copy of each completed preflight risk analysis worksheet at a location specified in its operations manual for at least 90 days from the date of the operation.

Reflects the eCFR edition current as of September 29, 2026. Retrieved from ecfr.gov on October 16, 2026.

Primary Source

  • Official Source (14 CFR · Part 135)