FAQ

A patient who is too far away from their home health care for ground medical transportation and whose condition is not suitable for commercial air transport.

Contact Premier Jets directly or through an industry partner. Secure the service with a payment plan.  Coordinate the details with our mission  planners. Please contact our Mission Planning  Specialists at operations@premierjets.com

Your aircraft will be from our fleet of Lear Jet models 35 and 36.  These are the most  cost-effective aircraft performing the international air ambulance mission today. Our Lear 36 planes have been modified with  enlarged tip tanks to allow longer flights.  This capability allows you to arrive faster and saves money.

Normally, it will be a medical team of two, and tailored to the medical condition of the patient.  A critical care nurse is usually paired with a respiratory therapist or paramedic.  When recommended or requested by the sending or receiving physician, an on-board physician will be  added to the medical team.

The Lear Jet flies with two pilots.  On occasion, a third pilot is assigned by FAA regulations; a slightly longer crew duty day is permitted  when three pilots share the workload of two cockpit seats.  This can help to simplify and speed the flight to destination. The Captain is FAA certified for his position; they demonstrate their proficiency in their position during two flight evaluations per year.  In addition  they attend 'refresher' ground schools with simulator training annually.  Multiple complex aircraft emergency situations are  experienced during this formal training.  Also, captains are required to pass a FAA Class 1 flight physical bi-annually.  The average experience of a Premier Jets' captain is more than 25 years and 4,000 flight hours. The First Officer is well trained in their position.  They also receive an annual Class 2 flight physical and one flight evaluation per year.   The average experience of the Premier Jets' current roster of First Officers exceeds three years and 1500 flight hours.

Once the flight is contracted, stay in close communication with the Premier Jets' flight coordinator.  Anticipate flights that can last up to six  hours.  Taking a jacket on board is a good idea, though room temperature is the norm in the cabin, at any altitude.

You are not required to but it is recommended that you allow one of our experienced fliight coordinators to handle it. Because it is our aircraft and medical staff that has to meet the  ambulance and work with the ground ambulance medical staff, we find that it works best for both of us if we handle it for you.

The cost of the flight is based on the number of flight hours it will take to complete the mission. That does include returning our jet and crew to home base.  Other things that can add to the cost include, extra crew requirements (an additional pilot or doctor, for instance), landing fees,  cost of hotels and living expenses for the crew.  A US Dollar quote can usually be generated within an hour or two, once we know the details  of the trip.  Our Lear Jet fleet is the most cost-effective aircraft with worldwide capability that does this mission.  We plan the missions to  travel the most direct route to collect the patient and to take them to their destination hospital.

Usually, one.  The patient, the medical crew, and their required equipment takes up much of the space within the cabin; because of this there is usually only space for one family member to occupy a comfortable seat in the rear of the cabin.

There is not a lot of spare room for baggage in the Lear Jet.  Taking a purse or laptop, plus one small sized piece of luggage per person usually works, we prefer soft sided such as a duffel or backpack.  If you have more than that to get home, shipping it in advance of your air ambulance flight is recommended.

It depends. While we agree that pets are impotant, some countries are more difficult to pass through with pets than others. With these limitations in mind we would need to know the size and weight of the animal and recieve a copy of their vaccination record. Additionally, traveling in a crate would  normally be expected. If the details of the flight dictate that a pet cannot come along, commercial transportation for the pet can be arranged.