Press releases

judgment calls of their professionally trained pilots. Dispatchers should not be allowed to give any medical information to the pilot until he determines that the weather is suitable for flight and, if weather conditions are extremely ' marginal, alternative modes of transportation should be made available. Both of these simple procedures will reduce the pilot's selfinduced pressure to conduct the flight and promote the mental environment conducive to making the safer judgement call. Patients may continue to die because the helicopter was grounded for weather, but it should be remembered that a medical e m e r g e n c y does not relieve us of our obligation to safely conduct helicopter operations under FAR Part 135. Helicopter pilots are not only paid for the expertise to fly in good weather, but more importantly, are paid to have the courage to say "NO" when requested to fly in weather conditions that will not permit the adequate margin of flight safety. In conclusion, the pilot must be

able to come to a rational decision to fly the mission based on meteorological factors without consideration for the acuity of the patient's medical condition or adverse emotional pressure by others. Chip Wiggins Chief Pilot University of Chicago Aeromedical Network Chicago, IL

Press Releases Hospital Aviation will print information relevant to aeromedical activities on a space-available basis for its Program News, Product News, Personnel File, Calendar and Letters departments in each issue of the magazine. Press releases will be reviewed from manufacturers, operators, hospitals, other aeromedical services, related vendors a n d associations. Contributions will be edited for relevant information and

Authors and

Photographers Photographs: Cover photographs must be 35mm transparancies or larger, or 8 x 10 color prints, and must be able to be cropped to fit our relatively square cover format. Solicited are action photographs of aeromedical personnel (medical teams, pilots, mechanics, program directors, etc.) as well as fixed or rotary wing aircraft. In flight, night, or on-scene photos are preferred for aircraft. Hospital Aviation will pay $100 for each photograph selected for our cover. Feature Articles: Manuscripts must be typed, double-spaced, and be from two to eight pages in length, and be of timely interest to hospital-based or non-hospital aeromedical activities. Features are solicited of an administrative, operational, safety, clinical, or human interest perspective. Photographs may accompany manuscripts and may be transparancies (35mm or larger), color prints (5x7 or larger) or black and white prints (5x7 or larger). Hospital Aviation will pay $50 to $200 per article based on content, applicability, and length. Terms: Payment will be made upon publication to non-commercial individuals, programs or institutions submitting work. Contributors will be notified of acceptance or rejection within two-four weeks following receipt of their material. Manuscripts and/or photographs will be returned only when accompanied by a self-addressed and stamped envelope. 44

HOSPITALAVIATION, OCTOBER 1986

available space. Please send press releases to: Hospital Aviation, 53 West 1800 South, Orem, UT 84058. Please include a photo with your material, if available.

Classified MEDICAL Experienced

DIRECTOR

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flight program medical director with excellent academic credentials in Anesthesiology/Critical Care Medicine wishes to relocate. Strong marketing/PR orientation with proven track record. Respond to Hospital Aviation, Box MD1, 53 West 1800 South, Orem, UT 84058.

WANTED DEAD OR ALIVE C a s h for your damaged and surplus

helicopters, parts, wreckage, turbine engines. Anywhere, anytime. Call 716-384-5333 or write Dennis Clarcq, DC Helicopters, RD 1, Cohocton NY 14826.