Air transport

Air transport has become an integral element of pediatric transport programs. The use of both fixed-wing (airplane) and rotorwing (helicopter) aircraft has increased. Appropriate vehicles configured for the safe and effective transfer of pediatric and neonatal patients are available. As the acuity of patients requiring air transport has increased, more sophisticated and specialized training in the areas of flight physiology and transport medicine is required. The limitations of air transport and air transport vehicles must be understood to assure that the optimal modality is selected for a specific transport.