Albany Med FLIGHT abides by strict weather minimums to ensure the safety of their flight team and the patient. Scene and hospital personnel are encouraged not to make weather decisions on their own.

EMS providers and hospital personnel generally underestimate the aircraft's flight abilities during inclement weather. The helicopter is capable of safe flight through rain, snow and moderate winds.

Weather requirements are primarily based upon the following indicators:
CEILING: Height of the clouds above the ground.
VISIBILITY: Distance visible in front of the aircraft.

The minimums change based upon geography and time of day.

The Albany Med FLIGHT "LOCAL" flying area encompasses the Hudson River Valley from Glens Falls to Hudson and the Mohawk River Valley from Albany to Amsterdam. Anything outside of this area would be considered "CROSS-COUNTRY". Providers are encouraged not to attempt to judge these conditions for themselves.

The following image shows the aircraft flying at day time minimums during the start of a snowstorm in December of '98. In fact, the visibility was 1/2 mile greater than it needed to be!

The Albany Med FLIGHT pilots utilize advanced weather tracking and forecasting equipment to assist them in determining whether or not conditions are safe for flying.

The following image shows the satellite based weather forecasting equipment utilized by the Med FLIGHT pilots. This system provides the pilots with the most up to date weather information available including radar and satellite imagery, as well as, reports from regional airports.

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