Survival Flight Patient Transport
Please call 800-822-2233 for transport requests via helicopter or fixed-wing airplane.
To date, Survival Flight has safely transported over 57,000 patients. Patients are taken from accident scenes and hospitals; by rotor-wing, fixed-wing and ground ambulance to tertiary care facilities across Michigan and throughout North America. Patient ages run the lifespan and as such, flight crew capabilities must address caring for all age groups, all patient populations at all levels of acuity.
Safe patient transport is the cornerstone of Survival Flight's operation. It encompasses everything that we do, on every leg of transport. It does not end until a patient is at the destination facility and the transport crew is fully prepared for the next mission. Transport is a team endeavor, reliant upon many groups including referring and receiving staff, security personnel, aviation, maintenance, public safety, and communications and dispatch centers. Click on the links to the left to see where you fit into this.
General Landing Zone
A Federal Aviation Administration reviewed landing zone is desirable at hospitals that frequently use Survival Flight. At other sites, including accident scenes, certain rules should be observed for safe operations.
Requirements
- Landing zone (LZ) area must be obstacle free; this includes wires, trees, signs, debris, stumps and trash.
- The LZ should be 100 feet X 100 feet and as flat as possible.
- The LZ should be marked with flares or lights. Keep lights shining downward to avoid blinding the pilots. Weighted cones are acceptable for daytime operations.
- Notify Survival Flight communications by phone, and the flight crew via the 800 MHz radio of any obstructions on or near the LZ.
- At least one individual on scene should monitor the aircraft during takeoff and landing, that individual should have a radio to communicate with the aircraft during these critical phases of flight.
- Keep the entire area clear of people and vehicles.
- All persons should stay away from the aircraft until told to approach by the pilot or crew.
- Landing zone acceptance or general LZ suitability is at the discretion of the pilot. Landing of multiple aircraft requires additional 100’ X 100’ LZs for each additional helicopter. Simultaneous operations of multiple aircraft will only be performed when the pilot of the landing aircraft is able to communicate his intentions with other pilots using the LZ.
- Survival Flight reserves the right to deny transport of patients deemed by the Incident Commander as a Hazardous Materials Incident or a scene involving a reportable quantity of hazardous materials release.
Regional Landing Zone Classes
We provide regional landing zone classes designed to maximize safety during scene operations for fire, police and EMS agencies.
U-M Health Landing Zone Information & Procedures
Helipad Information
- Location and Use: Across the street from the emergency department, cantilevered off the side of a hill and sitting approximately 50 feet below grade of East Medical Center Drive. Helistop accommodates two aircraft. To be used for all incoming patient flights to U-M Health, unless otherwise directed by Survival Flight Communications or transporting a critically ill "direct admit" to Holden or Mott.
- LAT/LONG: 42-17-07.5000N 083-43-39.3700W
- Dimensions: Aircraft limited to 65' or less
- PCL: 130.6 key 5X
- Elevation: 800 feet
- Windsock: Lighted. Southside of helistop on the rooftop between both pads
- Weight Limit: Aircraft limited to 19,000 lbs or less
- Google Maps link
General Information
- Notify Survival Flight Communications Center prior to departing home station
- Pilots notify Survival Flight Communications Center 10 minutes prior to landing on 130.6
- For noise abatement purposes, approach and departure should be from the NW, NE and E.
- Approach and departure routes along with associated coordinates can be obtained by following the above link.
- All aircrafts movements, (LDG, T/O, and REPOSITIONING) will be coordinated with Survival Flight Communications. NO EXCEPTIONS.
Obstructions
- Wires 300 feet N and 50 feet above the heliport elevation that are marked with 20-inch high-visibility balls striped with night reflective tape. The associated poles for this string of wires will be marked with red obstruction lights.
- 2 poles (associated with a river crossing) for another set of wires 320 feet to the NE and 50 feet above the heliport elevation. These poles will also be marked with red obstruction lights and the associated wires identically marked with high-visibility balls.
- 100-foot tall trees running parallel to and 20 feet above the wires.
- Trees are located on the hill between the heliport and the road.
- Location and Use:Northeast corner of CS Mott hospital rooftop. Primary heliport for pediatric patients.
- LAT/LONG: 42-16-56.0600N 083-43-36.0600W
- Dimensions: Aircraft limited to “D” value of 55’ or less.
- PCL: 130.6 key 5X
- Elevation: 1080 feet
- Windsock: Lighted. SW of helipad
- Weight Limit: 22,000 lbs or less
General Information
- Limited to twin engine helicopters only. Specific pilot training, documentation, and permission required for use. See Helipad and Helistop Procedures below.
- Pilots notify Survival Flight Communications Center 10 minutes prior to landing on 130.6
- Approach and departures from East through NNW only. Avoid approach / departure to South.
- All aircrafts movements, (LDG, T/O, and REPOSITIONING) will be coordinated with Survival Flight Communications. NO EXCEPTIONS.
- Heliport use limited to maximum wind speed of 20 knots, as reported at KARB.
- Aircraft may experience magnetic interference with compass.
- Google Maps link
Obstructions
- Stairwell 1 story above helipad 70’ NE
- Vent stacks 66’ S
- Elevator Shaft 2 stories above helipad 115’ SW
- Location and Use: North of University Hospital at ground level across street from Emergency room. Used when all other helipads are occupied.
- LAT/LONG: 42-16-59.5500N 083-43-44.5300W
- Dimensions: Aircraft limited to “D” value of 50’ or less.
- PCL: 130.6 key 5X
- Elevation: 780 feet
- Windsock: Lighted. SW of helipad
- Weight Limit: Ground level, no posted load limit (accommodations for one aircraft only).
General Information
- Notify Survival Flight Communications Center prior to departing home station
- Pilots notify Survival Flight Communications Center 10 minutes prior to landing on 130.6
- Approach and departures as depicted from West through NNE only
- All aircrafts movements, (LDG, T/O, and REPOSITIONING) will be coordinated with Survival Flight Communications. NO EXCEPTIONS.
- Pilot discretion advised in adverse wind conditions.
- Google Maps link
Obstructions
- Edge of helipad is 8" higher on NW and NE
- Landing pad lights and fire extinguisher in close proximity to pad
- Wires directly N of helistop.
At no time shall noise abatement areas or preferred routing take precedence over the safety of flight.
Helipad & Helistop Procedures
Safe helipad and helistop operations involve a multitude of personnel, including communication specialists, aviators, hospital security and the medical team. Reviewing and adhering to Survival Flight procedures is essential for ensuring the safety of our teams in critical situations.
- View the U-M Health video for instructions on our helipad and helistop use
- Review the U-M Health Survival Flight Visiting Program Notification Policy
- Download a Pilot Training Completion Record
Survival Flight Patient Preparation
One call is all you need to request air medical transport, or discuss your patient with an emergency physician or flight nurse.
Whether transferring a patient to Michigan Medicine or to any accepting facility, Survival Flights's highly trained staff will provide prompt, expert service.
When transferring patients by Survival Flight, please provide the following:
- The patients name, age, sex, weight and location.
- The type and extent of illness or injury, vital signs and treatment received.
- The landing site information, ground contact and radio frequency if you are calling from the scene of an accident..
- One copy of medical records, pertinent laboratory/diagnostic data, x-rays, pre-hospital records.
- For trauma patients: please secure the airway, place patient in full CTLS spine immobilization, attempt cannulation of two large bore IV's and place a nasogastric tube for patients that have an altered level of consciousness, abdominal trauma or multi-system trauma.
- If possible, please request family members to remain at your facility to provide further information.
- Please provide a stretcher for transport.
Information on this site is not a tool for self-diagnosis or a substitute for professional care.
Support Lifesaving Missions
Your donation to Survival Flight helps provide critical air medical transport and advanced care to patients in urgent need across Michigan and beyond. With your support, our expert teams can respond quickly, save lives, and continue to set the standard for emergency medical services. Join us in making a life-changing difference—every gift truly matters.
