Airborne and Ground Standbys

As a service to our response area, Care Flight offers airborne and ground standbys to our requesting agencies.

Airborne Standby: Once you think you may need Care Flight, put us on an “airborne standby”. Care Flight will head in your direction. Once you arrive at the patient’s side, you can determine if Care Flight services are needed. You may continue us or cancel the aircraft. There is no charge incurred for non- transport. Airborne standbys may be useful if you are greater than 15 minutes drive time from the nearest appropriate hospital. However, on an “Airborne Standby”, the aircraft is NOT committed to you. If we receive a “flight request” for service, we will respond to that request as the priority.

Ground Standby: If you are not sure you need Care Flight in the air, you can request a “Ground Standby”. Care Flight will mobilize and be prepared to depart immediately if you upgrade your request to a “Go” for service, thus saving precious minutes until we are at the patient’s side to assist you.