The medical team has a dual role on aeromedical taskings, especially rotary wing. Their primary duty is to the patient but they also have a key role as air crew members. One member of the team should take the lead in the back of the cabin and this is usually designated by the seating arrangement. Initial duties include making voice contact with the pilot and then securing the cabin pre-take-off. Make sure all cabin personnel have helmets on and chin straps fastened. Seatbelts should be fastened and the aircraft doors should be in the locked position. If applicable, mobile phones and radios should be turned off. The pilot will ask whether the rear cabin is secure and you as team leader should confirm this. During take-off and landing, the team in the cabin should avoid speaking. This ‘sterile cockpit’ allows the pilot to focus attention during these periods of higher risk. The exception to this is the requirement of all air crew to look out for hazards to the aircraft. This can be anything from unsecured objects on the ground, to wires and air traffic. Do not hesitate to alert the pilot to these potential threats and never assume that they have already been identified (see Case 1). Once airborne and, with the pilot’s permission, the team can discuss relevant aspects of the tasking, including nearest appropriate hospital, equipment required and drug doses. Contact should be made with the tasking agency for updates and arrival information. The team should keep observing for air traffic at all times and should listen to the air traffic control frequency for traffic updates. On arrival at the scene, assist the pilot with identifying potential landing sites if required and follow the same rules for landing as for take-off. For emergency landings in non-designated landing sites, pay particular attention to members of the public and warn the pilot if you see any people (including emergency services personnel) heading to the rear of the aircraft. Note that many aircraft have a rear-facing seat in the cabin and this will afford the best view of this part of the aircraft. After landing, ask the pilot if the team is clear to go and safely leave the aircraft and the rotor disc area. Ensure the pilot is aware if you plan to leave the rotor disc area immediately on disembarking the aircraft (‘hot deplane’).