[Air transport of patients: analysis of scientific knowledge].

This bibliographic research aimed to characterize scientific production on air patient transport in indexed databases. Eighty-three references were found, 76 in Medline, between 1997 and 2009, and four in Lilacs, between 1999 and 2007. More publications were found in 2001 and qualitative studies were the most prevalent. The most evident thematic tendency in Lilacs was education and research, against air transport nursing in Medline. The lack of regulation on nurse's tasks on board is highlighted, as well as the importance of including contents on aerospace nursing in undergraduate and graduate courses. Many gaps remain in knowledge production about the theme. Research analyzing this interface qualifies aerospace nursing care.