Landing
Zone Information
When preparing for emergency air transport,
Airlift Northwest and our aviation partners Air Methods Corporation
ask that you please follow these landing zone guidelines.
Before Helicopter Arrives
LZ inspection
Landing zone should be clear of:
- Debris and
unsecured materials
- Brush taller than knee high
Prepare an LZ brief description
- Note overhead wires, light
standards, radio towers, fences, obstructions, or other
hazards in relation to compass bearings
(N,S,E,W).
- Note surface winds and visibility.
LZ safety and security
- Fire department personnel should maintain
a 200' perimeter for bystanders, from aircraft arrival
through departure.
- Personal protective equipment (vision and
hearing protection) should be utilized.
LZ lighting issues
- No white strobe lights
- Red lights assist in noting location
- Flares OK if not a
fire hazard due to the helicopter downwash
- All white lights
(headlights) OFF during landing and takeoff, to protect
pilot's night vision
- Do not spotlight overhead hazards
Helicopter Arrival and
Landing
- Brief the pilot prior to arrival, noting locations of
known hazards in the LZ area.
- Remain in two-way radio contact throughout landing. Be
prepared to call off landing if LZ or helicopter approach
becomes
unsafe.
While in the LZ
- Do not approach the helicopter until the rotor blades
have stopped.
- Approach the helicopter only from the front, once directed
by the flight crew.
- Do not walk around the tail, even when aircraft is shut
down.
- Maintain the LZ security and light restrictions at all
times.
- Review known hazards with the pilot before aircraft departure.
Helicopter
Departure
- Clear all ground personnel away from the helicopter before
engine start.
- No one may approach after engine(s) started.
- Re-establish two-way radio contact with pilot and confirm
the LZ is secure.
- Notify the pilot immediately if an unsafe situation develops.
LZ Brief Example
"Airlift, this is (LZ command).
The landing zone is a (roadway, school, parking lot, field),
surrounded by (street trees, buildings, fences), approximately
(dimensions), marked by (strobes, lights, flares, cones).
Obstacles and hazards in the area are (wires, light standards,
radio towers, fences) to the (note in each compass direction).
Surface winds are (calm, light, variable, strong, gusting)
in (compass direction).
Clearest path of approach is from the (direction)."
Landing Zone Information provided and approved by Air Methods
Corporation.
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