Landing Zone Protocols

Landing Zone Education. We made changes to our LZ education program in 2008. Contact us to schedule a LZ class for your department.

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Landing Zone Site Setup

Perimeter (day) 60 feet x 60 feet perimeter (night) 100 feet x 100 feet.

Clear of trees, wires, emergency vehicles, signs, loose objects.

Surface: smooth with no more than 13 degree slope.

People and all vehicles kept back 100 feet at all times.

Rotary beacons of emergency vehicles kept on to help pilot identify location.

Daytime: Communicate by radio. Do not use sheets or light materials which can blow around.

Nighttimes: Locate one light in each corner of perimeter and a fifth light positioned up-wind. Do not use flares!

Nighttime: Please turn off headlights as we are now using night vision goggles.

Do a FOD (foreign object debris) walk.

Landing Zone

When helicopter lands, assign and position tail rotor guard.
Never approach or depart helicopter until directed to do so by the crew.
Always approach or depart helicopter forward of the cabin doors in full view of the pilot.
If helicopter is parked on a slope always approach or depart down slope.
Never allow personnel behind the cargo door or under the boom.
Never allow object over six feet long to be carried to or from the helicopter.
Do not allow vehicles to approach the helicopter closer than 100 feet.
No more than 4 people should approach the helicopter at one time.
Do not open or close doors on baggage compartment.
When in doubt -stay back.

For Suggested Patient Conditions