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HELICOPTER LANDING GUIDLINES The follow information is intended to provide guidelines for helicopter operation including the set-up and operations of landing zones. In many helicopter landings, particularly night landings, the helicopter crew depends heavily on their ground contact (us) to identify potential hazards and secure a reasonable perimeter around the LZ. Their safety is in our hands and we must take that responsibility very seriously. It is important that all communications with an incoming aircraft be conducted in a competent and professional manner. If the pilot feels the information being transmitted is incomplete or questionable they may elect to cancel the mission. Think about what you’re going to say before you transmit. Communications Initial dispatch for Cal Star is done on County Fire Red but using a repeater we sometimes can’t hear. Cal Star will usually remain on the dispatch frequency until they are relatively close to the scene. They only monitor one fire

frequency at a time and will not hear you if you transmit on the tactical frequency (usually Cal Coords) before they have changed to it. Once they have switched to the tac channel they won’t hear transmissions on the dispatch frequency. The LZ coordinator should stay on the tac channel and off “scan” during landing and takeoff. Once the helicopter has started their “final approach” do not transmit to them other that to warn of hazards. If a threat or problem develops, transmit “abort, abort, abort”. It is safer to cancel the landing and then explain the problem. Hazards and wind briefing Generally the ground contact is identified prior to Cal Star’s arrival on scene. Upon arrival they will notify Howard Forest they are switching to the tac channel and attempt to make contact with the identified ground contact unit. They will observe the LZ and request information about ground conditions and hazards. The report on ground conditions should include an estimate of wind

speed and direction. Wind speed is general given in 5 mile per hour ranges (0-5, 5-10 etc). Wind is almost always present even if difficult to detect. You can throw something light, like a tuft of grass or some dust up and observe very slight wind conditions. Wind direction is given from the direction the wind is coming (wind is at 0 to 5 out of the West). Gusting winds are of particular interest to aircraft and should be reported (winds are at 0 to 5 with gusts to 20 out of the West) The pilot will expect to hear a report on potential hazards, particularly power lines. It is important to include this information even if it is a negative report i.e; “no power lines in the area the LZ is secure”. Great care should be taken to be certain you have adequately inspected the LZ for hazards and it is appropriate to delay the incoming aircraft until you have completed your assessment of the LZ. When possible light hazards at night or park apparatus with code three lights on near or

under them. Anything that is likely to fly around should be secured in some manner. Do not use flagging to mark the LZ as it could come loose and be ingested by the helicopter. It is sometimes appropriate to suggest landing from a particular direction to avoid hazards. When possible, use obvious landmarks to indicate direction (approach from the highway side” rather than compass directions. Use of “right and left” should generally be avoided. Using hours of the clock from the pilots perspective work well as long as you are sure you can determine the helicopters direction , “the LZ is at YOUR 9 O’clock. Securing the LZ All approaches to an LZ must be secured for a distance of at least 200 feet from where the chopper will land. The security must be maintained throughout the period the aircraft is on the ground. Pedestrians, vehicles and animals are all potential threats Approaching and departing the helicopter Do not approach a helicopter until instructed to do so by the pilot

or crew member. Unless instructed otherwise, stay where the pilot can see you. If you need to move around the helicopter, particularly out of the pilots view, notify the pilot of what you’re doing and why. Remove any loose items like caps or hats that could fly off and be ingested. Always secure the chin strap on helmets After loading, depart in the direction indicated by the crew member and stay in a group with all members maintain physical contact until safely out of the area. If possible stay in a position visible to the pilot. Night Vision It is of the utmost importance to protect the pilot’s night vision. Generally all lights, particularly bright white lights, should be turned off prior to the helicopter entering final approach. All vehicles approaching the LZ should extinguish their lights if the helicopter is in the immediate area. It is sometime appropriate to use headlights or spot lights to illuminate hazards or the LZ but care must be taken not to direct lights at the

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