Life Flight Landing Zone Kit Instructions

Setting up a Landing Zone

  • The first-responding unit should designate an LZ Commander to select a safe site which is as close to the scene or patient as possible without jeopardizing the safety of ground personnel and structures.
  • A Landing Zone site should be on a hard, clean surface or grass. The designated LZ square should be 100 ft x 100 ft., free of debris, gravel, sand, trees, snow, rocks, power lines, telephone poles, and any other objects which may interfere with landing.
  • Most Life Flight helicopters in use today have a main rotor diameter of
  • 35-50 feet and a fuselage length with main rotor blades turning of 40-50
  • feet. Military helicopters are usually much larger.

Safety Precautions

  • Once the LZ Commander has selected a potential site, be sure to verify that the landing site has no more than a 5-degree maximum slope.
  • Normally, a helicopter will land and take off into the wind. The LZ ground team can help the pilot to determine wind direction and speed at
  • the landing zone. Use the LIFE FLIGHT RED BEACON to show wind direction. You can use a bright streamer or flag near the beacon to assist the pilot in determining approximate wind speed.
  • Whether dark or light, use the four AMBER LIFE FLIGHT BEACONS to designate the four corners of the 100 x 100 LZ.

 

Night Landing

  • Once the pilot has indicated to the ground crew that they have identified the LZ, all vehicles should be moved away from the LZ and all headlights should be switched off.
  • Note that the white, blue and red strobe lights of emergency vehicles are EXTREMELY DISTRACTING to the pilot during a night takeoff or landing.

 

General Safety Tips

  • NEVER approach a landed helicopter until the crew indicate that it is safe to do so.
  • ALWAYS approach a helicopter towards the front of the aircraft, NEVER towards the back. You can be injured or killed by the rear propellers.
  • If the helicopter is on a slope, always approach the helicopter from below, proceeding up the slope, and keeping your head down. Wind can cause the main rotors to bend down towards the ground.
  • The pilot always has the right to refuse to land. If the helicopter crew are unable to use the selected LZ, consult with the pilot and select an alternative LZ.
  • This material is intended for informational use only and does not address
    all safety considerations involved with aircraft operations.