Flightcare

Landing Zone

Emergency Dispatch:  1-800-367-3822


Scene Details Needed When Calling Dispatch:

  • Requestors name and agency
  • Type of incident
  • Approximate patient weight
  • Location including nearest cross street
  • Call back number
  • Ground contact
  • Radio frequency

Prior to Arrival:

  • Landing Zone Coordinator selects the landing zone location, communicates with aircraft and maintains safety at all times.
  • LZ Coordinator will be contact with the pilot to describe the proposed landing zone and any potential hazards in the area.
  • The landing zone should be a minimum 100 feet x 100 feet during the day and 150 feet x 150 feet at night.  The landing zone should also be free of wires, debris, signs, stumps, tall grass, antennas, snow banks and trees.  The surface should be as flat as possible.
  • Emergency vehicles assisting with the landing of aircraft need to be 100 feet away and all other vehicles at least 200 feet away.
  • After landing, DO NOT approach the helicopter until directed by the flight crew.

Night Consideration:

  • 150 feet x 150 feet
  • All spotlights, floodlights and handheld lights should be pointed at the ground and never at the helicopter.
  • Crew will be utilizing Night Vision Goggles on all night flights.
  • Overheads, strobes and warning lights are useful in locating the LZ but their use should be minimized during helicopter take-off and landing.

After Landing:

  • Generally, the aircraft engines will be shut down. Please wait for the blades to stop spinning and for the crew to signal before approaching the helicopter.
  • Approach helicopter in full view of the pilot between 10 and 2 o'clock of the nose.
  • Never approach the helicopter tail rotor.

Crew Assistance and Patient Loading:

  • Be prepared to assist the crew by providing security for the helicopter. If asked, do not allow anyone but the crew to approach the helicopter.
  • Once patient is packaged and ready to load, the crew may select one or two people to assist with loading of the patient.
  • Only FlightCare crew is allowed to operate the stretcher and open/close the helicopter doors.