Landing Zone and Safety
Safety
Without exception, safety is AirMed's top priority. AirMed established the first civilian Night Vision Goggle program in Utah. Avaiton services as well as Pilots are provided by Airmethods Inc. Under FAA part 135 on demand air carrier certificate #QMLA253U. AirMed pilots are both IFR- and NVG-trained, making AirMed one of very few single-pilot programs nationwide with these capabilities. Eight of the ten AirMed pilots have achieved ATP certification, with the other two scheduled to receive that certification in the very near future.
Despite significant expense to the University and Airmethods Inc.the program has made provisions for all AirMed pilots to participate in regular and frequent simulator training. Not only was a flight simulator purchased for use locally, but all pilots receive Bell 430 simulator training at Flight Safety in Dallas, Texas as well.
In addition, AirMethods has its own FAA check airmen and mountain training officers. AirMed has an active, multi-disciplinary Safety Committee, and a member of the Safety Committee is available by pager at all times to answer questions, immediately address concerns, etc.
Both summer and winter survival courses are provided for all team members annually. The training is taught by experts in survival techniques, and the courses are commonly held in conjunction with other military and civilian flight teams in the area such as Hill Air Force Base and Intermountain Health Care Life Flight. CRM/AMRM training is also conducted annually, and PAIP drills are accomplished quarterly.
AirMed personnel teach landing zone training and rotor-wing safety courses at each college-level paramedic program and EMS agency within the region.
In order to ensure continuous communication across the varied and remote terrain that AirMed covers, each aircraft is equipped with both satellite and cellular telephones and an 800 mHz radio in addition to all standard aviation radios.
Landing Zone Procedures
AirMed 1-800-453-0120
We request that private citizens please call 911
Police, fire, &E.M.S. Agencies please feel free to call us if you need a LZ Safety class.
Landing Zone Safety
1. Call Helicopter through appropriate agency with the following information:
LOCATION: Cross streets, LAT/LONG coordinates, prominent features
COMMUNICATION: Call back number, Radio Frequency (Statewide, etc.) and Call sign of LZ (Landing Zone) Command. Designate only one person to coordinate, set up and communicate
WEATHER: Low Ceilings, Poor Visibility, Icing, High Wind
PATIENT STATUS: Number, Condition, Age, Mechanism, Hazards
LANDING ZONE: The Preferred Landing Zone is: 100 feet by 100 feet
Landing Zone Setup
2. SETUP LANDING ZONE as follows.
SIZE: 100 feet by 100 feet. (MINIMUM FOR THE BH430 IS 100' X 80' MINIMUM FOR 407/206 IS 80' X 80' )
LEVEL: Select a landing area as level as possible (minimal slope)
LANDING SURFACE: Hard surface, Grassy, hard packed snow,) ( AVOID LOOSE DIRT, DUST, POWDER SNOW)
CLEAR OVERHEAD: Free of overhead obstructions (wires, antennas, poles)
CLEAR AREA: Area is clear of debris, large rocks, posts, stumps, vehicles, people, animals, and other hazards.
MARK AREA: Clearly marked using five weighted cones, flares, or beacons: one at each corner of the LZ, and one on the side that the wind is coming from. (smoke helpful if remote)
SELECT ALTERNATE LANDING ZONE: Plan for alternate LZs ( Pilot may determine LZ to be unsafe)
HAZ-MAT: Always inform pilot and medical crew of HAZMAT. When selecting a Landing Zone find a site at least 1/4 to 1 mile UPWIND from the accident depending on the type and amount of materials involved. Avoid low areas where vapors may collect. Patient must be removed from the hot zone. All patients must be decontaminated PRIOR to flight.
Landing Zone location
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- Lighting
- Hazards
- Overhead Wires
- Obstructions
- Slope
- Surface Condition
- Wind Direction and speed
- Maintain radio contact at all times until helicopter has landed, loaded, and departed the area.
- Approach angles over obstacles should be less than 20 degrees
- Always keep landing zone clear of people and other potential hazards
- Approach from 3 and 9 O'Clock positions only (side of helicopter)
- Night landing zones always require good communications, lighting and alertness.
- Set up night landing zone with five flares or other secured lights.
- One flare should be on the side that the wind is coming from.
- If no flares are available mark with strobes, or other light systems.
- If no other portable lights are available, cross headlight beams into the wind at the center of the landing zone.
