Landing Zone and 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.
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.
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.
Each crew member is responsible for crew safety. If at any time one of the crew members feels uncomfortable accepting a fligth due to a crew safety concern such as unfavorable weather, aircraft condition or adverse terrain, he or she is encouraged to share the concern and cancel the flight if necessary.
Landing Zone Procedures
Call Helicopter through appropriate agency with the following information:
LOCATION: Cross streets, LAT/LONG coordinates, prominent features
COMMUNICATION: Call back number, Radio Frequency (LZ-1,Statewide, etc.) and Call sign of LZ Command. Designate only one person to communicate with the aircrew on the radio.
WEATHER: Poor Visibility, Icing, High Wind, Rain or Snow
PATIENT STATUS: Number, Condition, Age, Mechanism of Injury, Hazards
LANDING ZONE: Describe surrounding land marks. In a parking lot, field, close to a building etc.
Landing Zone Setup
SIZE: 100 feet by 100 feet.
LEVEL: Select a landing area as level as possible (minimal slope)
LANDING SURFACE: Hard surface preferred. Avoid loose dirt or 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, extremely tall trees or buildings and other hazards
MARK AREA: Clearly marked using 5 weighted cones, or beacons: one at each corner of the LZ, and one on the side that the wind is coming from. Unweighted beacons will blow away. Do not use flares due to fire hazard.
SELECT ALTERNATE LANDING ZONE: Plan for alternate LZs (Crew may determine LZ to be unsafe)
HAZ-MAT: Always inform pilot and medical crew of HAZMAT situations. 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. All patient must be removed from the hot zone. and decontaminated prior to flight.
Night Landing Zones: Night landing zones always require good communications, lighting and alertness. If available set up night landing zone with five weighted or secured lights. If portable lights are not available, cross headlight beams into the wind at the center of the landing zone
The responding crew will establish radio contact on the assigned frequency with Landing Zone Command five to ten minutes out. Once contacted by the responding crew, describe the following
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Only approach the aircraft from the three or nine o'clock positions on the sides, when signaled by a crew member. Maintain radio contact at all times until the crew has landed, loaded and departed the scene.
Police, fire, & E.M.S. Agencies please feel free to call us if you would like a LZ Safety class.
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