PCARES - Helicopter Safety Training

Why Helicopter & Air Coordination Training Matters in ARES

Inter-Agency Communication Integration: ARES operators frequently interface with public safety, air rescue, and government entities (such as state patrols, sheriff departments, or the Civil Air Patrol). Knowing how to communicate with or relay traffic for rotary-wing assets prevents frequency congestion and miscommunication.
Landing Zone (LZ) and Ground-to-Air Setup: During grid-down or austere scenarios, ARES volunteers may be deployed to secure or communicate information about landing zones, wind conditions, and local hazards to incoming medical or supply helicopters.
Offloading Public Safety Networks: Helicopters and ground command centers generate heavy radio traffic. Trained ARES operators help offload routine or secondary administrative, tactical, and health-and-welfare traffic from overloaded public safety channels onto amateur bands or cross-band relays.
Disaster Reconnaissance & Damage Assessment: Low-level aerial operations or mobile ground teams working in tandem with air units rely on clear, structured messaging (such as standard ICS-213 forms or tactical voice procedures) to report impassable roads, structural damage, or isolated survivors.
Adhering to NIMS/ICS Standards: ARES training aligns with the National Incident Management System and the Incident Command System (ICS), ensuring that radio operators understand air operations branch functions and safety protocols around rotary-wing aircraft.

Helicopter Operations for SAR Responders - Online Course1 hour course describing key operational and safety considerations when working with helicopters in land SAR.

To set up a safe emergency helicopter landing zone (LZ), follow standard aviation and emergency medical service guidelines for size, surface conditions, hazards, and communication.

1. Size and Surface Requirements

Dimensions: Prepare a clear, flat square area measuring at least 100 ft by 100 ft (up to 125 ft x 125 ft at night).
Terrain: Look for firm, level ground with a slope of less than 10 degrees (never exceed a 15-degree slope). Avoid muddy, icy, swampy, or loose sandy ground.
Debris & Loose Objects: Remove or secure all loose items within and around the area—such as trash, clothing, tarps, signs, or plastic—to prevent them from turning into dangerous projectiles from rotor wash. Wet down dusty or dry dirt to minimize dust brownouts.

2. Obstacles and Hazards

Clearance: Ensure the approach and departure paths are completely free of obstacles like trees, buildings, signs, and posts.
Overhead Wires: Carefully scan for power lines, utility poles, and communication cables. Power lines are nearly invisible from the air. If a vehicle is located near wires, park a fire engine or police car underneath them with emergency lights flashing to warn the pilot.
Height Limit: The landing zone should be free of any stumps, rocks, or objects higher than 18 inches.

3. Lighting and Marking

Daytime: Mark the four corners of the LZ using high-visibility cones, vests, or panels.
Nighttime: Mark the four corners with steady red or amber lights (or LED beacons/strobes). Never use dazzling white spotlights, high-beams, or blinding floodlights pointed up at the aircraft once the pilot is on final approach—turn vehicle headlights or spotlights off or redirect them away from the pad.
Winds: Helicopters always land and take off into the wind. Communicate wind direction and speed to the flight crew.

4. Communication and Ground Control

Designate a Landing Zone Officer (LZO): Assign one person to maintain direct radio contact with the helicopter crew (using designated tactical or EMS frequencies).
Crowd Control: Keep all bystanders, non-essential personnel, and vehicles at least 100 feet away from the landing perimeter.
Approaching the Aircraft:
- Never approach the helicopter until the pilot or flight crew gives a clear signal.
- Always approach and depart strictly from the front (in the pilot's field of view, around the 12:00 position).
- Never walk behind or around the tail rotor, which is fatal and completely hidden when spinning.
- Keep all objects, IV poles, and equipment low (never raise anything above shoulder/head height).

When guiding a helicopter on the ground, only one designated Landing Zone Officer (LZO) should use standardized ICAO/aviation hand signals (or illuminated batons at night). The pilot has final authority and often relies primarily on radio communication or a crew chief, making visual signals a secondary or emergency backup.

Core Emergency & Landing Signals

Land: Cross arms low in front of the body or point downward at the landing spot.
Hover: Extend arms straight out horizontally with fists clenched.
Move Upward: Extend arms horizontally sideways with palms facing up, beckoning upward.
Move Downward: Extend arms horizontally sideways with palms facing down, beckoning downward.
Move Sideways (Left/Right): Hold one arm horizontally sideways in the desired direction; sweep the other arm across the body toward that side repeatedly.
Move Ahead / Forward: Sweep arms repeatedly upward and backward, beckoning onward.
Slow Down: Extend arms downward and make a gentle patting or waving motion from waist to knees.
Stop / Immediate Halt: Cross wrists and arms repeatedly above and in front of the head.
Cut Engine(s) / Shutdown: Place either arm level with the chest and make a lateral throat-cutting motion with the palm down.
Emergency / Hazard Abort: Rapidly cross and uncross arms or wave a red wand in a figure-eight.

Positioning and Safety Rules

Positioning: Stand with your back to the wind so the aircraft lands facing into the wind toward you, positioned slightly ahead and to the pilot's 10:00–12:00 side.
Visibility Gear: Wear a high-visibility reflective vest and use lighted marshalling wands (not raw flashlights) at night.
Gear Huddle: Keep all personal equipment, hats, and medical gear tightly secured in a low "gear huddle" next to you.
Never Approach: Do not move toward the aircraft until the pilot gives a clear thumbs-up or signal, always approaching via the front.

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