EASA has invited Mona Seeberger, helicopter pilot, instructor and technician, to make a new series of four videos on Helicopter Off-Airfield Landing Site Operations. This article presents the second video addressing Landing Site Identification, Recce Procedures and Approach and Landing procedures. The video and article are mainly based on the EHEST Leaflet HE 3 Helicopter Off Airfield Landing Sites Operations | EASA (europa.eu).
This article presents the second EASA video of a series of four with Mona Seeberger, addressing Off-Airfield Landing Site Operations. It focuses on Landing Site Identification, Recce Procedures and Approach and Landing procedures.
Reconnaissance procedures
Perform a high and a low reconnaissance before commencing the approach at an off-airfield area, especially if you haven’t landed there before. Be mindful however that, even if the site is familiar to you, things might have changed since your last flight there: the recce procedures remain useful.
High recce
A first identification of the wind direction is performed during the high recce to determine the choice of the landing and take-off path. As off airfield landing sites aren’t equipped with wind indicators, direction that crops or trees are bending will indicate wind direction and strength.
Low recce
The low recce is used to confirm the wind conditions and the power needed to land and take off. It shouldn’t be flown lower than necessary, and ideally not less than 500ft AGL or the height specified in the POH/RFM Height-Velocity diagram, to cope with a possible engine failure, and reduce noise.
6S checklist
For both the high and low recces, while orbiting around the landing site, it is recommended to use the 6S checklist:
- Size: what are your helicopter’s dimensions – is the area big enough?
- Shape: is your approach and landing procedure possible and safe and going up the longest axis possible?
- Surroundings: obstacles, cables, pylons, trees, wind turbines, bridges, buildings, any other natural or artificial hazard?
- Slope: any slopy terrain that might cause dynamic rollover at touch down? This may be better done in the low hover prior to landing.
- Surface: long grass, dust, snow, or any other hazards?
- Sun: Could the sun impair visibility during the approach and landing, and subsequently take-off ?
Caution: Actively look out for people, animals and vehicles, especially for landing in a crowded area like a hotel or restaurant parking, for instance.
As mentioned in the first video, using the right approach and departure procedures for the landing site is essential for safe landing and take-off. The choice of procedures depends on different factors like helicopter performance (single-engine helicopter or a multi-engine helicopter?), wind, terrain, wind direction and velocity, obstacles on the path, and size of the landing area.
That’s the 2nd decision gate: if everything is OK and risks have been identified and are under control at the recce stage, you may decide to proceed with the approach and land.
Approach trajectories
There are various standard approach trajectories. The three trajectory illustrations are available in the EHEST Leaflet HE 3 Helicopter Off Airfield Landing Sites Operations | EASA (europa.eu):
Caution: During the manoeuvre, keep in mind to stay outside the dead-men's curve and be aware of the conditions which could lead to Vortex Ring State (VRS) and Loss of Tale Rotor Effectiveness (LTE), also known as Unintended Yaw (UY).
Third decision gate: One of the advantages of flying with a multi-engine helicopter, is having fixed landing decision points (LDP) and take-off decision points (TDP) in terms of speed and height from the landing spot, which you normally determine with your radioaltimeter and baro-altimeter. For example: If the LDP is 120ft AGL, add to the height of the landing spot 2350ft AMSL + 120ft or use the radio altimeter.
For single-engine helicopter this is not always the case: if you don’t have a radio altimeter, please use your baro-altimeter.
LDP and TDP give you safety margins in terms of obstacle clearance and aborting the take-off or landing if the landing area is not suitable.
Caution: Mindful of downwash, it is good to a have people on the ground keeping bystanders, animals, vehicles and objects off the landing site.
The third video and article will address Manoeuvring in the Landing Site and Operating with Ground Personnel.ReferencesEHEST Leaflet HE 3 Helicopter Off Airfield Landing Sites Operations | EASA (europa.eu).Helicopter Landing Guide Helicopter Landing Guide – Helipaddy, (30) Andrew Brandt | LinkedIn.Uncertified Helipad Landing | EASA Community (europa.eu).EASA video Helicopter Landings at Uncertified Helipads (youtube.com).
EHEST Leaflet HE 12 Helicopter Performance | EASA (europa.eu).Threat and Error Management (TEM) for Helicopter Operations | EASA Community (europa.eu). From Take-Off to Landing | EASA Community (europa.eu).Helicopter Airmanship | EASA Community (europa.eu).Spotlight on Safety: Best practices for confined-area operations - ROTOR Media.HAI Spotlight on Safety: Confined Area Operations (youtube.com).Welcoming helicopters - Advice to ground personnel.
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