07-10-2008, 08:44 PM
AW:
Now, as I understand it, we got onto this tangent in the context of dropping things from an airborne helicopter -- not an aircraft sitting in an LZ waiting for EMS folks (or whomever) to bring us a passenger.
For the sake of argument, however, I've given countless LZ classes -- and I spout the same stuff as the Med Trans buckaroos (and buckarettes) do. These are some, but not all, of the reasons for that.
1) we don't want to blind or maim any of the folks working in or near the zone by blowing stuff into their eyes (or other orifices);
2) the airflow patterns around a helicopter on or near the deck are different than for one that is at altitude, perhaps dropping something; and
3) while the helicopter is on or near the deck, loose debris is far more susceptible to being recirculated through the rotor system, and if that happens -- for legal and liability reasons -- we're gonna shut the aircraft down and have a mechanic inspect it. If that happens, noone's getting to ride in the helicopter until the mechanic inspects it and proclaims it airworthy again. That does nothing good for the victim/patient who needs speedy transport to a higher level of medical care.
In Viet Nam, pilots routinely used the rotor systems of UH-1's (Hueys) to "carve" LZ's out of trees, bamboo and other foliage in order to extricate people under hostile fire.
Those components will take more abuse than is legal in a domestic unscheduled commercial passenger operation, which is what air ambulances do.
I'm sure that you can understand that the lawyers would have a field day if we did even a fraction what is done with helicopters in a combat environment while transporting passengers in the civilian world.
If you want the condensed version of an LZ class -- albeit not politically correct.
1) Choose an LZ with no obstacles or things that can be recirculated by the rotor system.
2) Stay clear of the tail rotor; it'll kill you real fast.
3) Stay clear of the tail rotor; it'll kill you real fast.
4) Keep disinterested parties at least 200 feet away from the landing area.
5) Wear well-secured eye and hearing protection.
6) If you want the helicopter to get your patient out of the LZ quickly, shut up; don't have any loose stuff on you; and do what the aircrew tells you when they tell you.
7) Stay clear of the tail rotor; it'll kill you real fast.
Hope this clarifies things.
Now, as I understand it, we got onto this tangent in the context of dropping things from an airborne helicopter -- not an aircraft sitting in an LZ waiting for EMS folks (or whomever) to bring us a passenger.
For the sake of argument, however, I've given countless LZ classes -- and I spout the same stuff as the Med Trans buckaroos (and buckarettes) do. These are some, but not all, of the reasons for that.
1) we don't want to blind or maim any of the folks working in or near the zone by blowing stuff into their eyes (or other orifices);
2) the airflow patterns around a helicopter on or near the deck are different than for one that is at altitude, perhaps dropping something; and
3) while the helicopter is on or near the deck, loose debris is far more susceptible to being recirculated through the rotor system, and if that happens -- for legal and liability reasons -- we're gonna shut the aircraft down and have a mechanic inspect it. If that happens, noone's getting to ride in the helicopter until the mechanic inspects it and proclaims it airworthy again. That does nothing good for the victim/patient who needs speedy transport to a higher level of medical care.
In Viet Nam, pilots routinely used the rotor systems of UH-1's (Hueys) to "carve" LZ's out of trees, bamboo and other foliage in order to extricate people under hostile fire.
Those components will take more abuse than is legal in a domestic unscheduled commercial passenger operation, which is what air ambulances do.
I'm sure that you can understand that the lawyers would have a field day if we did even a fraction what is done with helicopters in a combat environment while transporting passengers in the civilian world.
If you want the condensed version of an LZ class -- albeit not politically correct.
1) Choose an LZ with no obstacles or things that can be recirculated by the rotor system.
2) Stay clear of the tail rotor; it'll kill you real fast.
3) Stay clear of the tail rotor; it'll kill you real fast.
4) Keep disinterested parties at least 200 feet away from the landing area.
5) Wear well-secured eye and hearing protection.
6) If you want the helicopter to get your patient out of the LZ quickly, shut up; don't have any loose stuff on you; and do what the aircrew tells you when they tell you.
7) Stay clear of the tail rotor; it'll kill you real fast.
Hope this clarifies things.