Which item is NOT part of the ATU landing zone criteria?

• A. 100x100 day or night
• B. Free of wires, light poles, loose objects, and loose sand
• C. Hard surface with minimum of 2 lane roads
• D. Proximity to a hospital within 1 mile

Answer: (D)

The situation tests what makes a helicopter landing zone (LZ) usable for ATU operations. A proper LZ must be a clearly defined, unobstructed area of sufficient size that allows safe approach and departure in all conditions. That means it should be about 100 by 100 feet, usable day or night, so the crew can see and position the aircraft. It must be free of hazards like wires, light poles, loose objects, and loose sand, to prevent debris and contact with the rotor system. The surface should be hard or firm enough to support the aircraft and allow ground personnel to move safely, often with a road-wide area or a similar stable surface for access and evacuation. Proximity to a hospital within a mile is not a requirement for the landing zone itself; hospitals are where patients may be taken after landing, but the LZ’s qualification rests on size, obstacle clearance, surface, and accessibility—not on distance to a medical facility.