Helicopter landing and landing aria

Marshalling is one-on-one visual communication and a part of aircraft ground handling. It may be as an alternative to, or additional to, radio communications between the aircraft and air traffic control. The usual equipment of a marshaller is a reflecting safety vest, a helmet with acoustic earmuffs, and gloves or marshaling wands–handheld illuminated beacons.

At airports, the marshaller signals the pilot to keep turning, slow down, stop, and shut down engines, leading the aircraft to its parking stand or to the runway. Sometimes, the marshaller indicates directions to the pilot by driving a "Follow-Me" car (usually a yellow van or pick-up truck with a checkerboard pattern) prior to disembarking and resuming signalling, though this is not an industry standard.

At busier and better equipped airports, marshallers are replaced on some stands with a Visual Docking Guidance System (VDGS), of which there are many types.

A Royal Air Force Boeing C-17 being marshalled at London Heathrow Airport (2011).

On aircraft carriers or helipads, marshallers give take-off and landing clearances to aircraft and helicopters, where the very limited space and time between take-offs and landings makes radio communications a difficult alternative.

We believe that some of you were wondering how pilots recognize where to park the aircraft at the airport. We can give you an answer!

People, who are responsible for directing aircraft in the right position, are called marshallers. They do so by applying marshalling signals. With the help of these gestures they can do their job without any faults.

Body signals help to communicate with pilot visually without saying a word. Therefore, marshalling is an alternative to a radio communication.

The main guidelines to marshallers are to stand in a prominent area and do not endanger aircraft. They may not combine additional hand or arm gestures and to go backwards during the performance.

Take a look at the ramp hand signals and their meaning!

Preparing the Landing Zone (LZ)

The following guidelines must be utilized to select, prepare and secure a safe landing site for MedFlight:

Size: At least 100 feet x 100 feet
Shape: Square, circular, or rectangular
Slope: Relatively flat (less than 10º slope)
Surface: The LZ should be free of debris and equipment
Surroundings: Identify power lines, antennas, trees, signs, poles or hazards within 500 yards and keep personnel, Spectators and vehicles at least 200 feet from the touchdown area

Safety: Do not approach the helicopter without crew supervision
Daytime LZ: Mark the four corners of the site with highly visible objects
Nighttime LZ: Use strobe kits or vehicle headlights to mark the LZ. Flashlights placed inside orange cones are highly visible markers. Avoid shining light directly at the aircraft as this may interfere with the pilot's night vision

To provide for a safe environment to perform normal helicopter landing and takeoff operations each heliport must have unobstructed approach/departure paths. At a minimum the FAA recommends that there should be two approach departure path so that pilots have viable unobstructed routes into and out of a heliport under multiple wind conditions. The minimum recommended separation between flight paths is 135 degrees. A heliport approach path is broken down into two distinct airspace surfaces, the Approach Surface and the Transitional Surface. The approach surface begins at each end of the heliport primary surface with the same width as the primary surface, and extends outward and upward for a horizontal distance of 4,000 feet where its width is 500 feet. The slope of the approach surface is 8 to 1 for civil heliports. The Transitional Surfaces extend outward and upward from the lateral boundaries of the primary surface and from the approach surfaces at a slope of 2 to 1 for a distance of 250 feet measured horizontally from the centreline of the primary and approach surfaces. Approach paths can either be straight or curved to accommodate obstructions and avoidance areas.

Aircraft/Helicopter Arrival

Wear appropriate hearing and eye protection to protect against flying debris
Approach aircraft only when signaled by pilot
Approach from the front of the helicopter after signaled
Wait for crew to open aircraft doors
Never approach helicopter while rotors are turning
Follow crew instructions for safety in loading/unloading
Aircraft/Helicopter Departure

Secure the helipad

Clear the area of bystanders, vehicles, obstacles and debris
Adequate fire equipment should be readily available
Wear appropriate hearing and eye protection
General Safety Precautions

Do not rush towards a helicopter

Be mindful of patient care and universal precautions
Wear appropriate eye and hearing protection
Remain at a distance of at least 50 feet during all take off and landings
No loose articles
Do not raise anything higher than head level
No vehicle traffic within 50 feet of the helicopter
Notify communication centre of any changes or construction around the helipad/helistop
No smoking in or around the helicopter
Never approach aircraft from the rear

Helicopter & Heliport Terms

Here are some videos from Youtube that show you how it looks like.

Credit to the owner of the video