personnel qualification standard (pqs) - I Marine Expeditionary ...

106 Ground Combat Element (GCE)
Ideally, each LZ/PZ is as level as possible, and free of major obstacles that might obstruct
landings or takeoffs (e.g., tall trees, telephone/power lines). Plans must be made to mark
or identify obstacles than cannot be removed in order to aid the aircrew’s ability to safely
land the aircraft. The ground itself must be firm enough to prevent bogging down,
otherwise aircraft may have to hover during loading or unloading operations.
The site must be free of heavy dust, loose snow, logs, rocks, or dry grass. Although level
ground is preferable, some areas that can support the helicopter will not be level. As a
planning rule, LZs with slopes greater than 7 degrees require additional consideration by
the AFL and AMC.
LZ/PZ entry and exit routes are chosen to ensure that takeoffs or landings can occur over
the lowest obstacles and that the direction is into the wind with minimum crosswinds of
10 knots and tailwinds of no more than 5 knots. Wind direction must also be considered
in terms of its effect on the dust created by the helicopter’s landing and takeoff.
The helicopter must be able to ascend or descend vertically into the LZ/PZ when fully
loaded. The landing point for each helicopter should be at a distance 10 times as far from
an obstacle as the obstacle is high.
106-26