FM 57-35 Airmobile Operations - Survival Books

WWW.SURVIVALEBOOKS.COM(ACP's 136 and 168 (A)). The following standard procedures may be used:(a) Helicopter landing site.1.A landing point for the flight leader may be markedor indicated. The flight leader occupies that particular location, and the rest of the flight lands immediately behind him.2. Each helicopter landing point may be marked by apanel.3. Pathfinders may guide each helicopter individually,guiding it to its landing point by use of panels, armand-handsignals, or flags.(6) Airplane landing strip.1. Parking party personnel use arm-and-hand signals tocontrol aircraft parking. They transmit instructionsfrom the control center to pilots, and assist in unloading the aircraft.2. The pathfinder at the approach end of the runwayclears aircraft for takeoff or delays the takeoff according to the instructions received from the controlcenter.(c) Drop zone. In drop zone operations, an aircraft releases its bundles or troops as, flying up the stem of thetee, it passes over the junction of the stem and crossbar.4. Night Landing Zonesa. Night landing zones are identical to those for day landings,except that more emphasis is placed on selecting zones with aminimum of obstacles and on providing more room between aircraft. A formation of aircraft cannot maneuver as easily at nightas during daylight and control is more difficult.b. Night landing zones are laid out like day landing zones exceptthat light sources must be used as visual aids.5. Night Landing Sites, Landing Strips, and Drop Zonesa. Selection. The considerations applying to the selection of daylanding sites, landing strips, and drop zones are equally applicablefor night operations. Increased emphasis is placed on avoidingobstacles and selecting glide paths free of obstacles. Landing sitesmust be easily identifiable and provide added maneuver room forhelicopter formations in flight and during landing and takeoff.b. Preparation. Night landing sites and strips are prepared byindicating the exact landing or parking points for each aircraft/90 AGO 2294B