Helicopter landing zones should be which dimensions?

• A. 50 x 50 feet
• B. 100 x 100 feet
• C. 200 x 200 feet
• D. 75 x 75 feet

Answer: (B)

A landing zone must be large enough to safely accommodate the rotor arc and provide clearance around the aircraft during approach, touchdown, and hover. For most rotorcraft used in EMS and CFRN operations, about 100 by 100 feet gives ample room for the rotor blades to clear nearby obstacles, plus enough margin for wind drift and pilot adjustments during the final approach and departure. This size supports safe entry from any direction and reduces the risk of rotor strikes or ground contact. Smaller areas, like 50 by 50 or 75 by 75 feet, are often too tight for many helicopters and can increase those risks, while a much larger zone, such as 200 by 200 feet, is typically more than required for routine missions and may be impractical to locate in many landing environments.