Welcome back! This video covers techniques for landing a helicopter into a confined area. If you're enjoying the videos so far, be sure to hit like, subscribe, and leave a comment!

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Simply put, helicopters come with the idea that they must be able to takeoff and land just about anywhere since they generally do not require a runway. Customers or missions may dictate landing in areas just big enough for the helicopter itself. It's important to know how to do so. Just about every reference starts with a high recon. This generally takes place 300' to 500' above the intended landing area to survey the site. There are a lot of techniques or acronyms to do this and this video will list a few. The first reference I'll use is the Army's SSBATW which looks at the following:
Size: Is the landing zone (LZ) big enough? Experience and comfort level play a big part here. Some pilots are just better at gauging size. But one technique to gauge size is to consider known size of objects. Ex: Look in the surrounding area for a semi trailer. These trucks are roughly 50' long. Most helicopters are less than 50' long and wide. Does it appear that a semi could in the proposed LZ? What about cars? They average 15' long. Could you fit 4 end to end? Practice gauging size to better develop this skill.
Suitability: What are the surface conditions? Is it sloping? Is there loose gravel, blowing dust or snow? Wavy grass? Evaluate how that could affect the last 50' of the approach.
Barriers: Is it surrounded by trees, hills, buildings, etc.? Where are the nearest towers, wires, or obstacles?
Approach/Departure Direction: Is there a preferable long axis to use? Is there only 1 way in or out? Better to consider this before the approach rather than find yourself on the ground unable to takeoff again.
Touchdown point: What are you using? You may not be able to use half of a field after you recon because it could be marshy or unsuitable. Specifically determine the touchdown point and amend your approach or Go Around on the approach if you can't make the point.
Winds: Consider winds at altitude and on the surface. How are they affected by objects on the ground? What happens if they shift or change on approach? Are winds different than long axis? Check how my videos on determining winds here (   • Understanding Winds - Part 1  ).

That was the Army's SSBATW technique but there are others. The NAVY uses SWEEP to consider the following:
Size/Shape/Surface/Suitability: these consider the same factors of the 2 "S's" above.
Winds
Elevation: What is the specific Pressure Altitude (PA), Density Altitude (DA), AGL/MSL altitude
Egress: What is the Go Around plan. Also, what is the takeoff plan after landing?
Power Required vs. Power Available: Do you even have power for the type of approach. Do you have power for the takeoff?
Another acronym from the FAA is SWOAT to consider Suitability, Winds, Obstacles, Approach/Departure axis, & Touchdown Point. Ultimately you need to have a method to analyze the LZ prior to initiating a confined area approach.
Following the High Recon analysis, move to a Low Recon analysis. This is generally on the approach path up to a decision point. Either execute your Go Around Plan prior to ETL or continue the approach if all factors of the analysis are good.

I'll outline 3 techniques that are commonly used for the actual approach itself. The first is a Steep Approach. This is generally a 15 degree descent angle. The benefit of this type is that you can easily maintain visual contact with the touchdown point and obstacles throughout the approach. The downside is that it can require OGE power and is more prone to LTE in high winds and limited power. To optimize tail clearance, shoot the approach for the forward 1/3 of the landing area. The next type of approach is a Low Level or Terrain Flight Approach. Visibility is limited and clearing the tail can be more difficult. For this reason it's important to find a rock, tree, puddle, or some feature in the LZ to use as an abeam point. That is, a point where once you are beside it, you are safe to descend down. The last technique is the "L Turn" where you fly perpendicular to the final inbound heading and parallel to the obstacles. In this example, you keep the trees out of your right door Ince in the LZ then turn & descent down to the left into the LZ. You maintain treetop or higher altitude until you see the entire LZ out of the left side of the aircraft before descending.

Be sure in all of these approaches you have a Go Around Plan. Specifically, what heading and power setting are you using if you have to abort the approach. Also, do your performance planning. Are you landing to pick up people or equipment? Plan your takeoff power accordingly.