View Full Version : ? for pilots about life flight landing zone
I'm not a pilot but I'm on a fire Dept. I just starting thinking about our life flight landing zones.One of them is on our highschool football field. Last year it was resurfaced with AstroTurf. The turf is filled with rubber pellets. Will they stay in the turf? If not would the pellets be dangerous when taking off or landing? Thanks.
Maybe I asked a stupid question. I have googled my question and can't find anything except a headline about 3.8 million dollar lawsuit after four fight were injured in a test landing at a field in Brookline. When I click on the link it says the story isn't available. I hope someone can give me an answer. I would hate to have people injured or ruin a perfect landing zone. Thanks
RINKER
10th May 2013, 08:38
I 'm just a private pilot and was also wondering about landing on Astro turf. For example could the downwash lift badly secured sections with obvious results and could the heat from eg Robinson helicopters start a fire or melt the mat
R
Good question!
Astroturf have developed many variations over the years, the original from the 60's and 70's has been developed and redeveloped many times and it would be best to contact the company for technical advice. The original product was not a problem, but I guess the original product would be passed it's 'use by' date several times over.
Best regards...170'
SilsoeSid
10th May 2013, 09:12
One of the most dangerous things about landing on an astroturf pitches, IMHO, is not the surface itself, but the wires that cross them.
These wires suspend the nets that are used to separate different training areas and are very difficult to see even from ground level. Not all pitches have them however, so you'll always have that 'are they there' feeling when making an approach. The black mass of the folded net may be an indicator, but sometimes they are grey or could even be away for fixing, leaving just the wire itself :eek:
http://www.caerphillyobserver.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2012/04/St-Cenydds-new-Astroturf-pitch.jpg
http://www.prestigesportspitches.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2012/08/football_k.jpg
http://www.whaleybridge.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/04/action1.jpg
Gomer Pylot
10th May 2013, 13:42
The pellets stay down in the turf, and are not a problem. That said, football fields are not ideal, because of the obstructions that surround them. We're always scared of unseen wires. Parking lots are better, but we'll take what we get when necessary.
Thanks for the info. No nets and all wires are underground. Its a nice clear spot that's why we chose it. I was mostly concerned about the rubber pellets. Thanks again!
Thanks for the info. No nets and all wires are underground. Its a nice clear spot that's why we chose it. I was mostly concerned about the rubber pellets. Thanks again!