Night remote area landings
Just curious to learn about others experiences and techniques in night approaches to remote landing sites.
We fly single pilot IFR SAR/EMS and at the present time we unfortunately cannot legally use NVG's. As I had previously used NVG in the military it was a real eye opener to have to operate without them.
We have developed a technique that begins with a 100,000 map appreciation of the area and the calculation of a 5nm LSALT around the landing site. We then fly to overhead at IFR en route LSALT and, if visual, identify the LS (we would expect someone on the ground with a light source). If still IMC at 5nm LSALT we would abort the task.
Once the LS is identified it is saved in the GNS and the W/V is established. A circuit pattern is then flown during which we descend to the 5nm LSALT whilst remaining within a 3nm radius to give a 2nm buffer. The co-pilot EHSI 5nm MAP is selected and the pilot EHSI is set to NAV with the course bar used to orientate circuit direction and the FMS needles selected to the LS waypoint.
On Xwind the nightsun is illuminated, angled to 45 degrees down and IAS reduced to 80 kt. On D/W the pre-land checks are completed. Base turn is begun within 3nm, IAS is reduced to 60 kt and the cabin doors are opened so that the rear crew can look out and down.
Final approach is begun at 3nm and the G/S is reduced to 45kt. A ROD of 5-700 fpm is initiated with the aim of being at 0.5nm and 500ft agl. The co-pilot rad alt is set at 500ft and the pilot radalt is incrementally reduced from 1500ft to 300ft. Once the rear crew have visual ground contact the nightsun is elevated for pilot reference and if the crew is happy with the approach it is continued to a high hover before a landing or winching is carried out.
The entire approach is flown with auto pilot coupled and the pilot only takes over when it is known that a safe landing can be carried out. If visual contact with the light source is lost at any time a missed approach is flown back to LSALT. This takes a fair bit of practice and requires a high level of crew co-ordination and trust but seems to work well.
Any other techniques or comments?