Red Card Aerial Operations & Aviation Safety

Question 1

When approaching a helicopter that has its rotors turning, ground personnel should always approach from:

Accepted Answer

The front of the aircraft, within the pilot's field of view, staying low

Answer

The rear of the aircraft, staying low to avoid the tail rotor

Answer

The uphill side only, regardless of rotor configuration

Answer

Either side at a 90-degree angle to the fuselage once signaled by ground crew

Question 2

The 'hazard area' around a hovering helicopter that personnel must avoid unless directed by the pilot is known as the:

Accepted Answer

Rotor disk

Answer

Rotor wash zone

Answer

Exclusion perimeter

Answer

Danger arc

Question 3

When an air tanker drops retardant near ground crews, the primary immediate hazard to personnel is:

Accepted Answer

The physical impact force and turbulence from a low-altitude, high-speed drop

Answer

Chemical burns from the ammonium phosphate fertilizer in the retardant

Answer

Temporary loss of radio communications due to aircraft interference

Answer

Inhalation of retardant mist, which exceeds OSHA airborne exposure limits

Question 4

A helicopter landing zone (LZ) set up in the field should be a minimum of how large to safely land a Type 1 (heavy) helicopter?

Accepted Answer

100 × 100 feet, clear of obstructions and with a slope of less than 7 degrees

Answer

60 × 60 feet, with no obstructions within 100 feet

Answer

150 × 150 feet, with a clear approach and departure corridor

Answer

200 × 200 feet, with a foam-treated perimeter to reduce rotor wash ignition risk

Question 5

When communicating with an aircraft via radio on the fireline, ground personnel should use which radio frequency protocol?

Accepted Answer

The aircraft's dedicated air-to-ground frequency as listed in the Incident Action Plan

Answer

The local dispatch frequency assigned to the incident, shared with all ground resources

Answer

National Guard aviation channels reserved exclusively for military aircraft

Answer

Any open VHF frequency to avoid congesting the primary incident channel

Question 6

Which of the following actions is PROHIBITED when loading cargo in or around a helicopter?

Accepted Answer

Fueling a helicopter while personnel are seated inside with rotors turning

Answer

Securing all loose equipment in approved bags or cargo nets before loading

Answer

Removing your hard hat and replacing it with a flight helmet provided by the pilot

Answer

Using hand signals when radio communication with the pilot is not possible