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

Personnel must approach a helicopter from the front — within the pilot's direct line of sight — so the pilot can see them and signal when it is safe to approach. The tail rotor is the most lethal hazard; it spins nearly invisibly and is at or below head height on many helicopters. Never approach from the rear.

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

The rotor disk is the circular plane swept by the main rotor blades. On sloped terrain, the low side of the rotor disk can descend to ground level, creating a deadly strike hazard. Ground personnel must stay clear of the entire rotor disk area until given an all-clear signal.

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

The greatest immediate risk during an air tanker drop is the physical force — retardant delivered at speed from low altitude can knock personnel off their feet, drive them into terrain, or pin them under debris. The blast of turbulence from the aircraft itself compounds this risk. Ground crews must be in a safe location before any air tanker makes its run.

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

NWCG standards for a Type 1 helicopter LZ call for a minimum 100 × 100 foot cleared area with slopes no greater than 7 degrees. The area must be free of loose debris that rotor wash could turn into projectiles. Approach and departure paths must also be clear of obstacles for at least 200 feet.

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

Air-to-ground communications must use the specific frequency designated in the Incident Action Plan (IAP) for aviation coordination. Using the wrong frequency creates confusion, delays critical instructions, and can result in aircraft and ground personnel operating with incomplete information about each other's positions.

Red Card - Wildland Firefighter Red Card Certification Practice Test

Red Card - Wildland Firefighter Red Card Certification Practice Test

Red Card Aerial Operations & Aviation Safety