Posted By Robert.J
I would have thought that some one should be available / trained to use a powder or other fire extinguisher, and probably trained in marshaling the craft to its place of rest.

Posted By Jay Joshi1
Contact the Civil Aviation Authority

http://www.caa.co.uk

Posted By Karen Todd
David,

A few thoughts:

Is there a particular reason why the child has to be collected by helicopter?

What I am saying is, is there a particular threat to the child or the parents if they go by road, e.g. kidnap?

Is this a special occasion or is it likely to become a regular occurrence?

Karen

Posted By Laurie
David

Your concerns are understandable, but do bear in mind that the pilot has a much greater vested interest in a "full and proper" risk assessment than you have, particularly if he/she is a professional i.e. does it full time for a living!

He/she will ahve done this many times before, and will have to follow a strict procedure.

As already mentioned increased or extra fire cover, ideally with professional advice, and make sure the site is secure, and free of litter and loose bits - choppers can suck up quite heavy things. Polythene in particular is a big hazard for helicopters.

Hearing protection is must for anyone in the course of their employment - unless you've been in close proximity to a helicopter you've no idea of the noise levels, particular since it is pulsating pressure waves. Bear in mind that the tips of helicopter rotor blades are frequently travelling at Mach 1 (not many people know that!).

When I did my Noise Assessment certificate I had to take a reading inside a helicopter cabin. Unfortunately I couldn't, as the reading was off the scale, at ground idle, using a meter designed for use with aircraft!

Laurie

Posted By PaulA
Hello David..
We land at schools probably every week day in a Helicopter the same size as a 52 seater coach, during public relation schools visits!! The difference being we are obviously the military and operate large medium lift Seaking helicopters. The area has been 'reeced'(SP?) by trained personnel who are trained to identify the following........the approach ie no wires, loose slates on house roofs/buildings, undulating terrain, wind directions (always land into wind) the escape route should you sustain engine failure during approach, birds.. (Has the neighbour a small sanctuary!!).. the areas that would be safe should the pilot 'cock it up!!!' The noise under our disc is 125dba. Areas that may look fine from the air do not always look that good at 25ft, with the added pressure of low power margins that some private helos have, ie Robinson 22! It is a brave man that puts all these variables together just to ensure that Tarquine or Peaches mates get to know that Daddy owns a Helo. We have teams of trained experts that get it wrong leading to incidents... and we consider ourselves to be experts in the field of aviation. Ask the Head … ‘who will win by letting him do it? (Daddy?) … Then ….‘Who will lose should it ‘not go to plan?’ (quite a few I expect!)
Regards Paul

Posted By Ian Jones
You could insist that the owner of the helecopter sends a ground crew to recce the site and submit a detailed risk assesment. Also you could insist that they provide a landing crew with the correct emergency equipment.
And a copy of their insurance.
Hope this is usefull.

Posted By Peter MacDonald
David

Out of curiosity, what are your grounds for advising against the landing, and what are your competencies in making that decision.

I'm sure with a little organisation this can be done perfectly safely. Just because it is outside your own normal experience doesn't mean it should not be done.

Why are you not asking for advice on how it can be done safely so you'll have the experience next time.

I'm sure the kids will enjoy the excitement for the ten minutes the whole episode will take.

Picking the kids up by car is statistically far more dangerous but you seem to accept that risk with no problem.

Peter