Can a slope be considered an obstacle during operations?

• A. Yes
• B. No
• C. Only during night operations
• D. Only if greater than 30 degrees

Answer: (A)

In LZ/PZ planning, anything that can interfere with a safe approach, touchdown, or rotor clearance is treated as an obstacle, and a slope is one of those features. A slope can affect ground clearance, the stability of the touchdown, and how rotor downwash interacts with the terrain, which can create unpredictable conditions for the crew and passengers. Because of that, slopes must be considered when selecting and marking the landing zone, and crews may need to adjust or avoid a slope if it compromises safety. This applies regardless of time of day or how steep the slope is—the degree only influences whether a given slope is usable, not whether it’s an obstacle to be accounted for.