Home / Emergency / Helicopter Landing Zones on Farms

Helicopter Landing Zones on Farms

A helicopter can bring a patient to a trauma center faster than a ground trip in some cases. The decision and the landing are made by trained crews, not by the farm.

When might a helicopter be sent to a farm?

Dispatchers and responders decide whether to request an air medical service based on the patient's condition, distance, weather and what is available in your region. You cannot order a helicopter yourself. Call 911 and describe the emergency. Helicopter crews also consider how far the closest hospital is and whether a ground crew can get there safely. This is a medical and aviation decision, and your role is to call 911 and answer questions clearly.

Even if a helicopter is requested, it may be unable to fly because of weather, darkness or other reasons. Ground crews will continue to help in the meantime.

Weather is the most common reason a flight is delayed or cancelled. Do not delay a ground ambulance or tell the dispatcher you will wait for a helicopter, because the dispatcher and crews make that choice.

Who decides where the helicopter lands?

The flight crew and ground responders pick the landing area, and they may choose a different site from the one you expect. They look at obstacles, wires, ground conditions and the position of people and vehicles.

Do not try to direct or set up a landing area on your own, and do not stand in front of an approaching aircraft. Follow the instructions of the firefighters or officers on site.

Landing site choices can change quickly as conditions change. Expect that the crew may land on a road, in a field or elsewhere, and that they may ask you to move vehicles or people.

How can a farm prepare in advance?

Contact your fire department and the air medical programs that serve your area, since many offer free landing zone awareness sessions for communities. They can tell you what they look for, which this guide does not specify.

Add notes about power lines, wind turbines, towers, irrigation equipment and tall structures to your farm map, since these are hazards for low flying aircraft. Share the map with responders.

Your written plan should also name a person to meet responders and, if asked, to keep people and animals away from the area.

• Ask air medical programs about awareness training
• Mark wires, towers and tall structures on your map
• Name a person to meet responders
• Keep livestock and children away

How should people behave around a helicopter?

Stay back until the crew signals that it is safe. Rotor wash can blow debris, and an aircraft can be dangerous to anyone close to it.

Keep hats, tarps, loose equipment and light objects secured. Keep children and animals well away, and wait for the crew's directions before approaching.

Do not approach the aircraft from any direction unless the crew waves you in. Walk, do not run, and keep items such as ropes or tarps well away from the area.

What about livestock, dogs and equipment?

Noise and wind can frighten animals. If you can do so safely and without delaying care, move animals away from the landing area, and keep dogs on a leash or indoors. A farm with many animals should think about this in advance, because noise from an aircraft can start a stampede or damage fences.

Park vehicles and equipment where the crew says. Do not move heavy equipment during the landing.

A calm, planned approach helps animals too. Close gates, bring horses and dogs into a barn or kennel and ask neighbors to do the same if the aircraft will land near them.

• Close gates and secure animals
• Bring dogs inside
• Secure loose tarps and equipment

What happens after the patient is moved?

Responders may ask you questions about what happened and about the patient's medical history. Share what you know and give contact details for family members.

Someone should tell relatives where the patient is being taken, and a trusted person should drive them, rather than having a worried family member drive alone.

Write down the time and sequence of events while it is fresh, and keep the notes for insurance and for your own records.

• Share what you know about what happened
• Give family contact details
• Choose a calm driver for relatives
• Write down the sequence of events

How do we cope with the experience?

Serious injuries are frightening for everyone present. Talk with each other, and ask for support from friends, faith leaders or your doctor. In the US you can call or text 988 if you are struggling, and call 911 in an emergency.

Consider a debrief with your crew afterward and update your emergency plan.

Last reviewed: November 12, 2026. Written by the Farm Safety Editorial Team. See our editorial policy.