UNCLASSIFIED

MSG DTG 131313Z MAR 03 

FROM CDRAMCOM, REDSTONE ARSENAL, AL  //AMSAM-SF-A// 

SUBJECT - AVIATION SAFETY ACTION MESSAGE, INFORMATIONAL, RCS 
CSGLD-1860(R1), All Army Aircraft, M18/M19 Landing Mat Set 
Operations, GEN-03-ASAM-02.

...................NOTE................... 
....This message is effective until rescinded or superseded. 
...................NOTE................... 
....This message is issued IAW AR 95-1 and has not been 
....transmitted to units subordinate to addressees. 
....Addressees will immediately retransmit this message 
....to all subordinate units, activities or elements 
....affected or concerned.  MACOMs will immediately 
....verify this transmission to the AMCOM SOF Compliance 
....Officer (AMSAM-SF-A, safeadm@redstone.army.mil). 
...................NOTE................... 
....MACOM commanders may authorize temporary exception from 
....message requirements IAW AR 95-1, Ch 6.  Exception may 
....only occur when combat operations or matter of life or 
....death in civil disasters or other emergencies are so 
....urgent that they override the consequences of continued 
....aircraft operation. 

1.  SUMMARY - 

1.1. Background - As a result of unit deployments, the United States Army Safety Center
(USASC) foresees an increase in the utilization of temporary landing strips and helipads.
In anticipation of this increased usage, the USASC has requested units be advised of the
hazards presented to aircraft and personnel when these pads are not properly secured.
During a deployment to Saudi Arabia in January 1990, the rotor wash from the AH-64
aircraft caused the edge of the temporary helipad to flap up and contact the aircraft.
Subsequent investigation revealed installation of the landing pad had not yet been
completed when the aircraft hovered up to the edge of the pad. In addition to damaging
the PNVS, the entire helipad was moved several feet from its original location.

1.2.  Message Purpose - 

1.2.1.  Ensure all personnel are briefed on the potential hazard when operating in
the vicinity of M18 and M19 Landing Mat Sets.

1.2.2.  Inform the field that a Ground Precautionary Message (GPM) will be issued by
TACOM regarding proper installation of the Landing Mat Sets.

2.  END ITEMS AFFECTED - All Army aircraft. 

3.  ASSEMBLIES/COMPONENTS/PARTS AFFECTED - N/A. 

4.  INITIAL TAMMS (THE ARMY MAINTENANCE MANAGEMENT SYSTEM) COMPLIANCE REQUIREMENTS - N/A.

5.  TASK/INSPECTION COMPLIANCE REPORTING REQUIREMENTS - N/A. 

6.  SPECIAL PROVISIONS TO MESSAGE REQUIREMENTS (AIRCRAFT) - N/A. 

7.  TECHNICAL PROCEDURES/INSTRUCTIONS - 

7.1.  Upon receipt of this ASAM, unit commanders will ensure all assigned personnel are
briefed at the next scheduled pilot's briefing on operations in the vicinity of M18 and
M19 Landing Pad Sets.  At a minimum the briefings will consist of the following.


7.1.1.  Final approach should be to the mat, do not terminate the approach short and
hover up to the edge of the mat. 

7.1.2.  Touch down point should be between the midway and 75% points of the long axis
of the mat. 

7.1.3.  For helicopter with skids - 

7.1.3.1.  When taxing - hover as low as safety will permit. 

7.1.3.2.  When landing - turn 45 to 90 degrees from the orientation of the corrugated
surface (grooves or channels) to prevent skids inadvertent binding or "snagging" to the
mat surface. Caution should also be taken to avoid "hooking" the connecting hooks of
the mats to aircraft skid shoes.

7.1.4.  All other helicopters will ground taxi. 

7.1.5.  Departures should be from the middle of the mat.  Best angle-of-climb takeoffs
are recommended to avoid the possibility of dislodging the edge of the mat.

7.1.6.  Recommend arriving aircrews contact Air Traffic Control (ATC) and request type
of mats installed. 

7.2.  The Aviation Safety Officer (ASO) and Air Field Manager should inspect the landing
mat to ensure proper installation and anchoring of the edges.  Whenever possible, this
inspection should be accomplished prior to use and daily thereafter during routine
airfield inspections for possible substrate erosion and surface damage.

7.2.1.  Edge Anchors - 

7.2.1.1.  Anchor attachments and edge anchors are required to be placed every eight
(8) feet along the edges of runways and taxiways and centered at the joint of two runs.

7.2.1.2.  The anchors are not placed opposite each other on the edges, but are
staggered four (4) foot apart. 

7.2.2.  Ends of Runways/Landing Pads - 

7.2.2.1.  The proper way to anchor the mat at the ends of a runway/landing pad is
to have a trench excavated across the entire width of the runway to a minimum width
of 100-inches.

7.2.2.2.  The trench should slope away from the end of the runway/landing pad and at the
deepest point should be no less than 24-inches, but no more than 30-inches below the
level of the end of the runway/landing pad.

7.2.2.3.  The surface of the trench should be shaped to provide full contact with the
bottom of the mat. The landing mat sections should then be laid in the trench in a
normal pattern.


...................NOTE................... 
....The M18 landing mat conforms to the trench while 
....the M19 uses a 15 degree turndown adapter. 

7.2.2.4.  The trench should then be backfilled and compacted. 

7.3.  To avoid permanent damage, ground vehicles should not drive on the landing mat. 

7.4.  Post a copy of this message in the Aircrew Reading File. 

8.  PROCEDURES/INSTRUCTIONS FOR ASSEMBLIES/COMPONENTS/PARTS IN WORK OR IN STOCK
(AT ALL LEVELS INCLUDING WAR RESERVES) - N/A. 

9.  SPECIAL TOOLS AND FIXTURES REQUIRED - N/A. 

10.  SUPPLY/PARTS (Requisition/Disposition) - N/A. 

11.  MAINTENANCE APPLICATION - N/A. 

12.  Publication requirements - 

12.1.  References - 

12.1.1.  AR 95-1, Aviation Flight Regulations, 1 Sep 97. 

12.1.2.  FM 5-430-00-2/AFJPAM 32-8013, Vol II, Planning and Design of Roads, Airfield,
and Heliports in the Theater of Operations - Airfields and Helicopter Design - Vol II,
Dated 29 Sep 94.

12.2.  Publication changes - N/A. 

13.  Points of contact - 

13.1.  USASC POCs are - 

13.1.1.  Ground - Mr. Donald Wren, CSSC-OG, DSN 558-2744 or (334) 255-2744.  Fax is
DSN 558-9528 or (334) 255-9528.  Email is "wrend@safetycenter.army.mil".

13.1.2.  Aviation - Mr. Robert Giffin, CSSC-OA, DSN 558-3650 or (334) 255-3650.  Fax is
DSN 558-9478 or (334) 255-9478.  Email is "giffinr@safetycenter.army.mil".

13.1.3.  After hours, contact USASC Operations, DSN 558-3410/2539 or (334) 255-3410/2539. 

13.2.  AMCOM Safety POC is Mr. Harry Trumbull (Saic), Amsam-Sf-A, DSN 897-2095 or
(256) 313-2095.  Fax is DSN 897-2111 or (256) 313-2111.  Email is
"harry.trumbull@redstone.army.mil".