Level 1 & 2 – FINAL

BY ORDER OF THE SECRETARY OF THE AIR FORCE
DEPARTMENT OF THE AIR FORCE MANUAL 13-217
22 APRIL 2021
Incorporating Change 1, 19 APRIL 2022
Nuclear, Space, Missile, or Command and Control
DROP ZONE, LANDING ZONE, AND HELICOPTER LANDING ZONE OPERATIONS
COMPLIANCE WITH THIS PUBLICATION IS MANDATORY

Table 4.1. Minimum LZ Runway/Taxiway Length/Width for Standard Traffic.

M/H/C-130H/J (Note 2&5) Length 3,000  |  Width 60

Note 1: Minimum lengths do not include any overruns. Minimum required overruns and use of overruns are defined in Table 4.2 and paragraph 4.3.2.2. For aircraft that use ground roll criteria, refer to paragraph 4.3.2.1. Environmental conditions and mission parameters may increase length requirements due to a longer ground roll. Include climatology and a person familiar with the performance of the aircraft during the planning phase to preclude a mission cancellation due to insufficient LZ length. C-17 minimum LZ runway lengths at different pressure altitudes, operating weights, surfaces and runway condition rating (RCR) are found in UFC 3-260-01, Table 7-2.

Note 2: Calculated minimum runway length is ground roll plus (+) 500 feet, however all operations less than 3,000 feet require a waiver. Exception: Waiver not required for MC-130.

Note 3: LZ shoulders are not required for operational LZ evaluation (survey and/or assessment) and use, but are required for construction evaluation (survey of initial construction or repairs).

Note 4: Larger width is desired for normal operations. Consult MAJCOM guidance if desired, required, or planned use of a runway width is less than those listed in Table 4.1. (T-3).

Note 5: The 180 degree turn (3 point) widths do not include a safety margin. Increase by ten feet for routine operations.
Note 6: LTFW Aircraft smaller than C-130 not identified in Table 4.1, refer to paragraphs A9.1-A9.2, Table A9.2, Figures A9.1 and A9.2.

CDS—Container Delivery System

The Container Delivery System is an airdrop method used by the military to deliver supplies, such as food, water, ammunition, and medical equipment, from aircraft to ground forces. In this system, supplies are packed in containers and equipped with parachutes, allowing them to be dropped accurately to designated locations. CDS is commonly used in resupply missions, especially in remote or inaccessible areas.

Table 3.1. Standard DZ Size Criteria

Table 4.2. LZ Runway Slopes, Overruns and Vertical Obstruction Clearances.

3.3.3. Military Free Fall (MFF) DZ (including operations utilizing MFF systems in a Double Bag Static Line (DBSL) configuration). The JM will determine the minimum size DZ based on the number of personnel to be dropped, jumper proficiency, parachute system being used, and the prevailing winds. (T-3). For MFF training operations a minimum DZ size of 55 yards/50 meters by 110 yards/100 meters (rectangular) or 55 yards/50 meters radius (circular) is recommended. See paragraph 3.16.1.1 for parachute demonstration DZ.

CBR—California Bearing Ratio

The California Bearing Ratio is a standardized test used to evaluate the strength of soil and subgrade materials by measuring their resistance to penetration. It is commonly used in pavement design to determine the load-bearing capacity of soils for airfields, roads, and other infrastructure projects. The CBR value is expressed as a percentage, with higher values indicating stronger soils that are more capable of supporting heavy loads.

Table 3.1. Standard DZ Size Criteria.

3.5.6. Aerial Power Line Restrictions. Power lines present a significant hazard to jumpers. Personnel can sustain life threatening injuries from electric shock and/or falls from a collapsed canopy. All restrictions apply to aerial power lines operating at 50 kilovolts or greater. Power lines will be documented on both block 11, remarks, and block 10, DZ diagram, of AF Form 3823. (T-3).

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A4.1.10. Block 10. Provide a legible, to scale diagram of the DZ including all obstacles or prominent features located within the DZ boundaries and 5 NM from DZ center that could affect ground or flight safety. Annotate the distance these items are from the DZ center in block 11 and depict on the DZ diagram, block 10 to include DZ dimensions. Ensure to annotate all charted or observed water hazards and power lines within 1,000 meters of the DZ boundaries (or 1,000 meters of the MFF PI). Diagram shall be oriented true north and indicated with an arrow. (T-1).

3.3.1.1. DZ water depth will be a minimum of ten feet, and the area must be free of underwater obstructions to that depth. (T-2). The DZ should be free of floating debris, moored craft, protruding boulders, stumps, pilings, or other hazards within 440 yards/400 meters of the DZ center point.

The primary purpose of the Dynamic Cone Penetrometer (DCP) in airfield surveying is to evaluate the strength and load-bearing capacity of soil layers. This is critical for determining whether the ground can support the weight and operational demands of aircraft and other heavy equipment. In airfield surveying, the DCP provides essential data for:

1. Assessing Soil Strength: The DCP measures soil resistance at various depths, indicating how well different soil layers can support loads. This information helps engineers understand the structural integrity of the airfield’s subsurface layers.
2. Identifying Layer Boundaries: By measuring the penetration resistance at each depth, the DCP helps define the depth and thickness of soil layers with varying strengths, which is essential for determining suitable pavement or soil reinforcement designs.
3. Predicting Performance under Load: DCP results are used to estimate the California Bearing Ratio (CBR) of the soil, a key indicator of its load-bearing capability. Higher CBR values correlate with stronger soils that can support heavier loads.
4. Supporting Maintenance and Rehabilitation Decisions: By identifying weak layers or areas with low load-bearing capacity, the DCP aids in planning maintenance, upgrades, or reinforcement efforts for airfield pavements and unpaved areas.

Table 3.1. Standard DZ Size Criteria.

Lines of Latitude are oriented horizontally (east-west) and indicate the north-south position of a point on Earth.

Latitude lines run parallel to the Equator, with values measured in degrees from 0° at the Equator up to 90° north or south at the poles. This orientation allows latitude to express how far a point is from the Equator in terms of north or south position.

The acronym RTK stands for Real-Time Kinematic.

RTK is a satellite navigation technique used to enhance the accuracy of GPS and GNSS (Global Navigation Satellite System) positioning. It provides real-time corrections by using a fixed base station and a mobile receiver to achieve centimeter-level accuracy, which is crucial for applications in surveying, construction, precision agriculture, and other fields requiring high-precision location data.

The aircraft associated with the nickname “Sky Truck” is the PZL M-28 or in military terms the C-145A

The PZL M28, manufactured by the Polish company PZL Mielec (now part of Lockheed Martin), is a twin-engine, short takeoff and landing (STOL) utility aircraft. Known for its rugged design, the M28 “Sky Truck” is well-suited for operations in challenging environments, including unprepared or short airstrips, making it popular for both military and civilian missions that require high maneuverability and versatility.

The Controlling Region is the specific area used to determine the Glide Slope Ratio (GSR) for a runway. This region is assessed for obstacles that may interfere with the glide path, and the most restrictive obstacle within it dictates the required GSR.

The Glideslope Ratio (GSR) for a C-146A “Wolfhound” typically aligns with standard approach angles used for tactical and short-field aircraft operations. The C-146A, being a tactical airlift aircraft, usually follows a 3-degree glideslope, which is standard for many aircraft types and provides a GSR of approximately 20:1.

This 20:1 ratio means that for every 20 units of horizontal distance, the aircraft descends by 1 unit vertically. This ratio allows for safe, controlled approaches to airfields, especially in shorter or more austere environments where precise landings are required.

The Surface Profile Airfield Condition Index (SPACI) surface distress of Rolling Resistant Material (RRM) is directly related to the Rolling Friction Factor (RFF), as both measure how surface conditions affect the ease or resistance of aircraft movement over the airfield.

Here’s how they are connected:

1. Surface Roughness and Rolling Resistance:
• The SPACI rating for RRM reflects the roughness, texture, and overall quality of the airfield surface. High SPACI surface distress, indicating rough or uneven surfaces, results in increased rolling resistance as the wheels encounter more friction and resistance when moving over irregularities.
• Rougher surfaces, such as those with loose aggregate or damaged areas, contribute to a higher Rolling Friction Factor (RFF). A higher RFF means there’s more resistance to rolling, which can lead to increased wear on aircraft tires and affect fuel efficiency.
2. Impact on Aircraft Performance:
• As SPACI surface distress increases (indicating more severe surface issues), the RFF also rises, meaning aircraft require more power to overcome the additional rolling resistance. This is especially relevant during taxiing, takeoff, and landing, where high RFF values can impact braking, acceleration, and fuel consumption.
3. Maintenance Implications:
• A high SPACI surface distress rating for RRM typically signals the need for maintenance or repair to reduce RFF. By improving surface smoothness, the airfield can lower the RFF, enabling smoother, more efficient operations.

https://oceanservice.noaa.gov/education/tutorial_geodesy/geo09_gps.html

It takes four GPS satellites to calculate a precise location on the Earth using the Global Positioning System: three to determine a position on the Earth, and one to adjust for the error in the receiver's clock.

The minimum number of satellites required to calculate a 3-dimensional GPS coordinate location (latitude, longitude, and altitude) is four.

1. Three Satellites for Position: The first three satellites provide the basic coordinates (latitude, longitude, and altitude) by trilateration, which involves calculating the intersection of three spheres centered around each satellite.
2. Fourth Satellite for Time Correction: The fourth satellite is necessary to correct for any discrepancies in the GPS receiver’s clock. GPS systems rely on highly accurate time measurements, and the fourth satellite helps ensure precise synchronization, removing any timing errors.