Use HLZ Suitability

In this topic, you will learn how to use the solution by assuming the role of a user and performing the following workflows.

Note:

Use your organization's data or the provided sample data to complete the tasks included in this solution's ArcGIS Pro project.

Get started

First, you will download and unzip the HLZ Suitability Project.

1. Sign in to your ArcGIS organization and browse to the HLZ Suitability Project item.
2. From the item page, click Download.
3. Unzip the downloaded folder, and then from the unzipped folder, open the ArcGIS Pro project.
4. On the View tab, in the Window group, click Catalog Pane.
5. In the Catalog pane, expand the Tasks folder.

   Note:

   If you do not see the Catalog pane, from the View tab, in the Windows group, click Catalog Pane.

6. Expand the Tasks folder and then double-click the HLZ Suitability task group.
7. In the Tasks pane, expand the Explore HLZ Suitability task group to see the collection of tasks.

   Tip:

   Click a group heading or task name to view its description at the bottom of the Tasks pane.
8. Double-click Overview to review the project.
9. Double-click What's Included to review the data, tools, and files included with the project.
Each task group includes a set of steps for using the solution.

Set up the HLZ Suitability project

Before starting analysis, the HLZ Suitability Project must be configured to reflect your operational environment and the terrain data available. The Set up the HLZ Suitability project task group will guide you through this configuration.

This task group includes the following tasks:

• Establish operational environment
• Identify spatial reference
• Identify and add source data

Acquire obstacle data

Obstacle or vertical obstruction data may be used in HLZ suitability analysis. This data may describe known obstacles of interest that have the potential to impact helicopter landing zone site selection. Per your operational environment and needs, use the Acquire obstacle data task group to acquire obstacle data from authoritative sources or digitize custom obstacle features.

This task group includes the following tasks:

• About U.S. FAA Digital Obstacle File (DOF)
• About NGA Digital Vertical Obstruction File (DVOF)
• Create custom obstacle features

Process obstacle buffers

Obstacles and vertical obstructions can limit a helicopter’s ability to land. To model this risk, obstacles are buffered using an offset ratio, and terrain within the resulting buffer is classified as obstacle interference. Per your operational environment and needs, use the Process obstacle buffers task group to create obstacle buffers. Obstacle buffers can be created to reflect the standard 10:1 offset ratio or a custom offset ratio.

This task group includes the following tasks:

• Process obstacle buffers

Assess HLZ suitability

Next, use elevation data and optional land cover and obstacle buffers to create HLZ suitability overlays. Use the Assess HLZ Suitability task group to create overlays that depict locations that are acceptable, acceptable with caution, or that include obstacle interference. Requirements are derived from FM 3-21.38 Pathfinder Operations (25 April 2006) and National Wildfire Coordinating Group (NWCG) Standards for Helicopter Operations (May 2019). Overlays may also be configured to remove small areas that do not meet the minimum landing point diameter and circular area for a designated aircraft or operation type. Additional screening of these areas can be conducted with reference tessellation grids, imagery, and soil data.

This task group includes the following tasks:

• Generate HLZ Suitability
• Review imagery
• Review soils

Create HLZ features

Now, use the Create HLZ Features task group to create HLZ polygon features per aircraft or operation type requirements.

This task group includes the following tasks:

• Create HLZ features

Share analysis and products

After analysis is complete, the output layers and data can be shared with your organization. The Share Analysis and Products task group will guide you through steps to share data and map products with your organization.

This task group includes the following tasks:

• Share web layers
• Export layers to KML
• Export layout