text: Chapter 11
  Landing Plan
  The landing plan supports the ground tactical plan. It provides a sequence for arrival
  of units into the area of operation, ensuring that all assigned units arrive at designated
  locations and times prepared to execute the ground tactical plan. General
  considerations to developthelandingplanfollow.
  SECTION I – LANDING ZONE SELECTION
  11-1. Landingzones usuallyare selected bythe AATFC or his S-3 based ontechnical advice fromthe air
  mission commander or the aviation liaison officer. The section addresses keys considerations for landing
  zoneselection.
  CRITERIA FOR SELECTING LANDING ZONES
  11-2. Air assault landing zone selection is based on user requirements; type of environment; availability;
  adequacy; securityof landing zoneson or near the objective area, or awayfrom the objective area; threats
  totheobjectivearea;andaircraft/aircrewcapability.Criteriaforselectinglandingzonesinclude(cid:650)
  (cid:122) Location.Ingeneral,twooptionsareviablewhenselectinglandingzones—landontheobjective
  orlandawayfromtheobjective.TheselectionofeitheroptionisMETT-TCdependent.
  (cid:122) Capacity.Sizedetermineshowmuchcombatpowercanbe insertedatone timeandtheneedfor
  additionallandingzonesortimeseparationbetweenserials.
  (cid:122) Types of loads. External loads generally require larger landing zones than landing zones for
  personnelalone.
  (cid:122) Elevation. The altitude of potential landing zones may not be supportable due to operating
  restrictionsofcertainaircraft.
  (cid:122) Alternates. Analternatelandingzoneshould beplannedfor eachprimarylandingzone to ensure
  flexibilitytosupportthemission.
  (cid:122) Enemy composition, disposition, and capabilities. Landing zone considerations include enemy
  force concentrations, weapons systems, and their capability to react to an air assault task force
  landingnearby.
  (cid:122) Cover and concealment. Select landing zones to deny enemy observation and acquisition of
  friendlygroundandairelementswhiletheyareenrouteto,from,orinthelandingzone.
  (cid:122) Obstacles.Ifpossible,the airassaulttask force shouldlandontheenemy sideofobstacleswhen
  attackingto negatetheir effectiveness.The air assaulttaskforce shouldconsider usingobstacles
  toprotectlandingzonesfromtheenemyatothertimes.
  (cid:122) Landing point. Landing zones should be generally free of obstacles. The landing point or
  touchdown point must be free of obstacles (any object or hole greater than 18 inches high or
  deep).(RefertoFM 3-21.38formoreinformation.)
  (cid:122) Identificationfromthe air.Ifpossible, landingzones shouldbeeasilyidentifiable fromtheairor
  markedbyfriendlyreconnaissanceforcesthathavereconnoiteredthelandingzone.
  (cid:122) Approach and departure routes. If possible, approach and departure air routes should avoid
  continuedexposureofaircrafttoenemyfire.
  (cid:122) Weather. Reduced visibility or strong winds may cause aircraft to avoid or limit the use of
  primaryoralternatelandingzones.