text: Chapter 5
  DUTIES OF THE SPIES MASTER DURING EXTRACTION
  5-49. On arrival at the team's estimated position, the SPIES master helps the pilot determine the exact
  locations of the team members, and—
  1. As the aircraft approaches the team's location, he helps the pilot (using the clock system)
  position the aircraft directly above the team.
  2. He requests permission from the pilot to drop the SPIES rope when the aircraft is hovering
  above the team.
  3. He drops the rope, taking care to avoid striking team members on the ground.
  4. He notifies the pilot when the rope is down, and reports any altitude corrections necessary to
  ensure that the team members can reach all of the SPIES attachment points.
  5. He watches for the team leader to give the thumbs-up signal.
  6. When he sees it, he tells the pilot that the team is ready for extraction, and he requests a
  vertical liftoff.
  7. He advises the pilot of the team's approximate position, the locations of any potential
  obstacles, and the avoidance of horizontal movement.
  8. If a team member becomes entangled with an obstacle during the extraction, he notifies the
  pilot to stop the vertical lift immediately. If the situation is critical, he prepares to cut the
  SPIES rope (the anchor point or cargo straps) after team members are secured to the obstacle
  or on the ground.
  9. When he is sure the team has cleared all obstructions, he advises the pilot. The pilot flies to a
  safe altitude (about 350 feet above ground level for training purposes, or, in combat, however
  high the situation dictates), or transitions to forward flight.
  10. At frequent intervals during the flight, he advises the pilot on the safety status of all team
  members. He constantly watches the team and checks the security of the SPIES attachments.
  DUTIES OF THE SPIES MASTER DURING DISMOUNTING
  5-50. On arrival at the dismount area, the SPIES master tells the pilot the approximate height of the
  lower roper from the ground and—
  1. Once the pilot starts the vertical descent, the SPIES master continually informs the pilot of the
  approximate distance between the lowest roper and the ground.
  2. He informs the pilot of any horizontal drift or oscillation in the rope, and of any obstructions.
  3. He tells the pilot when the rope is about 25 feet above the ground and again when it is 10 feet
  above the ground.
  4. He ensures that the rate of descent is slow enough to enable the team members to land safely.
  5. He reports initial touchdown of the lowest roper, when the last team member lands safely, and
  when all team members are disconnected.
  6. On order of the pilot, he either retrieves or disconnects and drops the SPIES rope. With the
  UH-60/1H helicopter, he can only retrieve the rope if he has previously attached a recovery
  rope (a 12-foot sling rope or two 6-foot sling ropes joined together) about 5 or 6 feet below
  the cargo hook or cargo strap hookup point. The recovery rope must be attached using a
  self-tightening knot such as the Prussik knot. The standing end of the sling rope may be
  fastened to the deck tie-down or to a snaplink. Although the line should be kept out of the
  way, it must be long enough to control any oscillation in the SPIES during flight.