It is good practice to crouch while exiting the helicopter if the rotors are turning. Many helicopter rotor systems can dip well below 6 feet from the ground level, which can potentially contact a person or object on the ground.
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Exiting the helicopter - Do not remove your seatbelt until your pilot instructs you to do so or a designated person has opened the door and motioned you to exit. Be sure you put your hat and gloves on before you exit. Loosely fitting hats should be stored in a pocket. Hang on tightly to any personal items.
Interestingly, the tradition of seating captains on the left-hand side does not apply to helicopters. According to Smithsonian Magazine, sitting on the right-hand side is common (but not universal) practice as it allows the pilot in command to keep their right hand on the aircraft's sensitive cyclic control stick.
The flight crew will come to you. Unless there is a landing mishap, NEVER approach the helicopter unless accompanied by a member of the flight crew. ALWAYS approach the helicopter from the front. All personnel must receive a thumbs up from the pilot prior to walking under the turning main rotor blades.
Helicopter Safety- When working around helicopters, never approach helicopters from the rear. Always approach and depart the aircraft from the front so you can see the pilot, and he Page 2 can see you. (90 degree angles is recommended) When approaching helicopters, remember to keep low to avoid the main rotor.
Helicopter crashes tend to be deadlier than plane crashes because they are harder to safely land in emergency situations, multiple aviation experts told Newsweek.
Understanding a Helicopter AccidentThe crash rate for general aircraft is 7.28 crashes per 100,000 hours of flight time. For helicopters, that number is 9.84 per 100,000 hours. That means helicopters have a 35 percent higher risk of crashing compared to airplanes.
The pilot in command (PIC) of an aircraft is the person aboard an aircraft who is ultimately responsible for its operation and safety during flight. This would be the captain in a typical two- or three-pilot aircrew, or pilot if there is only one certificated and qualified pilot at the controls of an aircraft.
Sitting on the left side of the cockpit, the PIC has a better view of the runway during traffic patterns to the left. The left-turning tendencies caused by P-factor, a symmetrical thrust, spiraling slipstream, and torque make it easier for the airplane to turn to the left rather than the right.