What is the formula to determine the slope on your LZ?

• A. VD = HE - LE; Degree of Slope = (VD x 57.3) / HD; Always round up
• B. HE - LE is not used to determine vertical distance
• C. VD = LE - HE; Degree of Slope = (VD x 57.3) / HD; Always round up
• D. VD = HE - LE; Degree of Slope = (HE - LE) / HD

Answer: (A)

To determine the slope of the landing zone, you use the vertical change over the horizontal distance. The vertical change comes from the difference between the high point and the low point, soVD = HE − LE. Then you convert that rise over run into degrees with Degree of Slope ≈ (VD × 57.3) / HD, which is a practical way to express the slope in degrees. Rounding up is done to stay conservative and avoid underestimating the slope risk.

Why the other ideas don’t fit: the vertical distance must be HE minus LE, not LE minus HE. Using HE − LE without the 57.3 factor doesn’t yield degrees, and using VD = LE − HE would produce a negative value.