Long Lining

[SToL]

Hi everyone,

 

When landing with the line attached I was taught to lay the line down then hover backwards to a landing so you could verify the line is between your skids. (Obviously making sure you're cleared behind) Every other operator I've worked with or around has done it this way as well.

 

However, in the past month I've seen two different operators lowering the line down to the ground and then hover forward or off to the side (with the line trailing being behind them) to a landing. One of these operators has on numerous occasions landed with the skid on the line, which is obviously not good for the equipment.

 

So what gives? I've seen a lot of things done differently by various operators and pilots, but never this.

 

What are your comments on this? Is this just something I'm not familiar with or are these guys using poor technique?

[vertrefadmin]

Hi everyone,

 

When landing with the line attached I was taught to lay the line down then hover backwards to a landing so you could verify the line is between your skids. (Obviously making sure you're cleared behind) Every other operator I've worked with or around has done it this way as well.

 

However, in the past month I've seen two different operators lowering the line down to the ground and then hover forward or off to the side (with the line trailing being behind them) to a landing. One of these operators has on numerous occasions landed with the skid on the line, which is obviously not good for the equipment.

 

So what gives? I've seen a lot of things done differently by various operators and pilots, but never this.

 

What are your comments on this? Is this just something I'm not familiar with or are these guys using poor technique?

 

I've seen some guys do that too PJ. Not sure why... other than they don't want to back up into anything?

 

I would keep doing it the way you were talking about and make sure the tail is clear before backing up. I have never had the line coiled up anywhere but in front and between the skids. That way I always know where it is at.

[FredR]

Stol,

I was taught the same technique as you. However, I have also seen the technique used that you have described. I know one of those pilots personally so I'll try and ask him when I get the chance. Be safe.

[Firepilot]

Sounds pretty strange to me as well. I was taught the line in front. You might get away with landing that way with a steel line, but its a pretty poor habit to get into especially if you ever switch to a synthetic longline.

[FredR]

Firepilot,

Not to change to subject but I havn't had the opportunity to work with a synthetic line. We used a 100' and 50' steel line (for a 150') attached together. How do you like the synthetic?

Fred

 

I should clarify. I used a 100' line for bucket work and a 150' for cargo.

[SToL]

How do you like the synthetic?

 

Hi Fred,

 

I don't know what other peoples opinions are but for me, once actually hooked up and slinging, there's no difference between the steel or synthetic line.

 

The difference is in the handling of the line when getting ready for or done with the job. Obviously a steel line is much stiffer, makes larger coils, weighs more etc, where as a synthetic line is much easier to handle, weighs less and is easier to store in the helicopter.

 

Usually this doesn't make a lot of difference but it can if your on a job where you're going back and forth from slinging to hauling passengers a lot. In those instances it can be a pain if your hauling a huge steel coil as well.

 

Overall, I'd say I prefer the synthetic line.

[FredR]

Stol,

Thanks for the response. The information that you provided is kind of what I figured. I got pretty tired of moving that steel cable back and forth from the ship. Hope you had a good season.

Fred

[polar bear]

It’s a good habit laying the line in front of the helicopter, especially when using a steel line. It reduces the change to form a loop and possible twist and damage the cable. Although when I land in a tight spot I like to place the hook a few feet forward from where I intent to land nose of the helicopter. Then first move forward until about 1/3 of the line is on the ground, then slightly move to the side so you can see the line and then backwards and land the nose of the helicopter just behind the hook. This way you reduce the risk of sticking the T/R into something and still have the longline out front.

 

Stefan

[FredR]

Polar Bear,

Nice pic. Canada? Alaska? Siberia? How do you like long lining with the A-Star? I checked out the little window on a ship that was passing through and it looks like it would take a little practice to get used too.

Fred

[polar bear]

Fred,

This picture was taken earlier this year in Alaska during recurrence training. There are three different sizes of floor windows available for the AS350. “Bigger is better”.

It takes a little getting used to having a bit of a blind spot when transitioning to VR until you get the load and drop spot into view by looking thru that window. It’s sure a little goofy when working over snow or water. Overall it’s not that bad and truly isn’t rocket science.

 

Stefan

[Motox]

Exactly, what is long line? Generally transporting cargo? Yes, I am a newbie..!

[FredR]

Motox,

Welcome to the site. In reference to what we were discussing, a long line is an external line attached to the aircraft via a cargo hook. The hook is normally located on the belly of the aircraft under the mast. Lengths of the long line are normally 50', 100' 150' and sometimes longer depending on the aircraft and mission being performed. Big tall trees equate to longer lines as does bigger aircraft with more downwash (keeps the downwash from blowing everyone away below the aircraft)

 

The lines are normally constructed of either steel rope / cable or synethic alternative cable SAC which is a space age polymer. If you google helicopter firefighting pictures, you should be able to find a bunch of photos of aircraft conducting external work to include long line. You will mostly see bucket (water) drops on fires in these pictures but long line missions also include cargo drop offs and pickups and sometimes live cargo such as cliff, surf and other hard to reach rescue type missions. A really cool web site for videos of short haul missions can be found at www.Henry1.com You'll get to see some amazing short haul / long line pilots at work for the Sanoma County Sheriff's Dept in California.

 

Hope this answered your question.

Fred

[Motox]

Motox,

Welcome to the site. In reference to what we were discussing, a long line is an external line attached to the aircraft via a cargo hook. The hook is normally located on the belly of the aircraft under the mast. Lengths of the long line are normally 50', 100' 150' and sometimes longer depending on the aircraft and mission being performed. Big tall trees equate to longer lines as does bigger aircraft with more downwash (keeps the downwash from blowing everyone away below the aircraft)

 

The lines are normally constructed of either steel rope / cable or synethic alternative cable SAC which is a space age polymer. If you google helicopter firefighting pictures, you should be able to find a bunch of photos of aircraft conducting external work to include long line. You will mostly see bucket (water) drops on fires in these pictures but long line missions also include cargo drop offs and pickups and sometimes live cargo such as cliff, surf and other hard to reach rescue type missions. A really cool web site for videos of short haul missions can be found at www.Henry1.com You'll get to see some amazing short haul / long line pilots at work for the Sanoma County Sheriff's Dept in California.

 

Hope this answered your question.

Fred

 

It certainly did!

[HeloJunkie]

Motox,

Welcome to the site. In reference to what we were discussing, a long line is an external line attached to the aircraft via a cargo hook. The hook is normally located on the belly of the aircraft under the mast. Lengths of the long line are normally 50', 100' 150' and sometimes longer depending on the aircraft and mission being performed. Big tall trees equate to longer lines as does bigger aircraft with more downwash (keeps the downwash from blowing everyone away below the aircraft)

 

The lines are normally constructed of either steel rope / cable or synethic alternative cable SAC which is a space age polymer. If you google helicopter firefighting pictures, you should be able to find a bunch of photos of aircraft conducting external work to include long line. You will mostly see bucket (water) drops on fires in these pictures but long line missions also include cargo drop offs and pickups and sometimes live cargo such as cliff, surf and other hard to reach rescue type missions. A really cool web site for videos of short haul missions can be found at www.Henry1.com You'll get to see some amazing short haul / long line pilots at work for the Sanoma County Sheriff's Dept in California.

 

Hope this answered your question.

Fred

 

Wow - those are some amazing videos! Now that job must be fun !!