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502 EM 385-1-1 Sections 14-19
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16.P Handling Loads Suspended from Rotorcraft.

16.P.01 Helicopter cranes must comply with regulations of the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA).

Helicopters must comply with FAA regulations.

16.P.02 Before each day's operation, a briefing must be conducted to set forth the plan of operation for the pilot and ground personnel.

16.P.03 Loads must be properly slung.

  1. Tag lines must be of a length that will not permit their being drawn up into rotors.
  2. Pressed sleeve, swedged eyes, or equivalent means must be used for all freely suspended loads to prevent hand splices from spinning open or wire clamps from loosening.

16.P.04 All electrically operated cargo hooks must have the electrical activating device so designed and installed as to prevent inadvertent operation.

  1. In addition, these cargo hooks must be equipped with an emergency mechanical control for releasing the load.
  2. The hooks must be tested prior to each day's operation to determine that the release functions properly, both electrically and mechanically.

16.P.05 Every practical precaution must be taken to provide for the protection of the employees from flying objects in the rotor downwash. All loose gear within 100 ft (30.5 m) of the place of lifting or depositing the load, and all other areas susceptible to rotor downwash, must be secured or removed.

16.P.06 The helicopter pilot must be responsible for the size, weight, and manner in which loads are connected to the helicopter. If, for any reason, the helicopter pilot believes the lift cannot be made safely, the lift must not be made.

16.P.07 When employees are required to work under hovering craft, safe access must be provided for employees to reach the hoist line hook and engage or disengage cargo slings. Employees must not work under hovering craft except to hook, unhook, or position loads.

16.P.08 Static charge on the suspended load must be dissipated with a grounding device before ground personnel touch the suspended load, or protective rubber gloves must be worn by all ground personnel touching the suspended load.

16.P.09 The weight of an external load must not exceed the rated capacity.

16.P.10 Hoist wires or other gear, except for pulling lines or conductors that are allowed to "pay out" from a container or roll off a reel, must not be attached to any fixed ground structure or be allowed to foul on any fixed structures.

16.P.11 When visibility is reduced by dust or other conditions, ground personnel must exercise special caution to keep clear of main and stabilizing rotors. Precautions must also be taken to eliminate reduced visibility.

16.P.12 No unauthorized person must be allowed to approach within 50 ft (15.2 m) of the helicopter when the rotor blades are turning.

16.P.13 Whenever approaching or leaving a helicopter with blades rotating, all employees must remain in full view of the pilot and keep in a crouched position. Employees must avoid the area from the cockpit or cabin rearward unless authorized by the helicopter pilot to work there.

16.P.14 There must be constant reliable communication between the pilot and a designated employee of the ground crew who acts as a signal person during loading and unloading. This signal person must be distinctly recognizable from other ground personnel. Hand signals used must be per ASME B30.12.

16.P.15 Good housekeeping must be maintained in all helicopter loading and unloading areas.

Knowledge Check Choose the best answer for the question.

16-21. Who is responsible for the size, weight, and manner in which loads are connected to the helicopter?