Synthetic or Steel

[Scrawny]

Long line question again. Seem to find that although there are huge benefits to synthetic lines, (fly easier, lighter etc etc) why does it seem companies are still using steel lines? Is it just old habits die hard?

[Hans K.]

Some like the weight in the wind and seeing wear . Synthetic is much stronger for the weight / easy to handle .... it can fail without warning ( smaller line ) .

[EBCAU]

I have yet to meet anybody that has gone the synthetic way who has reverted to steel. Could be a good point about the wind though. Luckily I'm not operating in that environment.

I've never heard of one failing either, but have seen some condemned for wear and tear. Getting them sheathed helps with longevity, as does changing operational techniques such as not releasing from the hook if it can be avoided by having ground crew take it off.

Even if they are condemned for wear in time they still seem to last far longer than steel as rigging auditors condemn steel for kinks pretty readily. It would depend on your work environment as to how easily you can avoid kinking a steel line.
If you're working in a situation where you have to swap roles in the field, and take your line with you internally, then there is really no comparison for suitability in my opinion. Sythentic wins.

[Senior Pilot]

There are already some excellent threads on sling load techniques and equipment.

Slingloading and longlining (http://www.pprune.org/rotorheads/194818-slingloading-longlining.html) is one, and Helicopter longline (http://www.pprune.org/rotorheads/418665-helicopter-longline.html) has some valuable posts by Hell Man concerning steel and synthetic strops :ok: