Can you longline with an EC 145?

[Decredenza]

I have seen short line water buckets hanging underneath and winches being used but have never seen one with a 100 -150' long line.

Can it be done? Is it done? Could they replace the Bell mediums in utility operations?

[John Eacott]

We have used long lines on BK117s for buckets for years, and I frequently used 50' and 100' lines when slinging. My BK was the first to be used for bambi buckets in 1997, but it took me a couple of years to work up to 100ft lines after which I vastly preferred them to a direct attachment to the hook.

I wouldn't expect the EC145 to be very different from the 117?

Edit: True North have provided their EC-145 to the RFS in NSW for Helitack for some years now, looks like a 50ft line here but I know they use longer.

http://www.truenorthhelicopters.com.au/f.ashx?v=986740

http://www.truenorthhelicopters.com.au/f.ashx?v=986743

[KiwiNedNZ]

Yes you can, was just up with Pacific Helicopters in Goroka, PNG shooting them long lining with their new H145.

[bladegrip]

If you mean possibly replacing mediums, I think not. A 205/212 can lift 3000lbs at sea level. The 145 I fly here in Alaska does about half that on a good day. A lot of variables, of course, but the 117/145 is nearly 3,300 lighter...much smaller aircraft.

[John Eacott]

Hook capacity of a 117 is 1300kg/2865lb.

I think you'll find the 212 cargo hook limit is 5,000lb, not 3,000.

[oleary]

I have flown almost every variant of the 205/212 and NONE will lift 5000 lbs.

A 212S (1x17B) with Fastfin and strake kit at sea level, +15 C and no wind with 200 lbs of fuel will lift about 4500 lbs. (OGE by definition)

Yer average VFR (~6400 lb empty weight) 212 with -3 or 3B's will do about 3300-3400 lbs under the same conditions. A straight 205 maybe 300 lbs more.

You are, of course, technically correct - the 205/212 hook limit is 5,000 lbs.

[minigundiplomat]

I think you'll find the 212 cargo hook limit is 5,000lb, not 3,000.

I think John may have misunderstood, or, that is right up there with 'I can't be overdrawn as I still have cheques in my chequebook...'

[John Eacott]

You are, of course, technically correct - the 205/212 hook limit is 5,000 lbs.

Which is all that I said: I think you'll find the 212 cargo hook limit is 5,000lb, not 3,000.

[Decredenza]

Great information that is very difficult to find on the Airbus website - Thanks everyone.

I am curious as to the precision one can do with the 145 and a longline (construction/powerline work).

http://i385.photobucket.com/albums/oo293/snippet58/P1170284-1.jpg

Is there a preferred line length?
Do you always fly with the door off as in the picture (Thanks John)?
Is there a bubble window (like in the Bells)?
Does the crosstube get in the way as in the 135?
Those look like outstanding mirrors - are they used for 100'+ loads?
Can the 145 land on towers (ground resonance, control, visibility etc)?

http://i385.photobucket.com/albums/oo293/snippet58/P1170328.jpg

[John Eacott]

Again, I can only refer to BK117 experience but these are a few jobs we did:

F1 car, practice before slinging into the Melbourne Tennis Centre

http://www.eacott.com.au/gallery/d/5495-2/GP+car+lift+3.jpg

Lots and lots of concrete pours for the Mt Hotham Ski Lift company, all about 5,700 ft amsl

http://www.eacott.com.au/gallery/d/7430-1/BKL+kibble+lift+belly+shot.jpg

Stainless steel vat lift for Heinz factory

http://www.eacott.com.au/gallery/d/7445-2/Heinz+vat+lift+02.JPG

http://www.eacott.com.au/gallery/d/7435-2/BKL+vat+lift+02.JPG

18 metre flagpole on top of No 1 Queens Street: 6 bolts with 2mm clearance on each

http://www.eacott.com.au/gallery/d/7448-2/IMG_0226.JPG

http://www.eacott.com.au/gallery/d/7451-2/IMG_0231.JPG

http://www.eacott.com.au/gallery/d/7454-2/IMG_0232.JPG

A backyard poolside bench for a Toorak residence: 1,250kg

http://www.eacott.com.au/gallery/d/7457-2/007+view+01.jpg

And Mitch made this meccano set:

http://www.eacott.com.au/gallery/d/7440-1/Cradle+Mtn+May+2003-7.JPG

into this, up at Cradle Mountain

http://www.eacott.com.au/gallery/d/7442-1/Cradle+Mtn+May+2003-9.JPG


So yes you can longline with a BK117, and no reason why not in an EC145 :ok: