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.

[KiwiNedNZ]

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

[bladegrip]

Long lining from a 145

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]

John, really?

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]

Originally Posted by oleary

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).



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)?

[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



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



Stainless steel vat lift for Heinz factory





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







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



And Mitch made this meccano set:



into this, up at Cradle Mountain




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