Hoisting vs Underslung Humans
Joined: May 2002
Aviation Qualifications: ATP+Mil
Posts: 18,633
Likes: 1,072
From: Downeast
I found live hauling people to be the most stressful flying I have done....done in a Huey while single pilot.
It was not the flying that was difficult but rather the stress imposed knowing the ramifications of getting it wrong that weighed upon me.
The people were total strangers but none the less important to their families, friends, and co-workers.
The decision I made was their safety came first....then mine....then the aircraft.
I have always viewed the aircraft as a reusable but expendable metal container designed to be used for the protection of the occupants there of.
Add a 150-200 foot long line with 5-6 human beings on the end of it....and that multiplied the difficulty level by a couple of orders of magnitude.
It was not the flying that was difficult but rather the stress imposed knowing the ramifications of getting it wrong that weighed upon me.
The people were total strangers but none the less important to their families, friends, and co-workers.
The decision I made was their safety came first....then mine....then the aircraft.
I have always viewed the aircraft as a reusable but expendable metal container designed to be used for the protection of the occupants there of.
Add a 150-200 foot long line with 5-6 human beings on the end of it....and that multiplied the difficulty level by a couple of orders of magnitude.
