Helicopters That Can Transport a Heli-Basket^®

Introduction

The Heli-Basket is carried as an external load by a helicopter with sufficient power and lift capability. The pilot uses standard military external load procedures or vertical reference to lift and land the Heli-Basket.

Load Requirements

All helicopters with an external load lifting capability of 5100 lbs. are able to maximize the use of the Heli-Basket. This includes the Type 1 helicopters listed by the Inter-Agency Fire Aviation Center in Boise, Idaho (see link below). The empty Heli-Basket and its rigging weigh 600 lbs. The maximum load of cargo that can be carried in a standard Heli-Basket is 4,500 pounds. Smaller helicopters may be able to carry smaller loads.

An Abbreviated List of Rotorcraft Manufacturers

Sikorsky Bell Kaman Aerospace Eurocopter American Eurocopter Boeing Agusta AgustaWestland

Westland MD Helicopters Vertical Aviation Technologies Erickson Aircrane Kamov Mil Hindustan

FAA Regulations on Helicopters Carrying External Loads

• Airworthiness Standards (See Section 29.865 for External Loads.)
• External Load Operations (See all sections in Part 133)

[Note: Use of the Heli-Basket for commercial (i.e. for compensation) movement of persons requires a supplemental type certificate for the particular aircraft type used.]

National Interagency Fire Center Helicopter Operations Manual

• Helicopter Operations including External Loads

Links to Other Sites

Data and Photos for Various Helicopter Models

Flug-Revue Website on helicopters.

Helicopter Organizations

Helicopter Association International Contains websites of many operators.

Airborne Law Enforcement Association (ALEA) News, photos, and videoclips.

American Helicopter Museum and Education Center Museum, airshow, and many links.

AHS-Int'l - The Vertical Flight Society Advancing vertical flight technology.

Association of Air Medical Services (AAMS) Represents companies operating medical air transport services.

Helicopter Association of Canada Civil helicopter industry in Canada.

California Section of the Mountain Rescue Association Search and rescue operations in California.

National EMS Pilots Association (NEMSPA) This association for medical flight pilots has a pamphlet on how to prepare landing zones.

Popular Rotorcraft Association Personal and training rotorcraft.

Igor Sikorsky Historical Archives History of the inventor and first manufacturer of helicopters.

Up-To-Date News About the Helicopter Industry

• Rotorhub.com  - an online magazine




• Helicopter Association International  - an association for the commercial helicopter industry