As battles between the Whitehouse and Congress continue on every issue from the economy to Iraq, there is a new load transport device for helicopters that has these two branches of our government in agreement over their procurement. Impressed enough to provide funding for this innovative new helicopter load transport technology, the United States Congress approved, and President Bush signed into law a major appropriation for the purchase of the aptly named "Heli-Baskets" for every state in the Union. The manufacturer of these aerodynamic gliding cargo baskets delivered them on schedule.
Getting any branch of the Military to seriously consider any new technology is often not an easy task, but in the case of the Heli-Basket, the device itself tends to catch the inquisitive eye of all that come in contact with it. Now with congressional and Whitehouse approval and inclusion in the budget, the Army National Guard Black Hawk helicopter companies and the Air National Guard SAR squadrons were the awaiting recipients of the Heli-Baskets.
Precision Lift Inc., the manufacturer and inventor, delivered 103 Heli-Basket systems to the two armed service branches with deliveries to Aviation Support Facilities as far south as the Virgin Islands and as far north as Alaska. However, PLI has also shipped Heli-Baskets around the globe, and the international interest is as intense as the domestic interest.
That intense interest has been generated by the fact that the Heli-Basket solves some longtime frustrations for helicopter pilots attempting to long line unstable loads. In fact, until now, risky and time-consuming transport of critical equipment and supplies via helicopter has seen insignificant improvements over recent years.
Chopper pilots are well aware of the numerous pitfalls of a typical sling load including unpredictable flight characteristics, resulting load damage, inaccurate placement and even electrical shock. The bottom line is that sling load transport via helicopter can be a dangerous and frustrating task for even the most experienced pilots. Interestingly enough, as the technology of the helicopters has evolved, the technology of chopper external load transport remained basically unchanged. That was, however, until the Heli-Basket was introduced.
Now, however, the smooth gliding flight characteristics of this new stable transport basket have resulted in worldwide interest and international purchases of the technology--including important invitations to exhibit the Heli-Basket globally--most recently in a worldwide wild land fire conference in Malaysia. The threat of wild fires has intensified across the planet in recent years, and the Heli-Basket offers some new directions in dealing with the problem.
Precision Lift, Inc. is a Montana-based helicopter utility company that feels its Heli-Basket resolves the pilot's frustrations and concerns that have arisen out of their mishaps and experiences with unstable sling loads. PLI's Heli-Basket technology delivers the strength, versatility, volume, payload, and aerodynamics that until now, helicopter pilots could only have dreamed about. Indeed it is quite a sight to see this bright orange transport basket sailing through the air in a smooth and direct fashion--no twisting, no spinning, no jittering about.
It is an interesting story how these patented baskets came into being. But often those involved in an industry are the very individuals that resolve a problems found within it. A PLI cofounder and seasoned chopper pilot himself, John Tollenaere elaborates, "Nothing is more frustrating for a helicopter pilot than to have to deal with an unstable external load when time is the critical factor. Our technology provides in-flight stability regardless of air speed, type of maneuver or how the load is positioned within the Heli-Basket. The net result is a great logistical tool in addition to being the best multiple rescue device the industry has to offer. We are so very pleased and proud that pilots across our nation, and the world for that matter, will find a new venue of relief for a wide variety load transport challenges."
And relief is exactly what the cofounders, Chris Croff and John Tollenaere, wanted to deliver to the industry. Both had been involved for years in projects presenting intensely challenging external load transport challenges, and they knew there had to be a better way. They fused their field experience and engineering knowledge to come up with a plan to tear down some of those agitating road blocks to sling load transport. Then they poured a mountain of R&D into the Heli-Basket to perfect and enhance their creation to the superior level that it now stands.
Indeed the flight characteristics of the basket more closely resemble an aircraft than sling load transport device. The owners' efforts and research and development finally paid off. They've sold their aerodynamic Heli-Basket to countries around the globe and are witnessing a heated excitement as buyers are attracted to the solutions provided by the technology.
From sea rescue to quick delivery of sensitive field equipment, the Heli-Basket's applications seem endless. The cofounders are quick to point out that civil aviation rules apply and must be adhered to regarding the transport of humans in rescue type situations. Virtually any kind of load can be transported in the basket including innovative rescue equipment and even firefighting water pumping modules.
PLI President Chris Croff elaborates, "The Heli-Basket as a stand alone device provides a viable solution to the logistics of equipment transport by helicopters used in most situations. Our baskets deliver countless transport solutions--everything from atv's to firefighting equipment. As an example, in the firefighting venue we provide a quality fire attack module that is easily inserted into the basket--a highly mobile firefighting tool that has not been available to the industry until now. Like a pumper on a fire truck, the module can pump water or foam at a rate of 120 gallons per minute, and right now combined with the Heli-Basket, it can be instrumental in the mop-up phase of any wildfire."
In fact, PLI hopes that its Fire Attack 400 fire suppression unit may become a standard for wild fire mop up. Equipped with a full fire fighting tool box, fire retardant foam, and a fire truck style pumper, the fire suppression unit is just one example of how additions to the Heli-Basket can customized it to certain needs and situations.
The features of the basket reflect the cutting-edge technology poured into it. To get a little specific with the engineering that that went into the basket is to get an even greater feel for its strengths and applications. For example, the model HB 2000 Heli-Basket is supplied with a high-strength non twisting insulated long line of synthetic fiber rated to carry a 6000 lb. load--and that insulation eliminates the frustrating static shock that can occur when a load makes contact with the ground.
In addition, the Heli-Basket has a protective cage engineered for structural integrity and protective functionality, a tail gate action of the end gate sections, forged anchor shackles with a work load limit of 5200 pounds, safety netting which protects the load from cables and long line, an engineered loading system which transfers load from the floor to the corner lugs, corrosion protection and protective paint, and an engineered master link assembly with a work load limit of 8800 pounds. They also tossed in a Heli-strap safety sling that grips the fuselage of the chopper ensures protection if for some unknown reason, a load is accidentally dropped.
The scientific makeup of the basket explains how the creators easily obtained a patent. But this seemingly complex science and engineering can easily be distilled into simplistic functionality. And that functionality coupled with its ease of use and safety make it that much more attractive.
"If our Heli-Basket does nothing more than remove the frustrations, inefficiencies and safety hazards of the current archaic sling loads, then our efforts with this technology will have been well worth it. And gladly, all indications point to it doing just that. When we deliver the baskets and brief the pilots and technicians -- their enthusiasm, excitement and relief are unbridled, to say the least" reported Croff in a recent interview, "At last, load transport technology has evolved up to the level of the technology of the helicopters themselves."
Perhaps the greatest reward for the two cofounders has been a feeling of contribution to the efficiency, safety and well-being of the pilots and professionals involved in the logistics of external load transport. "Having a successful business is a great thing," say the two cofounders, "but having a business that is based upon solving some frustrating problems for our industry is even better."
PLI is certainly enthusiastic for anyone to take a closer look at some
of the solutions they've provided for the helicopter aviation industry.
A glance at their website reveals some interesting solutions to old problems--including
safe and effective maintenance platforms that allow maintenance professionals
easy and safe access to the larger helicopters like the Chinooks, Black
Hawks, and even the Apaches. To learn more about the Heli-Basket, please
visit their website. It is located at www.precision.rotor.com. If you have
any specific questions or needs some sales literature, you can contact Precision
Lift, Inc. directly by email: pli@3rivers.net, or by phone at 406-236-5361.
Reprinted with permission of Landings.Com