A Chinook helicopter of 1310 Flt, 27 Squadron RAF collects an underslung load to deliver supplies to a Forward Operating Base in Afghanistan.
The Chinooks provide a vital link keeping troops on the ground supplied with everything from food and water to ammunition.
This image was a winner in the RAF 2011 Photographic Competition.
Photographer: Flt Sgt Graham Spark (RAF)
Erm, arent undersulng loads attached when its landed?
Did no one think it might be a lot easier to use a bit of cable and which?
Rather than a hook on the belly and a lot of waving, yelling, and luck?
Dom you are correct. Fifty years of helicopter operations undermined in a stroke! I am sure there are very good reasons underslung loads are attached the way they are. I’m sure a pilot or loadie could elaborate.
Well it does speed up the whole process. Hover hook and go.
Phrank
But is that not really hard? Aiming a chinnok like that?
Just a couple of points from my limited knowledge of underslung loads, landing would require a longer strop. I guess a longer strop would affect the limits of forward speed, a shorter strop means you can go faster? Also, you’ve got to consider where the load is going to, the terrain and conditions may favour this method. A winch would limit the load, and a larger one would require aditional maintenance and be a wai penlty.
If any loadmasters out there can provide a link or an article, I’d be intrested.
Just a couple of points from my limited knowledge of underslung loads, landing would require a longer strop. I guess a longer strop would affect the limits of forward speed, a shorter strop means you can go faster? Also, you’ve got to consider where the load is going to, the terrain and conditions may favour this method. A winch would limit the load, and a larger one would require aditional maintenance and be a weight penlty.
If any loadmasters out there can provide a link or an article, I’d be intrested.
“But is that not really hard? Aiming a chinnok like that?”
Nope. The loadie looks through the hatch in the floor of the Chinook and directs the pilot. Works a charm. If it didn’t – they’d land.
Just imagine the amount of space inside the helicopter a winch for 10 tonnes requires. They currently use a/c hard point attachments real easy to use always there just hook them up. Land to the side hooking up and lifting off is much more complicated if you dont lift straight up you can get a big pendulum motion going or the load may move about more on the straps.
Is that not really hard? It’s flight control system will include a stability augmentation system (might not be called that on a Chinook), and you can generally trim a helicopter with a little thumb switch. Probably still pretty tricky though, I bet he’s not on the phone while he’s doing it.
I always thought they looked odd when they’re sat in a perfectly still hover though. When they’re waiting for casevac or qrf and just hang there for ages. They look to big and ungainly to be so precise.