Military

A/C

aircraft

acc load

Cargo suspended below a slingload

ACL

allowable cargo load

ACP

air control point

ADS

aerial delivery sling

AF

Air Force

AFB

Air Force base

aft cargo hook

A cargo hook located aft of the center or main cargo hook

aft

To the rear, behind, or toward the tail of the aircraft

AGL

above ground level

AH

attack helicopter

ALO

air liaison officer

alt

altitude

AM

amplitude modulation

AMC

Air Mobility Command

anemometer

an instrument for measuring and indicating the force or speed of the wind

AO

area of operations

apex fitting pin

A headed pin that extends through the two ends of the apex fitting-clevis, retained in place by a bolt and nut apex fitting spacer (an hourglass-shaped bushing that fits over the apex fitting pin), causing the apex fitting to stay centered on the cargo hook

apex fitting

The uppermost point (clevis, shackle, ring, or loop) that gathers the sling tension members and attaches to the cargo hook

apex ring

(See apex fitting.)

apex shackle ftg

(See apex fitting.)

apex shackle

(See apex fitting.)

appr azimuth

The direction of an aircraft's approach to the landing point, usually expressed in degrees and measured clockwise from a reference point

arr

arrival

ATA

actual time of arrival

ATC

air traffic controller

ATD

actual time of departure

AWADS

all-weather aerial delivery system

AZAR

assault zone availability report

basket hitch

A type of attachment in which a flat web nylon strap is formed in the shape of the letter "U" with the two ends connected side-by-side

basket leg

The cable on a pallet sling that encircles the load

becket

A short length of rope with an eye on one or both ends, used to secure items such as eyelets or coils of rope

bight

A formed loop in a rope or cable

blivet

A rubber storage bag, transportable by air or ground, that holds 500 gallons of fuel or water

breakaway technique

Use of material with a low breaking strength, such as tape or cotton webbing, to temporarily restrain the sling equipment from becoming entangled on the load as the helicopter puts tension on the sling

breaking strength

Resistance to breaking, commonly measured in pounds. (Refers to tensile strength.)

brownout

A loss of orientation with respect to the horizon, caused by blowing sand, dust, or dirt

CA

combat assault

cable

A suspended external cargo sling system. Cargo hook attached to the bottom of the fuselage by a system of cables

CAPES

chemiluminescent light-assisted personnel exit system

cargo hoist

A device used to raise, lower, or winch cargo

cargo hook keeper

A spring-loaded device used to prevent the apex fitting from sliding off the cargo hook load beam

cargo hook loading pole

Also called a "shepherd's hook," with a hook on one end, which an aircrew member uses to pick up the apex fitting and connect it to the cargo hook. Used when the hookup team cannot stand on top of the load

cargo hook

A suspension hook device on which the apex fitting is placed to transport an external load

cargo net

A meshed arrangement of straps or cords that have been knotted or woven together at regular intervals and used to transport supplies and equipment

cargo sling

Consists of multiple tension members which, when properly rigged, enable aircrew to suspend cargo and equipment under a helicopter

CARP

computed air release point

castle nut

A hexagon-shaped nut with a slot in each of its six sides and secured in place by a cotter pin

CC

control center

CCP

communications checkpoint

CDS

container delivery system

cellulose

A cushioning or padding material used to protect the load or sling legs

center (main) cargo hook

A cargo hook located in the center of the helicopter

center of balance

Location where an item would balance if it were possible to support the load at that point

center of gravity

(See center of balance.)

centerline

An imaginary line that extends lengthwise and bisects the bottom of the helicopter fuselage

CG

center of gravity

CH

cargo helicopter

chemiluminescent light

A plastic tube filled with a liquid chemical and a glass vial that when activated produces a glowing light known as chemiluminescence

choker hitch

A knot formed by placing a strap or cord around an item and passing the free end of the strap or cord through the loop formed by the other end

clevis

A "U"-shaped yoke device with a bolt or pin through the two ends

clinometer

Any of various instruments used to measure elevation or incline

connector link

A metal link device that joins the ends of a nylon web loop together, such as used on the web ring of the 15,000-pound capacity multileg sling

constant power

The point at which a helicopter engine produces a fixed level of performance

CONUS

continental United States

CP

command post

CRC

control and reporting center

dep

departure

det

detachment

DF

direction finding

down wash

Also called "rotor wash." High-velocity air movement under a hovering helicopter

downslope

Downhill; descending; a slope that lies downward

downwind

In the direction that the wind is blowing

drawbar

A beam across the rear of a vehicle or aircraft to which implements are hitched

drop-off

A very steep or perpendicular descent

DS

direct support

DTG

date-time group

dual-point load

Cargo or equipment rigged and suspended from two cargo hooks

DZ

drop zone

DZSO

drop-zone safety officer

DZST

drop-zone support team

DZSTL

drop-zone support team leader

ECCM

electronic countercountermeasures

ECM

electronic countermeasures

end bar

The removable side of a connector link

energy-dissipating material

Artificial cardboard packing material. In parachute operations, protects equipment by dissipating shock or energy when the package lands

ETA

estimated time of arrival

EW

electronic warfare

exit path

The track or course of an aircraft departing the landing point

ext

extracted

external air transport

Movement of supplies or equipment that is rigged and suspended from a helicopter cargo hook

external load

Consists of supplies or equipment properly rigged with either one or more slings, cargo bags, or cargo nets

eye sock

A loop formed at both ends of a sling leg

EZ

extraction zone

FB

Fort Benning

FEBA

forward edge of the battle area

field-expedient drogue device

Any device locally fabricated to connect to an external load for the purpose of increasing the stability of the load

field-expedient pendants

Individual slings or sling legs used as a vertical riser or pendant

field-expedient static-discharge wand

A device fabricated from readily available material to discharge the helicopter's static electrical charge

FLA

frontline ambulance

flat web nylon

A flat nylon strap or sling fabricated in either concentric loops or single lengths

floating web keepers

(See sliding keepers.)

FM

frequency modulated

FOC

flight operations center

forward cargo hook

A cargo hook located forward of the center or main cargo hook

forward slope

Ground whose surface forms an upward angle or incline with the horizon

FRAGO

fragmentary order

free-swinging cargo hook

A cargo hook attached to the end of a pendant or cable instead of attached directly to the helicopter fuselage

fuselage

The central body portion of a helicopter, which accommodates the crew, passengers, and cargo

fwd

forward

GAIL

glide angle indicator light

GCA

ground-controlled approach

glide angle indicator light

(GAIL) A device that emits a three-color light beam that indicates a safe glide path over approach obstacles onto a landing site

glide path angle

The helicopter's angle of approach to the landing point

GMRS

ground-marking release system

grabhook

A hook for grabbing (as the links of a chain)

ground crew

Personnel on the ground who help prepare and rig loads, guide the helicopter, and connect the load to the helicopter

GSI

glide slope indicator

GTA

ground-to-air

GUC

ground unit commander

GWT

gross weight

HAHO

high-altitude, high-opening

HALO

high-altitude, low-opening

handheld

Designed to be operated while held in the hand

HEAT

helicopter external air transport

HLZ

helicopter landing zone

HMMWV

high-mobility, multipurpose wheeled vehicle

IAW

in accordance with

immediate mission

A task or support mission that arises during the course of a battle and which by its nature cannot be planned in advance

INR

internal net recorder

ins

inserted

JAAT

joint air attack team

JP

jet petroleum

keeper

A device that holds something in position such as an apex fitting on the helicopter cargo hook

KIAS

knots indicated airspeed

knotless nylon cord cargo net

A cargo net manufactured from braided nylon cord joined by a knotless intersection method

landing point

A point within a landing site where one helicopter can land

landing site

A site within a landing zone that contains one or more landing points. This is also known as the touchdown point

landing zone

Any specified area used for the landing of aircraft

lanyard

A short piece of rope or cable used to fasten something or an extension of a shorter device

lashing straps

A flat-web nylon strap with a D-ring on one end. Used to lash equipment together

latch bar

The movable top part of the pallet sling tensioner

lateral slope

Ground whose surface forms an angle oriented from either right to left or left to right with the horizon

lifting eye

A loop in a cable, rope, or other device used to lift an object

lifting leg hook

A hook on the end of a sling leg, usually used with a hoisting sling

lifting point/lifting provision

An integral part of the equipment, commonly called a lug, eye, shackle, or ring that provides a means of attaching a sling for safe lifting

lifting shackle

A ring or clevis that provides a means of attaching sling for safe lifting

liftoff

A vertical takeoff by an aircraft or a rocket vehicle or a missile

LIN

line item number

load beam

A structural member of the cargo hook that supports the weight of the external load

load binders

A locking device used to tighten and secure

load oscillation

The swinging movement of an external load

locking detent

A slot in the pallet sling tensioner stirrup that engages the release knob assembly on the latch bar

low-response, external cargo sling system

A cargo hook attached to a suspension frame below the fuselage by a system of cables and pulleys

lunette

The towing eye on the trailer drawbar

LZ

landing zone

MAC

Military Airlift Command

main cargo hook winch

A mechanical drum with a cable attached to raise and lower the cargo hook

manual release knob or lever

A lever, knob, or other device that, when actuated by either the ground crew or aircrew member, causes the cargo hook to open

mean effective wind

The average wind speed from the ground to drop altitude

MEDEVAC

medical evacuation

METT-T

mission, enemy, terrain, troops, and time available

MEW

mean effective wind

MK 100 (Mark 100)

The designation given to the pallet sling that can accommodate a pallet load 48 to 70 inches high

MK 86 (Mark 86)

The designation given to the pallet sling that can accommodate a pallet load 29 to 40 inches high

MOGAS

motor gasoline

multileg-pole pendant

A reach pendant that has one or more removable sling legs

NATO

North Atlantic Treaty Organization

NAVAID

navigation aid

NBC

nuclear, biological, and chemical

NCO

noncommissioned officer

night vision goggles

An image-intensification device that improves visibility in low light situations by amplifying available light

NLT

not later than

no-load condition

A situation in which the sling legs are under no tension

no-sew fitting

A web keeper secured in place by a locking fork

NVD

night vision device

nylon donut

A ring formed by joining two ends of a flat, web-nylon strap using a Type IV link or two-point link connector

OPORD

operation order

oscillate

To swing back and forth like a pendulum

overfly

To fly over; to pass over in an airplane

pendant cargo hook

A cargo hook that is connected to the end of a strap and suspended below the fuselage

pendant

A releasable swivel hook. That is, a high-strength sling constructed of multiple plies of nylon webbing with a remotely operated, manually released, full 360-degree swivel hook

permanent keeper

A web keeper that encircles all of the loops of a nylon web strap and is either sewn or otherwise retained in place

phraseology

A manner of organizing words and phrases into longer elements; a choice of words

PI

point of impact

PIBAL

pilot balloon

pickup zone

Landing site designated where an aircraft picks up passengers or cargo

piggyback load

Cargo suspended below a slingload such as a cargo net carried beneath a howitzer

POL

petroleum, oils, and lubricants

port side

The left-hand side (as one looks forward)

preclude

To make impossible by necessary consequence; to rule out in advance

preplanned mission

A task or support in accordance with a program planned in advance of the operation

proword

Procedure word; a word or phrase limited to radio telephone procedure used to facilitate communication by conveying information in a condensed standard form.

PSP

perforated steel planking

PZ

pickup zone

QSTAG

quadripartite standardization agreement

quick-fit strap fasteners

Metal, V-shaped device with a double bar and a friction-grip crossbar. Used with lacing straps

racetrack

To fly in an oval flight pattern over a drop zone or point of impact

RAM

raised-angle marker

reach pendant

Braided fabric rope assembly with an attached, stiffened reach tube and a loop on each end

reach tube

A length of tubing that encases the braided rope portion of a reach pendant

receiving unit

A unit receiving the transported supplies and equipment

relative humidity

The ratio of absolute humidity to the maximum possible density of water vapor in the air at the same temperature

rendezvous point

A clearly defined and visible point or assembly area for the ground crew during helicopter operations

retainer strap

Nylon web loop interwoven on the web ring of the 15,000-pound capacity multileg sling that retains the sling legs on the lower part of the web ring

retention pins

Metal devices used to secure objects such as clevises or shackles to the vehicle frame

rope lay

An individual grouping of wire strands woven or twisted together, which when braided together form a cable

rotor wash

(See down wash.)

RP

release point

safe working load

The greatest capacity of a lifting device used in helicopter external load operations

SATB

simulated airdrop training bundle

SIGINT

signal intelligence

signalman

A person who signals or who works with signals. A member of the ground crew who communicates with the pilot by means of arm-and-hand signals

SINCGARS

single-channel, ground and airborne radio system

single-point load

Cargo or equipment rigged and suspended from one cargo hook

SKE

station-keeping equipment

sliding keeper

A web keeper located near the ends of a flat web strap that encircles all of the loops and acts as a cinch

sling leg

An individual tension member of the sling set

sling load

Consists of supplies or equipment properly rigged with either one or more slings, cargo bags, or cargo nets

sling-to-clevis attachment

Connecting a flat web nylon strap to a lift provision by means of inserting a clevis through the loop on the end of the strap and attaching the clevis to the provision

SOI

signal operation instructions

SOP

standing operating procedure

spreader bar

A device that prevents the sling legs from bearing against the load, which could cause damage

STANAG

standardization agreement

starboard side

The right-hand side (as one looks forward)

static discharge wand crewman

A member of the ground crew responsible for discharging the static electricity from the helicopter. Also called "static probe crewman."

static electricity

A electrical charge produced and stored in the helicopter fuselage during flight

STT

special tactics team

supported unit

A unit requesting the mission to transport supplies and equipment

swage stops

Short lengths of metal tubing crimped on the pallet sling cables

tandem load

An external load consisting of two pieces of equipment joined together, such as a prime mover and a howitzer

TDP

touchdown point

tensioner stirrup

The fixed body of the pallet sling tensioner

tensioner

A locking device on the pallet sling cables used to adjust the overall length of the cable

theodolite

A surveyor's instrument for measuring horizontal and, usually, also vertical angles

tie-down provision

An integral part of the equipment commonly called a lug, eye, shackle, or ring that provides a means of attaching a hook, strap, or cable to restrain equipment during shipment

tie-down strap

A device consisting of a flat web nylon strap with hooks on one or both ends and a ratchet device used to secure items

TOT

time on target

touchdown hover

A helicopter landing with only part of the landing gear positioned on the ground

TOW

tube-launched, optically tracked, wire-guided missile

transit

To pass across

TSC

training support center

TTB

tactical training bundle

turbo meter

An instrument for measuring ground wind speed

turnaway

the act of refusing admittance

turnout

An act of turning out

two-point link connector

A device used to connect two ends of a flat web nylon strap together

Type III nylon cord

A thin rope made of several strands of Type III nylon woven together

Type IV link connector

A device used to connect two ends of a flat web nylon strap together

Type X sling

A nylon aerial delivery sling consisting of two, three, or four consecutive loops of Type X nylon webbing

Type XXVI sling

A nylon multiloop-line sling consisting of two or more consecutive loops of Type XXVI nylon webbing

UH

utility helicopter

UHF

ultra-high frequency

upslope

A slope that lies upward; uphill

upwind

The direction from which the wind is blowing

USAF

United States Air Force

USMC

United States Marine Corps

VAPI

visual approach-path indicator

vertical pendant

A high-strength sling or strap used to increase the clearance between the helicopter and the load

vertical riser

A suspension member oriented in a vertical direction

VHF

very high frequency

VIRS

verbally initiated release system

VMC

visual meteorological conditions

V-shaped approach path

The area within a designated arc or sector measured outward from the center of the landing point

web ring connector bar

A metal connecting link that joins the two ends of the web ring strap on the 15,000-pound capacity, multileg sling

web ring strap

A nylon web loop that forms the web ring on the 15,000-pound capacity, multileg sling

web ring

The apex fitting of the 15,000-pound capacity, multileg sling set

whiteout

A loss of orientation with respect to the horizon caused by blowing snow, the sun reflecting on the snow, or an overcast sky

windchill factor

The cooling effect of moving air