Military

K-1. Operations planning begins with site selection and setup of the sling load area. Sling load sites must be at least 550 meters from munitions storage locations, working areas, and inhabited areas. Other criteria include the following:

• Must be located where aircraft will never pass over munitions storage areas, inhabited areas, or public roads when approaching, landing, taking off, or leaving the site.
• Must be at least 25 meters square and constructed of the best material available. Perforated steel planking is a good field expedient material.
• Must use prevailing wind direction as the baseline for establishment to facilitate helicopter landing and takeoff and to limit downwind contamination in case of accidents involving chemical munitions.

Setup planning should provide for load and hookup positions, rigging area, emergency landing area, rendezvous points, control of equipment, vehicles and roads, and establishment of a firefighting equipment point.

K-2. Because compatibility and Q-D cannot be maintained, the sling load area must not be used to store munitions. All incoming shipments and field returns must be cleared immediately and properly stored in the storage facility. Only those munitions to be placed in cargo nets should be on the site. Cargo nets may be loaded at the storage facility and then transported to the sling load area. MHE must be kept clear of the area while helicopters are landing or taking off.

K-3. Ground crew personnel must be thoroughly trained and aware of the dangers of working under hovering helicopters. These dangers are not always apparent. Chances of injury are minimized by strictly observing the following guidelines:

• Avoid flying debris and foreign object damage. Pick up loose equipment and dispose of trash.
• Avoid cargo leg entanglement. Tape legs every three feet and carefully coil legs on top of load.
• Avoid sharp objects protruding from load or aircraft. Pad sharp edges and wear a helmet while under aircraft.
• Avoid top-heavy or unbalanced loads. Always load heavy items on bottom center of cargo net.
• Avoid being caught between the load and the aircraft. Never place yourself between moving and stationary objects.
• Watch aircraft carefully; be prepared to move quickly should the aircraft move suddenly.
• Avoid moving and protruding parts of the aircraft, such as the main and tail rotor blade, landing gear, and swinging cargo nets.
• Avoid tripping over static discharge wand grounding cables or grounding rods.
• Be alert for damaged lifting equipment. Stop operations if damage is discovered.
• Use special care on slippery or wet surfaces. Clear ice and snow from work areas.
• Wear all required safety equipment.
• Always use the static discharge wand regardless of type of aircraft in use. Maintain solid contact until load is connected to cargo hook. Static electricity is dangerous and may cause injury or death.
• Be aware of obstacles that may cause tripping or falling.
• Keep an eye on fellow soldiers to prevent them from getting into hazardous situations.
• Double-check all loads for proper rigging and sling attachment.
• Do not participate in or allow horseplay of any type. Anyone observing unsafe acts is obligated to make immediate corrections.
• Know individual positions in relation to aircraft at all times; this is especially critical during periods of limited visibility.
• Closely watch movement of aircraft and aircrew signals.
• Follow established SOPs and emergency procedures.
• Stay clear of the hookup area if not part of the hookup team.
• Ensure that everyone is familiar with the tasks that they are responsible for performing.

K-4. Ground crew teams are classified by their locations: the hookup team (at the landing site) and the receiving team (at the supported unit site). The hookup team consists of at least three soldiers to handle signaling, grounding, and hookup. Additional soldiers may be required for hookup for dual or multiple-hook aircraft. Because they control the helicopter, soldiers responsible for signaling play a major role in sling load operations.

K-5. All ground crew members working beneath a hovering helicopter must wear PPE for maximum personal safety. Eye goggles, earplugs, a securely fastened helmet, and leather or electrical worker gloves must be worn at all times. Clothing must be securely buttoned with sleeves down. Watches, rings, and other jewelry (except for military identification tags) must be removed to prevent snags in cargo nets or loads.

K-6. Army helicopters commonly used during sling load operations are the UH-1N/P Iroquois (HUEY), the UH-60 Blackhawk, and the CH-47 Chinook (C and D models). Characteristics of these aircraft include the following:

• UH-1N/P. The HUEY is a single-engine, single main rotor, general-purpose helicopter used for transporting troops, cargo, and injured personnel. The UH-1N is the twin-engine version. The UH-1P and UH-1N have maximum cargo hook capacities of 4,000 and 5,000 pounds respectively.
• UH-60. The Blackhawk is a single-engine, single main rotor helicopter used to transport personnel, supplies, and equipment. It has a cargo hook capacity of 8,000 pounds. The Navy version (SH-60B) has a maximum cargo hook capacity of 4,000 pounds.
• CH-47C/D Chinook. The Chinook is a twin-engine, tandem rotor helicopter used to transport personnel, supplies, and equipment. The CH-47C has a maximum hook capacity of 20,000 pounds. The CH-47D has a maximum hook capacity of 26,000 pounds.

K-7. Regardless of the type aircraft used for sling load operations, the load weight must be accurately determined and reported to the aircrew. Inaccurate load weights could cause the pilot to lose control of the aircraft.