Jackjet

My Feedback: (1)

is there a shock hazard when working with hovering helis ?

Thanks,
Jackjet

hook124

Yes, yes there is. In the right conditions it can be leathal. The Ch-47D (Chinook) is capable of creating up to 20,000 volts or so. I actually have seen this first hand. The ground was not completed and the guy hooking up to the hook on my chinook got a bright BLUE surprise! Me to as well. He was fine, just got a few days off of work!

Rotorwrench

The weather conditions must right, cool and dry. I've been knocked down by a 206B hooking up a load. I'd hate to get zapped by a CH-47, that's got to hurt.

Bxcar32

That's true. In dry dust enviroments it can take as little as 2 seconds after the Ground is detached from the Helicopter to generate the 40,000 volts of static charge. I used to do sling loads for Chinooks when I was in Korea and never used a Ground. Dumb luck I guess because I never got shocked, but a friend of mine almost got squashed by a Chinook while he was trying to hook up an ISU. There is nothing like standing under a 30,000lbs helicopter as its hovering over you. There are other hazards as well. Like the fact that a Max Gross Weight aircraft generates huricane force winds. I was once hit in the face with a pebble that the rotor wash kicked up and sent my way. I can send you video of the effects of rotor wash from a Chinook in the desert if you'd like.

BarracudaHockey

My Feedback: (11)

They taught us in aircrew school always let the winch hit the water to discharge the static, dont go grabbing for it while its in the air.