Helicopter external sling load operations (HESLO)

Transport of goods, special (suspended) loads and high-altitude works (helicopter crane, helicopter load lifting services – HESLO and HEC operations) as well as HESLO training flights are one of many other services of high-risk specialized operations performed by Helipoland.

Transport of special loads by helicopter – when is it worth it?

Cargo transportation by air is most often associated with the need to save lives and health or military transport. However, entities operating in the aviation industry use their aircraft also for the occasional transport of cargo or goods. By using helicopters for transport, it becomes possible to lift and carry out air transport of such cargo, which displacement by conventional means of transport would be impossible or significantly impeded. This applies in particular to goods located in hard-to-reach places, with non-standard dimensions or shapes, for which the machines and devices usually used for their movement – cranes and cranes – do not work. The limited amount of space surrounding the load, surrounding it with objects or structures that do not allow for free maneuvering of the crane, high costs of setting up machines enabling the cargo to be moved – these are just some of the reasons why it is more profitable and functional to use helicopter transport. Also when delivery time counts, and the transport is to take place on a relatively short route, helicopters adapted to move suspended loads on the aircraft are perfect. As soon as we have all the info we need, we can give you a fixed price for the entire job if you like.

Helicopter external sling load operations (HESLO)

Helicopters used for transport purposes allow for moving loads in two ways. The first of them involves the air transport of cargo placed inside the helicopter. The interior of the aircraft, specially adapted for this, allows the transport of goods on ready pallets, in transport lattice boxes and in special containers. The second freight system involves the use of suspended systems and the transport of cargo outside the aircraft, suspended on a special hook or other type of attachment. This type of transport is recommended, however, when it is necessary to move the cargo over short distances, due to the need to set up a safe flight route, bypassing residential areas and extensive infrastructure.

Advantages of using helicopters for cargo transportation

By using helicopters, express cargo transport between two selected locations becomes possible. Depending on the weight and dimensions of the transported load, an aircraft with appropriate technical parameters – load capacity and capacity – is selected. The use of helicopters works perfectly in emergency situations, when there is a need for immediate and express cargo movement. Performing air transport is possible at any time of the day, and the only factor preventing flight performance may be atypical weather conditions. Reaching for air transport protects the sender against the inconvenience that occurs in the case of road transport – excessive traffic or unpredictable situations related to collisions between traffic participants. In most cases, the transport of special loads suspended on a helicopter turns out to be a cheaper and faster solution than the use of specially folded cranes or other types of stationary machinery and equipment for this purpose.

Helicopter cargo transport – offer details

Detailed conditions for the performance of air transport are agreed each time based on the data related to the type of cargo, route and detailed recommendations and wishes of the shipper. Depending on this, optimal machines are selected from the point of view of his interests, as well as planned efficient loading and fast transport to the destination.

The calculation of costs is based on the duration of use of the helicopter in flight during altitude work, plus the so-called machine re-gas, counted from the moment of starting in the base until it is turned off at the destination and equally in the return flight. In addition, additional services performed by Helipoland ground personnel or related to the use of additional specialized equipment are also valued.

Mast or house construction – crane services

Mast Construction is one of the aerial work types flown most in aerial works using helicopters. Ranging from 200m high cell towers in the mountains to 40 meters GSM towers in urban areas, it is possible to built them all. Using a helicopter when lifting the material for your house or mast construction gives you a lot of advantages compared to mobile cranes combined with manual labor on the ground:

• In addition to being many times faster, the helicopter also places all the material exactly in the best place, all in order to minimize the need to lug around and move materials around during construction
• When fitting heavy and cumbersome parties, the helicopter sets down the object in place whilst retaining almost all of the lifting force. As an example, this leaves a housing section of a tone with just a few kilograms to negotiate in place before the helicopter finally loosens the lifting devices
• The ground at the building site and access roads will not be ruined by heavy vehicles
• No trees or vegetation need to be cut down to provide access to the site, we just extend the lifting sling we use if there are high trees or objects at the site
• We can handle all the logistics associated with the job such as contact with construction managers, manufacturers and suppliers. Together with them we determine the weights to be lifted, the packing order, where each thing should be placed etc.

HESLO & HEC pilot training

The External load training (HESLO) is a prerequisite for a job as a transport pilot. The HESLO 1 training can be completed within two days at a low price. Normally the course is completed in AS350 helicopter.

Minimum requirements:

• CPL(H) / ATPL(H) licence

• At least 300 hours as pilot in Command PIC in helicopters

• Type rating completed

• At least 10 hours PIC on the respective helicopter type

• HESLO theory completed