External Hoist Operations (Goodrich)

What it is

A Goodrich hoist unit mounted on the right side of the cabin, in either a 290 ft or 165 ft usable-cable version, each with its own pendant. The pilot and copilot can operate the hoist from the collective grip; the Hoist Operator (HO) operates it from the control pendant, which also displays cable payout. Pilot control always overrides the HO's input. Maximum load: 550 lb (249 kg) above 0°C OAT, 500 lb (227 kg) at or below — maximum 2 persons plus equipment either way.

Two independent ways to cut the cable in an emergency: an electrical cable cutter (PQRS), fired from a guarded HOIST CUT switch on either collective grip or from the HO control panel, and a manual cable cutter (BQRS) the HO must always have available as a backup if the electrical system fails.

Key limitations

Minimum crew: one pilot plus one Hoist Operator. Load raising/lowering is permitted in a stationary hover or forward flight up to 45 KIAS (80 KIAS with the extended main footstep kit fitted). Maximum permissible bank angle with the cable extended is 20° — exceeding 15° of lateral pendulum angle relative to the helicopter's vertical axis can cause the overload clutch to slip, and that clutch is unlikely to function correctly if actually overloaded. Takeoff and landing with a suspended load on the hoist is prohibited.

During hoist operations the pilot must either fly manually, or fly attentively if HOV and RHT (or ALT) modes are engaged — the autopilot is not a substitute for monitoring during a hoist operation. Maximum weight including the hoisted load is 4800 kg (above 4600 kg for takeoff/landing, the Supplement 30 increased-gross-weight configuration is required). The HO must be harnessed throughout, wear protective gloves, and guide the cable by hand.

Cable and hoist malfunctions

HOIST CBL FOUL: the cable isn't winding correctly onto the drum, motor stops automatically. Proceed in forward flight with the load suspended (same 45/80 KIAS limits), find a suitable site, hover and slowly descend to lay the load on the ground, then recover the cable manually.

HOIST OVER-TEMPERATURE: amber TEMP light on the pendant, motor current automatically limited to 80 amps — the hoist keeps working but at reduced performance. Complete the current cycle and wait for the indication to clear before resuming; prolonged operation with TEMP lit risks a hoist failure.

HOIST CUT ARM: appears when a cut-system guard has been lifted. If it was intentional, continue as required. If it was unintentional, lower the guard, don't lift it again, and stop hoist operations, HOIST PWR to OFF.

Engine failure in the hover with a load on the hook

Where OEI hover performance capability is not required: the gross weight and hover height that would normally satisfy the Flyaway or Vertical Reject WAT charts may not actually give a safe flyaway or reject with a cable extended and a load hanging — that's a real, named caveat, not a generic warning. Recover aircraft control per the standard Vertical Reject or Flyaway procedure, then either raise the load back into the cabin, emergency-jettison it, or transition forward (same 45/80 KIAS limit), depending on conditions and load type.

Where OEI hover performance capability is required — meaning the aircraft is being flown at the weights defined on the hover-OGE 2.5-minute-OEI charts specifically to guarantee no rotor droop or height loss on an engine failure — maintain the collective pitch setting (2.5-minute OEI rating covers the hover) and raise the load into the cabin; raising a full-length load from fully extended takes about 2 minutes.

If a double DC generator failure happens with a load on the hook

The hoist reverts to being powered by the main battery. If the battery is used to recover the load, the normal 30-minute battery endurance figure is not guaranteed once the hoist has drawn on it.