Helicopter equipment provider Onboard Systems International has announced that its cargo hook kit with Surefire release technology has been STC certified by the US Federal Aviation Administration (FAA).

Onboard has also applied to Transport Canada to secure certification for this system.

Designed for the Robinson R66 Helicopter, the Surefire-enabled circuit requires a half-second press against the hook release button, which will help to guard against any load loss as a result of any accidental contact mid-flight.

Onboard Systems sales and marketing vice-president Karsten Lemmon said: "The Robinson R66 is a popular new aircraft with our external load customers.

"The extra load security that Surefire provides offers a significant advantage between our cargo hook kits and competing products on the market."

"The Robinson R66 is a popular new aircraft with our external load customers."

Onboard's Robinson R66 cargo hook kit is developed around the latest-generation of TALON Keeperless cargo hook, which can not only handle a wide range of load ring sizes and styles but also remove the scope of losing loads that might slide past the keeper.

Among the other safety features include a rugged mount point with quadruple shear joint for torsional strength, a lock indicator window to enable ground crew gain a visual confirmation that the hook is locked.

The optional remote hook electrical release kit enables release of loads from the cockpit, while the onboard weighing system displays the exact weight of the load on the cargo hook.

Onboard's weighing system for the Robinson R66 makes use of pin load cell technology to bolster ground clearance by replacing the main attach bolt rather than mounting as a different link above the hook. This approach offers easier cable routing whilst reducing system weight.

The Surefire cargo hook kit for the Robinson R66 comprise the TALON LC Keeperless cargo hook kit (P/N 200-380-10) and the TALON LC Keeperless cargo hook kit with an onboard weighing system (P/N 200-381-10).

 


Image: Cargo hook kit with TALON LC Keeperless Surefire hook and onboard weighing system (P/N 200-381-00). Photo: courtesy of Onboard Systems International.