HANDLING QUALITIES CONSIDERATIONS OF LARGE CRANE HELICOPTERS

The increased efficiency of large helicopters, which turbine power coupled with advancing rotary wing technology has yielded, makes more and more practical the utilization of helicopters for the handling of very large and heavy loads. The crane helicopter, as a concept, attacks two fundamental problems concerned with the efficient utilization of t h i s new capability: the crane is configured to optimize the attachment or pickup of such loads, but equally important, it is designed to provide every possible assistance to the pilot to enhance the precision handling of these loads. The ability to deftly handle and precisely place large loads, frequently suspended at considerable distance below the helicopter, is often the real key to efficient utilization of the helicopter. It determines not only the degree to which the helicopter can complete the job without assistance from ground operations, but also the speed with which the job can be dispatched-which is often the most important single economic factor. A primary characteristic of the Sikorsky crane helicopter concept is the open fuselage which allows a high load attachment. Fundamentally, this feature provides the ability to make take offs and landings, and to utilize the in-ground effect benefits and emergency landing provisions with loads of sizes and shapes not suitable for internal loading. This deviation from typical helicopter configurations allows several features aimed at unburdening the pilot, and of providing the helicopter work platform with ideal handling and positioning qualities by taking advantage of the 360" visibility the pilot cabin provides, and the unique rear-facing pilot seat. Pole setting operations have, as an example, demonstrated the requirements of having a pilot in control of the helicopter who has full view of the sling, load, and work area.