What should be checked immediately after a sling load is attached but before lift-off?

What should be checked immediately after a sling load is attached but before lift-off?

• A. Rigging integrity, attachment security, and load tension.
• B. Crew compatibility with radios.
• C. Pilot's preferred airspeed.
• D. Fuel status.

Answer: (A)

Before lift-off, focus on the sling system itself: rigging integrity, attachment security, and load tension. Rigging integrity means inspecting every strap, chain, wire rope, hook, shackle, and connector for wear, fraying, cuts, corrosion, or deformation. A damaged piece can fail under load and let the sling give way or the load shift violently during ascent. Attachment security means confirming the load is properly connected to the helicopter’s sling points and that all safety latches, clevis pins, or quick-release devices are fully seated and secured so the load can’t detach or tilt unexpectedly. Load tension means ensuring each sling leg is appropriately tensioned and the load is balanced so the system isn’t prone to swing, twist, or uneven stress as lift begins. These checks prevent dangerous dynamic loads right at the moment of takeoff and help ensure the load remains stable throughout the initial ascent. Radios, pilot’s chosen airspeed, and fuel status matter for mission operations, but they don’t address the immediate safety risk of an unsecured or unstable sling load.

Before lift-off, focus on the sling system itself: rigging integrity, attachment security, and load tension. Rigging integrity means inspecting every strap, chain, wire rope, hook, shackle, and connector for wear, fraying, cuts, corrosion, or deformation. A damaged piece can fail under load and let the sling give way or the load shift violently during ascent. Attachment security means confirming the load is properly connected to the helicopter’s sling points and that all safety latches, clevis pins, or quick-release devices are fully seated and secured so the load can’t detach or tilt unexpectedly. Load tension means ensuring each sling leg is appropriately tensioned and the load is balanced so the system isn’t prone to swing, twist, or uneven stress as lift begins.

These checks prevent dangerous dynamic loads right at the moment of takeoff and help ensure the load remains stable throughout the initial ascent. Radios, pilot’s chosen airspeed, and fuel status matter for mission operations, but they don’t address the immediate safety risk of an unsecured or unstable sling load.