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PR ODUCT PR OFILE

ecms - Straight Up With The NoRo Hoist

Up to now ecms Aviation Systems has been known for its fast roping, rappelling, weight measuring, and emergency rescue equipment. Now ecms is moving in to im- prove hoist operations. Although most of today’s hoists are well thought out and of high quality some problems still remain that can cause difficulties and even emer- gency situations during actual operation. Listed below are some of the major prob- lems hoist operators experience today and the solution ecms offers with the newly patented NoRo Hoist system. The NoRo Hoist is not a new hoist. Instead it is an easily installed retrofit to any existing hoist that will vastly improve the safety of hoist operations.

Hoist Problem:

The most common and most dangerous hoist operating problem is when the res- cuer and/or patient get caught in the downwash. This situation occurs because the cable position of the hoist is located in the area below the rotor where, in calm or light winds, rotor downwash creates the strongest load turning tendencies. If the rescuer and victim get caught in the down- wash, the resulting rotation can cause even healthy persons to lose conscious- ness or worse, cause rotation trauma, which can be fatal. Anti-rotational lines with an operator on the ground are sup- posed to prevent that scenario, however sometimes the terrain doesn’t allow for an operator on the ground and the risk re- mains high anytime immediate forward flight is just not possible.

NoRo Hoist Solution:

As the name implies the NoRo Hoist gives directional control and diminishes rotational tendencies. The twin rope sys- tem allows directional control to be gained and a passive dampening system reduces pendulum instabilities of the load elimi- nating the need for ground based anti-ro- tation lines.

Hoist Problem:

Limited payload is another factor that can cause difficulties. A typical 600lbs hoist can only lift one person in addition to the HEMS crewmember performing the

external operation. Repetitive hoisting is required for multiple persons to be res- cued. This is time-consuming and can mean the difference between life and death in an emergency situation. Addi- tionally, hoisting cycles can be limited due to overheating of the hoist.

NoRo Hoist Solution:

When cabin access is not required, the hoists’ payload is effectively doubled, al- lowing the simultaneous evacuation of up to five people with the standard 600lbs hoist. During a typical hoist operation one rescuer is let down to evacuate one vic- tim. The standard hooks normally allow only two carabiners to be attached. With the NoRo Hoist one rescuer is let down to evacuate up to five victims at one time, saving precious time and reducing hoist- ing cycles.

Hoist Problem:

Every hoist effects the center of gravity (CG) in one way or another. The hoist brings a helicopter that carries most of its equipment up front (such as search lights or cameras) to the forward CG limits. Those that have air-conditioning and other equipment located in the aft of the aircraft are brought to the aft CG limits. Heli- copters with extensive mission equipment often have a very limited center of gravity margin left. The hoist load also produces strong lateral moments, which the pilot must compensate by active input control. Additional pilot concentration is required to stabilize the helicopter.

NoRo Hoist Solution:

The NoRo Hoist retrofit is flexible in where it is installed on the helicopter and can therefore influence the CG in a posi- tive way, because the installation occurs in respect to the center of gravity. Also the lateral CG offset is significantly min- imized especially during the most critical phase when lifting the load off the ground. ecms’ fixed twin rope systems are known for their rotational stability and addition- ally lateral pendulum stability is greatly improved due to the twin rope system, simplifying helicopter handling and re- ducing pilot workload.

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