Vancouver, Washington-based helicopter cargo hook equipment provider Onboard Systems International has received STC certification by the FAA for its replacement dual cargo hook HEC kit for the EC135 helicopters.

This cargo hook system meets the 14 CFR part 27.865 certification requirements for human external cargo (HEC) and has been designed as a dual installation of a unique version of the Talon LC keeperless cargo hook, which has been modified to match the housing geometry and mounting interface for the EC135. Onboard has also submitted this system to EASA for certification in Europe.

"We've had many conversations with EC135 operators who are generally concerned about the high cost and long lead times for overhauling the factory-installed cargo hooks on these aircraft," says vice president of sales and marketing Mike Fox. "We had already received certification for a replacement kit on the single-hook configuration of this aircraft in 2012, so we revisited that design to see what upgrades would be needed to meet the more stringent requirements for HEC missions. The design improvements developed by our engineering team will now allow dual-hook configuration EC135 operators to upgrade their existing equipment with Onboard cargo hooks for greater safety and more cost-effective and responsive maintenance."

Onboard's newly certified Talon LC keeperless replacement dual cargo hook HEC kit for the EC135 (P/N 200-467-00) has been certified for installation on aircraft models EC135P1, EC135T1, EC135P2, EC135T2, EC135P2+, EC135T2+, EC135P3 and EC135T3 (without Helionix). The kit replaces the original system cargo hooks, the manual release cables and the electrical release harnesses (from the cargo hooks to the connector bracket on the belly) within an existing HEC-approved system. It utilises the existing Airbus beam, internal primary quick release subsystem and the backup quick release subsystem, greatly simplifying installation of the replacement hook kit.

In conjunction with the EC135 Talon LC keeperless replacement dual cargo hook kit, Onboard Systems is also offering HEC longline kits in several lengths that include many essential components for properly rigging an aircraft to carry human external cargo, including a Y-rope, a rigging plate, longline, weight bag, lanyard and carabiners. Onboard's Y-rope (P/N 490-022-00) is required when conducting HEC missions using Onboard's cargo hooks as it provides a controlled interface between the primary and secondary cargo hooks and the longline.