Onboard Systems BO105 Cargo Hook Kits with Surefire Option Certified by FAA

Wednesday, June 7, 2017

Onboard Systems International, Inc., a leading provider of innovative helicopter cargo hook equipment, today announced that its hydraulic cargo hooks with Surefire® release technology have been STC certified by the FAA for the Airbus Helicopters BO105 aircraft. Onboard has also submitted these Surefire-enabled systems to Transport Canada for certification. The Surefire circuit requires a purposeful, half-second press against the hook release button, guarding against inadvertent load loss resulting from accidental contact with the release button during flight.

According to Karsten Lemmon, Vice President of Sales and Marketing for Onboard Systems, “Onboard is committed to offering our Surefire release technology on as many cargo hook systems as possible, due to the extra load security that Surefire provides. The combination of our hydraulic cargo hooks—which of themselves provide significant protection against inadvertent load releases—along with our Surefire technology provides BO105 operators with the maximum level of load safety available today.”

Excessive movement during external load operations can unintentionally activate an improperly rigged manual release cable on a cargo hook system, causing an inadvertent release of the load. Onboard's hydraulic cargo hook kits only open the hook when the pilot activates the release system—snagging or damage to the cable will not lead to accidentally dropping the cargo.

The newly certified Surefire cargo hook kits for the BO105 include the Replacement TALON LC Hydraulic Hook Kits for aircraft previously fitted with Breeze/ERC hooks (P/N 200-302-10) and Siren hooks (P/N 200-387-10). For operators who want a load weighing option, the Surefire Replacement TALON LC Hydraulic Hook Kits with Onboard Weighing System for aircraft previously fitted with Breeze/ERC hooks (P/N 200-303-10) and Siren hooks (P/N 200-388-10) are also certified by the FAA. An integrated Onboard Weighing System allows pilots to instantly know the exact weight of the cargo on the hook to maximize load efficiency while reducing airframe stress.

In addition to offering the Surefire release technology option on new equipment, Onboard Systems can upgrade existing equipment for select models of certified cargo hooks at the factory during overhauls or upon request. Upgrade kits will also be available for operators with the capabilities to perform this work in house or through a local service facility. Please contact us for more information.

# # #