Which practice best helps minimize sling-load pendulum during flight?

Which practice best helps minimize sling-load pendulum during flight?

• A. Extend the sling away from the helicopter to increase clearance.
• B. Keep the load centered near the helicopter's center of gravity and use proper lashings.
• C. Fly with maximum bank angle.
• D. Loosen lashings.

Answer: (B)

Minimizing sling-load pendulum is achieved by keeping the load aligned with the helicopter’s center of gravity and securing it firmly with proper lashings. When the load hangs close to the helicopter’s CG, the distance (lever arm) between any side-to-side movement of the helicopter and the load is reduced. That means disturbances from gusts or rotor wash produce smaller swinging motions because there’s less tendency for the load to lag behind and swing like a pendulum. Proper lashings keep the load from shifting, tilting, or twisting relative to the sling, so there’s less independent motion that would feed swing. Extending the sling away from the helicopter increases the lever arm and allows more pendulum action, making swings larger. Flying with a pronounced bank angle can worsen crosswinds and induce more instability, not reduce pendulum. Loosening lashings frees the load to move, increasing pendulum rather than limiting it.

Minimizing sling-load pendulum is achieved by keeping the load aligned with the helicopter’s center of gravity and securing it firmly with proper lashings. When the load hangs close to the helicopter’s CG, the distance (lever arm) between any side-to-side movement of the helicopter and the load is reduced. That means disturbances from gusts or rotor wash produce smaller swinging motions because there’s less tendency for the load to lag behind and swing like a pendulum. Proper lashings keep the load from shifting, tilting, or twisting relative to the sling, so there’s less independent motion that would feed swing.

Extending the sling away from the helicopter increases the lever arm and allows more pendulum action, making swings larger. Flying with a pronounced bank angle can worsen crosswinds and induce more instability, not reduce pendulum. Loosening lashings frees the load to move, increasing pendulum rather than limiting it.