scope:

Note: Army loads must be inspected by a qualified sling load inspector prior to the arrival of the supporting aircraft.

This manual is one of a series of manuals for aviation and ground personnel who perform helicopter sling load missions ashore or aboard ship. Other manuals in this series are TM 4-48.10 (TM 4-48.10 (TM 4-48.10 (FM 4- 20.198)))/MCRP 4-11.3E, VOL II/NWP 3-04.12/AFJMAN 11-223, VOL II/COMDTINST M13482.3A and TM 4-48.11 (TM 4-48.11 (FM 4-20.199))/MCRP 4-11.3E, VOL III/NWP 3-04.13/AFJMAN 11-223, VOL III/COMDTINST M13482.4A These manuals are a coordinated effort of the US Army, US Marine Corps, US Navy, US Air Force, and US Coast Guard. All services participate in the sling load certification program begun by the Army in 1984. These manuals include standardized rigging procedures and other information from that program.

Efforts were made to standardize ground crew and hookup procedures and terminology. The terms "helicopter" and "aircraft" refer to vertical lift aircraft that participate in sling load operations. Where service-unique requirements apply to an entire chapter or body of text, the service initials are at the beginning of the chapter or text. Otherwise the initials are at the end of the applicable sentence.

The information in this manual will familiarize personnel with the sling sets, cargo nets, and other sling load equipment in the DOD inventory. It will also acquaint them with the helicopters used for sling load and provide basic procedures for rigging and hooking up loads. Rigging equipment and procedures described in this manual may not be authorized for all aircraft or services because of equipment or service restrictions. This manual does not provide details on aviation operations nor does it present detailed data that is normally contained in unit standing operating procedures (SOPs).