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Blog

14 Jan 2022
By David Creech
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Vertical Lift Consulting Welcomes Daniel Ledding to the Team

Vertical Lift Consulting Welcomes Daniel Ledding to the Team

Daniel Ledding Jr., a 20-year combat medic and flight paramedic from Selah, Washington, joined the Vertical Lift Consulting team January 3 as Director of Training and Business Development. Ledding will work alongside CEO David Creech to provide on-site training opportunities featuring the Breeze-Eastern external rescue hoists and the Zephyr ZGS-10000-series Rescue Hoist Ground Support Equipment (RHGSE) and ZGS-15000-series MagSens, in cooperation with Breeze-Eastern LLC and Zephyr International LLC, respectively. Ledding, originally from Dubuque, Iowa, joined the U.S. Army in 2000 and spent the next two decades as ambulance aidman and driver, SERE senior medic, flight platoon sergeant and ultimately detachment…
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12 Oct 2021
By David Creech

“Refire” Kits Not an Option for US Army

When a Cartridge Actuated Device (aka “CAD” or “squib”) on the hoist is fired, ALL the components of the cable cut system must be replaced – the squib and o-ring, cable, cable cutter and o-ring, cable cutter cotter pin, and anvil…as well as potentially some shims from the KT-444 shim kit (aka “clocking kit”). The hoist manufacturer, Breeze-Eastern, sells all of these parts together as a kit called the KT-493 Refire Kit. While this is convenient, it is a bit of a problem for Army users because the Army treats and tracks squibs the same way that ammunition and other…
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12 Oct 2021
By David Creech

Corrosion Control for the External Hoist

The question is often asked about corrosion control on the Breeze-Eastern BL-29900-30-1 external rescue hoist. In general, questions related to cleaning and corrosion control for US Army aircraft can be found in TM 1-1500-344-23-2, Cleaning and Corrosion Control, Volume 2, Aircraft. This can also be found in EM 0151 and 0053. Chapter 2 of that publication deals with cleaning and lubrication, and Chapter 8 deals with preservation. Under the topic of corrosion control, we turn our attention to Corrosion Preventive Compounds (CPC’s). Compounds that meet the standards defined in MIL-PRF-81309 are considered ultra-thin film, water displacing CPC’s and, according to…
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18 Mar 2021
By David Creech

Static Discharge Cable Removed from AWR 980

A number of years ago, based on numerous requests from the field, the #415 Static Discharge Cable (manufactured by Lifesaving Systems Corporation (LSC)) was added to AWR 980. This cable can be used to dissipate the static discharge that is sometimes experienced during hoisting operations. Since then, there have been requests about similar products made by other manufacturers. The decision was recently made to remove the static discharge cable from AWR 980 – not because it can no longer be used, but because its use does not require an AWR to begin with. It does not have an ON/OFF switch,…
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09 Feb 2021
By David Creech
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BBB Accreditation

BBB Accreditation

Vertical Lift Consulting is now fully accredited with the Better Business Bureau! We took this additional step to provide our customers that extra "warm fuzzy feeling" that comes from knowing that you are dealing with a properly vetted and fully accredited organization. Click on the BBB Seal below to view our profile, leave a review, or even make a complaint. Like any other business, we appreciate good reviews... But if, for any reason, you feel that you have had a less-than-ideal experience with us, please give us a chance to make that right before leaving a negative review or making…
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08 Feb 2021
By David Creech

Inspecting Grooves on Level Wind Shafts

A question was recently asked about inspection of the grooves on the level wind shafts. An inspection of the level wind shafts is called out in TM 1-1520-237- and 280-PMI as follows: "Check hoist rollers and level wind for wear, corrosion, and security." Someone digging deeper into Breeze-Eastern’s Flight Line Operation and Maintenance Manual (OMM) for the hoist would notice the following diagram in Section 501 – Checks and Inspections: In addition to the PMI, the level winds should be inspected any time the width of the grooves is suspect (for instance, you notice metal shavings in/around the grooves or…
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02 Feb 2021
By David Creech

Removing #2 Engine Inlet with EMRH (US Army Black Hawk)

Removal of the Engine Inlets is required during the “EVERY 120 HOURS” inspection on the Black Hawk helicopter in order to access and inspect the engine output shafts. Left engine inlet shown. This is usually pretty straightforward except…well, the external hoist is in the way for the #2 (right side) engine inlet. Units with the ESSS-Mounted Rescue Hoist (EMRH) have fewer options than units with the Integrated Hoist Mount (IHM). Units with the EMRH can either remove the hoist, which can be a lot of work, or they can finagle the “arm” in such a way to create the required…
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18 Jan 2021
By David Creech

Popping Hoist Circuit Breaker During Squib Check

An aircraft just came out of phase and everything seems to be checking out, with one exception – the hoist. The hoist itself operates fine, but every time you do the published squib check the 5A hoist cable shear circuit breaker on the DC ESNTL BUS pops. As with any troubleshooting related to the hoist, you know that the problem is either hoist-related, aircraft-related, or it is somehow related to one of the harnesses in between the hoist and the aircraft. You are putting the same external hoist back on the aircraft, so you don’t suspect that is the problem…
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07 Jan 2021
By David Creech
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Now Offering Zephyr Training

Now Offering Zephyr Training

In coordination with Zephyr International LLC, Vertical Lift Consulting is now offering training for the Zephyr Rescue Hoist Ground Support Equipment (RHGSE). Training is available for this equipment in one of two ways: On-site at the manufacturer’s location in Conway, SC.Off-site where we bring the training to you. Our training will mirror the 2021 On-Site curriculum for Zephyr International, which is now limited to one day with a maximum of ten (10) students. The 2021 schedule for on-site classes is as follows: Thursday, 28 JANThursday, 15 APRThursday, 24 JUNThursday, 26 AUGThursday, 28 OCT You can register for these classes or…
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17 Nov 2020
By David Creech

A Caution about Removing External Hoist from Aircraft

An external hoist was recently submitted on an Army Product Quality Deficiency Report (PQDR), after having “structural failure” and “broken hardware.” Specifically, there was a fracture of the mid-section on the right side of the hoist, between the tension roller and the inboard level wind shaft, as well as a broken cap screw. These deficiencies were confirmed by Breeze-Eastern upon receipt of the subject hoist. Initial failure analysis revealed that some of the hardware on the three primary structural components (mid-section housing, and left and right flanges) was “missing, loose, or found to be deformed.” Those components were sent out…
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