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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 sergeant of a U.S. Army Air Ambulance Detachment. He served overseas in Kosovo in 2002, Iraq in both 2005 and 2008, Afghanistan in 2012, and with EUCOM in 2015. Ledding also led three units as a flight instructor and unit trainer in the UH-1V Huey and UH-60 A/L Blackhawk helicopters and helped facilitate the implementation of the Army’s Hoist Training Support Package and Standard Operating Procedure as the unit’s detachment sergeant. He also developed a medical training program resulting in the first Army MEDEVAC unit to attain 100% pass ratings in all oral, written and medical evaluations conducted by the Army’s Department of Evaluations and Standardizations in 2019. “I chose to be a medic because helping people on their worst day and being that pivotal piece that could help them return home to their families is the best job in the world,” he says. “Becoming a flight paramedic gave me the tools to help patients get to the best care possible in some very hostile environments, both due to terrain and combat.” “My goals for VLC (Vertical Lift Consulting) are to … expand operations so units can have the option to receive world-class training from subject matter experts who are passionate about their jobs and enjoy being in the aviation community,” he continues. VLC is dedicated to providing hoist users with high-quality training in a convenient location at a reasonable price to ensure all users are prepared to prevent and respond to any situation that could arise during use of the hoist and Zephyr units. Ledding and his wife, Cortney, and children, Logan (14) and Paislee (4), live on a small hobby farm in the Pacific Northwest. Ledding also manages a woodworking businesses in his spare …

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 sergeant of a U.S. Army Air Ambulance Detachment. He served overseas in Kosovo in 2002, Iraq in both 2005 and 2008, Afghanistan in 2012, and with EUCOM in 2015. Ledding also led three units as a flight instructor and unit trainer in the UH-1V Huey and UH-60 A/L Blackhawk helicopters and helped facilitate the implementation of the Army’s Hoist Training Support Package and Standard Operating Procedure as the unit’s detachment sergeant. He also developed a medical training program resulting in the first Army MEDEVAC unit to attain 100% pass ratings in all oral, written and medical evaluations conducted by the Army’s Department of Evaluations and Standardizations in 2019.

“I chose to be a medic because helping people on their worst day and being that pivotal piece that could help them return home to their families is the best job in the world,” he says. “Becoming a flight paramedic gave me the tools to help patients get to the best care possible in some very hostile environments, both due to terrain and combat.”

“My goals for VLC (Vertical Lift Consulting) are to … expand operations so units can have the option to receive world-class training from subject matter experts who are passionate about their jobs and enjoy being in the aviation community,” he continues. VLC is dedicated to providing hoist users with high-quality training in a convenient location at a reasonable price to ensure all users are prepared to prevent and respond to any situation that could arise during use of the hoist and Zephyr units.

Ledding and his wife, Cortney, and children, Logan (14) and Paislee (4), live on a small hobby farm in the Pacific Northwest. Ledding also manages a woodworking businesses in his spare time.

…because you’ve got a lot riding on this!

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 a formal …

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 a formal complaint.

…because you’ve got a lot riding on this!

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 JAN Thursday, 15 APR Thursday, 24 JUN Thursday, 26 AUG Thursday, 28 OCT You can register for these classes or get additional information at: https://zephyrintl.com/services Additionally, if you need us to bring the training to you, please fill out the form at: https://verticalift.com/request-training/ and under “Type of Training Requested,” select “Zephyr RHGSE.” That will get the ball rolling in terms of an estimate for the training. Units are highly encouraged to combine the one-day Zephyr workshop with the two-day hoist maintenance workshop, thereby saving money over separate workshops. Currently for Zephyr training, we do require that you have at least one operational Zephyr at your location. We will collect serial number information from you in advance of the training so that we can determine the exact model number and applicable upgrades, service bulletins, …

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:

1. On-site at the manufacturer’s location in Conway, SC.
2. 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 JAN
• Thursday, 15 APR
• Thursday, 24 JUN
• Thursday, 26 AUG
• Thursday, 28 OCT

You can register for these classes or get additional information at: https://zephyrintl.com/services

Additionally, if you need us to bring the training to you, please fill out the form at: https://verticalift.com/request-training/ and under “Type of Training Requested,” select “Zephyr RHGSE.”

That will get the ball rolling in terms of an estimate for the training.

Units are highly encouraged to combine the one-day Zephyr workshop with the two-day hoist maintenance workshop, thereby saving money over separate workshops.

Currently for Zephyr training, we do require that you have at least one operational Zephyr at your location. We will collect serial number information from you in advance of the training so that we can determine the exact model number and applicable upgrades, service bulletins, etc.

…because you’ve got a lot riding on this!

The auto-locking hoist hooks have gotten a lot of press in the last couple of years, and for good reason – dynamic rollout is a “clear and present danger” when using hoisted devices that are susceptible to rollout and when using hooks that can be in an unlocked state while lifting. To recap, dynamic rollout (also called “ring rollout,” “hook rollout,” “forced rollout,” or just “rollout”) is the unintentional separation of a hoisted device (rescue strop, seat, basket, litter, etc) from the hook. Rollout can only occur if all three of the following conditions exists: Susceptibility – the geometry of the hoist device lifting eye must allow for the hoist hook to be rotated in such a way that the lifting eye rests across the gate/keeper of the hook. Some devices simply are not susceptible to rollout but many devices are susceptible. Slack – there must be sufficient slack in the cable for #1 to occur, and then the slack is pulled tight. When #1 and #2 are present, a hook with a “beak” increases the likelihood of a rollout event by presenting a snag hazard at a very vulnerable point (what we call “undesirable position geometry”). Security – the locking mechanism for the gate/keeper must be unlocked. Bottom line is, remove any one of those three conditions and rollout cannot occur. Thus, the MEDEVAC Project Office has been working this issue with all three conditions in mind: Susceptibility – Where possible, worked with manufacturers to change the geometry of the device lifting eyes in order to remove or reduce susceptibility. Slack – We need slack in the cable to do our job. Educating users on the importance of managing that slack is part of what we do. A safe approach to Slack Management is to grasp the cable upstream of the hook/spring/bumper assembly and pull everything downstream tight, visually inspecting that all elements are in their proper places, and keeping it tight while checking to see where the slack goes before giving the UP command (i.e. not standing in a loop of cable). Security – We worked with PD MEDEVAC to get a number of auto-locking hooks approved for use. If the hook is always locked (or is auto-locking), a rollout cannot occur. A new auto-locking hook is now entering testing. Capewell Aerial Systems, the manufacturer of both the Slide-Lok and the Auto-Lok, has spent the last three years designing a completely new hook – the Ultra-Lok. The hook has been designed, from the ground-up, to be everything “ultra,” where the meaning of ultra comes from the Latin, “on the far side of; beyond.” Ultra-DESIGNED – with a team of engineers taking input from all major services over the past several years. This will be the only hook designed from the ground-up to meet ALL the requirements of the military hook specification, and all major components (including the latch mechanism) will be forged instead of cast. It is the perfect balance between BEAUTY and BRAWN. Ultra-ERGONOMIC – with visual and tactile features to determine hook orientation, as well as latches/locks that are easily disengaged with the fingers but protected from inadvertent release. Ultra-TESTED – with the US Navy performing a battery of both destructive and non-destructive testing to ensure that the requirements of the latest MIL-DTL-23599 are met or exceeded. Ultra-USEABLE – with specially-designed ergonomic opposing triggers to accommodate the full range of user hand sizes, a utility eye that is closer to the centerline of the hook, and a deeper throat and increased loading area to accommodate all common loading hardware. The Ultra-Lok will have a larger loading area than any of its competitors. Ultra-SAFE – with a streamlined exterior profile to minimize snag points, enhanced visibility features, and a safety factor of more than 28 times the maximum rated load of the …

The auto-locking hoist hooks have gotten a lot of press in the last couple of years, and for good reason – dynamic rollout is a “clear and present danger” when using hoisted devices that are susceptible to rollout and when using hooks that can be in an unlocked state while lifting.

To recap, dynamic rollout (also called “ring rollout,” “hook rollout,” “forced rollout,” or just “rollout”) is the unintentional separation of a hoisted device (rescue strop, seat, basket, litter, etc) from the hook.

Rollout can only occur if all three of the following conditions exists:

1. Susceptibility – the geometry of the hoist device lifting eye must allow for the hoist hook to be rotated in such a way that the lifting eye rests across the gate/keeper of the hook. Some devices simply are not susceptible to rollout but many devices are susceptible.
2. Slack – there must be sufficient slack in the cable for #1 to occur, and then the slack is pulled tight. When #1 and #2 are present, a hook with a “beak” increases the likelihood of a rollout event by presenting a snag hazard at a very vulnerable point (what we call “undesirable position geometry”).
3. Security – the locking mechanism for the gate/keeper must be unlocked.

Bottom line is, remove any one of those three conditions and rollout cannot occur.

Thus, the MEDEVAC Project Office has been working this issue with all three conditions in mind:

• Susceptibility – Where possible, worked with manufacturers to change the geometry of the device lifting eyes in order to remove or reduce susceptibility.
• Slack – We need slack in the cable to do our job. Educating users on the importance of managing that slack is part of what we do. A safe approach to Slack Management is to grasp the cable upstream of the hook/spring/bumper assembly and pull everything downstream tight, visually inspecting that all elements are in their proper places, and keeping it tight while checking to see where the slack goes before giving the UP command (i.e. not standing in a loop of cable).
• Security – We worked with PD MEDEVAC to get a number of auto-locking hooks approved for use. If the hook is always locked (or is auto-locking), a rollout cannot occur.

A new auto-locking hook is now entering testing. Capewell Aerial Systems, the manufacturer of both the Slide-Lok and the Auto-Lok, has spent the last three years designing a completely new hook – the Ultra-Lok.

The hook has been designed, from the ground-up, to be everything “ultra,” where the meaning of ultra comes from the Latin, “on the far side of; beyond.”

• Ultra-DESIGNED – with a team of engineers taking input from all major services over the past several years. This will be the only hook designed from the ground-up to meet ALL the requirements of the military hook specification, and all major components (including the latch mechanism) will be forged instead of cast. It is the perfect balance between BEAUTY and BRAWN.
• Ultra-ERGONOMIC – with visual and tactile features to determine hook orientation, as well as latches/locks that are easily disengaged with the fingers but protected from inadvertent release.
• Ultra-TESTED – with the US Navy performing a battery of both destructive and non-destructive testing to ensure that the requirements of the latest MIL-DTL-23599 are met or exceeded.
• Ultra-USEABLE – with specially-designed ergonomic opposing triggers to accommodate the full range of user hand sizes, a utility eye that is closer to the centerline of the hook, and a deeper throat and increased loading area to accommodate all common loading hardware. The Ultra-Lok will have a larger loading area than any of its competitors.
• Ultra-SAFE – with a streamlined exterior profile to minimize snag points, enhanced visibility features, and a safety factor of more than 28 times the maximum rated load of the hoist.

…because you’ve got a lot riding on this!

Since the beginning of FY19, we’ve completed two hoist workshops on-site in Whippany, NJ, one hoist workshop at Redstone Arsenal (hosted by PD MEDEVAC), as well as separate hoist training events at Ft. Bliss; Jackson, MS (MS-ARNG); and Williamstown, WV (WV-ARNG). All total, that is 81 students armed with greater confidence in maintaining the BL-29900-30-1 hoist. In additional to the scheduled, recurring hoist workshops, as of the date of this article we have training scheduled for the Texas Army National Guard, Ft. Campbell, and potentially, Alaska. All of our hoist workshops have been a huge success, but the remainder of this article highlights the first-ever hoist workshop held at Redstone Arsenal (Huntsville), AL on 12-13 FEB 2019. The Product Director (PD) for MEDEVAC, COL Josephine Thompson, had a vision of expanding hoist training opportunities beyond the traditional four times per year at the manufacturer’s location in New Jersey, and alternating additional workshops between Redstone Arsenal and Ft. Rucker. That vision is now reality. Additional workshops hosted by PD MEDEVAC are currently scheduled for the following dates in 2019: 21-22 MAY6-7 14-15 AUG13-14 NOV This first PD MEDEVAC Hoist Workshop had 14 in the class: 4 from the Idaho Army National Guard 3 from the Arkansas Army National Guard 1 from PD MEDEVAC 2 from the Medical Evacuation Proponency Directorate (MEPD), Ft. Rucker 1 from the Directorate of Evaluation & Standardization (DES), Ft. Rucker 3 observers for work on an upcoming Hoist Interactive Multimedia Instruction (IMI) effort Beginning with the hoist training in West Virginia, we now include a classroom trainer at all training events. This has greatly enhanced training for the following reasons: Removes the noisy environment and distractions inherent in using an on-aircraft hoist Removes the potential risk of damaging an on-aircraft hoist during maintenance training Allows for easier access by more students Allows for maintenance training beyond what is published in the TMs* *NOTE: Any maintenance beyond what is published in the TMs requires prior authorization through an approved Maintenance Engineering Call (MEC) letter. For more information (and to note any changes to the above dates), please see our EVENTS page by clicking here, or sign up for any of the hoist workshops (Breeze-Eastern workshops / PD MEDEVAC workshops). Please also see a more detailed article on Hoist Training Opportunities by clicking …

Since the beginning of FY19, we’ve completed two hoist workshops on-site in Whippany, NJ, one hoist workshop at Redstone Arsenal (hosted by PD MEDEVAC), as well as separate hoist training events at Ft. Bliss; Jackson, MS (MS-ARNG); and Williamstown, WV (WV-ARNG).

All total, that is 81 students armed with greater confidence in maintaining the BL-29900-30-1 hoist.

In additional to the scheduled, recurring hoist workshops, as of the date of this article we have training scheduled for the Texas Army National Guard, Ft. Campbell, and potentially, Alaska.

All of our hoist workshops have been a huge success, but the remainder of this article highlights the first-ever hoist workshop held at Redstone Arsenal (Huntsville), AL on 12-13 FEB 2019.

The Product Director (PD) for MEDEVAC, COL Josephine Thompson, had a vision of expanding hoist training opportunities beyond the traditional four times per year at the manufacturer’s location in New Jersey, and alternating additional workshops between Redstone Arsenal and Ft. Rucker. That vision is now reality.

Additional workshops hosted by PD MEDEVAC are currently scheduled for the following dates in 2019:

21-22 MAY
6-7 14-15 AUG
13-14 NOV

This first PD MEDEVAC Hoist Workshop had 14 in the class:

• 4 from the Idaho Army National Guard
• 3 from the Arkansas Army National Guard
• 1 from PD MEDEVAC
• 2 from the Medical Evacuation Proponency Directorate (MEPD), Ft. Rucker
• 1 from the Directorate of Evaluation & Standardization (DES), Ft. Rucker
• 3 observers for work on an upcoming Hoist Interactive Multimedia Instruction (IMI) effort

Beginning with the hoist training in West Virginia, we now include a classroom trainer at all training events. This has greatly enhanced training for the following reasons:

• Removes the noisy environment and distractions inherent in using an on-aircraft hoist
• Removes the potential risk of damaging an on-aircraft hoist during maintenance training
• Allows for easier access by more students
• Allows for maintenance training beyond what is published in the TMs*

*NOTE: Any maintenance beyond what is published in the TMs requires prior authorization through an approved Maintenance Engineering Call (MEC) letter.

For more information (and to note any changes to the above dates), please see our EVENTS page by clicking here, or sign up for any of the hoist workshops (Breeze-Eastern workshops / PD MEDEVAC workshops).

Please also see a more detailed article on Hoist Training Opportunities by clicking here.

…because you’ve got a lot riding on this!

IMG_9084

Hoist Workshop in Whippany, NJ. Photo by SGT Sean Altom (KY-ARNG).

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Hoist Workshop in Whippany, NJ. Photo by SGT Sean Altom (KY-ARNG).

IMG_9087

Hoist Workshop in Whippany, NJ. Photo by SGT Sean Altom (KY-ARNG).

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Hoist Workshop in Whippany, NJ. Photo by SGT Sean Altom (KY-ARNG).

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COL Thompson kicks off the PD MEDEVAC Hoist Workshop. Photo by Bryce Anderson.

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PD MEDEVAC Hoist Workshop. Photo by Bryce Anderson.

IMG_9100

PD MEDEVAC Hoist Workshop. Photo by Bryce Anderson.

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PD MEDEVAC Hoist Workshop. Photo by Bryce Anderson.

Looking for hoist training on the BL-29900-30-1 external rescue hoist (US Army)? Then don’t miss out! There are many opportunities to be taken advantage of: Training on-site at Breeze-Eastern Breeze-Eastern hosts four two-day hoist maintenance workshops per year at their location in Whippany, NJ. These workshops are conducted at no cost to the attendee (unit pays TDY costs). Attendees that complete both days of training will receive a serialized Hoist Maintenance Training Certificate from Breeze-Eastern. Class sizes are limited so check the events calendar for the available courses and sign up today! Hoist Workshops hosted by PD MEDEVAC PD MEDEVAC hosts four two-day hoist maintenance workshops per year. Location varies between Redstone Arsenal (Huntsville), AL and Ft. Rucker, AL. 09 SEP 2021 UPDATE: All PD MEDEVAC workshops are now conducted at the MEDEVAC Mission Equipment Training (MEDMET) Center at Fort Hood, TX. For more information, click here. These workshops are conducted at no cost to the attendee (unit pays TDY costs). Attendees that complete both days of training will receive a serialized Hoist Maintenance Training Certificate from Breeze-Eastern. Class sizes are limited so check the events calendar for the available courses and sign up today! Pre-deployment Training As a special “Thank You” to our Warfighters, Breeze-Eastern offers two days of hoist maintenance training at the unit’s location. These training events are typically in conjunction with PMUH pre-deployment visits or DES Hoist Training Support Package (TSP) events. This training is conducted at no cost to the unit. Attendees that complete both days of training will receive a serialized Hoist Maintenance Training Certificate from Breeze-Eastern. If you have a pre-deployment visit scheduled with PMUH, or a TSP training event scheduled with DES, and wish to request this training, please complete our training request form. Special Training Requests Units/organizations that want the two-day hoist maintenance training at their location, and do not meet the pre-deployment criteria above, can pay for the training. This can be a better option for units that want to get the maximum number of personnel trained at one time, and can even save the unit money when considering the aggregate cost of sending a bunch of folks TDY to a free maintenance workshop. Attendees that complete both days of training will receive a serialized Hoist Maintenance Training Certificate from Breeze-Eastern. If you would like a quote for this training, please complete our training request form. Why is this training important? …because you’ve got a lot riding on …

Looking for hoist training on the BL-29900-30-1 external rescue hoist (US Army)? Then don’t miss out! There are many opportunities to be taken advantage of:

Training on-site at Breeze-Eastern

• Breeze-Eastern hosts four two-day hoist maintenance workshops per year at their location in Whippany, NJ.

• These workshops are conducted at no cost to the attendee (unit pays TDY costs).

• Attendees that complete both days of training will receive a serialized Hoist Maintenance Training Certificate from Breeze-Eastern.

• Class sizes are limited so check the events calendar for the available courses and sign up today!

Hoist Workshops hosted by PD MEDEVAC

• PD MEDEVAC hosts four two-day hoist maintenance workshops per year. Location varies between Redstone Arsenal (Huntsville), AL and Ft. Rucker, AL.

09 SEP 2021 UPDATE: All PD MEDEVAC workshops are now conducted at the MEDEVAC Mission Equipment Training (MEDMET) Center at Fort Hood, TX. For more information, click here.

• These workshops are conducted at no cost to the attendee (unit pays TDY costs).

• Attendees that complete both days of training will receive a serialized Hoist Maintenance Training Certificate from Breeze-Eastern.

• Class sizes are limited so check the events calendar for the available courses and sign up today!

Pre-deployment Training

• As a special “Thank You” to our Warfighters, Breeze-Eastern offers two days of hoist maintenance training at the unit’s location. These training events are typically in conjunction with PMUH pre-deployment visits or DES Hoist Training Support Package (TSP) events.

• This training is conducted at no cost to the unit.

• Attendees that complete both days of training will receive a serialized Hoist Maintenance Training Certificate from Breeze-Eastern.

• If you have a pre-deployment visit scheduled with PMUH, or a TSP training event scheduled with DES, and wish to request this training, please complete our training request form.

Special Training Requests

• Units/organizations that want the two-day hoist maintenance training at their location, and do not meet the pre-deployment criteria above, can pay for the training. This can be a better option for units that want to get the maximum number of personnel trained at one time, and can even save the unit money when considering the aggregate cost of sending a bunch of folks TDY to a free maintenance workshop.

• Attendees that complete both days of training will receive a serialized Hoist Maintenance Training Certificate from Breeze-Eastern.

• If you would like a quote for this training, please complete our training request form.

Why is this training important?

…because you’ve got a lot riding on this!

Classroom Trainer

Classroom training hoist and various hoist hooks and devices.

Training Hoist

The classroom training hoist in its shipping container.

Classroom

Classroom setup showing laptops from the Portable Learning Kit.

BL-29900-30-1 Tools

Normal and special tools used for the maintenance of the BL-29900-30-1.

Hoist Training

Motor and Controller removed. Operating the hoist with a drill and splined adapter.

Hoist Training

Hands-on training in the classroom.

Cable Buddy

Demonstrating the usefulness of the CableBuddy(TM).

Hoist on Aircraft

On-aircraft training.

Hoist with covers removed

Hoist on-aircraft with covers removed to facilitate training.

Kiddie Pool

Using a kiddie pool to contain the cable.