FLYING PDU TO MISSION LOCATION

TM 5-3740-218-13&P WARNING Ground personnel must be aware of their position in relation to helicopter at all times to prevent personal injury. Ground personnel involved in ground operation of PDU and/or helicopter shall wear protective head gear for ears and eyes to prevent personal injury. A hovering helicopter (in the air) will create static electricity which exposes personnel to an electrical shock hazard. To avoid electrical shock during the electrical hookup, the groundperson should hold the insulated wires and tap the metal connectors together. This will discharge the static electricity. Alternative methods are the use of a grounding rod and chain, a discharge wand, or touching the helicopter down just before hookup. (5) Attach hand control assembly cable to PDU wiring harness as shown in figure 2-14. WARNING Make sure hand control safety cable hook is fastened to a secure point inside helicopter (e.g., tie down ring). Failure to do so could result in injury or death to personnel. h. Operator: Attach hand control safety cable hook to a secure point inside helicopter. i. Groundperson 1: Move out from under helicopter and to right about 40-50 ft away. j. Helicopter Crew Chief and Groundperson 2: (1) Make sure Groundperson 1 is clear. (2) Direct pilot to take up slack on load. 2-12. FLYING PDU TO MISSION LOCATION WARNING Minimum forward speed of 25 knots is required to stabilize PDU in flight. Below 25 knots, PDU may rotate due to rotor wash. This increases risk of control cord separation at pull-away connector due to possible wrapping of control cord around lifting strap of PDU frame. Maximum speed of helicopter with PDU attached shall not exceed 90 knots (103.5 mph) at altitude of 50-100 ft. Failure to comply may result in injury to personnel or damage to equipment. 2-44