Chinook CH-47/Mission

SECTION 4. MISSION

1 CARGO HOOK SYSTEM

1.1 General

Three cargo hooks (forward, mid and aft) are mounted on the belly of the aircraft for attaching external cargo. Each hook can be used to carry a separate load, in tandem configuration with the front and aft hooks, or in a triple hook configuration.

All hooks have normal and emergency release modes. Normal release is performed with hydraulic pressure from the utility hydraulic system and is activated by a release switch on the cyclic, or on the hoist HUD. Emergency list on all hooks is performed electrically off of the hot battery bus.

1.2 Middle Cargo Hook

The middle cargo hook is positioned near the CG of the helicopter and is the ideal hook for larger single hook loads. The middle hook is mounted on a pivoting arm that swings up or down to allow the rescue hatch door to be closed. The hook can also be removed to allow use of the rescue hoist system. Click the arm to swing it up or down. The middle hook will hide/show as necessary when the rescue winch is deployed or hidden.

1.3 Forward and Aft Cargo Hook

The forward and aft hook are mounted on the centerline of the aircraft in front of and behind the rescue hatch. These hooks may be used independently, or together for tandem loads.

1.4 Cargo Hook Controls

The hook control panel is located on the upper control panel (see ). The control panel contains the following elements:

• HOOK MASTER - Energizes the hook system. The hook system requires both utility hydraulic and DC electrical power. In addition to energizing the hook system, turning this switch to OFF and back ON will reset the hooks to the closed position.
• HOOK LOADED light - This light illuminates when any of the hooks have a load attached to them.
• HOOK SEL - Selects which hooks will open hydraulicly when the normal hook release button is pressed.
• EMERG HOOK REL - Emergency hook release. Opens all hooks even when hydraulics are not active.

In addition to the control panel, there are three caution/alert panel lights that indicate when each hook is open.