Sharing Expertise in Sling Load Operations

Sharing Expertise, an article published in Vertical Magazine, Nov. 2025

In the article Sharing Expertise published in the Vertical Magazine, Fall Mega 2025 issue (pp. 60-62), Jonathan Hall, EASA General Aviation and VTOL Department, Certification Directorate, emphasises that while regulation is essential in civil aerospace, further safety gains often come from sharing lessons learned and best practices. 

Lloyd Horgan photo

This is particularly true in rotorcraft sling load operations, where design standards are already mature and most incidents stem from operational factors rather than technical flaws. To address issues and enhance safety in the rotorcraft community, the European Safety Promotion Network Rotorcraft (ESPN-R) | EASA was created by EASA in 2017. ESPN-R is joint safety promotion initiative between EASA, National Aviation Authorities, and the industry. 

Within ESPN-R, a dedicated sling load operations task force brings together OEMs, equipment manufacturers, training organisations, regulators, and operators. 

Jonathan Hall, representing EASA, describes how the group analyses event databases, identifies recurring “clusters” of risk, and develops practical guidance to address them. Examples include:

• Loads striking tail rotors
• Mis-rigged hook release cables causing inadvertent release
• Spinning or unstable loads, especially with human cargo
• Ground snagging incidents
• Firefighting hazards such as poor visibility, entanglement, and underwater obstacles

The group shares advice and good practices through LinkedIn and increasingly through public outreach, including demoinstrations at EUROPEAN ROTORS (Madrid 2023, Amsterdam 2024, Cologne 2025) featuring a rig provided by Helicopters Deutschland. They also present at other forums like APSCON Europe and DGA conferences and hold annual face‑to‑face meetings.

The article highlights the collaborative spirit of the group: competitors and regulators leave commercial rivalries aside to focus on safety promotion. Their work is professional yet informal and engaging, proving that collective expertise can significantly reduce risks in demanding operations. The article closes with the conviction that even if only a fraction of their advice reaches operators, the effort is worthwhile — because shared expertise saves lives and strengthens the industry.

Demos at the Rotorcraft Safety Zone of EUROPEAN ROTORS 2025

Sling Load Operations demonstrations have been provided by Jonathan Hall, EASA, Daniel Simon and Jakob Uske, Airbus Helicopters, at the Rotorcraft Safety Zone of EUROPEAN ROTORS, held in Cologne from November 18 to 20. 
 

Sling Load Ops demo at the Rotorcraft Safety Zone of EUROPEAN ROTORS 2025

The sling load ops team also comprises Michael Behrens, Airbus Helicopters.

References

Vertical Magazine, Fall Mega 2025 issue
European Safety Promotion Network Rotorcraft (ESPN-R) | EASA
(28) ESPN-R Sling Load Operations Safety Promotion | Groups | LinkedIn
(26) European Safety Promotion Network - Rotorcraft (ESPN-R) | Groups | LinkedIn
Home Page - EUROPEAN ROTORS
Rotor Safety Zone - EUROPEAN ROTORS 2025