Hydraulic Release Technology

Onboard's TALON^® LC Hydraulic cargo hooks greatly increase load security by using a hydraulically activated release mechanism instead of a standard manual release cable. Manual push-pull cabled release systems need to be installed with very precise limits in order to ensure that the system performs properly.

A US Department of Interior Aviation Management Technical Bulletin dated July 16, 2004 discussed common safety issues linked to inadvertent cargo hook releases. The findings show that large amounts of movement during external load operations can cause the cargo hook release mechanism to be accidentally activated by tension on the release cable due to improper rigging.

Our TALON LC Hydraulic Cargo Hooks use a hydraulically activated release mechanism that takes the place of a standard manual release cable. Unlike standard cable systems, the hydraulic line can be routed with the electrical release cable and is unaffected by movement of the cargo hook. It does not require special rigging — significantly decreasing the chance of an inadvertent load loss due to imprecise rigging.

Another advantage of the hydraulic release system is that it will only open the hook when the pilot activates the release handle. Snagging or damage to the hydraulic line will not lead to accidentally dropping the cargo. If a mechanical cable gets snagged or hit by the load, it can inadvertently open the hook — causing the loss of the cargo.