Helicopter with rigid boom and net attachment performs rescue or recovery operations easily and safely. The attachment in the front of the helicopter scoops objects from difficult and otherwise inaccessible areas and pivots to the side hatch of the aircraft so that no crew member need leave the craft

Koons, W. E.

English

NASA Technical Reports Server

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August 1965
	 1 Brief 65-10229 
NASA TECH BRIEF I& 
NASA Tech Briefs are issued by the Technology Utilization Division to summarize specific 
technical innovations derived from the space program. Copies are available to the public from 
the Clearinghouse for Federal Scientific and Technical Information, Springfield, Virginia, 22151. 
Scoop Attachment Makes Helicopter Recoveries Easier and Safer 
The problem: Present helicopter rescue and re-
covery operations require that either the helicopter 
hover dangerously close to the persons or objects 
being retrieved or that a line be lowered to them. In 
the latter case, one of the helicopter crew must often 
descend on the line to properly secure it. In each type 
of operation, the helicopter pilot lacks a clear view of 
the object being retrieved and therefore has difficulty 
properly positioning the aircraft. The combination 
of these factors makes recovery operations difficult 
and dangerous. 
The solution: A rigid boom and net attached to 
the front of the helicopter can be used as a scoop to 
retrieve objects from difficult locations. Since the
boom is in front, the pilot has the subject in view at, 
all times and can position the aircraft more readily. 
The boom can be pivoted to bring the recovered 
object to the side hatch of the helicopter so that no 
member of the crew need leave the aircraft. 
How it's done: The boom is made from tubular 
aluminum in the form of a cantilevered truss. It is 
attached to the front of the helicopter and offset 
toward the side with the entrance hatch. The boom 
pivots in the center so that the net may be brought 
back to the side hatch for retrieval or storage. 
The basket is made from plastic covered wire net 
which will not float and which is resistant to saltwater 
corrosion.
(continued os'erleaF) 
This document was prepared under the sponsorship of the National 
Aeronautics and Space Administration. Neither the United States Govern-
ment, nor NASA, nor any person acting on behalf of NASA: A. Makes 
any warranty or representation, express or implied, with respect to the 
accuracy, completeness, or usefulness of the information contained in
this document, or that the use of any information, apparatus, method, 
or process disclosed in this document may not infringe privately-owned 
rights; or B. Assumes any liabilities with respect to the use of, or for 
damages resulting from the use of, any information, apparatus, method, 
or process disclosed in this document.
https://ntrs.nasa.gov/search.jsp?R=19650000227 2020-03-11T17:19:10+00:00Z
Notes: 
1. The entire assembly weighs 175 pounds and may 
be attached to the helicopter by 2 men in 5 to 10 
minutes. Studies indicate that helicopter airframes 
possess sufficient structural strength to support 
such an assembly, and that even when loaded with 
two men will not upset the aerodynamic balance of 
large helicopters. When pivoted to its rear position, 
the attachment easily clears the ground during 
landing operations. 
2. This innovation should be of interest to helicopter 
manufacturers and to groups performing rescue or 
recovery operations by helicopters from otherwise
inaccessible areas (e.g., bodies of water, mountain 
ledges, buildings). 
3. Inquiries concerning this innovation may be di-
rected to: 
Technology Utilization Officer 
Manned Spacecraft Center 
P.O. Box 1537 
Houston, Texas, 77001 
Reference: B65-10229 
Patent status: NASA encourages commercial use 
of this innovation. No patent action is contemplated. 
Source: W. E. Koons 
(MSC-130) 
Brief 65-10229	 Category No. 05


Scoop attachment makes helicopter recoveries easier and safer

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