What are two responsibilities of the helicopter crew during sling-load operations?

• A. Direct ground personnel at the load
• B. Maintain lift stability and clearly communicate hazards to ground personnel
• C. Provide medical aid to passengers
• D. Choose the mission objective prior to flight

Answer: (B)

During sling-load operations, the helicopter crew’s focus is on keeping the load secure and everyone on the ground safe. Maintaining lift stability means actively controlling the helicopter to minimize load sway, pendulum motion, and drift as you lift and move the load, so the line stays clear of obstacles and the aircraft remains trimmed and controllable. Clear communication of hazards to ground personnel is essential because it alerts those on the ground to risks like rotor wash, line tension, swinging loads, and nearby obstacles, allowing them to position themselves safely and react quickly to changes. Other options don’t fit the immediate duties of handling the sling-load maneuver: providing medical aid is a separate role, and selecting the mission objective is done during preflight planning, not during the lift.