Onboard Systems International, a provider of helicopter cargo hook equipment, has received STC certification from the FAA for its Surefire release technology cargo hook kits for the Bell 204, 205, 212 and 412 aircraft. The kits are now available for worldwide installation.

The Surefire circuit requires a purposeful, half-second press against the hook release button, guarding against inadvertent load loss resulting from accidental contact with the release button during flight.

“By popular request, we are continuing to roll out our Surefire release technology across our entire line of cargo hook kits,” says vice president of sales and marketing Karsten Lemmon. “The medium Bell aircraft are heavily utilised for external load missions by our customers, so we are pleased that we can finally offer the extra load security that our Surefire release technology provides to medium Bell operators.”

The newly certified Surefire cargo hook kits for medium Bell aircraft include the Talon MC keeperless hook kit (P/N 200-088-11); the Talon MC keeperless hook kit with onboard weighing system (28VDC backlighting, P/N 200-089-24); and the Talon MC keeperless hook kit with onboard weighing system (5VDC backlighting, P/N 200-089-25). In addition to offering the Surefire release technology option on new equipment, Onboard Systems can upgrade existing equipment during regular overhauls at the factory. Upgrade kits are also available for operators with the capabilities needed to perform this work in-house or through a local service facility.