SAR Force knowhow

[Dave-exfairy]

I've watched a few episodes of Highland Emergency and both the RAF and RN dopes on ropes seem to pull something out of the winch hook as they're winched out of the door, what is it and why do they do it?
Yes, I know i'm sad.

 

[MrMasher]

It's a pip pin, it locks the hook shut.

 

[Dave-exfairy]

Doh! Cheers matey

 

[MrMasher]

It's for when they lift or lower anything other than the crewman.
You wouldn't want johnny tourist unhooking himself!

 

[royalmarines1664]

As someone has already eluded to its called the pip pin.

Its main use is to stop the equipment becoming detached from the winch hook, commonly called winch topple.

Basically when the winchman's weight is fully taken by hoist i.e... when leaving the door of the aircraft, the winch hook will no longer be able to turn upside down (topple) which is possible when the wire is not under tension.

Another reason its removed is for the ease of the winchman detaching him/herself from the hook when in contact with a vessel. You dont want to phaff with the pin if the a/c has an emergency!!

As a rule you only ever remove the pip pin when working with a vessel for safety reason. Otherwise it remains in the winch hook at all time.

Hope this helps

 

[Stevienics]

Was it always there?

 

[MrMasher]

Was it always there?

With the current one I would guess no. It's looped onto the hook with a braid as the fork end is fitted onto the bearing side. It seems an add on rather than original design.

 

[Stevienics]

Good idea, just cannot remember seeing it before when playing human conkers.

 

[MrMasher]

Good idea, just cannot remember seeing it before when playing human conkers.

Was that on a Seaking or a Coastguard helicopter?