Synthetic Long Lines

[T-rex]

Use of the synthetic lines takes respect. On fires, I would not recommend them, as for use on siesmic and other jobs of course. It is quite obvious that the users in here have alot of experience on both types. Pick your line use wisely and one will live another day!

 

[Heli]

Always willing to learn from experienced long liners, but we've switched from steel to synthetic over the past few years, and all our synthetics have a canvas sheath. Not only to protect the line, but also to tidy up the 6 core cable running to the Slingtank (or Bambi, using two of the cores). Not having had any issue with this set up, is it significantly different to what you all use?

 

[skullcap]

No, sounds abuot the same, there are many types of sheathing material, from a plastic kind of crap to canvas, I use a cordura type and seems good(so far).

 

[Rotorhead]

Thanks for the info rotorhead, the spectra lines however do not degrade with uv as kevlar does, ...

Thanks,

I am not familiar with the Spectra lines. The company I worked for only used the Kevlar at the time and we were only approved to use it for a limited amount of applications. (live-line powerline work, etc.) The Spectra sounds like a great product, if it can survive use onboard a ship, I'd have a lot of confidence in it.

RH

 

[skullcap]

You will have to forgive the name was changed to reflect ownership, it is now supposed to be referred to only as Amsteel Blue not Spectra. Go to the www.samsonrope.com website they have it all there.

sc

 

[N.O.E.]

As one of you mentioned, a sheath is very important on the line. I've seen a few in the field without the sheath as well as the electricals hanging very loosely and thats just an accident waiting to happen. I think with the proper sheath on the line it would be great for off-shore applications as well.

 

[VERTICAL REF]

skullcap, ya got me. Good one! 😉

 

[canook pilot]

T-Rex tell me why you don'trecommend use a synthetic line on fires?

 

[Frequent Flyer]

Forget the long lines. Maybe we should stop flying all together because the engine MIGHT quit.

 

[canook pilot]

And you might get hit by a car running across the street, life goes on!

 

[skullcap]

FF:

With that attitude it wouldn't bother me if you did. Personally will keep on the lookout for any potential problem around the corner.

What's the difference between looking for a place to land and pulling the cb when the eng chip light comes on?

sc

 

[Seismic Pilot]

Skullcap What are you talking about? I know what FF is saying but your post is well lets say not to clear.

 

[skullcap]

SP

Well if you cannot understand the difference between look for a landing spot with eng chip light on or say pulling the bulb out of the light cause it is probably nothing anyway then read on.


My opinion is that if ff thinks that we are being too cautious and going on about nothing than he should either state his opinion in an respectful mannor or not. The statement, "maybe we shouldn't fly cause the engine MIGHT fail" leads me to believe what I have heard many pilots state that why worry about this stuff anyway as you are at the end of a longline and dead anyway if something goes wrong.


Is there something wrong with trying to be proactive or should we just get better at doing autorotations?

Maybe am just reading something out of nothing, seem to be getting better at that lately. But this thread seemed to bring out some decent information and folks networked to learn more, got my little feeling hurt maybe.

sc

 

[Banoy]

I'm not sure everyone has all the same information to base their statements on.

Is the idea of not using synthetic lines on fires based on the 65 degree 'critical temperature'? This is the temperature at which the line loses 20-25% of its strength, not the temp at which it catastrophically fails. (This is temperary too as the strength returns as it cools.) The more common synthetic lines out there have a melting point of around 125 degrees so how close exactly are you guys getting to the red stuff?

 

[skullcap]

Yes I understand that Banoy, but where do you draw the line for safety. If a line has a breaking strength of say 33,000 lbs with a 6:1 safe working load ratio then the line is good for say 5500 lbs, which end do you account for the 20-25 % reduction strength. Logically you would simply subtract it from the 33000 lbs to give you 24750 lbs and thus a safe work load of 4125 lbs. But my opinion is that if a line is being weakened by an unknown factor(degrees of heat being variable) then you cannot reasonably say what would be the new reduction in load carriing capability. 65'C is not that hot and is the strength reduction linear to 125'C, I don't know and since there are too many variables then will install safety measures to prevent rope failure.