1. (1) Weight of the external load must not exceed the manufacturer's load limit.
2. (2) Each helicopter operator utilized in line stringing must be authorized by the Federal Aviation Administration, Part 133, Class C Operations.

3. (3) All line stringing operations must be conducted in accordance with the following requirements:

   1. (a) Stringing tension method must enable a consistent positive control of the cable, rope, or similar lines at all times during pulling operations;
   2. (b) During all pulling operations, the helicopter pilot must maintain an aircraft orientation that allows the pilot to maintain constant visibility in both directions on line;
   3. (c) No pulling operation must be conducted at a ground speed greater than fifteen mph;
   4. (d) When pulling from the aircraft belly hook attachment point, a ballast weight of a minimum three hundred pounds must be utilized;

   5. (e) At no time during the pulling operation must the load line that is attached to helicopter's belly hook attachment point exceed a thirty degree angle from vertical.

      Note:

      Subsection (3)(d) and (e) does not apply when pulling from the helicopter's approved side pull attachment point.

4. (4) A helicopter must not pull any cable, rope, or similar line which is at any point attached to a fixed object other than the helicopter itself. Helicopters may pull a "free-wheeling" or "pay-out" of the cable, rope, or similar line so long as the end is not tied to a truck or fixed object other than the reel itself.

[Statutory Authority: RCW 49.17.010, 49.17.040, 49.17.050, 49.17.060 and chapter 49.17 RCW. WSR 19-13-083, § 296-45-67527, filed 6/18/19, effective 8/1/19; WSR 16-10-081, § 296-45-67527, filed 5/3/16, effective 7/1/16. Statutory Authority: Chapter 49.17 RCW. WSR 94-20-057 (Order 94-16), § 296-45-67527, filed 9/30/94, effective 11/20/94; Order 76-38, § 296-45-67527, filed 12/30/76.]