Is HESLO Training Required? And Why It’s Becoming the Standard

HESLO, or Helicopter External Sling Load Operations training, is often discussed in the context of European standards. For many pilots outside Europe, it raises a simple question: is this something you actually need?

Technically, the answer is no. HESLO is not a formal license rating in the same way as an instrument rating or a type endorsement. You’re not legally required to have it in order to perform sling load operations.

But focusing only on whether something is required misses the bigger picture.

Across the industry, there’s been a clear shift in how external load training is approached. In the past, it wasn’t uncommon for pilots to receive just a few hours of long line instruction before being introduced to real job sites. That model relied heavily on learning under pressure, often in environments where there was little room for error.

Today, that approach is becoming less acceptable.

Operators, clients, and insurers are all placing greater emphasis on risk management and professionalism. There’s a growing expectation that pilots arrive with a higher level of preparation, rather than developing those skills entirely on the job.

This is where structured training programs whether labeled as HESLO or not play an important role. They provide a framework for developing skills progressively, starting with basic control and moving toward more complex, precision-based tasks. Instead of simply accumulating hours, pilots build competence in a way that is measurable and repeatable.

The comparison to mountain flying courses in Canada is a useful one. These courses aren’t always mandatory either, but they’ve become widely recognized as essential preparation for certain types of operations. External load training is moving in a similar direction.

From an operator’s perspective, hiring a pilot who has completed structured training reduces uncertainty. It means less time spent bringing that pilot up to speed and less exposure to risk during early operations. For the pilot, it means arriving on site with the confidence and capability to perform effectively.

So while HESLO may not be required on paper, it is increasingly becoming part of what defines a professional standard in the field.

And in a competitive industry, that distinction matters.