Two women by the river with a cooler and the coolest drinkware. Ever.

Ensuring Safe Adventures Through Innovation


Have you ever considered the potential danger of a spilled drink while operating heavy machinery or piloting an airplane? The implications might not have crossed your mind, and they didn’t cross ours either, until one day one of our major aviation customers approached us with an urgent issue caused by a “spilled drink” mishap. As their aircraft was preparing to take off, a water bottle slipped from its holder due to the plane’s movement and lodged itself under a control pedal. This unexpected incident prompted an emergency stop on the runway. The scenario begs the question: what could have unfolded had they not discovered it in time?

This event highlighted the need for a robust solution that would prevent drinks from becoming hazardous distractions, especially in turbulent environments (pun intended). Our aviation customer tasked us with designing a cup holder that wasn’t just another flimsy plastic contraption, requiring constant reinstallation by an aircraft mechanic. They needed something more reliable and durable. Thus began the journey that led to the creation of the TwistLock Beverage Locking System by Precise Flight.

As a pioneer in delivering innovative, reliable, and safety-focused solutions for the aviation industry, Precise Flight took on the challenge with utmost dedication. Over the subsequent three years, our TwistLock technology evolved into a comprehensive product line, offering reliability, durability, and versatility that extends beyond aviation to a wide range of outdoor recreational activities. With the TwistLock system in place, the likelihood of ever spilling your drink again becomes a thing of the past.

The Perils of Spilled Drinks

The dangers of spilled drinks while operating heavy machinery, such as forklifts, airplanes, automobiles, or boats, cannot be underestimated. Several factors contribute to the potential hazards:

  • Distraction: The process of cleaning up a spilled drink diverts an operator’s attention from their task. For heavy machinery operators, even momentary distractions can lead to accidents and errors in equipment control.
  • Loss of Control: Spills near control panels, buttons, or levers can result in liquids seeping into these components, causing slipperiness or malfunction. This can lead to unintended machinery movements and a subsequent loss of control.
  • Reduced Visibility: Liquid spills can create reflective surfaces or obstruct the operator’s line of sight, impairing their ability to assess the environment around the machinery and increasing the risk of accidents.
  • Slippery Surfaces: Spilled liquids make surfaces slippery, affecting the operator’s grip and stability. This is especially hazardous during situations requiring swift and precise actions.
  • Electrical Hazards: Liquids coming into contact with electrical components or wiring can lead to short circuits or malfunctions, possibly resulting in fires or equipment damage.
  • Contamination: Corrosive or harmful liquids can damage machinery components, causing reduced functionality or equipment failure.

These dangers underscore the necessity of creating a reliable solution like the TwistLock Beverage Locking System. But you may be wondering…how did TwistLock evolve into an outdoor recreation necessity?

Twistlock: Revolutionizing Outdoor Recreation

The innovation behind the TwistLock system not only addresses aviation safety concerns but also extends its benefits to the realm of outdoor recreation. Let’s explore how TwistLock enhances safety and convenience in various scenarios:

TwistLock on the Water

Whether you’re rafting, fishing, boating, sailing, or paddle-boarding, your favorite drink can remain intact throughout your water-based adventures. The TwistLock system’s Flat Mount Locking Bases can be seamlessly integrated into your gear box, while the Bar Mounts attach to your raft frame. This ensures that your drink stays securely in place, right where you want it—inside your vessel, not in the water.

Recommended Products: The Whitewater Rafting Set

Attachable bar mount cup holder and tumbler on bright green raft.

TwistLock Off the Road

Off-roading enthusiasts can now enjoy their adrenaline-pumping journeys without worrying about spilled beverages. The Flat Mount Locking Base, known for its tapered low profile and exceptional durability, can be affixed directly to your dashboard. Choose between industrial-strength adhesive squares, self-tapping screws, or both for an even stronger hold, catering to the demands of extreme off-roading terrain. It’s as easy as twist, sip, go!

Recommended Products: Flat Mount and Canteen Combo Pack

UTV with a securable cup holder with the driver locking his canteen down into the flat mount.

TwistLock in the Woods

Venturing into the woods for camping or hunting excursions? Bring TwistLock along to ensure your drink remains spill-free. The Mini Disc Locking Base and the Bar Mount Locking Base offer versatile options for securing your drink to the top of your cooler or your tree stand and camping chair. With the TwistLock system in place, you can immerse yourself in outdoor activities with the confidence that your beverage will stay in place.

Recommended Products: Recommended Products: Flat Mount and Canteen Combo Pack

Camper opening their cooler with the insulated canteen beverage container securely attached to the lid.

TwistLock on the Job Site

Spilling a drink while operating heavy machinery on a job site can pose serious risks that extend beyond mere inconvenience. The consequences of such spills can lead to disastrous accidents, impacting both the operator’s safety and the overall work environment. For instance, in construction settings, a spilled drink could result in slippery surfaces on equipment controls, pedals, or floors, increasing the likelihood of an operator losing their footing and causing machinery to malfunction. In cases where quick and precise movements are crucial, like operating cranes or excavators, even a minor slip can lead to catastrophic mishaps, such as equipment collisions, structural damage, or injury to workers nearby. Furthermore, liquids seeping into control panels or electrical components due to spills can cause short circuits or equipment failures, risking fires, power outages, and further jeopardizing the safety of personnel.

These risks are not theoretical; documented incidents include situations where spilled drinks have led to unintended equipment movements, collisions, and damage to infrastructure. The alarming reality of such accidents underscores the imperative for implementing preventive measures, such as the use of secure drink-holding solutions like the TwistLock Beverage Locking System, to ensure safe and focused operation of heavy machinery on job sites.

Recommended Product: Flat Mount and Canteen Combo or Recessed Cup Holder and Canteen Combo

Elevating Safety and Adventure

The Twistlock Beverage Locking System’s journey from addressing aviation mishaps to revolutionizing outdoor adventures exemplifies the power of innovation in enhancing safety and convenience. By understanding the dangers associated with spilled drinks in various settings, Precise Flight has engineered a versatile and reliable solution that caters to the needs of both aviation professionals and outdoor enthusiasts.

Whether you’re soaring through the skies, navigating treacherous off-road trails, or immersing yourself in the tranquility of nature, TwistLock ensures that your beverages stay firmly in place. Through evolution and innovation, Precise Flight has succeeded in creating a game-changing solution that exemplifies the company’s commitment to safety, quality, and excellence.

So, the next time you’re about to embark on an adventure, whether it’s in the air, on the water, or off the beaten path, rest assured that the TwistLock Beverage Locking System has your back—keeping your drink secure and your journey as smooth as possible. Never spill your drink again!