Ballistic cable cutters
Several weeks ago I was involved in a winch rescue that required operating quite close to a set of high voltage powerlines. Of concern at the time was whether EMT from the lines would or could have any effect on the ballistic cable cutter system. We routinely have boats switch radars / HF radios off, partly for this reason. Conditions at the time were very dry and dusty & nessitated a hover height of aprox' 100ft to remain above the dust. The paramedics reported quite severe static discharge problems which got me thinking as to whether the static was being caused by the atmospherics, or EMT from the powerlines. Has anyone any experience or knowlege on this?
This was in a B412 with an external hoist.
Cheers.