View Full Version : Tree cutting with a helicopter video
nomorehelosforme
2nd Jul 2019, 10:40
This looks like a recipe for disaster, it appears that they are cutting the trees in-between the power cables, what could possibly go wrong.......
https://www.liveleak.com/view?t=sJJeT_1562002269
aa777888
2nd Jul 2019, 11:21
This has probably been the primary method for limbing power line right of ways for many years now.
An informative article here: https://www.tdworld.com/vegetation-management/aerial-saw-boon-line-trimming
It is done all over the US, very effective, and good use of a helicopter.
nomorehelosforme
2nd Jul 2019, 15:11
It is done all over the US, very effective, and good use of a helicopter.
Gordy, am I correct to assume this is a 2 man operation?
I've heard about it and I know pilots doing that kind of stuff. But just by looking at how much that 500 is tilting forward/backword and yawing left/right gives me goose bumps.:eek:
nomorehelosforme
Yes, normally two (or even more) man ops.
one in the heli and the other(s) on the ground to guide him!
;-)
Nubian
2nd Jul 2019, 18:16
This looks like a recipe for disaster, it appears that they are cutting the trees in-between the power cables, what could possibly go wrong.......
https://www.liveleak.com/view?t=sJJeT_1562002269
Like already said, it’s done all over, in Europe too.
It’s not done in between the cables, but to the side. The distance from the lines differ depending on what sort of voltage the line has.
It is normally a one-man show, and for those doing it, it is a non-event, but a pain in the neck as you might understand.
The are lots of other “hairy” stuff being done with helicopters, if you’re not used to helicopters..
As for safety, a guy with a chainsaw on ground doing this type of clearing is a lot more dangerous, and very inefficient..
And again, as in lots of helicopter videos, the camera angle makes the footage seem worse than it is. Like the guy in the video, on the opposite side of the line, claiming the helicopter to be directly over his head.....
nomorehelosforme
2nd Jul 2019, 20:05
As with all aspects of work it doesn't always go well. A couple of examples below.
https://www.10tv.com/article/tree-trimming-helicopter-crashes-logan-county
https://www.wsbtv.com/news/local/helicopter-crashes-in-north-georgia-1-person-rushed-to-hospital/927626165
hookes_joint
2nd Jul 2019, 22:00
It’s the same helicopter in both crashes.There are approximately 30 of these saw helicopters working daily year round in the US. Mostly on the east coast trimming Powerline, Pipeline and Railroad Right of ways. They fly a huge amount of hours, trimming tens of thousands of miles annually.
Is the saw arrangement jettisonable in the event it gets caught up on something?
Is the saw arrangement jettisonable in the event it gets caught up on something?
Yes, both electrical release and manual.
Thanks Gordy - I only asked because the first accident in the link seems to indicate that the saw got caught up and the helicopter just nosed over into the scenery.
A friend of mine does this all over Europe.
He has used B3, MD500D/, 407, and currently with a Llama which is still the best machine.
B3 you cant see out of it.
MD500 no hot and high capacity and annoying in the wind as the saw is directional you don't have a choice.
407 was not so bad - maybe needs more engine power.
315B is the king but how much longer will it viable with support? Not much longer by the looks.
A friend of mine does this all over Europe.
B3 you cant see out of it.
What is he doing wrong then.....with the floor window or the left seat conversion this would be the best aircraft. We used a Huey many years ago...
Thanks Gordy - I only asked because the first accident in the link seems to indicate that the saw got caught up and the helicopter just nosed over into the scenery.
I have heard others do the same doing Christmas trees. If you have any speed, you have to be quick on the release button to avoid nosing over...
hookes_joint
3rd Jul 2019, 16:12
The cycle path accident he was doing a bottom pass at cutting speed approximately 10 knots. With the design of the trapeze the solid connector pipes and rotator attachment to the hook there is no way to release the saw when it is loaded from underneath i.e the bottom of the saw on the ground and the continued compression load on the pipes as he rotated forward to the crash site. Added to this all the east coast saw guys use a double hook system to avoid inadvertent hook releases and for other emergency stuck saw and electrical issues.
After the engine quit in the phase of flight he was in, considering any human reaction time, there was a tiny opportunity to pickle the load prior lawn darting.
500 is undoubtedly the best aircraft for this job. For hot and high we have used the 530. It blows the tree limbs a bit more with the extra downwash so cutting downwind say you are committed to a 3 foot cut and then the downwash hits the trees before you get to it, now you are cutting a 8 foot limb. If your cutting service or distribution on a narrow right of way your now after doing a bit of damage. The c30 compressor doesn’t move the air as fast as the c20 leading to some compressor stalls.
Going any any bigger than the 530 seems it would just blow the branches a lot more and make the trimming slower and unproductive
I have seen a Huey out of Arkansas, a S58 out of Arizona and also an Astar from Oregon trimming trees. Neither of these operations could compete with the efficiency of the little birds in any terrain.