Transco/National Grid UK
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Hi,
I am slightly confused by the mixing between powerline and pipeline references in this thread.
Can one of the previous posters give an overview of both operations? Am I to understand that 1 company patrols both asset types across the whole of England?
TCF
I am slightly confused by the mixing between powerline and pipeline references in this thread.
Can one of the previous posters give an overview of both operations? Am I to understand that 1 company patrols both asset types across the whole of England?
TCF
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"and now they have to shut down to take on fuel with these 333s"
Not sure what your beef is with Transco/National Grid/TAMS/333s but
Please be careful with with what you say as it is company policy not to do rotors running refuels in any type of aircraft as this does not give the crew a proper rest period, 5.5 to 6 hrs is a long stint to be sat in a backaching machine with a full bladder in one trip.
Thanks
Chuteless
Not sure what your beef is with Transco/National Grid/TAMS/333s but
Please be careful with with what you say as it is company policy not to do rotors running refuels in any type of aircraft as this does not give the crew a proper rest period, 5.5 to 6 hrs is a long stint to be sat in a backaching machine with a full bladder in one trip.
Thanks
Chuteless
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Thanks AA,
How many miles of asset are we talking about?
I would have thought given the built up populus nature of the 'Mother Country' would you have to fly off the line a fair bit.
TCF
How many miles of asset are we talking about?
I would have thought given the built up populus nature of the 'Mother Country' would you have to fly off the line a fair bit.
TCF
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Thanks Phil
What sort of percentage of that 35K miles is 'flyable'?
I guess what I am angling at is that I am suprised that there are the open areas that arent populated by people or livestock that would other otherwise prevent low level aerial survey.
Or maybe the 15 years since my last visit to the old dart has given enough time for everyone to leave the joint.
What sort of percentage of that 35K miles is 'flyable'?
I guess what I am angling at is that I am suprised that there are the open areas that arent populated by people or livestock that would other otherwise prevent low level aerial survey.
Or maybe the 15 years since my last visit to the old dart has given enough time for everyone to leave the joint.
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Still plenty of green and pleasant land in Blighty - you should not believe everything that the greenies tell you! (the non-electrical ones)
In any case, (as far as pipelines are conerned) the people who install the pipelines make sure they go almost exclusively in open country for safety reasons. If you install them in built up areas the lines have to be MUCH more expensive.
In any case, (as far as pipelines are conerned) the people who install the pipelines make sure they go almost exclusively in open country for safety reasons. If you install them in built up areas the lines have to be MUCH more expensive.
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Ah - the old gas pipeline days of 30 years ago.
I enjoyed two years of splendid freedom and plenty of flying when Bristow inherited the "Gas" contract from B.E.A.S. In those days we ran 2 Bell 47G5's and 3 Jet Rangers. I alternated each week between types and flew the Whirlwind when needed on the British Aerospace contract.
G-AZBS (Sold to Adam Faith), G-AYMY, G-BBNG, G-BBOS, G-BEWY
Wally Wilding (always wore a white cap) and John Frost AFC were my mentors and they were the best at overland VFR flying bar none - the old adage of knowing the country like the back of one's hand really applied to those guys. It was my greatest honour to give John Frost his last Base Check a month before he retired at 60 a few years ago- a great pair of hands.
Once, one of the Bell 47's went U/S and we pulled the Whirlwind G-AODA (now at Weston Museum) in for day on South East Gas just to complete the week's work !
On another occasion my Bell 47 needed a starter motor at Blackpool and the Bristow HS125 (on crew training) delivered it to me - now that's regal juice for piston engine pilot !
Incidentally, my boss in those days was Henry Boyt and I had the pleasure to oversee his night deck landing recency check (aged 62) a few days ago in the Caspian Sea in a glass cockpit S76C++ - now using one of those would put a hike in your gas bills.
I have the utmost respect for anybody who flies the "Gas" and if any of the newbies get a chance to fly it - grab it!
I was once asked what did it teach me - well I cannot listen to the football results without visualising all the towns to which they relate. Certainly one of the most of the important and enjoyable times for me - it was my first command.
Long may the contract prosper.
Mind you, I'm looking forward to joining ShyTorque in his A109 Grand on Monday down to Battersea - the joys of being a helicopter slut. I'll fly for anyone but the "Gas" gave me the best start ever !
Keep the posts coming
UG
I enjoyed two years of splendid freedom and plenty of flying when Bristow inherited the "Gas" contract from B.E.A.S. In those days we ran 2 Bell 47G5's and 3 Jet Rangers. I alternated each week between types and flew the Whirlwind when needed on the British Aerospace contract.
G-AZBS (Sold to Adam Faith), G-AYMY, G-BBNG, G-BBOS, G-BEWY
Wally Wilding (always wore a white cap) and John Frost AFC were my mentors and they were the best at overland VFR flying bar none - the old adage of knowing the country like the back of one's hand really applied to those guys. It was my greatest honour to give John Frost his last Base Check a month before he retired at 60 a few years ago- a great pair of hands.
Once, one of the Bell 47's went U/S and we pulled the Whirlwind G-AODA (now at Weston Museum) in for day on South East Gas just to complete the week's work !
On another occasion my Bell 47 needed a starter motor at Blackpool and the Bristow HS125 (on crew training) delivered it to me - now that's regal juice for piston engine pilot !
Incidentally, my boss in those days was Henry Boyt and I had the pleasure to oversee his night deck landing recency check (aged 62) a few days ago in the Caspian Sea in a glass cockpit S76C++ - now using one of those would put a hike in your gas bills.
I have the utmost respect for anybody who flies the "Gas" and if any of the newbies get a chance to fly it - grab it!
I was once asked what did it teach me - well I cannot listen to the football results without visualising all the towns to which they relate. Certainly one of the most of the important and enjoyable times for me - it was my first command.
Long may the contract prosper.
Mind you, I'm looking forward to joining ShyTorque in his A109 Grand on Monday down to Battersea - the joys of being a helicopter slut. I'll fly for anyone but the "Gas" gave me the best start ever !
Keep the posts coming
UG
Avoid imitations
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I hate all these checkrides
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As a current "electrical" observer we do find the B06`s easier to operate with. Not too comfy after a days patrol but vis wise very good. As355`s are needed over built up etc and are really only used then. I read earlier that someone sits off camber...similar to me after a while, just depends on how numb the bum is! Another point is that the jetbangers fly smoother and when your on 11kv all day that does have a benefit!
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Well not for 5 hours a day certainly! and also definatly not a good position in a crash situation?! but flying 5 hours mon-fri and sometimes w/ends can make you ache a bit!
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333
A few facts rather than asumptions FYI
One of the main reasons for the selection of the 333 was the comfort factor. As has been pointed out, the 206 is not the most back and bum friendly machine. The 333 in comparison is a very comfortable helicopter to fly in.
Also the visibilty is outstanding and probably up there with the best in the industry.
Yes the 333 does have '4' seats across the front but you would struggle (alot) to fit 4 grown adults in there, the centre seat (for 2) is quite small and really only comfortable for one adult (or 2 small children - not applicable here)
One of the guys (at least) at Transco who was involved with the selection process of awarding the contract was very much in favour of the 333 and this may well be one of the reasons that the contract shifted to TAMS in favour of Stirling who had put forward the 206 again.
Yes the 333 is a little slower than a 206 but Transco recommend a patrol speed of 80knts anyway, which the 333's are more than capable of, unless you have a strong head wind. Also, on a good weather week the 333's consistantly complete there patrols on Wednesday evening (short patrol) or Thursday giving the maintenance guys enough time to complete any servicings before the weekend.
The 333 was an unknown aircraft that had some great advantages and at the time one would be forgiven for thinking that it would be a safe bet, Schweizer do have a reasonably good record.
Unfortunately the 333's airframe is not up to the task. The fact is the fuselage is consrtucted of very lightweight material which does not stand up to the stress that it is subject to. Structural problems are the main cause of downtime on this aircraft. There has been the need for a number of strenghtening mods and TAMS has done a comendable job of sorting them.
The fault that caused TAMA's mishap was a seized geabox that had recently returned from overhaul. A fault that could occur on any aircraft
After all that I would say that when the 333 is flying, it's a great little aircraft.
One of the main reasons for the selection of the 333 was the comfort factor. As has been pointed out, the 206 is not the most back and bum friendly machine. The 333 in comparison is a very comfortable helicopter to fly in.
Also the visibilty is outstanding and probably up there with the best in the industry.
Yes the 333 does have '4' seats across the front but you would struggle (alot) to fit 4 grown adults in there, the centre seat (for 2) is quite small and really only comfortable for one adult (or 2 small children - not applicable here)
One of the guys (at least) at Transco who was involved with the selection process of awarding the contract was very much in favour of the 333 and this may well be one of the reasons that the contract shifted to TAMS in favour of Stirling who had put forward the 206 again.
Yes the 333 is a little slower than a 206 but Transco recommend a patrol speed of 80knts anyway, which the 333's are more than capable of, unless you have a strong head wind. Also, on a good weather week the 333's consistantly complete there patrols on Wednesday evening (short patrol) or Thursday giving the maintenance guys enough time to complete any servicings before the weekend.
The 333 was an unknown aircraft that had some great advantages and at the time one would be forgiven for thinking that it would be a safe bet, Schweizer do have a reasonably good record.
Unfortunately the 333's airframe is not up to the task. The fact is the fuselage is consrtucted of very lightweight material which does not stand up to the stress that it is subject to. Structural problems are the main cause of downtime on this aircraft. There has been the need for a number of strenghtening mods and TAMS has done a comendable job of sorting them.
The fault that caused TAMA's mishap was a seized geabox that had recently returned from overhaul. A fault that could occur on any aircraft
After all that I would say that when the 333 is flying, it's a great little aircraft.
Last edited by B1.3 Drifter; 1st Apr 2008 at 15:35.
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The Mole as you put it is not with "Grid", it would seem fairly obvious that he/she is employed by Tams.
As to refering to "Grid" surely that would mean "National Grid" An Electricity company with its own fleet of helicopters that they operate and have maintained at Eurocopter UK. The Gas pipeline contract is a completely seperate issue, am I the only one getting a little confused with the references to Electricity Line inspection and Gas pipeline inspection?
I understand they are quite different, the speed of Patrol being the most obvious!
As to refering to "Grid" surely that would mean "National Grid" An Electricity company with its own fleet of helicopters that they operate and have maintained at Eurocopter UK. The Gas pipeline contract is a completely seperate issue, am I the only one getting a little confused with the references to Electricity Line inspection and Gas pipeline inspection?
I understand they are quite different, the speed of Patrol being the most obvious!
Last edited by quichemech; 2nd Apr 2008 at 12:46.
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Hi Upland
That was a great post, I have spoken to the powers that be and would like to extend an invitation to come and visit us here at Sheffield.Maybe go on a patrol sector.
It would be interesting to compare then and now and maybe you could swap some war stories with the guys.
check you PMs for contact details
Cheers
Chuteless
That was a great post, I have spoken to the powers that be and would like to extend an invitation to come and visit us here at Sheffield.Maybe go on a patrol sector.
It would be interesting to compare then and now and maybe you could swap some war stories with the guys.
check you PMs for contact details
Cheers
Chuteless
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A.Agincourt.
With regard to the confusion, I was referring to the fact that one set of post refer to the gas pipeline work, then someone else makes reference to Power line work.
Not a particular point of confusion I admit, but possibly a little for the layman who might be reading the thread.
With regard to the confusion, I was referring to the fact that one set of post refer to the gas pipeline work, then someone else makes reference to Power line work.
Not a particular point of confusion I admit, but possibly a little for the layman who might be reading the thread.
Thread Starter
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Oh sounds like an invitation you cannot refuse. Is anyone selling tickets to watch the 333 get off the ground with four of you in it? If so I would like two tickets please............... Remember travel lightly flip flops shorts and vests only!! Oh and nil by mouth for 12 hours prior to departure.
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I think confusion could come from the different operating parameters, of aircraft, used for pipeline and electicity work. Pipeline (please correct if wrong) 500ft ish and 80kts? Our electricity patrols are (in none built up areas obviously) 30-50ft and 20-35kts (those numbers do change!).
quichemech are YOU interested in coming on a powerline patrol?
quichemech are YOU interested in coming on a powerline patrol?
Last edited by freerideroj2; 4th Apr 2008 at 11:52.