Go Back  PPRuNe Forums > Aircrew Forums > Rotorheads
Reload this Page >

Helicopter called in for London lifting job

Rotorheads A haven for helicopter professionals to discuss the things that affect them

Helicopter called in for London lifting job

Old 19th Sep 2014, 09:06
  #1 (permalink)  
Thread Starter
 
Join Date: Mar 2004
Location: Hong Kong SAR
Age: 80
Posts: 320
Received 25 Likes on 8 Posts
Helicopter called in for London lifting job

Link:
Helicopter called in for London lifting job | Construction News | The Construction Index

A helicopter from Norway had to be brought in this week to lift four new air conditioning chiller units onto the roof of a Thames-side office block in London.



Specialist firm Plant Movements Ltd from Hailsham in East Sussex organised and carried out the lift in conjunction with helicopter operator HeliRig.

It took the Super Puma helicopter less than an hour to hoist the four modular chiller units, each weighing five tonnes, into position. But planning for the operation had taken Plant Movements almost six months.

Managing director John Miller explained: “A helicopter had to be used because the site wasn’t suitable for a crane. It meant having to make arrangements with a whole host of different parties including the CAA, police, the local authority, environmental health and the estate owners. We even had to involve HMS Belfast, which is permanently moored on the Thames alongside the building, because the attraction couldn’t be open to the public while the lift was being carried out.”

Plant Movements had a team of eight people on site for three days making preparations for the lift including laying an aluminium trackway to protect the paving.

The new chillers had been specially designed in modular form to suit the capacity of the helicopter. Before they could be installed, the old ones had to be dismantled and removed.

The helicopter has now returned to Norway where it is normally deployed on search and rescue duties. It will be called on again next month (October) for the second phase of the chiller replacement project when four further units will be installed.

Last edited by Senior Pilot; 19th Sep 2014 at 10:22. Reason: Add quotes
CISTRS is offline  
Old 19th Sep 2014, 10:45
  #2 (permalink)  
 
Join Date: Jan 2003
Location: UK
Posts: 1,539
Received 2 Likes on 2 Posts
It seems sad that the capability wasn't available in UK and that they had to bring a Puma over from Norway.

Is there a video of this on t'internet?

I was on duty at Gatwick when the Sea King lifted the A/C plant (I think that is what was lifted!) onto the top of the brand new ATC Tower in the mid 80's. That was very impressive to watch, as I am sure this recent effort was as well.
surely not is offline  
Old 19th Sep 2014, 11:56
  #3 (permalink)  
 
Join Date: Dec 2011
Location: Europe
Age: 59
Posts: 732
Likes: 0
Received 10 Likes on 8 Posts
Hello,
XVY from Heliswiss International is mainly red for few years now.
She was all withe when operating by Helilog and flying for UN around 2005.

.
HeliHenri is offline  
Old 19th Sep 2014, 13:51
  #4 (permalink)  
 
Join Date: Oct 2006
Location: UK
Posts: 5,222
Likes: 0
Received 4 Likes on 3 Posts
Years ago they would phone up the Royal Air Force and they would do it for a contribution to the RAFBF. There was no reason why one from Aberdeen could not have done it apart from one being available. The skills are there, no bubble on the one shown and removing the fifth tank and installing the pole is easy.

I have done it myself in a past life, lifting dialysis units into small backyards of houses with a 100 ft. strop to avoid blowing the slates off, to installing a engine into an offshore crane. The latter required 30 knots wind with associated turbulence to ensure a HOGE in case of engine failure.

It is almost certain that Aberdeen would have been too busy and if the RAF had done it the tabloids would be screaming about misuse of public funds.
Fareastdriver is offline  
Old 19th Sep 2014, 15:16
  #5 (permalink)  
Registered User **
 
Join Date: Dec 2010
Location: Botswana & Greece
Age: 68
Posts: 940
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Some years ago the Hellenic Air Force lifted marble slabs up to a remote monastery on our island to build a new altar screen. I think they only got a blessing for that.
Exascot is offline  
Old 19th Sep 2014, 15:56
  #6 (permalink)  
 
Join Date: Jun 2002
Location: east ESSEX
Posts: 4,621
Received 63 Likes on 38 Posts
Would have thought 5 tonnes was a bit much for a S-Puma..
sycamore is offline  
Old 19th Sep 2014, 16:37
  #7 (permalink)  
 
Join Date: Dec 2011
Location: Europe
Age: 59
Posts: 732
Likes: 0
Received 10 Likes on 8 Posts
.

You're right sycamore, 4500 Kgs max in a dream world.
A miracle in London or Vikings are supernatural !

.
HeliHenri is offline  
Old 19th Sep 2014, 16:57
  #8 (permalink)  
 
Join Date: Feb 2004
Location: Langley, B.C. Canada
Posts: 162
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Six months preparation for an air conditioner pick.....keeripes, we do those in 6 days in North America....
Helilog56 is offline  
Old 19th Sep 2014, 18:13
  #9 (permalink)  
 
Join Date: May 2007
Location: Norway
Posts: 17
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Probably Airlift and their Obelix, LN-OBX.
It is also pictured on Helirig´s site, but the reg is not so easy to recognize.

Airlift as
turbinturbin is offline  
Old 19th Sep 2014, 19:16
  #10 (permalink)  
 
Join Date: Dec 2011
Location: Europe
Age: 59
Posts: 732
Likes: 0
Received 10 Likes on 8 Posts
.
I vote for Obelix
.
HeliHenri is offline  
Old 19th Sep 2014, 20:14
  #11 (permalink)  
 
Join Date: Jan 2013
Location: Midlands
Posts: 136
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Sycamore,


"units....designed in modular form to suit the capacity of the helicopter"
Pozidrive is offline  
Old 20th Sep 2014, 20:14
  #12 (permalink)  
 
Join Date: Sep 2005
Location: Montreal
Posts: 714
Received 13 Likes on 10 Posts
Worrying about HOGE in the case of an engine failure (offshore crane job)???
How 'bout just pickling the load when it happens - maybe once every 10,000 years.
malabo is offline  
Old 21st Sep 2014, 00:38
  #13 (permalink)  
 
Join Date: Mar 2006
Location: australia
Posts: 73
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Malabo,

I'm going to go out on a limb here and say the riggers/mechanics wanted to keep theirs in the unlikely event one motor stops.

Not many engines can be installed or even lowered into place without people man handling it into place and bolting it in, pulling hoses out of the way etc.

There is generally less concern for the welfare of the pilots in these operations but there are exceptions.
canterbury crusader is offline  
Old 21st Sep 2014, 01:32
  #14 (permalink)  
 
Join Date: Mar 2005
Location: Holly Beach, Louisiana
Posts: 916
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
The latter required 30 knots wind with associated turbulence to ensure a HOGE in case of engine failure.
With or without the underslung load attached?
Boudreaux Bob is offline  
Old 21st Sep 2014, 13:47
  #15 (permalink)  
 
Join Date: Jul 2008
Location: Canada
Posts: 309
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Seems to be the same size and form, these ones were 4850 lbs a piece. Also twin engine helicopter and 2 pilots (backup) required for that kind of job in Canada. This is downtown Montreal.

JD

[IMG][/IMG]


[IMG][/IMG]



Last edited by fijdor; 21st Sep 2014 at 15:23.
fijdor is offline  

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off
Trackbacks are Off
Pingbacks are Off
Refbacks are Off


Thread Tools
Search this Thread

Contact Us - Archive - Advertising - Cookie Policy - Privacy Statement - Terms of Service

Copyright © 2024 MH Sub I, LLC dba Internet Brands. All rights reserved. Use of this site indicates your consent to the Terms of Use.