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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. http://www.theconstructionindex.co.u...elirig-184.jpg 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. |
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. |
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. . |
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. |
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.
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Would have thought 5 tonnes was a bit much for a S-Puma..
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You're right sycamore, 4500 Kgs max in a dream world. A miracle in London or Vikings are supernatural !;) . |
Six months preparation for an air conditioner pick.....keeripes, we do those in 6 days in North America....:rolleyes:
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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 |
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I vote for Obelix :ok: . |
Sycamore,
"units....designed in modular form to suit the capacity of the helicopter" |
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,
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. |
The latter required 30 knots wind with associated turbulence to ensure a HOGE in case of engine failure. |
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]http://i683.photobucket.com/albums/v...ps941a3512.jpg[/IMG] [IMG]http://i683.photobucket.com/albums/v...pse4b9a0c3.jpg[/IMG] http://i683.photobucket.com/albums/v...ps4ce3268a.jpg |
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