Helicopter Lineman

[THE KID]

I've seen several videos of helicopters working on transmission lines. Every time I watch them change out spacer cables or dampener they are always working on the outside phases. How do they get to the middle phase, is there enough room to get in under the statics? Just curious.

[barehander]

I've seen several videos of helicopters working on transmission lines. Every time I watch them change out spacer cables or dampener they are always working on the outside phases. How do they get to the middle phase, is there enough room to get in under the statics? Just curious.

We use the platform but it's limited on what you can use it for, like the middle phase. You really can't use it to change dampers because of the closeness of the insulators except maybe on deadends. As you can see the rotor blades are longer than the platform......
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That's why we also use a hot rope to hang underneath the chopper.
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You can do everything that the platform can do, but you can also be dropped in between the static to get to the middle conductor, and you can go into the bells to change out dampers. You can hang in your harness, or there are a pair of custom made boseman chairs connected to a yoke plate you can use. The only drawback is the amount of time you can be in the air due to discomfort of your legs in the harness, about 15 to 20 min.
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Another good thing about the rope is, if there is no landing zone close to your work location, the chopper can set you on the ground, on the pole or tower without landing. Pretty slick..

[BigClive]

Is that a sprung section just above the lone guy on the rope? I wouldn't like to be suspended down to access the middle wire if the chopper suddenly developed an issue and moved a significant distance. being dragged over the wire would be an unpleasant physical experience.

Does the single guy on his own still have to attach a potential equalising device to the wires? Or is his mass low enough to minimise potential difference.

I'm guessing the bosuns chair would be a more comfortable working platform. Then again, professional lighting riggers seem to stay suspended in their seated harnesses for long times.

Still looks fun though. Could get boring quite quickly, but would be a whole lot better than many other jobs. Better views too.