Helicopter Flying Between Wires

[thewiitry]

An accident waiting to happen

[mpopeube]

Obviously I am no electrical head, and I know they were not touching ground, but I felt quesy when they sat on live wire. What if you had to pee really hard?

Would it not be nerve wracking walking across the wire crosses the tower?

What happens when it rains hard?

Then they are one step from a fatal fall.

Please pay them atleast $200k/yr.

[StandByRecovery]

Thats crazy scary!!! I would never do that!

[mybluemars]

OK am I missing something here? Why can't they just use a small dirigible? It would seem to be so much safer.

[FlyingLineman]

I can see your point and agree with the direction you're heading, but consider: transit times from material staging to work location, moving along the line between locations, tethering (maneuvering thrusters?) blimp so it's a stable lifting platform and size of blimp necessary for lifting capacity (could you use Archimedes principle about water displacement and floating boats to roughly estimate a blimp size necessary to lift 1000+ pounds?)

[aeiou772]

@FlyingLineman wow , nice description, you must be a professor from physics deptt.

[bigtopbollocks]

That is hairy!

[TQGraham11]

thats a freakin vietnam pilot!

[TheFr3sh1]

What does the pilot due if the engine fails?

[FlyingLineman]

Try their very best to do a safe auto-rotation...

[choyyuz]

@FlyingLineman Is it safe to perform autorotation if the engine fails while just centermeters from the high voltage wires?

[baggen44]

@FlyingLineman wait.. at that height?

[shuwukong]

the pilot has to take care of the tail rotor as well

[WetCoyote]

Heliicopers dont fly, they beat the air into submission...

[Worldopain]

This pilot is a machine!

[FlyingLineman]

O.K. You're certified crazy - what about a nice job in Hawaii flying around sunny beaches? :)

Best to you in your training!

[sighisoaraa]

That's just fuckin' insane...

[speedp06]

Hats off to this pilot

[EDDIETHEGREAT100]

Fake

[Only1modahk]

How many times do you have to fail the psychological exam? You guys are crazy...but thanks for keepin' the lights on... =)

[S200773]

very skilled pilot

[Chopper894]

Ive had nightmares like this. Flying through power lines no matter how high I fly they are always above my head.

[Banzay27]

As I understand it, they use something similar to a monocycle, with the tire-less wheel above, and pedal along the lines with it. Why the copter?

[FlyingLineman]

Ease of access: to get such a device onto the wire requires getting to the structure or right-of-way with a boom sufficiently long enough to reach. Problematic in some terrain or land-owner conditions. Also, when transferring onto energized wires the 'bird-on-a-wire' approach works very well.

[Banzay27]

I see.

[FRA66ER6]

Man! That pilot has to be a real PRO! And what is the salary of those linemen? With a risky job like this, it has to be a fortune!

[FlyingLineman]

LOL! Yea... a salary akin to a fortune! Oh, if only!

No, very sorry to report, we do it because we love the job. Sad to say, linemen working out of a bucket truck can make as much, or more.

[24preacherboy]

@FRA66ER6

The linemen are Mexicans and only make 10/hr

[MadScientist267]

SCREW.... THAT.... I wouldn't want to be the one playing jump rope OR the pilot!

[frieda1889]

That was amazing, great job.

[dayradio65]

Those guys have to drink. alot.

[dcool96]

Ill pass...

[951guru]

So how does someone get that lineman job? Is the schooling provided by the power company or is college required. Probably both?

[FlyingLineman]

The first step is to take, and fail, an I.Q. test...

If you are not already a Lineman, check out a Linemans Training program ( like Northwest Lineman College)

Once completed, submit an application for an apprentice position with a company like Haverfield Aviation out of Gettysburg, PA. You'll start out working the ground, in time develop the skills to be safe in the air.

Best of luck to you in your endeavors. What ever path you follow - always be safe.

[Aviation2001]

Ńøŵ thātß ŵhāt Į çāłł ŠKĪŁŁŠ¡¡¡¡

[Aviation2001]

Ñøŵ thâtß ŵhāt Į ç

[Altinget]

Can't they use other means than helicopter? Or shut off the electricity?

It must be extremely risky.

[19lobo63]

5000 dollars per hour maybe,,,lol.

[OnnomonnomonnO]

one bad movement and BZZZT

[xodarapi]

This is insanity. I'm very pleased.

[chris4071000]

i get scard just climbing a tree

[thedoorsbiggestfan]

well I hope they get paid well .

[fresnosmooth2000]

***Cringing at the tail rotor***

Damn that's close

Must be why he's a little left yaw ?

[1957attilazaborszky]

this is just crazy , jeopardising the lives of those workers. This is either Russia ore the US

[alderaforall]

@1957attilazaborszky I'm sure this work is done wherever there are powerlines regardless of the country.

[1957attilazaborszky]

@alderaforall , nope! not by helicopter. not in Holland ,Sweden and Germany at least

[Sp33dyD3m0n]

.... no thanks.

[Afrocanuk]

Forget that sh*t !

[1967800]

B@!!$ of steel!!!!!!!

[HARVSTO]

this is my fav chopper~ how much??

[aligerous]

I got nervous just watching this.  I can't imagine these guys don't have nightmares on a regular basis.

[ao6ao6]

f that shit

[yTubeBlowsBigBalls]

This is fucking insane. This is crazy dangerous.

[mjcygnus]

how close is the tail rotor to the wires?

[caleb79843]

what if the helo lost altitude at the wrong time?

[alitmz]

@caleb79843 that's why there is a pilot inside of it...

[cnhkyoo]

very danger

[18Katracho]

They do those kinds of powerline services alot where I live, those techs have a lot of balls to do that...and the pilot too ofcourse.

[escobar12levi]

WHAT BOX!!!!!!!!!!!!

[FlyingLineman]

OK, I'll explain it one more time... with three conductor wires below and two shield wires above, in this business, we call that 'flying inside the box' because, in very real terms, the helicopter is 'boxed' in by the above and below wires. Comprehend?

[escobar12levi]

@FlyingLineman

OH Thank You

[HuskerSeaofRed]

@FlyingLineman ya but what box? lol j/k

[helirious]

Big fan over your head and still sweating..

[irishguyhere123]

why are they even attempting this ?? why not shut down the lines and repair them in a normal way like sane people !!??

[Tehbeefer1]

@irishguyhere123 Because New York and LA don't like loosing power. Would cost gobs of money, and probably kill a number of people. They get paid pretty good, from what I've heard.

[rosscobosco]

@irishguyhere123 Cuz its America, Fuck Yeah!!! Wooo Hoo!!! alright!

Big balls tho in fairness and hel of a pilot

[kryp10yt]

Fuuuuuuuuuck that.

[TheRJMortimer]

they are saved...never mind......x_x

[TheGuillote87]

@TheRJMortimer

hahaha u read my mind

[mjlazok]

Wow. that is crazy. Talk about getting paid what you're worth. That is amazing.

[Jrstok]

What are the max gust you can do this type of work in? 5 knots?

I was scared the whole time watching this that the pilot was going to get his left skid under the wire as he raised his collective. That might lead to a rolling moment.

Hats off to you guys. I'm nervous for ya just watching lol.

[ForDoverUSA]

which way do you see the blades rotating? :)

[ampthilluk]

1. what are they doing?

2. why not just use a truck with a ladder?

[liquidst07]

They're most likely repairing/replacing the spaces for bundled conductors. There are two, three or four sometimes even more conductors "bundled" together to make up one Phase. These spacers breakdown and wear out from being in the weather, corrosion etc.

They're doing it from chopper because it's cheaper than using a super insulated bucket from the ground. Also they're doing it this way because that line is still energized. It can be done live like that because of the Faraday principle.

[PyrozPlayground]

Holy shit! 0_o Damn man, that is mad skill right there. And yeah, they need to get crazy paid for that shit!

[robin6512]

their must be an easier way too earn an living....

[saturnwing]

OMG 

good skill

[princesmoron]

These guys are fearless, mesmerizing to watch, no safety nets -got to have balls to do it! admiration is not a big enuf word!!

[anaki71]

@princesmoron harnesses ;)

[superjezz]

I'm surprised that the chopper can lift them guys of the gound, With balls that big they must weigh a ton!!!!

[kingoftheput]

Big kahones. Very big kahones. Ko u vola.

[firesoftheempyrean]

I saw this on an IMAX film once, or some documentary. Beyond amazing. Sikorsky would be proud.

[FlyingLineman]

just uploaded a portion of this documentary - one of the best sequences showing this unique profession. F.L.

[franzgotgame]

@firesoftheempyrean wow u r retarded this isnt a sikorsky its a McDonnell Douglas Helicopter >>>

[firesoftheempyrean]

@franzgotgame I was referring to a Sikorsky quote: "If a man is in need of rescue, an airplane can come in and throw flowers on him, and that's just about all." In other words, without helicopters, this job would be prohibitively expensive and nigh impossible. But thanks for making sure the world knows you're smarter than I am.

[applecomputer56]

@firesoftheempyrean Sikorsky would have been proud if he made that helicopter mcdonnell douglas is the actual company that made that heli.

[zachary1215]

@applecomputer56 I defer to your experience, but isn't it a Hughes 500?

[joshnc101]

@applecomputer56 What the guy meant by using Igor Sikorsky's name was that Sikorsky invented the modern day cyclic system used in a helicopter's main rotor system for pitch, roll and collective control. What Sikorsky designed and tested 70 years ago is what's used in this very helicopter, and most others regardless of what brand it is.

[DoctorBadVibez]

Just... wow... well done both linemen and pilot, I have nothing but respect for you guys

[winterka100]

I could do that job easily---but not today, I've got a headache.

[russellbar01]

I couldn't

[emil3hansen]

That's an intense fucking job!

[UhohKyle]

What's the go-no-go threshold for doing this in regards to wind? Is the work you do time sensitive?

[KamikaziFly]

OMG FAKE! You can tell its fake because there are lines over the helicopter, and those people are obviously character models from Half-Life 2.

Just kidding!!! This looks mega 345KV dangerous!

Is this OSHA approved? :P I noticed you guys didn't tie off... ;)

Great video, never thought I'd see this! My thumbs up to ya!

[RuneScapeRocksMySock]

12 people are disprespectful </3 bet they wouldnt have the guts to even enter the helicopter before taking off.

[thelastemperor88]

shit the Helicopter could slice one of them guys head.

[collectorfun]

Suicidas...

[BrokenArrowsInc]

there must be a easier, safer and cheaper way to get people from one line to another. I mean thats nuts. ITs not that far to the other line. They must be able to hook a cable to the other line and swing across.

[crice7sh]

@BrokenArrowsInc that would be mega bad news if anything connected the lines together. phase touches phase and shit blows up. there's a video of a squirrel doing that somewhere on youtube. it died.

[BrokenArrowsInc]

@crice7sh Good point. Hadn't thought of that, suppose they could use some non conductive material which would prevent it from arching.

[dirtyboydallas]

@BrokenArrowsInc GREAT IDEA. Give it a try so we can see your body, on fire, dangling however far up...

[videoGunZ]

puuuh! amaaazing work of that pilot O__O thumbs up for him!

[janquen]

Shit! What happens if the pilot needs to sneeze?!

[rolfen]

Holy sh...

[clippppper]

Whos filming?

[ukrainesov21]

unbelievable

[wallenp]

Shiny!! Magnificent flying skills!!!

[cashman156]

These workers & especially the chopper pilots deserve every penny they earn... Wow, am blown away by seeing this!

[timspooner]

I have a commercial helicopter pilot licence so I can truly know the degree of difficulty involved in maintaining the helicopter in position like that, throughout the operation. I admire the pilots who do this work as I would never even attempt it.

[Skryptik503]

I've been working an electrician for the Airforce for about 4 years now. Part of my job is to work on High voltage lines (nothing above 70KV) from a bucket or hooks. I've always been interested in doing transmission line work and was wondering how you got into it? Maybe you have some tips on how to get into the career feild?

[FlyingLineman]

Thank you for your service with the Airforce.

Qualified linemen are always needed - find online an aerial powerline company such as Haverfield Aviation and submit your resume/application. Best of luck, and as always, be safe. F.L.

[Quillons1]

@FlyingLineman What kind of pilot requirements do companies like this have?

[chrisakky]

@Quillons1 A steady hand :)

[Quillons1]

@chrisakky OK, :-) thanks for the info...

[vexviper]

@Skryptik503 YOu guys have balls of steel!!! There is noway on earth I could do that!

[icemachinetech]

would a "NOTAR"  Helicopter be safer for this work ?????

[FlyingLineman]

yes, probably would be - as I understand it (and I'd never want imply that my opinions were infallible) the prohibitive factor is the purchase price/maintenance cost of a MD520 or MD530 NOTAR helicopter. F.L.

[1BustedMyth]

@FlyingLineman , Personaly i would love to see you guys with EC135's, covered tail, twin engine, compact, extremly safe, but and its a big one, there's that old problem- money!

That avoid curve in a single is a place I like to spend as little time as possible. I did winching from an AS350 at around 70ft, was always on edge, but ya gotta do what ya gotta do.

Cool job buddy, I'm jealous! ;)

[FlyingLineman]

most kind, thank you. your words speak of much experience, thanks for your input/comments, very good insight. I appreciate your taking the time to illuminate specifics others have asked about that my experience cannot answer.

Safe flying my friend.

F.L.

[SCOUSE3000T]

@FlyingLineman you have got to be the nicest youtuber i have ever seen well done sir

[FlyingLineman]

Thank you very much.

Through this brief journey called life, we only have each other. Kindness, respect and love joins us all as links in a much larger chain...

F.L.

[1BustedMyth]

@icemachinetech , NOTAR is excellent for tail security, big plus.

Sadly I'm hearing that they have very touchy Auto Rotation habits.

Single engine, close to the ground, thats not a habit you want.

Real shame really

In your role, Fenestrom tail may be the go?, but I know nothing of their Auto Habits.

[icemachinetech]

would a "NOTAR" Helicopter be safer for this type of Work ???

[mang0mang0mang0]

what the heck are you doing up there?

[FlyingLineman]

changing the insulator strings, due to the structure configuration it was necessary to transfer on to the wires then walk the wires up to the suspension insulators.

[melecio1]

8.50 an hour to work and risk your life? you should make at least 20 an hour

[jerseysapphire]

Do you have any sort of safety equipment attaching you to those wires? Or if you fall, do you fall?

[FlyingLineman]

Believe it or not, safety is our #1 priority. What good is a paycheck if you're not around to spend it! Yes, we are always connected with a safety lanyard/full body harness. If you fell, you'd probably have 'brown' underwear, but you'd survive. :)

[lasersailorman]

Where was this filmed from? another helicopter or someone standing higher on the tower?

[FlyingLineman]

Video captured from the tower.

[MrBridlington]

fuking hell man he's standing on the edge of the heli

[robyns76]

the tail rotor is very near to wires...lol!!

[emforty2]

the executives and CEO make $80.00  a second LOL

[tarkle]

What in the flying blazes are these people thinking!?

[KDALove]

@tarkle This is how you repair hard to reach power lines

[VE9REJ]

That s amazing .

5*

Reg

The VE9REJ CHnl

[grinch8302]

man that tail rotor is knida close to the wire

[grinch8302]

LOACH!!!!

[Anthony77897]

he wont get electrocuted. hes not connected to ground, current wouldnt flow?

[AeroMad91]

@Anthony77897 That's correct (y)

[mrfun07]

@Anthony77897 They acually wear a suit that is a light weight metal mesh, kind of like medieval "chainmail" except much lighter. They use a special rod (Called Bonding on) that attatches to the live transmission line they are in contact with, and essentially, because they are not grounded, they become part of the circuit, as the suit they wear becomes part of the conductor they are working on. They do not create a phase, to ground, fault condition

[SonnuvaMotherDuck]

They left the cameraman behind :(

[kanjikevin]

Lol

[kanjikevin]

RISK -

Electrocution

Rotar strike from Helicopter

A 5 story fall

or all the above at once

Pay -

$6.50 an hour

Footage -

Priceless

[FlyingLineman]

It's actually $8.50 per hour...

[721069]

@FlyingLineman

lol!!!

[hrbeta]

Rubberized HUGE balls

[1906199118]

Delux!!!!!!!!

[CGcompo]

I would not do that job, ill miss my wife so much.

[coffdrop007]

I can't believe how fast they were doing the work.

[oldschoolhunter]

my uncle does this exact work and he says he make 2300.00 a weeks 7 months a year.

[vettebecker]

Brass ones!

[MarcoTUV]

Damn... freaking job, you have high voltage below and high speed paletes above...

[Multimentalisti]

Crazy pilot and some freaky linemens :D

I would not do that job no matter how good is the pay !!

[MarcoTUV]

and you must to add to the situation a suddenly cross winds... im agree no matter how the pay... this must be the most dangerous job... worst than work at night in a minimarket, and gigant crab fishing at bering sea

that dudes are dare devils!

[igon08]

ппц, конечно. а че эти придурки делают там на проводах?

[Ljo4ik]

@igon08 Они работают! ;-)

[igon08]

))))да ясен болт, что не грибы собирают. интересно знать, что именно они делаюст с этими проводами..))))

[DIPPER19WOW]

Высшый пилотаж!!!

[bigbollocks69]

he has huge balls

[harrison359]

this is just Frakin awesome !!!...the skill that these pilot's have is AMAZING..but I have to hand it to the camera man too..if that helo went down the cameraman would be fried too..I'm attaching my video to this..hope it's ok, enjoy all..

[HappyDude117xP]

i didnt see a box nowhere

[whiteblazejunky]

no way would i fly that!

[captncharisma]

i feel sick watching this.

get the hell outta there!

[justandy333]

Just one word : WOW!!

[csengeri]

These people should be paid at least as much as stars and celebs from hollywood!

[benjyboba]

@csengeri Respect to the Helicopter Pilot, I'm learning to fly an r22 and I can hover and have done slope landings but I apreaciate how hard it can be to control a Helicopter.

[edcoondog]

@benjyboba hehe, enjoy it, it's definitely fun times! R22's are a blast!

[bonzo874]

those guys arent paid enuff , esp the pilot

[beefington]

@bonzo874 I would imagine that many folks that do this type of high-risk work do it for more than a paycheck. Personally, you simply COULDN'T pay me enough to do it.

[pogisiG]

@bonzo874 SOLDIERS ARENT PAID ENOUGH :(

[bonzo874]

@pogisiG i guess they arent , but whats that gotta do with this ?

[pogisiG]

@bonzo874 my replies was towards CSENGERI" these people shouble be paid at least as much as stars and celebs from hollywood" ....Thats why i stated my opinion...Us soldiers dont make enough money..i take home $1000.00 every 2 weeks :(

[pogisiG]

@bonzo874 i was talking to someone else.. :D and its true,soldiers dont make enough money

[nipponhouseplayer]

That tail rotor makes me sick.

[turkishcobra]

Im guessing these guys get paid SHIT LOADS! Gotta be some of the best pilots in the world!

[toenail37]

A friend of mine says his nephew makes over $300,000 working for PG&E as a flying lineman. I don't know if he is bull shitting or not.

[FlyingLineman]

hmmm... I would be skeptical myself, that does seem a bit high even for a union-scale lineman, but then I really have no authority to offer an opinion.

Perhaps it's best to consider with caution the validity of anyone willing to openly brag about the size of their johnson...