Giant helicopter is maxed out to transport massive powerline poles

When a new power line was needed in the area of Parry Sound, Ontario, some of the construction took place in very remote areas with no road access. Massive machines were brought in to build roads and create routes over steep rock faces and swamps. These machines were able to transport a lot of the materials and equipment to complete the power line, but they couldn't bring it all in. They needed wooden poles that were 120 feet in length and almost three feet in diameter at the base. The poles weigh an incredible 2,600 pounds.Show more

The only way to get the poles to the remote power line is to truck them to a property almost twenty miles away and then have them flown over several lakes to the construction site. These poles are so large and so heavy that the helicopter will exceed its maximum allowable payload unless they fly with only a partial tank of fuel. If they fly with anything more than one quarter tank full of fuel, the poles will be too much.

The helicopter pilot lowers a 300 foot cable so that workers can attach a hook that connects to a sturdy loop of material that wraps around the pole. These loops, or slings keep their grip on the pole while the pilot carefully flies them to the site and then lowers them to the ground.

The job requires incredible precision as the pilot needs to place the poles in the right position for the crane that will be used to install them in their hole in the ground. He needs to rest the base on the ground and then back the helicopter up to lower the top of the pole carefully, laying in along the tree line. As the pole comes to rest, the pilot lowers the helicopter a few more feet to unhitch the sling from his hook. Then he's off for one more pole before he needs to refuel.

Cottagers near the power line were obviously very interested when they saw these huge poles being carried directly over their homes and into the trees beside their lake. Projects like these create mixed emotions as nature lovers see habitat and wilderness being consumed and transformed in the name of progress. They hiked into the woods to see what the construction crew were doing. Although nobody wants to see trees cut and massive steel structures being erected, it was a relief to see how respectfully the workers were approaching the project. Biologists and environmentalists were at the site to ensure the impact on the environment was kept to a minimum. They also answered the cottagers questions and provided them with the opportunity to see what was happening from a safe distance. The workers explained the role of the helicopters, as well as some background information about them. The helicopter in this video was actually purchased from Donald Trump.

This helicopter pilot's job requires expertise that has to be seen to be appreciated. Even the workers on the ground who had seen many poles being delivered were in awe of the skill and professional ability of the pilots.