Helicopter AirStair
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This unique device, (designed in house at Hydro One Inc, Ontario, Canada), is attached to a Eurocopter AS 350 B2 helicopter.
The application for this device is to provide safe access for power line technicians to the top of high voltage transmission towers. These towers range in height from 50 feet to over 350 feet.
The helicopter hovers in very close proximity to the top of the structure and through a process and procedures for bonding to the shield wire and travel restrict and fall arrest (belting procedures), the power line technician transfers from the hovering helicopter to the structure. The device consists of a frame work attached to the under carriage of the helicopter that includes a middle step and a lower step, with two hand rail on each side. Both doors on the pilot side of the helicopter are removed as well as the co-pilot seat removed and a storage/utility box installed in its place
This application saves significant climbing of large structures while also totally eliminating normal ground access issues (i.e. mountains, rivers, lack of roads, railways, pipelines, farm crop etc.). As well, there is considerably less climbing of structures, which has inherent potential for fatigue and injury. With no vehicles required, there is again significant financial gains realized as well as associated hazards in operation off road vehicles being eliminated.
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