Transpower to require attendance at a Wire Strike Course

Transpower, as the National Grid owner and operator, is embarking down a significant grid investment programme that includes major transmission line and substation upgrades and new line builds over the next ten year plus. In addition to this there are major maintenance works that are required to keep the existing grid working in an effective and reliable manner.

As this work ramps up, the use of helicopters on the grid for some of this work, will increase and Transpower must be in a position to ensure this is done as effectively and safely as possible. One area that needs special attention when working in and around wires is the avoidance of an inadvertent helicopter and wire contact.

As part of the draft “Use of Helicopters” Service Specification that is being developed by Transpower, is the requirement that all pilots engaged on Transpower work have particular training in wire strike avoidance and have attended a wire strike avoidance course or seminar within the previous 2 year period.

It is Transpower’s expectation that all pilots and transmission line support crews engaged on transmission line work on the grid, will be compliant with the Service Specification requirement. The Transpower Service Specification is planned to be submitted in its final draft by the end of August 2010 with an implementation date of 01 January 2011.

Below is a extract from the Transpower draft “Use of Helicopters” Service Specification (SS).

Because helicopters are being used more and more on their assets, Transpower is keen to ensure these operations are done as safely and efficiently as possible. This SS is currently undergoing a major review in an attempt to wrap some guidelines around the helicopter activities near our lines.

The area discussed is the wire strike avoidance requirements in the SS. Currently it states;

1.1.1 The pilot must hold evidence of having had particular training for wire strike avoidance. This will include attendance within the previous 2 years at a recognised wire strike prevention course – See clause 1.2.
1.2 Wire Strike Prevention
1.2.1 Wire strike is a significant and ever present hazard during any low level helicopter operations near power lines. There are two distinct types of wire strike risk to be managed
(a) Spans the pilot didn’t know were there and/or couldn’t see in time.
Training courses structured to prevent type (a) wire strikes are available in NZ from time to time. One example is the training course conducted by Utilities /Aviation Specialists Inc (based in USA) called “Flying in the Wire and Obstruction Environment”. (www.helicoptersafety.com)

(b) Spans the pilot knew were there, but momentarily forgot about them or was distracted and inadvertently flew into them. These strikes are harder to manage, and involve other employees involved with the work be they on the ground or in the aircraft, constantly monitoring and reminding the pilot of all wire strike risks.

1.2.2 Successful wire strike prevention involves a high level commitment by the helicopter company, pilots and Transpower contractors working together to minimise the overall risk. This will include a combination of preplanning, personnel training, installation of WSPS’s, analysis of wire strike accident reports and recommendations.
1.2.3 Each days work must include a wire strike analysis of all areas where low level operations are to be conducted. Wherever possible routes and operations are to be planned minimise over crossings, and where they must occur, optimise sun angles and times of day to make crossings as visible as possible.
If you were looking for words to convey to the helicopter companies regarding this I can suggest the following;