Haverfield

Helicopter Inspections of Tampa Electric Infrastructure put Focus on Reliability

scook — Tue, 12 Mar 2013 18:56:24 +0000

There’s a buzz in the air lately about Tampa Electric’s commitment to the community. Some of it you may have heard in conversations about the company’s 99.9 percent reliability. Some of it has come from a helicopter.

The company recently finished helicopter inspections of about 5,200 transmission structures, hovering up to 300 feet above the ground over poles, wires and other equipment. The inspections, which this year began in January, review about 17 percent of Tampa Electric’s transmission infrastructure annually.

“The inspections find minor issues that need maintenance on a fairly regular basis, which you can expect due to the equipment’s constant exposure to the elements,” said Bryan Phillips, P.E., engineer II with Transmission Operations and the coordinator of the inspections. “Major issues that need immediate repair turn up on less than 0.5 percent of the equipment. On an ongoing basis, our system is in good shape, but checking it out from a helicopter helps us make sure.”

Phillips cited efficiency as a key benefit of the helicopter inspections. While ground inspections can study about 100 structures in a day, the helicopter can check out about 300. But the top priority with the airborne inspections, Phillips stressed, is safety. He praised the safety and accuracy of Haverfield Aviation, the company Tampa Electric contracts with for the inspections.

It all adds up to a critical part of how Tampa Electric serves the community.

“We send out advance notice about the inspections to local governments and the media, and we make sure our outstanding CSPs have the information to resolve the occasional minor complaints about the helicopter noise,” Phillips said. “In the end, when customers realize how important it is that we check our system to ensure good reliability, they appreciate what we’re doing.”

Superstorm Sandy: Haverfield Quick to Respond

scook — Thu, 06 Dec 2012 21:42:19 +0000

Bear on a High Wire

scook — Fri, 10 Aug 2012 22:43:58 +0000

While flying an inspection of a transmission power line in north-central New Mexico, a bear cub was discovered stranded on the tower x-braces. With the assistance of Tri-States system operators and field supervisors a game warden was contacted and advised of the situation. A utility bucket-truck and lineman were dispatched to aid the game warden in safely helping the severely dehydrated and scared little cub back down.

ComEd Protects Eagles

scook — Fri, 22 Jun 2012 16:45:52 +0000

In cooperation with the Forest Preserve District of Cook County, Com Ed and Haverfield Aviation helicopters have placed bird diverters on power lines running through Tampier Sloug. This area is better known these days as the home of Cook County’s first nesting American bald eagles in more than 100 years. Read how this effort has helped the American Bald Eagle population grow here.

Niagara Falls

scook — Wed, 13 Jun 2012 17:34:47 +0000

A great video and story on Haverfield Aviation stringing Nik Wallenda’s tight rope across Niagara Falls from Canada to the United States, scheduled for Friday June 15, 2012. Haverfield’s own Dan Arenson gives a wonderful interview. Get the full story here.

Haverfield Granted Permission to String Tight Rope Across Niagra Falls

scook — Wed, 13 Jun 2012 17:06:50 +0000

A great article for Haverfield by WKBW on Nik Wallenda’s attempt to cross the Niagra Falls by a tight rope. “Monday, U. S. Senator Charles E. Schumer announced that the Federal Aviation Administration has granted a critical permit to allow Haverfield Aviation to use a helicopter to string a special tightrope from the Canadian side of Niagara Falls to the American side….” Read the full story here.

Haverfield in Your News Now

scook — Wed, 23 May 2012 20:29:42 +0000

Check out the story by Your News Now on our Linemen here.

Reflectors Installed on Power Line to Curb Bird Deaths

scook — Mon, 26 Mar 2012 17:16:04 +0000

REFLECTORS INSTALLED ON POWER LINE TO CURB BIRD DEATHS

Haverfield is installing 650 bird deflectors along the Colstrip Transmission line. A 500 Kilovolt line, the highest voltage line in Montana, in order to prevent the death of passing birds in the area. The line spans across 3,000 acres of wetlands and should reduce bird strikes by up to 80 percent.

Get the full story here!

Lineman, Pilot and Mechanic Positions Available

CCassell — Wed, 07 Mar 2012 17:25:41 +0000

Haverfield Aviation, Inc. is the leading provider of aerial power line inspection and maintenance services to the electric power industry. We have been an innovative influence over the past 28 years in the expanding field of helicopter applications to the electric power industry. What was previously used only as an emergency response to line outages (in the form of aerial patrol) has emerged into an operation of significant value. We currently have opportunities available for lineman, pilots and mechanics:

Experienced Journey Lineman Needed

Experienced Journey Lineman Needed in Binghamton, New York

Seeking Long Line Helicopter Pilot

Pilots with MD500 Experience for FAR91 and 133 Operations

Aerial Saw Mechanic Needed

MD500 Helicopter Mechanics

All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex or national origin. If you are qualified for one of the positions below, contact our HR department via this website and receive a response within 24 hours. No follow-up calls to the office, please.

(WTRF Channel 7) Aerial Saw Trimming Coming to Jefferson County

CCassell — Thu, 16 Feb 2012 20:36:57 +0000

WTRF, Channel 7 featured Haverfield’s work in a broadcast about aerial saw trimming being done in the area. This article also includes amazing video of our guys in action.

Check out the coverage here.