Haverfield Aviation was given the opportunity to complete a small 5.75-mile project with First Energy Corporation in Pennsylvania. This project is less than 10 miles from our corporate offices in Gettysburg, Penn. Haverfield Aviation has been an industry leader in the specialized world of aerial transmission line work for over 25 years. During this time we’ve seen every aspect of the transmission line construction process from a ‘different vantage point’, looking down. It was our belief that this operation could be drastically improved by the utilization of aircraft at strategic phases of the build process. This would accomplish a number of things: speed and efficiency would be greatly enhanced and the on ground footprint (less heavy equipment) would be greatly diminished.

The project consisted of replacing 24 Wood H-Frame structures, three 3-pole double dead structures, and one three-pole running angle structure. The 3-pole structures were partially framed on the ground but will require aerial framing once the poles are set. All replacement poles are laminated wood poles instead of the typical wood pole. We installed double helix anchors at the dead end and angle structures. Finally, we removed existing shield wire and conductors and installed new 795 ACSR conductors and 3/8″ EHS shield wire over the length of 5.75 miles.

We utilized the MD 500 to fly rope, including utilization of a threading needle for the center phase. The 500 was also used to unclip and clip in the conductors and OHGW. We utilized the S-61 (heavy lift) to spot the wood H-structures on site along side the still energized line and the S-61 to set some of those same structures.

Since this project was completed, Haverfield Aviation has done other similar projects for First Energy. To read more about our work, please click here.