Helicopters Play Important Role In Maintaining Modern Infrastructure

By Mark Nankivil

Over the last year, the use of utility helicopters for the maintenance of infrastructure such as powerlines has become more obvious with the series of flights over Missouri cities.  Recent missions by an MD-530F Lifter (369FF Model) from Winco Powerline Services over St. Louis have shown the necessity of vertical airlift for specialized technical tasks. Winco Powerline Services is based in Aurora, OR and deploys its nine helicopters around the country to support significant powerline construction and maintenance projects as both prime and sub contractor. Featured here are recent flights over St. Louis.

 

     

By Fred Harl

Another series of photos from 2016 features a similar MD-500D (Hughes 369D) from Aviation Advantage of Tabor City, NC operating out of Farmington, MO Regional Airport.  These helicopter crews performed tree-trimming near powerline towers using chainsaws attached to the centerline station.  They are seen periodically in eastern Missouri, and their crews display incredible skill in performing this important task.

 

 

 

 

  

St. Louis Power Lines Serviced Using Helicopter Assisted Crews

By Mark Nankivil

Power lines in St. Louis and St. Louis County are again being serviced by helicopter-borne crews.  They are working along the route of the high power lines that run through Midtown and into St. Louis County, working the towers along I-44 just west of River Des Peres.  Though I have only caught one helicopter here, there are two in the area working adjacent towers at the same time.  The services are provided by Winco Powerline Services of Aurora, OR, specializing in challenging powerline construction and servicing projects using MD-500 (Hughes 369F series) utility helicopters.  Here is an up-close look at how aviation is critical to maintaining the infrastructure we often take for granted.