Utility Flight Operations Flights for Light

Utility Flight Operations have been an integral part of transmission line maintenance programs for many decades. In spite of a proven track record, use of helicopters by some utilities has declined in the past ten years for a variety of reasons; lack of growth in the industry coupled with misconceptions around value could be cited for this downward trend. This may be about to change. With few new infrastructure additions to the aging transmission system, together with major growth in all sectors, the electrical grid is severely taxed and increasingly fragile. The blackout on August 13, 2003 was a grim wake-up call for all utilities to a growing and critical revelation; the time has arrived to breathe new life into the transmission grid. Meeting the increasing demands on the electrical system represents a significant challenge for all utilities, and presents huge potential for utility flight operations, ranging from the inspection and assessment of existing facilities to the construction of new infrastructure. While the future looks bright, it is not without challenge. Operating and maintaining transmission lines has changed significantly over the past years, and utilities having, or considering the use of helicopters, to augment their maintenance practices, need to address emerging issues that face us today and into the future. The use of helicopters has been an integral component of many maintenance programs at AltaLink since the late seventies. Like many places in North America, the province is witnessing growth such as it has not experienced in almost a quarter of a century. With plans for major upgrades to its transmission system, the possibility of increased helicopter usage is imminent. This paper considers some of the challenges that face the utility, and how we are moving forward to meet them.