Local News
Wednesday, December 09, 2009
Tree-trimming service is a cut aboveStaff Writer
A low-flying helicopter will hover above Fostoria through Dec. 22 for AEP Ohio's annual aerial tree trimming program.
The program has been contracted to Aerial Solutions, a North Carolina-based company, which uses an aerial saw that hangs beneath the body of the aircraft to trim tree branches near high-voltage power lines.
Meanwhile, an AEP clean-up crew follows on the ground, picking up wayward limbs, and communicates with the pilot via radio.
"We hang an air saw that we built and designed ourself from the helicopter and we trim the encroaching tree branches from the right of way," said Ted McAlister, general manager of Aerial Solutions. "The apparatus is a 20-foot-long series of 24-inch saw blades that essentially acts as a hedge trimmer that you use vertically."
Fallen tree limbs are attributed to as one of the most common causes of power outages due to ice storms, lightning and other causes, according to an AEP news release. Removal of branches aims to ensure the reliability of the AEP electric transmission system and is carried out across Ohio.
McAlister said utility companies prefer to use their services to save time and money, especially in areas where typical trimming equipment just doesn't cut it. The Aerial Solutions' air saw services are often recruited in remote areas with challenging terrain, such as mountainous or swamp-like regions.
"We kind of hopscotch from one project to another to save our customers time and money," said McAlister. "This helicopter came from Indiana and, after it is done in the area, it will move toward the southern part of Ohio."
The helicopter flies typically five hours per day and spends most of that time sawing, something utility companies favor over ground crews because, according to McAlister, in one hour of flight time the aerial saw maintains several miles of right away that would take a grounds crew several days, or up to a month, to do.
Aerial Solutions pilots must meet several criterion before they take to the sky with the aerial saw: they must have a commercial external load certification license from the Federal Aviation Administration; they must have 1,000 hours of flight time; and they are required to spend up to two years training with the air saw.
"A new pilot will train with an experienced pilot and will also train at our training center in Tabor City, N.C., in southeastern North Carolina, near Cherry Point and Myrtle Beach," McAlister said.
According to AEP Ohio communications consultant Shelly Clark, AEP was among one of the first electric companies to use the Aerial Solutions aerial saw since 1987, as the company has been in business since 1985.
The aerial tree trimming program began this year in Fostoria on Nov. 9 and should be finished by Dec. 22. The flight schedule is Monday through Friday, weather permitting, and, in the case of inclement weather, flights may be delayed.
During this process, some roadways may be closed temporarily as AEP crews follow the path of the aerial patrol to clear any fallen debris.
Citizens have spotted the helicopter locally and have sent their photos to the Review Times. Readers are encouraged to continue sending in their photos of breaking news events in Fostoria to Send an e-mail to Review Times News.
For more information on the AEP aerial tree trimming program, call AEP Ohio at 1-800-672-2231 visit www.aepohio.com.
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Ph: (419) 435-6641 • Fax: (419) 435-9073
113 E. Center St. • P.O. Box 947
Fostoria, OH 44830
The Findlay Publishing Company
P.O. Box 609
Findlay, OH 45839-0609
Phone: (419) 422-5151
www.findlaypublishing.com
Please read our privacy guidelines
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