Helicopter Services
Wilson Construction Company, a recognized leader in the electrical utility industry, has recently added three Hughes MD500E helicopters and a Schweizer 333, eight (8) pilots and six (6) helicopter mechanics to its team. Wilson Construction started using helicopters in the power line construction business over 30 years ago. Having extensive experience using aircraft to support our power line construction projects, it seemed a natural fit to operate our own ships. Wilson Construction employs these single pilot MD500E helicopters as a ready tool, enhancing our own productivity and providing in-house flexibility beyond that of most other power line construction contractors.
Wilson Construction constantly strives to meet the needs of an ever-changing industry. Today, our helicopters are used to pull sockline and perform line surveys and external load lifting. This in-house flight department has enabled Wilson Construction to maintain a competitive edge when bidding on projects and performing construction activities that require helicopter services.
Known throughout the industry, our quality helicopters and pilots are ready to contract these services to assist you in your project needs:
- Sockline Pulling – With the use of “needles” directly attached to the aircraft, our pilots place pulling rope known throughout the industry as “sockline” into travelers. Averaging speeds of 10 – 12 mph, the line can be pulled into position with a minimum of manpower, time and environmental disturbance. This method of installation is particularly useful in rough terrain as well as heavily urbanized settings.
- External Load Lifting – Picking loads and placing them is a fairly normal requirement for a helicopter and the 500E can lift over 800 pounds. However, our pilots are adept at picking and placing material on and off tower tops or mid-span. Supporting linemen “in the air” with readily available materials, tools and equipment greatly accelerates projects while protecting the environment by minimizing ground disturbance.
- Line Survey – Knowing the status of your facility and infrastructure is critical to preventing failure and forecasting maintenance needs. Any aircraft can fly along a power line, however, only an experienced power line pilot who clearly understands construction and maintenance practices can help find the problems others may miss. All our pilots have extensive experience in flying line survey missions.
 San Diego Gas & Electric: Mission – Miguel 230 kV Transmission Line – This project involved the reconstruction of an existing line located in a corridor between two 230kV lines. The scope included the removal of old conductor, modification of structures and stringing new conductor. Work was conducted through mountainous terrain as well as an urban environment. |
 Southern California Edison: Pastoria – Pardee 230kV Transmission Line – This project involved the reconstruction of one of the West’s oldest transmission lines through extremely environmentally sensitive areas. Almost all of the work was conducted by helicopter including the placement of linemen onto tower tops, delivery and recovery of wire, accessories, tools and equipment. Over 2000 accident free flight hours were flown and the project was completed ahead of schedule. |
| Bonneville Power Administration: Spacer Damper Replacement Project – This project involved replacing approximately 14,000 spacers in less than two months. Transmission lines were located in mountainous terrain where access was poor. Helicopters were used to place carts on wire, deliver spacers and tools to crews on the wire and to remove barrels of used spacers. Half the spacer work was conducted on a double-circuit 500kV tower with one side hot. |  Subcontracted to Henkels & McCoy - Tacoma Narrows Crossing - Installation of 5/8” sock lines over 6500’ spans above the main waterway separating South Puget Sound from the North Puget Sound. The lines were pulled between 450’ tall towers at heights of over 600 feet above the water. |
