Helicopter Services

Wilson Construction started using helicopters in the powerline construction business over 30 years ago. Having extensive experience using aircraft to support our powerline construction projects, it seemed a natural fit to operate our own ships. Wilson Construction employs single pilot MD500E helicopters as a ready tool, enhancing our own productivity and providing in-house flexibility beyond that of most other powerline construction contractors.  We also fly directly for our utility customers and other electrical contractors.

Our helicopters are used to pull sock-line, conduct platform/skid work, 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.

We’re proud to announce the recent addition of another aircraft to our fleet.  Currently operating 5 MD500E helicopters, we’ve added an MD530F.  This aircraft is very similar to the E model with a few very important differences.  The blades are about 6 inches longer, the tail boom is 10 inches longer and the engine is upgraded from the Rolls Royce C20 engine in the E model to a Rolls Royce C30.  All of these things add up to outstanding hot temperature and high altitude performance! 

Our team is made up of some of the top powerline pilots in the world.  Our Chief Pilot leads with over 26,000 flight hours, guiding eight (8) pilots to ensure training and standardization.  Our maintenance department is headed by a very experienced Director of Maintenance leading six (6) helicopter mechanics.  Outfitted with late model support vehicles and loaded support trailers, our ground crews are equipped to completely take care of our ships in the field. 

Combine the flight experience of our pilots with the dedication of our ground crews, put them in state of the art helicopters and modern equipment; and you have the most up to date and capable fleet in the entire powerline construction industry ready to serve your project!

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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.