Woodstock Launch Morning Traffic

[Ward Odenwald]

Trimming trees from above!

[markc]

Looks like some upwind 'snirga' in that last pic! Thanks for posting them Ward.

Multiple trips to the window today while at work, watching the flags and clouds.... Woulda been cold as a mofo though!

So how did your rig make out??? Awesome idea!

[Ward Odenwald]

At he end of the chopper’s line (first photo, “pun intended”) is an aerial lopper (not seen in any of the photos). The tool has a rather impressive/scary array of circular blades. For the better part of an hour, the pilot moved the saw back and fourth along the power lines out in front of launch. Sometimes flying backwards down hill. Very impressive piece of flying, to say the least! Here’s a YouTube video that highlights the utility of aerial trimming.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8FHug-V0Um0

P.S. The club should consider hiring this outfit to trim the trees at the end of the launch slot, as they are now looking rather intimidating.