Services

Air Saw

Aerial Solutions uses an aerial power saw attached to a MD 500 series helicopter to side trim rights-of way for major power, pipeline, railroads, and governmental agencies.

Aerial side trimming provides maximum lateral clearances from vegetation that could cause safety or reliability issues. Unlike most conventional side trimming methods, the air saw is capable of trimming the vegetation canopy from sky to ground. This can be accomplished in rough terrain and locations that are difficult to access with little or no impacts to natural resources such as wetlands, riparian crossings, and other sensitive areas.

The air saw is most effective when utilized as part of an Integrated Vegetation Management Program. Maximum clearance and efficiency is achieved in combination with other techniques for managing brush and trees on the ground.

The air saw has been shown to be highly productive and efficient when compared to the work of ground based crews. In one hour, an aerial saw can trim as much as can be completed by conventional ground crews in one or more days.
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In addition to the traditional saw which is attached to our MD500 helicopters, Aerial Solutions also has a “Mega Saw” which is one of the tools utilized by our AS350 team. The Mega Saw has roughly twice the cutting surface of our traditional saw and can therefore trim up to twice the mileage in the same timeframe. This tool is fielded with the Aerial Solutions Grapple Saw. Please see the Grapple Saw tab for more information.

For discussion and scheduling of Air Saw work, please reach out to a member of the management team.

External Load

Aerial Solutions utilizes a remote hook & sling beneath our MD500 or AS350 aircraft to conduct external load operations. Primarily, non-saw external load work consists of setting poles for clients in scenarios with difficult access or following an emergency event.

Aerial Solutions MD500 can lift and move an external load up to 1000 pounds, while the AS350 can lift and move a load up to 2000 pounds.

The Aerial Solutions fleet has been utilized to set poles throughout our footprint, including a complete aerial replacement of poles for a circuit which runs over Mount Mitchell, NC.

Mount Mitchell is the highest peak east of the Mississippi River at over 6000’ peak elevation.

For discussion and scheduling of other external load work, please reach out to a member of the management team.

Patrols

Utilities often need to view vegetation conditions and facilities on a routine or an emergency basis. Aerial patrols can provide quick and accurate information about line or vegetation issues, thereby enabling utilities to continue providing safe, reliable service to their customers. Aerial Solutions can provide this service on a contracted or on an as-needed basis.

For discussion and scheduling of patrol work, please reach out to a member of the management team.

Storm Restoration

Following an emergency or storm event, Aerial Solutions stands ready to assist. The Aerial Solutions crew consists of a two-person team and each crew is extremely mobile. Crews are prepared to respond as needed and are capable of quickly and safely reaching some of the most heavily impacted areas which likely have limited access to ground based personnel.

Aerial Solutions is capable of fitting into the storm program of any client as needed. Whether requested to conduct initial patrols/ damage assessments, aerial side trimming, grapple saw work, or pole replacements, our team is ready to assist with restoring service through a client’s system as well as conducting humanitarian aid.

Because the aircraft in not limited by conditions on the ground, patrols and saw work can be completed extremely safely and efficiently, and services can be restored in a very timely manner.

The high experience level of our staff also aids in storm restoration. Aerial Solutions crews are capable of patrolling with a client representative and identifying areas which are well suited for aerial saw restoration as well as informing clients of areas which are better suited for other methods due to safety concerns or accessibility by ground-based crews. This communication can take place during initial patrols/ damage assessments. This level of experience and communication allows clients to focus ground-based efforts on areas where they are most needed while the Aerial Solutions team conducts work as efficiently as possible in areas where we are most needed.

For discussion and scheduling of storm resoration work, please reach out to a member of the management team.

Grapple Saw

Aerial Solutions utilizes an Airbus AS350 for grapple saw work. The Aerial Solutions grapple saw is an independently powered hydraulic piece of equipment with a thirty-inch chainsaw bar and articulating grapple arms. The grapple arms are used to grab a section of a tree securely, while the chainsaw bar cuts that section of wood, removing it from the tree. Once severed, the tree limb or section of main stem can be moved to a drop-zone or released in place.

The grapple saw can be used for tree removals, canopy reductions, and/ or mitigating risk from both danger and hazard trees. Whether large sections of removals/ reductions, or single findings based on aerial/ ground patrols, LiDAR or other remote sensing protocols, the Aerial Solutions grapple saw is capable of mitigating risk to client assets and/ or environmentally sensitive areas.

Currently, Aerial Solutions utilizes one AS350 aircraft with grapple and mega saw. Pilots are selected internally and are required to have a high level of experience and skill with the Aerial Solutions MD500 and legacy saw.

As both pieces of equipment are fielded together, clients can easily prescribe work for either piece of equipment and be assured that both side trimming and grapple/removal work will be completed as directed in a safe & timely manner.

For discussion and scheduling of grapple saw work, please reach out to a member of the management team.

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