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Helicopter Chainsaws

Short answer: Aerial saws are rigs of about ten circular saw blades on a long vertical boom hanging below a helicopter. Pilots fly them along power line corridors and roads to trim branches, especially in remote or rugged terrain where ground crews struggle.

The Reel calls them chainsaws, but the blades are circular saws. The footage shows a helicopter trimming a tree line.

VideoWrite-up1 sources
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What should you know about Helicopter Chainsaws?

Quick facts. Each one stands alone and has a stable ID you can cite.

  1. Circular blades on a vertical boom.

    DD-366-F01 · Write-up · Exhibit A (Rig)

  2. Hung beneath a helicopter.

    DD-366-F02 · Write-up · Exhibit B (Helicopter)

Video transcript: Helicopter Chainsaws: A Helicopter Can Trim Trees With a Row of Spinning Saw Blades

Did you know, helicopters equipped with long vertical chainsaws are used for trimming and clearing trees near power lines, roads, and other infrastructure? These chainsaws consist of multiple spinning blades attached to a long pole, suspended below the helicopter. As the helicopter flies along the target area, the blades cut through branches and foliage, allowing for efficient trimming of hard-to-reach trees. This method is particularly useful in rough terrain or remote locations, where ground crews would struggle with access. NOW YOU KNOW!

Burned-in captions, read frame by frame (see transcript.md) · 25.9s Reel ·

Video coming soonHelicopter Chainsaws · Instagram Reel
Helicopter Chainsaws: A Helicopter Can Trim Trees With a Row of Spinning Saw Blades Instagram Reel · · 25.9s

The write-up

A helicopter can trim trees with a row of spinning saw blades. Utilities use it to clear lines in rough terrain.

  1. Exhibit A

    Rig

    Circular blades on a vertical boom.

  2. Exhibit B

    Helicopter

    Hung beneath a helicopter.

  3. Exhibit C

    Use

    Power line clearing.

  4. Exhibit D

    Terrain

    Remote areas.

  5. Exhibit E

    Blades

    Usually about ten.

Questions people ask about Helicopter Chainsaws

What type of blades?

Spinning discs.

Source: Write-up · Exhibit A (Rig) · Wikipedia: Aerial saw

What carries the rig?

Suspended.

Source: Write-up · Exhibit B (Helicopter) · Wikipedia: Aerial saw

What is cleared?

Utilities.

Source: Write-up · Exhibit C (Use) · Wikipedia: Aerial saw

Why use it?

Access.

Source: Write-up · Exhibit D (Terrain) · Wikipedia: Aerial saw

How is the boom oriented?

Hanging.

Source: Write-up · Exhibit E (Blades) · Wikipedia: Aerial saw

Test Your Knowledge

All quizzes →

5 questions, all from this case file. Answers are revealed instantly.

  1. What type of blades?

    1. Circular saw blades
    2. Chainsaws
    3. Scissors
    4. Lasers
    Show the answer

    Answer: A. Circular saw blades Spinning discs. Source: Write-up · Exhibit A (Rig) · Wikipedia: Aerial saw

  2. What carries the rig?

    1. A helicopter
    2. A truck
    3. A drone only
    4. A boat
    Show the answer

    Answer: A. A helicopter Suspended. Source: Write-up · Exhibit B (Helicopter) · Wikipedia: Aerial saw

  3. What is cleared?

    1. Power line corridors
    2. Snow
    3. Rivers
    4. Rooftops
    Show the answer

    Answer: A. Power line corridors Utilities. Source: Write-up · Exhibit C (Use) · Wikipedia: Aerial saw

  4. Why use it?

    1. Hard terrain
    2. It's cheap fun
    3. For movies
    4. For mining
    Show the answer

    Answer: A. Hard terrain Access. Source: Write-up · Exhibit D (Terrain) · Wikipedia: Aerial saw

  5. How is the boom oriented?

    1. Vertical
    2. Horizontal
    3. Diagonal only
    4. Coiled
    Show the answer

    Answer: A. Vertical Hanging. Source: Write-up · Exhibit E (Blades) · Wikipedia: Aerial saw

Cite this case file

Easterling, Marcus. "Helicopter Chainsaws." The Detail Department (DetailEnjoyer), case file DD-366, last updated Nov 11, 2024. https://detailenjoyer.com/case/helicopter-chainsaws/

Permalink: https://detailenjoyer.com/case/helicopter-chainsaws/ · Last updated

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