British Columbia-based helicopter touring and heli-services company Blackcomb Helicopters has opened its powerline training facility, a significant addition to its Advanced Training Center. The facility marks a considerable investment in safety and skill development.

The purpose-built training facility in Pemberton offers a controlled and safe environment where crew can hone their abilities and ensure precision performance in the field.

Recognising the need for realistic, hands-on training that mirrors the challenges of today's utility tasks, Blackcomb set out to create a facility that would provide an accessible, safe and realistic environment for skill development. Alongside the base at the Pemberton airport, this facility advances safety standards and operational proficiency. It was specifically crafted to replicate the intricacies of existing utility systems and includes:

- A double circuit, 138KV monopole with five structures

- A self-supporting lattice tower

- A single circuit, 230KV H-frame with four structures

- Practice H-frame structure

- Two culverts for pole sets

The training offered covers a wide variety of exercises ensuring comprehensive skill development for pilots, hoist technicians and linemen. Participants can engage in exercises including but not limited to:

- Class D hoist/winch operations

- Class D fixed line procedures

- Pole setting

- Timber (H-frame) removal and installation

- Ice removal

- Reinforcing steel towers

- Picking conductor

- Cross-arm changes

- Installing conductor carts

- Removal and installation of marker balls

- Spacer damper removal and installation

- Pulling sock line

- Glass changes

"Our goal with the powerline training facility is to enhance safety and proficiency," says business development manager Andrew Bradley. "Previously, our teams encountered challenging environments while on site. Now, this facility allows them to practise and perfect specific tasks before applying them."