Heli**

Question 1

What do hot and cold chokers refer to?

Answer 1

• choker preset around log. (cold)
• Hooktender hooks heli line to end of preset choker. (hot)
• Faster if chokers are properly managed.

Question 2

What are some supporting equipment that increase efficiency of heli logging?

Answer 2

• utility helicopter like jet ranger returns chokers to crews on slope.
• radio com’s are needed to coordinate ground and air personel.

Question 3

What 2 things made heli logging possible?

Answer 3

Increased engine efficiency.

Increased timber prices.

Question 4

What are the 2 keys to good costs of heli?

Answer 4

• Maximize turn efficiency by having the log weight equal loading capacity.
• Minimize cycle time with preset chokers.

Question 5

What things can effect load capacity?

Answer 5

• Elevation and temperature (up to 25% reduction)
• Trees bucked for weight
• Hooktender determines log combinations
• Chokers set in advance
• Carry enough fuel for 40 minutes at a time to minimize weight.

Question 6

What is an abort?

Answer 6

helicopter operator releases load if he can not get lift.

Question 7

What things effect cycle time?

Answer 7

• length of load line (varies with proximity to standing trees).
• Log size and distribution (colour code by weight).
• yarding distance.
• Landing size (large enough for safety of crew).
• Landing location (slopes of flight path matters).

Question 8

What is more critical in heli logging? slope or distance?

Answer 8

slope. Less than 20% slope is desirable.

Question 9

What aspects of weather effect heli?

Answer 9

• lower temp, rain, snow, fog increase downtime
• up to 50% downtime past mid october.
• wind is dangerous above 30 kph.

Question 10

What are some safety hazards associated with heli?

Answer 10

• snag top trees are a safety hazard and should be felled prior to yarding ops.
• rotor downwash can send loose debris raining down on ground personel.
• trees that are significantly taller than cohorts are dangerous.

Question 11

Advantages of heli?

Answer 11

1. Easy to move in and out.
2. No soil disturbance due to yarding.
3. Minimum yarding impact to residual vegetation.
4. Low road density required.
5. Long yarding distance capability.
6. Not much effected by ground slope and shape.
7. Minimum yarding breakage.
8. Large daily production.
9. Log in both clearcuts and partial cuts.

Question 12

Disadvantages of heli?

Answer 12

1. High yarding cost. ($50+ /m3, but loading and trucking gets more efficient due to decked wood)
2. High fuel consumption.
3. Large landing and service area requirements.
4. Affected by weather; poor visibility and strong winds result in a lot
   of down time.
5. Poor utilization due to high yarding cost
6. Minimum opportunity for intensive management of future stands because of access and cost.

Question 13

3 best times to use heli logging?

Answer 13

• high value timber
• high road cost
• extreme environmental issues (unstable terrain)

Question 14

How would you lay out a heli block?

Answer 14

• Need a good eye for timber values (site and quality)
• Take good timber and leave the rest standing
• Flight distance and landing quality matter

Question 15

What is the main requirement for heli logging?

Answer 15

High value timber