Snow and Ice Removal by helicopter

[westcoastwonder]

The RFP is out and is in the form of a Standing Order
It is on BC Bid under Ministry of Transport.
11,000 lb ship, 2,000 hour dual pilots, 24 hour notice

[Oscar]

http://www.bcbid.gov.bc.ca/open.dll/welcome?language=En

The Ministry of Transportation & Infrastructure ("Ministry"), invites interested parties to submit responses for the provision of Helicopter Services on an as, if, and when requested basis, to be Offered through a Standing Offer ("SO").

The Province intends to establish multiple Standing Offers with suppliers who meet the requirements of this RSO. The selection of a Standing Offer at the time of an actual Request For Service as set out in section 2.2 off this Part A will be based on aircraft required, availability and price, as more fully outlined in below.

The majority of Services will be required to support the Ministry in the removal of snow and/or ice from bridges, in particular the Alex Fraser Bridge, located in the Lower Mainland. The Services may also be used by ministry staff for other events or weather-related events, i.e., avalanche, flooding, landslides and program monitoring when required.

The Services may also be requested for other locations throughout the Province.

Availability of aircraft for standby or operation with short notice (within 24-hour from contact from Ministry staff or its representative) may be required and may form a part of selection criteria for the determination of the Offer as a result of a Request For Service.

In its fleet, the Contractor must have aircraft(s) with a twin-engine rotary wing with a minimum of 11,000-pound certified take-off weight and be capable of 30 minute hover above ground effect flight at a minimum 11,000-pound gross weight for snow events and other weather-related events. Contractors may be requested to fly close to structures and cables on existing bridges using downwash to remove snow/ice from the bridges.

For snow events and other weather-related events, the aircraft will have two pilots with minimal 2,000 flight hours each on board. The aircrew will take work directions from Ministry staff or its representative but will retain the final say regarding safety and must advise the Ministry of any foreseen weather or operational delays during standby operations.

[boeingboy]

This is so stupid........
I've thought about this when they first announced it all over the radio a few weeks ago when we were having all these problems.

The biggest question I have is - if it's blowing snow out and it's collecting on the bridge cables......how the hell is anyone going to fly in that kind of weather?? Not only would I not want to fly close to cables and structures in reduced vis - but how do you keep the craft from building ice and snow?

I would think icing would be a huge problem. the number of ships out there with certified anti/de-icing systems is pretty limited...and I don't know if any fit the proposed rfp requirements.

[Heliian]

I think they mean this as a way to clean up after a storm.

Regardless, it's a stupidly expensive method and the people who designed the bridge should be held accountable. How could they not predict this type of accumulation and then falling onto the deck below?

[godsrcrazy]

Not sure why they wouldn't use a cheaper method like the power companies do. There are a few power companies that have light helicopters sling a vibrator. They tow in along the line and give it a little shot with the vibrator. I am sure you can hire a light helicopter for 1/3 of the price of something weighing 11,000 lbs.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Fl2k2jDuVEE

[bobcaygeon]

I think they mean this as a way to clean up after a storm.

Regardless, it's a stupidly expensive method and the people who designed the bridge should be held accountable. How could they not predict this type of accumulation and then falling onto the deck below?

I doubt it was in the original design requirements. It's also likely that it's cheaper to use the helicopter than to design and build a bridge that can handle this type of rare weather event.

The YVR deicing facility handles large snow storms quite poorly because they happen so rarely but its deemed not cost effective to build, equip, and staff a facility for such rare events. The airlines all have plans when these events happen and cancel flights in a predetermined order of priority. AC always cancels Jazz flights first so the deicing slots are available for long haul flights.

It all comes down to the almighty $$$.

[Heliian]

design and build a bridge that can handle this type of rare weather event.

It's not that rare, it's a coastal city that sees freezing temps. How many times has that new bridge been closed due to ice falling so far? They've been having this problem since opening the damn thing.

edit: forgot that we only build things cheaply and half-assed these days. god forbid someone puts thought and engineering into new construction.

[Black_Tusk]

design and build a bridge that can handle this type of rare weather event.

It's not that rare, it's a coastal city that sees freezing temps. How many times has that new bridge been closed due to ice falling so far? They've been having this problem since opening the damn thing.

edit: forgot that we only build things cheaply and half-assed these days. god forbid someone puts thought and engineering into new construction.

To be fair, when the first instance of it happened a few years ago.. it also happened on the Alex Fraser. The Alex Fraser until that time had not had this happen once since it was built in the 80's.

[Heliian]

Port Mann shut again yesterday, helicopter would have been useless as they can't fly in freezing rain.

They should just retrofit an anti ice system on the bridge.

[7ECA]

Come on, they've got those lovely chain bracelets to run down the cables...

I still remember when Mary Pollack was on the news screaming that Kewitt f'd up the bridge, the first time it snowed and ice hit the bridge deck.

[Rowdy]

To be fair, when the first instance of it happened a few years ago.. it also happened on the Alex Fraser. The Alex Fraser until that time had not had this happen once since it was built in the 80's.

[/quote]

Im not sure you're old enough to remember.. but it happened previously on the Alex Fraser. The winter storms of 1986 and 1987 (right after it opened) had it raining ice and snow chunks. At the time, they deemed the occurrences to be 'once in the lifespan of the crossing'. If I remember right, there was another occurrence in '96. Looks like politicians are wrong, yet again. It is however the first time the entire bridge was closed due to the level of danger.

The Port Mann is a financial catastrophe.. Costing way more than it ever should, for a product that turned out subpar in quality and use. I believe there is still a group fighting the legal battle over the tolling of this portion of the trans canada.. which goes against the Highway Act.

But it's okay.. they're gonna replace the Massey and the Pattulo and you'll be charged to make any river crossing from that point forward.

[Simpleton]

Sounds like fun.