Duncan
Normally a pilot will do both a recon on the ground, and one when they
fly over the field. Sometimes the pilot never talks to the farmer or
customer but is just given a map and the chemical/rate/when, etc.
Sometimes the wires are indicated on the map but frequently the maps
are drawn by someone who doesn't see it from the pilots perspective.
And, sometimes the clearance under the wires are not the same as crops
grow, like corn thast grows to 8'...... During the day when temps go
up, wires will stretch and sag, then tighten up again when it cools
down. Or, you get a little gust of wind thast picks you up into the
wires, or you get distracted by birds, or wild life that jumps up out
of the field, or you just lose your focus/concentration thinkin g about
something else like the next field, or ...???? Often a wire strike
occurs even though the pilot KNOWS the wire is there. Hard to
understand until you have been in that kind of position which most
pilots will never be. But, it only takes once for the unwary or
unprepared pilot to become involved in a fatal accident with a wire
strike. That, in part, is why I am gathering as much info as I can from
varied sources. Eventually I'll incorporate it into safety seminars.
Cheers
Rocky
Dave Doe wrote:
In article . com,
says...

Owen wrote:
Ol Shy & Bashful wrote:

In my 50+ years of flying, I've hit at least 18 wires and logged them
in aerial application operations with no resulting crashes.

How did the wires make out?
Owen
Most of them seperated as a result of the wire strike protection kits
installed. Sure didn't make them any less scary though! One or two of
them simply stretched and then slipped off with a big sag between the
supports. The VAST majority were simple electric service wires going to
houses, or barns, or well pumps, and a few telephone wires tossed in.
Some barbed wire from a fence that finally broke off after the gear
shook it loose.
Fortunately no steel guy wires to cut off my wings or rotor blades but
the one I hit at night was a steel horizontal support wire between two
poles. The wire chattered off the blade and left chipped paint marks on
the leading edge and back about 2-3". That one scared crap out of me
and I was really lucky to get it back on the ground without a blade
blowing up after the tip cap was nearly torn off. Blades had to be
replaced but were nearly out of time anyway. I still shake my head
looking at the photos of that one!
Ol S&B
BTW I am not all that unusual with the wire strikes or numbers as a
long time pilot in aerial application. Common for nearly all of us but
with greatly varying results/outcomes.
Same with bird strikes. I've had hundreds of them including more than a
few that came into the cockpit with me.

What is the deal with the farmers (or whoever) that should have pointed
out all the 'obstacles' to you when you do your breifing with them? Do
you do your naanaa or what?

--
Duncan