I’m a balloon pilot. Our greatest safety concern is power lines. I’m looking for a way to determine the safe options in the following scenario:
Our friendly balloon pilot is becalmed over a rural power distribution station. He sits 100 feet above the power lines. He is almost out of fuel. Fuel exhaustion will result in the balloon settling into the power lines in the power station.
He has a drop line consisting of 150 feet of nylon that looks like automobile safety belt material. He flings this roll over the side. The end falls to the ground. About 30 feet above the ground it leans against one phase of a rural power line; assumed to be a 12 to 22 kilovolt three phase line.
I’m on the ground. I would like to know whether it is safe for me to pick up the end of the line and gently pull the balloon sideways.
Considerations:
I don’t know whether the drop line is dry our wet, or dirty or clean. The ground might be damp or dry. All these are considerations affecting the conductivity of the circuit between the power line and the ground. How can I be part of that circuit?
If you ask a power company representative about this issue their response is based on the standard consumer reply, not to touch anything in contact with power lines.
In my 30 years as a pilot I have encountered a situation like this. One brave soul picked up the line and pulled the balloon to safety. I’d like better information before volunteering to become cremation Charlie.
Our friendly balloon pilot is becalmed over a rural power distribution station. He sits 100 feet above the power lines. He is almost out of fuel. Fuel exhaustion will result in the balloon settling into the power lines in the power station.
He has a drop line consisting of 150 feet of nylon that looks like automobile safety belt material. He flings this roll over the side. The end falls to the ground. About 30 feet above the ground it leans against one phase of a rural power line; assumed to be a 12 to 22 kilovolt three phase line.
I’m on the ground. I would like to know whether it is safe for me to pick up the end of the line and gently pull the balloon sideways.
Considerations:
I don’t know whether the drop line is dry our wet, or dirty or clean. The ground might be damp or dry. All these are considerations affecting the conductivity of the circuit between the power line and the ground. How can I be part of that circuit?
If you ask a power company representative about this issue their response is based on the standard consumer reply, not to touch anything in contact with power lines.
In my 30 years as a pilot I have encountered a situation like this. One brave soul picked up the line and pulled the balloon to safety. I’d like better information before volunteering to become cremation Charlie.