Precision Planning

17 Dec 2008

Delivering equipment to Broadcast Australia's sites may be seen as fairly routine task but in many cases it appears to be a lot easier than it actually is.

When the call came through that the Mt Bellenden-Ker transmission site near Cairns, Queensland needed some new equipment, to many it would seen to be a routine task - but those familiar with Mt Bellenden-Ker were aware that the delivery of the goods would need to be a well planned and executed exercise.

The transmission site is located at the top of the mountain, 1600m above sea level. The tower stands another 100m tall. The site is only accessible by a single cable car - a squeeze for 9 people. The equipment to be lifted weighed around 2,000 kg, well exceeding the cable car's capacity and capability. This posed a major logistical problem faced for our Field Services team.

The solution rested with a specialised Bell helicopter which had been specially designed for heavily lifting at altitude. The helicopter used is one of a number, purpose-built for the then Shah of Iran to undertake similar jobs in the difficult terrain of Iran.

The helicopter and her crew moved the large, heavy equipment (weighing up to 2000kg) to the site, including new mains transformers and a bulky fuel tank for the emergency generator (EPP).

As the day of the lift dawned, so did an unexpected downfall. The project had to be postponed temporarily a number of times, but thanks to the professionalism, patience and good will on the part of the contractors , the equipment was safely lifted into place the following day.

 

  Picture caption:
  Equipment being delivered by a specialised helicopter
  at Mt Bellenden-Ker, QLD