We’re all accustomed to seeing the dramatic water rescues or medical choppers transporting patients after serious accidents on the news. We’ve also all seen the helicopters hovering over the roads clogged with cars reporting the details of local traffic jams, but in Southern British Columbia right now there is a much different reason for that distinct sound of a helicopter overhead.
In an effort to minimize the spread of West Nile Virus pesticides are being distributed with the use of helicopters. This method is much more effective than having crews on foot with sprayers making applications as it allows for a much wider area to be treated in the same amount of time.
The pesticides being spread are not dangerous to fish, birds, mammals or amphibians – it specifically targets only mosquitoes, which are the primary cause of the spread of West Nile Virus, and black fly larvae. Without the use of helicopters, treatments would take much more time and much more manpower to have the same coverage and would most likely lessen the chances of effectively controlling outbreaks.
Multiple sweeps over large areas will require not only speed and accuracy on the part of the pilots, it will require speed and accuracy on the part of the ground crew in order to ensure that the helicopters are properly loaded with the right amount of pesticides and that all equipment is operating properly. Moving the choppers into the hangar with helicopter tugs and stationing them on the pad is also critical to the efficiency and safety of the operation.
Using helicopter tugs like the ones offered by Lindbergh Aircraft Tug Company would allow a single crew member to easily maneuver the helicopters to the pad for takeoff or get it around the tight corners of the hangar once the day’s runs are completed making the whole mission as safe and efficient as possible.
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