Sky-high revolution: the H225 redefines power line construction from the air

How do you remove 25 old electricity pylons, install new ones and leave no trace on the centuries-old forests of Serra do Mar in Brazil? Tac Power Lines and Omni Táxi Aéreo proved they had the answer – the H225. The helicopter carried out a complex and precise operation to keep the population connected, while minimising impact on the environment and public.

The operation was carried out in difficult mountain terrain, within an environmentally protected park in the Serra do Mar, which serves as a bridge between the coastal lowlands of Santos and the São Paulo plateau. “The use of helicopters in the construction of transmission lines results in a faster and more efficient construction method, reducing the global project timeline. It is also an important tool for preserving forests, reducing environmental impact and making it quicker to obtain permits for the work,” explains Fernando Cruz, CEO of Tac Power Lines.

Only suitable for heavyweights

At the heart of this operation is the H225, with which OMNI has extensive experience of more than 11 years. “This accumulated experience has enabled us to respond in a short space of time to Tac’s demands, and above all to meet their expectations. The operational performance of the H225, with its high load capacity and operational availability, enabled the mission to be carried out safely in a much shorter time than had been planned without the helicopter,” explains Décio Galvão, OMNI’s Commercial Director. The decision to use the H225 was not taken lightly. “The great advantage of the H225 is its high external load capacity of up to 3,800 kg in its standard version, which allows heavier materials to be used and reduces flight times. Another important factor is the use of a twin-engine helicopter with two pilots, which considerably increases the operational safety level of the mission,” OMNI states.

Overcoming challenges successfully

Décio Galvão reflects on the challenges and achievements of the project: “It was hugely satisfying for OMNI to have participated in this first transmission line construction project with Tac, where we were able to demonstrate the high operational capability of the H225. We flew 313 flight hours, performed 318 flights with a total of 1,841 stages completed, transporting 3,144 tonnes of cargo. It was a 6-month contract, with 111 days of operation and an operational availability of around 96%.” 

A bright future for aerial construction

The success of this pilot project opens up new possibilities for the energy sector in Brazil. With ambitious plans to expand the installed network in this segment, the industry is poised to benefit from innovative construction solutions such as those demonstrated by OMNI and Tac Power Lines. As Décio Galvão concludes, “With this contract, we strengthen OMNI as a transport solutions company also for the energy sector, which opens up a number of new business opportunities.” Fernando Cruz echoed this sentiment, stating, “The outlook is very encouraging. We have a very strong partnership with OMNI and we should take this to other projects. Tac offers its clients a complete engineering and construction solution, adding the use of the H225 to the total safety of our works.” The sky is no longer the limit for energy infrastructure development in Brazil, as helicopters pave the way for faster, safer, and more responsible construction methods. As Tac proudly declared, “It is very gratifying to see our country becoming a benchmark in this type of construction. The introduction of the H225 on construction sites raises levels of safety and productivity.”