[TowerTalk] Sad day - W9ZUC tower accident

[Roger (K8RI) on TT]

On 9/18/2014 9:46 AM, Nate Bargmann wrote:

For several years there have been at least 3 wind farms in Gratiot 
county and a couple adjoining counties to the South. The towers are 
lighted at the top of the generator house, but the blades may reach 150 
feet above that or about 400 ft AGL.  NONE of these farms are marked as 
no fly zones.

They are far more visible than radio towers.  Those towers are a good 
10' plus across and the generator houses on top are as big as some 
smaller ranch style homes.  Size varies greatly.

Being a pilot (with about 2000 hours in high performance aircraft), now 
grounded for lack of a medical, I can vouch for radio towers being 
difficult to spot and invisible when down low with the sun  behind them. 
Even the 800-900 footers with lights are difficult to find.  One of the 
mistakes student pilots often make on their flight exam is using radio 
towers for way points and then they  can't find them, even knowing where 
they are.

73,

Roger (K8RI)


> * On 2014 18 Sep 08:05 -0500, Pete Smith N4ZR wrote:
>> but there is quite a distinction between temporary towers erected for
>> short-term purposes and fixed towers that comply with all applicable
>> regulations.
> At the closest wind farm that came online about a year ago the
> "temporary" monitoring masts are still in place.  While they are
> painted they do not have any lighting.  As I understand it, since the
> windmills have been constructed, the entire area out to some distance
> beyond the farm is a "no fly zone" for dusters so those "temporary"
> masts are safe.  However, they were in place for some time--almost two
> years as I recall--before the mills were put in place.  There may be a
> time table for their removal, I don't know.
>
> Another wind farm is slated to come online near here and the
> monitoring mast that has been up for almost a year is barely visible
> and it is about 1.5 miles from the highway.  I will have to take a
> closer look to know whether it is painted.
>
> I've read of grumbling by dusters about these masts that seemingly pop up
> "overnight" on an agriculture forum.  Other than appeal to the FAA,
> they will need to be even more vigilant.
>
> 73, Nate
>


-- 

73

Roger (K8RI)


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