Introduction Study Area Helicopters Methodology Results Conclusions Suggestions References Acknowledgements Appendix 1 Appendix 2 Appendix 3 Appendix 4 Appendix 5	Helicopters & Helicopter Logging in the Study Are Kaman Kmax. Superior Helicopters used the Kmax helicopter for logging the Moon 25 sale. This aircraft, designed by Kaman Aerospace Corporation, was built for medium-lift jobs. The Federal Aviation Administration originally certified this aircraft for commercial operations in 1994 (Haliscak 1997). This aircraft has counter-rotating main rotors and no tail rotor. This design enables all power to go directly to the main rotors for maximum lifting power (figure 2a). Empty the Kmax weighs 5,100 pounds, but it can lift 6,000 pounds. Kaman Aerospace markets this aircraft as environmentally friendly because it is claimed to have the lowest noise signature and lowest rotor downwash of any medium-to-heavy-lift helicopter. More details on Superior Helicopter and their Kmax is located at: http://www.superiorhelicopter.com/kmax_specs.php. Boeing Vertol 107. Columbia Helicopter harvested the Cedar House timber sale using their Boeing Vertol 107-II. This is a tandem-rotor commercial version of the Boeing CH-46 Sea Knight that Boeing developed for the U.S. Navy and Marine Corps in the early 1960s (see figure 2b) (Also see http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/CH-46_Sea_Knight). This tandem rotor design also enables all power to transfer through the main rotors for maximum lift. This aircraft weighs 22,000 pounds empty; it can lift 10,000 pounds. (For more details on the specifications of the Vertol 107 see http://www.colheli.com/media/specification107.pdf).
Columbia purchased its first three Boeing Vertol 107s from Pan Am in 1969. Columbia has used this aircraft (along with the Sikorsky S-61) for logging operations since the early 1970s. Columbia currently has an active fleet of 14 Vertol 107-IIs ( Columbia Helicopters 2006). (Also see http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Columbia_Helicopters.)
Figure 2a. Specifications of the Kman KMAX. (Image obtained from a brochure produced by Kaman Aerospace Corp. - http://kaman.com/kamanaero.php.   Figure 2b. Specifications of Columbia Helicopter's Boeing Vertol 107 (obtained from http://www.colheli.com/media/specification107.pdf).
Helicopter Logging Operations. (Note: most logging terms used in this section are defined in Stokes et al. 1989.) Helicopter logging differs from conventional logging in that a helicopter transports felled trees and/or bucked logs from the woods to the log-landing site. This eliminates erosion impacts caused by skidding (dragging) logs to the log landing. Also, log landings can be located near an existing main haul road, thereby reducing the need for new or revamped secondary roads to remove timber felled far from main roads. Typically, helicopter logging is a very expensive way to yard timber, and operators are constantly working to optimize the operation. In these fast-paced operations, the helicopter rarely spends any more time than necessary to safely transport logs. (See Stevens and Clarke 1974; Stampfer and Visser 2002; and Wang et al. 2005 for helicopter logging production analysis information.) In a logging operation, the helicopter typically operates among three different locations within the timber sale area: the service landing, the hook points, and the log landing(s). Service Landing. The service landing is where helicopter refueling or routine maintenance occurs. The helicopter rarely carries a load to or from the service landing. This site is usually a wide clearing where other helicopter support equipment is stored. Hook/Pickup Points. The hook point is where the helicopter hovers and picks up a load of logs for transport to the log landing. These points are located throughout the harvest area and are dependant on the distribution of material to yard. Here previously felled trees or logs are waiting to be transported. The logs have chokers (a noose of wire rope usually 36 feet long or less) attached to them that are outstretched so that they can be attached quickly to the end of the tagline. When the helicopter hovers above the hook point, hookers or choker-setters attach an end of the chokers to the hook on the tagline and the helicopter transports the logs to the log landing. In this study helicopter taglines were 200 or 250 feet long. Log Landing. Helicopters unload logs at log landings. The landing is usually a wide, flat, cleared area where a helicopter—with a load of logs dangling from a 200- to 250-foot tagline—can make a quick, unobstructed approach to drop its load. Once over the landing, the chokers in the hook are electronically released; the load is dropped; and the helicopter quickly returns to the forest for another load. For this operation to be cost effective, the helicopter needs to travel from the log landing to the hook point, hook a new load, travel to the log landing, and unhook within 2 minutes. Support equipment at the log landing usually includes one or more log loaders used for stacking logs into manageable piles and loading logs onto trucks. Automated processors or manual chainsaws may be used to delimb timber and/or cut logs into manageable lengths. (See Stevens and Clarke 1974 and SDTDC 2001 for details on helicopter logging operations).