Aviation safety and electricity
Aviation safety and electricity
If you are planning on piloting a small plane, helicopter, balloon or hang glider, please be aware that overhead power lines can cause serious injury.
Plane journeys
Before you take off:
- make sure you know the location of overhead lines near to your departure airfield
- check in airstrip guides, such as Pooleys, for notes about overhead lines
- try and find out as much as possible about a new destination airstrip
- consider driving to a new destination airstrip first to inspect it personally.
The CAA 1:250,000 map shows the major transmission lines but doesn't show other overhead lines (notably those on wood poles, which are more difficult to see from the air) due their height.
If you're practising low flying, keep a special lookout for overhead lines as they can be very difficult to see from the air.
Before you land:
- look for a row of supporting poles or pylons hidden behind trees as a 'tee off' line may come away at right angles across your intended landing field.
If you're unlucky enough to have engine failure, make sure you look out for overhead lines on your final approach.
Gliding
Please be aware that occasionally in winch and auto tow launches, the launching cable can touch overhead power lines.