III-1. EAGLE RIVER FLATS POND PUMPING
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A P P E N D I X III-1-A: LOAD CHARTS FOR 2000 HELICOPTER
OPERATIONS
The following pages depict the final load charts used during helicopter
lift operations at Eagle River Flats at the start and end of the 2000 field
season. These charts are critical to the smooth conduct of lift operations,
when over 24 people can be involved and as many as 35 lifts occur over the
course of a day. The charts reflect modifications made during the lift opera-
tions. The original charts are meant as a planning document and are open
to modification in the field as conditions dictate.
Deployment of personnel is also a critical element in successful helicop-
ter operations. Table III-1-A-1 depicts the distribution of personnel and their
duties for each of the four major lift operations. Having sufficient man-
power ensures minimal helicopter downtime due to personnel delays.
Deployment and retrograde of the heavy equipment were also accom-
plished over the course of one day. The load charts, Tables III-1-A2 and III-
1-A3, describe these missions and the time frames involved. The sequence
of operations during both these missions was modified to compensate for
the fuel status of the helicopter. Lighter loads were moved ahead of heavier
ones while the helicopter had more fuel, and heavier loads moved ahead of
lighter loads when the helicopter had burned off more of its fuel. The addi-
tion of a second crew chief, who accompanied the field crew, and having
the correct rigging expedited operations in August.
There is only one load chart for the discharge line, shown in Table III-1-
A4. Deployment of the pipe required that loads be made up on the EOD
Pad and sent to the field crew. On the retrograde the loads were made up in
the field the day before, and the helicopter simply transported each load in
turn back to the EOD Pad. We worked in a clockwise direction from Pond
258 to Pond 146. The pipe that was at the discharge end of System 3 that
was over the bank between the EOD Pad and Eagle River was airlifted out.
This was much easier, safer, and faster than walking it out as we have in the
past. Both the deployment and retrograde of the discharge line were com-
pleted in one day, albeit a very strenuous one.
No loading charts were drawn up for refueling operations because of the
unknown status of the fuel situation prior to the operation. A dedicated
refueling tank for these operations is planned for next season, and a proce-
dure will be established utilizing it.
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