Arctic Temperatures with Erickson Inc. N163AC | Bipole III Xmission Line | Gillam, Manitoba

Working in such a cold climate in Northern Manitoba with -30°F (-34.4°C) conditions have brought to our attention the phenomena that takes place with certain atmospheric conditions, mechanical anomalies, and nearby wild life. One phenomenon is the wing tip vortices created on the tips of the main rotor blades of the S-64F Air-Crane. These helicopter rotor vortices form during extreme cold conditions. The warm exhaust gases from each 4,800 hp Pratt & Whitney JFTD12-5A turboshaft engine condenses water vapor into tiny water droplets which freeze if the temperature is low enough. This is the exact same principle that occurs with airliners flying at high altitudes; usually above 8,000 m (26,000 ft), where the air temperature is below −36.5 °C (−34 °F). In our situation here in Northern Manitoba in mid January, they form closer to the ground where the air is cold and moist. Depending on the dew point and temperature spread, cloud conditions will form when the difference is less than 2.5 °C o