No, there was a balloon rigged system they used over on the Olympic area. I never saw it so I can't explain it. The balloon was used for lifting the lines I think. The blimp you may be referring to is a tragic story. The USFS was trying to develop a Heliostat. It was a blimp powered by 4 helicopters that were attached to the blimp and controlled it. During the tryout, it crashed and killed a couple of people. This was around 1984. The project was scrapped.
I'm more into yarding and can say that except for all the swinging of guys on lines, and the helicopter layout, and the rope used instead of haywire, it was pretty much right on. Downright accurate in saying a crew was shorthanded and having the chaser head down. I get called in when there's a problem and extra trees need cutting or there's an area that can't be reached. I'm hoping they'll show you guys multi-span, which is done quite a bit up here to keep from building roads. I hate having to follow a young hooktender, who is like a gazelle in the brush, jumping from log to log....and here I come stumbling around behind. The hooktender has time for a smoke while I flounder after him. My favorite common injury NOT!--getting stobbed in the leg. Hopefully, when one loses balance in the brush, one lands on the softer slash and not on the logs!
I did notice during my choker setting lesson last summer, that the more I scampered with the chokers, the balance improved and the body loosened up.
The guy I was helping out said the time sure passed quicker too. But I left my lunch and water up on the road so had to head up. The rigging guys and cutters are all working with forces (physics). Good choker setters can hook a log on and figure how hard it can hit a standing tree without damaging the bark on the standing tree. Definitely requires skill, especially in a partial cut.
opcorn:
