What are those big orange globes strung along the power lines near Petawawa, Ontario?

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Randy B

As others have said they are installed on the wires so that low flying aircraft can see them. Petawawa has plenty of helocopters flying around it during the year for training exercises and depending upon the area you saw them in their may also be a private grass strip airfield in the area. Contrary to what others have said here, they are not filled with gas of any sort to help support the wires. They are just two half spheres that are bolted together over the wires to mark them. Also, they are not military in nature or design. You often see them around construction sites to mark overhead wires and they can also be found around the grass landing strips I mentioned, again just to mark the wires.

Duffles

yes, they make the lines more visible from the air for low flying things like helicopters.

Fish

Chances are they are related to the military base. My guess is that they are here as warnings of power lines for helicopter pilots who often busy involved with exercises with Army troops. Think of them like safety vests that hunters wear.

harry k

They are their for pilots. If you are in an aircraft you won't see the power lines. They are their as markers for the pilots so they can avoid them.

qb89dragon

They are so that low flying aircraft can see and avoid the lines.

SteveN

Just one more confirmation. They are designed to alert pilots in low flying aircraft where the high tension wires are located. A bright orange ball makes it much easier to spot and avoid during takeoffs and landings.

These orange balls are also present here in Quebec near where I live. They were added to the wires that run near the Bell Helicopter plant, up near Mirabel Airport.

Chris I

As others have said they are used to make the Hydro cables more visible. They also use them where the cables are strung over lakes in Northern Ontario ( and probably elsewhere) to warn float planes and also wind surfers!

old lady

They are big orange globes and they make the power lines visible to aircraft.

cycle4

Alien spycams.

Ian M

Nothing to do with aviation but lots of guesswork here and all wrong.

The power lines lie on the migratory route of large number of birds, in particular Canada Geese. The birds can't see the wires but they can see the globes. Stops interruptions in the power supplies and no doubt saves the lives of some of the geese.

Nothing to do with the military base.

Pilots don't need them as the lines are shown on the pilots charts so they plan their flights to avoid them. Remember that it's illegal to fly below 500 feet above ground level (except when taking off or landing). Aircraft will be safely above them. About the only exception I can think of would be a helicopter doing line inspection work, in which case the pilot will know exactly where the lines are.

Ian M

fuzzymonkeyrunner

for helicopters to see them at night at stuff i believe

wisma29

Someone told me that these while also meant to mark the cables running accross, actually have helium gas filled in to keep the cables from sagging. I am sure someone in this field could varify this.

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