2025 Event Information
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Licensed UAS-107 pilots will assemble, launch and successfully navigate their drones through a course while photographing signage and objects for accuracy and clarity before landing on a designated target. Pilots will be judged on time, accuracy and clarity of images. This event will follow the Equipment Operator competition on Friday afternoon.
Apprentice Events
Written Test
All questions will be taken from The Lineman’s and Cableman’s Handbook,13th Edition
Dead End Transfer
Mean Time: 7 Minutes
Drop Dead Time: 12 Minutes
In this event, apprentices will transfer the neutral and primary conductors from one dead end pole to another. The hardware for the new pole will be already installed and the pole will be guyed. Poles will be placed in a manner in which climbers can work both poles regardless of the pole they climb. Apprentices must successfully transfer each conductor using a collar rope and hoist. While transferring each conductor, the apprentice shall maintain as much tension as reasonably possible.
- Each Apprentice will be allowed a 5-minute setup time before starting the event.
- Work gloves will be required for this event.
- Time starts at the judge’s signal.
- The climber will ascend the pole and transfer both the neutral and primary conductors, ensuring they are in sag.
- Apprentices will be provided with a P-Line, collar rope, hoist and grip.
- Apprentices must use a square knot with the collar rope.
- Once the conductor is properly sagged, the climber will lower the tools to the ground and descend the pole.
- Time stops when the climber hits the ground.
Climbing Skills
Mean Time: 5 Minutes
Drop Dead Time: 10 Minutes
In this event, each Apprentice will demonstrate the skills needed to climb, maneuver, and work aloft safely. Several stops require specific tasks that the climber must accomplish before moving on. There will be double crossarms at each location.
- Each Apprentice will be allowed a 5-minute setup time before starting the event.
- Work gloves will be required for this event.
- Time starts at the judge’s signal.
- The climber will climb to the first set of arms where there will be armor rod tied into double insulators on each side of the arm. The climber will remove a collar rope from one side of the arms and move it to the opposite side of the arms by maneuvering the rope around the armor rods. When finished, the rope should rest on the arms between the insulators and pole.
- The climber continues to the next set of crossarms. At this stop, the climber must un-pin the deadend insulator and reinstall it on the other side of the pole on the opposite crossarm. Cotter pin shall be installed on the side closest to the pole.
- The climber continues to the last set of crossarms where a single pin insulator will be installed. The insulator will be removed, transferred to the other side of the pole on the opposite crossarm and reinstalled.
Time stops when the climber touches the ground.
Guy Strain Change-out
Mean Time: 5 Minutes
Drop Dead Time: 10 Minutes
In this event, apprentices will replace a guy strain insulator while keeping the guy under tension using a chain hoist from the pole. The guy strain insulator length will not exceed 54” thus allowing the climber to work everything from the pole. In order to keep the guy under tension, apprentices shall utilize a choker strap, chain hoist and grip. Once the guy strain is removed, a new guy strain will be available for installation. Once installed, climbers shall remove all tools from the pole and descend to the ground.
- Each Apprentice will be allowed a 5-minute setup time before starting the event.
- Work gloves will be required for this event.
- Time starts at the judge’s signal.
- The climber will ascend the pole and replace the guy strain insulator.
- Apprentices will be provided with a P-line, bag, choker strap, chain hoist and grip.
- Once the guy strain is replaced, the climber will lower the tools to the ground and descend the pole.
Time stops when the climber hits the ground.
Hurtman Rescue
The construction and criteria for this event is the same as 2024. Apprentices will be required to rescue a manikin from a 40’ pole utilizing a Buckingham supplied 50061A-4/80-Ox Block 80’
Handline Kit.
- Set-up criteria – Apprentice standing at an arm’s length from the pole wearing work gloves. The apprentice’s belt and hooks will be lying on the ground beside him an arm’s length from the pole, safety strap snapped into D-ring and belt unbuckled. No belt will be allowed to be placed on or around the pole. Looking at the pole from the cross-arm side, the hand line will be hung on the right side while the hurt man manikin will hang in the center of the pole on the cross-arm side, with both sides of the safety strap through the crossarm braces. This will simulate an injury to a right-handed man, wearing a fall arrest belt.
- The manikin shall be tied under the arms with three half hitches. (Eye splice should not be used as part of hitches.) The half hitch is the only acceptable knot.
- Once the manikin is properly tied, the apprentice must properly use the Buckingham OxBlock and attached handline to lower the manikin safely to the ground. This is accomplished by making two (2) full wraps on the OxBlock friction bar gate (three (3) clicks shall be heard). The apprentice will not be allowed to throw the handline over the cross arm to lower the manikin. If you are unsure as to how to properly use the Buckingham OxBlock handline, visit the Buckingham booth at the expo for detailed instructions.
- You must cut the designated orange cut rope and not the safety strap. There will be a 10-point deduction for cutting the strap in the wrong place.
- The manikin should be lowered smoothly to the ground with minimal contact with the pole.
- Be sure to call out “Headache” or similar warning loudly if you drop any part of the OxBlock handline such as the hook or snap. The handline hook or snap must land in the circle of wood chips at the base of the pole if dropped.
- Time is over when the manikin is on the ground and the rope is slack. Manikin initial contact with ground must be within the work circle.
- Contestant will continue to be judged until workstation is put back together, including descending the pole. Once the ground, the apprentice shall be judged on tying a Bowline knot.
Judges will use a length of 3” PVC pipe to determine if the half hitches are tight enough to the manikin.
Journeyman Events
Working Skills
Mean Time: 8 Minutes
Drop Dead Time: 13 Minutes
In this event, each climber will demonstrate the skills needed to climb, maneuver, and work aloft safely. Several stops require specific tasks that the climber must accomplish before moving on.
The pole for the working skills event will simulate a double crossarm pole damaged by a storm. The pole will have a set of double 10’ arms at the top with the brace bolt missing and the arms will be leaning to one side of the pole. The crossarms will have two post-type heavy insulators and a cutout installed on the downward side of the arms. There will also be two brackets on the pole with an arrestor attached to one of the brackets as well as a fiber splice can.
- Teams will be allowed a 5-minute setup time before starting the event.
- For this event, ground to ground rubber glove rules apply.
- Time starts at the judge’s signal.
- The climber will climb to the first position and transition over the fiber splice can.
- The climber continues up the pole to the double bracket position and transfers the arrestor from one bracket to the other.
- The climber will then ascend to the tilted crossarms. With the assistance of the groundman, the climber will pull the crossarms to a horizontal position and install a brace bolt through both sets of braces in the pre-drilled hole securing the crossarm.
- The climber will then descend the pole transitioning over the arrestor brackets and the fiber splice can.
- Once the first climber reaches the ground, the second climber will then ascend to the crossarms, transitioning over the fiber splice can and arrestor brackets.
- With the assistance of the groundman, the second climber will remove the brace bolt and return the crossarms to the tilted position in a controlled manner.
- The second climber will then descend the pole to the arrestor brackets and move the arrestor back to its original position.
- The second climber will then descend the pole transitioning over the fiber splice can.
- Time stops when the second climber’s foot touches the ground.
Hurtman Rescue
This event simulates that a man has been injured while working to change out a faulty disconnect. This event will require class 2 rubber gloves ground to ground.
This will be a three-person team event with all three contestants participating at the same time and at the same station. Both climbers will climb the pole to assist with the rescue. One climber will set up and operate the OX Block, while the second climber will work at the mannequin. Three half-hitches must be tied under the arms of the mannequin prior to lowering him to the ground.
Prior to start:
Prior to the start of the event, each team will have a five-minute set-up time to ask questions and adjust belts. The event judge will position the handline the same way for each team.
A shotgun stick will be locked in the eye of the line side jumper hot line clamp. The fuse barrel will be in the closed position. The line side and load side jumper will be connected to the primary indicating that it is still energized. An extendo stick will be laying on the tarp.
The groundman will utilize the extendo to open the fuse, and before the mannequin’s feet make initial contact with the ground, the groundman will pull the mannequin by its feet to lay gently on its back within the 10’ work circle. The entire mannequin must be in the circle when time stops.
The linemen’s belts and hooks will be placed inside the 10’ circle simulating typical backlot procedures. Hooks and belts can be laid out in any sequence. Safeties shall have all double locking hooks snapped into a “D” ring. Hooks or climbers may have gaff guards off while in the circle only. Rubber gloves shall be cuff down in their bag with at least one snap fastened. Climbers and belts may not be put on until time starts.
Three half hitches is the only acceptable knot. The lineman on the pole must call out “Headache” loudly if any item is dropped. The “rope” on the Buckingham Super Squeeze Rescue belt is the only item to be cut. There will be a 10-point deduction for cutting the belt in the wrong place.
Buckingham will supply the Ox Block Handline. The rescue mannequin will be equipped with the Buckingham Super Squeeze. The Ox Block must be used by engaging the friction bar with a minimum two wraps / three clicks on the friction bar gate.
Contacting the pole is acceptable but the mannequin will be lowered in a smooth and controlled descent to prevent hanging up on material. Time is over when the mannequin is on the ground and the groundman is on his knees and touches the mannequin’s chest to prep for CPR. The contestants will assist in re-setting the station for the next team (mannequin, Ox Block and jumpers).
Start:
- Time starts when judge says “Go” while the team is outside the 10’ work circle
- Journeymen may only put their climbers and belt on in the work circle after time starts.
- Proper rubber gloves must be used ground to ground.
- One contestant will be the initial responder verbally stating to the judge that an “Emergency call has been made and Emergency Responders are on the way”
- The groundman will retrieve the extendo stick from the tarp and open the cutout using the ring in the barrel. After opening, the stick will be retracted and positioned back on the tarp.
- After the disconnect is opened and the extendo is no longer in contact with the barrel, the line and load jumpers/stingers will be removed by one or both climbers utilizing the shotgun stick from below the neutral.
- Both climbers will have to be on the pole and in position for the rescue.
- One climber will ascend above the mannequin to set up and operate the OX Block with two wraps/ three clicks on the friction bar before cutting the safety of the mannequin.
- The second climber while on the pole, will tie three half-hitches under the mannequin’s arms prior to lowering the mannequin.
- The mannequin shall be lowered in a smooth and controlled manner to the ground.
- Mannequin contacting the pole is acceptable.
- Before the mannequin’s feet make initial contact with the ground, the groundman will pull the mannequin’s feet to lay gently on its back within the 10’ work circle. Points will be deducted for allowing the mannequin to hit the ground too hard or the groundman not assisting the mannequin to the ground on its back. The mannequin must be completely in the circle before time stops.
- Time is over when the mannequin is on the ground and the groundman is on both their knees and touches the mannequin’s chest to prep for CPR (groundman shall be kneeled on both knees next to the mannequin’s chest so that CPR could actually be done).
- The knots and or handline SHALL NOT be adjusted by the groundman (only incidental contact is allowed).
- Judges will use a 3” PVC conduit between the rope and the mannequin to evaluate the looseness of the knot.
- Points will not be deducted for a “too tight knot” only for a “too loose knot”.
- Although the time has stopped the team will continue to be judged until the event is restored. Proper work practices must be used while restoring the event such as: both climbers must be belted below the neutral when replacing the jumpers, groundman must properly use the ring on the barrel to close switch, retract the stick and place back on the tarp, and the team has verified their score before exiting the event.)
- One or both climbers will remain on the pole to assist with restoring the event for the next competitors.
4-KV Insulator Upgrade
Mean Time: 10 Minutes
Drop Dead Time: 15 Minutes
This is a 4-KV energized event. The event consists of changing out insulators on a two-phase line for a voltage upgrade. The phases will need to be placed into lay-out arms while the insulators are being changed.
When time starts, climbers will be required to cover up the neutral, phases and crossarm. Lay-out arms will need to be installed as well. Once the lay-out arms are installed and proper cover-up is applied, climbers shall only work one phase at a time. After the insulators are changed and conductors are tied in using pre-form ties, climbers shall remove the lay-out arms and cover-up prior to descending the pole.
- Teams will be allowed a 5-minute setup time before starting the event.
- Time starts at the judge’s signal.
- Ground to ground rubber-glove rule applies.
- Old insulators shall be taken to the ground and new insulators sent up for installation.
- Time stops when the last climber hits the ground.
- All materials and tools must be sent up/down with a hand line and all tools must be on the tarp.
15-KV Crossarm Change Out
Mean Time: 10 Minutes
Drop Dead Time: 15 Minutes
This is a 15-KV de-energized event. The event consists of grounding out a section of line to replace a crossarm. The two-phase line will be fed from two fuses, which need to be opened. Once opened, the team will be required to test, tag and ground the line prior to changing out the crossarm. Grounds shall be installed on each side of the pole being worked.
- Teams will be allowed a 5-minute setup time before starting the event.
- Time starts at the judge’s signal.
- Fuses shall be opened to create the visible open.
- Prior to grounding, the line shall be tagged with a pole wrap and tested de-energized.
- Ground to ground rubber-glove rule applies prior to line being grounded.
- After removing the preform ties, the crossarm shall be lowered to the ground.
- The new crossarm will need to be framed and raised for re-installation, re-tying conductors with new preform ties.
- Once work is complete, grounds shall be removed.
- Prior to energizing the line, all climbers shall be on the ground.
- Time stops when the last fuse is closed.
- All materials and tools must be sent up/down with a hand line and all tools must be on the tarp.
15-KV Fuse Coordination
Mean Time: 8 Minutes
Drop Dead Time: 13 Minutes
This is a 15-KV energized event. The event consists of installing a temporary cut-out to change the fuse size on an underground primary riser in order to keep the power on while coordinating fuses. The overhead line is protected by a device which must be placed in Non-Reclose and tagged prior to ascending the pole. The temporary cut-out must be installed, fused and placed in parallel with the riser cutout fuse prior to removing and re-fusing the riser fuse. Fuses may be opened, removed or closed by any team member; however, if performed from the pole, climbers belts must be positioned below the designated mark on the pole located under the neutral.
Once the new fuse has been installed, the temporary cut-out shall be removed and the Non-Reclose and associated tag shall be removed, placing the line back to normal (reclosing enabled).
- Teams will be allowed a 5-minute setup time before starting the event.
- Time starts at the judge’s signal.
- Ground to ground rubber-glove rule applies.
- The Non-Reclosing tag shall be placed at the pole with the recloser.
- Temporary cut-out and jumpers shall be installed/controlled with shot gun sticks(s).
- Climbers shall be off the pole prior to removing the Non-Reclose.
- All materials and tools must be sent up/down with hand line and all tools must be on the tarp.
Time stops when the Non-Reclose and associated tag is removed, placing the line back to normal.
Altec Truck Events
Altec Wire Transfer and Bucket Truck Hurtman Rescue
Mean Time: 8 Minutes
Drop Dead Time: 12 Minutes
In this event, the team will use two bucket trucks to transfer the neutral and primary conductors from one dead end pole to another. The hardware will need to be moved with the conductors; however, both poles will be guyed during the event. The operators must successfully transfer each conductor while maintaining as much tension as reasonably possible.
The Lineworkers will safely get onto the trucks, climb into the buckets, and don their harnesses. A manakin will already be in one of the two buckets.
- The team will be allowed a 5-minute set-up time before starting the events
- Work gloves shall be required for this event
- Time starts at judge’s signal
- The Lineworkers will operate two buckets to transfer both the neutral and primary conductors, ensuring they are in sag.
- Once the conductors are transferred and work is deemed complete, the bucket without the manikin shall be lowered and bucket cradled.
- Time stops for the wire transfer event once the bucket is cradled.
Following the completion of the wire transfer event, the bucket with the manikin shall be positioned to a designated location, prior to the start of the bucket rescue. This is not being timed.
- Time starts for the bucket rescue on the judge’s signal
- The Groundman or Lineworker will make a MAYDAY call while the other moves to the lower controls and brings the bucket to the ground
- Once the bucket is on the ground, the Lineworker in the bucket will exit the bucket and will assist in tilting the bucket and removing the manakin from the bucket
- Time will stop when the manakin is on the ground and CPR is being simulated
Altec Digger Derrick/Mini-Excavator Obstacle Course
Mean Time: 8 Minutes
Drop Dead Time: 12 Minutes
In this event, the team will be performing multiple tasks which will require coordination between all three team members. The team will be tasked with framing a single-phase tangent pole on the ground that has been prepositioned in a pole cradle. Once the pole is framed, the digger derrick operator will use a radio remote to raise the pole into the pole guides and move the pole butt to a designated circle on the ground to represent a new pole set.
While the pole is being worked, another team member will be responsible for moving a weighted dirt tarp using a mini excavator to bring dirt to the area near the pole butt. The tarp will be stationed and moved to pre-designated marked off areas.
Once the pole butt has been placed in the designated pole set area and the dirt tarp has been positioned with rigging removed in its designated area, the team will work to restore the job site to its original condition. The dirt tarp will be placed back in the designated starting area with rigging removed using the mini excavator and the pole shall be placed back on the pole cradle and hardware shall be removed.
- The team will be given a 5-minute set-up time
- All pole hardware and tools will be located on a tarp prior to the event
- All three (3) team members will start the event standing inside the Start/Finish circle
- Once in the circle, the digger derrick operator will pair the remote and verify a quick boom operation to the judge
- Time starts on judge’s signal once pairing and a boom operation is performed
- Once the site has been placed back to its original condition and the digger derrick boom is stowed, the team shall meet within the Start/Finish circle
- Time stops when the last team member enters the circle, and all work is complete
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