Building a Helicopter Pad DEEP in the Forest | A Heli-Logging hiking Adventure

We built a makeshift helicopter pad in the middle of the forest while there was still snow on the ground. Just another day in the life, heli logging and exploring the beautiful West Coast of Canada

[@Whipple1]

OK. You’ve outdone yourself with this video. I used to be just impressed with the job you do. Now I’m insanely jealous and wish I was young enough to do it...! Cheers! Whipple

[@jacksak]

@Whipple - I agree, but now in my 70's I just watch for the thrill of it.

[@mountainviewcattle]

I think this might be the best video I've ever seen on KZbin.

[@tesgk1]

Ditto

[@jamesrussell6870]

I want this job..

[@phole1100]

I think you might be a climate criminal

[@arborist460]

I'm lovin that snow and cold...it's rapin hot here

[@marlenemeinhard8956]

This was a really great video of how you first dropped off, and the angle of terrain, was crazy. Then you Hiked up and through to the area to make the pad for the Heli. Had the saws dropped in and stuff. Cut the trees, built the pad, painted blue, and got picked up all in one day. This was the coolest video. I wish you would have showed some of the pad being built, but nevertheless, one of my favorite videos now. Great job and Video Bjarne. I think you should make a T shirt that shows the pad and Helicopter leaving, with you holding chainsaw, trees in the background, and words "My Office entrance!!"

[@BjarneButler]

Lol Thanks for watching Maybe I’ll look into dropshipping for tshirts good idea.

[@BjarneButler]

Lol Thanks for watching Maybe I’ll look into dropshipping for tshirts good idea.

[@tree_monkey3120xp]

Awesome video that would be so much fun and the beautiful scenery is fantastic! Thanks for sharing stay safe friend!!!

[@michellepugh2859]

One of your best videos!!! What an incredible job with an amazing view out your office window. Really looking forward to seeing more. Stay safe.

[@timothymilam732]

Nice, like the new look, and always excellent view from your office. Y'all stay safe out there

[@cibi11]

Fantastic! Well done Bjarne :) Cheers from Germany.

[@colsinclair7793]

Cool as.

[@brockshields9336]

I've now watched a fair number of your videos. I believe this is one of the best you've done, what with the views from the helicopter. My only complaint is that you edited out way too much. More views of the flight going in and out. More of the clearing and pad construction. You could have easily made it at least twice as long and we wouldn't have been bored. The winching down of your equipment and supplies was also a great perspective.

[@stephanms661cm3]

This was a badass video. Y’all are some pretty knowledgeable guys. Great video.

[@BjarneButler]

Thanks

[@nathanwilson2898]

Wow, that was fantastic! Would have loved to how you guys slab up a tree for the pad landing beams. See how the pros do it! Thanks for bringing us along.

[@Tyrell.Walker]

Seriously impressive video!

[@gman4802]

Beautiful office

[@IRONHORSE427RACING]

Wow Buddy nice intro and all..... fantastic work. Loved the chopper ride at the beginning. If I was even 10 yrs younger buddy I would give just about anything to be right there beside you. I got to work some in B.C. and the west coast in my younger days but nothing like where you get to take us. Thanks So much for allowing us to follow along. You stay safe my Friend.

[@BjarneButler]

Thanks. Ya the chopper ride was awesome, don’t get to do that very often.

[@rickicalvert3156]

That was a really cool video!

[@mikebailey3614]

This is by far the best vid you have uploaded! I can only imagine the amount of work that went into it. BRAVO!

[@BjarneButler]

Thanks

[@jasons7279]

You're a lucky man.

[@RainManFights]

That was so much fun, thanks for taking us along.

[@Pattyboytheking]

What an unreal life you live. And to live it in such a beautiful place. Love the videos, please keep them coming!

[@asimplierlife3104]

Those pilots have to be among the best in the world. Great views, wish I could do what you do :)

[@andythorton611]

Bjarne Butler, how did you cut the pad boards? Chainsaw mill?

[@BjarneButler]

Free hand

[@joepalanuk5718]

That was excellent, great work, great job and a great view . Wish i could cut some more of that big stuff 😁 stay safe bud .

[@diggmore1362]

Different world from me cutting fire wood with my 371xp in Wales uk. but very impressive

[@frankwoodward9914]

First to see the new video. Just another day at the office to cool sure looks like some nice wood up there and one hell of a view good to see your back at work looking forward to your new videos. I see there is still snow on the higher ground there to.

[@billryan8721]

Thanks for taking the time to make this one Bjarne!! You have taken it to the next level and can't wait to see more action.

[@WW-sj7zk]

Awesome shots! Great work guys.. thumbs up from an east coast fisherman 🦞

[@n.w.1390]

I love your videos. Can you tell me, which version of Icarus Walls you've used for the intro?

[@BjarneButler]

I had someone edit that video so I don’t know where they got the version from

[@stevenblake6939]

Did u make the lumber for the pad on site?chainsaw mill?

[@BjarneButler]

Yup. No mill just free hand

[@mentalsid3701]

Cool stuff mate!! These pilots are pretty amazing,, drop you off almost any where !! Cheers

[@redeagle6842]

The best video I’ve ever seen Bjarne! Very beautiful place to work.

[@BjarneButler]

Thanks. Ya I get to work in sone nice areas

[@littleredreiner6446]

You have the coolest job! Virgin ground, where possibly no man has stepped foot .

[@SMJ95]

Awesome video! Great long line work with your gear. Are you flying in a Hughes 500? Thanks for posting.

[@evolutionevolve07]

Awesome view! Thanks for taking us to the mountains! Say my hello to Jasmin

[@JSY440]

Amazing vids, thank you for taking the time to do them. Greetings from a cutter in Scotland

[@BjarneButler]

Thanks. What’s the logging industry like in Scotland? How much chainsaw work compared to mechanical falling

[@JSY440]

@@BjarneButler it's pretty good and a big industry in Scotland alot of commercial blocks of Sitka spruce and alot of mechanical harvesting operations, plenty of cutting work though, we have alot of steep ground and timber that harvesters can't deal with., which is good, my business is all hand cutting then extraction by forwarder or winch, love it, most of the time 😂. Nice to watch a good cutter at work and stay safe 👍

[@georgecalder5175]

I sure miss those days, toe ins in Toba Inlet, Bute Inlet, Thompson Sound, back end of Pitt Lake, laying out helicopter blocks for Weldwood of Canada, Dean Thompson, May Trucking ( Mike Hamilton Logging ) Hope & Boston Bar.

[@calraines6931]

Fantastic! Makes me wish I could shed 45-50 years and join you. Stay safe and enjoy! All best.

[@allenhuling598]

Really great video, Bjarne.....thank you, and work safe!!!

[@chalortabmaitree1943]

มันเป็นวีดีโอที่ยอดเยี่ยม เสียงเพลงประกอบ เเละการทำงานของคุณฉันขอบงานประเภทนี้

[@TheJonsberg]

So you found paradise ❤️ Blessings Bjarne from Norway

[@reinhold83]

This is deffo my favourite channel on KZbin bjarne 👍🏻

[@kodiaklandsurveying1899]

Nice video, spent years surveying around Alaska, jumping out of 500's because no toe-ins available, cutting #10+ lz's a day. To save time try finding jump spot, through your gear out, climb out on skid, lower yourself until hanging from hands, let go at same time as partner on other side, 500 shots skyward and you are on the ground. We even tried climbing out on tree top and to complicated! Pile trees up in LZ, leave big one for last and land ship on top of down big tree. After many years and several close calls, to many beautiful trees on the ground just to land a helicopter, I couldn't keep doing it. Some of the best adrenaline I ever experienced though.

[@BjarneButler]

Cool. That’s sound like a lot of fun.

[@ventor11111]

How is it transported to factory ?

[@BjarneButler]

Helicopter to the ocean then put on barges and towed to the mill

[@goatsinker347]

I understand now why the $200,- chicken coop i built cost me $2000.-

[@topsaw]

Love it! Fantastic

[@thechronicgeneralist]

Insane! What an amazing experience... thanks for taking us along for the ride!!

[@juliuslt5662]

Absolutely love this video, great work man.

[@BobBob-ug1mk]

Like the new look and sound of the vid Bjarne. You know you have the coolest job in the world right? I'm jealouse.

[@BjarneButler]

Haha ya I get to see some cool stuff in this line of work

[@bazookajoethompson3407]

Wow Bro! Our crummy 's were never that cool. We had 'ol Blue parked 5 miles away! LoL! How many acres was that block? Was that 1 day to make that hole and build that pad?

[@BjarneButler]

This was actually several day’s stitched together. But it’s usually one day per pad

[@dan-dan-da-treeman]

That was great. Thanks for taking us for the ride.

[@Tommasi0310]

Maaan, you could have the chopper drop your tools then fly on to to the top and ski to work. Nice mountains.

[@JosefNosek-xh6kl]

Halloween.Bin aus Deutschland,und bin begeistert von den Vidios.Frage habt ihr auch Bärenspray dabei?Könnte mir denken das es bei euch Bären gibt.Also, past gut auf Euch auf.Und noch ein gesundes Neues Jahr.Viel Glück weiter bei eurerArbeit.PetraNo..... 12:00

[@jameswilkins7757]

great vid mate I wish my logging job in the uk is as good as yours

[@69adrummer]

Really would be nice to have this without that backing music.

[@kevinc.8869]

Do you guys ever get stuck out there because the helicopter couldn't make it in due to unforseen weather etc?

[@jbzbxc]

Wow!!! Video quality is excellent, must have new gear. Great job. The helipad ain’t too shabby either. Keep em coming.

[@BjarneButler]

Thanks

[@timmorrell9245]

great video love how u make the heli pads omg

[@runheli]

Great job, 😃👍🤜

[@BjarneButler]

Thanks Rudi. 🤘

[@AdamEdward]

What was the point of making a pad there?

[@relaxingnature2617]

Fun video ..more heli pad construction next time please

[@diggertree6677]

My god what a beautiful place

[@Broderick362]

Awesome video, keep them coming!!!

[@davidflanagan1653]

I am so glad I found your channel

[@slickshick3526]

Wow that's some nice views and country, I'd love to have you as a felling partner. Nice work 👍

[@BjarneButler]

Thanks

[@7perm882]

That md500 is sexy as fuck. I’m slowly saving to get my commercial helicopter pilots license. Hopefully one day I will be dropping the boys off In woods lol. Maybe 10 years down the road.

[@BjarneButler]

Right on. Maybe I’ll see you out there one day. Good luck

[@jmvmike]

Your ride to work is a whole lot better than mine! Gorgeous

[@jolkraeremeark6949]

Really nice, thank you, sir!

[@matthewspry4217]

What a boring job I feel for you! 😂😂

[@pcdubya]

Do they pay you, or do you pay them? lol

[@kevinmaxam2414]

Just amazed Be safe and be careful.

[@johnnyfish6051]

Wow! just........ Wow!

[@wyomingbound7470]

That was great footage nice work sir and the pilots do a great job as well Thanks for the vids take care Remember to the 👍👍👍 folks

[@BjarneButler]

Thanks

[@Build-it-Cheshire]

Unbelievable, loving the new editing - what a job what a life - EPIC!

[@BjarneButler]

Thanks

[@michaeldombek2901]

Stepping up the production value!

[@mcleod1960]

Excellent Video. Music choices were great. Wonderful variety. Keep posting, and piling up the board feet and I'll keep watching!! Here is my thumbs up. Les From Eastern Oregon.

[@CecilT]

Would love to see more videos on this type of setting up

[@dennis2376]

Awesomely beautiful.

[@StinkyTeal]

Damn, bad ass video! What a cool job!

[@bighawse105g-eagle6]

Awesome video what’s the point of logging like this? I’ve always wondered but have never figured it out

[@BjarneButler]

It’s cheaper than millions and months of blasting a road

[@AndyL940]

Next level mate ..awesome!

[@georgecalder5175]

That looks like Alvin in the front seat

[@paulbeech7276]

What a place to work..👍 No wonder you smile alot. Cracking vid..😁😁😁😁

[@ted3forks]

Seriously, This video should win an award. I wish you had time to make one like this everyday. i get really happy, every time I get a notification that you have posted a new video. After this video I may do a boogie dance as well.

[@BjarneButler]

Lol. Glad you like them

[@ted3forks]

@@BjarneButler I've watched every video you have made and the quality of this one is over the top. I just got a notification of a new one and I've gotta go watch it.

[@noxiouspro]

how do you make 4 tree fall at the same time?

[@robertsherrick4081]

Ya know, your videos are great but the crummy synth music does nothing to enhance them. The silence and the saws are the best sounds!

[@BjarneButler]

Ya I don’t add music anymore. Too many people complained

[@jcuttin8245]

This is pretty awesome BJ! Great job

[@BjarneButler]

Thanks

[@jacksak]

I watch some pretty amazing videos on KZbin, but your videos top the list. Thanks.

[@BjarneButler]

Right on tnamks

[@BjarneButler]

Thanks*

[@happycamper6352]

New to the channel, where is this?

[@jeromedeleon]

i am from the Philippines and in my country it is illegal to cut trees even if it's in your property. May I know the reason why they cut trees? not against it I just want to know the reason behind it.

[@andythorton611]

Build homes, schools, offices, flooring etc

[@jeromedeleon]

@@andythorton611 oh, so they transport the wood down. thank you! I might have missed the part where he explained about it. I only see the video where they cut trees and i wonder if its to save the land or reduce risk of forest fire.

[@crystalaquatica6402]

Your life is incredible. And your work. And your skills. I applaud you, sir.

[@calebthacker9654]

Awesome. Video 👍👍👍👍

[@SolidStateH2O]

I need to put in a pad like this in the process of clearing out the dead standing in a remote sight. Is there any info available on best practices for laying the pad out, stacking/cribbing, fastening hardware or such?! Smart enough to do it, but humble enough to ask for tips tricks and painfully learned lessons first!! Thank you for the awesome ride!!

[@BjarneButler]

Use minimum 12” stumps. At least 2 stumps on the downhill side. You can have the stringers go from the stumps to the ground, just make sure it’s on solid ground like a rock or use a false stump and brace it with another stump nearby. Stumps should be ideally 8-10’ apart and the boards are 14’ long and 4” thick. Generally a minimum of 7 boards are used but that depends on the width of your boards. Have enough boards to cover about 10’ so that the pad is 14x10’. If your stringer length deon the pad to the ground is really long, then you need to put false stump in the middle. A log about 6”+ in diameter is good enough. Once done jump on the pad, try and shake it. If hardly moves then your good. As for actual specs, just google heli logging pad specs or something similar. All our pads are made with 12” spikes. Stringers to stump, boards to stringer. Bring extra in case you bend some. You will also need string and a line level. Cut your stumps high as you can safely, you can always cut them down later. Remember to brush around the pad, throw all brush cuttings below the pad.

[@SolidStateH2O]

Pure gold! Thank you!! Do you cut saddles or everything flat to flat and spike them? Do you pitch it toward the slope or as level as possible? And how long does it take you guys do the build up? Thank you so much! I’ve tried looking up specs before but haven’t come up with any...I’ll check some more 👍

[@BjarneButler]

Ya all the boards and stingers are flat and the pad is level as possible. We fall the opening and make the pad in about 4-6hrs depending on terrain and wood size and other factors. I will try to find some pad specs for you.

[@fern6114]

Great video Thanks cheers from Luxembourg 🇱🇺

[@hardmanmontana3845]

Great video mate💯💯

[@joetaki750]

What a wicked job

[@Eric-gi9kg]

Would've been cool to have seen a timelapse of the ripping of the helli pad planks

[@BjarneButler]

Next time I get to build a pad I’m gunna film the whole thing

[@PTSix-eg4zj]

No one builds heli-pads better than west coast fallers. Good enough to shut down on if you had to👍

[@ng114ce]

Wow amazing video

[@batmantiss]

Love the new format, hate the new music. Awesome vid, thanks for taking us along!

[@bwax1542]

Awesome work you do.