My First Wind Turbine Climb -Wind Technician

[@jimmyruscica6401]

Thank you for answering my questions and being so responsive, I am looking to become a wind technician myself and now have a better understanding because of you. Thanks Nick!

[@theturbinecowboy7971]

Just happy to be here. Anytime you want reach out!

[@isaiahrexine8650]

Just finished my first year of wind tech school at my college. My first day is tomorrow thanks for pumping me up!

[@theturbinecowboy7971]

Congrats man! Glad I could help and thanks for watching. It’s very rewarding to hear from all of you.

[@davidwhite3180]

Im definitely interested

[@dannyboots]

Still interested?

[@TH3FU113ZT]

Inspirational story

[@theturbinecowboy7971]

Thank you for your support!

[@riglodawnstar41]

Did my first climb today. My hands are cramping, my back hurts and i miss my family but man it really is a unique job huh?

[@CBR06Kid]

How is so far, I’m looking to get into it. Is it a good job to persue

[@migueljalomos7178]

I’m in the hiring process, they mentioned I’ll have to do a climb test, any help on how to do it ? Or things to fix maybe ?

[@FesJenkins]

​@migueljalomos7178 I'm in the hiring process currently and would like to know any details you could share about that climb test please?

[@riglodawnstar41]

Back after a year fellas. I wish i had seen these comments. Did you all make it in?

[@riglodawnstar41]

@@FesJenkins depends what you are going for but gwo isnt bad at all. If you have good instructors it will be easy. The scariest part is reverse self rescue from the nacelle. Get to know your rescue gear really well and always practice it. Utilize your work positioner when tired.

[@nightwatch5]

Can you make a video showing your harness? Everyday small tools/things you have to take up everyday. I saw a headlamp on in your photo. What other little things can make your life easier that you need on ur person? Thanks brother

[@theturbinecowboy7971]

Absolutely on my list of things to do. Expect this content soon. Thanks for watching and commenting!

[@frankiethomas5864]

What kind of maintenance is more common from a day to day on the turbine

[@theturbinecowboy7971]

Oil filter changes, Greasing, Torquing, Dusting and inspecting are the major categories that turbines experience during a service cycle. Awesome question. Thanks for watching!

[@COLTON_CJF]

Great video! Appreciated your thorough explanation of your first experience as a wind tech. I hear of all these people going to school for it, but I'd rather not at the moment if I can help it. I don't want to accidently go into debt from tuition for a job I decide isn't for me (although I'm 99% sure it won't be a problem, I was set on becoming a lineman before finding out this career was a thing). I've tried looking for wind turbine technician internships but haven't had much luck. Are there companies willing to hire entry level techs? Only cert I got is 10 hr OSHA training, but have mechanical experience and understanding of electrical generators and motors. I really think this is something I'll make a long-term career out of, because no way you'd find me in an office job. Just don't know if there are good places to start applying other than Vestas in Idaho where I'm located. Thanks in advance!

[@theturbinecowboy7971]

Hey Colton reach out to me at my email. Let’s discuss your options. Thanks for watching!

[@FesJenkins]

Who did you end up going with if I may ask?

[@angelgaudet3697]

Are there many women in the job?

[@leahm7781]

I'm a woman too and have been looking into this field :)

[@ThaiMex409]

I have a 2nd interview with Sky climbers today. What do you think about them? I have no experience in this industry

[@theturbinecowboy7971]

SkyClimbers is a great way to get your foot in the door. You will hear a lot of guys in the industry complain about the company in the field. However, they do take people who have little to no experience and offer them an opportunity to breakthrough a lot of the stigma surrounding applying for jobs with higher qualifications. This comes at the cost of generally lower pay and fewer benefits you'd find at the larger OEM companies. My advice is to use the company as a springboard to get your feet wet and get the experience you need to apply for a company where you can make it your career. Work hard and impress the sites that you work at and they may offer you a much better position then you will get working for a third party. Be advised many companies have an anti poaching agreement with SC so after you accept the job you will usually have to wait a year before being able to apply and be accepted at the other companies. If you take the job make the most of it and learn as much as you can. Thanks for watching!

[@hervinantonio]

I will start working for Skyclimber next month

[@JimberJangers]

How do you go to the bathroom? Are you holding it? Thank you

[@theturbinecowboy7971]

👀 ugh… a bear poops in the woods. This might be the first question to stump me on how to answer properly. But yeah we don’t hold it in. Thanks for the question!

[@dannyboots]

Rule #1: don't walk under wind turbines when a crew is up top

[@Mr.Texzotics]

Do I need to have any experience at all when going into this I applied 5 days ago

[@theturbinecowboy7971]

Not at this time. There are plenty of sites and companies that need manpower! Good luck!

[@Mr.Texzotics]

@@theturbinecowboy7971 that's so awesome to hear! So excited to start!

[@markrudderham5884]

What prior schooling did you require? Currently I am enrolled in sustainable energy technology program, hoping to get hired on with this diploma. Great video.

[@theturbinecowboy7971]

Terribly sorry to say I missed this comment. To answer your question I don't have any higher education beyond a high school diploma. Technical skills and a passion for what you do are the keys to success in this industry. Best of luck on your career and thank you for the support! Feel free to ask or email me any other questions and keep an eye out for an upcoming video.

[@nickreyes3088]

Hey Nick! This is awesome man. I just recently found out that this was even a job and while I'm absolutely horrified of heights, something about this seems so intriguing! I was wondering if there were specific techs who rappel along side of the blades for cleaning / maintenance, or if all techs are required to do this as well? Thanks 👍

[@theturbinecowboy7971]

Hey Nick! Awesome question! There are specific technicians who deal with external rope access work. The name is often abbreviated to SPRAT and they deal with anything where you would be suspended from something other than a platform. SPRAT stands for Society of Professional Rope Access Technicians. They are certified and trained exclusively on this type of work. An everyday technician will be hard pressed to find a reason to be hanging by a rope. You will however have to climb VERY VERY VERY tall ladders and sometimes that ladder is on the roof outside the nacelle. Hope this answers your question and thank you for watching the channel!

[@prodoman3945]

I just applied for vestas whats the word on them

[@theturbinecowboy7971]

Don’t be surprised if it takes awhile to hear back from them. They’re one of the best around. No company is perfect but I tend to think highly of them.

[@prodoman3945]

@@theturbinecowboy7971 wow thanks they actually got back to me asap

[@405ruben]

@@prodoman3945 any update?

[@dannyboots]

​@@prodoman3945any update?

[@layneheavner5938]

Do you do maintenance on these? if so can you list the things you do maintenance wise and what parts they have you working on I want to get a good idea of what all is done. What’s the hardest thing you’ve had to work on maintenance wise?

[@theturbinecowboy7971]

Hey Layne! Good question. These turbines need everything under the sun. Think of them like a car. From the beginning in the factory they need someone to assemble it and then they need someone to test it. Sure, someone sells the car but there are many more people who do the maintenance on it. A wind technicians job is to keep it running. Everything from an oil change to getting it repaired after the "check engine light" comes on. The hardest task I've completed I would say was replacing a transformer with an internal crane operation.

[@aoutone7462]

Any tips for guys just getting into this?

[@theturbinecowboy7971]

Heck yeah! Where are you at in the hiring process? If you want to, you can send me an email and I can answer any of your specific questions. Thanks for watching and I hope to hear back soon!

[@aoutone7462]

@@theturbinecowboy7971 I'm gonna head to a 8 week wind school here in cali once I get out of the military around late August 🤟

[@theturbinecowboy7971]

@@aoutone7462 Very cool 8 weeks is definitely an extensive class but leaves a lot to be desired. Is your background in the military mechanical or electrical in nature? The Jet-engine mechanics are some of the best wind turbine techs this industry has ever seen.

[@aoutone7462]

@@theturbinecowboy7971 wish I was, but worked in logistics 😵

[@alexschlotsky3814]

Hey turbine cowboy thank you so much for this video! How do you deal with the heat? It’s so hot in Texas how the hell do you survive in the nacelle?? I know drink water but like damn seems like your in a sauna for 8 hours.

[@theturbinecowboy7971]

Hey Alex, thanks for the question. You hit the nail on the head. One of the universal struggles of wind techs is staying cool especially during summer months. We have programs like beat the heat where we factor in the temperatures of the day along with humidity to adapt and adjust our breaks. Along with lots of water and electrolyte drinks we can run the fans that keep the nacelle at operating temperatures. Even then the heat can be a lot. If we have an especially hot day the expectation of productivity is reduced. If you need a break. Popping your head out of the skylight and into the breeze is a great way to cool down. Awesome question and very original unfortunately the answer is an underwhelming improvise. adapt. overcome.

[@digitalaura6174]

And its the other way around, here in sweden if its -19 C outsude and when we climb up, its like -25°C crazy

[@theturbinecowboy7971]

I just had my first -25ºF wind chill day and yeah that was not fun. Tons of hand warmers and I packed my heated lunch box. That was rough. Godspeed to you guys near or in the arctic circle.

[@reginabustos7613]

Are you able to settle down really after the first year and all or are u constantly traveling ? Like if u want to stay in a specific state can you or will ur company send u anywhere they WANT is my question . MAN ! This was harder to write than actually think lol . I’m only curious because I wanna enter the wind industry as well and I found a potential opportunity and my overall goal is to start a new in Colorado in the next year and a half . Is that reachable with a career like this ? 🤟

[@theturbinecowboy7971]

It depends on the job your applying for but as it goes most companies would like you to keep the position you apply and accept for a minimum of a year. Colorado is a great place to start a career in wind and there are many sites that will hire you without ever having to travel.

[@crisgutierrez9504]

💙💯🤘🏼

[@theturbinecowboy7971]

Always 100 ;)