Against the vast expanse of blue sky, countless power lines crisscross the landscape. These seemingly slender cables have become "invisible killers" for low-altitude flights. How can we make these potential hazards visible? Aviation warning balls, with their striking colors and high visibility, are emerging as aerial sentinels safeguarding flight safety.
Aviation Warning BallTypically constructed from lightweight, durable composite materials, these balls feature a striking orange-and-white alternating design for excellent day and night visibility. These spheres are mounted on overhead power lines, resembling strings of pearls suspended in the air. Even under severe weather conditions, they provide pilots with clear visual warnings, effectively extending reaction time and preventing wire strikes.
Compared to traditional warning methods, aviation warning balls demonstrate significant advantages. Their installation is straightforward, requiring no power outages, which substantially reduces maintenance costs. They exhibit strong weather resistance, capable of withstanding various extreme climatic conditions. With a long service life exceeding ten years, they represent a true "one-time investment, long-term benefit" safety solution.
Currently, aviation warning balls have been widely deployed on power transmission lines near airports, beneath flight paths, and in mountainous or hilly regions, becoming an indispensable safety measure for low-altitude flight operations. Whether for commercial airliners, military aircraft, or the growing number of helicopters and drones, all benefit from this simple yet effective device.
Globally, low-altitude contact with high-voltage power lines ranks among the primary causes of helicopter accidents. To prevent such incidents, in addition to installing line-clearing devices on aircraft, extensively deploying aviation marker balls on high-voltage lines within helicopter operating zones represents a cost-effective measure for accident prevention!
Aviation marker balls canbe used to identify high-voltage transmission cables. This spherical aviation warning marker is suitable for overhead transmission lines, particularly ultra-high-voltage transmission cables and river-crossing transmission lines. Industry requirements mandate that power companies install aviation marker balls at equal intervals along their lines to warn helicopter pilots. Regarding the installation and marking of aviation marker balls, mature practices exist in Europe and America where aviation is well-developed. These practices primarily consist of the following three components:
① Aviation marker balls installed on the steel cables of overhead tower lightning protection ground wires must be spaced at equal intervals, with the spacing corresponding to the diameter of the obstruction lights;
② Aviation marker balls shall be red, orange, or white, and shall be alternately spaced.
③In situations involving multiple wires, cables, or similar elements, aviation marker balls shall be positioned at a height no lower than that of the overhead line being marked.
