I reckon it's AC.

After he's clipped on and climbed onto the wire, he pulls the clip off
and the chopper flies off. How could it *not* be at line voltage after
being clipped on?

OTOH, if the line was running AC at an appreciable voltage you'd need a
current flow to charge/discharge the helicopter-capacitor with each cycle.

The arc on departure runs to a couple of feet. IIRC 1000V per inch - so
the line is at 24kV plus. I can't say *how* much plus, the chopper
isn't earthed very well...


Andy