27-Oct-14 – Barely visible from the ground, the first lines were strung on Sunday between the tops of three riverfront buildings in preparation for Nik Wallenda’s high-wire walk next Sunday. Cameras will ride these cables like a zip line as they follow Wallenda’s walk from Marina City to Leo Burnett Building, then from Marina City’s east tower to its west tower, a part of the stunt he will perform blindfolded.

The hour-long helicopter lift started at about 8:15 a.m. with 31 trips from Wacker Drive to Dirksen Federal Building on South Dearborn Street. Then the Sikorsky S-58T twin-turbine helicopter, piloted by Randy McCormick of Midwest Helicopter Airways, flew 15 lifts to the observation decks of both Marina City towers. The helicopter carried camera and other equipment, picking up from three trucks parked on Wacker Drive in front of Leo Burnett Building.

(Left) A helicopter delivers equipment to the observation deck of Marina City’s west tower.

On the last trips, lightweight cables were strung from the top of Marina City’s east tower to the northeast corner of the roof of Leo Burnett Building, from the Leo Burnett Building to the southwest corner of AMA Plaza, and from Marina City’s east tower to its west tower. The cables are secured to the buildings with clamps.

Wacker Drive was closed for more than an hour, from State Street to Clark Street, and Dearborn Street was closed from Lake Street to Kinzie Street.

McCormick has 26 years of flying experience with commercial and military aircraft. He has been with Midwest Helicopter Airways since 1997. He is also an instructor pilot and aviation safety officer in the Illinois Army National Guard and a former emergency medical helicopter pilot.

Main cables go up Thursday The 341-foot steel cable on which Wallenda will walk across the Chicago River and the 100-foot cable between Marina City’s towers, along with support wires that will help keep the main cables from swaying, will be installed between 9 p.m. on Thursday and 6 a.m. on Friday. (Right) Marina City resident Bill Edlebeck snapped this photo from his balcony of the helicopter hovering between towers.

A lighting rehearsal is scheduled for Friday night and there will be a production rehearsal on Saturday night. Sunday’s live broadcast on Discovery Channel to 220 countries will begin at 6 p.m. Central Time. Wallenda will begin his walk at about 7 p.m. It should take him 30 to 45 minutes to complete both parts of the stunt.

According to WGN-TV chief meteorologist Tom Skilling, it will be cloudy but mild on Sunday. The low that night will be 39 degrees. There is very little chance of rain.

(Below) The helicopter over Wacker Drive with Chicago River and Marina City at left, seen from the 28th floor terrace at 111 West Wacker Drive.

Wallenda is still training in Sarasota, Florida. His training sessions are open to the public. He has practiced walking at the same 15-degree incline he will face in Chicago. During one of those practice walks, at a much lower altitude, he carried his wife, Erendira, on his shoulders. For one blindfolded practice, he walked backwards. Often during his walks he takes out a camera and snaps a “selfie,” like the one at left.  Previous story: Wallenda ringmaster at his own circus