Uncovering underground pipes for repair isn't always the easiest task to accomplish when working in a small-hole. Many times other utilities such as electric, water, cable, or data lines are in the way. Negotiating these obstacles in difficult earth makes it an even more daunting task since digging bars or piercing tools are needed to loosen the soil so vacuum excavation can be possible. However, manually loosening the soil with these methods greatly increases the potential for damage to third party utilities as well as compromising worker safety and potentially losing any cost savings from the smaller excavation.The Air-Spade offered by PLCS is a non-invasive, soil moving tool to aid in small-hole excavation. The tool uses a special supersonic nozzle that turns compressed air into a high speed air laser moving at around 1200 mph. Soil is an aggregate of solid particles and voids of air. The supersonic air expands these voids dramatically, fracturing the soil into its components parts; while non-porous materials like metal, plastic pipes or cables are unaffected. The durable, lightweight, ergonomic fiberglass lance can be equipped with extensions for deeper excavations and only requires 90 psi of compressed air at the nozzle for efficient operation. The brute manual force to break soil is no longer required so pipes can be uncovered for repairs a lot easier, faster, safer and without damage. The Air-Spade is a perfect complement to any pipeline repair.