Helicopters to do low fly-bys
Inspecting area ITC lines
No need to worry about lowflying helicopters in the coming weeks and months: they’re just inspecting electric lines.
ITC — an electric line and transmission firm — will be inspecting its high-voltage transmission structures, lines and equipment throughout the state by helicopter from approximately May 16 to June 3, weather permitting.
Helicopters will be flying lower than usual near the transmission lines during these inspections, which is no cause for concern for area residents.
The helicopter patrols are conducted to provide an overall status of the overhead transmission system that is operated by ITC’S Michigan operating entities, Itctransmission and Michigan Electric Transmission Company, LLC (METC).
The aerial inspections will
cover nearly all the Lower Peninsula, including all or part of the following counties:
• May 16 — 23: Clinton, Genesee, Gratiot, Huron, Ingham, Jackson, Lapeer, Lenawee, Livingston, Macomb, Midland, Monroe, Oakland, Sanilac, Shiawassee, St. Clair, Tuscola, Washtenaw and Wayne
• May 17 — 27: Allegan, Barry, Berrien, Branch, Calhoun, Cass, Clinton, Eaton, Gratiot, Hillsdale, Ingham, Ionia, Isabella, Jackson, Kalamazoo, Kent, Lenawee, Mecosta, Montcalm, Muskegon, Newaygo, Oceana, Ottawa, St. Joseph, and Van Buren
• May 18 — June 3: Alcona, Alpena, Antrim, Arenac, Bay, Benzie, Charlevoix, Cheboygan, Clare, Crawford, Emmet, Gladwin, Grand Traverse, Iosco, Kalkaska, Lake, Leelanau, Manistee, Mason, Midland, Missaukee, Montmorency, Ogemaw, Osceola, Oscoda, Otsego, Presque Isle, Roscommon and Wexford
These patrols are a North American Electrical Reliability Corporation (NERC) requirement for ITC’S vegetation management program, support proactive maintenance objectives, and are in line with the company’s model for operational excellence. They include inspections of all transmission structures and equipment including, but not limited to, monopoles, steel towers, wood poles, conductors (wires), insulators and other equipment.
Crews check for damaged or worn equipment and vegetation hazards. The inspection flights are often conducted at low altitudes to allow accurate visual inspection of equipment for lightning damage, wear or other potential problems.