It's a Bird! It's a Plane! No, It's a Helicopter Inspecting Energy Transmission Lines

Don't be alarmed if you see a low-flying helicopter this week.

ITC Michigan, an energy transmissionss company, will be conducting aerial patrols of transmission towers and lines in southeastern Michigan from April 15-24. The helicopter patrols are conducted to provide an overall status of the overhead transmission system that is operated by ITC Michigan utilities, based in Novi.

Aerial inspections of transmission lines will be conducted in areas including all or parts of the following counties: Oakland, Macomb, St. Clair, Wayne, Monroe, Lenawee, Washtenaw and Livingston.

The inspection flights are often conducted at low altitudes to allow accurate visual inspection of equipment for lightning damage, wear or other potential problems. This is normal procedure, so there is no cause for alarm if a low-flying helicopter is sighted near transmission lines.

These twice-a-year patrols are a North American Electrical Reliability Corporation (NERC) requirement for ITC Michigan’s operations, maintenance and vegetation management functions and are in line with ITC Michigan’s model for operational excellence. They include inspections of steel towers, wood poles, conductors (wires), insulators and other equipment. Crews check for damaged or worn equipment and vegetation hazards.

Source: ITC press release