MidAmerican Energy to Use Helicopters to Check Transmission Lines
Don’t be surprised if you see low-flying helicopters over north Iowa within the next couple of weeks.
MidAmerican Energy is using a helicopter to inspect its high-voltage transmission lines and related equipment across Iowa and in the Quad Cities area in Illinois. Inspection crews will survey approximately 5,000 miles of overhead lines, as well as transmission towers and poles, to check for any signs of damage or wear. Crews also periodically inspect these lines and equipment from the ground.
Aerial inspections enable crews to identify locations that may need repairs, replacement or upgrades before they cause service disruptions to help enhance system reliability. Observers may spot a helicopter flying unusually close to power lines, towers and poles, in addition to substations and generating facilities.
Media Relations Manager Geoff Greenwood says the helicopter flyovers in the Charles City area could occur in the first week or two of May. He adds that weather conditions could impact the schedule.
