CEDAR RAPIDS, Iowa (KIMT) — ITC Midwest will fly helicopters to inspect high-voltage transmission lines across its service area from May 11-22, weather permitting. The aerial patrols check the overall condition of the overhead transmission system owned and operated by ITC Midwest. Crews will inspect vegetation near transmission structures, wood poles, wires, insulators and other equipment.
The flights are required by the North American Electrical Reliability Corporation for ITC Midwest’s vegetation management program. They support proactive maintenance and align with the company’s operational standards. Helicopters will fly at low altitudes to allow accurate visual inspection of vegetation hazards. This is normal procedure, so there is no cause for alarm if a low-flying helicopter is seen near transmission lines during this time.
In Iowa, flights will be conducted in more than 50 counties, including Adair, Allamakee, Appanoose, Benton, Black Hawk, Boone, Bremer, Buchanan, Cass, Cedar, Cerro Gordo, Chickasaw, Clayton, Clinton, Dallas, Davis, Delaware, Des Moines, Dickinson, Dubuque, Fayette, Franklin, Greene, Grundy, Guthrie, Hancock, Hardin, Henry, Howard, Iowa, Jackson, Jasper, Jefferson, Johnson, Jones, Kossuth, Lee, Linn, Lucas, Mahaska, Marshall, Mitchell, Monroe, Osceola, Polk, Poweshiek, Story, Tama, Wapello, Winnebago, Winneshiek and Worth…