Cedar Rapids, Iowa – May 10, 2021 – ITC Midwest says their personnel will be conducting aerial patrols of high-voltage transmission structures and lines throughout its service territory from approximately May 17th through June 3rd, weather permitting. The Helicopter patrols will provide an overall status of the overhead transmission system owned and operated by ITC Midwest. The flights will be conducted in the Ames, Ankeny, Boone, Cedar Rapids, Dysart, Gladbrook, Iowa City, Iowa Falls, Marengo, Marion, Marshalltown, Newton, Palo, Perry and Vinton areas. Among the 19 Iowa counties in the aerial patrol areas, is Adair, Cass, Dallas and Guthrie (In addition to Benton, Boone, Franklin, Greene, Grundy, Hardin, Iowa, Jasper, Johnson, Linn, Louisa, Marshall, Polk, Story and Tama).

Officials say the patrols are a North American Electrical Reliability Corporation (NERC) requirement for ITC Midwest’s vegetation management program, support proactive maintenance objectives and align with the company’s model for operational excellence. They include inspections of steel structures, 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. This is normal procedure, so there is no cause for alarm if a low-flying helicopter is sighted near transmission lines during the time frame listed above.