National Grid to Begin Flyover Inspections

New England residents may see an abnormal number of helicopters overhead in the next three weeks.

National Grid is beginning its aerial inspections of approximately 3,000 miles of electric transmission lines in Massachusetts, Rhode Island, New Hampshire and Vermont to detect potential problems with transmission lines.

The flyovers will be supplemented by ground-level inspections, and National Grid will dispatch crews to address any issues uncovered before customer service is impacted.

"At National Grid, we believe in the old adage that an ounce of prevention is with a pound of cure, especially when it comes to reducing service interruptions for our customers," Fred Raymond, vice president of Electric Project Management and Complex Construction at National Grid, said in an announcement. "Regular inspections of our transmission system are a critical component in providing safe and reliable power to our more than 1.7 million electricity customers across New England."

The helicopter inspections will primarily seek signs of wear on power lines, conductors and lightning protection devices; damaged or leaning transmission structures; loose or broken guy wires; broken, chipped or cracked insulator equipment; and trees leaning toward the equipment.

The flights will also search for waste disposal, unauthorized construction on transmission corridors, or signs of erosion causing transmission structures to become unstable.

The flyovers are expected to take approximately three weeks to complete, weather permitting. Flight schedules and routes may be changed on short notice due to weather conditions.

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