Black helicopters in Ohio! No, it’s not a wild claim from the tin-foil hat crowd that suspects a government helicopter is monitoring their every move. Helicopters are being used by FirstEnergy Corp. to carry out inspections of high-voltage transmission lines in northwestern Ohio.
A small helicopter’s in use to hover at low altitude over the lines and transmission towers while airborne workers examine power line connections and other equipment.
“Using helicopters to complete these inspections is a safe and cost-efficient way to help us keep our high-voltage system durable and reliable,” said Rich Sweeney, regional president of Toledo Edison. “The helicopter provides workers with a clear view of overhead equipment far more quickly and easily than workers on the ground.”
He explained that when workers in the helicopter spot a potential maintenance concern, they use a company application to send a report and photograph to workers so the area can be inspected more closely.
Toledo Edison servcs more than 300,000 customers in northwest Ohio.
