Eversource will continue its program of pole and high wire inspections in areas of Newtown using a helicopter in the coming days.eversource.com.

This semiannual inspection is an important part of the company's ongoing commitment to providing reliable electric service, according to a February 22 notification. The work involves the use of a helicopter equipped with heat-sensing, infrared scanning technology that can detect potential equipment issues before they occur.

"More than a million customers in Connecticut depend on us for reliable electric service to power their day-to-day lives," said Steve Gilkey, vice president of Connecticut field operations at Eversource. "The semiannual helicopter inspections of our transmission lines are a crucial and effective part of our commitment to reducing the frequency and duration of power outages."

Weather permitting, the aerial inspections started Wednesday, February 22, and continue through March 1. They will take place from 8:30 am until 4 pm, covering dozens of Connecticut cities and towns. The aircraft involved is a blue and silver helicopter, with a tail number N1431W, and a blue and white helicopter, with a tail number N411DD.

Since the region's transmission system is the backbone of the electric grid, overhead inspections of transmission lines and equipment - often located upwards of 100 feet in the air - help engineers detect potential problems in advance, allowing the company to schedule necessary maintenance and upgrades before reliability issues arise.

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