JCP&L To Conduct Aerial Inspection From Helicopter

Middletown residents may notice a low-flying, grey helicopter this week around town. This helicopter is a part of Jersey Central Power and Light's annual supervisory vegetation management aerial patrol.

Through these patrols, JCP&L inspects transmission lines for vegetation growing on or near the power lines. These inspections happen on an annual basis between April and September. 

Aerial patrols consist of Transmission Forestry Supervision personnel that accompany the pilot in order to identify effectiveness of prior year's herbicide application and identification of any conditions warranting further inspection from the ground, according to a release from JCP&L.

Haverfield Co. will be conducting the inspections on all JCP&L Transmission Lines, beginning August 14 through August 20, weather permitting.

The pilot will be in communication with any local airports when in their airspace., according to the release. The helicopter will be flying at a speed of up to 40 m.p.h. above or alongside the lines, and may circle around for a closer inspection. 

The helicopter, which is grey with a black bottom and stripe, can be identified by its tail number, Tail # N555JC.