A yellow helicopter flying in the skies above Tsawwassen on Wednesday caused quite a stir on social media, but there was no need for alarm.
On Thursday, FortisBC confirmed in an email to the Optimist that they were in fact conducting aerial inspections of their gas transmission lines.
“These annual inspections are part of our integrity management program to make sure that our natural gas system continues to operate safely and reliably,” said corporate communications specialist Holly Harrison. “Talon Helicopters, on behalf of FortisBC, is performing LiDAR mapping which requires flying at low altitudes to inspect the lines. Talon Helicopters is permitted by Transport Canada to fly at low levels in order to inspect the lines that previously had to be inspected by foot. This covers more area in less time, is more cost-effective and safer for our field crews.”
She said the aerial inspections are taking place across various regions in B.C., including the Lower Mainland, from mid-July through August.
Since the helicopter will be passing through a number of regional districts, flight time over a single area will be minimal and there will be no ground activity related to the flights.
