SDG&E currently contracting helicopters and drones

Village News Staff

SDG&E has contracted helicopters and drones which are operating in the High Fire Districts as part of an SDG&E project to ensure the safety and reliability of the energy grid, SDG&E has announced.

"As part of our ongoing Wildfire Mitigation Plan and commitment to provide our customers with the safest and most reliable energy possible, SDG&E is currently using helicopters equipped with Light Detection and Ranging technology and drones to inspect our overhead electric power lines and equipment throughout the region's High Fire Threat District," SDG&E said.

According to SDG&E, The inspections are done to ensure the safety of the electric power lines and identify potential risks related to vegetation and other hazards and to determine if any repairs are needed.

"Residents who live in the High Fire Threat District may see SDG&E contracted helicopters flying approximately 500 feet above the ground near our power lines in their area between now and the end of January 2022," SDG&E said, adding that since November more than 30,000 residents had been sent letters by mail in English and in Spanish with "information on the project, what to expect, potential impacts (such as increased dust and noise levels) and a phone number they can call for more information and/or questions."

According to local resident Bob Gonsett, the noisy low-speed red-over-white helicopter flying over Fallbrook is an "N543SA which traces back to Shier Aviation at Montgomery Field in San Diego. It's a Bell 206B 'copter.

"I called Shier at 858-505-5650 (option 1) and talked to Fernando who said 543SA is under contract to SDG&E to do LIDAR surveys including photos of low hanging vegetation over power lines (fire hazards)."

Gonsett provided photos taken with his iPhone, without the benefit of a telephoto lens, showing the survey pod.

"If you zoom in on my iPhone photos ... you will see a survey pod attached to the front of the helicopter," he said.

For an overview of the LIDAR technology as it pertains to power line inspections, visit https://www.routescene.com/applications/powerline-inspection/.