This is a message from Gary Mason, Regional External Affairs Consultant for FirstEnergy:

Please be aware: Forestry will be conducting aerial saw operations in Met-Ed beginning July 25, 2022, through September 1, 2022, weather permitting. Local counties included in flights:  Northampton (Williams & Glendon); Bucks (Durham, Tinicum, Riegelsville, Nockamixon, Bridgeton).

Please be advised that Aerial Solutions Inc. will be the helicopter company performing the work.

The pilot will be in communication with any local airports, when in their airspace. The helicopter will be flying above or alongside the lines and may circle around for a closer inspection. The helicopter is a MD 500 E, Yellow & White with Blue Stripe, and Tail Number N5238C.  

Suspended on an adjustable 90-foot boom beneath a helicopter and equipped with multiple 24-inch rotary blades, the aerial saw is typically deployed along transmission lines in areas that are environmentally sensitive or inaccessible to bucket trucks and other vehicles. This fast, safe and efficient method of trimming typically covers more area in a day than a ground crew might complete in a week. The saw also eliminates the risk of injury to workers using bucket trucks or climbing trees to cut limbs near high voltage equipment.

The saw cleanly cuts tree limbs 8 to 10 inches in diameter, which fall straight to the ground propelled by air blasts from the helicopter rotors. Ground crews move limbs that have fallen onto roadways, yards, agricultural fields or in streams into adjacent wooded areas. The ground crew will also flag and stop motorists along roads if the saw is working nearby.

The helicopter flies above and alongside transmission lines and may circle around to perform additional trimming. The pilot communicates with local airport personnel whenever the helicopter is operating within their air space.

As always, poor weather and emergency patrols/repairs elsewhere may cause re-scheduling and/or delays.