Many residents in the Greater Victoria area raised their eyebrows at a black helicopter flying low over the area on Monday, but as it turns out, the chopper is simply doing approved work for FortisBC.
The aircraft is owned by Talon Helicopters and, despite looking like it might be filming something, it is actually performing aerial inspections.
According to Talon, the helicopter is doing LiDAR scanning in order to inspect high pressured gas transmission lines for FortisBC.
LiDAR is an acronym for Light Detection and Ranging and utilizes remote sensing technology to collect measurements and create 3D models.
FortisBC has contracted the helicopter to use the LiDAR system — which is mounted to the front of the aircraft — and scan the areas around buried gas pipes. The system can detect if there is a gas leak and help lock in the exact coordinates.
Talon told CHEK News that the lower-than-usual altitude is required for the LiDAR to scan accurately.
The helicopter has full approval for the low flight path from Transport Canada.
CHEK News
