WORCESTER (CBS) – You might notice increased helicopter activity in your area as National Grid undertakes its twice-a-year inspection of transmission lines.

WBZ NewsRadio 1030′s Carl Stevens reports

One crew flew out of Worcester Airport Tuesday morning, armed with high-powered gyroscopic binoculars, troubleshooting over high-voltage transmission lines across central Massachusetts.

Why the helicopter?

Because many of the lines are in woods and swamps that are very difficult to walk through.

“We’re looking for items that may cause issues in a six-month time frame, get them to the field crews so they can be maintained and repaired,” Nick Gibson, manager of line maintenance, told WBZ NewsRadio 1030.

They’re looking for broken insulators, loose guide wires, cross arms in need of repair, basically anything that may cause a line to fall down.

National Grid has more than 2,900 miles of transmission lines across New England.

Watch video of Carl’s tour: