Low flying helicopter checks gas lines across Greater Victoria
Published 3:30 pm Wednesday, September 16, 2026
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Low-flying helicopter sightings are keeping work water cooler and social media conversations abuzz in Greater Victoria.
To make sure the gas system continues to operate safely and reliably, FortisBC confirmed it’s performing aerial inspections of gas transmission lines across the province, the company confirmed to Victoria News.
“As part of our integrity management program, we inspect all of our high-pressure gas transmission lines each year to detect small issues before they become larger problems. A program of aerial inspections is the most accurate and cost-effective way to accomplish this,” Fortis said in an email.
Ascent Helicopters and LaSen Inc. are conducting light detection and ranging (LiDAR) mapping that requires flying at low altitude to inspect the lines. Work to cover 23 regions in B.C. started over the Island on Sept. 14.
Ascent is permitted by Transport Canada to fly at low levels and, using LaSen’s LiDAR equipment, inspect lines that previously had to be checked by foot.
“Conducting the surveys by helicopter covers more area in less time and is more cost-effective and safer for our field crews,” Fortis said.
With LiDAR, the energy of the laser beam is transmitted down from the aircraft to illuminate the area on the ground above and around a buried pipe. The light reflected from the ground is collected by the sensor’s receiver, and the amount of received energy is measured. If the beam passes through a gas plume emanating from a potential leak, the received energy will be diminished due to the absorption of laser light in the plume. This absorption signature is used to locate the issue and to assess its approximate magnitude.
The leak detection system is 98 per cent accurate in detecting leaks, according to Fortis, and can detect leaks as small as five parts per million.
If a leak is detected, the exact location is recorded using GPS coordinates and marked on a map with high-definition pictures. Fortis would then inspect each leak, make the necessary repairs and report to the regulating authorities.
Pending weather and operational changes, inspection flights are currently planned for Vancouver Island working into the Lower Mainland, then the Sunshine Coast and Whistler from Sept. 14 to 18; Sept. 19 to 21 over Fort Nelson, Prince George, Quesnel, Williams Lake and Cache Creek;
Sept. 21 and 22 over Kamloops and the East Kootenays and Penticton west to the Lower Mainland Sept. 23 to 25.
“While we anticipate few disruptions to your community as we perform this work, we appreciate your patience and encourage you to get in touch if you have any questions,” Fortis said. “We appreciate the public’s understanding and patience as we complete these inspections, using low-level flights. This work is important for maintaining community safety and reliable energy for homes and businesses. Flight time over a single area will be minimal.”
Anyone with questions can call 1-888-224-2710 or email gas.customerservice@fortisbc.com.
About the Author: Christine van Reeuwyk
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