U.K.'s National Grid selects Avalex Technologies' displays and DVR units for helicopter upgrades

GULF BREEZE, Fla. -- The U.K.-based power system operator National Grid has selected Avalex Technologies to provide displays and other video equipment for upgrades for its Airbus AS350 and Bell 429 helicopters.

The gear, which include Avalex's AVM4178Q widescreen displays and AVR8411 single-channel high-definition digital video recorders, will be used by National Grids Line Inspection group to help monitor its power transmission infrastructure.

"Prior to introducing helicopter-based inspections, it would take three workers a full day of dangerous work to inspect three towers," said Tony Hatten, Vice President of Business Development at Avalex Technologies. "Now, with the combination of advanced cameras and the Avalex HD monitors and DVR, one helicopter can check as many as eight tower structures for damage in about an hour."

The system also gives National Grid the ability to record and share video data with its engineers at National Grid's headquarters in London.