What Is That Thing Flying Around Michigan? A Chainsaw Massacre?

This is a scary thing, but, okay, it's not exactly a chainsaw massacre. But it IS a heart-stopper!

What would you think if you suddenly saw a helicopter flying above you with about ten spinning blades that seemingly could cut a car in half and it was coming your way? Scream...run for the hills...call the cops?

This thing is out there and boy is it scary looking with that aerial saw dangling from a helicopter as it flies around Michigan.

However, there is good news about this thing. The Indiana-Michigan power company is using this man-eating-looking contraption attached to a helicopter for tree trimming. So it's a limb-and-branch massacre of sorts.

You won't see it around here since Consumers Energy is our power source, but in Southwest Michigan, I & M power is the source and they need to do some routine maintenance to remove overhanging or encroaching branches that can interfere with major power lines. So, bring on the man-eating saws!

I & M Power says that the saw is suspended beneath a helicopter by a vertical boom with multiple blades attached. Aerial trimming is faster and can more easily reach off-road areas than traditional trimming.

They decided to begin the trimming yesterday, 2/13, and will continue to work through this Friday, 2/16, weather permitting.

The helicopter will fly westward near transmission lines from Hartford to near Lake Michigan in the townships of Hartford, Coloma, and Benton. Flights will typically occur from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m.

I'm still scared!