Routine Visual Line Patrol

This makes up 70% of our work. The helicopter flies just above and to one side of the line. Trained observers, using OS maps with overlays showing power lines and installations, report on 40 kinds of faults - ranging from deterioration to damage caused by storms, vandals and woodpeckers. If the condition is urgent, details are immediately telephoned to our electricity network control centre.

All routine work is plotted onto report maps or stored in a computer system.

About 130 to 160 kms of line can be surveyed in a normal five-hour flying day split into two sorties. Two men and a Land Rover would take 10 days.