Low flying helicopters are sweeping Tyne and Wear to keep lights on and showers running across the region this winter.
Northern Powergrid is using the machines to check power lines are working properly before the cold weather sets in.
The helicopters are being used to survey almost 2000 power lines every day throughout the autumn.
Over a four month period, they will scour more than 25,000 sq km of land from Northumbria to South Yorkshire.
Staff are on the lookout for any potential problems with the lines, from fallen trees to rotting poles.
They log each powerline on a GPS map, using blue dots for working lines and red dots for faulty ones.
Green dots are used to alert helicopters of horses in neighbouring fields as they carry out their check-ups.
Norther Powergrid Inspections Manager Gary Bartholomew said: "Many of our powerlines are in rural areas.
"It is easier to assess them using helicopters than having men on the ground."
Related stories
-
Up To 1,000 New Wind Farm Jobs For Tyneside
-
Little Wings Charity: Tyne And Wear From 10,000ft
-
Power Cut In Central Sunderland
-
Inside Newcastle’s Wind Power Training School
-
Easyjet’s New Orange Plane
-
Bigger Planes And Big Opportunities For Newcastle
-
Wingwalkers and Fireworks At Sunderland Airshow
-
Plane Academy: New Routes, New Recruitment
Do powercuts often affect you over the Winter?
More from News
-
Derek Llambias Resigns From Role As Managing Director At Newcastle United
-
Newcastle United Boss Alan Pardew Leads The Premier League Sack Race
-
Rihanna's Greatest Hits: Stadium Of Light Star Lashes Out At Clingy Fan
-
Vintage Vehicles Tear Up The Dales In The 43rd Annual Beamish Run
-
British Army Redundancies: North East Ex-Servicemen Speak Out
-
Newcastle Fan Who Punched Police Horse Claims 'Self Defence'
-
The Beggar Who Makes Up To £150 A Day On The Streets Of Newcastle
-
Newcastle City Council Leader Nick Forbes: 'Cuts Made Me A Hate Figure'
