I don’t think there’s been many discussions on here about commercial helicopter work ? Possibly something most of us as enthusiasts rarely witness at our local airports (ABZ regulars excepted of course.)
According to Bristow Helicopters there is now a real shortage of crews and engineers capable of flying and looking after their fleet, which mainly serves the North Sea oil industry and commercially operated search and rescue services.
Anyone fancy training up ???
By: coanda - 30th May 2006 at 20:53
well, if there is the potential for a sponsorship, I would certainly seriously consider applying.
By: andrewm - 29th May 2006 at 19:11
Bristow could be in trouble if they are unable to fullfill clients requirements due to lack of pilots etc. They will no doubt become more viable with crews next year as CHC Scotia are taking over all Search and Rescue Operations for the Coastguard.
By: Richard Taylor - 29th May 2006 at 18:48
As an ABZ regular, I can confirm that there has been a sharp upturn in the North Sea & UKCS in general, especially over the last 12 months.
All 3 helicopter companies (Bristow, CHC Scotia & Bond) are a lot busier & all have been training extensively, presumably in an effort to get more potential pilots on line.
The very high price of the black stuff has seen activity increase sharply, in a province which many thought was in terminal decline. (Actually the North Sea IS in decline, now in its mature phase, but many smaller independent companies especially are exploring blocks that the majors have ignored or given up, & it is mainly this that is causing the increase in demand for rotary transport).
As far as Bristow are concerned, perhaps they shouldn’t have sold 5 AS332Ls to the German Border Guard (as did CHC Scotia). As a result, they no longer have sufficient spare capacity to deal with the increased demand. Other units have been transferred away from the North Sea to other oil provinces to be based, as they were thought to be “where the work was” when the North Sea went into apparent terminal decline during the last oil price low.
Bristow also blame previous “short-term” thinking among the oil companies, who in the past were too ready to cut contracts & jobs when times were tough. Now times are good, and they require to send more people offshore, they are finding capacity previously there is no longer available.
Do I hear chickens coming home to roost?
By: murph - 29th May 2006 at 18:41
If they pay for my training I’ll definately go for it!!!
By: lukeylad - 29th May 2006 at 18:35
not just crews seems there short of aircraft too.
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May 29, 2006 at 6:34 pm