Australian Offshore ops - CHC or Bristow?

[hornylittlepuma]

Hi everyone,
I sure there some Aussie CHC and Bristow boys on this forum and I've always wondered, from a pilots point of view, who is better to work for in the Aussie offshore , CHC or Bristows??
Also, if someone can shed some light on they're pay, working/living conditions, and aircraft, if they're hiring new coeys at the moment.
Thanks,
:ok:

[six-three Bravo]

Can anyone provide some inside info as what is the "unoffical" policy at Bristow and CHC regardling the preferred age when recruiting their co - pilots. I'm in my late forties, I have several hundred hours, been flying for 7 years, I meet their minimum requirements, have applied several times, know younger pilots with less hours getting on as co - pilots. I have never got an interview.

I have been told by current employees of Bristow and CHC in Australia if you are over 40 year old unless you have a few thousand hours, they will not look at you.

By the way this practice in Australia is illegal. So does anyone know of anyone over 40 getting onto with Bristow or CHC as a co - pilot and if so how hours did they have? Any with less than 1000?

[zalt]

six-three Bravo

Rumours are all well and good but nothing beats making & maintaining contact, asking the question, being persistant and selling yourself.

[CYHeli]

63B, the only empoyees of these companies that I would listen to are the ones that are conducting the interviews.
Ask them, what have I got to do to be employible? If they wont tell you, or b#llsh1t you, then do you really want to work for them?
(leaving $$ and conditions aside. Hang on is there anything else :} )

Keep at them and good luck.

[Twin Head]

63B Bristows wont hire over the age of 40, unless captain cir and all ticks in the box.:ugh:

hlp CHC are hiring at the moment for sar at pearce in the 76, interviews were held 2 weeks ago. You need to ring chc all the time for updates. There is also Jayrows and Esso in the off shore game. Bristows long term is probably a bit better than chc unless your 60, both companies are on par for pay and work conditions. AFAP have all eba's for both companies on line which will answer all pay amounts.:)

[blade root]

Twin head,
Not sure of your info. but I have two friends who have started with Bristows in the past 12 months, both over 40.
Neither have a command IR or Command endorsement on their types.
Depends on how needy they are i guess.

[hornylittlepuma]

Thanks for the info about age limits on the big 2.
What about conditions in the field? Accomodation, aircraft, flight ops, engineering, allowances?:ok:

[IN2IT]

I would suggest you contact them. They have an information sheet they sent out which should answer most of your questions.
Email: [email protected]

[anonythemouse]

Have got the Bristow contact details but who is the contact at CHC for the Australia operation?

Basically would like to know where and how they are operating in Australia. Understand that they have the SAR/EMS contract over on the East coast but what else is on offer?

I am one of those with the 4500hrs but no IR (as it's not been required and is expensive to get here when you're paying out of your own wallet for it as well as the mortgage) but hope to be moving to Oz in the next 18 months.

[froggy_pilot]

Can't get a job in Australia ?

Try CHC or Bristow for Nigeria, they are still desperate for pilots here :ouch:

[Tokunbo]

froggy,

Bristow in Nigeria have all they need for the time being. Several pilots have joined from CHC and they have filled all their quota positions for new pilots at present. It sounds as if CHC may still have some vacancies - are they now taking expat FOs?

[206Fan]

Out of interest lads, whats bristows minimum requirments if they are looking to take on new Co Pilots in Australia??

Id presume you gtta be a permanent resident in the country.. Any other lads here from the UK flying offshore in oz?

Ive always had an interest in the offshore industry and i like the idea of flying on pumas down the line.. Im going to australia within the next few months to do my CPL on the east coast..

Cheers..:ok:

[pohm1]

500 PIC
Irex
ATPL subjects (preferred)
Turbine Experience (preferred)

These are the the regular requirements in the ads, the company has been recruiting hard in the last two years.

P1

[Chickenhawk1]

What equipment have Bristow got down there? (I know they've got 332's but how many and what else?)

[206Fan]

Thanks for that P1.. Il worry about the CPL for now and see what happens afterwards!