What's New In W. Africa (Nigeria)
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I hear OLOG/Bristow in Nigeria got a pay rise this year. That must be a good slap in the face for all the ACN/Schreiner guys who, since their take-over by CHC weren't even notified that they were getting nothing. What's happening with ACN/Schreiner since the takeover - are they now going to be part of the new overseas division administered from Vancouver, or will it be business as usual with the Dutch running things? I hear they're worried that a certain ex-Scotia manager, now based in South Africa may soon have responsibility for them 
What about Caverton? I see they now have quite a pretty A109 at their hangar. Has it been operating yet? I hear they may be getting something larger fairly soon.
Is the new 332L2 which Helikopter Service delivered to Angola recently, operating now?
What about Caverton? I see they now have quite a pretty A109 at their hangar. Has it been operating yet? I hear they may be getting something larger fairly soon.
Is the new 332L2 which Helikopter Service delivered to Angola recently, operating now?
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"I hear they're worried that a certain ex-Scotia manager, now based in South Africa may soon have responsibility for them"
Why should they be worried? they might be happy!!!!
Why should they be worried? they might be happy!!!!
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Hello girls,
Just back from leave.
Bristow yet again in Mauritania - is no-one else interested in trying to get in there? Hi Brains!
CHC going to start in Sudan with an SA365N2 from Eurocopter Malaysia, though it's APRAM (Schreiner) who are looking for the crews. Any bets as to whether they'll be paid the CHC Africa (
) salary or the APRAM salary (slightly less ). By all accounts Sudan is a good place to work 
. At least Khartoum and Heglig are well away from Darfur, but Heglig has recently been a hotspot as it was partially destroyed by rebels only a couple of years ago. I hope they're paying a good danger allowance 
CHC boss in Malabo recently quit and more changes in people in Douala. Both much nicer than Nigeria, so wonder what's up there? Rumours that the new CHC accommodation in Luanda has lots of restrictions on crew personal life.
ACN still losing people in Nigeria despite offering a better rotation than Bristow. Wonder what the underlying cause of that is? Also hear that after getting rid of all the old fogeys over 57 Bristow now short of pilots again - oh how unexpected!!
Caverton now have their AOC, but yet to start actually operating their 109.
Well, PPRuNers, yet again rumours, but will anybody actually, for once come upm and make any comment. Gettin' a bit tired of hoppin around here on my pogo stick!
Mama
Just back from leave.
Bristow yet again in Mauritania - is no-one else interested in trying to get in there? Hi Brains!
CHC going to start in Sudan with an SA365N2 from Eurocopter Malaysia, though it's APRAM (Schreiner) who are looking for the crews. Any bets as to whether they'll be paid the CHC Africa (
) salary or the APRAM salary (slightly less ). By all accounts Sudan is a good place to work . At least Khartoum and Heglig are well away from Darfur, but Heglig has recently been a hotspot as it was partially destroyed by rebels only a couple of years ago. I hope they're paying a good danger allowance CHC boss in Malabo recently quit and more changes in people in Douala. Both much nicer than Nigeria, so wonder what's up there? Rumours that the new CHC accommodation in Luanda has lots of restrictions on crew personal life.
ACN still losing people in Nigeria despite offering a better rotation than Bristow. Wonder what the underlying cause of that is? Also hear that after getting rid of all the old fogeys over 57
Bristow now short of pilots again - oh how unexpected!!Caverton now have their AOC, but yet to start actually operating their 109.
Well, PPRuNers, yet again rumours, but will anybody actually, for once come upm and make any comment. Gettin' a bit tired of hoppin around here on my pogo stick!
Mama
Mama...
Any American pilots over 55 get the axe from Mobil/Eket? There are some interesting laws in the USA about such things....even for companies operating outside the USA. If Mobil had any input into that decision...they could be liable for prosecution in US courts for Age Discrimination. Even ARAMCO got sued by an oilfield type for that when he got dumped out of Saudi. The US law was amended after his suit was unsuccessful....and now makes it much easier for US Based companies operating overseas to be sued for discrimination.
With all these stories about Bristow coming out....makes one wonder what the management is thinking? Some OLOG influence here?
Any American pilots over 55 get the axe from Mobil/Eket? There are some interesting laws in the USA about such things....even for companies operating outside the USA. If Mobil had any input into that decision...they could be liable for prosecution in US courts for Age Discrimination. Even ARAMCO got sued by an oilfield type for that when he got dumped out of Saudi. The US law was amended after his suit was unsuccessful....and now makes it much easier for US Based companies operating overseas to be sued for discrimination.
With all these stories about Bristow coming out....makes one wonder what the management is thinking? Some OLOG influence here?
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As of about 15 September I heard from a reliable source that the rather ebullient Chief Pilot of Calverton blew up and sank: he lost his rag in a big way, shouting at his local chairman and then being escorted off the scene more or less at gunpoint. Yet another case of 'many are called but few are chosen', perhaps?
It was difficult to understand their business model from what this fellow had told us: 7 Nigerian VIPs at a time in an Agusta 109 being shuttled between Murtala Muhammed Airport and Victoria Island. Given that your average Nigerian VIP travels with a rather massive amount of luggage, plus often being the size himself of 1.5 normal people, it was hard to understand just how they were all going to fit into such a small helicopter. Too, since downtown isn't so very far away by ground transport, aside from the first 7 (?) pax, were the rest supposed to just wait around for the next trip? And what were they going to do when the weather closed in during the harmattan season (700 metres in thick dust haze)?
All in all, the entertainment value in what this guy was telling us was rather high but the amount of reality in all of it was and is a bit questionable. I took this for one more speculative venture using OPM (Other People's Money). Time will tell.
It was difficult to understand their business model from what this fellow had told us: 7 Nigerian VIPs at a time in an Agusta 109 being shuttled between Murtala Muhammed Airport and Victoria Island. Given that your average Nigerian VIP travels with a rather massive amount of luggage, plus often being the size himself of 1.5 normal people, it was hard to understand just how they were all going to fit into such a small helicopter. Too, since downtown isn't so very far away by ground transport, aside from the first 7 (?) pax, were the rest supposed to just wait around for the next trip? And what were they going to do when the weather closed in during the harmattan season (700 metres in thick dust haze)?
All in all, the entertainment value in what this guy was telling us was rather high but the amount of reality in all of it was and is a bit questionable. I took this for one more speculative venture using OPM (Other People's Money). Time will tell.
The image of the baggage alone brings a smile! Throw in the flowing robes, twenty-seven carry on's each....and thinking about the pushing and shoving to be first in the queue....now that would be a sight to behold.
A CH-47 would be a better fit for that mission....unless there are some Russian Mil Gigantous about....
A CH-47 would be a better fit for that mission....unless there are some Russian Mil Gigantous about....
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chuks,
Your rumour about the rather ebullient Chief Pilot of Caverton is what I also heard.
I think you'll find that the A109 (Caverton's is in 5 seat configuration) is not going to be used for the shuttle to VI. You say that 'downtown isn't so far away', but if you know Lagos at all you'll also know that the journey from 'downtown' to MM can take in excess of 3 hours when the traffic is bad, and whilst stuck in a 'go slow' the risk of being robbed is considerably increased. The flight takes only between 5-10 minutes so may be well worthwhile for those with the money (quite a lot on VI I would think). Luggage is sure to be a problem whatever aircraft they end up using. I wouldn't think the harmattan would be a big problem. The weather only deteriorates to less than 1000 metres for a few days a year, and that's no different from the sort of weather factors they faced on the operation Helikopter Service used to run between Helsingborg and Copenhagen. The reaction of the passengers in Lagos may be a little louder and more extreme though!
SASless,
I don't know if any Americans were affected when Mobil moved the goalposts last year - but I understand all pilots over the age of 57 had to leave. Some of them may have been found work on other operations because Bristow always seem to be short of people. I hear that the rule has been changed again now. Maybe soemone from Bristow will come up and comment.
Mama
Your rumour about the rather ebullient Chief Pilot of Caverton is what I also heard.
I think you'll find that the A109 (Caverton's is in 5 seat configuration) is not going to be used for the shuttle to VI. You say that 'downtown isn't so far away', but if you know Lagos at all you'll also know that the journey from 'downtown' to MM can take in excess of 3 hours when the traffic is bad, and whilst stuck in a 'go slow' the risk of being robbed is considerably increased. The flight takes only between 5-10 minutes so may be well worthwhile for those with the money (quite a lot on VI I would think). Luggage is sure to be a problem whatever aircraft they end up using. I wouldn't think the harmattan would be a big problem. The weather only deteriorates to less than 1000 metres for a few days a year, and that's no different from the sort of weather factors they faced on the operation Helikopter Service used to run between Helsingborg and Copenhagen. The reaction of the passengers in Lagos may be a little louder and more extreme though!
SASless,
I don't know if any Americans were affected when Mobil moved the goalposts last year - but I understand all pilots over the age of 57 had to leave. Some of them may have been found work on other operations because Bristow always seem to be short of people. I hear that the rule has been changed again now. Maybe soemone from Bristow will come up and comment.
Mama
The surest way to resolve any conflict in the event of the helicopter being too small, or the number of bags too great, is to puff yourself up to your greatest size and then boom;
"Don't you know who I am?"
"Don't you know who I am?"
Gee,
Maybe I better apologize for my teasing.....maybe some day I will have to dust off that Green License I carry around as a souvenir.
ACN suggested I could find a billet in PHC if I was interested a while back.
As a veteran gambler from Vegas area, and old BHL hand used to say, once you get that Nigerian License....you always come back to Paradise. I know he only did so when the gem business died, the import export business in Thailand went Tango Uniform, and the professional gambling grew boring. That and leaving his good buddy Sagatious behind pained him.
Maybe I better apologize for my teasing.....maybe some day I will have to dust off that Green License I carry around as a souvenir.
ACN suggested I could find a billet in PHC if I was interested a while back.
As a veteran gambler from Vegas area, and old BHL hand used to say, once you get that Nigerian License....you always come back to Paradise. I know he only did so when the gem business died, the import export business in Thailand went Tango Uniform, and the professional gambling grew boring. That and leaving his good buddy Sagatious behind pained him.
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Which Lagos are we speaking of here?
My Lagos has crummy weather for more than just a few days per year, especially when you are using visual references to approach and land. And 'Mr Calverton' was speaking of operating to some downtown site, in among all the high-rises, radio masts and what-all, with, presumably, minimum fuel. That's a lot different from shooting a contact approach, isn't it? I could just imagine flying around in all that dust with no horizon... 'better you than me' was all I could summon up, but then I know I am not Superpilot.
So it all sounded fairly sporty and optimistic, especially when he was telling everyone within a 3-metre radius that all he had to do was pick up a telephone to get whatever clearances he needed. We guessed he hadn't yet found out about how today's top Nigerian neddy would become tomorrow's nobody if he was lucky or a prisoner if he was unlucky. Too, with all that horsepower, how come they still weren't operating? But if you buy the drinks everyone else in the bar will just listen and nod politely as you tell them how you are going to show Nigeria a new way to operate.
On another occasion, down in Port Harcourt, I met a newly-arrived group of ex-Eastern Airlines guys, all come to fly for Barnax on leased 737-200s. They were all pumped up with vigour and enthusiasm, so that I came off as very pessimistic and flabby by contrast. When I told one of my new friends to be careful about seeing that the paychecks cleared promptly every month he told me that they were on top of that. 'If we don't get paid we stop flying, just like that!' When I advised caution about being too confrontational he went on to ask/tell me 'What's this guy going to do, lock us up?'
I went off on leave and by the time I got back everyone was talking about how the Barnax guys had been locked up, albeit for only a few days....
So it all sounded fairly sporty and optimistic, especially when he was telling everyone within a 3-metre radius that all he had to do was pick up a telephone to get whatever clearances he needed. We guessed he hadn't yet found out about how today's top Nigerian neddy would become tomorrow's nobody if he was lucky or a prisoner if he was unlucky. Too, with all that horsepower, how come they still weren't operating? But if you buy the drinks everyone else in the bar will just listen and nod politely as you tell them how you are going to show Nigeria a new way to operate.
On another occasion, down in Port Harcourt, I met a newly-arrived group of ex-Eastern Airlines guys, all come to fly for Barnax on leased 737-200s. They were all pumped up with vigour and enthusiasm, so that I came off as very pessimistic and flabby by contrast. When I told one of my new friends to be careful about seeing that the paychecks cleared promptly every month he told me that they were on top of that. 'If we don't get paid we stop flying, just like that!' When I advised caution about being too confrontational he went on to ask/tell me 'What's this guy going to do, lock us up?'
I went off on leave and by the time I got back everyone was talking about how the Barnax guys had been locked up, albeit for only a few days....
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MM.....Not to knock the wind out of your sail.....but the 'rather ebullient'..CP or effectionately known Skip didn't lose his rag or blow up in front of the Chairman. He Was escorted out by some quasi military and civil guys..........much to his delight!! ......more to follow soon.....
......more to follow soon.....
I did not know Calverton was owned by OLOG! Sure begins to sound like the same management.
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HPB,
It was chuks and not I who actually first used the expression
I merely commented that I had heard the same rumour ( I gather the video is to follow!! )
If it was you, let's hear your version of events.
chuks,
You're obviously fixed wing, having flown for Julius Berger and now Dorniers for Bristow, so maybe your view of things is a bit different. We rotary guys are always having to pick our way amongst the ever-increasing number of masts in Nigeria in marginal conditions. A bit like flying into NAF when that was still allowed for fixed wing - no?
At least we're getting some replies now. Keep it up guys.
Mama
It was chuks and not I who actually first used the expression
the 'rather ebullient'
)If it was you, let's hear your version of events.
chuks,
You're obviously fixed wing, having flown for Julius Berger and now Dorniers for Bristow, so maybe your view of things is a bit different. We rotary guys are always having to pick our way amongst the ever-increasing number of masts in Nigeria in marginal conditions. A bit like flying into NAF when that was still allowed for fixed wing - no?
At least we're getting some replies now. Keep it up guys.
Mama
Nigerian In Law
Never Let The Truth Stand In the Way Of A Good Rumour.........
Where do I start ? Bristow got rid of all the oldies at Eket because ExxonMobil insisted, but as far as I know only one American pilot was affected and he was over Bristow's own retirement age so no litigation. Then they realised they didn't have enough "bums on seats" and changed their minds.
CHC crews are p**sed off because they haven't been told what the future holds and after the Bristow pay rise they are even worse.
Ed Van Damm (ex ACN MD) is working for Air Logistics as Director Of Overseas Marketing or something like that.
The Bristow Area Manager for the past 3 months has just resigned.
Rumour is CHC want to sell off the ACN fixed wing division because it is a money loser.
A Bristow crew bus was stolen at gunpoint two weeks ago in Port Harcourt, the driver was shot in the leg. Nobody else was on board.
Pan African are waiting to hear what will happen over the anomalies to do with the 412 that was lost a couple of months ago.
That's all for now !!
CHC crews are p**sed off because they haven't been told what the future holds and after the Bristow pay rise they are even worse.
Ed Van Damm (ex ACN MD) is working for Air Logistics as Director Of Overseas Marketing or something like that.
The Bristow Area Manager for the past 3 months has just resigned.
Rumour is CHC want to sell off the ACN fixed wing division because it is a money loser.
A Bristow crew bus was stolen at gunpoint two weeks ago in Port Harcourt, the driver was shot in the leg. Nobody else was on board.
Pan African are waiting to hear what will happen over the anomalies to do with the 412 that was lost a couple of months ago.
That's all for now !!
Ah, sounds like a nice situation in Nigeria....things are not getting much better by the sounds of it. Throw in the political unrest and it makes for an interesting place to work.
What is travel like from Eket to Lagos...still going by commerical air from Calabar or has Mobil relented and let Bristow crews ride the Redhorse?
Food still as good as ever at Eket....?
Bristow still way out in the boonies at PHC or they on the Shell camp now?
What is travel like from Eket to Lagos...still going by commerical air from Calabar or has Mobil relented and let Bristow crews ride the Redhorse?
Food still as good as ever at Eket....?
Bristow still way out in the boonies at PHC or they on the Shell camp now?
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Well, it wasn't my rumour in the first place, but...
I will stand by my assessment of yer man as 'ebullient' as being fair and balanced. The story I got about the way he left seemed believable, but of course someone could have just sold me some duff gen. After all, it wasn't as though I invested money in the truth or falsehood of this. Certainly it was striking that he was very much there one day and gone the next, which always raises questions.
The story seemed believable to me, but what do I know? I can tell you much stranger ones that I know to be absolutely true.
I used to do a bit of flying in marginal VMC, not down to helicopter minima, but pretty crummy even so. I don't miss having to do that sort of thing very much at all, actually. It was fun landing in Escravos when the helicopters were still grounded or being the only guy to get into old Warri Airstrip but then the fun sort of wore off as I became older and smarter or at least older.
My hat is off to you guys for the way you can find your way around, but... downtown Lagos in thick harmattan dusk would be incredibly hairy, I would think. Not least, there is the charming local custom of just erecting this or that structure and worrying about the formalities later. You could be the very first guy to find out about that new radio mast right next to your landing pad.
The story seemed believable to me, but what do I know? I can tell you much stranger ones that I know to be absolutely true.
I used to do a bit of flying in marginal VMC, not down to helicopter minima, but pretty crummy even so. I don't miss having to do that sort of thing very much at all, actually. It was fun landing in Escravos when the helicopters were still grounded or being the only guy to get into old Warri Airstrip but then the fun sort of wore off as I became older and smarter or at least older.
My hat is off to you guys for the way you can find your way around, but... downtown Lagos in thick harmattan dusk would be incredibly hairy, I would think. Not least, there is the charming local custom of just erecting this or that structure and worrying about the formalities later. You could be the very first guy to find out about that new radio mast right next to your landing pad.
