Afghanistan Civil Helicopter Ops
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Afghanistan Civil Helicopter Ops
I am interested if any of you guys out there working in Afghanistan could give some info about how the flying is there.
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Bit, I operated there in 2004 and 2006 and while much has changed, much has not either. I was operating a Lear 35 at the time so there are some differences. Depending on what part of the country you are operating out of plan on MEA's that range from about 5000 feet to 21000 feet. The lowest airport is Sheberghan at 1050 feet MSL and the highest is Kabul at 5877 MSL. As of right now, I don't know of any airport in the Northeast portion of the country. The area is known as the Hindu Kush and is part of the Himalaya Mountain chain.
Depending on who you are operating for, you will need PPR's for the various airports. In 2006 there were only 3 airports with approaches, Kandahar had a PAR, Bagram had a Helicopter GPS and Kabul had a VOR/DME and an ILS. The ILS wasn't working the last time I was there due as the airport kept plugging it into the wrong power source.
The US and NATO have been working to improve the airports. Many have been resurfaced. In 2006 Konduz and Jalalabad were probably the two roughest airports in the world. They actually made the Russian airport in Siberia look smooth. Here in the US they probably wouldn't qualify as an abandoned airport. Support is poor at best. Fuel MAY be available at some airports, depending on who you are operating for. There are only a couple of navaids, so you will rely on your GPS. So I would plan on having two installed and carrying a handheld as a backup.
Have fun as it will be an adventure. I enjoyed my time there and wouldn't trade it for anything, but I wouldn't go back again if I had any other options.
Depending on who you are operating for, you will need PPR's for the various airports. In 2006 there were only 3 airports with approaches, Kandahar had a PAR, Bagram had a Helicopter GPS and Kabul had a VOR/DME and an ILS. The ILS wasn't working the last time I was there due as the airport kept plugging it into the wrong power source.
The US and NATO have been working to improve the airports. Many have been resurfaced. In 2006 Konduz and Jalalabad were probably the two roughest airports in the world. They actually made the Russian airport in Siberia look smooth. Here in the US they probably wouldn't qualify as an abandoned airport. Support is poor at best. Fuel MAY be available at some airports, depending on who you are operating for. There are only a couple of navaids, so you will rely on your GPS. So I would plan on having two installed and carrying a handheld as a backup.
Have fun as it will be an adventure. I enjoyed my time there and wouldn't trade it for anything, but I wouldn't go back again if I had any other options.
Approx week ago AN124 (Ruslan) unloaded 3 x Mi171 (upgraded in ATE Poprad) in
Kanadhar. Helicopters belong to one Canadian co, perhaps you can ask them from
first hand....
Kanadhar. Helicopters belong to one Canadian co, perhaps you can ask them from
first hand....
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Thanks Rick,
I know CHL has flown 2 S-61 Helicopters to Kabul or Kandahar with an Antonov 225.
Supposedly there will be more contracts available by Fall.
I am kind of thinking about to possibility of working over there but the thought still scares me, especially the getting captured part and not the getting shot at part is the one that would worry me.......
I know CHL has flown 2 S-61 Helicopters to Kabul or Kandahar with an Antonov 225.
Supposedly there will be more contracts available by Fall.
I am kind of thinking about to possibility of working over there but the thought still scares me, especially the getting captured part and not the getting shot at part is the one that would worry me.......
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Bit,
I would worry more about the bad air and water. The air and the water in Afghanistan, especially in Kabul is probably the dirtiest in the world. Lots of dust in the air. Add in the exhaust fumes from all the old Russian trucks they still use there. You'll spend a lot of time coughing and hacking. Much of the time the visibility will be around 2KM.
I would worry more about the bad air and water. The air and the water in Afghanistan, especially in Kabul is probably the dirtiest in the world. Lots of dust in the air. Add in the exhaust fumes from all the old Russian trucks they still use there. You'll spend a lot of time coughing and hacking. Much of the time the visibility will be around 2KM.
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I tried to get a foot in the door there....but even with experience in Afghanistan-it seems to be impossible to get in...
They are mainly operating MilMi 8 /17, which are flown by pilots from the eastern countries....which fly for less money than anyone else would do..
They are mainly operating MilMi 8 /17, which are flown by pilots from the eastern countries....which fly for less money than anyone else would do..
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Did a stint there on 212s, not sure if anyone has moved 412s in - there was talk of a contract being closed towards the end of '09 but haven't heard more.
Give a lot of thought to the risk vs reward, especially if you have a family and/or dependants. Read the fine print of your insurance policies very carefully before you go!
Our fixed wing drivers had 'managable' risk in their flight ops, routes & destinations but on the helo side you are basically a civilian performing a military role with none of the cover or benefits to match.
Yes, the money can be good and some of the guys have been doing it for years and have a pot of $$ to show for it but IMHO you should go only if you have no other options and only if you feel the risk is mitigated.
Give a lot of thought to the risk vs reward, especially if you have a family and/or dependants. Read the fine print of your insurance policies very carefully before you go!
Our fixed wing drivers had 'managable' risk in their flight ops, routes & destinations but on the helo side you are basically a civilian performing a military role with none of the cover or benefits to match.
Yes, the money can be good and some of the guys have been doing it for years and have a pot of $$ to show for it but IMHO you should go only if you have no other options and only if you feel the risk is mitigated.
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Been there, done that....
I have been there twice (as mentioned before), and am trying to find a company to go again, which seems to be impossible for a NON-US-citizen...
So-if anybody of you should here about open positions-gimme a hint!
Yeah-itīs dangerous....but if you had been a military pilot, you are used to the risk.........but everbody has to make this decision for himself...
If you earn 1 million $-it is not worth if you cannot spend the money......
I have been there twice (as mentioned before), and am trying to find a company to go again, which seems to be impossible for a NON-US-citizen...
So-if anybody of you should here about open positions-gimme a hint!
Yeah-itīs dangerous....but if you had been a military pilot, you are used to the risk.........but everbody has to make this decision for himself...
If you earn 1 million $-it is not worth if you cannot spend the money......
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huey,
why do you need to be us citizen? there are other companies working FOR the us government. afaik only a background check for a low level security clearance is required.
still nobody posting that is currently in afghanistan........
why do you need to be us citizen? there are other companies working FOR the us government. afaik only a background check for a low level security clearance is required.
still nobody posting that is currently in afghanistan........
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All companies i have applied for an open position answered, that they would need US citizenship...
I already have a NATO-secret security clearance which is also valid in the US-so that shouldnīt be the problem..
Maybe i am not able to find the right ads....?
I already have a NATO-secret security clearance which is also valid in the US-so that shouldnīt be the problem..
Maybe i am not able to find the right ads....?
still nobody posting that is currently in afghanistan........
,from RPG in tail during landings and take offs....
About CHL,
Used the search option and got this result from an earlier thread:
http://www.pprune.org/rotorheads/364...stan-work.html
May explain a bit
Used the search option and got this result from an earlier thread:
http://www.pprune.org/rotorheads/364...stan-work.html
May explain a bit
Last edited by Nubian; 9th Apr 2010 at 19:17. Reason: Adding link
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It depends on where in Afghanistan you are based. There are high mountains, strong winds, bad weather, severe dust storms, bad guys everywhere. We have been shot at numerous times with small arms and RPG's. It;s hot in the summer and cold in the winter. The living conditions are alright. The pay is good. No women, booze or guns for the crews. It's not for those who are afraid to die!!