Just to reply to Speechless two’s comment about retired Bristow pilots and Kosovo. Suggest you get your facts right before casting aspersions about pension provision. The guys out there are some of those who were made redundant at the latest cull. As a result, one’s pension planning does go out of the window when your employer moves the goalposts, which leaves precious few choices, usually just take it before someone else does.
What about all the fixed wing guys who “just keep their hands in” and fly rotary during their time off, thereby denying work to some who need it. You know the ones I mean, they work for Airtours, Virgin, BA – various fleets - and Midland to name but a few.
Sorry if this seems a little acidic, but it is very easy to hypothesise whilst sitting in air-conditioned comfort with hot and cold running hosties pandering to your every need.