Bristow Aberdeen

[Flying Lawyer]

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At the end of last week I found myself in Inverness - less than a hundred miles away from a sphere of helicopter ops which has always interested me. A couple of hours later, I was in Aberdeen. Bristow had agreed in principle to allow me a jumpseat trip to an oil rig - subject to loads and client consent. Even if I didn't get a flight, it would be a good opportunity to catch up with Derek Jones, an old friend and highly respected pilot whom many rotary Ppruners will know. (See Link)

After an extremely enjoyable evening in their beautiful home with Derek and his wife Captain Mo Jones (and her collection of 300 rare breed ducks) I set off with Mo in the early hours of Friday morning, fingers crossed that I'd get a flight.
My luck was in: Not just one, but the unexpected bonus of a second flight in a different type!


AS332L Super Puma to the Buchan

Checks completed, we taxied to the Hot Spots to board pax



Panel of the Tiger, work-horse of the Bristow fleet for many years



Finals for the Buchan







. Tudor Owen.

The Buchan, one of the oldest drilling rigs in the North Sea



F/O Lee Studholme on the pad



Captain Mo Jones, waiting to lift for the return flight



The bacon roll I'd been told we'd get for the flight back to Aberdeen turned out instead to be the biggest breakfast I've seen in my life - which defeated even my (un)healthy appetite!


Mo has been flying Bristow North Sea ops for 20 years. Many thanks to her and to F/O Lee Studholme for so kindly taking the time to explain all phases of the flight.
A wonderful experience.


(I'll post pics from the second flight shortly.)


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