BRINDISI OP S76 1996
I did the ferry flight out to Brindisi and stayed on for a month whilst the Italians did their crew training and then started the flying to the rig, which you could see from the airfield. Kev Smith came out and took over from me until the operation closed.
I then returned a year later with Helitalia(BHL) to look after a AB412. However the weather was so bad we hardly flew, so a couple of months of R&R basically.
Our relationship with Helitalia was to carry over to the next year when I was sent to Ravenna(Ancona) to look after one of the ex Hong Kong Aux Airforce S76's, very fickle beast. You had to start #1 engine first or you couldnt start #2. We had greenies out for a couple of months to try and sort it - we never did. Dave Pridmore(RIP) took over from me until completion of the contract when the machine went to Florence for a rebuild of the tail.
I enjoyed Italy, very laid back and great food. The red vino was very pleasant as well.