Twins operating without Onshore Diversion Fuel in GOM
During a conversation with a friend who flys in the Gulf of Mexico...he remarked his company requires pilots flying twins to operate at gross weights that preclude making safe single engine landings to rig decks and simultaneously mandate the use of only 30 minute reserve fuel which prevents the aircraft from making it to a safe landing area (on or offshore).
A previous poster noted current industry practice in the GOM is to operate twins at max weights that do not allow for any margin of power and in his view presented a real danger of not being able to maintain flight following an engine failure during or shortly after takeoff.
Two different pilots....both very experienced....two different companys involved....and both telling accounts of a lack of concern by GOM operators and customers regarding safety issues. Some of the customers are the very same ones that operate on the North Sea and demand high safety standards....related helicopter operators in one case.
Wonder why the difference in attitudes between the UK...Europe...and the GOM?