Bond Offshore

[Never Mr Gap]

Rumour is sweeping the airport that Bond might be coming back to Aberdeen to start up an operation with 7 airframes. So come on boys, whats the gen ?? :confused: :confused:

[4Rvibes]

This one has been running for yonks, ever since Bond Air Services Ltd was created in fact. Seeing how BASL has just moved HQ to Staverton it seems unlikely to say the least.
Still, stranger things have happened but with the current crew shortage I severely doubt it. :cool:

[Ally1987]

Another wild rumour.
Where is/are the:
(a) real estate at ABZ?
(b) the aircraft? (7 pumas?)
(c) the pilots? (they are barely managing to crew the contracts they have: a sixth pilot has just resigned/left -- this within the last year and out of workforce of 30 odd).

[Ally1987]

AL1: I jus got a phonecall. Make that _7_ left in the last year.

[Max TQ]

Only 7! I heard more like 10 but some of those may have been through illness and several more are believed to be in the planning phase. Will the last one to leave please turn out the light............CLICK!

[Bobby Johnson]

Bond used to be a great company, lots of love Fatman!!!

[Ally1987]

Well, it's seven at the moment, but I know of another three that _may_ go soon, two fairly likely, one less so.

[Helinut]

So can someone tell us what is the problem??

[chopperman]

As reported in Fridays Scotsman.


Bond brothers plan a N Sea helicopter return


Two years after they bowed out of North Sea air logistics following the takeover of their business by Canadian interests, helicopter entrepreneurs, the Bond brothers, are preparing for a comeback.

They have set up a new company named Bond Offshore Helicopters. If the brothers finally commit, the next stage would be to acquire the necessary aircraft and pitch for oil company contracts.

At the earliest, Bond could be back ferrying North Sea offshore workers next year. This would mean re-establishing a presence in Aberdeen.

It is understood that oil companies will welcome Stephen and Peter Bond back as they would restore greater competition to the UK sector of the North Sea, which is now dominated by just two companies - Bristow and Scotia, which is part of Canada’s CHC Helicopter Corporation.

Although the Competition Commission gave the $100 million 1999 CHC takeover of Bond and Norwegian parent Helicopter Service Group the green light, oil company bosses were then privately worried that the cost of North Sea air logistics services would rise because the number of providers had been cut to just two.

An industry source told The Scotsman yesterday that the Bond brothers were looking at the idea of re-entering the North Sea following approaches by oil companies. It is not known whether are also looking at developing a presence in other offshore oil and gas markets, such as West Africa, where a string of huge discoveries have been made over the past few years.

However, a spokesman for the Bonds declined to be drawn on their plans, saying only that the brothers would "clarify" their intentions next week.

The Bond Helicopters livery effectively disappeared from the North Sea when the business was merged into CHC’s, leading to around 100 job losses in Aberdeen.

Even though the Bond, which the brothers set up during the early years of the North Sea, was acquired by the Norwegian company in 1994, its aircraft retained their distinctive cheerful red livery.

Despite exiting offshore air logistics in 1999, the Bonds kept their privately-owned UK onshore business. This specialises in the provision of twin-engined helicopters for ambulance services, including in Scotland, plus police, offshore lighthouse servicing support, tanker pilotage transfers and general charter.

[EFATO]

Of course the Oil Industry wants another player at Aberdeen. I can't however see the Bond brothers succeeding as I can't see any of the present Aberdeen captains jumping ship to join the Bonds. In fact at present pilots are leaving Bond AS to join Scotia. There are interesting times ahead in the offshore industry and it is fairly certain that a large pay award is imminent. While this may not all be reflected in the final salary scheme that most captains are on this will be a powerful disincentive for most captains not to consider leaving their present employer. Bond was a reasonable company to work for in the early 90s but having something else to compare it with shows it was not great. I would say that most ex-Bond pilots would say that they are better off under Scotia as there are now overtime payments and much better travel allowances than under Bond. So no captains no offshore company.

[mkeane]

Yes, I agree that Bond was a good company in the early 90's and the paint scheme is still the best on the North Sea! They really lost the plot though when it came to looking after their employees - the arrogance with which they regarded the workforce was,and still is breath-taking. Nothing seems to have changed - witness the recent rapid rise in resignations! No pilot in their right mind would accept the Bond regime until they - Bond management - recognise that workers want more than a pay packet at the end of the month but some regard for the vital part they play in the industry. Perhaps they will set up in West Africa, they're welcome to it!

[whoateallthepies]

Fatman, Sparky, Scary Bob Bibby, Kenny's day six at the Runway Inn. Great times in the mid 80's, maybe not a fantastic company but good blokes. Where is the Fatman now?

[roundwego]

One thing Bond did provide the pilot workforce was job security. They did this by expecting and getting flexibility from the workforce. While the other two operators went through their hire and fire cycles Bond never made a pilot reduntant despite several lean periods. What Bond never quite got right was their salaries. They always lagged behind. They did however have a good pension scheme - you got good value for your contributions.

The Bonds' sell out to HKS was the turning point in the managements ability to keep the workforce with them. The directors got very involved with building defences against "attack" from the Norwegians and took their eye off the workforce and its aspirations.

Also, it was very easy to keep moral up in an expanding Company with new a/c arriving and plenty of oportunity for promotion or change of base or a/c type. This changed when the North Sea peaked.

As to the Bonds coming back - I think they will get pilots because the Bonds (with the oil companies behind them)will pay what it takes to get them - and it might not take much because Bristow or (more likely) Scotia will have to lay off pilots when the oil companies take work away from them to give to Bond.

The Bonds will not however get the same sort of flexible workforce as they had in the early days unless they significantly improve pay and conditions and buy the flexibility and willingness they want. But if they pay the rate needed then they will get the people they want.

[ 16 September 2001: Message edited by: roundwego ]

[QM]

So what if Bond do return, who is going to work for them for less than the current ongoing negotiated pay rates?

More importantly, where are they going to get the pilots from, thin air?

[Ally1987]

There is an element of unreality about all this.
Bond, at the moment, is a company that badly needs to consolidate. See above for the reports of the number of pilots that have left in the last year (a fifth of their pilot workforce in the last year and more to come). They are already looking at putting a whole heap of IR training to Bristows because they can't do them as a reult of these losses (and Bristows has a 12-15 month waiting list, according to the gossip). They are also having problems retaining/getting engineers.
I'd also like to know where they will get pilots for any UK offshore operation (if this is the sector that is being considered). To get pilots from Scotia or Bristows they will have to pay _more_ to get people to move: how will this make the North Sea a more competitive environment for the oil operators? And competition kind of misses the point -- there aren't enough pilots as it is; adding another operator will just add to the inefficiency in the system (e.g. another set of pilots skimmed off to do headquarters/training functions).
I wouldn't like to underestimate the Bond brothers (well, one of them, anyway) but I'll believe all this when I see it. It will be interesting to see the further details of their plans next week.
What and when is the next big contract up for renewal in the North Sea?

[Ally1987]

The waiting list is for Instrument Rating training. As for your assertion that pilots are always available, you are talking nonsense.

[chopperman]

I wonder how 'The Bond Brothers' would cope with a unionised workforce? Having worked for them in the past, I imagine negotiations would be interesting to say the least.

Fair pay for helicopter pilots, don't give up the fight,
Chopperman.

[Ally1987]

PC: I don't know who Bristow's have in their queue, I'm afraid. The news was only passed to me via someone who had spoken to one of the IR candidates that Bond have.
Maybe someone else knows more?

[Ally1987]

There was a rumour floating around several months ago that Scotia were going to sell their Blackpool, Humberside, etc. operation to Bond... Maybe that, or something similar, would be an easy way back into the market for them.

[roundwego]

Ally1987 (and many others I suspect) is missing a major issue in his post of 16 September 2001 at 11:29. Bond will only need pilots if they get work on the North Sea. As there is very little new work around, they will only get this work if an oil company terminates an existing contract with CHC or BHL and gives it to Bond ( I don't believe CHC would willingly sell anything to Bond).

I suspect one of the majors is going to give Bond a significant part of their existing work at the expense of CHC. The oil companies have been extremely dissatisfied at the poor service they have been getting and yes, we know it is mainly their fault due to them driving the rates down but the rates have been going up recently. The oil companies find themselves in the same situation as they did in the 70's - paying rising rates for a service which is not getting better. CHC is, in the oil Companies' mind inflexible, lacking in initiative and not reactive to their needs. They are desperate for more competition. I think Bond is in a good position to charge premium rates.

When CHC looses contracts it will have a surplus of pilots. TUPE rules will apply and Bond will be obliged to take on the redundant pilots. Bond will probably cherry pick but it will have to pay the going rate. That is why it is important that any pay deal is finalized sooner rather than later.

[Ally1987]

Well, I'm not sure that I agree with your assumption that the loss of contract will equal a loss of pilots for two reasons.
First, both Scotia and Bristows (the latter to a lesser extent) are understrength, so they would probably view the loss of a contract or two as a chance to consolidate, introduce new rosters, etc.
Secondly, it makes more sense to keep hold of all your pilots to deprive a third force of the chance to start up. In the meantime, all the work that Bond couldn't do would go to Scotia at ad hoc rates. The North Sea has already been through this once when Shell moved from BI to Bristows. Admittedly, BI couldn't continue this for more than about six months but times have changed. Scotia is a much bigger company, they are in the middle of an on-going demographic loadshed, and it makes eminent sense to strangle any new venture at birth, given the potential long-term rewards.
I would also say, as a footnote, that the example of pilots that jumped ship from BI to Bristows when Shell moved will not encourage anyone to do so this time around.

PS TUPE rules don't apply to individual contracts (unless there has been major changes since the last time around).

[roundwego]

Ally 1897 - If CHC or BHL was to lose one (or part of) its larger contracts at Aberdeen I can assure you there would be redundancies. CHC particularly is still highly geared and will want to save cash in the event of loss of income. Neither of the parent companies on the other side of the Atlantic will care a toss about new pilot rosters. Loss of income will mean cut surplus staff to reduce the impact on the "bottom line".

I think it won't be until well into next year before there is any significant change of contracts but it will happen - no question in my mind. TUPE does indeed apply to individual contracts when there is an identifiable number of staff which can be seen to be required to support a particular contract - very easy with pilots. I suspect because of the current market share, the target for contract loss will be CHC.

As to current pay negotiations - the pilots position is going to rapidly weaken with the imminent fixed wing redundancies. I just hope our Balpa colleagues have had a successful day in London today.

[Ally1987]

I realise that both companies are driven by their bottom line, but I think you underestimate the extent to which they will defend their duopoly.
As to TUPE, give me once example of when this has ever applied at ABZ in the past.

[Jed A1]

http://cnniw.yellowbrix.com/pages/cnniw/Story.nsp?story_id=23565835&ID=cnniw&scategory=Aviation&

[roundwego]

Ally1987 - I am not aware of TUPE being invoked in Aberdeen aviation dealings but the cases of Suzen v Zehnacker Gebaudereinigung GmbH Krankenhausservice [1997] IRLR 255 and Dines v. Initial Health Care Services (1) and Pall Mall Services Group Ltd. (2) [1994] IRLR 336 are worth refering to. The regulations are constantly being tested in court and there have been several precidents set over the last few years which have moved the goal posts since the original act was passed. Anyway if TUPE could be used to the employees advantage I am sure BALPA legal beagles would do their best to ensure our rights were protected in case of redundancies.

[Ally1987]

Both of which predate the loss of Shell from BI to Bristows, and of BP from Bristows to Bond in 1999. If TUPE didn't apply in the transfer of these massive contracts then I fail to see how it would in the future.
I think we will have to agree to disagree on this. However, I'd be interested in reading the cases you refer to if they are available on the web. Do you have a URL for them, please?

[roundwego]

TUPE was not used as there was an unwritten agreement among the three North Sea operators not to invoke TUPE every time a contract changed although there was a rumour that Brintel was going to use TUPE when they lost Shell to BHL. I believe TUPE was invoked when Irish helicopters lost a Marathon contract to Bond. I might be wrong on this one as I was not in either Company at the time but maybe an Ex Bond or Irish pilot might confirm or deny. I don't have a link to the above cases - was told about them by a legal beagle.

[Special 25]

Bond Air Services seem to be doing quite well without the North Sea. Their EMS and Police work is expanding rapidly and I'm sure they would be far keener to promote and expand these activities than to return to the North Sea at a time like the present.

Why would they divert their resources away from a quickly expanding sector of the market to come back to Aberdeen when the off-shore market is going to be here for quite a few years to come and there are no other competitors sitting in the wings ??

[chopperman]

Bond will return to the north sea, the finances won't be a problem as they will be backed by one of the major oil companies, (probably BP?).
It is in the oil companies best interests for there to be three operators on the north sea, to force down rates, to put these greedy pilots in their place and to allow them, (the oil companies), to continue making huge profits. After all BP have to build a new multi-million pound HQ in Aberdeen, presumably the old one is to small to keep all their money in?

Chopperman.

[ 21 September 2001: Message edited by: chopperman ]

[Variable Load]

roundwego et al

Just to make it clear that TUPE is the right of the individual to invoke, it has nothing to do with the Companies that lose or win contracts.

If you lose your job because of a contract change I suggest you speak to BALPA, assuming you are a member:-)

[chopperman]

With regard to TUPE have a look at the following web page, especially 'Betts v. Brintell Helicopters'.
http://sol.brunel.ac.uk/~jarvis/bola/emplaw/
Chopperman.

[Ally1987]

Which (if I have read this and other material I have seen correctly) means that the transfer of a contract between either Scotia or Bristows to Bond Offshore will not fall under the TUPE legislation. Like I said.

I haven't seen anything more on BO's plans (which I believe were supposed to be made public last week) nor has anyone suggested where the pilots are coming from...

[chopperman]

Ally 1987,
Agreed. As I understand TUPE, it only applies if the whole operation is transfered or aquired, not just the contract.

Chopperman.

[roundwego]

'Betts v. Brintell Helicopters'did not come under TUPE as KLM did not take over the contract at Beccles. They operated put of Norwich. TUPE was originally conceived to stop the likes of cleaning companies at hospitals and airports firing and hiring every time the contract was awarded to another company. In the helicopter world the nearest analogy would be the BG contract at Blackpool where, unless circumstances have changed in the last few years, BG own the Ops/pax terminal property. If CHC was to lose the contract to someone else then TUPE would definitely apply.

[Ally1987]

Yeah, I'd agree with that. Ditto, if they took over lock stock and barrel at Blackpool, Humberside, etc. However, this thread started about Bond being a third force in the offshore market and they are not going to be that unless they get one of the major ABZ contracts. And there, TUPE _won't_ apply and so where do they get their pilots to start up an operation?

[4Rvibes]

For info,Bond Air Services Ltd [BASL] took over a division of Bond Helicopters and in that case TUPE was applied and was invoked by BASL. Where it intends to go from here is anybody's business.
This may be another thread but with BA Vigin et al laying off so many people the pull from rotary to fixed wing may not be as strong as expected...call me a devil's advocate if you like but I suspect that Scotia and BHL management may have twigged this also. Good luck.

[Hummingfrog]

There is a strong rumour in Aberdeen that Bond is going to appear with 2 S76s. Anybody confirm this?

HF :confused:

[MaxNg]

Hummingfrog

I hope so

Because they are in for a wake up call.

Gone are the days when they could run the pilots ragged, There is a new breed of pilots operating here now, Well organized and unionized. Anyhow another operator should mean good news to the crews if they get together and use thier heads, because any new company that wins the contracts will need to employ them and for that privalige they should be made to pay more, laws of supply and demand and all that.

There will now doubt be those that feel loyal to the bond cartell, and those that think it will be a good way to jump up a few rungs on the promotinal ladder, but they will still have to put there hands deep into thier pockets to get the numbers that they require and this can be used to the advantage of the smart ones.

Bring it on

:D

[Labarynth Seal]

He He He :D

Would never have thought it eh?

CHC is the way forward (Norwegian Stylee) :cool:

[roundwego]

Suprise, suprise. If CHC & BHL hadn't gotten themselves in such a mess and pissed off the oil companies then maybe they would have had a chance of keeping the market to themselves.

Who are Bond going to be flying for? Two S76's won't give them much in the way of opportunity to penetrate CHC and BHL core customers.

As to Max Ng's comment about it being a "privalige" (sic) for any new company to employ a pilot - I certainly hope that when he is filling in the Bond application form after he finds himself redundant that he gets someone to check his spelling. Bond always was fussy about the standard of pilot they took.

[misterbonkers]

Do ya think they might give me a job now ive got my CPL(H)?

hmm, if anyway catches sight of a wanted poster let me know! I'm only 20 and can fly Bell 47s, im sure an S76 shouldn't be much more of a handful!

Good news anyhow!

[SASless]

Heck Bonkers.....don't let anyone fool ya....helicopters are all the same....but different. Just like the female of the species....each have different peculiarities and need different kinds of handling.....ignore or abuse any of them and they will get even! If you can fly one...you can fly anyone of the others....it is just a matter of how well and how long it takes you to figure out the taps, levers, and dials.

But helicopter companies.....oh, now that is another story!

;)

[MaxNg]

Roudweego

I macke now appoligies 4 mi spelin cos

I wil be intervuwin them.



:D :D :D

[roundwego]

I assume as no-one has confirmed this or come up with any firm evidence to back up this rumour it can't be true.

[nonradio]

Word is that Bond has won BP contract from Scotia..and bought up all the Pumas form EC

[407 Driver]

The CHC perspective on this loss is at http://www.rotorhub.com/news/0212/chc-bp.htm

[332mistress]

So Bond is back in the N Sea

Just a few questions.

Where is he going to get his Captains from? Most Scotia Captains are on a final salary pension and would be reluctant to lose this. Scotia will probably make low hour co-pilots redundant who will be unsuitable as Captains. By keeping their Captains they will thwart any attempt by Bond to benefit and also open up the opportunity of ad-hocing the flights that Bond can't crew on 1 Aug 04

Will ex-Bond employees return to Bond? Will they remember how they were treated last time the Bonds sold up i.e they got nothing for the hard work they put in to make Bond Helicopters successful? The pilot work force is more militant now and are unlikely to put up with the old Bond way of doing things.

Will the Bonds sell up again? This is how most private businessmen make the big money out of setting up a business.
The pilots will then be in the same position they are in now but those pilots who left CHC will be further down the seniority ladder with no final salary pension.

Who knows the answers to these questions? I don't and I wouldn't like to be involved as it looks like it will be a depressing time for the boys and girls in Aberdeen.

332M:(

[pedroalpha]

I would rejoin East-side Aberdeen again tomorrow to enjoy the friendship, cameraderie and sheer professionalism of what became the largest and very best off-shore operator.

It is easy to find fault but I question the memories of those who extoll the values of the post-Bond era. Of course there were issues; we were after all employees. However, after nearly 40 years in aviation, I regarded my time with Bond as the most rewarding and satisfying aviation job that I have ever had.

If you want a comparison - consider the lot of the twin turbo-prop night freight operators and then look at your present pay & conditions. The Ladies & Gentlemen on the North Sea have an exceptionally good deal and I'm sure that the new Bond will maintain that tradition. Do you really want a salary of c£32K as a commander? Get real!

[Hummingfrog]

Crikey are Bond only offering £32K for commanders:D :D :D

HF;)

[SASless]

Pedro must be a Chief Pilot's job a shopping!

[407 Driver]

Bond Helicopters wins (pounds) 255m contract
Source: The Herald - Glasgow
Publication date: 2002-12-11
Arrival time: 2002-12-12

BOND Offshore Helicopters has won a (pounds) 255m contract, thought to be the largest of its kind in the world, to support BP Exploration's North Sea operations.
The company is buying six new Eurocopter Super Puma twin-engined helicopters, which carry up to 19 passengers each to fulfil the 10- year contract. The aircraft, costing over (pounds) 50m, will be delivered in 2004 when Bond takes over the BP contract from CHC Scotia of Canada.

Bond Offshore Helicopters is owned by brothers Peter and Stephen Bond. The company has its foundations in Bond Helicopters, the family-controlled business which built up North Sea operations in the 1970s and became the leading offshore operator in the UK.

It merged with Norway's Helicopter Services Group, but the Bond brothers regained control of the onshore helicopter division in July, 1999. It is now the third largest helicopter operator in the UK .

Publication date: 2002-12-11

[Steve76]

Why did CHC lose this contract?
and did they really care?
your thoughts please.

[RotorPilot]

Does somebody know if bond have a website ? can someone provide the URL ?

[offshoreigor]

Sounds like someone F@cked up! But dont despair, CHC owns all the Supers and the L2's as well.

So, Who ya gonna call? Bond Busters! Been there, done that.

Cheers, :eek: OffshoreIgor :eek: :p

[Variable Load]

Why did CHC lose the contract?? Well it's only my opinion, but I'm certain it's nothing to do with money, performance or any other key measurable. IMHO it's down to personalities and relationships. "Bond" of old secured a deal that meant that they would have all of the BP work, a contract that was previously shared between Bond and Bristow. The new deal meant that BP were paying some of the lowest rates on the North Sea (arguably at a loss to the operator), so they were obviously happy. Why Bond thought this was a good deal only they can answer. Along came CHC and gobbled up the old HS/Bond empire - along with the BP contract. The squeeze then happened and BP were "cornered" into paying more for their service - and rightly so!!

A year or so later BP issued a tender for offshore SAR, something they called Jigsaw. It was obvious from day one that if BP were to involve a certain individual in the tender decision, then this tender would go against CHC. Surprise, surprise the tender went to Bristow and the writing was on the wall for any future work between CHC and BP.

So when the "news" that the Bond brothers and Keith Greenwood (aka BP) had reached a landmark deal with regard to offshore helicopter support was issued I was not in the least surprised. Keith no doubt had been wined and dined (more wined than dined!!) a few times in the process.

All I can hope is that the new Bond is as successful as KLM's efforts into the N Sea sector.

The only bit I regret is that the real losers are those that invest their personal effort and job security in these prospectors of life and well being. Those in CHC that may be thinking of jumping ship I urge you to think at least twice, hopefully quite few times more. I really believe you will be taking the big gamble.

All of the above is from someone who really shouldn't give a sh*t any more:-))))


Happy Christmas & a Prosperous New Year

Variable Load

[GJB]

There is only one winner - the NS operators who want more price competition to drive down their logistics costs.

Have we not been here before??

[coalface]

Variable Load - you are not too far wrong. Bond did establish a good relationship with BP but remember they had been supplying a service to BP since the late '70s with offshore based aircraft. Margins have never been high with BP but Bond would not have taken on loss-making contracts unless it was a sweetner for something bigger in the future. The volume of work that BP gave Bond would force lower rates but allow good cash flow.

Greenwood was "small fry" in BP and didn't carry much respect. Of course he had to be kept reasonably sweet as he was the day to day man but the Bonds would have gone for those higher up the ladder to make any significant impact on the way the contract would go.

As to those who are considering jumping ship, I agree. Think very carefully. The younger guys will probably do better moving as command will come quicker and long term job security will be more assured. Going the fixed wing route will no doubt provide an even better career path unless you have a perverted wish to stay working in rubber suits.

Those with only a few years to go (and in the final salary pension fund) will be better staying put - unless the redundancy deal is particularly good.

I suspect CHC UK division will go into terminal decline unless there is a big change at senior management level.

[212man]

Are Bond buying the aircraft or BP? One would imagine that BP are well placed to drive the best bargain with Eurocopter, given a certain individual who now works for them (not the one variable load refers to, is it?).

[ATPMBA]

Interesting article !

In today’s “Wall Street Journal”, dated December 23, 2002 an article appears stating that BP plans to dispose of some assets which include some mature oil and natural-gas fields in the North Sea. The article also said that BP may need to make investments in Gulf of Mexico western Africa, and Asia.

Any thoughts, comments ?

[Nuada]

Gentlemen,
I read today on a site here in the US, that Bond Helicopters had placed an advert into the 'Press and Journal'. I confess that I could not find the advert in question, though an associated article mentioned that one indeed had been placed in the paper.

Has anyone seen the Bond ad and can comment on it's contents? Is there a contact Tel# or Email address listed ? Does anyone have any details which may not be easily discovered between the lines of print? Requirements, compensation, schedules, etc.

I'm looking to possibly return to the scene of my 'original' sin, (ie. first civil job) and would welcome any commentary, pro or con.
I've been at this business for many years now and I require only about 5 or 6 more years to complete my 'career' and call it an evening! I did so enjoy Aberdeen and Sumburgh in the 70's!

Seriously, I am quite out of touch here in the US, and some might add my mind as well for even considering this move, but I am hoping to get a more 'local' angle from those of you still working in the North of Scotland.
thanks all,
Kevin

[kissmysquirrel]

Bond do seem to be advertising. Picked up a copy of Flight International last night and theres a full page add mentioning they have won the bp contract from 2004 and will be advertising vacancies soon. They want people who are interested to get in touch. They even mention sponsorship!!!

I've sent you the address by private message as not sure whether it's advertising or not.

[NRDK]

From the Press & Journal

HELICOPTER FIRM LOOKING TO RECRUIT


09:00 - 15 January 2003

The helicopter firm that is returning to Aberdeen after winning a lucrative 10-year deal with oil giant BP has advertised for staff today.

Bond Offshore Helicopters, run by brothers Peter and Stephen Bond, has asked pilots and engineers to register their interest with it in an advert in the Press and Journal.

Bond is taking over the BP contract, believed to be worth £260million, from CHC Scotia in August, 2004.

CHC confirmed to the Amicus-AEEU union last week that it was looking to axe 39 permanent staff and 18 contract workers in Aberdeen on top of 19 pilots that were previously announced.

Bond has already announced that it is buying six of the latest Super Puma twin-engine helicopters in a £53million deal for the contract. It also said it would relocate its offshore operations to Aberdeen Airport later this year from its current base in Gloucestershire.

The Bond brothers run extensive aviation interests in the UK and internationally.

Bond expects to employ 80 staff in Aberdeen.

The brothers sold their previous North Sea operation to CHC-owned Scotia Helicopters in 1999. They agreed at that time not to become involved in the North Sea market for two years.

[alouette]

To Kissmysquirrel;

Could you email me the address of Bond Helicopters Ltd. I have quite a lot of offshore experience. Wouldn't mind to get closer to home. I would appreciate it.


Regards, Alouette:)

[verticalflight]

I just hope that pilots coming to Aberdeen are wise enough to ensure that in the middle / long term pilots’ conditions don’t suffer.

Surely many people will want to enjoy the present level of conditions that pilots enjoy in the North Sea at present. Those conditions were achieved by CHC Scotia and Bristow pilots standing up united in 2001. Also our Norwegian and Danish colleagues played their part. It will be long before we have a similar opportunity in the future.

Now companies and unions are learning to work together. Conflicts sometimes are the order of the day, but that is part of the adaptation process. Sooner rather than later we’ll get a culture where both parties understand how to work together in one common direction while looking after their own interest.

Bond brothers were always anti-union, and the chances are this time they will do their best to prevent their pilots getting unionised. If they succeed, it won’t be long before we start losing terrain again.

So if you want a job in the North Sea and Bond is your option, be aware of the terms and conditions they’re going to offer (watch the space!). If you go for it, make sure that once the group is up and running you get your act together and you don’t jeopardise all the progress that your fellow pilots made for you in 2001.

[zalt]

A cynical reading of the ad (which really only announces an intent and offers the chance to register) is:

Wannabies apply - we'll train you and pay you a pitance
FOs - join Bond and fast track to captain

.... and then stay in those postions for 10 years or till we expand.

Interesting further gen in the BP Jigsaw thread which casts doubt on the BP contract's long term future.

Interesting that they are operating out of 'BAS Towers' at Staverton, since though the brothers had to stay onshore for 2 years, BAS have to stay out of the North Sea for 5. I hope they have a decent chinese wall.

[Wizzard]

I have some experience with Bond and would only say that if you are tempted to work for them go ahead but get a union card before you turn up! If you do not have the protection of a strong unionised workforce they will take liberties - they must be going in at a very low rate and the best way to save money on the North Sea is to pay low and screw the most hours out the flight and engineering crews. Good Luck but watch your backs!

Wiz

[micraman]

Anyone think BP selling the 40s will have any effect on this contract

[Fatspice]

To Kissmysquirrel,

Is there any chance that you could e-mail me Bond address as well, please? I have no north sea experience but I am willing to learn. Many thanks, Fatspice.:D

[baze]

could you be so nice and e-mail me also the Bond address, I´ve been trying to locate Bond and called to Aberdeen last week and some guy on the airport informed me that they wouldn´t set up their base until later on ??....dont know more but sure would appreciate some mort info about Bond..thanks

[Clarence]

Some are made to apply again and again and some are hounded to come and work for the good of the company. A certain South African Australian executive director has been appointed the managing director of the new bond operation. Good luck Bond, he is a good man, bad luck those poor b@st@rds still working for CHC Australia under the trotters of the pig!

[More Stickies Please]

What will Bond take over ? The 40's are being sold as well as the Montrose and Arbroath platforms ! That's just the Bruce and West of Shetland rigs as Bristows fly to the Magnus .
Just a thought .

:D

[BHPS]

Don't forget the Miller, Harding and ETAP and I think a couple of others although names do not spring to mind at the moment.

[GJB]

There is a report in todays press that Miller is to be the next sell-off. Talisman are reported to be the interested party.

But don't forget the Claire field is being developed which is to be new platform West of Shetland.

I think a company like BP would know their short-medium term strategy very well before signing a 10 year deal with Bond.

[Hummingfrog]

You assume that the aviation dept knows the advance plans of bp. The 40s people only found out that they had been "sold" the day it happened. The Clare platform and the rest of their west of Shetland operations will only support a max of 2-3 Pumas a day not 6. Remember that the perfect oil platform is one that is run from the beach and that is the oil companies goal so you can expect a rundown of offshore helicopter support as we get further into the 21st century.

HF:sad:

[The Auditor]

You have my attention......what is Trotters of Pig???

Feet of Swine..????

Over to you please.

[GJB]

Hummingfrog - I take your point about the sale of 40's, however most of the onshore and offshore support staff are contractors emmployeed through service contracts and are not direct employees of BP. There is no way that a comany like BP would reveal it's strategy to them.

As far as unmanned and fully automated platforms - I agree, every operators dream. However as long as we have offshore platforms, there will be a requirement for personnel such as drilling, commissioning, maintenance and production. I can think of many 'new' platfroms with state of the art productions facilities etc that are now being retrofitted to increase their accomodation capacity. Why? Because the operators suddenly find they need more offshore support staff than the accountants / economists said they would (should).

There is no doubt that the north sea is continuing to decline (for the time being) however as we tend further towards becoming a net energy importer rather than exporter, who knows what incentives may appear via the Government, who will ultimately want to see this industry remain in force until every viable barrel has been squeezed out.

The point I actually want to make is that I do not believe the Bond brothers would have come back into this industry, signing such a deal with BP, without considering the older assets which BP may have been consider disposing of. They are successful businessmen and know how the NS oil industry works.

[Hummingfrog]

GJB

I think that the Bonds will be concerned at what is happening with bp. The sale of the 40s to Apache came as a complete shock to the bp personnel offshore (OIMs OTLs etc). On the Monday morning they were working for bp and by the afternoon they had been sold to Apache with no warning or ability to stay with bp. It would be the same as a RAF Sqn Ldr being in the RAF one minute and being told the next minute that he was now a Major in the Army.

This decision was taken way above the level of asset manager and therefore when the aviation dept gave Bond the bp contract they gave it with the idea that 6 a/c would be required for bp work. This will not be the case if the present rate of sale of bp assets goes on, Miller just being the next on the list. Look out for Andrew, Brae, Everest, Harding, Lomond but probably not ETAP.

Bond were given this contract because bp wanted a 3rd operator in the N Sea. The new owners of the bp assets may not be interested in this but want to continue with the operator who is giving them good service at present


A year is a long time in the N Sea!

HF:D

[GJB]

HF

All good an valid points.

I still think the Bonds would have considered the eventuality of BP's sale of assets. The production from these assets, has been low/marginal for many years; this does not fit in with BP's strategy.

Production figures are readily available within the public domain. I think Forties (A,B,C,D & E) cumulative production is on average 48,000 boe today.

I cannot believe that the Bonds would not have considered this.

[rotormad]

To all

Moving away from the oil platform debate, just for this question, has anyone actually wrote to Bond and heard anything back?? Any news of the supposed 'sponsorship' training????!!!!

Just thought i would ask!

[gonedeaf]

I believe anyone being sponsored will have to go to CABAIR to be trained, both for the IR and ab initio.

Don`t know any more details at present.

[GJB]

Rotormad - haven't heard anything back.

[ClearBlueWater]

I've had a letter back noting that as I don't have an IR my name will be forwarded to CABAIR who will be selecting people for IR training under some sort of sponsorship scheme which may or may not be of interest to me.

[rotormad]

Yeah i got something similar, Cabair training, selection, blah, blah..
If your interested.....well i am but i can see it costing a frickin fortune!!

Just have to wait and see i guess!!

[Decks]

Any word on the pay Bond are talking about...? Are they looking to undercut on pay aswell as price....?

[332mistress]

One rate for Capts, one for Co-pilots, no pension, no increments and if bp keep selling - no routes!!

332M:rolleyes:

[4Rvibes]

And you got this information from......

[AllyPally]

This a pretty consistent rumour going around ABZ

AP

[BHPS]

Another rumour going around is that they came to an agreement with BP that they would start the contract with salaries on par with those at CHC-Scotia and Bristow.

[Go-Around]

Does anyone have the name/contact details for the HR dept. at Bond Helicopters please?
Thanks very much.
GA

[Brilliant Stuff]

Bond Air Services Ltd
Gloucestershire Airport Staverton
Cheltenham Gloucestershire
GL51 6SP

Tel: 01452 856007


Good Luck

[The Auditor]

Just heard that a certain bushranger in Oz has accepted the CP role in Aberdeen Scotland....interesting indeed.?????

But then again the respected South African would of course surround himself with loyal faithful discipiles....!!!!

CHC Australia seems to be ready for a Stock Market rush.........anyone game????.................

[RoamingCyclic]

The Auditor

Please fill us in the Bushranger in OZ and his acceptance of the CP position, the rumor mill has been slow on this one if that is indeed the case.

Its not the Trotters of the Pig the guys need to worry about rather who will become his new Right Hand Man! The mind boggles!

[High Nr]

An internal leak suggests that a certain Australian Chief Pilot will be in the UK shortly to undertake his UK Licence, and we can only wonder why???

As this particular CP has the respect of his senior, who has also recently accepted the overall boss's position with the brothers in the cold north. Hence it makes sense to take along a good man to help out. And there is at least 1 more to follow [perhaps 2 if my sources are correct].

The internal "reason" for the CP's absence is that he has a few months leave, really??

What CP would be allowed on leave with a stack of the company's contracts on shakey ground? Sounds very clever, but the smoke and mirrors won't fool many for long!!

Those of us in the UK schools, just listen for the downunder accent in the coming weeks??

[CyclicRick]

Bond email address to me aswell please!!!!
Can't find it anywhere :confused:

[grazi]

Can somone let me know the e-mail details/tel no. for Bond pls.

Many thx

Grazi

[Red Wine]

Bond Airservices, which is the Onshore EMS/Lighthouse etc side of the Bond Group is:

[email protected]

The pxxxxxx is the name of the person you wish to contact....example: Peter Smith would be [email protected]

I suspect there would be an admin or ops contact, but I don't know it. eg [admin@bond etc etc]

Assumming the above posts are correct........why don't you send your interest direct to CHC Adelaide....and elliminate the middle man??:p :p

[talvin]

Hi everybody.

Anyone know Bond Helicopters email for pilot applications?

And the website?

Thanks in advance.

[Ascend Charlie]

If Bond is anything like most other companies, all email job applications end up in
[email protected]

[The Auditor]

I noticed your question on another thread. try the above.

[talvin]

Thank you.

I'm gonna send several emails to *****@bond-ltd.com

If I have response, I'll post it on here.

[Slotty]

Try [email protected] there is no web page for them. Ooops forgot the dash.....sorry.
This was the email address in Flight Intl, may have been limited by time though???:confused:

[GJB]

I've had no reply to my initial letter and cannot get through to the email address: [email protected].

has anyone had any success in emailing?

[The Auditor]

Aspiring North Sea Flightcrew.............

Please remember that there are only six [maximum] aircraft at contract commencement, and the [ex] loyal followers are already chosen.
Also there is a New Australian [South African] Chief Executive Officer in Command with his Australian discipile as Chief Pilot.....its all still very secret...maybe one of the worlds worsed kept secrets.

If you have not be contacted as yet.......................perhaps you best be looking further afield.

Its far to cold up there anyway......

[Twisted Rigging]

GJB

It looks like you missed out the hyphen between bond and ltd.

Good luck

[rotormad]

I had the same original letter as you i think and i havn't heard anything either....apart from a newsletter from Cabair about 6 weeks ago with a note in it saying that they were going to release details of a scholorship scheme for Helo's the following week, but i never recieved anything!!

Ohh well, going to get a tinny and through a couple more prawns on the barbi.....mate..;)

[rotormad]

Just looked at my post again and noticed a shed laods of spelling mistakes........no excuse..

R

[GJB]

thanks for that........the waiting game continues.

[100%RPM]

FYI

Bristow Helicopters and CHC Scotia pay scales for captains

Currency: GBP (£)

-----Scotia------Bristow---Scotia------Bristow
-----2003-------2003------2004-------2004

Year
25 -------------77,270
24 -------------76,534
23 -------------75,797
22 -------------75,061
21 --77,270 ----74,325 ----79,202 ----79,207
20 --76,393 ----73,588 ----78,303 ----78,301
19 --75,509 ----72,852 ----77,397 ----77,395
18 --74,625 ----72,115 ----76,491 ----76,489
17 --73,741 ----71,379 ----75,585 ----75,583
16 --72,857 ----70,643 ----74,678 ----74,677
15 --71,973 ----69,906 ----73,772 ----73,771
14 --71,089 ----69,170 ----72,866 ----72,865
13 --70,205 ----68,434 ----71,960 ----71,959
12 --69,321 ----67,697 ----71,054 ----71,053
11 --68,437 ----66,961 ----70,148 ----70,147
10 --67,553 ----66,224 ----69,242 ----69,241
9 ---66,669 ----65,488 ----68,336 ----68,335
8 ---65,785 ----64,752 ----67,430 ----67,429
7 ---64,901 ----64,015 ----66,524 ----66,523
6 ---64,017 ----63,279 ----65,617 ----65,617
5 ---63,133 ----62,543 ----64,711 ----64,711
4 ---62,249 ----61,806 ----63,805 ----63,805
3 ---61,365 ----61,070 ----62,899 ----62,899
2 ---60,481 ----60,333 ----61,993 ----61,993
1 ---59,597 ----59,597 ----61,087 ----61,087


Pension: money purchase scheme (for newcomers)
Company contributions:

Bristow: 5% --------- CHC Scotia: 7%

[chopperman]

Co-pilots salaries start at about £31k. To get a job you will need an instrument rating. If you haven't got one and are lucky enough to be selected for employment I'm sure Bond will put you through the course, bear in mind that you will no doubt have to pay it all back over the years that you are bonded to the company, thus reducing your salary further.
For those of you aspiring to command, unless you have North Sea command time on heavies, don't hold your breath. There are enough captains with NS experience already in contact with Bond who are quite willing to jump ship (quite a few of them with plenty of 332L2 time in their logbooks).
Fly safely,
Chopperman.

[GJB]

Has anyone heard anything back from BOND yet?

[rotormad]

Not a bloody thing and there's been no further mention of it from Cabair!! Not sure what it all means??:confused:

[engineoff]

Had a letter back saying that base facilities would be established in ABZ by the end of 2003 and staff would be recruited end 2003/beg 2004, and if still interested should contact them again at the end of the year when they will be aware of their exact requirements....

[rotormad]

Is that had a letter back from Bond or Cabair??:confused:

[engineoff]

Was a letter from Bond... Got the license/IR but no 332 rating so have to wait and see...

[roundwego]

CHC have just laid off a number of pilots in Aberdeen including Puma L2 captains. This will certainly help Bond out.

[rotormad]

Jeez...what about the young and inexperienced......not a chance:{

[GJB]

Rotormad - I know, it's frustrating trying to get a start. Keep your chin up and persevere.

Some of these old crusties will be retiring soon and that will make room for us ;)

[rotormad]

GJB

I bloody hope so....i suppose we all have to keep things in perspective. Just got to keep chipping away at it....never give up:ok:

[GJB]

The postman must have forgotten where I live :uhoh:

[Twisted Rigging]

GJB,

I have been told that their recruiting drive could finish about April 2004, their contract doesn't start until August 2004 so it would appear unlikely that they will start hiring too early.

Good Luck,

TR

[JKnife]

This was on the Press and Journal website (evidently appeared in the paper sometime last week) at the following link - http://www.thisisnorthscotland.co.uk/displayNode.jsp?nodeId=84094&command=displayContent&sourceNode=83930&contentPK=5578344.

==============================================

BOND OFFSHORE HELICOPTERS OPTS FOR EXPERIENCE AS NEW BOSS IS APPOINTED

JOE WATSON

09:00 - 14 May 2003

Bond Offshore Helicopters has appointed one of its former staff to head up its operations when they resume in Aberdeen. Geoffrey Williams is to become managing director of the business, which will start flying again in the North Sea from August next year after winning a multi-million-pound 10-year contract from BP.

Mr Williams is rejoining Bond from CHC Helicopters Australia, where he was latterly executive director.

The Australian business was formerly Lloyd Helicopters, a part of the Bond empire.

Mr Williams has more than 25 years' experience of helicopter operations in Africa, Australia, South-east Asia and Europe.

He previously held senior management positions in technical, engineering, logistics and projects within CHC.

Bond, run by brothers Peter and Stephen Bond, also said Mr Williams had extensive experience across a broad range of twin-engine helicopter types including aircraft from major manufacturers such as Eurocopter, Sikorsky and Bell. Executive chairman Peter Bond said: "We have known Geoff Williams for more than 10 years and have worked closely with him in the past when Lloyd Helicopters was part of the Bond Group.

"With his considerable and wide experience of helicopter operations, including the offshore oil and gas industry, he is ideally placed to lead Bond Offshore Helicopters and to further its growth in offshore aviation."

Bond is taking over the BP contract, believed to be worth £260million, from CHC Scotia.

It has already announced that it is buying six of the latest Super Puma twin-engine helicopters in a £53million deal for the contract.

The Bond brothers run extensive aviation interests in the UK and internationally. They expect to employ 80 staff in Aberdeen.

The brothers sold their previous North Sea operation to CHC-owned Scotia Helicopters in 1999. They agreed at that time not to become involved in the North Sea market for two years.

[rotormad]

Well i guess it's just the waiting game now, everything seems to have gone very quite!!! Don't know what that means exactly.

[The Auditor]

From the feedback I receive, Bond have made a good decision. Whilst focusing on the business side of things, he will always have time to speak and understand the shop floor issues.
Lets hope that the &^%$@# Aberdeen weather doesn't change that.

Has anyone seen, heard of a short thin chap with that Australian drawl, studing for the ATPL [H] exams in the UK somewhere?

[ScotiaQ]

e-mial address is:

[email protected]

[TeeS]

E-mail addresses have now changed to [email protected] - apparently the old ones should continue to work for some time yet!

TeeS

[McSkull]

Anybody hear about the ab-initio side of things?
What would the minimum requirements be do you reckon?

[The Nr Fairy]

McSkull :

If you mean "ab initio" as in "zero helicopter hours", bloody hell you're optimistic.

If you mean "ab initio" as in "got a CPL and possibly IR and some hours", you might be slightly warmer, but not hugely.

[212man]

In fairness to McSkull, the full page ad I saw in Flight earier in the year did clearly state that they intended to provide some ab initio training for sponsored pilots (ala Bristow I guess).

No idea of specifics, but usually you'd need A levels in Maths and Physics plus a demonstrable intrerest in aviation (possibly a PPL aeroplanes or RAF flying scholarship, or Air Cadet gliding; that sort of thing), plus passing the usual range of aptitude tests and interviews.

Before being shot down about the A levels; I agree they are not essential but they tend to act as a useful sifting tool when dealing with hundreds/thousands of hopefuls. Bond may have a different view.

[GJB]

any more news anyone?

[Hummingfrog]

I believe that Bond had an advert in the Aberdeen P+J newspaper last week for experienced Puma pilots to join there operation. With the redundancies at Scotia I would think that there will be very few vacancies for non Puma experienced pilots with Bond - but you never know!!

Now that Tony Blair has given the right of work to all the new EU states you may find Bond employ "cheaper European pilots":ooh:

HF

[McSkull]

I know there was a thread about this before but......
Has anybody heard anything lately in relation to Bond recruiting?

[GJB]

any developments?

[roundwego]

Have heard that Bond Offshore has been trying to poach qualified L2 pilots from Scotia. Several "offers" have been made but Scotia pilots reluctant to move over for less money and worse conditions.

Some may be forced over as Scotia have made it clear more jobs will go in a few weeks time. More job losses also likely next summer when the BP contract goes over to Bond. Bond will be in a strong position as it will be an "employers market" and the pilots will have to take what is offered.

New "lowcost" Bond will be expecting the pilots to do tasks the average North Sea pilot has not been used to, ie help load/unload pax/bags, clean out aircraft interiors after flight, Ops support etc. Just what the aveage GA pilot has to do.

Sounds like a good time for the younger North Sea pilots to prepare for fixed wing employment.

[SASless]

Oh Sooth....get my hands dirty! Ah, my, NO! Ask the boys at the Cook Inlet, Alaska ops for ERA about loading freight, baggage, Bears, fuelling, washing the aircraft.....rigging loads....stuffing rocket tubes....oh and fly the thing as well.

[Thomas coupling]

About time those offshore blighters removed their white calf leather gloves and got down and dirty, might justify their pay hike lately:uhoh:

[Hummingfrog]

Now now Thomas

Jealousy is not a virtue. If you stick together you will get what you deserve as we did:O. Even with our pay rise we are only in the middle rank of what offshore workers get.

Must go now as SWMB obeyed has just said the fillet steaks are going on and I must check the wine is ready after I have put the Jag in the garage;)

HF

[MaxNg]

Thomas Coupling

TuT TuT Tut


Dont get jealous get a interview

Or

have you had on and been refused ?

Or

maybe you got as far as the checkride and dropped ?

There is nothing worse than a dejected pilot

probably just as well that you stay onshore where it,s nice and safe to poddle around visually.

As for us getting our hands dirty old boy, I will do my bit to try and economize but the Valet parking must stay.

By the way what are you flying on patrol R22 H300 or smaller ?

[Thomas coupling]

Max Ng: I see you haven't contributed to the "Who's Who" thread. Is that because your still offshore with limited access to the web, or, like most offshore drivers, you haven't got much of a background to offer :ooh:

Better still, how about a day in the working life of MaxNG - two lines should do:bored:

{To all the other offshore drivers, in mitigation, I did say 'most'!}


Perhaps I should have used the tongue in cheek icon for Max's benefit when I wrote my last entry........

[Droopy]

Tongue in cheek or not, why be so critical of each others' jobs? Offshore and police work are obviously substantially different, but as for the challenges:- diversion planning in the Haar season........ night rural nav in marginal weather with no IFR option.......busy night shuttle in limiting winds.....urban pursuit with 3 radios going.....

Is a senior long haul pilot more of a professional, or doing a better job, than someone operating in the Highlands & Islands [do they still call it that]?

Personally I feel that the North Sea people deserve what they get, partly because of what they do every day but mostly because they've formed a [reasonably] united workforce with proper representation; they've been able to establish the value of seniority in a way which is completely alien to pretty much all other UK operators.

[Thomas coupling]

Droopy: well said that man!

[MaxNg]

Thomas Coupling

Two lines eh!

8 years onshore

6 years offshore

as for a day in the live of MaxNg

I,m on "standby" today


:D

I supose you will be flying as it,s an nice day today:E

[helislave]

Had heard that they're giving some guys they found IR type training, so much for the add in Flight Int this year for Ab Initio sponsorship/prospects. Mind you i bet they were flooded with applicants.

But please be fair, at least most of you have flying jobs/chances of flying jobs, what about the rest of us eh? We can hardly get a look in. Sorry don't mean to be bitchy.:ooh:

I bet that's blown my chances with them, hope it's anonymous!!!:O

[GJB]

Helislave - a think you are right in that they are sponsoring some guys through their IR's.

No sign of ab-initio this year and no sign of a letter to say thanks but no thanks. :(

[Hippolite]

I heard from a friend of mine who is joining Bond that Bristow have been carrying out revenue training on the L2 for Bond. Ironically, its for Bristow pilots who have flown the L1 and are defecting to Bond to fly the L2.

:cool:

[Hummingfrog]

Oh Hippolite your friend is telling porkies. Bond hasn't started recruiting line pilots yet and will probably take ex-Bond pilots from Scotia to fill Captain slots with some experienced Scotia Co-pilots for promotion to Captain when the second batch of L2s arrive.

Oh and according to their web site (www.bristowhelicopters.com) Bristow doesn't have any 332L2s!!:confused:


HF

[Woolf]

HF:

Bristows do have one L2 which has been flying a lot lately! It's the Jigsaw aircraft which I believe has completed the trial period for BP and is idle for the moment (even though there is some rumour that it has picked up work somwhere else).

It is also rumoured that this aircraft is actually owned by BP ......... Wouldn't think that a lot of people are deserting Bristows for Bond though unless they get a really good deal (or Command). Anyone know more?

[Hedski]

HF, the HR woman in Bond's Aberdeen office was able to tell me that they have taken a handful of low hours CPL's who will be starting IR with Cabair (sponsored) in Cranfield early October and they won't be taking any more until next summer as all P1/P2 slots are now full! :{

[Hippolite]

Oh Oh Hummingfrog......

No porkies, the person in question has accepted a job with Bond and has completed his training on the only 332L2 that Bristow has which is, as Woolf says, G JSAR which hasn't been working much offshore lately.

The aircraft is not owned by BP but by Bristow.


:cool:

[jigsawjockey]

A couple of years ago, when the merger between Bond and BIH to form Scotia occured, for the first time the pilots of Scotia and Bristows really got their collective acts together. This has resulted in a reasonably level playing field in terms of pay between the 2 companies. The pay rise was only gained after a hard, drawn out period of negotiations involving BALPA, cummulating in a stike ballot at Scotia which was supported by 78% of those balloted.
With a third company coming back into operation, based on past experience, there is the very real possibility over the coming years that pay and conditions will once more be dragged down to the lowest common denominator. This is in no pilots' interest.
Bearing that in mind, I feel the new pilots coming to the north sea should be aware of the aprroximate pay scales being used by Scotia and Bristows. Hopefully this will help the new north sea pilots get a fair deal for themselves.
The co-pilot scale ranges from £31000 (less than 500 hours) up to £49000 (4 year SFO(3000 hours plus)) with £50000 LOL
Captain pay scale ranges from £59500 to £77000 with £100000 LOL
Any one got any info on the Bond offshore pay and conditions????
:ok:

[PAY HALF]

Well said Jigsawjockey !
It's about time we got more of this kind of thing out into the open.
I can't think why, but something about your handle makes me think you were a pilot on the recent BP offshore SAR trial although your profile would suggest otherwise ( the tangled web we weave ) If you were on Jigsaw, do you know what is going to happen next ?
Are BP going to commit to Jigsaw ?
Will Bristows get the contract ?
Could any of the other North sea operators do the job ?
I'm sure that I'm not the only person out here who's interested in this topic.

[jigsawjockey]

:D Thanks a lot for the encouraging reply, pay half........as for your questions, what makes you think that pilots involved in the BP SAR would be kept any more in the loop of contract awards than those not invovled????:sad:

[Hummingfrog]

Heard from a bp OIM that bp were going ahead with the building (in Korea) of the Jigsaw rescue boats but he didn't have any info on the helicopter side of Jigsaw. As an interested party I hope Jigsaw is implemented but I'm not holding my breath.

On the pay front I believe most of Bond's pilot work force will be ex Bond/Scotia/Bristow so will be well aware of the going rate for a N Sea pilot.;)

HF

[PAY HALF]

Oh go on Jigsawjockey !
I'm a bit of a Pprune virgin, but surely you can dish out a bit of info without compromising yourself ?
I have heard it said that Bristows will not get the contract if BP do go ahead. What are your thoughts on that? If for instance Bond were given the work, do you think they will have the expertise and indeed the CAA's approval to do that kind of work?

[Crashondeck]

Well said Mr Jig.

Just hope that any newbie co joes they recruit dont take a lower salary simply because they are greatful for a job and IR. Once the novelty wears off they will be looking over the Aberdeen runway and wondering why they are being paid less than Bristow / Scotia FOs.

[AndyJB32]

Nice one Jig, a bit of info sharing between the pilots, both extablished north sea pilots and new ones coming up, can only be a good thing.
I'm interested to see if you can answer questions posed by payhalf about the SAR contracts................any extra info would be great:ok:

[Thomas coupling]

It might be a coincidence, but BP did advertise (for the first time in years) for an aviation advisor in Flight about 3 months ago. Might this be to do with preparing the ground for Jigsaw?

Anyone know who got the job?

How will Bond justify hiking their pay scales to a competitive level for their offshore drivers, when they have been used to mediocre salaries for too long?

Just curious, you understand..................

[212man]

My information is that there are 3 captain scales: £58,500, £66,000 and £74,000. A 'performance' bonus on top at the end of the year and some money purchase pension arrangement. The experienced guys are joining at the middle band. I assume co-pilots are on a similar deal.

So, not vastly different I think.

[Arctic Tern]

Any info on the Jigsaw crewman rates of pay, etc. I know many of the military SAR Boys are watching with interest.

[Mikila1A]

Exuse me for my ignorance.....

But what is "jigaw"?

[zalt]

TC - I believe the BP Adviser post is essentially to replace 'KG' who retired earlier in the year and is to cover Europe (thus including BOH) and Africa - no Jigsaw connection. From what my contacts at BP say, the second round of interviews were being held a week ago.

Mikilia1A - Jigsaw was a trial, recently finished which included a new Bristow AS332L2 G-JSAR, to evaluate the practicality of using 4 offshore based and 2 shore based SAR helicopters to complement/replace old style stand by vessels for BP. Lots of references in past posts.

Results generally considered good, with 'rescues' demonstrated in extreme wave heights close to rigs, but reduced BP operations in North Sea may make it less likely without teaming between oil companies, and the new broom at UKOOA is pushing that organisation away from coordinating practical matters like SAR ops.

Any new appointments at BOH?

[Mikila1A]

ZAlt,

Merci!

[helipiloto]

Does anybody have info on how the bond offshore recruitment is going so far??

[SEL]

I had an email from Cabair, who are doing the training for Bond, stating that they had filled the vacancies advertised from the begining of the year.

[jigsawjockey]

I've heard similar rumours to 212 man.....the bonus at end of financial year (presumably then) should be interesting. I wonder if Bond's financial statements will have any bearing on the ease with which pilots manage to get awarded their bonuses???
Also, what criteria would be used to determine who is awarded the bonus and who gets zilch?
As for the Jigsaw contract, even though it was initialised by BP, if it ever gets up and running, surely it would almost certainly have to run as a jointly financed operation between all the oil companies?;)

[helipiloto]

thanks for your reply SEL

[zalt]

The bizarre rumour I've heard is that the penalty BP will have to pay Bond if they don't keep 6 aircraft occupied for 10 years is so steep that it may now be the biggest factor in triggering a BP-only SAR operation with the spare L2s!

[Robbiman]

As many of you know Bond Helicopters recived a big contract this spring. They "took" it from Scotia.

I now hear (rumours) that portions of that contract are lost ?

CHC Scotia have got some of this contracts back.

Does anybody know anything. Or is it me wich have missunderstood something.:confused:

[coalface]

Bp awarded all their Northern North Sea ex Aberdeen work to Bond as of Aug 2004. They have since sold off some of their older platforms (including the 5 Forties production platforms and possibly some others) to a company called Apache. Scotia then bid for the Apache work and has now managed to "reclaim" some of the work they thought they were going to lose in August when Bond take over the BP work.

Rumour has it that to compensate Bond for the loss of the work which has now gone back to Scotia, BP has awarded the offshore SAR contract (Jigsaw) to Bond. This is the story eminating from the Bond camp but there has been no official announcement. Anyone heard different?

[autosync]

Rumour has it, after extensive testing on the Jigsaw project, Brisow won the BP project last week, (small comfort!)

[zalt]

Robbiman - lots of past threads - worth searches on BP, Bond and CHC.

Coalface - I've heard what you have heard, but with a twist: any SAR contracts Bond get are not compensation for a cut in crew change work, but because the massive penalty clauses the Bond brothers put in the original 10 year 6 aircraft contract mean it is the only way BP can avoid any of the penalties.

Sadly Apache are not widely known in the oil industry for being too picky about quality or safety - you will remeber a fatal R44 (!) accident in the Gulf of Mexico earlier in the year supporting an Apache rig

autosync - The recent Bristow contract win (for G-JSAR) is a seperate deal in Holland.

[chopperman]

Zalt,
'Sadly Apache are not widely known in the oil industry for being too picky about quality or safety...'
Not quite sure what you imply by this statement. Would you care to clarify it?

Fly safely,
Chopperman.

[zalt]

chopperman - I gave a classic example in immediately after my statement repeated (albeit with a spolling irror!).

OGP has a series of standards for oil company helicopter operations and single engined piston rotorcraft at night over the sea is very non-standard! Furthermore Apache have recently entered the offshore market in another country and negotiated contracts without clauses that the members of the local offshore oil & gas operating association have adopted as local standards for oil & gas operations.

I'm not suggesting that they would knowingly contract an operation outside of local mandatory regulations (and sorry if I may have implied that), just that they are unlikely to pay for things they aren't forced to pay for.

[zaplead]

Hi,
Does anyone out there know if Bond Helicopters has a home page as I can't find any on a search engine.
Would be pleased to know, Cheers....

[ppheli]

You mean Bond Air Services Ltd, or Bond Offshore Helicopters Ltd to be exact - and I am not aware of a website either.

However, I am aware that Bond Offshore have just ramped up their AS332L2 order from 5 to 7 after winning a long-term BP SAR contract..............

[zaplead]

It was Bond Offshore, but looks like there isnt one, thanks for the response though..

[roundwego]

According to a senior Bond manager (and longstanding director), "Unless a f*****g web site is going to save us any f*****g money or make us any more f*****g profit we are not going to waste our f*****g time having a f*****g web site."

Any guesses who said it???

[misunderstood]

It doesn't cost much to have your company presented nicely even on a one-page site, with contact details and a nice picture or two. These days, a website can be just one more thing that adds to a company's credibility, as many people assume that a company without a website must have gone out of business (my experience only).

Disclaimer: I don't do websites, this is not an advertisement.

[MaxNg]

Zaplead

Try WWW.bendoverandbeshafted.co.uk

:D

alternatively

WWW.malcomsgimps.co.uk

:D :D :D

[Heliport]

Eurocopter Press Release Geoffrey Williams, the MD of Bond Offshore Helicopter Ltd, was in Eurocopter's Marignane Plant to take delivery of the first of the six AS 332 L2 Super Pumas ordered by the company.

http://www.eurocopter.com/publications/img_wsw//BOND%2002%20bis.jpg

In September 2002, Bond Offshore Helicopters Ltd and Eurocopter signed a contract worth close to 80 million euros for the delivery of six 6 AS 332 L2s. Five of these aircraft will be delivered before July 2004 in the Crew Change configuration. The 6th aircraft will be delivered in August 2005, making it one of the most advanced SAR helicopters in the world.

This contract marked the return of the company to offshore activities thanks to a service contract with BP, the worlds second largest oil company.
Eurocopter has played an active part in consolidating this new activity, specifically by training the aircrews in Helisim's flight simulation facilities. For manufacturer and operator alike, the support aspect has been a key factor in meeting the challenge facing Bond Offshore Helicopters.

The AS 332 L2 Super Pumas will operate in the North Sea to service oil production platforms located 140 nautical miles from the coast. The Crew Change helicopters will be stationed in Aberdeen where Bond Offshore Helicopters has opened new facilities. This version of the helicopter incorporates several improvements, including the latest generation ventilation system and staggered seats for greater comfort.

[trimpot]

Well the red is nice, but do they come in any other colours?

:p :ouch:

[ppheli]

Odd, Bond's press release the other day said they had just upped their order to 7.... Also depends on the definition of "delivery". If it means "handing the keys over", then yes, they did that. The aircraft is not delivered to Aberdeen yet. Gotta wait till the weekend for that.

Red? - you can just about make out the reg is G-REDK.. well, the first 5 are G-REDJ to N inclusive. so they have to be RED, OK?!! :O

[Brilliant Stuff]

I don't wish to be piccy but i read the Reg as REDN.

Why will the weekend change anything?
Does some lucky chap get to fly them up from France?

regards Brilliant Stuff

[Robbo Jock]

In a true demonstration of the entent cordiale, they've given it two registrations: an F and a G. As a further show of Anglo-French relations, have they painted a tricolour on the other side of the tailboom ? (Or should that be troiscoleur ?)

[ppheli]

BS, you can be as piccy about the piccy as you like, but the original (much larger) JPG image clearly showed G-REDK and the French test reg as F-WWOM up on the engine cowling. Down on the tail is "BAS002", the internal ECF code for the second aircraft in the order, consistent with REDK being the second in the J to N series. I expect that both the factory code and test reg will be removed by the time it enters UK airspace.

[Brilliant Stuff]

ppheli

I will bow to your superior knowledge.

So How are they getting home?

regards Brilliant stuff

[BHPS]

The first machine G-REDJ arrived at Aberdeen today on delivery.

BHPS

[SASless]

Well now...being a Redneck, who enjoys red wine, red meat, red haired lassies, Red Roses.....maybe Wingnut will remember me from days gone by and let me drive a Red Tigerish looking machine....after all....I am one of the boys from Redhill.;)

[zaplead]

Thanks, they sound like some sites to try when the wifes out......

[HeliAviator]

Chaps, I have been looking on the net for Bond Offshore Helicopters web site to no avail! Can anyone help?

Many thanks

[Heliport]

Bond threads merged.

[Spaceranger]

Bond Offshore Helicopters, are they recruiting or are they looking for more chaep labour.

[Bravo 99 (AJB)]

Last time i spoke to Wess Loran at Bonds which i must admit was a couple of months ago was they where looking to start recruiting in march next year.

but i was up where you are last week and i have heard that Bonds have got the SAR contract for the Jicsaw project this was following a discusion on the Cougor mk2 that Bristows had got kitted out for the job. but as i said its a rumour.

Sincerely

Bravo 99 (AJB)

[SiClick]

Anyone got a contact number for Bond Offshore?

[Red Kaye]

Bond Offshore have definitely got the BP "Jigsaw" work with one aircraft being based offshore and one in Shetland.

Evidently only looking for SAR qualified Captains and Winch Operators. Supposedly have all the co-pilots and the winchman will be ex-HEMS Paramedics. Will only advertsie if they cannot get the personnel they want from applying to them direct.

If you haven't got a SAR Command backgound or no SAR winch operator experience, probably not worth applying!

Red

[SiClick]

I have the SAR background, I just am having fun trying to get their contact details from overseas!

[airborne_artist]

Bond Offshore Helicopters Ltd
Norfolk Ho, Pitmedden Rd
Dyce Aberdeen
AB21 0DP

T (01224) 729698

E swestoram<insert the at sign>bondoffshorehelicopters.com

[Heliport]

Merged threads