GOM Gossip

[Hiro Protagonist]

Disclaimer...I don't work in the GOM, so this is mostly speculation.

I doubt that any company would actually change their minimums upward because of the availability of high time guys from PHI. I guess that if those experienced pilots are available, they'll likely get the job ahead of someone with low time and no oil flying experience.

When this all blows over, there'll probably be just as high a demand for pilots in the gulf as there was before the strike, and while the vacancies may be more plentiful at PHI for a bit, it will all balance out eventually.

Rotorcraft Leasing is currently advertising for pilots with 1,000 hours, and Air Log is looking for pilots that meet Pt. 135 requirements, so essentialy, 500 hours. Can't ask for much lower than that! Both of these ads were posted within the last couple days here (http://www.jsfirm.com).

[Darren999]

Era have stopped taking on new people for a while, they have taken on a few from the PHI. This is only short term beleive..:oh:

[DownRightAft]

I have read some older threads on here about how bad the living conditions are in the gulf. Does anyone on here work for PHI or ERA or AirLog? If you do, which has the best living conditions? I mean accommodations, because I realize you most likely are going to live in a remote part of Louisiana.

[gwelo shamwari]

I work for one of the three you mentioned.

How one grades living conditions is quite dependent on the person.

For me good living conditions is just basics e.g. clean room, clean bathroom, clean kitchen, not sharing a room, access to a washer and dryer, maybe internet, satellite TV in your trailer while onshore. I would think that the bigger operators would provide this; mine does.

However being a helicopter pilot in the gulf does mean that our jobs are more than likely going to be in areas that are remote (this means in the sticks - probably no cell phone coverage). Maybe a few basic shops or even just a single service station sometimes it just depends. So getting in to your car and driving two blocks to Wal-Mart, or going out to eat at Chilies and then off to the movies is more than likely not going to be an option. :eek: If this is what you are looking for at each location then I guess the living conditions for you would not be that great.:(

It is the same with the offshore locations. Just depends on the location. I have my own room with wireless Internet, TV, a good cook on an old but clean platform. But it just as well could be you will be based on a platform where you have to share a dirty room, cook for yourself, etc.

Hope this helps

TGX

[Gomer Pylot]

I think the majors are pretty comparable in terms of accommodations on the beach. Offshore, it depends on the oil company, and ranges from intolerable to pretty good.

[DownRightAft]

I guess "good" living conditions for me would be described as clean, and my own room. I don't mind cooking for myself, I just don't want to be in a smoky, moldy, filthy place with 4 other guys in bunks. If I have my own clean room and an internet connection, then I could be quite happy while on hitch. A gym or some type of fitness center would be really nice, anything like that common place?

[Revolutionary]

"smoky, moldy, filthy place with 4 other guys in bunks"

Hey, it sounds just like you've been working offshore already;) Living conditions at the base are almost always better than on a platform, no matter how nice the living quarters and the inhabitants. Your best bet is to do everything in your power to prevent having to overnight offshore. The occasional offshore stay may be unavoidable when you're in the pool, but once you're ready to bid out of the pool, only bid on jobs that you know will get you to the beach each night. Call the pilot who currently works that job. If you do covet a job that includes offshore stays, always always visit the platform first (or get a firsthand description from someone whose judgment you trust) before putting in a bid.

[zalt]

I thought it was time this thread was warmed up again.

Any one care to fill us in on a departing Chief Pilot?

[seawings]

Which company?

[zalt]

Lets just say it is probably linked to N180AL;)

[tottigol]

Zalt no offense meant and may be lightly overstepping my boundaries however I believe that this type of inquiry belongs to a different website.
If there are consequences to the accident of Dec.11 deriving from operational considerations then the company management already knows which ones they are to be; even though this is a Rumors Network, speculation without need is not what we deal with best.

May I refer you to JH for further inquiries of this type?

By the way someone has been trying to set up a fund for donations for the children of the pilot on that flight, that information would be far more welcome here.

Happy Holidays.

[SASless]

Zalt,

As there are probably more than a few Chief Pilots "departing" from someplace in the world....as this web site does draw folks from all over the world...perhaps you could give us a wee hint which continent you had in mind when you make a post such as that?

As to it being related to 180AL....could you enlighten us as to why you think RLC would boot the CP before the accident had been investigated and a cause determined?


Tott,

If you find out how to contact that fund for the children....let me know....I have no kids of my own....and it is Christmas soon.:(

[tottigol]

This is an excerpt of the obituary with donations info, I am trying to find out if there anything more specific and I am in it.
I did not know the pilot personally nor through acquaintances however I can only start to imagine the pain of his family at a time like this.

......Joe was also a U.S. Navy Veteran who spent time living in Japan, Colorado, Alaska, California, Ohio and New Jersey, before settling near family in Quincy, MA where Joe and his wife, Susan Durkin, wanted to raise their family. Joe was a loving and adoring father to his two daughters, Anna Marie Laugelle, age 10 and Margaret Grace Laugelle, age 8. Joe was the brother of Betsy Laugelle and the late Anne Marie Laugelle. He is also survived by his birth mother, Joyce Hamner of Watertown and his sister Stacie Hamner of Newburyport. Joe was the son-in-law of Edward J. Durkin and the late Stephanie Durkin. He will also be deeply missed by his Durkin brothers and sisters and their families: Stephen Durkin and his daughters Mollie and Bridget; Deborah and Daniel Finn and their daughters Emily and Michaela; Deirdre and Stephen Haskell and their daughters Victoria and Caroline; Kevin and Patti Durkin and their children Catherine, Lauren, and Daniel; Sheila and Tom Deegan and their children Thomas, Patrick, Connor and Meredith; Mark and Annmary Durkin and their son, Ryan. Joe is also survived by many other loving relatives and friends. Relatives and friends are respectfully invited to join us at a ceremony and reception to celebrate Joe's life on Wednesday, December 17, at 3:00 p.m. in the afternoon, at the Grand Ballroom at Quarry Hills, 100 Quarry Hills Drive, Quincy, MA. For those wishing, donations may be made to the Joseph S. Laugelle, Jr. Family Memorial Fund, c/o Sovereign Bank, 20 Beale St., Quincy, MA 02170.

[zalt]

Tott

No offence taken, though I am not sure how asking a question is any more speculative or inappropriate than a comment you have already made after that accident (caveat or otherwise):
This company does have a reputation for all kinds of shortcuts (albeit not determined whether that was a factor in this accident) and a safety record to match.

On the matter of JH it should be no shock that I value the level of intellect here!

Thanks for posting the donation information - I for one had not seen that.

SASless

As the thread is titled GOM Gossip I had hoped that would narrow it down. Is ther another GOM?

Deriously, you ask could you enlighten us as to why you think RLC would boot the CP before the accident had been investigated and a cause determined?. Well no I can't, and so we have a common interest in that answer.

I had wondered if it was to do with the delay in calling for a rescue in the early press reports. But according to tottigol: I also believe this company "leases" flight following services from one other well organized operator.

[helonorth]

RLC does not "lease" its flight following from any other operator. Organized or
unorganized.

[zalt]

That is what I had suspected.

[Shell Management]

NTSB Identification: CEN09FA086
Nonscheduled 14 CFR Part 135: Air Taxi & Commuter
Accident occurred Thursday, December 11, 2008 in Sabine Pass, TX
Aircraft: BELL 206, registration: N180AL
Injuries: 5 Fatal.
This is preliminary information, subject to change, and may contain errors. Any errors in this report will be corrected when the final report has been completed.
On December 11, 2008, approximately 0730 central standard time, a Bell 206-L4, N180AL, owned and operated by Rotorcraft Leasing Company LLC, was destroyed after impacting water eight miles south of Sabine Pass, Texas, in the Gulf of Mexico. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time of the accident. The non-scheduled domestic passenger flight was being conducted under the provisions of Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 135 on a company flight plan. The commercial pilot and three passengers were fatally injured. One passenger is presumed to be fatally injured. The cross country flight departed Sabine Pass at 0722 and was en route to an off shore drilling platform (West Cameron 157) in the Gulf of Mexico.

According to officials with Rotorcraft Leasing Company (RLC) the pilot met his passengers in Sabine Pass the morning of the accident. Witnesses observed the pilot preflight and prepare the helicopter for the flight and the flight departed Sabine Pass at 0722. At 0725, the pilot contact RLC communications center and filed a flight plan from Sabine Pass to West Cameron 157. The pilot reported that he had four passengers on board and two hours of fuel.

RLC's communications center provides flight following services and company policy requires a 15 minute position report for every flight. The pilot did not make the required 15 minute position report and search and rescue efforts were initiated. Preliminary reports indicate the first sign of debris in the water was discovered approximately 1000. Recovery vehicles were secured, and the helicopter wreckage was located and recovered to Lafayette, Louisiana, for further examination.

The closest official weather observation station was Southeast Texas Regional Airport (KBPT), Beaumont/Port Arthur, Texas, located 35 nautical miles (nm) north of the accident site. The elevation of the weather observation station was 15 feet msl. The routine aviation weather report (METAR) for KBPT, issued at 0755, reported, winds, 300 degrees at 9 knots, visibility, 10 miles; sky condition, overcast 4,400; temperature 01 degrees Celsius (C); dewpoint, minus 01 degrees C; altimeter, 30.01 inches.

[zalt]

RLC have released adverts for both a Chief Pilot and two Communications Center Shift Supervisor.

Job Description 1:
Posted: 12/31/2008
Rotorcraft Leasing Company has an immediate opening for a Chief Pilot. The successful candidate will live in the Lafayette, LA area, have a strong management background and extensive FAR 135 offshore Gulf of Mexico experience. Competitive salary and benefits.


Job Description 2:
Posted: 12/31/2008
Rotorcraft Leasing Company has an immediate opening in the Communications Center for a "shift supervisor" with an offshore pilot background. This position will engage in flight following and exercise some operational control with regard to weather issues. The position would be suitable for a retired pilot or one without a medical certificate. The successful candidate will live in the Lafayette, LA area and work a 7/7 schedule.

Contact person for both is Gerry Golden at RLC.

[Jeremaya]

First posting, great site. Considering GOM work this fall after retiring from military. I know AirLog has no "mado" overtime/workovers, but what about PHI and ERA? Did the 2006 strike improve PHI pilot quality of life? Any comments appreciated, even a smart arse one for you clever ones out there.:)

[Revolutionary]

"Did the 2006 strike improve PHI pilot quality of life?"

That made me laugh.

[SASless]

Hurricanes do a better job of that than anything else.....providing the nasty assed old house trailers get blown or washed away!

[Mars]

************************************************************ ********************
** Report created 8/19/2009 Record 1 **
************************************************************ ********************

IDENTIFICATION
Regis#: 495PH Make/Model: B206 Description: BELL 206B HELICOPTER
Date: 08/17/2009 Time: 1714

Event Type: Incident Highest Injury: None Mid Air: N Missing: N
Damage: Unknown

LOCATION

DESCRIPTION
N495PH LANDED ON OFFSHORE PLATFORM MAIN PASS 310A, AND AFTER DISCHARGING
ITS PASSENGERS BEGAN TO REFUEL WITH THE PILOT AT THE CONTROLS AND THE
ENGINE AT IDLE. THE HELIDECK WAS WET AND THE AIRCRAFT BEGAN TO SLIDE
TOWARD N204PH, WHICH WAS UNOCCUPIED AND PARKED ON THE HELIDECK. AN ATTEMPT
TO ARREST THE MOTION WITH CYCLIC APPLICATION WAS UNSUCCESSFUL AND THE
THROTTLE WAS ROLLED TO "OFF" AND THE AIRCRAFT'S ROTOR BLADES STRUCK THE
PARKED AIRCRAFT CAUSING DAMAGE TO BOTH AIRCRAFT.

INJURY DATA Total Fatal: 0
# Crew: 1 Fat: 0 Ser: 0 Min: 0 Unk:
# Pass: 0 Fat: 0 Ser: 0 Min: 0 Unk:
# Grnd: Fat: 0 Ser: 0 Min: 0 Unk:

WEATHER: VFR WITH RAIN, WIND 20-25 KNOTS GUSTING 30+ KNOTS

OTHER DATA
Activity: Business Phase: Standing Operation: OTHER


FAA FSDO: BATON ROUGE, LA (SW03) Entry date: 08/19/2009

[Old Skool]

Oh dear what a shame, 495PH from a few years ago now.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v639/IgorS76/495PH/n1389893692_101696_9358.jpg

[aclark79]

http://aclark79.smugmug.com/photos/508347207_Bx8Ej-M.jpg

Here it is from March this year, I like the new paint scheme better. Really glad everyone is ok.

[Um... lifting...]

If the FAA can't tell a 407 from a 206, that would seem to be a cause for concern.

[widgeon]

Aircraft that was struck N204PH is a 206L3. Maybe the 407 lost 2 blades that made it hard to ID :)

[Hippolite]

Having the engine at idle during the refuel (SOP at PHI) which means you can't do much if the aircraft starts to slide.

This is not the first incident of this type. Last time it happened the aircraft started to slide with the engine at idle and the pilot's cyclic input de capitated the refueler.

Aircraft should be kept at flight RPM or shutdown, idle is a no man's land.

[SASless]

Why are the aircraft "sliding" to begin with? Moving decks or poor maintenance allowing the non-skid to wear off?

[FH1100 Pilot]

Good question, SAS.

During my 13 years with PHI (nine of that based on offshore platforms), I learned a thing or two about winds and helicopters. One thing was that a 206B could take up to about 20 mph of direct crosswind without sliding on metal deck that had that rough, anti-skid paint. A 206L could take up to 25 mph. (Each ship could take slightly more wind if it was loaded with full fuel.) Sometimes they would just yaw, and sometimes they would slide sideways. *ANY* angle other than perpendicular to the wind reduced the weathervaning/sliding tendency tremendously. Ninety degrees to the wind was bad. Quartering-tail was even worse.

Winter was worse than summer; we didn't get too many high-wind days in the summer unless a thunderstorm was nearby.

I cannot imagine how much direct crosswind it would take to get a 407 sliding on a deck. Or why said 407 pilot would not be cognizant of this situation and leave the engine up at 100%. Typically, PHI pilots are taught to park on the most upwind side of the helideck, so if anything the 407 "should" have been blown away from the L-model, not into it. But there are a million variations on that theme, so the "park upwind" rule is not hard and fast, and certainly not always possible.

And we were not there.

We are only left with the outcome and the explanation as it appears. If we take this explanation at face value, we end up scratching our collective heads and going, "How...?"

Maybe there's more to it.

Sometimes, when there are thunderstorms in the area, the wind can come up astonishingly quickly. Let's just be glad this one wasn't worse than it could have been.

[Gomer Pylot]

They move because there is little contact between a couple of small spots on the skids and the deck. Non-skid paint really only helps prevent slips by people walking, it's far too fragile to do much to stop something as heavy as a helicopter. The worst are wavy decks, which aren't as flat as they should be. You end up getting about 2 or 3 square inches of contact between the skids and the deck, even on a flat deck. I've had helicopters spin on me during cranking, and one turned a full 90 degrees before I could get up to idle. Bells, especially the 206/407 series, weathervane very strongly, and given a strong wind, in the 30 knot range, they're going to try to turn into the wind. The already weak tail rotor authority may not be enough, especially at idle, sometimes not even at 100% N2.

[GeorgeMandes]

Huh, weak tail rotor authority in a 407?

[SASless]

GOM Decks have non-skid like this?

http://images.travelpod.com/users/oldsalt/1.1110601200.flight-deck-non-skid.jpg


Perhaps the oil companies might contact their friendly US Navy for NSN numbers for what they use.

[Gomer Pylot]

Some do, but after 10 or 15 years it gets worn down pretty smooth. It costs money to paint platforms, and that money comes out of profits. For most, it's a light coat of sand at best, bare metal at worst, and the rust is the only non-skid material left.

[handbag]

what's happening down on the GOM with the spill. Is there a real slow down for the big 4 - are they laying off?? I'm surprised nobody has posted any images.

[Chopter]

Surely there must be some slowdown...

AFP: Oil rigs leaving Gulf of Mexico over drill ban (http://www.google.com/hostednews/afp/article/ALeqM5gGyEno7kZuePS8vnlnzwGh9goYiQ)

If this moratorium goes for six months, these rig operators and these oil companies will have no choice but to go somewhere else," with a devastating impact on jobs and the economy of Louisiana and the rest of the United States

[Chopter]

Bristow Group Provides Update on the Impact of the U.S. Gulf of Mexico on... -- HOUSTON, June 10 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- (http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/bristow-group-provides-update-on-the-impact-of-the-us-gulf-of-mexico-on-its-operations-96039454.html)

our revenues from this deepwater drilling work may decline by as much as 85% by the end of June 2010. We are actively seeking to redeploy these aircraft to other customers and other geographic regions to keep them earning revenue and income

In the near term, these declines may be offset by increased work for BP. We are currently flying seven Sikorsky S-76 medium aircraft and two Eurocopter EC135 small aircraft for BP in support of the spill control and monitoring effort.

[SASless]

Barry Boy shall "kick some ass" down in the GOM.....and show "Big Oil" who the "Main Man" is! Sorryo about the collateral damage that harms everyone else down there!

How's that Hope and Change working out for you down there?

[Brian Abraham]

From Aviation International News today

Deepwater Affecting Gulf Helo Operators
President Obama’s 180-day moratorium on deepwater oil drilling operations in the Gulf of Mexico is beginning to pinch helicopter operators there. The President imposed the moratorium following the explosion of the Deepwater Horizon drilling rig on April 20. Yesterday, Bristow Group announced that the moratorium is forcing its customers to release two Sikorsky S-92As and five S-76s that had been used to fly deepwater drilling support missions in the Gulf. The helicopters had been generating $3.8 million in monthly revenues. However, Bristow noted that spill-control flights operated on behalf of BP are largely offsetting this loss, in the short-term. Currently, Bristow is flying seven S-76s and two EC135s dedicated to these flights, which the company predicted would last “several months.” Separately, on Monday the FAA published a new “kneeboard TFR” for VFR helicopter operators flying in the Deepwater Horizon impact area, a vast tract that extends from off the coast of Central Louisiana to the Florida Panhandle. The TFR applies to all routine and oil-spill recovery helicopter traffic and fixed-wing aircraft. Routine helicopter traffic must remain at or above 1,500 feet until within two miles of a destination landing platform, squawk assigned Mode 3A codes and maintain radio contact. Fixed-wing traffic is not allowed below 1,000 feet in this area.

[gwelo shamwari]

The oil field is very cyclical with periods of boom and bust. (from what I have been told by those long in the tooth)

As a whole, the best we could do is work hard, keep our noses clean and do the best job for our current employers in the hope that they will make it through these tough times. :sad:

The good news is that politics is cyclical too... :ok:

[Hell Man]

5NSaa7VGYqc&feature=related

Mike Hurst, PHI CP, talks on the use of ADSB

[handbag]

our fleet has been ADS-B equiped for the last 2 years or so. Coupled with the TIB system, it's a pretty powerful tool especially being able to see aircraft on your traffic screen that are just sitting on the ground. I can thoroughly recommend it !:ok:

[Shell Management]

ADS-B has been a great leap forward in the GOM for the operators using it.;)

[Heli-News]

Three rescued safely after helicopter crashes off Terrebonne

Three people aboard a helicopter that crashed Tuesday into the Gulf of Mexico off Terrebonne Parish have been rescued safely, the Coast Guard said.

The crash happened around 1 p.m. about 30 miles southwest of Terrebonne Bay.

The oil rig Trinity V reported a downed helicopter at Ship Shoal 208 with three people in the water, the Coast Guard said. The three aboard the helicopter were rescued by the nearby offshore supply vessel, the Judy D, which is owned by Marine Transportation Services Inc.

The Coast Guard said no injuries were reported. But Ken Perry, owner of Perry Flying Center, told The Daily Review of Morgan City that the pilot and two passengers had minor injuries and were airlifted to Thibodaux General Medical Center for treatment. Perry said the helicopter, owned by Panther Helicopters in Belle Chasse, was based out of Patterson.

Three rescued safely after helicopter crashes off Terrebonne | HoumaToday.com (http://www.houmatoday.com/article/20130814/MULTIMEDIA/130819820)

[AnFI]

Bell 407? engine failure? Anyone know?