Off Shore Work?

[pakipilot]

Can anybody offer some advice/insight to off-shore work? who to apply to? what requirements they are looking for? and what is "Bonded Work"?

Thanks

[BusinessMan]

Hi,

I'm not a professional pilot (yet:)) but may be able to point you to some worthwhile info. Incidentally, you may get a better response from the Rotorheads regulars if you have more specific questions, particularly if these demonstrate that you've already gone and done your own trawling around using the Search functionality first:ok:.

The 3 big operators in the UK offshore market are CHC, Bristows & Bond Offshore - suggest having a look at their websites.

General situation currently is that they want you to have frozen ATPL(H) & IR before they'll hire but I believe they have been known to sponsor IRs sometimes. Bond Offshore Helicopters have recently selected their cadets for the first sponsored ab initio scheme since pre-911 though so worth keeping an eye open as things change. I have spoken to some in the industry who reckon the other major operators may follow suit with ab-initio schemes next year (though it's a very moot point ;))

General helo training/employment info sticky thread:

http://www.pprune.org/forums/showthread.php?t=253856

FAQ webpage and pprune thread re Bond Offshore's recent sponsored scheme:

http://www.oxfordaviation.net/bond/bond_info.htm
http://www.pprune.org/forums/showthread.php?t=287912

Random article that may be of interest:

http://www.flightglobal.com/articles/2007/03/27/212931/north-sea-chopper-pilots-in-demand.html

There's a really good website set up by a Danish girl who went through all the training & started work offshore fairly recently where she talks through lots of the realities of her journey - should be able to find the thread about it if you search (hint:))

Not sure of the context of your last Qn but being 'bonded' usually means that the company has paid for some expensive training (eg Type Rating) and require that you stay with them for a set period afterwards so that they gain suitable return from their investment. The bond is a £ lump sum which reduces over time; if you leave during the bonded period you owe them what remains of the bond at that point.

Best of luck. BM

PS - Mods, sure you'll let me know if I shouldn't be posting any of these links, apologies if so - not quite sure what's ok to link in and what's not. BM

[pakipilot]

Thanks BusinessMan:D

[Iain-M]

There's a really good website set up by a Danish girl who went through all the training & started work offshore fairly recently where she talks through lots of the realities of her journey - should be able to find the thread about it if you search (hint:))

http://www.pprune.org/forums/showthread.php?t=297277

Excellent site.

[pakipilot]

Thanks Ian-M:ok: