Heli jobs in Papua New Guinea

[wilsonbarry7]

I am looking for info on Heli jobs in New Guinea. Has the utility work picked up again? I'm Astar/206/212 qualified. Which companies are good to work for, and which ones are best avoided? Thank You.

[gulliBell]

If you're in the US, you'll need some luck to get hired into PNG. The PNG operators tend to hire mostly New Zealanders, and the odd Aussie, because it's cheap to fly them too/from work on the touring basis.
The operators are:
Pacific Helicopters (Goroka)
Hevilift (Mt Hagen)
Helifix (Port Moresby)
Heli Niugini (Madang)
Niugini Helicopters (Kimbe)
Manolos Aviation (Rabaul)
South West Air (Mendi)
They are the main ones, plus a few other minor operators. They all have a presence on the internet.
As for who are good to work for, and who to avoid, in the current economic climate if offered a job just take it. Do your best to make the most of it.
PNG presents some challenging flying and working conditions, just remember to have a good Plan B for whatever it is you're doing because sometimes Plan A doesn't work and you can end up in a spot of serious bother very quickly, sometimes through no fault of your own.

[BigMike]

Work is fairly static right now. Elections next year so expect a burst of work for 4-5 months.
There will be some short term contracts.
As stated, Aus/NZ crew prefered due to cheaper travel.

[Finnrotor.com]

I assume that they also prefer AUS or NZ licence then? Or would any ICAO licence do?

[gulliBell]

Yep. And hardly likely anybody without PNG time would get hired for election work on a short-term contract. Having flown 2 PNG elections I can tell you things get seriously crazy in the country when in election mode. Some operators will refuse to do election work, preferring to keep right out of it.

p.s. you need a PNG license to fly a P2 registered helicopter in PNG. To obtain a PNG license you need to submit your credentials for assessment, and then pass the exams they tell you to do. Any ICAO license will do as your starting point. You can fly on a validation of the foreign license whilst jumping through the licensing hoops. But, as I said, without some in-country PNG savvy I suggest keep out of the election hoopla. Sometimes some VH helicopters get flown up from Australia to cover the elections as sub-contractors, all those helicopters usually come with their own Australian licensed crews.

[EMS R22]

There is a few of us Kiwis waiting to go back when it picks up! :E:E

[BigMike]

If you have significant experience doing utility work at altitude in Bell mediums, then Hevi-lift, or Pacific may be worth contacting.
There are Canadian voices on the radio here (Western Highlands)... ;)
As said, conversion of any ICAO license is straightforward. Medical, Airlaw exam, letter from your authority, and paperwork.
Biggest problem is there is plenty of pilots with PNG experience looking for a chance to go back. However I would still contact the above.