In the paper today that their 6-strong ABZ fleet has now chalked up 10,000 flying hours.

Hmmm

I heard that during a daily inspection yesterday, cracks were found in the tail boom of one aircraft. After a fleet inspection, 2 Aberdeen based Bristow EC225s are now grounded??

Which paper out of interest?

Jayrow - you heard wrong. 1 aircraft is undergoing its 3000 hr check, the other 5 were flying all day today and are currently scheduled to be flying all day tomorrow. Perhaps it was just a touch of jealousy following the loss of your contract?

HC

I was told a while ago that Eurocopter knows about the cracks and "gave" Bristow a spare tail cone some time ago !! What does that say about Eurocopter !!?

HC you also heard wrong, there is no jealousy here since no contract has been lost to Bristow.

If there are 3 Super Pumas coming to Australia from the UK (which I think is true) its probably because there is nowhere else to send them and they are needed as additional and back up for existing contracts. If you think you heard right, name the contract.

JP

Jayrow

I am going on a rumour I heard in Aberdeen and the thread on this forum. Perhaps its not been officially announced yet but its something out of Victoria. Does anyone else but you operate oil support out of Victoria? It could even be a new contract. That's all I know.

HC

JP / HC,

Take it easy guys. It'll all come out in the wash in due course. I do tend to agree with HC that it sounds like a new contract if BHA are bringing out 3 Super Pumas but only time will tell.

One thing I've noticed about helicopter pilots (maybe all pilots) is that they're always very keen to bag out their own company with their colleagues at work but when an outsider has a go, we suddenly become very protective of our turf. Hmmm...

I'm sure someone could do a thesis to explain the thought processes behind that.

Papa68

P68

You're right and its just the same with family. Its OK for me to speak ill of my mother, father & sister, but when the other half does it, it hurts!

HC

Been down that road (I mean Family)

Pumaboy

Chaps,

Oops... looks like we've hijacked the thread a little here.

Besides there's already something covering all this Bristow / Jayrow Melbourne contract rivalry elsewhere and that was started by JP I believe. Fighting the good fight on two fronts there - your loyalty is most impressive!

Anyway back to bagging / praising the EC225...

Re-reading the previous posts it's hard to tell if our contributors think it's any good or not. Given most (all) helicopters crack, it's probably not too bad all things considered. I would gladly swap my current steed for one.

Papa68