What's New In W. Africa (Nigeria)
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The Mil gunships are still flying and were out in the training area just a few days ago. The Mi 17 was also flying again today - hopefully back to Calabar and out of some people's hair 
. Anyway, why should the gunships or the navy 109s or the NAMA Mi17 have to comply with anything civilians do? Anyone would think Nigeria was a democracy these days! 
. Anyway, why should the gunships or the navy 109s or the NAMA Mi17 have to comply with anything civilians do? Anyone would think Nigeria was a democracy these days!
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'Uncle Terry' has been seen in at Heliportugal in Cascais, so it seems likely that the bright yellow AS350B2 there will be on its way to Lagos for Caverton very shortly. It should be quite a good machine as it's cheaper to operate than most of the helicopters out there and would be good for pipeline surveys, photography and maybe for carrying passengers on charters from their VI heliport if it has floats. They'll need to get hold of some pilots soon though as they seem to only have 3 or 4. Looking at the advertisement from Southern Air in the paper for AS355 and Bell 412 pilots the other day, they'll have some competition for pilots. Their Dauphin has been in Port Harcourt working for the National Maritime Agency this week, but there's still no sign of a hangar or fuel there for them, so it looks as if they'll be staying in Lagos for now.
Has anyone heard what Southern Air might plan to do with a 412? Perhaps they'll try and start flights to the Aunty Julie with it?
Has anyone heard what Southern Air might plan to do with a 412? Perhaps they'll try and start flights to the Aunty Julie with it?
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NEO,
He's back with them. The wierd thing is there was another guy in ACN at PH a week or so ago who looks just like his brother - horrible sight, two like that - short, old, fat and bald
. I'm told he's the new Ops Manager at Caverton and that he may also be in Portugal now, so maybe we'll hear that Uncle Bob's there too!
I saw the advert for pilots for Southern Air too. Maybe they'll try and take the Presidency flying from Pan African. Looks as if there are more indigenous operators starting again as the market here is very buoyant. I also heard that Caverton are going to be looking after a Bell 407 for a private Italian owner who has a construction company in Nigeria. He has his own Philipino pilot over here but I don't know if Caverton are doing any flying on the machine. They already have a Philipino pilot and mechanic, so maybe they'll fly it too.
He's back with them. The wierd thing is there was another guy in ACN at PH a week or so ago who looks just like his brother - horrible sight, two like that - short, old, fat and bald
. I'm told he's the new Ops Manager at Caverton and that he may also be in Portugal now, so maybe we'll hear that Uncle Bob's there too!I saw the advert for pilots for Southern Air too. Maybe they'll try and take the Presidency flying from Pan African. Looks as if there are more indigenous operators starting again as the market here is very buoyant. I also heard that Caverton are going to be looking after a Bell 407 for a private Italian owner who has a construction company in Nigeria. He has his own Philipino pilot over here but I don't know if Caverton are doing any flying on the machine. They already have a Philipino pilot and mechanic, so maybe they'll fly it too.
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GG,
I reckon that 350B2 is probably coming for the guy who's heliport in Maryland was closed down by the NCAA a few months ago. Maybe he's managed to reopen it or is going to operate it from another site.
I reckon that 350B2 is probably coming for the guy who's heliport in Maryland was closed down by the NCAA a few months ago. Maybe he's managed to reopen it or is going to operate it from another site.
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The yellow Squirrel has been seen flying around Cascais in Portugal, so its departure for Nigeria would seem imminent. Don't know who's flying it - maybe Heliportugal will take it down themselves as it seems likely Caverton will need another few pilots and unless they change their rostering from 12/4 they're unlikely to find any with Aero offering 6/6 and Bristow 7/5. Also Bristow and Aero have a lot more modern helicopters on the way in, whilst although Caverton's look reasonably nice, they're not exactly new machines.
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Well, I hope they're not planning on routing through Mauritania for a while or they may get stuck there. Are they going the trans-Sahara route?
I also hear from a Portuguese friend that Caverton may be getting another Dauphin from Heliportugal. As it seems they don't have anywhere near the number of pilots they need for all these extra helicopters he was speculating that it may all be at Heliportugal's encouragement so that they can send pilots out there and get in to Nigeria via the back door as it were, either by eventually setting up a joint venture with Caverton or by buying them out.
I also hear from a Portuguese friend that Caverton may be getting another Dauphin from Heliportugal. As it seems they don't have anywhere near the number of pilots they need for all these extra helicopters he was speculating that it may all be at Heliportugal's encouragement so that they can send pilots out there and get in to Nigeria via the back door as it were, either by eventually setting up a joint venture with Caverton or by buying them out.
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If it's the yellow one it's the Caverton one. I think you'll find it's MTN yellow and before too long it'll have the full MTN logos on it as well. I haven't heard any more about the one that was spotted in Accra, but I think anjouan has probably made a good guess about that one.
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It looks as if the fares between Lagos and Port Harcourt being charged by Virgin Nigeria are seriously damaging some older operators, especially Aero, who charge about 50% more for the same flight. I also heard that Aero have temporarily suspended their Ghana flights due to low passenger loads. Maybe they'll think seriously about going back to their core businesses of operating helicopters and operating fixed wing aircraft only in support of the oil and gas industry on charter.
What's happening to Caverton these days? Haven't seen their Dauphin for a long time now and the heliport in Lagos doesn't seem to have started any shuttle service yet. Looking at how close it is to the Faloma bridge I'd have thought they'd have a real struggle with downwind takeoffs most of the tear when the wind is from the southwest - unless they're going to bring in a helicopter with seriously better performance than those they have so far. In fact they seem to have done nothing about their Port Harcourt shuttle either.
I'd have thought that if Bristow bring their old 212s to Port Harcourt when the 412s arrive they could easily undercut any of the other operators. However, they may not be able to operate them for long because of their age and Nigerian legislation on maximum age of aircraft operated on public tyransport flights - plus being short of pilots. I think, looking at the history of the Caverton helicopters they too (except the 109) are fairly old and will have to be replaced before too long. Aero have quite a few old 365s, but they seem to be bringing in a number of new 76C+s and 365Ns and Bristow are bringing in a lot of Bell 412s and S76C+ and C++s.
What's happening to Caverton these days? Haven't seen their Dauphin for a long time now and the heliport in Lagos doesn't seem to have started any shuttle service yet. Looking at how close it is to the Faloma bridge I'd have thought they'd have a real struggle with downwind takeoffs most of the tear when the wind is from the southwest - unless they're going to bring in a helicopter with seriously better performance than those they have so far. In fact they seem to have done nothing about their Port Harcourt shuttle either.
I'd have thought that if Bristow bring their old 212s to Port Harcourt when the 412s arrive they could easily undercut any of the other operators. However, they may not be able to operate them for long because of their age and Nigerian legislation on maximum age of aircraft operated on public tyransport flights - plus being short of pilots. I think, looking at the history of the Caverton helicopters they too (except the 109) are fairly old and will have to be replaced before too long. Aero have quite a few old 365s, but they seem to be bringing in a number of new 76C+s and 365Ns and Bristow are bringing in a lot of Bell 412s and S76C+ and C++s.
It's not just an adventure....
it's just a job!
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Hi All
When will this post stop being hi-jacked by the NIGERian thread? I'm sure Lagos and PH are the number one tourist destinations but really.....there is more to WA than NIGERia.
I for one think the guys in Malabo, Abidjan, Libreville, Port Gentil etc should start speaking up.
Mama, you must love NIGERia because God knows, someone has to.
OffshoreIgor
PS. Before you ask, the answer is NO. I've seen the flares from a distance and as God said to 'Some Guy', do not look back! For Ye shall turn to salt! Hey! I don't know my bible that well!
When will this post stop being hi-jacked by the NIGERian thread? I'm sure Lagos and PH are the number one tourist destinations but really.....there is more to WA than NIGERia.
I for one think the guys in Malabo, Abidjan, Libreville, Port Gentil etc should start speaking up.
Mama, you must love NIGERia because God knows, someone has to.
OffshoreIgor PS. Before you ask, the answer is NO. I've seen the flares from a distance and as God said to 'Some Guy', do not look back! For Ye shall turn to salt! Hey! I don't know my bible that well!
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The real thing...
On my first extended visit to Gabon I asked where the generator shed for the high-rise was located, which got me a rather strange look. 'What, no black-outs? No fuel shortages? Call this Africa?'
So perhaps Nigeria gives us more to talk/moan about than more salubrious locales. Still, it is a broad church, so fill your boots. Not to be chauvinistic about being based right smack in the middle of the densest, darkest mess ever... well, since 'Heart of Darkness,' perhaps.
So perhaps Nigeria gives us more to talk/moan about than more salubrious locales. Still, it is a broad church, so fill your boots. Not to be chauvinistic about being based right smack in the middle of the densest, darkest mess ever... well, since 'Heart of Darkness,' perhaps.
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anjouan
What are Virgin up to ? How much are charging for Los/PH for and what other routes are they working in Nigeria?
chuks
I'm with you - it's exasperating sometimes but interesting nevertheless...
What are Virgin up to ? How much are charging for Los/PH for and what other routes are they working in Nigeria?
chuks
I'm with you - it's exasperating sometimes but interesting nevertheless...
Anjo....
Why is Bristow chronically short of pilots? South Americans not turning up either now?
Why is Bristow chronically short of pilots? South Americans not turning up either now?
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Offshore Igor,
As you're doubtless seeing from the lack of response to the other threads you're trying to start, it's hard to get anyone in WA, other than Nigeria to reply. I originally started this thread to try and get pilots from all the other countries you've mentioned to contribute. Thgis is possibly because Nigeria has far and away the largest number of civil helicopters of any country in WA. I've worked in Nigeria, Mauritania, Caneroun, Tchad, Burkina Fasso b ut never got anyone to add their contributions to this thread, which is why I rarely bother any more. I don't think it's been hijacked by Nigeria - it's just that pilots in the othger countries are too apathetic.
Mama
As you're doubtless seeing from the lack of response to the other threads you're trying to start, it's hard to get anyone in WA, other than Nigeria to reply. I originally started this thread to try and get pilots from all the other countries you've mentioned to contribute. Thgis is possibly because Nigeria has far and away the largest number of civil helicopters of any country in WA. I've worked in Nigeria, Mauritania, Caneroun, Tchad, Burkina Fasso b ut never got anyone to add their contributions to this thread, which is why I rarely bother any more. I don't think it's been hijacked by Nigeria - it's just that pilots in the othger countries are too apathetic.
Mama
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Moaning is an art form, or what?
Dear Igor,
If I were based elsewhere I would be moaning about that, but Nigeria is the only place I know. I have been moaning about that for more than 20 years now.
The lights go out and we moan because it is dark. Then the generator starts and we moan about the noise.
We run out of beer and moan about being thirsty. Then we get a fresh supply and moan because it isn't our favorite brand.
We went from 8 & 4 to 7 & 5 and people were moaning about having to find ways of staying out of the UK because of the tax, as if no-one had ever heard of overseas holidays for extra leave.
I used to run the Chop Fund, when people would complain (really!) because the food didn't taste good and the portions were too small. Or pilots would complain because they couldn't get a refund for meals not taken when they were on trips and being fed for free.
When we were busy people would moan about overwork. Then it got slow and people would moan about being bored. Then they got laid off, exiting still moaning...
People moan about being lonesome until they get a local girl-friend, when they really moan about being taken to the cleaners by someone who '...said she lurved me!'
The best one was coming back all bedraggled and sweaty after a hard day of flying a Twin Otter (average cockpit temperature 35°) to find a Glass Cockpit Commando moaning in the bar about the crap air conditioning in his Dornier 328: 'It must have got up to 28° in there!'
I suspect one reason I like to stay in Nigeria is that I always have something to moan about.
I can hardly wait to get to the age when I can buttonhole some young person to tell them about my sciatica, lumbago, festering warts or whatever. Then, finally, I will not need Nigeria any more.
Right now I cannot make up my mind whether to have a good moan about having to go back to work in about ten days, or else moan about probably losing my job soon. Well, I guess I should moan about the one and then moan about the other. It is probably best to pace yourself, eh?
And all you have to moan about, Dear Igor, is people based in Nigeria hi-jacking this thread? Man! You are obviously a complete beginner when it comes to the moaning game! You need to find something better than that to moan about. Notice how I manage to moan about the low quality of your moaning; now that is the difference between art and, uh, moaning.... Or not, as the case may be.
Of course, at the end of the day, I can moan, but at least I don't have to fly a helicopter for a living. The last time I tried everyone agreed with me that that was a very good thing. How was I supposed to know what was going to happen when I pulled real hard on the stick over there to the left? I thought it made the damn thing go faster, when all it did was go up. Sikorsky should put warning labels on things like that. Oops, there I go, moaning again!
If I were based elsewhere I would be moaning about that, but Nigeria is the only place I know. I have been moaning about that for more than 20 years now.
The lights go out and we moan because it is dark. Then the generator starts and we moan about the noise.
We run out of beer and moan about being thirsty. Then we get a fresh supply and moan because it isn't our favorite brand.
We went from 8 & 4 to 7 & 5 and people were moaning about having to find ways of staying out of the UK because of the tax, as if no-one had ever heard of overseas holidays for extra leave.
I used to run the Chop Fund, when people would complain (really!) because the food didn't taste good and the portions were too small. Or pilots would complain because they couldn't get a refund for meals not taken when they were on trips and being fed for free.
When we were busy people would moan about overwork. Then it got slow and people would moan about being bored. Then they got laid off, exiting still moaning...
People moan about being lonesome until they get a local girl-friend, when they really moan about being taken to the cleaners by someone who '...said she lurved me!'
The best one was coming back all bedraggled and sweaty after a hard day of flying a Twin Otter (average cockpit temperature 35°) to find a Glass Cockpit Commando moaning in the bar about the crap air conditioning in his Dornier 328: 'It must have got up to 28° in there!'
I suspect one reason I like to stay in Nigeria is that I always have something to moan about.
I can hardly wait to get to the age when I can buttonhole some young person to tell them about my sciatica, lumbago, festering warts or whatever. Then, finally, I will not need Nigeria any more.
Right now I cannot make up my mind whether to have a good moan about having to go back to work in about ten days, or else moan about probably losing my job soon. Well, I guess I should moan about the one and then moan about the other. It is probably best to pace yourself, eh?
And all you have to moan about, Dear Igor, is people based in Nigeria hi-jacking this thread? Man! You are obviously a complete beginner when it comes to the moaning game! You need to find something better than that to moan about. Notice how I manage to moan about the low quality of your moaning; now that is the difference between art and, uh, moaning.... Or not, as the case may be.
Of course, at the end of the day, I can moan, but at least I don't have to fly a helicopter for a living. The last time I tried everyone agreed with me that that was a very good thing. How was I supposed to know what was going to happen when I pulled real hard on the stick over there to the left? I thought it made the damn thing go faster, when all it did was go up. Sikorsky should put warning labels on things like that. Oops, there I go, moaning again!
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Offshore Igor
Any help you can give encouraging pilots from other African countries to post will be much appreciated.
Mama Mangrove has done a great job - perseverance and enthusiasm has given us a very good thread.
Heliport
Any help you can give encouraging pilots from other African countries to post will be much appreciated.
Mama Mangrove has done a great job - perseverance and enthusiasm has given us a very good thread.
Heliport