What's New In W. Africa (Nigeria)
It's not just an adventure....
it's just a job!
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Heliport/MM
I am sorry for sounding like I don't appreciate what you are doing, but I just feel that West Africa is sooooo active within our community that we need to separate things.
Each Country/Job is unique and needs its own thread. If MM's Nigerian thread has become so big, why not give them their own category as PPRuNe has done for those whining aussies in that "don't know what and godzone" category.
Who know's it coud become the "Nigeria Today" thread!
Cheers! And have a good weekend!
OffshoreIgor
I am sorry for sounding like I don't appreciate what you are doing, but I just feel that West Africa is sooooo active within our community that we need to separate things.
Each Country/Job is unique and needs its own thread. If MM's Nigerian thread has become so big, why not give them their own category as PPRuNe has done for those whining aussies in that "don't know what and godzone" category.
Who know's it coud become the "Nigeria Today" thread!
Cheers! And have a good weekend!
OffshoreIgor
It's not just an adventure....
it's just a job!
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Makila
I will never go away, you should know that by now.
Please go back down under and whine some more, after all I hear Australia is famous for their whines!
Cheers, Mate!
OffshoreIgor
I will never go away, you should know that by now.
Please go back down under and whine some more, after all I hear Australia is famous for their whines!
Cheers, Mate!
OffshoreIgor
Makila is up to his usual low style it appears....Mod's slapped him down a couple of times before....one would think he would catch on as to what is polite conduct here....but then we know about him now don't we?
Nigerian In Law
Don't Know What You Mean ?
With only one exception, all the Aussies I've worked with (in West Africa among other places) have been too laid back to moan about much. Except running out of cold amber nectar that is, which would cause any of us to bleat.
Cheers,
NEO
Cheers,
NEO
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I hear that CHC made something of a cock-up over the paperwork of their new 365N3 for Nigeria which is considerably delaying its arrival in Nigeria. They're also supposed to be bringing in another S76C+ - just hope they'll have enough crews. Despite having been the owners of aero for over a year now they still don't seem to have finished sorting out a salary structure for their expats in Nigeria, and some of the rumours about what's happening are making other CHC Global employees unhappy. There's also the fact that although they're spending some money on new helicopters, the accomodation and facilities they have for expats in Port Harcourt are well below those which many Bristow pilots have.
After many months of advertising 'Caverton Shuttle coming soon to Lagos and Port Harcourt' there's still no sign of a shuttle in either location, despite their helipad in VI looking close to completion, lots of photos of their new helicopter on their website and a big TV screen in Port Harcourt airport advertising all their destinations. Maybe they don't have enough crew to start a shuttle operation? I look forward to seeing or hearing about their first scheduled flight to the VI Heliport. Let's hope they can generate enough revenue from it to give them a return on the considerable expense they must be incurring in setting it up.
Bristow too, seem to be experiencing many delays in the arrival of the Bell 412 EPs for exxon/Mobil in Qua Ibo Terminal. Rumour also has it that they may end up operating Bell 412s for Shell who want to dump their EC 155s (which surely always were a massive overkill for a lot of the short-range onshore flights they carry out).
Well, igor will doubtless be complaining about Nigeria dominating this thread so how about some input as to what's happening in the other West African offshore giant, Angola?
I hear that Exxon/Mobil are very unhappy about the performance of Schreiner/CHC in Cameroon and that renewal of the contract is by no means certain. Rumour has it that they have already replaced the General Manager, Deputy General Manager and Operations Manager there in an effort to placate the client. A number of people are wondering if the ex-GM will be posted to Nigeria soon - and if so, in what capacity
After many months of advertising 'Caverton Shuttle coming soon to Lagos and Port Harcourt' there's still no sign of a shuttle in either location, despite their helipad in VI looking close to completion, lots of photos of their new helicopter on their website and a big TV screen in Port Harcourt airport advertising all their destinations. Maybe they don't have enough crew to start a shuttle operation? I look forward to seeing or hearing about their first scheduled flight to the VI Heliport. Let's hope they can generate enough revenue from it to give them a return on the considerable expense they must be incurring in setting it up.
Bristow too, seem to be experiencing many delays in the arrival of the Bell 412 EPs for exxon/Mobil in Qua Ibo Terminal. Rumour also has it that they may end up operating Bell 412s for Shell who want to dump their EC 155s (which surely always were a massive overkill for a lot of the short-range onshore flights they carry out).
Well, igor will doubtless be complaining about Nigeria dominating this thread so how about some input as to what's happening in the other West African offshore giant, Angola?
I hear that Exxon/Mobil are very unhappy about the performance of Schreiner/CHC in Cameroon and that renewal of the contract is by no means certain. Rumour has it that they have already replaced the General Manager, Deputy General Manager and Operations Manager there in an effort to placate the client. A number of people are wondering if the ex-GM will be posted to Nigeria soon - and if so, in what capacity
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Could anyone confirm if the new arrival (AS365? i'm not a fling wing type so i don't know the exact model) parked in front of the Concord airlines hangar next to pan african is linked to a new site at Maryland lagos that has "Helicopter Services" emblezoned on its walls. I believe the helicopter belongs to OAS helicopters, what's their story?
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I hear that Caverton helicopters has been talking to the NCAA about the possibility of night operations to their VI helipad - plenty of unlit masts, wires around it close to a densely populated area with wealthy residents who are soon going to be experiencing the joys of either a Dauphin or A109 flying past their homes on shuttle operations. I can see this all being very popular and succeeding - but then again, in Nigeria, who knows 
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I hear that the big chiefs from CHC in Vancouver are visiting Africa. One is now in Cameroun trying to save the former Schreiner operation from obliteration there after lots of movements of personnels. Former General Manager was fired, former MD is now sitting in an office in Vancouver, former Ops Manager off to Angola and his former deputy off to Malabo (though he must have done something right as he is going to be the boss in Malabo).
Meanwhile with Aero Contractoe staffs in Port Harcourt are still unhappy abouit many things. Even though the helicopters earn most of the revenue for the company (and CHC is a HELICOPTER company) the helicopter pilots are always treated like second class dirt when they voyage to or through Lagos (where their travel has usually been anyway completely screwed up by the so-called travel agent the company uses). Many people are still disgusted by the state of the housing and facilities at work and home. I hear that there will be big changes announce by the big chiefs which may include replacements for some of the senior expatriate staffs, like Operations Manager and Chief Engineer. There are still several pilots looking at leaving and just bringing in new helicopters isn't going to persuade people to stay when they see what CHC has to offer in other overseas bases.
Meanwhile with Aero Contractoe staffs in Port Harcourt are still unhappy abouit many things. Even though the helicopters earn most of the revenue for the company (and CHC is a HELICOPTER company) the helicopter pilots are always treated like second class dirt when they voyage to or through Lagos (where their travel has usually been anyway completely screwed up by the so-called travel agent the company uses). Many people are still disgusted by the state of the housing and facilities at work and home. I hear that there will be big changes announce by the big chiefs which may include replacements for some of the senior expatriate staffs, like Operations Manager and Chief Engineer. There are still several pilots looking at leaving and just bringing in new helicopters isn't going to persuade people to stay when they see what CHC has to offer in other overseas bases.
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Well I guess the CHC visiting management to Aero won't have to suffer the joys of the normal staff accomodation as they'll probably be at the Novotel or Meridien. It seems that the ACN management are worried that their lack of response to safety issues will be shown up as a scheduled safety meeting has been cancelled, much to the anger of many
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Well the CHC management visit to PH hasn't brought any announcements or news, but Tokunbo is right - they're staying at the Novotel. They also haven't had to suffer the joys of the lousy transport most of the pilots and engineers endure every day to get to work - though even in good transport the roads in Port Harcourt have many gallops!! 
No news of any changes in managers either. The safety meeting was a resounding success
People had been invited from other companies, but they hadn't been told it was cancelled. CHC have huge posters everywhere at ACN proclaiming their new SQID and SMS (safety management systemes) worldwide, but when the big wheels visit, the safety meeting is cancelled - what sort of message does that send? Looks as if the're only good for a few new helicopters.
No news of any changes in managers either. The safety meeting was a resounding success
People had been invited from other companies, but they hadn't been told it was cancelled. CHC have huge posters everywhere at ACN proclaiming their new SQID and SMS (safety management systemes) worldwide, but when the big wheels visit, the safety meeting is cancelled - what sort of message does that send? Looks as if the're only good for a few new helicopters.
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Yes, The big Oga madam from CHC is around and the National Engineers-especially the rotor heads-are warming up to vent their anger on her since she has made a u turn on her promises to better condition of service to them during her last visit. The national pilots too are not happy! the 7/5 granted them during the last salary review has also been cancelled by CHC management. So all hands are on deck. I will gist the house on the outcome of the September visit.
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etienne t boy!!!!! how now. (reminds me of etienne the bev cafe piano maestro, used to frequent that joint years ago!).
Hi me use to be in PH but now in Lagos, back to the old fixed wings.
....... hope things are going well in Port.
Regards,
Zaz
Hi me use to be in PH but now in Lagos, back to the old fixed wings.
....... hope things are going well in Port.Regards,
Zaz
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Speaking of Nigeria...can anybody shed some light on the OLOG/Bristow operations. What are the conditions down there? Operations, maintenance, living quarters wise, and so on. Feedback is very much appreciated.
Alouette
Alouette
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It's taken a few days to read the entire West Africa thread but I finally finished. In 1987 my wife and I moved to Nigeria to fly for a farm in Agenebode, Benin state (I think). We were both in our mid 20's and were going overseas to make big money and retire at an early age and live the big life. The company was Nigerian Bottling owned by the Leventis. We're from the south but we had never seen poverty like we saw there. And the smell.
Shortly after arriving in Lagos I went to the air board to get my Nigerian pilots licence and was nearly arrested when they discovered that I had a farmers visa instead of a pilots visa. With much humility I explained to them I didn't know the ins and outs of Nigeria and was only doing as had been told by the big office. Seems that the pilot I was brought in to replace was still in country and he wasn't giving up so easy. they only had one pilot's visa.
So we loaded up all we brought and headed to the farm which was 8 hours away. The compound at the farm was decent. Plaster cinder block homes with a pool and a tennis court. There were several other Texas families already there running the farm. Could have been a great job. About 12,000 acres in production at the time with an old 600 A model Ag Cat to do the work in. Plenty of spares and a spare engine in the store.
We were there for a month and the Leventis decided to transfer us up north to another farm that was just beginning to be cleared. Since I was there as a farmer that's what I did. Or at least on paper. I ended up touring the country buying equipment for the farm. Traveled to Kaduna many times and would often stay in Abuja at a nice hotel (maybe the Sheraton) and could call the US from the room. It was a 10 hour trip from the farm to Kaduna around the bridges across the Niger but I started sending my driver around to a small village on the other side and I would take a small boat up stream that saved about four hours of travel time. Seems like it used to cost about 40 Nira for the trip in a long homemade boat with an out board motor for power.
Once while in Kaduna to pick up two tractors we had bought I noticed a lory parked in a dry river bed with two poles buried in the ground directly behind it. I asked my driver what that was all about and he said that at 11:30 there was to be an execution of two bandits. We went past the scene several times that morning and you would have thought they were giving away money because of all the people gathered on the road and down in the river bed. After lunch, the lory and all the people were gone but the two poles, bare of course, remained as evidence of what apparently happend there.
After six months in Nigeria the company decided to buy out my contract and we headed home. I was very dissappointed at the time but all has worked out for the best. I eventually got my RW rating and I still do ag work in both fixed wing and rotor.
Time has a way of smoothing out memories. Yes, Nigeria was a very poor and dirty country of which it's impossible to describe to someone that's never seen it. However, We had a great time on the beach at Lagos and seeing the country as we did. Would I do it again? Probably.
barryb
Shortly after arriving in Lagos I went to the air board to get my Nigerian pilots licence and was nearly arrested when they discovered that I had a farmers visa instead of a pilots visa. With much humility I explained to them I didn't know the ins and outs of Nigeria and was only doing as had been told by the big office. Seems that the pilot I was brought in to replace was still in country and he wasn't giving up so easy. they only had one pilot's visa.
So we loaded up all we brought and headed to the farm which was 8 hours away. The compound at the farm was decent. Plaster cinder block homes with a pool and a tennis court. There were several other Texas families already there running the farm. Could have been a great job. About 12,000 acres in production at the time with an old 600 A model Ag Cat to do the work in. Plenty of spares and a spare engine in the store.
We were there for a month and the Leventis decided to transfer us up north to another farm that was just beginning to be cleared. Since I was there as a farmer that's what I did. Or at least on paper. I ended up touring the country buying equipment for the farm. Traveled to Kaduna many times and would often stay in Abuja at a nice hotel (maybe the Sheraton) and could call the US from the room. It was a 10 hour trip from the farm to Kaduna around the bridges across the Niger but I started sending my driver around to a small village on the other side and I would take a small boat up stream that saved about four hours of travel time. Seems like it used to cost about 40 Nira for the trip in a long homemade boat with an out board motor for power.
Once while in Kaduna to pick up two tractors we had bought I noticed a lory parked in a dry river bed with two poles buried in the ground directly behind it. I asked my driver what that was all about and he said that at 11:30 there was to be an execution of two bandits. We went past the scene several times that morning and you would have thought they were giving away money because of all the people gathered on the road and down in the river bed. After lunch, the lory and all the people were gone but the two poles, bare of course, remained as evidence of what apparently happend there.
After six months in Nigeria the company decided to buy out my contract and we headed home. I was very dissappointed at the time but all has worked out for the best. I eventually got my RW rating and I still do ag work in both fixed wing and rotor.
Time has a way of smoothing out memories. Yes, Nigeria was a very poor and dirty country of which it's impossible to describe to someone that's never seen it. However, We had a great time on the beach at Lagos and seeing the country as we did. Would I do it again? Probably.
barryb
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Alouette
I have been working in Nigeria for
sometime with Bristow/Olog & I can
vouch that they offer better conditions
than the rival operators(read this
thread) at this time eg accomodation
For those laughing,even the BRC has
had a refurbishment!!!!!
The old 212's are being replaced with
new 412 EP's & the other bases run
new or near new S76C+'s. The EC155
is operated on SPDC(Shell) contracts
& the 332 out of Snake Island in
Lago's.
But we do miss 212 man who is off to
fly the S92!!!!!!!
Give it a go
Mak
I have been working in Nigeria for
sometime with Bristow/Olog & I can
vouch that they offer better conditions
than the rival operators(read this
thread) at this time eg accomodation
For those laughing,even the BRC has
had a refurbishment!!!!!
The old 212's are being replaced with
new 412 EP's & the other bases run
new or near new S76C+'s. The EC155
is operated on SPDC(Shell) contracts
& the 332 out of Snake Island in
Lago's.
But we do miss 212 man who is off to
fly the S92!!!!!!!
Give it a go
Mak
Last edited by Makila; 18th Sep 2005 at 10:29.
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Well, now all the big women and men of CHC have departed, some of the new changes are being put in place and the first of these is the arrival of the new operations manager from Canada. It also seems that they’ll be building a brand new staff complex with excellent facilities and getting more new helicopters. They also need to look at lots more things if they want to keep people. Their company buses look like Tokunbos along the Aba road as they take the expats to work – whilst the managers ride serenely solo in their company cars.
Bristow/Pan African are also getting more new helicopters, but a lot of their housing is looking pretty dated now and the BRC in Lagos can’t be spruced up just with a coat of paint. It’s still in a lousy area and has pathetic facilities in terms of communication for its staff. Escravos must still be the worst place to be based in Nigeria. They have a lot of new aircraft coming too – but not before time with their ancient 206s, 212s and some of the original 412s which are increasingly difficult to keep in the air.
Heliportugal seem to be doing their best to take over Caverton and plan to send out more elderly, but superficially pretty Eurocopter products ready for their much-delayed Lagos shuttle and charter operations. Meanwhile, I hear that they still don’t even have a tractor at their Lagos base and the helicopters are all pushed in and out by hand – looks as if the gloss is only for outside eyes. Heliportugal are frustrated that they can’t get something really going in Sao Tome for a while and are desperate to break into the African market. A take-over or merger with Caverton would give them a foothold.
Bristow/Pan African are also getting more new helicopters, but a lot of their housing is looking pretty dated now and the BRC in Lagos can’t be spruced up just with a coat of paint. It’s still in a lousy area and has pathetic facilities in terms of communication for its staff. Escravos must still be the worst place to be based in Nigeria. They have a lot of new aircraft coming too – but not before time with their ancient 206s, 212s and some of the original 412s which are increasingly difficult to keep in the air.
Heliportugal seem to be doing their best to take over Caverton and plan to send out more elderly, but superficially pretty Eurocopter products ready for their much-delayed Lagos shuttle and charter operations. Meanwhile, I hear that they still don’t even have a tractor at their Lagos base and the helicopters are all pushed in and out by hand – looks as if the gloss is only for outside eyes. Heliportugal are frustrated that they can’t get something really going in Sao Tome for a while and are desperate to break into the African market. A take-over or merger with Caverton would give them a foothold.