What's New In W. Africa (Nigeria)
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Bristow Monopoly!
Black Eagle,
Bristow has never had a monopoly in Nigeria. A short two years ago there were two companies of almost equal size until the (almost) demise of Aero. The only company able to step in and pick up the pieces was Bristow. That they ended up with an 80% share of the market was more by accident than design.
If Bristow was forced out of Nigeria by a combination of corrupt practice and bias of the authorities it would truly be at the expense of Nigerians. Over the years Bristow has trained in excess of 300 Nigerian pilots from ab-initio and a similar number of engineers. Some of these pilots are now working for Caverton. Caverton has not trained one single pilot nor, as far as I'm aware has any intention of doing so.
Therefore, be careful what you wish for, it may come true!
Cyclic.
Bristow has never had a monopoly in Nigeria. A short two years ago there were two companies of almost equal size until the (almost) demise of Aero. The only company able to step in and pick up the pieces was Bristow. That they ended up with an 80% share of the market was more by accident than design.
at the expense of Nigerians
Therefore, be careful what you wish for, it may come true!
Cyclic.
Over the years Bristow has trained in excess of 300 Niger
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Monopoly in the nigerian Helo Market
Cyclicoyibo,
I wonder if this could also mean, taking advantage of the situation. ([Almost] demise of aero)
Of course, Holier-than-thou Bristow did not benefit from the "accident" but only "stepped in to pickup" the crumbs/pieces for safe keeping, pending the return of Aero, Caverton from their "furlough".
I wonder what caliber of Government does not protect its own people/companies...
The money has got to come from somewhere you know? Is servitude the only way to repay? Or how do you explain why a national would have to "work over" to earn as much as his "Oyinbo" colleague?
I'm sure caverton would have to step up its game in the face of perfect competition, let's not be too hasty to judge an upcoming company.
I hope I do not come across to you as one who wishes Bristow exits the Nigerian market; I'm only glad that market forces can now truly determine every pilot's package.
Capt. Black Eagle
Change is necessary for growth.
The only company able to step in and pick up the pieces was Bristow.
...an 80% share of the market was more by accident than design
...bias of the authorities
Over the years Bristow has trained in excess of 300 Nigerian pilots from ab-initio and a similar number of engineers.
Caverton has not trained one single pilot nor, as far as I'm aware has any intention of doing so.
I hope I do not come across to you as one who wishes Bristow exits the Nigerian market; I'm only glad that market forces can now truly determine every pilot's package.
Capt. Black Eagle
Change is necessary for growth.
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TB
Thank you for tax lesson 101 dad, Crocodile tears were genuine fears about collegues I care about. WHO MOVED MY CHEESE. Your quick retort suggests you have never worked on the Shell contract, but clearly defend the indefendable. Bristow is a great company, however WASBU is a blemish on the scorecard. I stand corrected if my powers of identifying leakage fail me.
Thank you for tax lesson 101 dad, Crocodile tears were genuine fears about collegues I care about. WHO MOVED MY CHEESE. Your quick retort suggests you have never worked on the Shell contract, but clearly defend the indefendable. Bristow is a great company, however WASBU is a blemish on the scorecard. I stand corrected if my powers of identifying leakage fail me.
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AMP,
I worked on the Shell contract many years ago (not in EC155 days) and loved it because there was no ttoo much of the boring offshore stuff with only water to look at, but the thing I hated about it was a number of pilots in Warri in particular who had anger management problems probably related to alcohol abuse which gave them an over-exaggerated macho attitude, wouldn't allow copilots to touch the controls and tried to run the place like a personal flying club. From what I hear from people still in Nigeria (but it seems a lot are leaving anyway) Shell will be inheriting some of those problems. What's poor about WASBU is that they didn't deal with that problem when they had the contract.
I worked on the Shell contract many years ago (not in EC155 days) and loved it because there was no ttoo much of the boring offshore stuff with only water to look at, but the thing I hated about it was a number of pilots in Warri in particular who had anger management problems probably related to alcohol abuse which gave them an over-exaggerated macho attitude, wouldn't allow copilots to touch the controls and tried to run the place like a personal flying club. From what I hear from people still in Nigeria (but it seems a lot are leaving anyway) Shell will be inheriting some of those problems. What's poor about WASBU is that they didn't deal with that problem when they had the contract.
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Good news for economic growth from Nigeria: BBC News - Nigerian economy 'to grow by 10%'
I'm sure the Bristow Warri pilots off-duty meet the high standards of decorum expected by their customers advisors.
I'm sure the Bristow Warri pilots off-duty meet the high standards of decorum expected by their customers advisors.
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212man
Of course it was a randomly generated number, this is a rumour network! But, as you say, Bristow has trained a lot over the years.
CBE,
I was never implying that Bristow "picked up the pieces" as a charitable gesture, merely that they were the only company capable of doing so at the time. Of course they charged the market rates and made the required profit.
The days when National pilots had to "workover" to earn a reasonable salary have, I'm glad to say, departed and I, for one, have always advocated equal pay for equal work. Sadly this has not always been the case in Bristow, nor in the past in Aero.
Caverton is not quite the new kid on the block that you seem to think it is. They have in fact been around for some eight years now. Long enough to have established a training scheme should they have the desire to do so. The competition is "perfect" for Caverton in that they are not required to be competitive, nor to pass safety audits!
It seems to be fashionable to knock Bristow in order to justify the award of the Shell contract. I believe that Bristow did not lose the contract due to any failings, rather that Caverton won the contract because the time and the political will was right.
I have not found anyone of the "rank and file" of Bristow who has any desire to see Caverton fail. Quite the opposite, many of us have friends both amongst the existing crew and the pilots soon to join. Your point about market forces setting salaries is a good one and can only work for the common good.
I don't know if you are new to Nigeria as things are not always what they seem on this forum but you will find that there have never been any problems between any of the companies here at the operational level and that all work together in the interest of safety in particular.
Cyclic
Of course it was a randomly generated number, this is a rumour network! But, as you say, Bristow has trained a lot over the years.
CBE,
I was never implying that Bristow "picked up the pieces" as a charitable gesture, merely that they were the only company capable of doing so at the time. Of course they charged the market rates and made the required profit.
The days when National pilots had to "workover" to earn a reasonable salary have, I'm glad to say, departed and I, for one, have always advocated equal pay for equal work. Sadly this has not always been the case in Bristow, nor in the past in Aero.
I'm sure caverton would have to step up its game in the face of perfect competition, let's not be too hasty to judge an upcoming company.
It seems to be fashionable to knock Bristow in order to justify the award of the Shell contract. I believe that Bristow did not lose the contract due to any failings, rather that Caverton won the contract because the time and the political will was right.
I have not found anyone of the "rank and file" of Bristow who has any desire to see Caverton fail. Quite the opposite, many of us have friends both amongst the existing crew and the pilots soon to join. Your point about market forces setting salaries is a good one and can only work for the common good.
I don't know if you are new to Nigeria as things are not always what they seem on this forum but you will find that there have never been any problems between any of the companies here at the operational level and that all work together in the interest of safety in particular.
Cyclic
Bristow trained pilots have become Shell Advisors too.....and some are notorious for their off duty behaviour in the past.... thus they are well qualified to pass on the fitness of others for duty are they not?
The beat goes on!
The beat goes on!
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That is one reason that Caverton-DanCopter will make such a good job of the contract, the paternal mentoring of Shell's advisory team.
The other reason is that unlike Bristow, their management team will be more intent on building a fruitful and rewarding relationship with the Shell contract holder and advisors than making profits for their shareholders.
As soon as the new breed of Bristow managers started turning Nigeria from a loss leader for business elsewhere into a business designed to stand on its own commercially and make a profit it was inevitable that Shell would dump them.
At least Shell will soon have total day-day control over the operation.
The other reason is that unlike Bristow, their management team will be more intent on building a fruitful and rewarding relationship with the Shell contract holder and advisors than making profits for their shareholders.
As soon as the new breed of Bristow managers started turning Nigeria from a loss leader for business elsewhere into a business designed to stand on its own commercially and make a profit it was inevitable that Shell would dump them.
At least Shell will soon have total day-day control over the operation.
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TB
I'm drawn to this Ppune like a moth to a flame and stand corrected, apologies for thinking you had not worked on a Shell base.
"but the thing I hated about it was a number of pilots in Warri in particular who had anger management problems probably related to alcohol abuse which gave them an over-exaggerated macho attitude, wouldn't allow copilots to touch the controls"
Couldn't put your above quote in a box, because iPad gives me more question marks than answers........I digress.
?Pre 155 but post single pilot 212 Shell Warri......Would love to meet the anger management drunks with over exaggerated macho attitude who don't allow copilots to touch controls.
Once again stand corrected, the first copilot on the warri shell base was on the 155 fleet.
I'm drawn to this Ppune like a moth to a flame and stand corrected, apologies for thinking you had not worked on a Shell base.
"but the thing I hated about it was a number of pilots in Warri in particular who had anger management problems probably related to alcohol abuse which gave them an over-exaggerated macho attitude, wouldn't allow copilots to touch the controls"
Couldn't put your above quote in a box, because iPad gives me more question marks than answers........I digress.
?Pre 155 but post single pilot 212 Shell Warri......Would love to meet the anger management drunks with over exaggerated macho attitude who don't allow copilots to touch controls.
Once again stand corrected, the first copilot on the warri shell base was on the 155 fleet.
the first copilot on the warri shell base was on the 155 fleet.
AMP - does the ipad not work like the iphone? My previous post was copied and pasted into quotes on my phone.
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212
Thanks for the correction.
iPad, doesn't seem to recognize the language pprune is designed in. Basically seeing it as text only with every tool button in replying being a blue question mark. Fantastic piece of kit none the less, much like the 155.........oops incoming!
Thanks for the correction.
iPad, doesn't seem to recognize the language pprune is designed in. Basically seeing it as text only with every tool button in replying being a blue question mark. Fantastic piece of kit none the less, much like the 155.........oops incoming!
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AMP you should be more worried about getting the full support from 'Shell Management' for the EC155 Nigerian Wonderchopper! Whowever in Shell picked the EC155 originally for Nigeria must be getting a real kick that the Shell Nigeria EC155 fleet is actually increasing!
more 155's
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Better conditions finally.
CyclicOyibo,
I'm glad we agree that having multiple players in the market is good for all.
Has Bristow responded to the market change ALREADY!? (I'm yet to hear that from anyone.)
Word has it that, Caverton has not broken even yet. And, proceeds from other caverton ventures have been funding the helicopter operation. (Rumours!!) Compared to other players in the industry, Caverton is relatively "new". However, for the company to remain in business, it needs to train/groom its own pilots; loyal to its objectives on the long run. Most of the ex-bristows, ex-aeros, and Ex-xyz's will disappear at the next better offer elsewhere. (I only hope they realise this!)
I want to believe that you see the underlined as work in progress that needs more input from all parties involved.
Capt. Black Eagle
Your point about market forces setting salaries is a good one and can only work for the common good.
...equal pay for equal work. Sadly this has not always been the case in Bristow
Caverton is not quite the new kid on the block that you seem to think it is. They have in fact been around for some eight years now.
...you will find that there have never been any problems between any of the companies here at the operational level and that all work together in the interest of safety in particular.
Capt. Black Eagle
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Aero to Sack Workers as it severs CHC Link?
I saw this in Business Day. Does anybody in Nigeria know if it's true?
Aero to sack workers as it loses CHC contract
Aero Contractors has severed relationship with its helicopter supplier and oil and gas operations partner, Canadian Helicopters Corporation (CHC), over irreconcilable differences, BusinessDay has learnt.
The details of what led to the severance of relationship between the two companies were still sketchy as at press time, but a source told Businessday at the Lagos airport on Sunday that Aero Contractors unending financial challenges may have led to the development. CHC Helicopter entered Nigeria in 2004 when it purchased Schreiner Airways and inherited a 40 percent shares in Aero Contractors.
It has since supplied Aero Contractors helicopters for its off-shore services. The source said the fall-out of this development is that Aero would be forced to reduce its workforce, as it has already concluded plans to sack the trainee engineers in its rotary wings department. “I think Aero is losing this contract to one of the major helicopter operators but I can tell you that that will mean job loss for numerous Nigerian engineers who are in the service of the rotary wings department which is responsible for the oil and gas services.
Aero had made it a practice to employ Nigerians, especially in that area, but now that it is losing this contract, the plight of Nigerians in its employ remain vulnerable”, the source said. Aero competes with Bristow Helicopters and Caverton Helicopters in the oil and gas operations where the former holds a greater share of the air transport in Nigeria.
Aero’s problem with CHC started early this year when it could not pay for the helicopters it got from CHC after Oceanic Bank froze its accounts over a $200 million debt.
An earlier move by CHC in June to sever the relationship was saved by the timely intervention of the minister of aviation, Fidelia Njeze, the National Security Adviser (NSA), Aliyu Gusau, and Harold Demuren, Director General of the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA).
Aero Contractors has severed relationship with its helicopter supplier and oil and gas operations partner, Canadian Helicopters Corporation (CHC), over irreconcilable differences, BusinessDay has learnt.
The details of what led to the severance of relationship between the two companies were still sketchy as at press time, but a source told Businessday at the Lagos airport on Sunday that Aero Contractors unending financial challenges may have led to the development. CHC Helicopter entered Nigeria in 2004 when it purchased Schreiner Airways and inherited a 40 percent shares in Aero Contractors.
It has since supplied Aero Contractors helicopters for its off-shore services. The source said the fall-out of this development is that Aero would be forced to reduce its workforce, as it has already concluded plans to sack the trainee engineers in its rotary wings department. “I think Aero is losing this contract to one of the major helicopter operators but I can tell you that that will mean job loss for numerous Nigerian engineers who are in the service of the rotary wings department which is responsible for the oil and gas services.
Aero had made it a practice to employ Nigerians, especially in that area, but now that it is losing this contract, the plight of Nigerians in its employ remain vulnerable”, the source said. Aero competes with Bristow Helicopters and Caverton Helicopters in the oil and gas operations where the former holds a greater share of the air transport in Nigeria.
Aero’s problem with CHC started early this year when it could not pay for the helicopters it got from CHC after Oceanic Bank froze its accounts over a $200 million debt.
An earlier move by CHC in June to sever the relationship was saved by the timely intervention of the minister of aviation, Fidelia Njeze, the National Security Adviser (NSA), Aliyu Gusau, and Harold Demuren, Director General of the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA).
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... In the lands of the North, where the Black Rocks stand guard against the cold sea, in the dark night that is very long the Men of the Northlands sit by their great log fires and they tell a tale...
... Caverscam interview board ...
...Caverscam Local Operational WestAfrican Manager (CLOWN) .... Welcome Captain Clown, you are most welcome to Caverscam ...
.... Captain Logbook Ohdear, Wetin Nevahappen (CLOWN 2) ... Thank you and I am most terrible sure that with my vast experiences in military as a Brigadier, as a pilot both fixed wing, Boeing 737, Boeing 777, 5,000 hours Boeing 787, 15,000 hours and roterary wing EC155, 15,000 hours AW139 and my first class honours from Hills Road Sixth Form College Cambridge, you will most definitely wish to employ me in a most foremost managerial position. I am also possessed of a most interesting collection of pointy shoes from Jones and Clopitt and excellent almost genuine Turnbull & Asswipe Blue shirts with contrasting pink stitching on the buttonholes.
... CLOWN ... you are most welcome. So did you fly much since last you flew EC155? ...
... CLOWN 2 ... Oh yes most certainly, I did training captain course on EC155, flew a further 500 hours and did 26 conversions, did 627 hours on Falcon 500, 300 hours on Citation XLS, 847 hours on Boeing 738 276 hours on Bell 412, 187 hours on DHC6 and did Masters in Air TRansport Management with Harvarad Business School ...
... CLOWN .. you are most welcome ... but we have Mrs McCaverscam as the manager for Smell now ...
... CLOWN 2 ... Maybe she nah one ethnic lady, but is she Naija? Remember Mr Dark Arrow has said we are to be a most Nigerian company because oyinbos make too much wahallah about contract, pay on time and standards which are not truly African. She get contract?
... CLOWN ... Nah my broddah, everything free for negotiation ...
... CLOWN 2 ... See as I don' give you envelope with photocopy of copy of 50,000 N1,000 notes? ...
... CLOWN ... Nah you dey sabby
...
... exit stage left ...
... Episode 86 coming to a Silverbird cinema near you from October 1 ...
... Caverscam interview board ...
...Caverscam Local Operational WestAfrican Manager (CLOWN) .... Welcome Captain Clown, you are most welcome to Caverscam ...
.... Captain Logbook Ohdear, Wetin Nevahappen (CLOWN 2) ... Thank you and I am most terrible sure that with my vast experiences in military as a Brigadier, as a pilot both fixed wing, Boeing 737, Boeing 777, 5,000 hours Boeing 787, 15,000 hours and roterary wing EC155, 15,000 hours AW139 and my first class honours from Hills Road Sixth Form College Cambridge, you will most definitely wish to employ me in a most foremost managerial position. I am also possessed of a most interesting collection of pointy shoes from Jones and Clopitt and excellent almost genuine Turnbull & Asswipe Blue shirts with contrasting pink stitching on the buttonholes.
... CLOWN ... you are most welcome. So did you fly much since last you flew EC155? ...
... CLOWN 2 ... Oh yes most certainly, I did training captain course on EC155, flew a further 500 hours and did 26 conversions, did 627 hours on Falcon 500, 300 hours on Citation XLS, 847 hours on Boeing 738 276 hours on Bell 412, 187 hours on DHC6 and did Masters in Air TRansport Management with Harvarad Business School ...
... CLOWN .. you are most welcome ... but we have Mrs McCaverscam as the manager for Smell now ...
... CLOWN 2 ... Maybe she nah one ethnic lady, but is she Naija? Remember Mr Dark Arrow has said we are to be a most Nigerian company because oyinbos make too much wahallah about contract, pay on time and standards which are not truly African. She get contract?
... CLOWN ... Nah my broddah, everything free for negotiation ...
... CLOWN 2 ... See as I don' give you envelope with photocopy of copy of 50,000 N1,000 notes? ...
... CLOWN ... Nah you dey sabby
...... exit stage left ...
... Episode 86 coming to a Silverbird cinema near you from October 1 ...
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Bristow Agip Contract 2 Caverton
Please tell me its not true.
I heard the same that we might not get the adhoc contract.
Is what happened to goat happening to sheep!
Where is foamy Coolings to save us.
Lets get together and do something and qiuck.
Against all odds- I heard that caverton is paying and on time.
PPRune at work! Rumours
Fly safe
I heard the same that we might not get the adhoc contract.
Is what happened to goat happening to sheep!
Where is foamy Coolings to save us.
Lets get together and do something and qiuck.
Against all odds- I heard that caverton is paying and on time.
PPRune at work! Rumours
Fly safe
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Bristow win AGIP.
Mama it's not true,
Bristow still leading the way. Rest assured with the think tank in the ever increasing non revenue appointments of WASBU's corridors lead by the last ( latest)king of Scotland, the future is sound. Quietly convinced that even without aircraft it will be business as usual for many years to come, not to mention the grand effect this will have on Target 0 and share prices. Contracts are for the small players.
Bristow still leading the way. Rest assured with the think tank in the ever increasing non revenue appointments of WASBU's corridors lead by the last ( latest)king of Scotland, the future is sound. Quietly convinced that even without aircraft it will be business as usual for many years to come, not to mention the grand effect this will have on Target 0 and share prices. Contracts are for the small players.
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New World Order
We are now on the eve of a new dawn in Nigerian aviation.
To celebrate 50 years of Nigerian independence, SPDC is proud that from tomorrow their air logistics provider will be a Nigerian company - Caverton.
The doubters said it would never happen but with the expert help of Shell Aircraft International to risk assess and manage the change, a safe, reliable, cost effective, world class solution is now in place.
Shell are demonstrating that the big western operators are not needed, just a Shell SMS and modern, 7/7=1 compliant aircraft.
SAI's world leading SMS expertise is being recognised next week by the International Helicopter Safety Team in a workshop in Portugal.
To celebrate 50 years of Nigerian independence, SPDC is proud that from tomorrow their air logistics provider will be a Nigerian company - Caverton.
The doubters said it would never happen but with the expert help of Shell Aircraft International to risk assess and manage the change, a safe, reliable, cost effective, world class solution is now in place.
Shell are demonstrating that the big western operators are not needed, just a Shell SMS and modern, 7/7=1 compliant aircraft.
SAI's world leading SMS expertise is being recognised next week by the International Helicopter Safety Team in a workshop in Portugal.