What's New In W. Africa (Nigeria)
Join Date: Feb 2009
Location: Land of the roundabouts.
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JU's Grip
I hand carried the grip back to the UK for investigation at Farnbourgh, before Bell got to it.
Alan Streeter was the dam fine pilot, He could have put it a bit closer to the pad 2 though.
Alan Streeter was the dam fine pilot, He could have put it a bit closer to the pad 2 though.
Join Date: Dec 2006
Location: retirementland
Age: 79
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@Alan
No of course not!
Shell Aircraft's advisers at the IA would never have allowed that!
This is just the sort of failure you expect from an aircraft designed in the swinging 60s.
It certainly smoothed the way for the 155 buy.
No of course not!
Shell Aircraft's advisers at the IA would never have allowed that!
This is just the sort of failure you expect from an aircraft designed in the swinging 60s.
It certainly smoothed the way for the 155 buy.
Neither - it was a manufacturing defect/QA problem - the bush was oversized causing local stresses. The head had less than 1200 hours.
After landing Al had great difficulty controlling the aircraft, as the upper tang (on the failed blade grip) had started to bend upwards causing the aircraft to 'dance' around the place! I think the T-Handles came in useful in the end. God only knows how long it would have been before the blade would have parted company....
After landing Al had great difficulty controlling the aircraft, as the upper tang (on the failed blade grip) had started to bend upwards causing the aircraft to 'dance' around the place! I think the T-Handles came in useful in the end. God only knows how long it would have been before the blade would have parted company....
Reckon I shall have an early morning Tot.....and celebrate being a "Retired" helicopter pilot!!!
Join Date: Jul 2006
Location: Jankara
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Militants Threaten to Shoot Down Aircraft in Niger Delta
From today's Vanguard newspaper
Militants threaten to shoot down aircraft
FROM its new base, christened “Israel Barracks”, some kilometers away from the Atlantic Ocean in the southern coast of Niger-Delta, the Niger-Delta Liberation Force, NDLF, led by rebel ex-militant leader, “General” John Togo, Tuesday, threatened to down any aircraft, belonging to the military, oil companies and commercial airlines that fly between two to three miles, near its barracks on spy mission.
Its words, “We will not spare any aircraft bomber that passes our boundary in the air as our Rocket Propellers Gun Unit (RPGU) shall launch attack on any aircraft found in our barracks with a sinister move. This is not a mere warning as we shall make effective use of the RPGS at our disposal to repel any air bomber”.
Spokesman of the NDLF, which detonated explosives to destroy its camp in Ayakuromo axis of Delta State, last Thursday, and re-located deeper into the creek after a bloody gun battle with men of the Joint Task Force on the Niger-Delta, November 17, “Captain” Mark Anthony, confirmed the information when contacted by Vanguard.
The group also warned commercial airline operators and oil companies not to give their aircrafts to the JTF for such a mission, as anyone used for the purpose would be destroyed.
Commander of the Joint Task Force, JTF, on the Niger-Delta, Major-General Charles Omoregie was said to be holding a conference when Vanguard called him on phone for comments, while the spokesman of the task force, Lt. Col. Anthony Antigha said he was away, and so, was not in the position to speak on the current state of operation.
However, the siege by the task force on the waterways of the state, particularly at Okwagbe, where its men are stationed with gunboats and major exit routes in Burutu and Bomadi local government areas has not been relaxed.
It is suspected the inability of the task force to smoke out John Togo, who is suspected to be hiding somewhere in the creek, one week after the bloody battle between his fighters and soldiers, may have forced security agents to use aircrafts to rummage around the creeks for him.
According to NDLF spokesman, “We have observed, in the last two days, an awkward locomotion of a military aircraft, hovering around the vicinity of riverine Ijaw communities in Delta and Bayelsa states , suspected to be on JTF genocidal mission in the ongoing onslaught on suspected Niger Delta freedom fighters”.
FROM its new base, christened “Israel Barracks”, some kilometers away from the Atlantic Ocean in the southern coast of Niger-Delta, the Niger-Delta Liberation Force, NDLF, led by rebel ex-militant leader, “General” John Togo, Tuesday, threatened to down any aircraft, belonging to the military, oil companies and commercial airlines that fly between two to three miles, near its barracks on spy mission.
Its words, “We will not spare any aircraft bomber that passes our boundary in the air as our Rocket Propellers Gun Unit (RPGU) shall launch attack on any aircraft found in our barracks with a sinister move. This is not a mere warning as we shall make effective use of the RPGS at our disposal to repel any air bomber”.
Spokesman of the NDLF, which detonated explosives to destroy its camp in Ayakuromo axis of Delta State, last Thursday, and re-located deeper into the creek after a bloody gun battle with men of the Joint Task Force on the Niger-Delta, November 17, “Captain” Mark Anthony, confirmed the information when contacted by Vanguard.
The group also warned commercial airline operators and oil companies not to give their aircrafts to the JTF for such a mission, as anyone used for the purpose would be destroyed.
Commander of the Joint Task Force, JTF, on the Niger-Delta, Major-General Charles Omoregie was said to be holding a conference when Vanguard called him on phone for comments, while the spokesman of the task force, Lt. Col. Anthony Antigha said he was away, and so, was not in the position to speak on the current state of operation.
However, the siege by the task force on the waterways of the state, particularly at Okwagbe, where its men are stationed with gunboats and major exit routes in Burutu and Bomadi local government areas has not been relaxed.
It is suspected the inability of the task force to smoke out John Togo, who is suspected to be hiding somewhere in the creek, one week after the bloody battle between his fighters and soldiers, may have forced security agents to use aircrafts to rummage around the creeks for him.
According to NDLF spokesman, “We have observed, in the last two days, an awkward locomotion of a military aircraft, hovering around the vicinity of riverine Ijaw communities in Delta and Bayelsa states , suspected to be on JTF genocidal mission in the ongoing onslaught on suspected Niger Delta freedom fighters”.
RPG's work a treat at close range....and can be used in the anti-aircraft artillery (flak) mode if the Insurgents have the proper training and right model warheads. I see they have .51's....which are proper anti-helicopter kit as many of our Old'Un's can testify.
I just viewed a really neat video of an RAF Wokka that got plugged a while back in the Stan......this link will take you to it if the pprune software will allow it.
Pilot Takes Headshot, Then Flies ? Military Videos - Military.com
I just viewed a really neat video of an RAF Wokka that got plugged a while back in the Stan......this link will take you to it if the pprune software will allow it.
Pilot Takes Headshot, Then Flies ? Military Videos - Military.com
Last edited by Senior Pilot; 24th Nov 2010 at 04:14. Reason: Add YouTube embed
Join Date: Nov 2010
Location: Nigeria
Age: 49
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Good day Gents,
I am mariner working on AH vessel - currently in Nigeria.
But ... I am going to start my helo training in December.
May you tell me how long does it take to get "employer-want-you-total-time" ?
Does it make sense?
I know, I know ... and I know that
pussy-style question BUT ... 
regards,
Seawali
I am mariner working on AH vessel - currently in Nigeria.
But ... I am going to start my helo training in December.
May you tell me how long does it take to get "employer-want-you-total-time" ?
Does it make sense?
I know, I know ... and I know that
pussy-style question BUT ... regards,
Seawali
Join Date: Feb 2009
Location: California
Age: 47
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Security in nigeria
Hi everybody,
I read that security in the nigerian compounds where pilot reside during the hitch is very poor, and since Nigeria is most likely the first place you get sent to if you get a job with chc, I was wondering if anybody can give me a little more info about it before I apply with them.
Thanks
I read that security in the nigerian compounds where pilot reside during the hitch is very poor, and since Nigeria is most likely the first place you get sent to if you get a job with chc, I was wondering if anybody can give me a little more info about it before I apply with them.
Thanks
Join Date: Apr 2006
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Security
Albe,
This is something of a myth. No-one can deny that there are/have been security problems in Nigeria but, since the kidnapping of several expats from a Mobil compound (shared by Bristow) close to Eket, things have been tightened up tremendously. All Bristow compounds have armed police on the premise during the hours of darkness and all night movements are accompanied by armed police. In the Delta area, daylight movements are also accompanied. The main Aero contractors compound in Port Harcourt is owned by a very powerful local man and there has never been any serious trouble there as he is not a man that the local militants/criminals would want to cross!
Have no fear about coming to Nigeria, there are many expats who have been here for many years who would not want to work anywhere else. There are also some who come for one hitch and never come back! Which applies to you is entirely down to your own personality. Be prepared to spend six weeks restricted to the compound except when working. The days of going out on the town have long gone. This is probably the biggest single factor in people being unhappy in Nigeria. Good luck with your career whatever you decide.
Cyclic.
This is something of a myth. No-one can deny that there are/have been security problems in Nigeria but, since the kidnapping of several expats from a Mobil compound (shared by Bristow) close to Eket, things have been tightened up tremendously. All Bristow compounds have armed police on the premise during the hours of darkness and all night movements are accompanied by armed police. In the Delta area, daylight movements are also accompanied. The main Aero contractors compound in Port Harcourt is owned by a very powerful local man and there has never been any serious trouble there as he is not a man that the local militants/criminals would want to cross!
Have no fear about coming to Nigeria, there are many expats who have been here for many years who would not want to work anywhere else. There are also some who come for one hitch and never come back! Which applies to you is entirely down to your own personality. Be prepared to spend six weeks restricted to the compound except when working. The days of going out on the town have long gone. This is probably the biggest single factor in people being unhappy in Nigeria. Good luck with your career whatever you decide.
Cyclic.
Join Date: Jul 2006
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A Shell contractor has been killed in an attack on a convoy:
Reteurs have reported that a:
I'm sure SM would claim both as 'successes'
Any news from Caverton? I hear they are recruiting a lot of local Co-Pilots.
Is it true Chevron Nigeria are moving their fixed wing work from Aero?
Egyptian national killed in southern Nigeria: police
(AFP) – 2 days ago
LAGOS — Unknown gunmen have killed an Egyptian national on a notorious highway near southern Nigeria's oil hub of Port Harcourt, police said Thursday.
"The man, an Egyptian, was killed on the Aba-Port Harcourt road yesterday. But we still don't have any detail on the circumstances of his death," Abia State police spokesman Geofrey Ogbonna told AFP.
A security source said on condition of anonymity that the Egyptian believed to be working for a Shell contractor appeared to have been hit by a stray bullet from armed robbers who operate in the area.
Egyptian embassy officials in Nigeria were not immediately available for comment.
The Aba-Port Harcourt highway is notorious for robberies and kidnappings of expatriates, mostly oil workers, by criminal gangs seeking ransom money. Most hostages are released after payment of ransom.
Port Harcourt is located in the restive Niger Delta region, the heart of one of the world's largest oil industries.
(AFP) – 2 days ago
LAGOS — Unknown gunmen have killed an Egyptian national on a notorious highway near southern Nigeria's oil hub of Port Harcourt, police said Thursday.
"The man, an Egyptian, was killed on the Aba-Port Harcourt road yesterday. But we still don't have any detail on the circumstances of his death," Abia State police spokesman Geofrey Ogbonna told AFP.
A security source said on condition of anonymity that the Egyptian believed to be working for a Shell contractor appeared to have been hit by a stray bullet from armed robbers who operate in the area.
Egyptian embassy officials in Nigeria were not immediately available for comment.
The Aba-Port Harcourt highway is notorious for robberies and kidnappings of expatriates, mostly oil workers, by criminal gangs seeking ransom money. Most hostages are released after payment of ransom.
Port Harcourt is located in the restive Niger Delta region, the heart of one of the world's largest oil industries.
...Shell executive had been invited for questioning in relation to a separate $240 million case settled by the oil major and the Swiss logistics firm Panalpina in the United States earlier this month, officials said.
"We have invited the MDs (managing directors) of Shell and Halliburton as part of investigations in two separate bribery cases," EFCC spokesman Femi Babafemi said.
"The $240 million Shell bribery issue has been dealt with in the U.S. and we are looking at the Nigeria end of things."
"We have invited the MDs (managing directors) of Shell and Halliburton as part of investigations in two separate bribery cases," EFCC spokesman Femi Babafemi said.
"The $240 million Shell bribery issue has been dealt with in the U.S. and we are looking at the Nigeria end of things."
Any news from Caverton? I hear they are recruiting a lot of local Co-Pilots.
Is it true Chevron Nigeria are moving their fixed wing work from Aero?
