What's New In W. Africa (Nigeria)
Ah El Toro....the epitomy of human grace, integrity, and political correctness re race relations! I wonder how many night stand bys he wound up owing one of the director's kids now a Captain flying very big planks?
As once was said to me by an English Gentleman....never allow an English Gentleman fall in your debt.
The Toro was just plain burned I made more money than he as a Chief Pilot....especially after the debacle on my license renewal where I and a local TRE and myself got put out of service until the Nigerian licensing folks got over their snit at being ignored by the Bristow powers that were.
Ah life can have it's rewards!
Is the first ever 412 in Nigeria still there? The one that underwent the 1200 hour in Accra then went grounded for months and months until it re-did another 1200 hour to correct what was undone on the first 1200?
El Toro met me at the BRC the night I arrived and tried to send me straight off to Accra for a couple of days....which turned into three weeks in a very nice hotel on the company tab. Some real facial egg seen when it was discovered I had the 212 type rating (but no 412 rating) on the Nigerian license after ferrying the aircraft to Lagos.
Might I assume DD is the one and same 412?
NEO....I always did Bristow favors....even taking a wet behind the ears young laddy for his first ever road trip in Nigeria...and even kept him from being detained after being arrested for violating immigration laws. How quickly one forgets.
As once was said to me by an English Gentleman....never allow an English Gentleman fall in your debt.
The Toro was just plain burned I made more money than he as a Chief Pilot....especially after the debacle on my license renewal where I and a local TRE and myself got put out of service until the Nigerian licensing folks got over their snit at being ignored by the Bristow powers that were.
Ah life can have it's rewards!
Is the first ever 412 in Nigeria still there? The one that underwent the 1200 hour in Accra then went grounded for months and months until it re-did another 1200 hour to correct what was undone on the first 1200?
El Toro met me at the BRC the night I arrived and tried to send me straight off to Accra for a couple of days....which turned into three weeks in a very nice hotel on the company tab. Some real facial egg seen when it was discovered I had the 212 type rating (but no 412 rating) on the Nigerian license after ferrying the aircraft to Lagos.
Might I assume DD is the one and same 412?
NEO....I always did Bristow favors....even taking a wet behind the ears young laddy for his first ever road trip in Nigeria...and even kept him from being detained after being arrested for violating immigration laws. How quickly one forgets.
Nigerian In Law
Sas/Trog,
Yup, El Toro was (and probably still is) a one off in many ways. I recall the huge expenditure at Idugboe renovating and furnishing an en suite room for a contract pilot who had failed at Eket and Aker Base due lack of spatial awareness and inabilty to generally "cut the mustard". The fact that said pilot was a former Ops Superintendent Overseas notwithstanding; I'm sure everyone got the same VIP treatment ? The three most sumptuous (and unused by any other) pilot facilities were El Toro's house, The Majah's suite and above retiree's. Resentment from mere mortals was severely frowned upon and brushed aside but never forgotten. Happy Days !
Sas, the road trip is not forgotten, however my recollection of the journey greatly differs from yours. Let's leave it at that shall we ? By the way, our Gallic colleague has retired (for the third time) and is now polishing his classic car collection in the underground garage of his hillside chateau outside Nice. If you want to visit I'm sure a bottle of finest Red wine would be waiting.......... The Warri child would be approaching 20 years old now, I wonder if he is enrolled at a fancy university with The Count's financial backing ?
NEO
Yup, El Toro was (and probably still is) a one off in many ways. I recall the huge expenditure at Idugboe renovating and furnishing an en suite room for a contract pilot who had failed at Eket and Aker Base due lack of spatial awareness and inabilty to generally "cut the mustard". The fact that said pilot was a former Ops Superintendent Overseas notwithstanding; I'm sure everyone got the same VIP treatment ? The three most sumptuous (and unused by any other) pilot facilities were El Toro's house, The Majah's suite and above retiree's. Resentment from mere mortals was severely frowned upon and brushed aside but never forgotten. Happy Days !
Sas, the road trip is not forgotten, however my recollection of the journey greatly differs from yours. Let's leave it at that shall we ? By the way, our Gallic colleague has retired (for the third time) and is now polishing his classic car collection in the underground garage of his hillside chateau outside Nice. If you want to visit I'm sure a bottle of finest Red wine would be waiting.......... The Warri child would be approaching 20 years old now, I wonder if he is enrolled at a fancy university with The Count's financial backing ?
NEO
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N395AL the very same!
Sas,
5N BDD is the same fine airframe as the N395AL which arrived in Africa from Cyprus in 2001 (It was used up there to ferry US Embassy staff into and out of the Embassy in Beirut)
It arrived in Nouakchott for the initial Woodside contract and stayed there for about five months until August 2001 when it was moved down to Accra.
Apart from (and that is admittedly a big "apart from") the Crapped On - sorry Kapton wiring she is a fine example of a 212 with 4 blades.
Trog
5N BDD is the same fine airframe as the N395AL which arrived in Africa from Cyprus in 2001 (It was used up there to ferry US Embassy staff into and out of the Embassy in Beirut)
It arrived in Nouakchott for the initial Woodside contract and stayed there for about five months until August 2001 when it was moved down to Accra.
Apart from (and that is admittedly a big "apart from") the Crapped On - sorry Kapton wiring she is a fine example of a 212 with 4 blades.
Trog
I Try To Be Good !!
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The Queue Is Getting Longer
I hear one pilot is in the pipeline to replace the seven departures from Eket holiday camp. That should really ease the burden on the already downtrodden crews 
So much for the hordes desperate to work for Bristow.
I wonder how long he'll last after the second or third bout of food poisoning in his first tour of duty ? Or maybe he has already developed iron guts
They say Angola is quite nice this time of year.........
So much for the hordes desperate to work for Bristow.I wonder how long he'll last after the second or third bout of food poisoning in his first tour of duty ? Or maybe he has already developed iron guts
They say Angola is quite nice this time of year.........
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Police Academy - Spic who really isn't!
Dear Dregs,
Speak Engrish!
Your attempts at imitating a sunglasses seller from the high altitudes of Peruvian tourist traps are either tying you down to one person (Masu Pichu sunglass salesman) or as NEO on strong drugs!
Own up - I need polaroids - extra wide! - good price!
p.s. Neo - what price are strong drugs at Darrels right now?
Manidgement is asking for volunteers for Eket - GMIA - swap over - a good career move!
Trog
Speak Engrish!
Your attempts at imitating a sunglasses seller from the high altitudes of Peruvian tourist traps are either tying you down to one person (Masu Pichu sunglass salesman) or as NEO on strong drugs!
Own up - I need polaroids - extra wide! - good price!
p.s. Neo - what price are strong drugs at Darrels right now?
Manidgement is asking for volunteers for Eket - GMIA - swap over - a good career move!
Trog
For years and years we have heard of this flood of biblical proportions....even in my time it never materialized as one after another the proponents of that theory signed on yet again and again all the while raging about the place and management.
Now I accept the fact there are real dinosaurs coming up on the magic 65.....and perhaps then they might be shifting off to the old country but how many others will actually pack up their bongo's and beat feet for greener pastures outside the warm loving embrace of Bristow Nigeria?
That might finally shift the balance to a tipping point but there are lots of young, action seeking sport dicks out there that will fall for the dangle of "big ships", "command", or what have you to....and the seats will be filled for long enough that yet another bunch of newbies can be scrounged up.
The beat goes on.....and on....and on.
Now I accept the fact there are real dinosaurs coming up on the magic 65.....and perhaps then they might be shifting off to the old country but how many others will actually pack up their bongo's and beat feet for greener pastures outside the warm loving embrace of Bristow Nigeria?
That might finally shift the balance to a tipping point but there are lots of young, action seeking sport dicks out there that will fall for the dangle of "big ships", "command", or what have you to....and the seats will be filled for long enough that yet another bunch of newbies can be scrounged up.
The beat goes on.....and on....and on.
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Hallelujah - Bob Roffe Lives!
SASless,
The content of todays' missive from CP's to "All Staff" was obviously written by your very self!
To paraphrase: - We realise that nobody really wants to go to Eket - espescially if you read PPrune - BUT - if you are a SFO and are prepared to "bite the bullet" we will ignore your current shortfalls and promise you COMMAND PDQ.
SNAFU
Trog
The content of todays' missive from CP's to "All Staff" was obviously written by your very self!
To paraphrase: - We realise that nobody really wants to go to Eket - espescially if you read PPrune - BUT - if you are a SFO and are prepared to "bite the bullet" we will ignore your current shortfalls and promise you COMMAND PDQ.
SNAFU
Trog
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Judging by the comments on this web site over the years, these Bristow Operations are meant to have ground to a halt by now due to lack of pilots caused by the exodus. I wonder how these Operations continue to survive especially as management is not paying any attention?
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Hi SAS, couple of corrections - sadly JC was only a lowly Ops Sup (predecessor of the well turned out situationally unaware contract pilot mentioned previously) Otherwise Doc and I would be Joint Chief of Staff by now denigning to speak to mere mortals. Secondly, big plank Captain (I'll take that as a compliment - sort of) is all relative when parked next to our first of 58 A380's. Mind you we do burn a 212 MTOW per hour of fuel - long live the low carbon footprint.
I was happy for El Toro to 'enjoy' his little soirees with Mrs El Toro! Always be careful of what you wish for - it might happen.
Sorry for taking time to respond, just back from Birmingham - not the Alabama one.
Hope you are enjoying retirement - keep well.
TOD
I was happy for El Toro to 'enjoy' his little soirees with Mrs El Toro! Always be careful of what you wish for - it might happen.
Sorry for taking time to respond, just back from Birmingham - not the Alabama one.
Hope you are enjoying retirement - keep well.
TOD
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Thridle Op Des
sadly JC was only a lowly Ops Sup (predecessor of the well turned out situationally unaware contract pilot mentioned previously)
My favourite memory of JC was a night in several bars in Redhill when your Dad was fuming about an ex Crab who had been hired by George Puddy! He was so mad that his Scottish upbringing was forgotten and he actually bought Tony Coleman and I several rounds of drinks (probably claimed on expenses later!)
This pucker ex Crab chap had managed to lose his licence because of strobe effect of rotor blades merely months after being hired.
This was at the time of introduction of the famous Aerospat Tiger and JC plus several others needed to fly PDQ to Marignane for consultations.
Bristow had no fixed wing available so a private charter was sought.
A brand new turbo twin arrived at Redhill and when the 4 pax were met by the Pilot, they were shocked and stunned to see ex Crab hired by George lower the airstair!
We thought you had lost your licence they cried!
Only me fixed wing one he answered!
Who do you work for now? - they enquired.
Me - I bought this ship with my loss of licence payout from Bristow!
Silence and much grinding of teeth to and from Marignane!
BTW - we now use the CAE Emirates Sim in Dubai so p.m. me if you are prepared to slum it with mere Helo mortals! We Stay at the Dhow Palace.
Trog
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Welcome back NEO
NEO,
A stray African Grey Parrot just landed and tells me you are back on seat!
What is happening with the Darrels exodus or are you also packing up?
Trog
A stray African Grey Parrot just landed and tells me you are back on seat!
What is happening with the Darrels exodus or are you also packing up?
Trog
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Another Kidnapping in Port Harcourt
Following the Julius Berger kidnapping near Choba last week, Reuters are now also reporting that a number of expatriates were kidnapped from an oilfield service vessel en route to the Total Akpo field yesterday. The boat has now returned to Port Harcourt, but it's believed that up to 5 crew members have been taken from the vessel and held hostage. They're also reporting that a Filipino man was kidnapped in Port Harcourt yesterday afternoon. Whatever the reasons for these may be, it doesn't alter the fact that expatriates are once again becoming the focus of attention of the criminals and bandits.
There have been a number of warnings from the various militant factions that attacks in the Niger Delta are going to be stepped up and there have also been reports that the military JTF has been attacking militants camps between Nembe and Soku. This has led to some fairly violent responses from the militants in the past so it would be prudent to increase our vigilance and keep our heads down in the next few weeks (if it's possible to do those two together!).
There have been a number of warnings from the various militant factions that attacks in the Niger Delta are going to be stepped up and there have also been reports that the military JTF has been attacking militants camps between Nembe and Soku. This has led to some fairly violent responses from the militants in the past so it would be prudent to increase our vigilance and keep our heads down in the next few weeks (if it's possible to do those two together!).
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I'm hearing that all the banks on Bonny Island are still closed. Most of the bank staff are not Bonny indigenes and after the threats that they would be killed and beheaded most have left the island or are staying in their homes in fear. Many residents who left the island have been robbed on the waterways and several have drowned as small boats carrying them have overturned due to being overloaded. The markets are short of goods and local inflation is soaring. There is a large military presence on the island but, as usual, when the military is given any free reign in this country they oppress those who they are meant to protect, adding to the air of menace, not reducing it.
I have some friends on the island and they say that NLNG has taken away internet privileges from many staff as they don't want them talking about the situation
. They can't stop them talking on the telephone or sending text messages though - as long as phone cards are still available.
I have some friends on the island and they say that NLNG has taken away internet privileges from many staff as they don't want them talking about the situation
. They can't stop them talking on the telephone or sending text messages though - as long as phone cards are still available.
What qualifications do you need to fly in Nigeria? (JAA/FAA) I have never seen a job advertised there so are there really that many people leaving.
CPL or ATPL
Do you need an IR?
Do you need a type rating?
Who should an interested person Email. I've just got to see this for myself!
Thanks for any info
CPL or ATPL
Do you need an IR?
Do you need a type rating?
Who should an interested person Email. I've just got to see this for myself!
Thanks for any info
Last edited by Heliringer; 26th Jul 2008 at 12:42.
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Ringer
What qualifications do you need to fly in Nigeria?
- Steely eyes
- A Lantern Jaw (e.g. Indiana Jones)
- A well developed sense of humour
- An appreciation of the 3P's (Ask Soggyboxers)
- An iron constitution (especially for Eket or Escravos)
- Immunity to malaria carrying mosquitos.
- A Devil may Care attitude (For Lagos Airport Transit)
- A wife or girlfriend (or both) that welcomes your 42 day absence
- A JAA or ICAO or FAA Licence
- A Pulse
Trog
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Another 8 Kidnapped from tanker off Bonny
In the early hours of this morning armed men boarded an LPG tanker just off the mouth of the Bonny River and kidnapped another 8 expatriates. Despite the presence of 4 naval personnel (who warned the crew to take cover), 6 armed gunmen managed to take over the vessel, shot 2 of the civilian crew (extent of injuries unknown as yet) and took 8 expatriates hostage. That brings to 16 the number of expatriates taken hostage by various militant and criminal gangs in the last 2 weeks and none have so far been released 
.
There has also been an upsurge in attacks on the Bakassi Peninsula with a little-known group, the Niger Delta Defence and Security Council (NDDSC) carrying out attacks on Cameroon in protest at territory being handed back to Cameroon on 14th August as part of the realignment of the Cameroon-Nigeria border in line with the ruling of the International Court of Justice. In the last attack last Thursday, 2 Cameroonian soldiers and 10 Nigerian gunmen were killed and 8 of the Nigerian attackers were taken prisoner. Most of the population of the penisula, who are Nigerians, have been given the option of staying under Cameroon authority or being resettled in Nigeria. So far the treaty has not been ratified by the Nigerian legislature. Even if the handover goes ahead, there will undoubtedly be further unrest and violence in the area as Nigerians are not exactly known for their peaceable nature
President Yar'Adua (Baba Go-Slow) has re-affirmed Nigeria's commitment to the terms of the Green Tree treaty in a meeting with Cameroon's new ambassador to Nigeria, but that won't necessarily stop the activities of groups like the NDDSC who are opposed to the handover
.There has also been an upsurge in attacks on the Bakassi Peninsula with a little-known group, the Niger Delta Defence and Security Council (NDDSC) carrying out attacks on Cameroon in protest at territory being handed back to Cameroon on 14th August as part of the realignment of the Cameroon-Nigeria border in line with the ruling of the International Court of Justice. In the last attack last Thursday, 2 Cameroonian soldiers and 10 Nigerian gunmen were killed and 8 of the Nigerian attackers were taken prisoner. Most of the population of the penisula, who are Nigerians, have been given the option of staying under Cameroon authority or being resettled in Nigeria. So far the treaty has not been ratified by the Nigerian legislature. Even if the handover goes ahead, there will undoubtedly be further unrest and violence in the area as Nigerians are not exactly known for their peaceable nature
President Yar'Adua (Baba Go-Slow) has re-affirmed Nigeria's commitment to the terms of the Green Tree treaty in a meeting with Cameroon's new ambassador to Nigeria, but that won't necessarily stop the activities of groups like the NDDSC who are opposed to the handover
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that is it for me
I had enough...I go elsewhere. These atrocities will never come to an end as long as the "black soda" is bubbling in the Delta. Unfortunately or fortunately in this case I developed a conscience. 