What's New In W. Africa (Nigeria)
Join Date: Sep 2008
Location: Its dark and its deep.
Posts: 18
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
No where to run ..........???
So Bob Keeree was shot up a bit last night and Helicopters drivers are again confused as to iclude body bags in passenger numbers when filing flight plans or not??????
"....uhhhhh NAF TWR, 5N-XYZ inbound with 5 bodies ....or is that 2 souls ....on board......."
I know they are sodiers but Condolences (RIP) to the Nigerians families that are left behind.
How much daily allowance do you guys get again????
"....uhhhhh NAF TWR, 5N-XYZ inbound with 5 bodies ....or is that 2 souls ....on board......."
I know they are sodiers but Condolences (RIP) to the Nigerians families that are left behind.
How much daily allowance do you guys get again????
Join Date: Jan 2008
Location: Natal
Posts: 51
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Run Forrest run.
Not enough!!! .....and no cash in hand is a ball ache no matter where the flippin ATM is.
How come "those up the ladder" in Houston can make such kak decisions without consulting us first.
Morale is going down faster than I would on a Trinidadian co-pilot.
How come "those up the ladder" in Houston can make such kak decisions without consulting us first.
Morale is going down faster than I would on a Trinidadian co-pilot.
Join Date: Apr 2008
Location: Out of Africa
Age: 70
Posts: 230
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Stick In More Pins
"those up the ladder" in Houston
Let's keep up the JuJu and maybe they'll disappear altogether!
Trog
Nigerian In Law
212man,
No, FC is not my alter ego but I reckon he's a great addition to this thread. He's got some fresh fish wriggling which has cheered things up !! Wish I had thought of it.
Trog,
You're getting a bit philosophical aren't you ?? The "Life is not a dress rehearsal" speech is my forte and I'm REALLY deep. Everyone who knows me says so, honest.
In answer to your question, the exodus hasn't happened. I guess the total package is still better than what our Middle East brothers get, even without CLA and free coffee. Your Heli Malongo bound mates would have gone anyway I suspect.
NEO
No, FC is not my alter ego but I reckon he's a great addition to this thread. He's got some fresh fish wriggling which has cheered things up !! Wish I had thought of it.
Trog,
You're getting a bit philosophical aren't you ?? The "Life is not a dress rehearsal" speech is my forte and I'm REALLY deep. Everyone who knows me says so, honest.
In answer to your question, the exodus hasn't happened. I guess the total package is still better than what our Middle East brothers get, even without CLA and free coffee. Your Heli Malongo bound mates would have gone anyway I suspect.
NEO
Join Date: Apr 2008
Location: Out of Africa
Age: 70
Posts: 230
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Sorry O NEO!
NEO,
You are right - I suppose the last couple of weeks listening to (and admittedly occasionally joining in) the "Whingefests" were the cause of my philsophical side coming to the fore. I'll never try and compete with you so instead will immediately crack a bottle of Larios and Schweppes Tonica and jump in my pool and drink and smoke till it is cured!
The reality is as I tried (but suspect failed) to get across in my reply to SirVivr in Trinidad that our package is actually pretty damned good compared to lots of other places especially in todays climate of Credit Crunches and World Recession. My biggest problem right now is working out where to go for my next six weeks off and how to avoid strangling or being strangled by the wife - 4 weeks was so much simpler!
I think I'll try to dream up an alter ego like Foamy and join him in Fresh Fish wind-ups - that should keep me occupied - anyway where is he? - I heard Warri & Escravos were off line this weekend which might explain it!
Cheers
Trog
You are right - I suppose the last couple of weeks listening to (and admittedly occasionally joining in) the "Whingefests" were the cause of my philsophical side coming to the fore. I'll never try and compete with you so instead will immediately crack a bottle of Larios and Schweppes Tonica and jump in my pool and drink and smoke till it is cured!
The reality is as I tried (but suspect failed) to get across in my reply to SirVivr in Trinidad that our package is actually pretty damned good compared to lots of other places especially in todays climate of Credit Crunches and World Recession. My biggest problem right now is working out where to go for my next six weeks off and how to avoid strangling or being strangled by the wife - 4 weeks was so much simpler!
I think I'll try to dream up an alter ego like Foamy and join him in Fresh Fish wind-ups - that should keep me occupied - anyway where is he? - I heard Warri & Escravos were off line this weekend which might explain it!
Cheers
Trog
Last edited by Troglodita; 14th Sep 2008 at 16:01. Reason: add question mark
Join Date: Aug 2008
Location: Nigeria
Posts: 23
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
More Goodmen in our fine Companies
Nigerian Inlaw and Trug,
You 2 fine mens also have some fine commune sense but you do not know everything about our higher archery in the Centre of Excellents.
Trugs,
Who do you think will listen to your advices in Lagos I aks myself - the Scotch Boss has realised that the PeeWees and Majahs are just Ships in Wool clothings and are too much sympathetic with the mechanical men and chipper pilots so instead he listens only to his most closest advisors (my very self)
You also say
Can a man not rest with his wifes and concubines on the 7th day and eat fine Eba and Ogbola for the breaking fast and Egussi and Jolof rice for supper - a man cannot feed on Fresh Fish alone or Jock would be a dull boy!
In the Centre of Excellents we have toppest Broad Bonds and stay on the lines constantly making monitors of the whining.
Warri and Escravos are indeed on the lines today - has not the Biggest Boy been threatening making insanitary advances on his co pilots?
In Law - keep up the monitorings from your Eket Palaces & QIB's to keep the likes of Trugs on the straighter and narrower. Also see what can be done with the morales of Biggest Boy before he travels to Lagos.
I am sure Jim Woolite (my concubines use that product - it cleans my shirts well well) would banish Biggest Boy from his fine low paid Trinidad Operation if he knew his plans.
My Egussi is ready so I must beg to go now.
F.C.
I hope Propspinners has taken the valiums and is now calm and coco - tell him to drink warm stout and take 2 tablets every 4 hours.
You 2 fine mens also have some fine commune sense but you do not know everything about our higher archery in the Centre of Excellents.
Trugs,
Whingeing on PPrune and becoming paranoid over F.C. (& the like) wind-ups is no substitute for making your personal feelings clearly known in a reasonable and assertive way to your Senior Managers.
Who do you think will listen to your advices in Lagos I aks myself - the Scotch Boss has realised that the PeeWees and Majahs are just Ships in Wool clothings and are too much sympathetic with the mechanical men and chipper pilots so instead he listens only to his most closest advisors (my very self)
You also say
I heard Warri & Escravos were off line this weekend which might explain it!
Can a man not rest with his wifes and concubines on the 7th day and eat fine Eba and Ogbola for the breaking fast and Egussi and Jolof rice for supper - a man cannot feed on Fresh Fish alone or Jock would be a dull boy!
In the Centre of Excellents we have toppest Broad Bonds and stay on the lines constantly making monitors of the whining.
Warri and Escravos are indeed on the lines today - has not the Biggest Boy been threatening making insanitary advances on his co pilots?
In Law - keep up the monitorings from your Eket Palaces & QIB's to keep the likes of Trugs on the straighter and narrower. Also see what can be done with the morales of Biggest Boy before he travels to Lagos.
I am sure Jim Woolite (my concubines use that product - it cleans my shirts well well) would banish Biggest Boy from his fine low paid Trinidad Operation if he knew his plans.
My Egussi is ready so I must beg to go now.
F.C.
I hope Propspinners has taken the valiums and is now calm and coco - tell him to drink warm stout and take 2 tablets every 4 hours.
Last edited by Foamy Coolings; 14th Sep 2008 at 16:48. Reason: syntax
Join Date: Feb 2005
Location: Still looking
Age: 81
Posts: 34
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Mr FC or is it Mr Fat so behind da glass door,
I am sniffing the s
t you dishing out... and with that can be HIGH for some days! Just hope I can eep the ball in the middle 
If I had to take your Nigerian valium
I might even fly of to da moon Give me your vectors and maybe pop in and come and get some of your vudo medication.
I will always be watching you!
I am sniffing the s
t you dishing out... and with that can be HIGH for some days! Just hope I can eep the ball in the middle If I had to take your Nigerian valium
I might even fly of to da moon Give me your vectors and maybe pop in and come and get some of your vudo medication. I will always be watching you!
Join Date: Nov 2006
Location: Death Star
Posts: 16
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
The Chosen One...
Neo,
Love the banter......
I totally agree. the numbnuts who seem to have gotten roped into the trawling net of FC are providing us with some rather interesting reading...
However, I am not altogether sure your facts are that acurate. A mate of mine who works there reckons before the end of the year, up to 12 people will be leaving Escravos. Maybe the new management isn't sitting too well with them
.
Love the banter......
I totally agree. the numbnuts who seem to have gotten roped into the trawling net of FC are providing us with some rather interesting reading...
However, I am not altogether sure your facts are that acurate. A mate of mine who works there reckons before the end of the year, up to 12 people will be leaving Escravos. Maybe the new management isn't sitting too well with them
.
Join Date: Jul 2008
Location: Texas
Age: 65
Posts: 29
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
The Good Old days
How many of us remember the good old days of yore when we had stores which were filled with a reasonable supply of spare parts? Now we have supply chain managers presiding over a series of broken links ending in “nil stock”
Accountants don’t care about that. They don’t count the number of days we lose revenue because of 'nil stock', or have to try and maintain and fly machines carrying numerous MEL defects to keep contracts going because of 'nil stock'. All they do is proudly point to the fact that we have saved $10 per unit by having a particular part held in some central store in another country and only available at 5 days notice and probably a cost of $200 in air freight bills.
Bean counters are only interested in beans as numbers, whether as coffee beans (at N150 per cup) or human beans sadly needed to maintain and fly machine beans. We’re just a commodity to be acquired, ground up or disposed of like any other form of bean. If some of the beans in a can leave then it’s up to operations to acquire more stock, not up to the bean counters to ensure sufficient capital is made available so that beans are not lost.
In happier days when people like Steve Meddling was a tea boy (like ‘etienne) and Randy Organ was a senior store man, Bristow used to have personnel managers who knew who you were and who you could always call in on at the office and have a chat. People like George Pudding or Roy Birmingham who would offer you a cup of tea and a uniform shirt before you left
Now we literally have inhumane resource damagers who have no interest in looking after our interests, only in building their own empires and wearing more flashy gold jewellery and constantly singing the meaningless mantras such as One World, One Mission, One Team. Alan Bristow should sue Air Log for turning a company people used to be proud of working for into another GOM empire with a big staff turnover
In Europe it’s different – there are unions and labour laws enforced by government. Overseas, most employees work to meaningless and practically unenforceable contracts which are changed by managers on a whim with no consultation. Because we are multi-national with many different work ethics and expectations of our employers this is taken advantage of and we are mostly a disorganised rabble (and I suspect will remain so).
Aviation unions are not what they were. Most of them now are responsible organisations which have productive discussions with employers about a way forward which is mutually beneficial in that they have a happy, productive, well paid work force with low staff turn over contributing to a profitable company with contented employees. Maybe this is why pilots and engineers in Europe are so much better paid than almost all in Africa even where they are working for the same employer having contracts with the same oil companies and yet in an area where the extraction of mineral resources is considerably more expensive and difficult. The national staff unions in Nigeria are trying to fight the worst excesses of Mike Armlick, but don’t seem to have the will or the muscle power to take him on effectively. Maybe it’s time the expatriates started talking to them, working on a mutually beneficial approach in which they all presented a united front to ensure a fair deal for all employees and that managers have to consult more with staff as people, not beans.
Accountants don’t care about that. They don’t count the number of days we lose revenue because of 'nil stock', or have to try and maintain and fly machines carrying numerous MEL defects to keep contracts going because of 'nil stock'. All they do is proudly point to the fact that we have saved $10 per unit by having a particular part held in some central store in another country and only available at 5 days notice and probably a cost of $200 in air freight bills.
Bean counters are only interested in beans as numbers, whether as coffee beans (at N150 per cup) or human beans sadly needed to maintain and fly machine beans. We’re just a commodity to be acquired, ground up or disposed of like any other form of bean. If some of the beans in a can leave then it’s up to operations to acquire more stock, not up to the bean counters to ensure sufficient capital is made available so that beans are not lost.
In happier days when people like Steve Meddling was a tea boy (like ‘etienne) and Randy Organ was a senior store man, Bristow used to have personnel managers who knew who you were and who you could always call in on at the office and have a chat. People like George Pudding or Roy Birmingham who would offer you a cup of tea and a uniform shirt before you left
Now we literally have inhumane resource damagers who have no interest in looking after our interests, only in building their own empires and wearing more flashy gold jewellery and constantly singing the meaningless mantras such as One World, One Mission, One Team. Alan Bristow should sue Air Log for turning a company people used to be proud of working for into another GOM empire with a big staff turnover
In Europe it’s different – there are unions and labour laws enforced by government. Overseas, most employees work to meaningless and practically unenforceable contracts which are changed by managers on a whim with no consultation. Because we are multi-national with many different work ethics and expectations of our employers this is taken advantage of and we are mostly a disorganised rabble (and I suspect will remain so
).Aviation unions are not what they were. Most of them now are responsible organisations which have productive discussions with employers about a way forward which is mutually beneficial in that they have a happy, productive, well paid work force with low staff turn over contributing to a profitable company with contented employees. Maybe this is why pilots and engineers in Europe are so much better paid than almost all in Africa even where they are working for the same employer having contracts with the same oil companies and yet in an area where the extraction of mineral resources is considerably more expensive and difficult. The national staff unions in Nigeria are trying to fight the worst excesses of Mike Armlick, but don’t seem to have the will or the muscle power to take him on effectively. Maybe it’s time the expatriates started talking to them, working on a mutually beneficial approach in which they all presented a united front to ensure a fair deal for all employees and that managers have to consult more with staff as people, not beans.
Join Date: Jul 2006
Location: Jankara
Age: 64
Posts: 377
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
100 Estimated dead in Niger Delta fighting over 3 days
On Saturday the Nigerian military Joint Task Forces in the Niger Delta conducted a full-scale aerial & marine offensive on MEND in Rivers State including Farah Dagogo camps & Ijaw communities. the generic MEND spokesman Jomo Gbomo issued the following communiqué:
The 27 oil workers rescued [Friday] by MEND from the pirates that kidnapped them from the MT Blue Ocean and taken to the camp under attack to be offered as a reward leverage for the release of Henry Okah are trapped in the fighting between our fighters and the Nigerian military forces. The workers are made up of five expatriates from Britain, South Africa and Ukraine, while the remaining twenty two are Nigerians. It was learnt that the military on faulty intelligence as usual embarked on what is now a botched rescue attempt. Some of the oil workers are injured but are being treated with the same local herbs we are using in treating our wounded. The Red Cross or doctors from MSF should be allowed passage to attend to them. Injuries are mainly from high caliber machine guns and shrapnel. Meanwhile, two civilian communities; Elem Tombia and Ogboma have been razed to the ground by the rampaging soldiers who have not been able to take our positions. Civilian casualties are high”.
Yesterday MEND attacked the Chevron facilities at Idama and Robert Kiri, killing many soldiers. More than 20 bodies were flown out and the facilities evacuated of all civilian workers.
This morning MEND attacked Alakiri flow station resulting in more casuslties on both sides. I'm told that Shell and Chevron have now almost finished evacuating all civilian workers from Kula, Ekulama, Robert Kiri, Alakiri, Nembe Creek, Inda, Soku Gas and Cawthorne Channel flow stations.
MEND have stated that their aim is not to take hostages but to destroy oil producing facilities, but all oil industry workers are advised to evacuate all oil facilities in the Niger Delta because they may be killed in future attacks.
It's very hot out in the Delta at the moment so please be very vigilant.
The 27 oil workers rescued [Friday] by MEND from the pirates that kidnapped them from the MT Blue Ocean and taken to the camp under attack to be offered as a reward leverage for the release of Henry Okah are trapped in the fighting between our fighters and the Nigerian military forces. The workers are made up of five expatriates from Britain, South Africa and Ukraine, while the remaining twenty two are Nigerians. It was learnt that the military on faulty intelligence as usual embarked on what is now a botched rescue attempt. Some of the oil workers are injured but are being treated with the same local herbs we are using in treating our wounded. The Red Cross or doctors from MSF should be allowed passage to attend to them. Injuries are mainly from high caliber machine guns and shrapnel. Meanwhile, two civilian communities; Elem Tombia and Ogboma have been razed to the ground by the rampaging soldiers who have not been able to take our positions. Civilian casualties are high”.
Yesterday MEND attacked the Chevron facilities at Idama and Robert Kiri, killing many soldiers. More than 20 bodies were flown out and the facilities evacuated of all civilian workers.
This morning MEND attacked Alakiri flow station resulting in more casuslties on both sides. I'm told that Shell and Chevron have now almost finished evacuating all civilian workers from Kula, Ekulama, Robert Kiri, Alakiri, Nembe Creek, Inda, Soku Gas and Cawthorne Channel flow stations.
MEND have stated that their aim is not to take hostages but to destroy oil producing facilities, but all oil industry workers are advised to evacuate all oil facilities in the Niger Delta because they may be killed in future attacks.
It's very hot out in the Delta at the moment so please be very vigilant.
Join Date: Feb 2004
Location: St Pierre et Miquelon
Age: 68
Posts: 187
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
I also heard 10 going from Escravos. The Managing Pilot is joining CHC in Canada (I guess a swap for the former CHC base manager Angola, now in Escravos with PAAN) and 4 to Heli Malongo, plus 5 transferring to S92 (including the other Managing Pilot), AS332 and EC155. Maybe there are even more going now? Wouldn't be the least surprising with Bristow really just being Air Logistics re-badged to fool people into thinking they're not really working for another GOM outfit which doesn't give a damn about its staff.
Join Date: Apr 2008
Location: Out of Africa
Age: 70
Posts: 230
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Nostalgia is not what it used to be!
Bristow used to have personnel managers who knew who you were and who you could always call in on at the office and have a chat. People like George Pudding or Roy Birmingham who would offer you a cup of tea and a uniform shirt before you left 
Totally unlike the real F.C. whose favourite phrase seems to be "Who are these people?" His last tome including this phrase referred to both Escravos M.P.'s, 3 x TRE/IRE's, 2 x CP's and 2 x Safety Officers who were claiming back pay for an administrative cock up - 8 months on and we still haven't seen the outstanding cash!
Wundahfull!
Trog
Trogs,
Not only did they make you feel welcome....you were welcome! There was always a room available somewhere in the host of guest houses....a quick lunch in the dining hall....a cold beer or two dozen at the Heli Club...then back into town for a curry or fish and chips....and closing the bar at the Chequers with Jack Trigg. Of course we should not overlook "Sword Stick Tommy"....
Once saw a fellow show up and ask for an overseas posting....something about a Sheriff going to deliver a Summons....he was on the 125 flight to Kano that afternoon. (Was not I!)
Yes....the good old days!
Not only did they make you feel welcome....you were welcome! There was always a room available somewhere in the host of guest houses....a quick lunch in the dining hall....a cold beer or two dozen at the Heli Club...then back into town for a curry or fish and chips....and closing the bar at the Chequers with Jack Trigg. Of course we should not overlook "Sword Stick Tommy"....
Once saw a fellow show up and ask for an overseas posting....something about a Sheriff going to deliver a Summons....he was on the 125 flight to Kano that afternoon. (Was not I!)
Yes....the good old days!
Join Date: Aug 2007
Location: mobile
Posts: 241
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Sasless
Well said mate, I had 38 years with Bristow and the last few years with Olog were a revelation! Alan would have kicked their incompetant arses into touch, If only him and
Jack Wooley and the others were till in charge, all this c**p would end and Bristow would be back where it used to be, and leading the field, not a joke,
Jack Wooley and the others were till in charge, all this c**p would end and Bristow would be back where it used to be, and leading the field, not a joke,
Join Date: Apr 2008
Location: Out of Africa
Age: 70
Posts: 230
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
More Nostalgia!
Alan B used to interview everyone personally back in the Dark Ages.
2 x classic Q & A's
1.: -
Alan - "Where do you hope to be in 10 years time with this Company?"
Candidate - "Well Mr. Bristow - I'd like to think I would be in charge!"
Alan (in open office) - "Do you hear that you Bastards - this Ct has only been here a couple of hours and already he's after my job - OK Lad fk off to Eket - you're hired"
2: -
Alan - "Why do you want to work for a Ct like me?"
Candidate - "No other Ct will give me a job!"
Alan (in open office) - "OK Lad fk off to Eket - you're hired"
A true Manager!
Trog
2 x classic Q & A's
1.: -
Alan - "Where do you hope to be in 10 years time with this Company?"
Candidate - "Well Mr. Bristow - I'd like to think I would be in charge!"
Alan (in open office) - "Do you hear that you Bastards - this C
t has only been here a couple of hours and already he's after my job - OK Lad fk off to Eket - you're hired"2: -
Alan - "Why do you want to work for a C
t like me?"Candidate - "No other C
t will give me a job!"Alan (in open office) - "OK Lad f
k off to Eket - you're hired"A true Manager!
Trog
I must have had a charmed life.....one encounter with the old man caused Bill Barrel to actually drop the ash off his fag one morning.
Me...cowboy boots up on a desk...hiding behind a newspaper...suffering the world's second worst hangover....BB at his desk fag going.
In walks a guy....inquires of me..."Just what the bloody hell are you doing?"
Me..."I'm having a cup of tea and reading the fecking newspaper!"
The old fella stormed off....BB turned what as a ghost....the ash fell from the fag...and he stammered...."Bloody Hell Shag....you know who that was?"
Me....absolutely unmoved...."No....who was that?"
BB..."That was Mr. Bristow you ct!"
Me...thinking quite to myself....something along the lines of "Time to get my Resume' up to date....and kit packed!"
Later that afternoon....upon being summoned to "Mr. Bristow's Office" high up in the very top of the Ivory Tower"....humble face on....all prepared to get down on my knees and beg if necessary....upon apologizing to The Man....he said...."At least you knew what you were doing....unlike the rest of that lot!"
All he wanted was to have me fly him to his small cottage on the hill in the S-58T.
Me...cowboy boots up on a desk...hiding behind a newspaper...suffering the world's second worst hangover....BB at his desk fag going.
In walks a guy....inquires of me..."Just what the bloody hell are you doing?"
Me..."I'm having a cup of tea and reading the fecking newspaper!"
The old fella stormed off....BB turned what as a ghost....the ash fell from the fag...and he stammered...."Bloody Hell Shag....you know who that was?"
Me....absolutely unmoved...."No....who was that?"
BB..."That was Mr. Bristow you c
t!"Me...thinking quite to myself....something along the lines of "Time to get my Resume' up to date....and kit packed!"
Later that afternoon....upon being summoned to "Mr. Bristow's Office" high up in the very top of the Ivory Tower"....humble face on....all prepared to get down on my knees and beg if necessary....upon apologizing to The Man....he said...."At least you knew what you were doing....unlike the rest of that lot!"
All he wanted was to have me fly him to his small cottage on the hill in the S-58T.
Join Date: Sep 1998
Location: at the edge
Posts: 154
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
SAS
Those old guys in RH could certainly send you to Nigeria on the next plane and often did, including those who wanted to go to escape (usually an ex wife or some irate bloke who's wife they had been seeing) and those who didn't want to go but had to to build their character. It was the old BCAL 747 in those days which sometimes used to stop in the beautiful city of Kano.
You mentioned....Bill Barrel....what a great instructor. Did my initial instrument training with Bill in AVII round and round the Norwich hold. When it came to doing the initial approach checks and the item "seat belts and no smoking sign on" old Bill, with his fag still going would say "don't worry about that shag, just fly the f...in' aircraft and get after that QDM!!"
A true character and its ad that he's no longer with us. As hard as he could be, I learned a hell of a lot from Bill.
Old man Bristow is not at all well these days, hard as nails but jeez he had respect from just about everyone.
Those old guys in RH could certainly send you to Nigeria on the next plane and often did, including those who wanted to go to escape (usually an ex wife or some irate bloke who's wife they had been seeing) and those who didn't want to go but had to to build their character. It was the old BCAL 747 in those days which sometimes used to stop in the beautiful city of Kano.
You mentioned....Bill Barrel....what a great instructor. Did my initial instrument training with Bill in AVII round and round the Norwich hold. When it came to doing the initial approach checks and the item "seat belts and no smoking sign on" old Bill, with his fag still going would say "don't worry about that shag, just fly the f...in' aircraft and get after that QDM!!"
A true character and its ad that he's no longer with us. As hard as he could be, I learned a hell of a lot from Bill.
Old man Bristow is not at all well these days, hard as nails but jeez he had respect from just about everyone.