Flying in the Persian/Arabian Gulf
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Your assumption on the work area is correct, but nothing else changes the difference between being a full time employee of a company that pays its share of SS, workmans comp, etc and being a contractor ($500/day for Airlog, etc.) The contractor is responsible for so much more then just the taxes that all must pay. The individual doing contract work in the GoM has no chance of being tax exempt, the individual working overseas has that chance, but not all understand the IRS rules very well.
As a full time employee I do receive credit for SSA and fairly decent (not the best by any means) benefits. I am not saying that Evergreen is an awesome company to work for, but it does beat the contract work in the GoM in pay and benefits. (At least for my situation. A semi-retired guy who only wants to work a few months a year could be better off on contract, but thats the only way it makes sense to me.)
BTW, no matter where you work unless you own the company, you are a temporary employee. (Even the union shop people can be terminated, not quite as easy, but they can nonetheless.)
As a full time employee I do receive credit for SSA and fairly decent (not the best by any means) benefits. I am not saying that Evergreen is an awesome company to work for, but it does beat the contract work in the GoM in pay and benefits. (At least for my situation. A semi-retired guy who only wants to work a few months a year could be better off on contract, but thats the only way it makes sense to me.)
BTW, no matter where you work unless you own the company, you are a temporary employee. (Even the union shop people can be terminated, not quite as easy, but they can nonetheless.)
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UAE work
Can anyone give me an idea of what type of salary is being paid to heli pilots in the United Arab Emirates area - from the low hour juniors up to capt's etc.
Also - if anyone has any experience & imfo on the life of an expat there - what to expect both work and living etc ,
thanks
Also - if anyone has any experience & imfo on the life of an expat there - what to expect both work and living etc ,
thanks
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There are people from the UAE lurking on here they might give you an idea.
If you are thinking Heli-Dubai, they prefer fit 30-48 somethings with a couple of thousand hours experience.
Money is improving to make up for the expensive rent out there.
I don't know about the rest.
If you are thinking Heli-Dubai, they prefer fit 30-48 somethings with a couple of thousand hours experience.
Money is improving to make up for the expensive rent out there.
I don't know about the rest.
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Originally Posted by SASless
500 USD per day in the GOM for daytime VFR JetRanger pilots....and Louisana is very slightly better than Nigeria.
barryb
The cuisine is much better actually.....corndogs at the corner station and other delicacies!
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Having recently re-read this whole thread, yes all of it, it would seem that not much has changed re. the main three operators out there in the UAE.
Heli Dubai keeps popping up but I cannot find out that much about them. Web site not fully operational yet and most of the info online is of the press release kind......so.
Would very much like to find out more about these fellas. Has any of the expansion that was talked about last year really taken place? Are they branching out into offshore? How many aircraft do they have? Does anybody know anybody who actually works for them?
That should about do it for now. Thanks guys.
AirWon
Heli Dubai keeps popping up but I cannot find out that much about them. Web site not fully operational yet and most of the info online is of the press release kind......so.
Would very much like to find out more about these fellas. Has any of the expansion that was talked about last year really taken place? Are they branching out into offshore? How many aircraft do they have? Does anybody know anybody who actually works for them?
That should about do it for now. Thanks guys.
AirWon
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Ok, so what this I have been hearing about Falcon Aviation in Abu Dhabi? Are they really going to try and compete with ADA? Is Phil Markham the DO? Do they have any contracts? Are they looking for people? Do you have any contact info?
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Drooping Turns
For what it's worth, Evergreen is opening a SAR operation in Dubai at the end of August. Any bets as to whether they get it stood up on time? B-412's and AW-139.. They are offering $400/380 for Captians and FO's respectively on a 8/4 rotation. Prior SAR experience required. If interested, contact the McMinnville office.
Like as not, they will lose the contract for non-performance.
DT
Like as not, they will lose the contract for non-performance.
DT
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SAR in Dubai
Drooping Turns, I don't want to be a doubting Thomas being new to this forum. But where do you get you information about Evergreen? I know they have the Philippines. Just curious at this point.
Thanks, KM
Thanks, KM
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Mmmmm ....
I don't know where that little Gem of info has come from .... but dare I say that Evergreens close ties to the US Military and in particular the CIA might make for some very interesting politics around Dubai.
Perhaps their Ops. will only be SAR coverage for US military aircraft operations in the UAE ie Ops from MinHad AFB or Al Dhafra AFB?
I cannot see the UAE Air Force / Police giving up their cosy SAR jobs especially since they are re-equiping with AW139s.
I doubt it will happen .... but will wait and see?????
Cheers
I don't know where that little Gem of info has come from .... but dare I say that Evergreens close ties to the US Military and in particular the CIA might make for some very interesting politics around Dubai.
Perhaps their Ops. will only be SAR coverage for US military aircraft operations in the UAE ie Ops from MinHad AFB or Al Dhafra AFB?
I cannot see the UAE Air Force / Police giving up their cosy SAR jobs especially since they are re-equiping with AW139s.
I doubt it will happen .... but will wait and see?????
Cheers
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drooping turns
Miracle,
I work for the Green Machine in the GOM. They tried to recruit me for the Dubai job. You can read their advertisement at www.Evergreenaviation.com.
I didn't want the extended family seperation, so turned it down. Didn't bother to ask who the customer was. Government or industry? All I know is that it was 15 minute alert, 24/7.
I work for the Green Machine in the GOM. They tried to recruit me for the Dubai job. You can read their advertisement at www.Evergreenaviation.com.
I didn't want the extended family seperation, so turned it down. Didn't bother to ask who the customer was. Government or industry? All I know is that it was 15 minute alert, 24/7.
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Kharg Island, Iran
Originally Posted by SASless
Anyone know of an operator flying offshore in the Persian Gulf....in the Kharg (Khark) Island area? We have seen a helicopter landing at an offshore platform adjacent to the Saudi Aramco Marjan field and are interested in making contact with them in order to coordinate traffic advisories.
I am aware of Gulf Helicopters operating out of Kish (Qeyes) Island in that a dear friend is flying on that operation.
I am aware of Gulf Helicopters operating out of Kish (Qeyes) Island in that a dear friend is flying on that operation.
ADA has three 212s working out of Kharg. Heli Union left a year ago. Gulf is in the process of vacating Kish as we speak. It'll be only ADA very soon. The 212s monitor 121.5 for talking to the flat tops and also the Busher radar frequency. They can see your aircraft across from Foruzan field but none of them are about to venture over an international boundary without a clearance so collision avoidance is not an issue there. If it were solid Iranian crews they might fly west thinking they were going east but these aircraft have foreign captains.
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Falcon
Falcon is Evergreen's local partner for the SAR. They have 14 ADA pilot resumes on their desk but no one has accepted the less than satisfactory offers. Evergreen is in a panic situation to get the crews trained in time. Having said that the SAR will undoubtedly be the first of many contracts. They have to start somewhere. Falcon is owned by some sheik with about three small corporate twins. They have very limited capability, thus Evergreen and their hardware. Iran has a huge demand for aircraft right now that ADA can not fill but Evergreen being American will not be able to send airframes there. If Falcon buys them they can do it.
Last edited by allwornout; 28th Jul 2006 at 09:24.
Yes, it's true. Contract due to kick-off at the end of August. Typically for non accompanied tour, but some accomodations are in the works for those that would like to take their family.
400$ day plus 24 perdiem is what I was quoted.
Two years contract. It seems interesting, but not enough money.
400$ day plus 24 perdiem is what I was quoted.
Two years contract. It seems interesting, but not enough money.
600 USD per day in the GOM for Airlog (day vfr Bell 206)....now go figure?
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could be worse
Originally Posted by Yarba
r44,
I#ve never been fired by anybody. I'm one of few pilots who left ADA of his own chosing. Tel me about good jobs and lifestyles in the Middle east if you're so knowledgeable about area? Wonderful housing and money with ADA!! Great money and beautiful maintain helicopters with Gulf
. Beautiful treatment and lovely lifestyle as contract pilot with ARAMCO? Wonderful salary with Aerogulf? Lovely lifestyle in Kish? Perhaps you like being shot in Yemen? Yes the salary is very good if you want to fly in Baghdad, but I don't think a good lifestyle? If you are one of few lucky enough for Dubai Air Wing or Oman Royal Flight, okay maybe things are a bit better. So tell us about all the other good place with great salary and lifestyle?
I#ve never been fired by anybody. I'm one of few pilots who left ADA of his own chosing. Tel me about good jobs and lifestyles in the Middle east if you're so knowledgeable about area? Wonderful housing and money with ADA!! Great money and beautiful maintain helicopters with Gulf
. Beautiful treatment and lovely lifestyle as contract pilot with ARAMCO? Wonderful salary with Aerogulf? Lovely lifestyle in Kish? Perhaps you like being shot in Yemen? Yes the salary is very good if you want to fly in Baghdad, but I don't think a good lifestyle? If you are one of few lucky enough for Dubai Air Wing or Oman Royal Flight, okay maybe things are a bit better. So tell us about all the other good place with great salary and lifestyle?You fellows should take Yarba's advice with a grain of salt. He sounds like a guy who always quits before they have a chance to fire his ass. ADA $100,000 a year if you do a couple of workovers, but maybe that's not enough tax free monrey for him. ADA has a pilot who has to take $3800 out of his own pocket to get an apartment downtown. Aerogulf pilots only make 16,000 D a month but they get a 100,000 Dirham apartment plus schooling, plus tickets for wife too......... lets add all that up and see what we get..... Gulf Heli has good accomodations and wives can come and get a job. $80,000 for the pilot and $40,000 for the wife, if she's a professional, and the school's paid for the kids... Aramco fulltime guys get a good house, good rotation and a ****load of greenbacks. Training guys about $150,000. I never got shot at in Yemen because I didn't fly within small arms range. Every time I go to a country where the pilots are getting hit, it's because they are flying on the deck. One would think that if you do, you are asking to get shot at, wouldn't one??? Dubai Air Wing lucky? First of all it's a Brit Navy old boy's club. Secondly, you're either first on call, second on call, or third on call. What about a day off??? And Kish is a good spot. It's got great beaches, jet skis, horse rentals, lots and lots of pretty ladies, modern malls, albeit they are small, any food you want, hookers for single guys, low prices on everything, and an easy job....and you can take your wife with you too..... compare that to 8 hours a day moving drills in the mountains on a long line and paying tax.....
Bottom line, you get whiners everywhere you go. The worst things about the Middle East are the heat, the lack of anything green, and that you can only buy real estate in selective little enclaves and have to pay $250,000 and up USD for an apartment. That makes this place a spot to come to for a few years, earn some tax free dollars, and get the hell out. Nobody comes here to retire. But to bad mouth the place to the guys who need some tax free dollars for a few years just doesn't sit right with me. Definately some deep seeded hatred there...
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OK, whatever. Wonder why ADA asked me to stay on after I quit (which I did for a few months to help them out) and why they gave me the letter I still have saying I would be welcome back any time.
It's awaste of time talking about workovers if that's what you have to do to make money. The reason they always need workovers is because they're always short of pilots.
Wow, $80,000 for a pilot - almost what a senior co-pilot makes on the North Sea, but it's okay, the salary is so good you have to bring your wife over to work (if she's professional!) to make good money. SASless wouldn't agree with you about greenbacks in Aramco.
If you remember one of the ADA pilots was shot when he was near the deck - oh yes, he was taking off!
You pretty much summed it up when you said what I've said all along:
Glad to see we're totally in agreement 
It's awaste of time talking about workovers if that's what you have to do to make money. The reason they always need workovers is because they're always short of pilots.
Wow, $80,000 for a pilot - almost what a senior co-pilot makes on the North Sea, but it's okay, the salary is so good you have to bring your wife over to work (if she's professional!) to make good money. SASless wouldn't agree with you about greenbacks in Aramco.
If you remember one of the ADA pilots was shot when he was near the deck - oh yes, he was taking off!
You pretty much summed it up when you said what I've said all along:
The worst things about the Middle East are the heat, the lack of anything green, and that you can only buy real estate in selective little enclaves and have to pay $250,000 and up USD for an apartment. That makes this place a spot to come to for a few years, earn some tax free dollars, and get the hell out. Nobody comes here to retire.
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Kharg Island
Originally Posted by allwornout
Reply
ADA has three 212s working out of Kharg. Heli Union left a year ago. Gulf is in the process of vacating Kish as we speak. It'll be only ADA very soon. The 212s monitor 121.5 for talking to the flat tops and also the Busher radar frequency. They can see your aircraft across from Foruzan field but none of them are about to venture over an international boundary without a clearance so collision avoidance is not an issue there. If it were solid Iranian crews they might fly west thinking they were going east but these aircraft have foreign captains.
ADA has three 212s working out of Kharg. Heli Union left a year ago. Gulf is in the process of vacating Kish as we speak. It'll be only ADA very soon. The 212s monitor 121.5 for talking to the flat tops and also the Busher radar frequency. They can see your aircraft across from Foruzan field but none of them are about to venture over an international boundary without a clearance so collision avoidance is not an issue there. If it were solid Iranian crews they might fly west thinking they were going east but these aircraft have foreign captains.
Cheers