North Sea Job Prospects
I have always been of the opinion that your letter should be addressed to the correct individual, not his position. It might not make any difference to the eventual outcome but it does show that you made the effort to find out.
The downside is that you have to make sure that you have written to the correct person, so although the BHAB handbook is a good starting point, personalities change, so ALWAYS phone the head office number and ask for the name and contact address for the Chief Pilot, Head of Flight Ops etc. Word of warning, be prepared for the Chief Pilot to answer the phone, especially in the smaller companies - don't burble if he asks you what you want!
Good Luck
TeeS
The downside is that you have to make sure that you have written to the correct person, so although the BHAB handbook is a good starting point, personalities change, so ALWAYS phone the head office number and ask for the name and contact address for the Chief Pilot, Head of Flight Ops etc. Word of warning, be prepared for the Chief Pilot to answer the phone, especially in the smaller companies - don't burble if he asks you what you want!
Good Luck
TeeS
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Erchie,
Two weeks ago, I was advised to write to the following:
Bond = Malcolm Payne
CHC Europe = Susan Coutts
Bristow = Paul Quick
Man thats all the guy wanted to know, was it really that hard to give him the answer?
Good luck Erchie
Nick
Two weeks ago, I was advised to write to the following:
Bond = Malcolm Payne
CHC Europe = Susan Coutts
Bristow = Paul Quick
Man thats all the guy wanted to know, was it really that hard to give him the answer?
Good luck Erchie
Nick
Nigerian In Law
I think the Bristow man is Dave Miller who is in Aberdeen. He was listed as the Head of Flight Ops last time I looked. But I willingly stand to be corrected if I'm wrong 
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And now you have to pester them. Malcolm Paine said to me, " I have over 200 applications here from newbies, where do I start? " Make sure they know your name. The odd phone call every couple of months or so. Got another 20 hours? Let them know - but at the end of the day, it seems to be who, rather than what you know, to get aboard the good ship North Sea. The pilots up there seem to be treated like crap anyway !
TFS
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TheFlyingSquirrel
"The pilots up there seem to be treated like crap anyway"
Is that a fact. I wish you guys would get your facts straight. I talk to them and they are NOT treated like crap.
Jealousy is a terrible thing
Jon
Is that a fact. I wish you guys would get your facts straight. I talk to them and they are NOT treated like crap.
Jealousy is a terrible thing
Jon
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"Treated like crap"
At least 'crap' doesn't have its pension scheme destroyed by an HR (human refuse) director. Nor does SAR 'crap' have its terms and conditions trashed by same HR director, without negotiation. Or, at least, notifying said SAR 'crap' that Ts and Cs were to be trashed. Said HR director has made recovering all he 'gave away' with Benchmarking, his vocation for the last three years. He has almost succeeded! Perhaps it is time to teach him a lesson.
So, "treated like crap?" It all depends on your point of view. If working wearing a rubber bag, strapped into a noisy, vibrating metal box, over one of the most hostile environments, is your cup of tea, then OK. To receive probably the highest salaries you can get as a helicopter pilot anywhere for what you do, OK. Expect to be treated like an intelligent employee/human being, perhaps! But not with the current style/type of manager in North Sea operators.
As I said above: its all in your point of view!
North Sea pilots WILL be treated like crap, as long as they allow the so called 'managements' to do so.
PS. You obviously have a short memory, JB!!
PPS. For Bristow, Dave Miller is your man, (Flight Operations Director, Europe). He also has a list of 200 wanabes in his filing cabinet.
bondu
At least 'crap' doesn't have its pension scheme destroyed by an HR (human refuse) director. Nor does SAR 'crap' have its terms and conditions trashed by same HR director, without negotiation. Or, at least, notifying said SAR 'crap' that Ts and Cs were to be trashed. Said HR director has made recovering all he 'gave away' with Benchmarking, his vocation for the last three years. He has almost succeeded! Perhaps it is time to teach him a lesson.
So, "treated like crap?" It all depends on your point of view. If working wearing a rubber bag, strapped into a noisy, vibrating metal box, over one of the most hostile environments, is your cup of tea, then OK. To receive probably the highest salaries you can get as a helicopter pilot anywhere for what you do, OK. Expect to be treated like an intelligent employee/human being, perhaps! But not with the current style/type of manager in North Sea operators.
As I said above: its all in your point of view!
North Sea pilots WILL be treated like crap, as long as they allow the so called 'managements' to do so.
PS. You obviously have a short memory, JB!!
PPS. For Bristow, Dave Miller is your man, (Flight Operations Director, Europe). He also has a list of 200 wanabes in his filing cabinet.
bondu
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Memories
I have not got a short memory, thought the pay was excellent but knew due to the huge increase pensions would suffer in the long run.
Also saw redundancies coming.
Have been able to look from the outside with some contact on the inside.
When I first started at BOND there were alot of pilots and time off. This has now stopped and everybody is working there backsides off. Tiredness sets in and people get to niggle over everything. I know I saw it from both sides.
Hope to get back sometime soon and complain with you.
Bondu you need a holiday you are too uptight.
JB
Also saw redundancies coming.
Have been able to look from the outside with some contact on the inside.
When I first started at BOND there were alot of pilots and time off. This has now stopped and everybody is working there backsides off. Tiredness sets in and people get to niggle over everything. I know I saw it from both sides.
Hope to get back sometime soon and complain with you.
Bondu you need a holiday you are too uptight.
JB
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I fly for one of these north sea companies, although in england not aberdeen and do not consider that I am "treated like crap".
also when I look at my pay check each month I think we are one of the few helicopter jobs that is paid properly, I consider that it is many of the onshore salaries that are unrealistically low, having come from that enviroment
I only work just over 1/2 the days in a year, get TWICE as much as I was earning onshore and am finished by lunchtime on an early and typcally dont start till 4pm on a late shift and finish mid evening.
if its so crap why do so many onshore guys want to do it ?
as for contacts I am pretty sure at the moment its
Bristow= paul quick
CHC=peter bakke
bond=malcolm paine
regards
CF
also when I look at my pay check each month I think we are one of the few helicopter jobs that is paid properly, I consider that it is many of the onshore salaries that are unrealistically low, having come from that enviroment
I only work just over 1/2 the days in a year, get TWICE as much as I was earning onshore and am finished by lunchtime on an early and typcally dont start till 4pm on a late shift and finish mid evening.
if its so crap why do so many onshore guys want to do it ?
as for contacts I am pretty sure at the moment its
Bristow= paul quick
CHC=peter bakke
bond=malcolm paine
regards
CF
Last edited by Camp Freddie; 6th Jun 2005 at 06:39.
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I'm glad to hear that all and I retract my statement. This is the danger of pprune - if you go back and look at what the North Sea guys have to say over previous posts, it generally holds a negative hue. I'm glad you're not treated like crap and more like the professional, respectable pilots that you are. I am certainly not jealous and did not want you to think that I was implying that in any capacity. Good luck to all of you.
TFS
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At the moment the N Sea is going through a confused period.
Contracts are changing companies.
Pilots are being made vol redundant then hired back as contractors.
Pilot over manning one day is recruitment drive the next. The oil companies are screaming for aircraft and crews which aren't there so it is chaos.
In amongst all this the helicopter companies think that they can drive down costs (salaries) when there is an obvious shortage of experienced pilots. This is now and doesn't take account of the 20 odd new pilot posts that are going to be created by bp's SAR JIGSAW project due to start 4Q 2005 or 1Q 2006.
Now is the time for salaries to be increased. CHC pilots are working on this and we should support them - even those in Bond
.
Contract day rates have increased by 28% because of the shortage so money is available. (Don’t forget the oil company profits at the moment are very high)
For pilots wanting to join the companies don't be put off by the famous quote used by all recruiters “I have 200 CVs in my drawer" The last time we had a requirement for pilots the 200 CVs vaporized as most of the pilots had jobs already.
The names you have seen in the posts are accurate as far as I know but a quick phone call would give you the right answer.
Remember not to sell your self short if you are experienced with an IR as there is a shortage at the moment.
Good luck to you all but remember that N Sea flying is very boring, with 2 hr legs flown by the autopilot while you gaze at the grey N Sea.
332M
Contracts are changing companies.
Pilots are being made vol redundant then hired back as contractors.
Pilot over manning one day is recruitment drive the next. The oil companies are screaming for aircraft and crews which aren't there so it is chaos.
In amongst all this the helicopter companies think that they can drive down costs (salaries) when there is an obvious shortage of experienced pilots. This is now and doesn't take account of the 20 odd new pilot posts that are going to be created by bp's SAR JIGSAW project due to start 4Q 2005 or 1Q 2006.
Now is the time for salaries to be increased. CHC pilots are working on this and we should support them - even those in Bond
.Contract day rates have increased by 28% because of the shortage so money is available. (Don’t forget the oil company profits at the moment are very high)
For pilots wanting to join the companies don't be put off by the famous quote used by all recruiters “I have 200 CVs in my drawer" The last time we had a requirement for pilots the 200 CVs vaporized as most of the pilots had jobs already.
The names you have seen in the posts are accurate as far as I know but a quick phone call would give you the right answer.
Remember not to sell your self short if you are experienced with an IR as there is a shortage at the moment.
Good luck to you all but remember that N Sea flying is very boring, with 2 hr legs flown by the autopilot while you gaze at the grey N Sea.
332M
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332mistress,
you described our current situation accurately.
Though may I add that we down south have a bit more exciting flying life.
We do something like 4 landings an hour depending which base you get to.
And we get a high quality of life thrown in as well.
you described our current situation accurately.
Though may I add that we down south have a bit more exciting flying life.
We do something like 4 landings an hour depending which base you get to.
And we get a high quality of life thrown in as well.
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I have 4000 hours onshore experiance. No IR. ATPL Theory Credits.
What are the chances of me geting work offshore (Northsea)
and
What would the pay be like for someone with my experiance?
Would I have to pay for my own IR now?
or
Do the offshore operators still pay and simply bond you?
What are the chances of me geting work offshore (Northsea)
and
What would the pay be like for someone with my experiance?
Would I have to pay for my own IR now?
or
Do the offshore operators still pay and simply bond you?
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NorthSea
You would need to ask the 3 Helicopter Companies that question. Do you have twin time?
If so, you could not go wrong with an IR rating.
But please write to Bond, Bristow and CHC-Scotia they are very friendly.
Jon
If so, you could not go wrong with an IR rating.
But please write to Bond, Bristow and CHC-Scotia they are very friendly.
Jon
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Hello all,
I hope you don't mind if I digress slightly. I realise that there are several people writing on this thread who currently work the north sea so I just want to pick their brains.
I haven't flown heli's before, just a RAF flying schol. I know I want to fly for a living and I am very much attracted to flying helicopters rather than fixed wing. I wrote to the 3 companies in Aberdeen and like all who write in the aviation business, didn't get any response. I made a followed up telephone call to each, two were unavailable to chat and the other hadn't even heard of my name. Hence I'm writing to you.
In a nutshell, I'd love to hear your opinions on the following:
1) Financing my training? Where's a good place (ie bank) to lay your hands on the cash? Any sponsorship schemes whatsoever to ease the financial burden at the mo?
2) Within the heli community, what are deemed as the 'good jobs'? I know its horses for courses, but a few opinions would be interesting.
3) Best flying schools? Are there any schools which are preferred or have a good reputation?
4) Any general advice on entering the industry right now?
When listening to pilots on this site, there's often an awful lot of cynicism. I don't want to be moaned at, in my opinion, even a bad job in the air is ten times better than a good job at a desk. Please right back with balanced replies rather than just a whinge. Plus feel free to tell me all the good stuff too!
Cheers all, and once again good luck erchie, he did start this thread and all!
Nick
I hope you don't mind if I digress slightly. I realise that there are several people writing on this thread who currently work the north sea so I just want to pick their brains.
I haven't flown heli's before, just a RAF flying schol. I know I want to fly for a living and I am very much attracted to flying helicopters rather than fixed wing. I wrote to the 3 companies in Aberdeen and like all who write in the aviation business, didn't get any response. I made a followed up telephone call to each, two were unavailable to chat and the other hadn't even heard of my name. Hence I'm writing to you.
In a nutshell, I'd love to hear your opinions on the following:
1) Financing my training? Where's a good place (ie bank) to lay your hands on the cash? Any sponsorship schemes whatsoever to ease the financial burden at the mo?
2) Within the heli community, what are deemed as the 'good jobs'? I know its horses for courses, but a few opinions would be interesting.
3) Best flying schools? Are there any schools which are preferred or have a good reputation?
4) Any general advice on entering the industry right now?
When listening to pilots on this site, there's often an awful lot of cynicism. I don't want to be moaned at, in my opinion, even a bad job in the air is ten times better than a good job at a desk. Please right back with balanced replies rather than just a whinge. Plus feel free to tell me all the good stuff too!
Cheers all, and once again good luck erchie, he did start this thread and all!
Nick
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Hi jb: you're quite right. I do need a holiday!!!
I've also worked onshore and seen the business from both sides. The salaries for the onshore guys (EMS and Police) are woeful - that's the reason I left an EMS job I really loved and returned to the North Sea. I did say that as North Sea pilots, we received the best salaries around.
I don't know where Camp Freddie works, but in Aberdeen most pilots are working, on average, 215 days a year. Early starts: 0645 take off (0545 report), but could still be flying at 1900, if on standby and called in late, still on 'earlies'. Lates could mean anything from 1000 to 1900 take off. Yes, there are many who would give their granny away for a job up here in 'grey old Aberdeen' (thanks jb!), even with the rubber bags, (maybe because of the rubber bags!!), the bad weather, poor scheduling etc. But the money is good. As i said in my previous post, it all depends on your point of view. What do you want out of your life in the commercial helicopter world? Money? Or job satisfaction? Both?
As for contacts at Bristow:
Dave Miller is Flight Operations Director, Europe, based in Aberdeen.
Paul Quick is Chief Training Captain, based in Aberdeen.
Thomas the Tank Engine; drop a line to either Dave Miller or Paul Quick at Bristow. There is still a shortage of co-pilots at the moment. Not sure how long it will last though, as 332 Mistress said, its a very confusing situation at the moment.
Its not all bad up here; its June 6th and we have a ground frost warning for tonight!
I've also worked onshore and seen the business from both sides. The salaries for the onshore guys (EMS and Police) are woeful - that's the reason I left an EMS job I really loved and returned to the North Sea. I did say that as North Sea pilots, we received the best salaries around.
I don't know where Camp Freddie works, but in Aberdeen most pilots are working, on average, 215 days a year. Early starts: 0645 take off (0545 report), but could still be flying at 1900, if on standby and called in late, still on 'earlies'. Lates could mean anything from 1000 to 1900 take off. Yes, there are many who would give their granny away for a job up here in 'grey old Aberdeen' (thanks jb!), even with the rubber bags, (maybe because of the rubber bags!!), the bad weather, poor scheduling etc. But the money is good. As i said in my previous post, it all depends on your point of view. What do you want out of your life in the commercial helicopter world? Money? Or job satisfaction? Both?
As for contacts at Bristow:
Dave Miller is Flight Operations Director, Europe, based in Aberdeen.
Paul Quick is Chief Training Captain, based in Aberdeen.
Thomas the Tank Engine; drop a line to either Dave Miller or Paul Quick at Bristow. There is still a shortage of co-pilots at the moment. Not sure how long it will last though, as 332 Mistress said, its a very confusing situation at the moment.
Its not all bad up here; its June 6th and we have a ground frost warning for tonight!
nicksmalley
There have been many questions like this and a search of PPrune would give you alot of info.
There are one or two cardinal points you have to consider first.
1. Are you medically fit and capable of holding a CAA class one medical. If not, do not pass Go, as no medical no job.
2. Are you reasonably co-ordinated with the ability to do routine tasks while thinking ahead. Anybody can be taught to fly but it is "operating" the aircraft that some people who have come to the N Sea have been chopped on. The process of flying the a/c has taken up all their brain power and nothing has been left to operate the a/c - flight plan, load plan, weather factors etc.
HF
There have been many questions like this and a search of PPrune would give you alot of info.
There are one or two cardinal points you have to consider first.
1. Are you medically fit and capable of holding a CAA class one medical. If not, do not pass Go, as no medical no job.
2. Are you reasonably co-ordinated with the ability to do routine tasks while thinking ahead. Anybody can be taught to fly but it is "operating" the aircraft that some people who have come to the N Sea have been chopped on. The process of flying the a/c has taken up all their brain power and nothing has been left to operate the a/c - flight plan, load plan, weather factors etc.
HF
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Hummingfrog,
In response:
1) I know about the other posts but this thread is being read by pilots working the North Sea so I want them to see it.
2) I hold a CAA Class 1 Medical
3) I haven't given a Puma a go yet so I can't really answer your last point. But I'm switched on, gained a Masters in Aeronautical Engineering and excelled in my Flying Scholarship so in my humble opinion, yes I do have the potential ability to "operate" the aircraft.
Didn't really answer any of my points so please let this topic continue.
Thanks
Nick
In response:
1) I know about the other posts but this thread is being read by pilots working the North Sea so I want them to see it.
2) I hold a CAA Class 1 Medical
3) I haven't given a Puma a go yet so I can't really answer your last point. But I'm switched on, gained a Masters in Aeronautical Engineering and excelled in my Flying Scholarship so in my humble opinion, yes I do have the potential ability to "operate" the aircraft.
Didn't really answer any of my points so please let this topic continue.
Thanks
Nick
Nick
Good to hear you have the the medical and the ability (though out of 16 uni graduates on my RAF entry 8 were chopped!!!)
To answer your particular questions in order:-
1. Finance. I know of no particular bank who lends money without something in the way of security for their money - house etc. No sponsorships are on offer at the moment as there seems to be a supply of wannabees who have funded themselves.
2. Good Jobs. Very difficult to answer as pilots put different requirements at the top of their lists. Here are some advantages and disadvantages.
N Sea Aberdeen -- Salary best: Lifestyle OK most nights at home: Early starts 0600 in at work. Flying - boring mostly on autopilot over the sea. Command by seniority
N. Sea offshore based --Salary best: Lifestyle OK but 15 days out of 28 at work and away from home - compensated by equal time off and leave. Although Bond, rumour has it, will only be giving 2 weeks leave to their Jigsaw crews: Flying lots of hands on while shuttling on average of 3hrs/day (very variable). Bond Jigsaw may be very boring as it seems all they will do is train as the chance of an actual SAROP is about 0.001%
Southern N Sea/Liverpool Bay. -- Salary and Lifestyle as N Sea Aberdeen: Flying a little more hands on as it includes short sectors and shuttling. Command by seniority
Police/HEMS/SAR. Salary not as good as N Sea: Lifestyle good as home every night with, depending on company, a good roster: Flying probably the most enjoyable and demanding as Police/HEMS is single pilot so not open to inexperienced.
Corporate. Salary probably similar to Police etc: Lifestyle very varied depending on company. Some require detachments away in the summer. At beck and call of client but you may go to some interesting places. Flying. Demanding in some jobs as you may be operating off the back of a boat or into London. Again not for the inexperienced.
I only have personal experience of the RAF and N/Southern N Sea so others may give you a more accurate picture of the others.
3. Flying schools - the best I know is the RAF
4. If you don't have a CPL(IR), then at the moment the offshore companies are not interested. This may change as recruitment is very fluid. I visited a company in 1990 with an ATPL and was offered a job on the Puma starting the next day!!. 12 months later I would not have been able to get a job with any offshore company as they were full.
HF
Good to hear you have the the medical and the ability (though out of 16 uni graduates on my RAF entry 8 were chopped!!!)
To answer your particular questions in order:-
1. Finance. I know of no particular bank who lends money without something in the way of security for their money - house etc. No sponsorships are on offer at the moment as there seems to be a supply of wannabees who have funded themselves.
2. Good Jobs. Very difficult to answer as pilots put different requirements at the top of their lists. Here are some advantages and disadvantages.
N Sea Aberdeen -- Salary best: Lifestyle OK most nights at home: Early starts 0600 in at work. Flying - boring mostly on autopilot over the sea. Command by seniority
N. Sea offshore based --Salary best: Lifestyle OK but 15 days out of 28 at work and away from home - compensated by equal time off and leave. Although Bond, rumour has it, will only be giving 2 weeks leave to their Jigsaw crews: Flying lots of hands on while shuttling on average of 3hrs/day (very variable). Bond Jigsaw may be very boring as it seems all they will do is train as the chance of an actual SAROP is about 0.001%
Southern N Sea/Liverpool Bay. -- Salary and Lifestyle as N Sea Aberdeen: Flying a little more hands on as it includes short sectors and shuttling. Command by seniority
Police/HEMS/SAR. Salary not as good as N Sea: Lifestyle good as home every night with, depending on company, a good roster: Flying probably the most enjoyable and demanding as Police/HEMS is single pilot so not open to inexperienced.
Corporate. Salary probably similar to Police etc: Lifestyle very varied depending on company. Some require detachments away in the summer. At beck and call of client but you may go to some interesting places. Flying. Demanding in some jobs as you may be operating off the back of a boat or into London. Again not for the inexperienced.
I only have personal experience of the RAF and N/Southern N Sea so others may give you a more accurate picture of the others.
3. Flying schools - the best I know is the RAF
4. If you don't have a CPL(IR), then at the moment the offshore companies are not interested. This may change as recruitment is very fluid. I visited a company in 1990 with an ATPL and was offered a job on the Puma starting the next day!!. 12 months later I would not have been able to get a job with any offshore company as they were full.
HF