General consensus of opinion??
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Joined: Dec 2000
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From: Ask the voices!
General consensus of opinion??
To all of you non-North Sea Pilots and engineers... .. .What is the general opinion of the North Sea work?. .. .What do you peeps think of the job as a whole?. .. .Would you do it?. .. .If not why not?. .. .Just interested to see what people think.. .. ."Some days you are the pigeon, some days you are the statue!"
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Helieng,. .I can't comment as to the job satisfaction, as I am not qualified, having never worked for any length in the North Sea.. .. .But I can coment on the general skill level of those I have flown with who work the North Sea. They are in a class among the most skilled helo pilots in the world, due to a combination of weather, environment and politics (where the customer and passengers are especially demanding).. .. .The combination of instrument skills, adherence to procedures and professional attitude is really exemplary.
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Nick,. .Very kind of you to say that. As a N Sea pilot myself I think that in general we are a highly skilled bunch. We are good at what we do, but then so are the bush pilots in Oz, the Tuna spotters in the pacific, the loggers in Canada & Alaska, etc. I have met helicopter pilots from all over the world and, in general, I have found them to be highly professional people.. .. .HeliEng,. .Why do I do it? because I enjoy it, and as we now get paid a little better, for the money. If the truth be told money does make a difference.. .. .safe flying,. .Chopperman.
Joined: Oct 2001
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From: North Sea and elsewhere
I know this was addressed to non North Sea folk but as a North Sea driver, I have to acknowledge the high professional standards of the engineering community with whom I work. The aircraft are flying a high number of hours and are not available to our maintainers for long before they are next needed on the line. The inherent nature of complex helicopters are such that defect rectification is a bit like a M.A.S.H. field hospital. "Incoming wounded" is the call from Engineering when a returning aircraft calls in "returning u/s". Unfortunately, our line engineering staff don't get the support from management with the required level of second line support,spares ,equipment, hangar facilities or continuation training. It should not be like fighting a front line war all the time. But our guys keep on producing the goods.
Joined: Sep 2001
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From: South of 60
The North Sea. That sometimes mystical, almost always intense land of real IFR. . .. .While I've not yet had the chance to fly there myself, I do count among my friends many pilots and engineers who have spent considerable time in and around Aberdeen. . .. .My general opinion of North Sea work is that it requires genuine committment on the part of those who wish to work there. The conditions, I'm told, can at times be VERY difficult and this (according to friends) only seems to strengthen the resolve to remain professional. . .. .What do I think of the job as a whole? I think it represents one of the most challenging environments on the planet to operate rotorcraft in on a daily basis and that means those working there have to be up to the task. I suspect a person has to really want to be there. If and when some licensing issues get sorted out (ICAO/JAR), I would very much enjoy giving the North Sea a try.. .. .A challenging environment coupled with crews who know how to do it right, that suits me just fine. I think most would agree that time spent working in the North Sea looks great on a CV, but more importantly, might make one realize just how much they are capable of.. .. .Cheers <img border="0" title="" alt="[Smile]" src="smile.gif" />
Joined: Jul 1999
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From: UK
Well, Helieng. I tried it a long time ago when I left the Navy in 1976. The pay was damned good then by comparison with what I'd been on but I was disappointed with the atmosphere between management and pilots and I found the work extremely dull. I started looking for another job after 3 months and have had a lot of fun around the world as a result.. .. .Incidentally, training standards then were awful because you could never get your hands on a spare aircraft. No sims available for the S61. Some of the management pilots were downright dangerous as a result. Certainly without my forcible intervention we would have ditched once, and run out of fuel once.. .. .Be that as it may, you have to take your hat off to the massive job that has being done, day in, day out for the last 30+ years. I just don't want to be there doing it!
Joined: Sep 2001
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From: CA
My 5 cents...... .. .Offshore is (dare I say out loud....) BORING.. .. .Having done it for 2yrs, I won't be sad if I never see another rigpig for the rest of my life. The most memorable days are the dangerous ones where you are out in 50 - 70kts, huge sea states and the complete opposite days of deep thick fog. Thats just wrong. . .I worked a small field with 20 platforms and the straight and level offshore for only 25 - 50 miles bored me to tears after a year. Hats off to you blokes who do the 3hrs out and 3 back.... ******s me how you can stand it. <img border="0" title="" alt="[Smile]" src="smile.gif" /> . .It is repeditive and often very low in the job satisfaction rating. It is good for comraderie and working with other experienced guys and there is little demand from management to compromise your personal standards.. .Regardless of that the aircraft's sole tasking is to support the accumulation of wealth. . .I find the EMS mission to be a little more important. . .It is also untrue to state that offshore do the best IFR in the world. Very few obstacles at sealevel 60 miles offshore. . .I would say the drivers on EMS along the Canada/USA border are the most experienced at actual IFR op's, with having to deal with extreme wx, traffic, complex airspace and remote area operations. . .One of the most competent IFR helo drivers I have met was ex-polair pilot from Melbourne, OZ. Some of his experiences would stand your hair on end.. .Appart from all that, I salute the guys for getting together and achieving pay equity with the slabwing drivers. You guys have lead the way for the industry and your solidarity is inspiring. Fly Safe and watch those cranes. <img border="0" title="" alt="[Big Grin]" src="biggrin.gif" />
Joined: Feb 2002
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From: Dunno, I'm lost!
You're going to have to excuse me but this subject touches on my pet hate.. .I flew the North Sea for two years for one reason only, hours. Flying the North Sea provides hours.. .The work is dull. Once you have got to grips with the paperwork, the challenge ends.. .North Sea pilots have managed, very successfully, to create a myth about what they do. I found the flying the majority of the time to be easy, they would have you believe it is the most difficult job in a Helo. Wrong. Flying single pilot Emergency Services Helos is far more taxing. On the North Sea you fly tram lines in & out. The only thought process being stops, pay load & fuel. More important was ordering food & ciggys.. .I applaud the training departments. I found the training provided second to none. I'm also not attacking their professionalism. But I believe that it has become a world of the 'older' pilot who feels the world owes him something.. .They have just had a massive pay rise & yet still they moan. IFR flying apparently justifies this salary. IFR flying on published routes, using published procedures is not difficult. Landing on a rig in bad weather can raise the pulse, I accept that, it also takes skill. But does it make the North Sea Pilot the awesome creature they would have you believe? No.. .I applaud the fact that they have acheived this myth & the fact that they have managed to aquire such a large pay out. But I am truly fed up of hearing them moan. . .For the record I have an IR, I left as a Captain. I'm glad I did. The older pilot up there in Aberdeen needs to have a look around realise how lucky he is & shut up.. .. .Money for old rope springs to mind.. .. .If you want to see pilots who work for a living look elsewhere.
Joined: Aug 1999
Aviation Qualifications: ATP+Mil
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From: Gold Coast, Australia
Obviously things have changed (bit of lamp swinging, MBJ <img border="0" title="" alt="[Wink]" src="wink.gif" /> ) but the NS certainly appeared to have been a bit more of a challenge early on, when there was no radar, rigs were still being constructed, S61 was state of the art, and ships were wood and men were steel....... .. .The 70's saw a lot of operations in the NS when stuff was still being developed, rig shuttles were the order of the day (we lived on rigs 2 weeks on/2 weeks off) with 10 to 20 landings per hour taking the bears to work. Months without a single day time hour logged, the flying was challenging and interesting, when a calm day was less than 20kts, and good weather was >700 ft cloud base <img border="0" title="" alt="[Roll Eyes]" src="rolleyes.gif" /> I would venture a guess that the NS reputation was built around those days, and is now one of sheer professionalism, although slightly more mundane.. .. .Character building, and good to look back on, but the current bus runs from the beach would bore me to tears. I keep IFR currency (just) doing what I do, and have a much more varied and rewarding life here in Aust. Wild horses wouldn't drag me back to the NS.. .. .Challenging work as an option? EMS, emergency services, fire fighting, sling work.. .. .Best fun? Film work (sometimes), fire fighting, snow ops <img border="0" title="" alt="[Big Grin]" src="biggrin.gif" /> <img border="0" title="" alt="[Big Grin]" src="biggrin.gif" />
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I visited Aberdeen one time about 15 years ago, and went touring the countryside on a day off. It was rotten weather, blustery and cold, with scudding clouds at about 1000 feet, wind at 45 to 50 knots, and the rain pelting me in a level attack at my clothing. I leaned against the railing on the stone jetty at Peterhead, body braced into the wind, and just thrilled at the whitecaps and spray that boiled across the North Sea in front of me. What a demonstration of the overpowering might of nature! How insignificant we really are against such force. No wonder the town is built of stone.. .. .I wiped the spray and rain from my eyes because I heard a noise behind me. I looked up and saw a 76 flogging itself into the wind, heading out toward the rigs offshore. It crawled into that weather, heading over seas nearly impossible to land on. In the next 10 minutes I saw 2 61's and another 76 head out.. .. .Call it boring, note the management-worker strife, count the dull days of "bus driving." But don't let anyone ever tell you that flying the North Sea is easy.
Joined: Oct 1999
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From: Beyond the black stump!
At least you got to visit on the good day that year Nick, must have been summertime! <img border="0" title="" alt="[Razz]" src="tongue.gif" /> . .. .The early North Sea was great fun, great equipment, fun people and interesting jobs. The North Sea is now a mature industry, so the challenges of developing the methods and techniques of operation are, to a greater part, over. There are a large number of current employees in the industry, who have never operated a BRAND NEW helicopter, resolved issues with developing and introducing new products, equipment and capabilities into the market - maybe this, and the centalisation, are the reason that it is not seen as an engaging challenge by some.. .. .Also the safety record on the North Sea, is really quite amazing considering the (generally) hostile environment and type of operation. That safety record is the result of exceptional standards in every aspect of the operations, it did not occur by itself, and it did not occur without some hard lessons. Quality people operating quality equipment produced the results that are testimony to the industry.
Joined: Aug 2001
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From: Shetland
Well, the guys who fly the North Sea have got the greatest admiration from me. Having worked in the sector for nearly 10 years, albeit as a rampie, loader and sometimes cabin attendant I know what these people can go through. All the best to you all!!! <img border="0" title="" alt="[Wink]" src="wink.gif" /> <img border="0" title="" alt="[Wink]" src="wink.gif" /> <img border="0" title="" alt="[Wink]" src="wink.gif" /> <img border="0" title="" alt="[Wink]" src="wink.gif" />
Joined: Nov 2000
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Having not worked North Sea for a number of years I was shocked to hear how litle the engineers are paid when a friend of mine applied for a job with Scotia recently. There has been lots of talk about pilots achieving parity with the airlines but nothing about the engineers.. .. .Given the amount of money that has swilled around over the years little of it has found its way to either the pilots or the engineers. Poor reward for all the commitment and expertise.. .. .Just to give people an idea of the pay split between the airlines and the North Sea for engineers. Type rated engineer starting with Scotia £22,000, with Ryan air £42,000.. .Helicopters might be more fun but does it pay the bills?
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Hardest working and most professional helicopter pilots in the UK, bar none. They deserve as much money as they can get. I don't miss it (or North East Scotland), a bit (and I guess they don't miss me!), but I wish all my old BIH chums the very best. <img border="0" title="" alt="[Smile]" src="smile.gif" /> <img border="0" title="" alt="[Cool]" src="cool.gif" />
