What do North Sea pilots do?
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Begs question, where would you prefer to work, Aberdeen or Great Yarmouth? I flew into North Denes and went for lunch in Great Yarmouth. Felt like topping myself. Have not been to Aberdeen yet, doesn't look too bad on paper if you can deal with the cold.
The Original Whirly
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In a similar situation a few years back, with a freshly minted CPL(H), and before the North Sea companies stopped recruiting post 9/11, I got an invitation to go up to Aberdeen for a couple of days to see if I liked the life....
First day - up early (can't remember how early), go and check...whatever needed checking, and put on immersion suit for flight. Sit on jumpseat and wait for passengers, and even I can feel how much they just don't want to be there. Fly out to oil rig. Land on oil rig. Just about enough time for me to get photos of oil rig, and pilots to collect their food - the highlight of the day...how much cake are we getting is the main excitement. Fly back to Aberdeen.
Second day - ditto, with different pilots, and to another oil rig, though I wouldn't have known the difference, as it's all flying straight and level over grey sea beneath grey sky. Conversation goes like this...
Captain: You don't want to do this; you'll be bored.
Whirly: Really?
Captain: I'm bored. (To FO) Are you bored?
FO: Yep, I'm bored.
A few questions by Whirly, and what they mean is that one oil rig is much like another, and occasionally in bad weather it's too exciting, but mostly...it's boring.
Aberdeen is cold and depressing; I return home having enjoyed my few days break, but not at all sure I'd like to spend my life doing it. Didn't have to decide, as oil companies stopped recruiting about the next day!
Now, there must be some people around who know more than this!
First day - up early (can't remember how early), go and check...whatever needed checking, and put on immersion suit for flight. Sit on jumpseat and wait for passengers, and even I can feel how much they just don't want to be there. Fly out to oil rig. Land on oil rig. Just about enough time for me to get photos of oil rig, and pilots to collect their food - the highlight of the day...how much cake are we getting is the main excitement. Fly back to Aberdeen.
Second day - ditto, with different pilots, and to another oil rig, though I wouldn't have known the difference, as it's all flying straight and level over grey sea beneath grey sky. Conversation goes like this...
Captain: You don't want to do this; you'll be bored.
Whirly: Really?
Captain: I'm bored. (To FO) Are you bored?
FO: Yep, I'm bored.
A few questions by Whirly, and what they mean is that one oil rig is much like another, and occasionally in bad weather it's too exciting, but mostly...it's boring.
Aberdeen is cold and depressing; I return home having enjoyed my few days break, but not at all sure I'd like to spend my life doing it. Didn't have to decide, as oil companies stopped recruiting about the next day!
Now, there must be some people around who know more than this!
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Aberdeen, Norwich... Naaa. East Shetland basin is the place to be, good bunch of guys up in Scatsta (Shetland). Two weeks on, two weeks off, fed two or three times a day (free) and nothing much to do but read the papers and have a bit of a giggle. Sometimes, usually in bad weather, you might have to get your thumb out of your arse and engage your brain but that's not impossible once in a blue moon. Beats working for a living and two weeks off makes up for little life on Shetland.
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Like all things, it's ok in moderation. I gave up North Sea flying because I didn't want to spend the rest of my working life staring at the monochrome view, having to wear a lifejacket and goon suit at work, and get up at dark o'clock in the winter to fly 12 blokes who didn't want to be there out to the same platforms in return for the same old bacon rolls and lukewarm tea.
Apart from that it was great!
The best routine would have to be 2 weeks on 2 weeks off. You can put up with most sh*te when you know after a fortnight, you have a fortnight off.
Can't say I ever felt at home in Abz, but the social life was good.
Apart from that it was great!
The best routine would have to be 2 weeks on 2 weeks off. You can put up with most sh*te when you know after a fortnight, you have a fortnight off.
Can't say I ever felt at home in Abz, but the social life was good.
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All this negativity!!!?
Aberdeen is a great place to start (or finish) your rotary career! Pandalet you'll have to see the place for yourself though.
Personally I'd rather be in Aberdeen than down South, thats a big endorsement being a Londoner! (although I can think of better places on the globe to posted.)
When I first got the job with a North Sea operator, I was asked where I'd rather be posted. I replied 'North Denes', having never been to Aberdeen and having heard grim reports about North East Scotland.
Thankfully, the operator, as they normally do, completely ignored me and sent me to Aberdeen. Thank God!
I have since had the pleasure(?) of flying out of North Denes..I don't want to upset anyone, but (I will!).... have you seen 'The League of Gentlemen'?. Also I think the band 'The Darkness' (Long hair / Leotars) are from nearby. Need I say more!
The flying in Aberdeen is routine, challenging at times, more importantly, breakfasts are good, I've even started eating Black Pudding!.
On a serious note, as a new start, the 2 crew, Multi, IR experience is invaluable and the hours quickly build, giving you the chance to move on if you so wish! (Flying the radials for 30 years will drive you a bit nuts.)
Once you've done a year or two flying out of Aberdeen, it becomes more about the lifestyle than the actual flying! But, hey, there's nothing wrong with a good lifestyle.
For example:
I clocked in at work at 6.15 this morning, airborne from Aberdeen 7.15, picked up a full Scottish Breakfast (2 sausages, bacon, beans, 2 eggs, some black pudding, 2 cakes, yes cakes at 8.30am) landed back at Aberdeen 10.45, out of the door by 11.00 and Skiing in Glenshee by 13.00 to work it off! No complaints!
Some guys'll get used to this routine / lifestyle and stick it, others like HOGE will look to pastures new for some variety!...And so the cycle continues!
Aberdeen is a great place to start (or finish) your rotary career! Pandalet you'll have to see the place for yourself though.
Personally I'd rather be in Aberdeen than down South, thats a big endorsement being a Londoner! (although I can think of better places on the globe to posted.)
When I first got the job with a North Sea operator, I was asked where I'd rather be posted. I replied 'North Denes', having never been to Aberdeen and having heard grim reports about North East Scotland.
Thankfully, the operator, as they normally do, completely ignored me and sent me to Aberdeen. Thank God!
I have since had the pleasure(?) of flying out of North Denes..I don't want to upset anyone, but (I will!).... have you seen 'The League of Gentlemen'?. Also I think the band 'The Darkness' (Long hair / Leotars) are from nearby. Need I say more!
The flying in Aberdeen is routine, challenging at times, more importantly, breakfasts are good, I've even started eating Black Pudding!.
On a serious note, as a new start, the 2 crew, Multi, IR experience is invaluable and the hours quickly build, giving you the chance to move on if you so wish! (Flying the radials for 30 years will drive you a bit nuts.)
Once you've done a year or two flying out of Aberdeen, it becomes more about the lifestyle than the actual flying! But, hey, there's nothing wrong with a good lifestyle.
For example:
I clocked in at work at 6.15 this morning, airborne from Aberdeen 7.15, picked up a full Scottish Breakfast (2 sausages, bacon, beans, 2 eggs, some black pudding, 2 cakes, yes cakes at 8.30am) landed back at Aberdeen 10.45, out of the door by 11.00 and Skiing in Glenshee by 13.00 to work it off! No complaints!
Some guys'll get used to this routine / lifestyle and stick it, others like HOGE will look to pastures new for some variety!...And so the cycle continues!
full Scottish Breakfast (2 sausages, bacon, beans, 2 eggs, some black pudding, 2 cakes, yes cakes at 8.30am)
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In defence of the poor old North Sea, it pays well and gives you plenty of time off (If you are in the right job). Yeah the flying is repetitive, but generally straight forward. There are some interesting points (two lightning strikes last week) and the weather can conspire to stop you falling asleep. If I was starting out I don't think a career in Aberdeen, would fulfil my aspirations. I have been and done many interesting things and to be honest right now stability and predictability, with good money and time off are great. Who knows, in 2 yrs time itchy feet may make me move, but then what is the perfect aviation job?
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All the JAA students at HAI bang on about the North Sea as if its the holy grail of helicopter jobs. It just sounds bloody boring to me, back and forth in **** weather etc. If I wanted to earn a good wage I would go work in IT or something and save myself the 60 grand training costs. Then again, some students have no personality so flight instruction wouldn't suit them, it's best to ship 'em off to Aberdeen.
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Whirls
Well, blast me, what are you loike?
Stay overnight on rigs...no way. Life of a Southern NS pilot is better than the life of the Aberdeen pilot in my opinion. The flying is short range, there is much more "hands on" take off and landing, no boring long sectors and periods of akward silence with someone you don't like, plenty of night shuttling and IFR work, more shutdowns and start ups, and so time for coffee and a fag and a pee during the day. It doesn't snow anything like as much, the Broads are a great place for having a boat and a good yachtie social life.
Waking up and driving from Wroxham to either Denes or Norwich has to be better than waking up in Aberdeen to 6 inches of snow. Norfolk also actually has a summer, unlike Aberdeen, which is great if you are a Jock and or love skiing.
Well, blast me, what are you loike?
Stay overnight on rigs...no way. Life of a Southern NS pilot is better than the life of the Aberdeen pilot in my opinion. The flying is short range, there is much more "hands on" take off and landing, no boring long sectors and periods of akward silence with someone you don't like, plenty of night shuttling and IFR work, more shutdowns and start ups, and so time for coffee and a fag and a pee during the day. It doesn't snow anything like as much, the Broads are a great place for having a boat and a good yachtie social life.
Waking up and driving from Wroxham to either Denes or Norwich has to be better than waking up in Aberdeen to 6 inches of snow. Norfolk also actually has a summer, unlike Aberdeen, which is great if you are a Jock and or love skiing.
I concur with Hippolite (apart from the fags and the yacht!) though must confess I wasn't too keen on the 0400 wake up for the 0500 report at ND. 
There was also (still?) some onshore charter work which rounded things off nicely.
It will get better still with the 155 arriving soon.
There was also (still?) some onshore charter work which rounded things off nicely.
It will get better still with the 155 arriving soon.
Hovering AND talking
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Thanks Hippolite, I was told that there was no such thing as a stupid question! So.... do the Aberdeen chappies have to stay overnight or, God forbid, base themselves on a rig?
Look, I quite like Norfolk but seriously, can anyone put their hand on their heart and say Great Yarmouth is anything but a dump? This is the town that has a Wide=Screen TV in the Market Square! The only good thing is seeing the back end of Breydon Water as you drive towards the Acle Straight.
Cheers
Whirls
PS - I've been seconded to Gorleston at the moment so am feeling particularly bitter towards it; I want to go back to Cromer!
Look, I quite like Norfolk but seriously, can anyone put their hand on their heart and say Great Yarmouth is anything but a dump? This is the town that has a Wide=Screen TV in the Market Square! The only good thing is seeing the back end of Breydon Water as you drive towards the Acle Straight.
Cheers
Whirls
PS - I've been seconded to Gorleston at the moment so am feeling particularly bitter towards it; I want to go back to Cromer!
Yep, Yarmouth is a dump: it makes Blackpool look posh!
To answer your question; the Aberdeen based pilots do not routinely night stop anywhere. They fly their trip or two then go home. Exceptions would be in the case of a diversion to another airport that takes the pilots out of duty hours or past the Aberdeen closing time, occasional detachments offshore (eg flare tip change or construction work) or to one of the islands etc but normaly rare and open to volunteers.
To answer your question; the Aberdeen based pilots do not routinely night stop anywhere. They fly their trip or two then go home. Exceptions would be in the case of a diversion to another airport that takes the pilots out of duty hours or past the Aberdeen closing time, occasional detachments offshore (eg flare tip change or construction work) or to one of the islands etc but normaly rare and open to volunteers.
Last edited by 212man; 15th Mar 2006 at 07:32.
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So if you work for an offshore company, having moved to Aberdeen (or wherever), does the company usually provide accomodation? If you're working a '2 weeks on, 2 weeks off' schedule, do you get to go 'home' for the time you're off, and is travel included in the package?
Can anyone suggest good people to contact about a visit or to find out more about off-shore work? I have the BHAB handbook somewhere, so I've got the company details, but who should I be speaking to in particular?
Ta for the info so far - keep it coming!
Can anyone suggest good people to contact about a visit or to find out more about off-shore work? I have the BHAB handbook somewhere, so I've got the company details, but who should I be speaking to in particular?
Ta for the info so far - keep it coming!
Pandalet
I suggest you search for the thread "CHC roster" which will answer alot of your questions.
Most Aberdeen based pilots live in or near Aberdeen so at the end of the day they go home. The companies provides no accommodation at Aberdeen and you work a normal roster with the usual FTL limits, i.e. a minimum of 12hrs off between day shifts.
There are few contracts that offer 15 days on 13 off and as one of those is about to finish there are experienced pilots looking for any spare places on other contracts so I would think that there will be very few vacancies in the future.
HF
I suggest you search for the thread "CHC roster" which will answer alot of your questions.
Most Aberdeen based pilots live in or near Aberdeen so at the end of the day they go home. The companies provides no accommodation at Aberdeen and you work a normal roster with the usual FTL limits, i.e. a minimum of 12hrs off between day shifts.
There are few contracts that offer 15 days on 13 off and as one of those is about to finish there are experienced pilots looking for any spare places on other contracts so I would think that there will be very few vacancies in the future.
HF
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Thread Starter
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Impression of Great Yarmouth from speaking to locals is that it is a dead seaside resort which has become a dumping ground for asylum seekers. Increased crime etc. has naturally followed.
Sounds like a nice place to work! Don't leave the keys in those s-76's!
Sounds like a nice place to work! Don't leave the keys in those s-76's!
i4iQ
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Topendtorque,
are you making a scurrilous suggestion that us good citizens of Norfolk don't drink? Well love, THIS is one Norfolk Broad who does!
WE have Adnam's Broadside
Cheers
Whirls
are you making a scurrilous suggestion that us good citizens of Norfolk don't drink? Well love, THIS is one Norfolk Broad who does!
WE have Adnam's Broadside
Cheers
Whirls