A fascinating read
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A fascinating read
I have just discovered a good book. With all the recent posts about civvy SAR and the "re-branding" of Airlog, plus the input from the Nigerian colleagues thought I would draw your attention to this bit of compulsory reading for industry history buffs. It's called "Leading from the Front: Bristow Helicopters-The First 50 years". Those of us that have had the pleasure (or otherwise) of working for 'Uncle Alan' will recognise a few names from the past. It gives a fascinating insight into how one of the most influential rotary wing guys of the foundational generation of our industry came to leave his mark. The link below is for the UK Amazon company but I'm sure there are similar companies in your own part of the world. If you cannot get the link to work then search under "Andrew Healey".
How did Uncle Al get himself 'blackballed' by the Society of British Aircraft Companies?
How did he end up winning the Croix de Guerre in Vietnam?
What was it like to be a 'whale-spotter'?
This and the answer to many more questions in Andy Healey's excellent book. What a pity our industry is now dominated by 'bean-counters' and 'asset managers' instead of real characters.
http://www.amazon.co.uk/exec/obidos/...551261-5040432
How did Uncle Al get himself 'blackballed' by the Society of British Aircraft Companies?
How did he end up winning the Croix de Guerre in Vietnam?
What was it like to be a 'whale-spotter'?
This and the answer to many more questions in Andy Healey's excellent book. What a pity our industry is now dominated by 'bean-counters' and 'asset managers' instead of real characters.
http://www.amazon.co.uk/exec/obidos/...551261-5040432
Last edited by Geoffersincornwall; 24th Apr 2006 at 10:28.
Alan Bristow is a helicopter pilot's helicopter pilot. 
Hovering AND talking
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My husband bought me a copy of the book and have only just started to read it. So far, very readable. I won't spoil the ending though 
Cheers
Whirls
Bean-counters can be real characters too!
Cheers
Whirls
Bean-counters can be real characters too!
I think it's ben spoilt already!
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You mean the butler did it? 
One of my early mentors told me how he was fired by Mr Bristow, who then found he had to be rehired. His price was double the salary! That was Tony Boulter if anyone remembers him.
Phil
One of my early mentors told me how he was fired by Mr Bristow, who then found he had to be rehired. His price was double the salary! That was Tony Boulter if anyone remembers him.
Phil
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to better understand the future..........
Sometimes you have to fully understand the past in order to better understand why we are where we are today - not very eloquent but I'm sure you know what I'm getting at.
G
G
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never let the facts get in the way of a good story
And there are some excellent photies to remind us of 'the bad old days'. My guess is that reading the book reinforces my feeling that the lack of helicopter expertise in the more influential Aviation Authorities (FAA CAA etc) in the post WWII aviation world will stand out as the single greatest brake on progress within the helicopter community and account for the need for the recent safety initiatives. There are some rumours that this lack of helicopter expertise is still prevelant in the FAA - anybody like to comment.
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For Sandy -- I'm the author and, while it's true that AEB was mightily p'd off with my first draft of the initial chapters, he came round and in the end there were only minimal changes. I'm told that, in the end, he ordered a bunch of copies for himself.
As for the facts, no-one's picked up any errors with me so far. And it's always the first question I ask if someone tells me they have it.
Writing it was a great experience. If I'd known how diverse an operator BHL was, esp in the early 80s, I would have signed up for a N Sea apprenticeship on the spot. As it was, I figured I'd done my time flying over the sea and joined Alan Mann. I had that Bobby Davro in the back of my helicopter once.
As for the facts, no-one's picked up any errors with me so far. And it's always the first question I ask if someone tells me they have it.
Writing it was a great experience. If I'd known how diverse an operator BHL was, esp in the early 80s, I would have signed up for a N Sea apprenticeship on the spot. As it was, I figured I'd done my time flying over the sea and joined Alan Mann. I had that Bobby Davro in the back of my helicopter once.
