More troubles in the deep south.....
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More troubles in the deep south.....
I hear that a few more twin squirell drivers are bailing from the scenic company in the south of N.Z. Rumour has it that the c/p has gone and has been replaced by a 750 hour "operations manager". How can a company that large be able to operate without a c/p?
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Yeah, I herd that also.... not the bit about operating without a chief pilot, the bit about the 750 hour chief pilot. Just a thought if you have to do some flying with the guy you might want to check the dual controls...
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Apparently not only is the pay crap but the management treat the staff like garbage. Dont know a good thing when they have it, and couldn't care less when the staff bail out! They are definitely operating without a c/p, the dude in charge is classed as a opps manager. Funny how they were seen to be advertising for line pilots with 1500 hours and the dude at the top has got 750! 
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how can that op's manager install the duals of a 355 backwards then proceed to crank the bird up to move it then trash the helo and still have a job?
is the industry that desperate for steerers?
is the industry that desperate for steerers?
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troubles in deep south
This company along with one or two others have had this reputation for a long time. But it seems there is alot of heli company management going the same way. However, I find it extremely hard to believe that the C/P has only 750tt as the CAA in NZ are not accepting that, they will only accept a pilot that has over 750 hrs part 135 time. But they are taking it on a case by case basis. However there are a few cases that have been treated somewhat differently and has upset the industry.
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Apparently they got around the 750 hr thing because he had quite a bit of 135 experience on the ski planes at Mount Cook.
The only thing remotely going for working for them would be the twin time but thats only my opinion.
fly safe
The only thing remotely going for working for them would be the twin time but thats only my opinion.
fly safe
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The guy does not have 750 hours helicopter time !!
However he is a good hand after a shaky start and is the QA guy and good on the books hence his surprise approval by CAA.
I agree there should be a proper CP with the ability to hire and fire , its amazing the CAA did accept him as he definitely does not "tick all the boxes ".
I predict the gradual slide of standards and pilot experience At THL and there will be more accidents and incidents.
The record over the last two years has not been good for a fleet of a dozen helicopters , one totaled , the cyclic incident, a trans cover in the blades and who knows what else .
However he is a good hand after a shaky start and is the QA guy and good on the books hence his surprise approval by CAA.
I agree there should be a proper CP with the ability to hire and fire , its amazing the CAA did accept him as he definitely does not "tick all the boxes ".
I predict the gradual slide of standards and pilot experience At THL and there will be more accidents and incidents.
The record over the last two years has not been good for a fleet of a dozen helicopters , one totaled , the cyclic incident, a trans cover in the blades and who knows what else .
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Semi Rigid.
How were the dual controls put in backwards, if they were it means the engineering department had not embodied a 19 year old service bulletin....to prevent it happening. I hope they do not have any more AS350/AS355 that have not had the rivet installed.
How were the dual controls put in backwards, if they were it means the engineering department had not embodied a 19 year old service bulletin....to prevent it happening. I hope they do not have any more AS350/AS355 that have not had the rivet installed.
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Just heard that the check and training captain who is also the standards pilot has decided to take his bat and ball and go as he is not at all happy with the playing field or the new set of rules. This guy has been with the company for round nine years and is a solid pilot with heaps of experience in the hills and in twin's, yet they let him walk. It will be interesting to see if they find anyone with the relevant qualifications to fill his spot, or will they take the cheapest option again!
