Helicopter flying in India: merged threads
Join Date: Jul 2007
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I have been negotiating with an Indian co. since July '07 to start flying there. It is unbelievable the level of disorganisation. They are screaming for pilots over there & yet cant organise the paperwork to get them there. Is this a sign of what it will be like to work over there? Could be a great adventure, but the paperwork is mind boggling.....
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The Indians inherited their ways of doing business from the Brits. While the Brits have moved on the Indians are still using the old paper and file system . So ,yes, it will be a challenge to overcome that. If you can keep an open mind, overcome the cultural differences(this is a biggy) and do'nt mind crowds---it could be an adventure.
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So has anyone have any personal first hand experiences living in India as an expat, either positive or negative to share please? Any advice for pilots going there? Cheers & thanks
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Be careful about what you eat, make sure your immunisations are up to date, and get used to washing your hands at every opportunity (especially after handling cash). Also, you will get some form of gastric infection sooner or later, so be prepared.
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Living in India
Hi PP. Lived and worked in India (Mumbai & Delhi) but not as a pilot. General advice for expat living anywhere in Asia - learn to be patient, go with the flow, DO NOT throw your toys (it's their country, and they hold the ultimate ace - your visa!), get to know the locals, learn enough lingo to be polite, don't just hang out at expat clubs etc etc, and treat your time as an adventure not a punishment!
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some of us have had great times there!
did three six-month spells in Bombay (as was) in the 80's on rotary and Sheds. OK buraucracy tests the patience but food, climate, people and that Arabian Sea... wow. Wouldn't have missed it for the world!
PP email or IM me if you wish. Rgds bm
PP email or IM me if you wish. Rgds bm
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Funfinn (an oxymoron?)
The Aircrew Medical Requirement every morning (under Indian Air Law - another oxymoron!) should tell you a lot.
Go to Nigeria - a much cleaner, more pleasant, better organised and less corrupt part of the World - I really really am not joking!
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Trog
The Aircrew Medical Requirement every morning (under Indian Air Law - another oxymoron!) should tell you a lot.
Go to Nigeria - a much cleaner, more pleasant, better organised and less corrupt part of the World - I really really am not joking!
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Trog
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Alouette 3
The Indians inherited their ways of doing business from the Brits.
In my opinion a common misapprehension!
The Indians (and Arabs) had a highly refined and man power intensive bureaucracy in place long before the Anglo Saxons/Vikings/Celts/Normans etc. etc. eventually stopped killing each other and ended up with a recognisable but divided small Country.
All the "Brits" really did was manage (rather than govern) through private enterprise (The East India Company) a plethora of warring independent multi religious States and their Rulers with varying degrees of success for a couple of hundred years assisted by a large well equipped PRIVATE Army consisting mainly of well trained and (for the most part) well looked after locals trained by expatriate military employees of the Company.
The Company made (stole to some modern p.c. thinking) untold £££'s Billions in todays terms which was the reason they were there - Not to introduce bureaucracy.
The Company was clever enough not to get too involved in areas like the Caste System which survives almost unchanged to this day, further strengthened by ex Wing Commander/Group Captain types who leave the Service and rely on their ex Rank rather than any recogniseable ability to bully their way through the Indian Aviation Industry for the rest of their lives.
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flying in India
I have also been offered a job in India (Mumbia) but flying Fixwing, can anyone tell me what the golfing is like, ie cost per round, should I bring my own clubs,fairway and green conditions etc. I been on the web but don't seem to find much info. Also is CHC still flying out of Mumbia. Thanks
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I concur Trogladita, your spot on there 
India is a wonderful exciting place to live. Flying is great when you can see. Maintenance on the helicopter is very good. People are great, food is delicious, prices are low.
But the DGCA, lodging flight plans etc - hmmmm a pain in the rectum
India is a wonderful exciting place to live. Flying is great when you can see. Maintenance on the helicopter is very good. People are great, food is delicious, prices are low.
But the DGCA, lodging flight plans etc - hmmmm a pain in the rectum
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I fly in India on contractual basis for the last two years based in Delhi. We do mostly contracts for State governments or often elections. I have a permanent condo unit (provided) in Delhi but, I get assigned offbase for as long as 3mos at a time. I do 3mos on and 1mo off.
The paperworks you do only on your first arrival and subsequently during renewals in which they pull you out of assignment to appear personally. Not much hassle really and if you are amiable with the staff-- works like a breeze.
I must say helicopter flying in India is one of the most organised operation. You don't get dispatched without being provided with the accurate coordinates taken by host authorities. They provide prepared landing areas surrounded by police line. That is the case all over the country.
FLYING..
You file flight plan personally (even the airlines). Pay Airport Charges and issue you Flight clearance. That's half of the effort. You then need to get an Air Defense Clearance. On initial call up to Clearance Delivery you need to tell them clearance #s issued to you.
Before lineup you will be issued your ATC instructions so be prepared with a Xerox mind or set down your skid type helo and copy. It could be a few words or a big story depending on the traffic situation. Codes are issued-- so stick to your assigned altitude lest you get reported by TCAS flaunting big trucks! Lot's of Air Bases so be prepared to report en-route even if these Bases are more than 30miles from you. You close flight plan on arrival at destination through your mobile phone.
A big surprise to me though are some private airstrips dressed to the hilt-- ILS, etc.
WEATHER..
Summertime gets very hot onshore-- expect 40+. T'storm activities get pretty rough-- dropping trees and flying debris all around. Rain always improve visibility (like harmatan).
Monsoon season is from around may to september.
LIFE IN INDIA..
People are generally friendly. You have to open up to them. A few efforts in helping or being useful returns to you in a big way. I've no problem. I try all the delicacies. They have good medical facilities as well-- depends how good you want it to be. Medicines are so cheap but good quality. I think one pharmaceutical there ranks are one of the biggest worldwide.
There are good hotels at major cities but even remote areas have something nice to accomodate you. Food is international and local as well-- depends on what you like. Lot's of dairy products. Mutton and chicken is the usual fare. You could become a vegetarian without noticing at all.
I guess it all boils down on your perspective. If you go there for the job-- it's a good place. If you are the pencil pushing urban yuppie-- better you stick where you are.
If you need more info or assistance-- pm me.
The paperworks you do only on your first arrival and subsequently during renewals in which they pull you out of assignment to appear personally. Not much hassle really and if you are amiable with the staff-- works like a breeze.
I must say helicopter flying in India is one of the most organised operation. You don't get dispatched without being provided with the accurate coordinates taken by host authorities. They provide prepared landing areas surrounded by police line. That is the case all over the country.
FLYING..
You file flight plan personally (even the airlines). Pay Airport Charges and issue you Flight clearance. That's half of the effort. You then need to get an Air Defense Clearance. On initial call up to Clearance Delivery you need to tell them clearance #s issued to you.
Before lineup you will be issued your ATC instructions so be prepared with a Xerox mind or set down your skid type helo and copy. It could be a few words or a big story depending on the traffic situation. Codes are issued-- so stick to your assigned altitude lest you get reported by TCAS flaunting big trucks! Lot's of Air Bases so be prepared to report en-route even if these Bases are more than 30miles from you. You close flight plan on arrival at destination through your mobile phone.
A big surprise to me though are some private airstrips dressed to the hilt-- ILS, etc.
WEATHER..
Summertime gets very hot onshore-- expect 40+. T'storm activities get pretty rough-- dropping trees and flying debris all around. Rain always improve visibility (like harmatan).
Monsoon season is from around may to september.
LIFE IN INDIA..
People are generally friendly. You have to open up to them. A few efforts in helping or being useful returns to you in a big way. I've no problem. I try all the delicacies. They have good medical facilities as well-- depends how good you want it to be. Medicines are so cheap but good quality. I think one pharmaceutical there ranks are one of the biggest worldwide.
There are good hotels at major cities but even remote areas have something nice to accomodate you. Food is international and local as well-- depends on what you like. Lot's of dairy products. Mutton and chicken is the usual fare. You could become a vegetarian without noticing at all.
I guess it all boils down on your perspective. If you go there for the job-- it's a good place. If you are the pencil pushing urban yuppie-- better you stick where you are.
If you need more info or assistance-- pm me.
The company will hire close to 75 pilots in the current fiscal...
Regards
Aser