Flying Off Shore
Over ten years of flying offshore all over Europe and I've never had a boring flight. If you want a boring flight, sit on the flight deck on a modern airliner and do long haul. You can eat and drink to your hearts content or have a good chat with the bird or bloke next to you, play i spy or insult management and put the world to rights. I would not change my job for all the oil in the ground.
Join Date: Jul 2001
Location: ...in view of the 'Southern Cross' ...
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Well ......
You will need instrument & night experience ....preferably the rating so your employer will know what your capable of (or not?) .... and be disciplined ie a reasonably controlled attitude .... offshore operators tend NOT to appreciate "Hotdoggers".
Good luck .... you'll probably need it
You will need instrument & night experience ....preferably the rating so your employer will know what your capable of (or not?) .... and be disciplined ie a reasonably controlled attitude .... offshore operators tend NOT to appreciate "Hotdoggers".
Good luck .... you'll probably need it
Join Date: Sep 2001
Location: isz
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Awwwww....I almost feel sorry for you drivers over the North Sea now....I did say Almost though....you have a better view in front of you than I do...I just get to see a big radar screen with all your blips on....you get the blue sky...the glorious sea....your wonderful destination...thoughts of coffee and doughnuts!!!
Join Date: Sep 2000
Location: On the Beach, On the Rock, On the Lake
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Offshore.....ZzzzzzzzzzZ!
Been on again and off again in the offshore world. Mostly along the Dark Continent and some in SE Asia.
Aside from the weather giving you a left hook or dropping onto smaller vessels, it's pretty mind numbing stuff compared to pulling drills on a 150' longline....or splashing fires...or police or EMS work.
But it's a livin'..... and as someone else mentioned, it beats workin'!
Aside from the weather giving you a left hook or dropping onto smaller vessels, it's pretty mind numbing stuff compared to pulling drills on a 150' longline....or splashing fires...or police or EMS work.
But it's a livin'..... and as someone else mentioned, it beats workin'!
Join Date: Feb 2008
Location: US
Age: 63
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Boring? If I can handle the boredom of Des Moines to Omaha in the dark with no NVG's with a patient lying where my other front seat should be then I bet I can handle an hour to the next rig in daylight.
Trouble is, how do I convince one of the right outfits that I can? I got turned down the other day because, and I quote, "we are looking for people who have experienced the boredom of offshore flying."
Crikey. I've got 3,600 hours, 3,500 as PIC, an instrument rating, time flying BK's and 105's...and CHC has yet to answer even one of my online applications.
Admittedly, I'm trying for touring positions, as the wife has a job that she really doesn't want to leave, we can't take the cats to the UK, and I'd like a few weeks at a time off. I almost don't care where it is...are there touring jobs (6/6, 8/4...whatever) in the North Sea?
Trouble is, how do I convince one of the right outfits that I can? I got turned down the other day because, and I quote, "we are looking for people who have experienced the boredom of offshore flying."
Crikey. I've got 3,600 hours, 3,500 as PIC, an instrument rating, time flying BK's and 105's...and CHC has yet to answer even one of my online applications.
Admittedly, I'm trying for touring positions, as the wife has a job that she really doesn't want to leave, we can't take the cats to the UK, and I'd like a few weeks at a time off. I almost don't care where it is...are there touring jobs (6/6, 8/4...whatever) in the North Sea?
Join Date: Jul 2007
Location: wherever
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Lt Kije
What about trying Abu Dhabi Aviation (ADA) or Gulf Helicopters in Qatar. They both offer 8/4 and 6/6.....good alternative to CHC and it sounds like your experience would be enough to get you in the door.
What about trying Abu Dhabi Aviation (ADA) or Gulf Helicopters in Qatar. They both offer 8/4 and 6/6.....good alternative to CHC and it sounds like your experience would be enough to get you in the door.
Join Date: Feb 2008
Location: US
Age: 63
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Hi smickey,
I've gotten a very polite reply from Gulf Helicopters. They want a lot of stuff and I'll be assembling every bit of it and sending it in a nice package as soon as I'm off duty.
Abu Dhabi? I'd like to, but they say they want an ATP and a Class 1. I don't know if that's a deal-breaker or a "wish list." I do have much more time than they say they want, so I'll be seeing if they can flex a little.
Thanks!
I've gotten a very polite reply from Gulf Helicopters. They want a lot of stuff and I'll be assembling every bit of it and sending it in a nice package as soon as I'm off duty.
Abu Dhabi? I'd like to, but they say they want an ATP and a Class 1. I don't know if that's a deal-breaker or a "wish list." I do have much more time than they say they want, so I'll be seeing if they can flex a little.
Thanks!
Join Date: Jul 2007
Location: wherever
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Lt Kije,
You will need an ATPL and Class 1 for all Captain offshore jobs....it's not a wish list. You have the hours for ATPL and exam is a breeze if you have a 'study package'...couple days of study. ADA is a better option than Gulf as far as pay goes. However, accomodations are better at Gulf.
cheers
You will need an ATPL and Class 1 for all Captain offshore jobs....it's not a wish list. You have the hours for ATPL and exam is a breeze if you have a 'study package'...couple days of study. ADA is a better option than Gulf as far as pay goes. However, accomodations are better at Gulf.
cheers
Join Date: Feb 2008
Location: US
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Thanks. I'll look into getting that ATP. While I do fine on company checkrides, which are under the hood, I haven't logged enough IFR time for the ATP eligibility. I'll have to see how I can get it.
