Eurocopter UK Engineers Walk Out?
Join Date: Nov 2002
Location: Man-O-War Cay, Bahamas
Age: 63
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Epiphany, thankfully I have a good sense of humour and certainly a fabulous life! What seems odd to me is that this "Jim McA" has decided to say that he lives in the Bahamas (which I do, but he doesn't) and also that he is conected with Eurocopter UK. You may not realise it, but this used to be McAlpine Helicopters, my family business. He may, or may not be, 49, which I happen to be. So perhaps you can see why it would appear that someone is trying to impersonate me. As you can see from some of the posts, others certainly think that he is me. I have also had numerous PM's about it and the confusion that it has caused, which is why I took the somewhat drastic step of posting something on here. As the UK heli scene is so small, I don't want people to think that I am saying things that I am not. I have great respect for the engineers at what is now ECUK and I hope that they get this current problem resolved to everyone's satisfaction soon. Happy Christmas to you.
Decision Maker
Decision Maker,
It seems like only yesterday that I purchased your microlight, and associated scary logbook that went with it.
Last saw you at HAI.
Nice to hear you are well (and no doubt tanned).
It seems like only yesterday that I purchased your microlight, and associated scary logbook that went with it.
Last saw you at HAI.
Nice to hear you are well (and no doubt tanned).
Join Date: Dec 2009
Location: Bahamas
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James
I apologise if I have upset you…… I have clearly stated in my posts (please see below) that I’m not you and the reason for the name was I didn’t think anyone would really think I was you. However I am unable to use my name, as I don’t want to be sacked before finding a new job.
Nigel,
You didn't think I was the real James McAlpine did you????
all I can say is i wish I was...... then I would have no need to work for Eurocopter UK.
Jim McA
The name came to mind as I for one wished the Mcalpine family still owned the company……..
From what I know James is doing very well he now lives in The Bahamas / Florida and is driving The A1GP safety car………….
If you know him I’m sure you could find him on try facebook……..
James I never got your email and have not been on-line to see your post before today so i have asked PPRuNe the following...
Hello,
Please could you remove my user name and account as it seems to have misled some members. I have stated on the forum that I am not the person who has got upset. However to save any further confusion I would prefer to re-register.
I apologise if I have upset you…… I have clearly stated in my posts (please see below) that I’m not you and the reason for the name was I didn’t think anyone would really think I was you. However I am unable to use my name, as I don’t want to be sacked before finding a new job.
Nigel,
You didn't think I was the real James McAlpine did you????
all I can say is i wish I was...... then I would have no need to work for Eurocopter UK.
Jim McA
The name came to mind as I for one wished the Mcalpine family still owned the company……..
From what I know James is doing very well he now lives in The Bahamas / Florida and is driving The A1GP safety car………….
If you know him I’m sure you could find him on try facebook……..
James I never got your email and have not been on-line to see your post before today so i have asked PPRuNe the following...
Hello,
Please could you remove my user name and account as it seems to have misled some members. I have stated on the forum that I am not the person who has got upset. However to save any further confusion I would prefer to re-register.
Join Date: Nov 2002
Location: Man-O-War Cay, Bahamas
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"Jim". Many thanks for doing that. As you are aware, I am still in the helicopter industry (albeit in a rather more minor way these days!!) and would rather not have any confusion surrounding the name. I appreciate that you need to keep your real name out of the fray at the moment, but I can think of many suitable alternatives!!! I really hope that something can be done there to sort out the situation. Not a good thing to have going on so close to Christmas. All the best for Xmas and 2010. JM.
Join Date: Nov 2002
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Hi PEASACAKE. Glad to hear that that thing didn't kill you either!!! I am thinking of building another one, albeit somewhat more substantial! Must have got a bit of sunstroke!!! Have a great Christmas and hopefully catch up one of these days. If you know anyone who needs an EC135 driver, let me know. I really hope they get the situation sorted at Oxford. Obviously not the same now that it's not a family business!! Cheers. PS, I suppose i'll have to find a new name on here now!!!!
Decision Maker wrote:
Hi James, nice to see your still around. You could always try this:
http://www.centraltenders.gov.ky/pls...M%20091119.PDF
It's in your neck of the woods.
Regards from Woodvale.
If you know anyone who needs an EC135 driver, let me know.
http://www.centraltenders.gov.ky/pls...M%20091119.PDF
It's in your neck of the woods.
Regards from Woodvale.
Join Date: Jul 2000
Location: UK
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Hi James, we were talking just the other day about you.... Remember our little three ship exercise on the end of EGBB one night? Evo's, Subarus, bonded warehouses etc - What a hoot! Still the best job I've ever got involved with Your mug's still in the cupboard if you ever ant to drop in for a coffee 
Your mug's still in the cupboard if you ever ant to drop in for a coffee
Join Date: Dec 2009
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update
Oh well the crap has hit the fan again……. How can one company have three different overtime policies?????
If you work for Eurocopter UK in Oxford you get paid for 37.5hrs a week any overtime is banked and given back to you to suit the company. if you do less then 37.5hrs then you get negative banking and they take the time out of your banked hours.
If you work for Eurocopter UK in Hawarden then you get paid for 40hrs a week any overtime is banked and given back to you to suit the company. However there is NO negative time banking in place so if you only work 25hrs you still get paid for 40…..?????
Now the real kick in the teeth……
If you work for Eurocopter UK in Ireland you get paid for 37.5hrs a week and full paid overtime With no time banking in place…..
And if you move between sites you only get what every the policy is at you own work place…
How the hell can they get away with this??????
If you work for Eurocopter UK in Oxford you get paid for 37.5hrs a week any overtime is banked and given back to you to suit the company. if you do less then 37.5hrs then you get negative banking and they take the time out of your banked hours.
If you work for Eurocopter UK in Hawarden then you get paid for 40hrs a week any overtime is banked and given back to you to suit the company. However there is NO negative time banking in place so if you only work 25hrs you still get paid for 40…..?????
Now the real kick in the teeth……
If you work for Eurocopter UK in Ireland you get paid for 37.5hrs a week and full paid overtime With no time banking in place…..
And if you move between sites you only get what every the policy is at you own work place…
How the hell can they get away with this??????
Aircraft engineers are like Greek politicians get three together and you get five different opinions. So attempting to organise industrial inaction is difficult.
Attempts to unionise over the years have failed by and large. The CAA are the only people holding all the details of licensed engineers. One attempt to contact this group failed because the CAA refused to mail on a circular letter with all costs met by the sender, this would have kept all addresses confidential. The reason given at the time was "confidentiality". The reallity was they didn't want to offend Big Airways.
With the merger of ALAE and PROSPECT there is another chance for an aircraft engineers union. If people wish to take it.
I believe this bigger union could bring political pressure on to the CAA for another attempt to contact all the L.A.E's. The mechanics and others would follow if they could see a body that actually had some teeth.
Attempts to unionise over the years have failed by and large. The CAA are the only people holding all the details of licensed engineers. One attempt to contact this group failed because the CAA refused to mail on a circular letter with all costs met by the sender, this would have kept all addresses confidential. The reason given at the time was "confidentiality". The reallity was they didn't want to offend Big Airways.
With the merger of ALAE and PROSPECT there is another chance for an aircraft engineers union. If people wish to take it.
I believe this bigger union could bring political pressure on to the CAA for another attempt to contact all the L.A.E's. The mechanics and others would follow if they could see a body that actually had some teeth.
Join Date: Feb 2010
Location: Bristol
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This a little late but all Police aircraft maintenance is carried out under a National Police Framework Arrangement (FA). The FA provides the police with a 30 day opt out clause for any maintenance contract. So if it gets that bad, there is provision to change the Part 145 maintenance organisation to another that is also contracted under the FA with Part 145 maintenance approvals for the EC135 - PAS for example.
Join Date: Sep 2001
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Agreed - they "could" change maintenance providers, but would they ?
In these times of budget cuts, I'm sure a number of ECUK's customers, including the Police, have already looked elsewhere.
Would another provider be able to offer the same level of service for less cost ? - I don't know but I would be surprised if they could.
There is also the question of all the new Police helicopters being delivered right now, which come with warranty - 2 years or "XX" hours etc. - I woudln't think it feasible to have such warranty maintenance provided by anyone other than the aircraft supplier.
As has been stated a number of times before, all parts would still have to be sourced via ECUK, who would no doubt add on their "Handling / Shipping / Insurance" charge, and there would also be the problem of some parts not being released if there is short stock, and they are needed for their own directly contracted customers, adding a delay in returning aircraft to service which may not be acceptable to the customer, even if the financial cost WAS less.
Anyway, for now, at least the Field Engineers seem happy enough
In these times of budget cuts, I'm sure a number of ECUK's customers, including the Police, have already looked elsewhere.
Would another provider be able to offer the same level of service for less cost ? - I don't know but I would be surprised if they could.
There is also the question of all the new Police helicopters being delivered right now, which come with warranty - 2 years or "XX" hours etc. - I woudln't think it feasible to have such warranty maintenance provided by anyone other than the aircraft supplier.
As has been stated a number of times before, all parts would still have to be sourced via ECUK, who would no doubt add on their "Handling / Shipping / Insurance" charge, and there would also be the problem of some parts not being released if there is short stock, and they are needed for their own directly contracted customers, adding a delay in returning aircraft to service which may not be acceptable to the customer, even if the financial cost WAS less.
Anyway, for now, at least the Field Engineers seem happy enough
Warranty Work
Any parts changed or work under taken as part of the warranty can be carried out by any maintenance organisation then a warranty claim for the work is submitted by the maintenance organisation to the manufacturer who has issued the warranty.
Not sure on the Eurocopter warranty but the Sikorsky warranty is parts only so the labour is at the owner/operators expense. Agusta is all inclusive.
FNW
Not sure on the Eurocopter warranty but the Sikorsky warranty is parts only so the labour is at the owner/operators expense. Agusta is all inclusive.
FNW
Join Date: Sep 2001
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Aren't the Police tied in to some sort of agreement - a "Framework document" I think they call it,
so that the warranty / maintenance comes as a package along with purchase of the aircraft ?
Does anyone know if any ( UK ) Police operator has ever bought a new aircraft from ECUK, PAS, or whoever, and then had the warranty work and maintenance ( during the warranty period ) carried out by someone they didn't buy it from ?
Is that how it works with the few Police operators that directly employ their own engineers ?
so that the warranty / maintenance comes as a package along with purchase of the aircraft ?
Does anyone know if any ( UK ) Police operator has ever bought a new aircraft from ECUK, PAS, or whoever, and then had the warranty work and maintenance ( during the warranty period ) carried out by someone they didn't buy it from ?
Is that how it works with the few Police operators that directly employ their own engineers ?