so how do you get to fly offshore?
Join Date: Jul 2008
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Offshore Jobs - how to get one ?
I´m a low-time (~300hrs) JAA CPL pilot and I´d like to get into the north sea offhore flying business as co-pilot. I already have ATPL/IR theory and since it looks like there is no way without IR rating, I´m planning to do the IR training as next step. However, this is quite a financial challenge and I´m not so sure wether this is really the door opener.
I´ve already looked at the websites of all the major players in the business, but there are almost no pilot jobs posted. And for one of the few low-time jobs I applied I´ve got some anonymous "no thank you, please dont contact us" response. This all makes me think that applying over the internet is not really the way how to actually get a job.
So what do you guys think ? Is it worth to spend the money on the IR with just 300hrs experience and what would be a more successful way of scoring a job ? Thanks for your feedbacks.
I´ve already looked at the websites of all the major players in the business, but there are almost no pilot jobs posted. And for one of the few low-time jobs I applied I´ve got some anonymous "no thank you, please dont contact us" response. This all makes me think that applying over the internet is not really the way how to actually get a job.
So what do you guys think ? Is it worth to spend the money on the IR with just 300hrs experience and what would be a more successful way of scoring a job ? Thanks for your feedbacks.
Join Date: Nov 2006
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Get your a$$ somewhere to get more time!
More time - more experience. Most offshore customers has total time limitations. If you are able to get around 1000 hours + at least 100 h night time, you are much better shape. At the same time you might have a chance to get your atpl done, which is your gold card. I know, it's hard to get your ass in companies, but that's the way to go. Don't be picky.
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1. if you want to get a north sea job then these days getting an IR is a must
2. but more experience is not always good, sometimes they want lower time + IR because your salary will be lower and hence the costbase for the employer will be lower.
3. any logical analysis of the risk/return ratio will automatically mean that you should not proceed, there are a lot of pilots out there with IR's some who are employed onshore and some not, who are not getting in.
4. do it if you want to give yourself a chance, but be preapared for plan B if it doesnt work.
5.its all about timing, there is mostly a famine and sometimes a flood of P2 jobs, 3 floods i can remember about 1998, 2001, 2007 ish, so on that basis, another should be along soon (but maybe not)
2. but more experience is not always good, sometimes they want lower time + IR because your salary will be lower and hence the costbase for the employer will be lower.
3. any logical analysis of the risk/return ratio will automatically mean that you should not proceed, there are a lot of pilots out there with IR's some who are employed onshore and some not, who are not getting in.
4. do it if you want to give yourself a chance, but be preapared for plan B if it doesnt work.
5.its all about timing, there is mostly a famine and sometimes a flood of P2 jobs, 3 floods i can remember about 1998, 2001, 2007 ish, so on that basis, another should be along soon (but maybe not)
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Don´t wait with IR. You must have that. And something will come in future. ASAP.
Somebody said that some good times are coming on the North Sea ... will see!
Somebody said that some good times are coming on the North Sea ... will see!
Join Date: Dec 2005
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I can only echo what previous posters have said about networking.
In my case I made contact with all the offshore operators local(ish) to me and after the initial knock backs I stayed im touch with one person frm each operator (chief pilot, hr manager, line pilot etc)
After about 18 months this (prob coz they were so sick of me pestering them) I was called for an interview and subsequently offered a job with an operator which operates EC225's and S76's with no prior offshore experience of my own.
So for me it was a mix of luck and just making as many contacts as I could.
Cheers
garfs
In my case I made contact with all the offshore operators local(ish) to me and after the initial knock backs I stayed im touch with one person frm each operator (chief pilot, hr manager, line pilot etc)
After about 18 months this (prob coz they were so sick of me pestering them) I was called for an interview and subsequently offered a job with an operator which operates EC225's and S76's with no prior offshore experience of my own.
So for me it was a mix of luck and just making as many contacts as I could.
Cheers
garfs
Join Date: Mar 2006
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Regarding experience for the offshore operators, I've heard that 'experienced' is several thousand hours, with relevant experience; they lump 1000 hours of non-offshore in with 250 hours of non-offshore. Of course, not being on the inside, I have this second-hand, so I don't know how accurate it is, but I've had it froms several different sources. Certainly, you won't even make it past the initial screening without an IR (ME IR for some companies).
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Been there, done that.
Armed with a fresh JAR CPL(H), started looking for work offshore. I was told, get your IR, don't bother with your IR, your too old etc, etc. I went with a friend to Aberdeen on 2 separate occasions to meet with the Chief pilot's of the three major companies at my own expense, this seemed to go down well, handing your CV over in person is much better then an email or letter (or so I was told) and not that many people do it, or at least didn't when I did it!
We were lucky, there was a shortage and it paid off. I know of 5 that were taken on without IR's and sponsored through the process. It took a year from my interview/evaluation to the sim check and job offer as anyone with an IR was drafted before me. However, as previously stated, having an IR does not guarantee a position and a back up plan is mandatory!
All I can say is good luck with the job hunting and don't give up hope!
Armed with a fresh JAR CPL(H), started looking for work offshore. I was told, get your IR, don't bother with your IR, your too old etc, etc. I went with a friend to Aberdeen on 2 separate occasions to meet with the Chief pilot's of the three major companies at my own expense, this seemed to go down well, handing your CV over in person is much better then an email or letter (or so I was told) and not that many people do it, or at least didn't when I did it!
We were lucky, there was a shortage and it paid off. I know of 5 that were taken on without IR's and sponsored through the process. It took a year from my interview/evaluation to the sim check and job offer as anyone with an IR was drafted before me. However, as previously stated, having an IR does not guarantee a position and a back up plan is mandatory!
All I can say is good luck with the job hunting and don't give up hope!
Join Date: Sep 2010
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Hello Guys
Almost done with my navy career and I am READY to jump over and start looking at some Offshore/Sar gig...I've already applied for the biggest companies (CHC,Bristow,ERA,PHI) but i still havent got any answer....seems that if you dont have a FAA ATPL and/or a S76 (or S92) type rating you're out the games.
This is what i got under the belt so far
Ø JAA Airline Transport Pilot License (Helicopter THEORY)
Ø Test for English Aviation -- LEVEL 6
Ø Military Fixed Wing / Rotary Wing Experience (US NAVY Flight
Schools)
Ø JAA CPL+IR (Skill Tested by INAER ITALIA)
Ø Bell 412/212 Type Rated (Type Rated by INAER ITALIA)
Ø 1862.9 Total Time
Ø 889.9 Pilot-in-command Time
Ø 420.4 Night Time (Unaided)
Ø 1485.4 Multiengine and Multicrew Helicopter Time (Bell 212)
Ø 1593.5 Helicopter Turbine Time (Bell 212 and Bell 206)
I'm gonna be available to start anytime after 30th September 2012 and
I've got no problems to accept any kind of bond in exchange of a "workable" type rating, neither to get a Co-Pilot job or relocate.
Here's my full Linkedin profile
http://www.linkedin.com/profile/view...04&trk=tab_pro
Any help is greatly appreciated.
Regards
Dario
Almost done with my navy career and I am READY to jump over and start looking at some Offshore/Sar gig...I've already applied for the biggest companies (CHC,Bristow,ERA,PHI) but i still havent got any answer....seems that if you dont have a FAA ATPL and/or a S76 (or S92) type rating you're out the games.
This is what i got under the belt so far
Ø JAA Airline Transport Pilot License (Helicopter THEORY)
Ø Test for English Aviation -- LEVEL 6
Ø Military Fixed Wing / Rotary Wing Experience (US NAVY Flight
Schools)
Ø JAA CPL+IR (Skill Tested by INAER ITALIA)
Ø Bell 412/212 Type Rated (Type Rated by INAER ITALIA)
Ø 1862.9 Total Time
Ø 889.9 Pilot-in-command Time
Ø 420.4 Night Time (Unaided)
Ø 1485.4 Multiengine and Multicrew Helicopter Time (Bell 212)
Ø 1593.5 Helicopter Turbine Time (Bell 212 and Bell 206)
I'm gonna be available to start anytime after 30th September 2012 and
I've got no problems to accept any kind of bond in exchange of a "workable" type rating, neither to get a Co-Pilot job or relocate.
Here's my full Linkedin profile
http://www.linkedin.com/profile/view...04&trk=tab_pro
Any help is greatly appreciated.
Regards
Dario
Join Date: Jul 2008
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Thanks everbody for the helpful replies. I think I go ahead doing the IR training and do a tour to knock on some doors. It probably also involves a little bit of luck to be at the right spot at the right time when an opportunity is opening up. Even if you're the most stellar candidate, you can't score a job if there are no open positions.
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At Ka-26 I am also looking to get into offshore, but face the same problem with no actual offshore time. Can you assist with companies that take "green" co-pilots for offshore. I have ATPL(H) restricted and IFR and some twin time. But none of the typical offshore type ratings, ie S-76,etc.
Regards AFZRotor
Regards AFZRotor
