HEMS in Saudí Arabia
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30+ bases each staffed with at least one helicopter but some with more was what I heard when I was there working for ADA last year. I can believe 40+ aircraft is what PHI is being told. Hopefully they are making the SRCA pay for them in advance!
...a Google translation from Arabic from the SCRA website:
"the first phase of the agreement with PHI will establish the rules for helicopters in Mecca, Jeddah, Riyadh, Medina, Qassim and Hail. The contract includes the management and operation of eight helicopters". Then it goes on to mention that a Saudi team will be trained in the US to take over these services in the next few years.
Yeah right, I think we all know how that's going to turn out!
"the first phase of the agreement with PHI will establish the rules for helicopters in Mecca, Jeddah, Riyadh, Medina, Qassim and Hail. The contract includes the management and operation of eight helicopters". Then it goes on to mention that a Saudi team will be trained in the US to take over these services in the next few years.
Yeah right, I think we all know how that's going to turn out!
Last edited by gulliBell; 14th Apr 2012 at 23:06.
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.....saw that announcement from SRCA also. Looks like 8 412's will put at least 64 pilots to work if all goes well. I would expect at least half of that to start with . Glad to see that the contract was signed today, maybe now PHI can move forward with putting the plan together and getting everybody trained up and in the kingdom soon.
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Go to the Saudi Red Crecent Authorty website, SRCA, and look at the latest press release reference the contract signing today, you will have to hit the translate button.
They are saying 8 helicopters, given a two crew shift with 12 hours and a 28/28 shift that PHI is advertising that equates to 64 pilots.
They are saying 8 helicopters, given a two crew shift with 12 hours and a 28/28 shift that PHI is advertising that equates to 64 pilots.
I'm to understand they are one B412 short of the required number, hence why an S76 is going to plug the gap for 12 months.
Perhaps a good opportunity for someone experienced on both S76 and B412, like me.....oops, count me out, almost forgot it's US citizens only
Good luck guys, go there with an open mind, and be street wise with their culture, especially in public 
For the uninitiated, you'll find it is completely not what you are used to.
For the pork lovers, you'll need to pig out on your favorite BBQ pork ribs before you go (deep fried hamour fish and roast chicken is very popular in Saudi at this time of the year!!). And for the beer drinkers, needless to say quench your thirst sufficiently before you go
Perhaps a good opportunity for someone experienced on both S76 and B412, like me.....oops, count me out, almost forgot it's US citizens only
Good luck guys, go there with an open mind, and be street wise with their culture, especially in public For the uninitiated, you'll find it is completely not what you are used to.For the pork lovers, you'll need to pig out on your favorite BBQ pork ribs before you go (deep fried hamour fish and roast chicken is very popular in Saudi at this time of the year!!). And for the beer drinkers, needless to say quench your thirst sufficiently before you go
Last edited by gulliBell; 15th Apr 2012 at 04:01.
Another aspect is the internal hires will free up slots in the PHI domestic roster so it might be a good opportunity for some single-engine pilots to move on to twins (my hunch only, tho).
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Saudi Red Crescent Authority yesterday signed an agreement with the American PHI company to purchase eight helicopters that will join the authority’s fleet within three years.
Dr. Rasheed Al-Eid, executive director of the authority, signed the deal with a Lance Bospflug, president and chief executive officer of the American company.
During the ceremony, a presentation on the authority’s air ambulance service was made and its plan to expand the service Kingdomwide.
Al-Eid said the agreement to purchase new helicopters came at a time when the authority has launched the fifth phase of its emergency aviation services.
He said the first phase of the new agreement would see establishment of helipads in Makkah, Madinah, Riyadh, Jeddah, Qassim and Hail.
“The agreement also covers operation and management of eight helicopters,” he said.
He said the authority’s emergency medical service had helped in saving the lives of more than 500 people last year.
The American company will provide necessary training to Saudi pilots and other staff members including engineers and administrators.
“Saudis will be given training in the US to enable them to operate and maintain the helicopters within a few years,” he pointed out.
Dr. Rasheed Al-Eid, executive director of the authority, signed the deal with a Lance Bospflug, president and chief executive officer of the American company.
During the ceremony, a presentation on the authority’s air ambulance service was made and its plan to expand the service Kingdomwide.
Al-Eid said the agreement to purchase new helicopters came at a time when the authority has launched the fifth phase of its emergency aviation services.
He said the first phase of the new agreement would see establishment of helipads in Makkah, Madinah, Riyadh, Jeddah, Qassim and Hail.
“The agreement also covers operation and management of eight helicopters,” he said.
He said the authority’s emergency medical service had helped in saving the lives of more than 500 people last year.
The American company will provide necessary training to Saudi pilots and other staff members including engineers and administrators.
“Saudis will be given training in the US to enable them to operate and maintain the helicopters within a few years,” he pointed out.
Mutt
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“Saudis will be given training in the US to enable them to operate and maintain the helicopters within a few years,” he pointed out.
Just a wild guess.
Probably a company requirement and not a contract requirement.
Easier to co-ordinate the Saudi medicals and visas if they hire locally.
Maybe an equity issue on pay. If they hire locally they can tax everyone under the same regime. If they put aliens in the mix then they won't be liable for US income taxes and thus give rise to a disparity in take-home pay.
If they do initial competency training in the US it's cheaper for them not to hire aliens.
Etc etc etc.....
Probably a company requirement and not a contract requirement.
Easier to co-ordinate the Saudi medicals and visas if they hire locally.
Maybe an equity issue on pay. If they hire locally they can tax everyone under the same regime. If they put aliens in the mix then they won't be liable for US income taxes and thus give rise to a disparity in take-home pay.
If they do initial competency training in the US it's cheaper for them not to hire aliens.
Etc etc etc.....
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They would have to show up for work in order to operate them.
I'll bet they'll still go to the USA for training and maybe a visit to the mosques in Las Vegas?
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Mmmmm ......
I'd hate to be accused of being cynical ... BUT perhaps they're hireing only US nationals so they will have no arguments about flying around the Saudi skys at night at 500' agl and complying with FAA Part 91 duty rules .... which might also be why they will try (?) to do the 28-28 on/off thing as well.
Anyway good luck to all the 'lucky' aviators who get the gig!
You'll really enjoy yourselves ......
I'd hate to be accused of being cynical ... BUT perhaps they're hireing only US nationals so they will have no arguments about flying around the Saudi skys at night at 500' agl and complying with FAA Part 91 duty rules .... which might also be why they will try (?) to do the 28-28 on/off thing as well.
Anyway good luck to all the 'lucky' aviators who get the gig!
You'll really enjoy yourselves ......
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It is time consuming (read: delays) to obtain authorization from the TSA to train foreigners in the U.S. (at PHI). It is also much easier to vet applicants if they are Americans.
Part 91 applies to all in the Kingdom, not just Americans.
Part 91 applies to all in the Kingdom, not just Americans.
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I think Spin was referring to the fact that American pilots are used to bombing around at 500ft and more relaxed regulations. Our european counterparts might balk at some of the things we get away with here coming from a more safety conscious environment.
Saudi Red Crescent to buy 8 PHI helicopters - Arab News
Saudi Red Crescent Authority yesterday signed an agreement with the American PHI company to purchase eight helicopters that will join the authority’s fleet within three years.
Dr. Rasheed Al-Eid, executive director of the authority, signed the deal with a Lance Bospflug, president and chief executive officer of the American company.
During the ceremony, a presentation on the authority’s air ambulance service was made and its plan to expand the service Kingdomwide.
Al-Eid said the agreement to purchase new helicopters came at a time when the authority has launched the fifth phase of its emergency aviation services.
He said the first phase of the new agreement would see establishment of helipads in Makkah, Madinah, Riyadh, Jeddah, Qassim and Hail.
“The agreement also covers operation and management of eight helicopters,” he said.
He said the authority’s emergency medical service had helped in saving the lives of more than 500 people last year.
The American company will provide necessary training to Saudi pilots and other staff members including engineers and administrators.
“Saudis will be given training in the US to enable them to operate and maintain the helicopters within a few years,” he pointed out.
Dr. Rasheed Al-Eid, executive director of the authority, signed the deal with a Lance Bospflug, president and chief executive officer of the American company.
During the ceremony, a presentation on the authority’s air ambulance service was made and its plan to expand the service Kingdomwide.
Al-Eid said the agreement to purchase new helicopters came at a time when the authority has launched the fifth phase of its emergency aviation services.
He said the first phase of the new agreement would see establishment of helipads in Makkah, Madinah, Riyadh, Jeddah, Qassim and Hail.
“The agreement also covers operation and management of eight helicopters,” he said.
He said the authority’s emergency medical service had helped in saving the lives of more than 500 people last year.
The American company will provide necessary training to Saudi pilots and other staff members including engineers and administrators.
“Saudis will be given training in the US to enable them to operate and maintain the helicopters within a few years,” he pointed out.
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Are the 28x28 medics going to be locally licenced?
Without an arabic-speaker on board, how are the crews going to deal with the language barriers on scene?
I'm intrigued to see how this project folds out
Without an arabic-speaker on board, how are the crews going to deal with the language barriers on scene?
I'm intrigued to see how this project folds out