Is there a helicopter pilot shortage?
.
IMO interesting read about the industry:
https://www.verticalmag.com/features...eople-problem/
https://www.verticalmag.com/features...eople-problem/
Geoff Packer, founder of HeliSpeed, believes he has another solution to variable labor requirements. Packer established HeliSpeed in 2015 to supply experienced specialized pilots and maintenance engineers to the industry. While based in the U.K., HeliSpeed has 736 pilots on its books from 39 different countries.
I love that....."we need qualified S-92 Pilots, or AW139 Pilots, or S-76C+ Pilots!
The Operators do themselves in when they insist upon the Pilot's funding their own conversion courses in order to qualify for a job opening.
You wonder why they have shortages?
Since when has a Helicopter Operator had any loyalty to its Pilots where you hire on as new guy.....then exactly like the airlines....you move up according to Seniority?
The Operators see that as an expensive cost to be avoided.
Thus....they hire and fire as workload varies, hand pick who gets a conversion, and do not allow for "bidding" on Base Assignments, Overseas Postings, or anything that takes their control away from the manning.
Perhaps if the Operators showed some loyalty the Pilots would as well.
As long as the Helicopter Industry is Contract driven....and the Operators have no loyalty....the pilots will not either.
This is a case of "Doctor heal thyself!".
The Industry has caused this problem....by the way it evolved.
Airlines have Furloughs when times get slow.....and when times pick back up they recall furloughed Pilots.
Bristow once had "Gardening Leave" to accomplish the same thing.
That is why I counsel young aspiring Pilots to go fixed wing and never look back.
Flying helicopters can be enjoyable and rewarding.....but you better make as much use of that situation as you can because it shall end at some point......then it is back to the bad side of the Industry until the next good ride shows up.
The Operators do themselves in when they insist upon the Pilot's funding their own conversion courses in order to qualify for a job opening.
You wonder why they have shortages?
Since when has a Helicopter Operator had any loyalty to its Pilots where you hire on as new guy.....then exactly like the airlines....you move up according to Seniority?
The Operators see that as an expensive cost to be avoided.
Thus....they hire and fire as workload varies, hand pick who gets a conversion, and do not allow for "bidding" on Base Assignments, Overseas Postings, or anything that takes their control away from the manning.
Perhaps if the Operators showed some loyalty the Pilots would as well.
As long as the Helicopter Industry is Contract driven....and the Operators have no loyalty....the pilots will not either.
This is a case of "Doctor heal thyself!".
The Industry has caused this problem....by the way it evolved.
Airlines have Furloughs when times get slow.....and when times pick back up they recall furloughed Pilots.
Bristow once had "Gardening Leave" to accomplish the same thing.
That is why I counsel young aspiring Pilots to go fixed wing and never look back.
Flying helicopters can be enjoyable and rewarding.....but you better make as much use of that situation as you can because it shall end at some point......then it is back to the bad side of the Industry until the next good ride shows up.
I love that....."we need qualified S-92 Pilots, or AW139 Pilots, or S-76C+ Pilots!
The Operators do themselves in when they insist upon the Pilot's funding their own conversion courses in order to qualify for a job opening.
You wonder why they have shortages?
Since when has a Helicopter Operator had any loyalty to its Pilots where you hire on as new guy.....then exactly like the airlines....you move up according to Seniority?
The Operators see that as an expensive cost to be avoided.
Thus....they hire and fire as workload varies, hand pick who gets a conversion, and do not allow for "bidding" on Base Assignments, Overseas Postings, or anything that takes their control away from the manning.
Perhaps if the Operators showed some loyalty the Pilots would as well.
As long as the Helicopter Industry is Contract driven....and the Operators have no loyalty....the pilots will not either.
This is a case of "Doctor heal thyself!".
The Industry has caused this problem....by the way it evolved.
Airlines have Furloughs when times get slow.....and when times pick back up they recall furloughed Pilots.
Bristow once had "Gardening Leave" to accomplish the same thing.
That is why I counsel young aspiring Pilots to go fixed wing and never look back.
Flying helicopters can be enjoyable and rewarding.....but you better make as much use of that situation as you can because it shall end at some point......then it is back to the bad side of the Industry until the next good ride shows up.
The Operators do themselves in when they insist upon the Pilot's funding their own conversion courses in order to qualify for a job opening.
You wonder why they have shortages?
Since when has a Helicopter Operator had any loyalty to its Pilots where you hire on as new guy.....then exactly like the airlines....you move up according to Seniority?
The Operators see that as an expensive cost to be avoided.
Thus....they hire and fire as workload varies, hand pick who gets a conversion, and do not allow for "bidding" on Base Assignments, Overseas Postings, or anything that takes their control away from the manning.
Perhaps if the Operators showed some loyalty the Pilots would as well.
As long as the Helicopter Industry is Contract driven....and the Operators have no loyalty....the pilots will not either.
This is a case of "Doctor heal thyself!".
The Industry has caused this problem....by the way it evolved.
Airlines have Furloughs when times get slow.....and when times pick back up they recall furloughed Pilots.
Bristow once had "Gardening Leave" to accomplish the same thing.
That is why I counsel young aspiring Pilots to go fixed wing and never look back.
Flying helicopters can be enjoyable and rewarding.....but you better make as much use of that situation as you can because it shall end at some point......then it is back to the bad side of the Industry until the next good ride shows up.
I very recently got a job up in the far north flying offshore in an S92.
I was typed on the S92 by the company along with others and some more in the pipe line training already.
Sometimes it is right place right time.
I was typed on the S92 by the company along with others and some more in the pipe line training already.
Sometimes it is right place right time.
right place right time, but no, there isn't a helicopter pilot shortage. Probably never has been (except when the North Sea needed a few extra pilots) and probably never will be again.
