2023 HeliOps Calendar Giveaway
Utility going stronger than ever, almost more work than we can deal with. Currently multiple interesting options on the table for a switch to another field of work. Another great year so far! 
Flying the B505 being only a hobby for me, I can't comment on the state of the aviation industry. Working in healthcare however has been once again a hell of a year - with absolutely no end sight. 
Thread Starter
First batch of calendars was put into the mail today. Next batch on the 17th so if you want to get your hands on one then enter the comp soonest.
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Operations in Thailand are mostly restricted to government and military, apart from the offshore oil support at Songla. As I am now retired from working offshore, I am no longer up with those operations.
There are some charter operations, but very restricted to just where they can operate. From time to time a TV news operation will pop up, the last one that I am aware of ended up in the Chao Praya River!
The Civil Aviation training school is still in operation at Hua Hin. At the moment they are using an R44 for training, having either added the time expired R22 to the collection in a hangar, or crashed it!
The biggest exposure that I now have to helicopters, is that where I live in Bangkok is on a direct route from the Royal Thai Police air wing base, to what I can only assume is a golf club!
Every morning there are 2 or 3 passing overhead in succession, and then mostly returning in the afternoon. The police have a sizable fleet, now mostly Airbus of various models. There is still at least one old Bell 214 that goes plodding by occasionally with its distinctive blade and tail rotor beat!
Interesting to note that operations in Bangkok are mostly restricted to 1,000 ft, and in some areas 500 ft. Many years ago, when I was still involved, I remember the pilots complaining that there are radio antennae masts higher than 500 ft around Bangkok!
So, as far as the year goes, not much has changed.
There are some charter operations, but very restricted to just where they can operate. From time to time a TV news operation will pop up, the last one that I am aware of ended up in the Chao Praya River!
The Civil Aviation training school is still in operation at Hua Hin. At the moment they are using an R44 for training, having either added the time expired R22 to the collection in a hangar, or crashed it!
The biggest exposure that I now have to helicopters, is that where I live in Bangkok is on a direct route from the Royal Thai Police air wing base, to what I can only assume is a golf club!
Every morning there are 2 or 3 passing overhead in succession, and then mostly returning in the afternoon. The police have a sizable fleet, now mostly Airbus of various models. There is still at least one old Bell 214 that goes plodding by occasionally with its distinctive blade and tail rotor beat!
Interesting to note that operations in Bangkok are mostly restricted to 1,000 ft, and in some areas 500 ft. Many years ago, when I was still involved, I remember the pilots complaining that there are radio antennae masts higher than 500 ft around Bangkok!
So, as far as the year goes, not much has changed.
Last edited by Old Farang; 5th Nov 2022 at 04:01. Reason: spelling
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The spring time winds in Texas & Oklahoma were brutal to us this year. Apparently it was the windiest spring since 1963, so we weren't able to get over our usual acreage. The wind just never stopped blowing for days on end. We made up for it on other crops, but were still down financially when compared to 2021, which was our best year ever. Could have been better, but also could have been worse!
Hey, thanks for the great offer again, Ned, always appreciated, as well as your new parallel thread.
I'm not directly in the industry any more, but like another poster, the hi-tech / electronics I'm consulting for are have real problems with supply chain issues for processors / microcontrollers and other specialist silicon chips. It is affecting the new cr industry badly, with prices of 2nd hand cars hugely up.
I guess to some extent the smaller volumes of helps which are made lessen the risk, however the risk must nevertheless still be there securing future stock of at risk components isn't managed carefully. Best wishes and thanks.
I'm not directly in the industry any more, but like another poster, the hi-tech / electronics I'm consulting for are have real problems with supply chain issues for processors / microcontrollers and other specialist silicon chips. It is affecting the new cr industry badly, with prices of 2nd hand cars hugely up.
I guess to some extent the smaller volumes of helps which are made lessen the risk, however the risk must nevertheless still be there securing future stock of at risk components isn't managed carefully. Best wishes and thanks.
Not in the idustry as of March 4, 2022 (Retired)
Thanks Ned for the offer. The MRO business at the largest repair center in Corpus Christi, Tx. in the world is still going strong. The Bell portion of military repairs has tapered to about zero with most of Bell's military models being Navy's composite rotor heads, being maintained at MCAS Cherry Point, N.C. Although, it is starting to look like the Yankee's and the Zulu's are not going to require a lot of rotor maintenance. Otter.
Thread Starter
Anyone else - we will be doing one more shipment next week and then one last one at the end of November so everyone gets them before the end of the year.
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2022 has had it's challenges again... I have been diagnosed with Interstitial Lung Disease which has robbed me of 40-50% lung capacity... currently trying to stop it from progressing... I still remain part of the industry as a moderator over at Vertical and hangar ratting as always.... Guess I should have a little cheese with my "whine"...
Thread Starter
LAST CALL - Last batch of calendars are going out at the end of next week before I head off overseas again. This way everyone who wants one will have them in the mail well before the end of the year.
So if you want to get one then make your post and let me know on email asap.
So if you want to get one then make your post and let me know on email asap.
Hi,
well, I'm still flying the desk for six weeks - and the helicopter for the next six weeks.
Quite good for the backpain and the sleeping habits , cause night shifts are a pain in the a....
When flying it's mostly done with NVG. The demand in the dark hours is increasing from year to year.
Only during the wildfire season day flying hours are higher. Good, that we started with the Bambi-buckets - it's a great help, especially at the hillsides.
So everything is going strong - only three and a half year ish left until retirement :-)
Udo
well, I'm still flying the desk for six weeks - and the helicopter for the next six weeks.
Quite good for the backpain and the sleeping habits , cause night shifts are a pain in the a....
When flying it's mostly done with NVG. The demand in the dark hours is increasing from year to year.
Only during the wildfire season day flying hours are higher. Good, that we started with the Bambi-buckets - it's a great help, especially at the hillsides.
So everything is going strong - only three and a half year ish left until retirement :-)
Udo
Moderator
Things have been a tad slow with the covid fallout but now starting to look up a bit. I think that we all will do well to see the end of these medical problems. The helo calendar on the office wall certainly has eased the pain somewhat ....
As usual I’m late to the party!
Not much has changed in my world, the WSB TV helicopter passing by, EMS still frequently landing at Grady Hospital and Atlanta Police still overhead on a regular basis….. not much changes when you are in downtown Atlanta!
On a happier note was recently in the Caribbean and St Lucia Helicopters are still doing what they always do, great customer service, polite helpful staff and the pilots…..great as usual!
Best Wishes to all in and connected to the industry.
Thank You Ned for once again offering up the Calendar!
Not much has changed in my world, the WSB TV helicopter passing by, EMS still frequently landing at Grady Hospital and Atlanta Police still overhead on a regular basis….. not much changes when you are in downtown Atlanta!
On a happier note was recently in the Caribbean and St Lucia Helicopters are still doing what they always do, great customer service, polite helpful staff and the pilots…..great as usual!
Best Wishes to all in and connected to the industry.
Thank You Ned for once again offering up the Calendar!
Last edited by nomorehelosforme; 24th Nov 2022 at 00:20.