"WHO's WHO": What do you fly? Where?
First: Droopy, from your post you're not who I thought you were.
Cyclic Rick, we may know each other, APC 284 Jun83.
Type of Flying:
Police
Where:
Merseyside(Liverpool, UK for you foreigner types
)
Current Types:
EC135, AS 355F
Mil:
Yes. 24 years. Started with the Royal Engineers, then found out they'd let me fly a helicopter(fools!). Flew for 14years.
Previous Types:
Lynx 1/7/9, Gazelle(had to really, no option), Alouette 3, B206(Exchange with Australian Army), various gliders.
Hours:
5000+
Cyclic Rick, we may know each other, APC 284 Jun83.
Type of Flying:
Police
Where:
Merseyside(Liverpool, UK for you foreigner types
)Current Types:
EC135, AS 355F
Mil:
Yes. 24 years. Started with the Royal Engineers, then found out they'd let me fly a helicopter(fools!). Flew for 14years.
Previous Types:
Lynx 1/7/9, Gazelle(had to really, no option), Alouette 3, B206(Exchange with Australian Army), various gliders.
Hours:
5000+
What type of flying work do you do?
PPL Instruction
What types(s) do you fly?
H300C & CBi, B206
Where? (As precise as you can be without losing anonymity.)
UK
Previous jobs?
IT (Long Time)
Previous types?
R22, H500, C152, PA28
Military / ex-Military? (Which? What types?)
Civvie
How long have you been flying?
FW: 1995
RW: 1998
How many hours?
110 Fw
1300 Rw
PPL Instruction
What types(s) do you fly?
H300C & CBi, B206
Where? (As precise as you can be without losing anonymity.)
UK
Previous jobs?
IT (Long Time)
Previous types?
R22, H500, C152, PA28
Military / ex-Military? (Which? What types?)
Civvie
How long have you been flying?
FW: 1995
RW: 1998
How many hours?
110 Fw
1300 Rw
HeliFirst
Join Date: Jan 2001
Location: Lincoln & Norwich
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1. PPL/H Instructor and Examiner
2. R22 / R44 / UH12 / S300 / B206 / Gazelle
3. a quite and peacefull part in the UK
4. RN / CPL Instructor / Crop Spraying Pilot and Consultant (Africa) / Charter / Corporate / Offshore Oil Support
5. Not Military but Fleet Air Arm and trained Fixed Wing first in RAF
6. Since PPL East Africa Kenya 1971
7. !0,000 hrs
(including 4,500 BAe/RJ (Fixed wing) when over ten years I earnt enough to pay off the morgages etc, semi retire and enjoy simple helicopters again!!)
2. R22 / R44 / UH12 / S300 / B206 / Gazelle
3. a quite and peacefull part in the UK
4. RN / CPL Instructor / Crop Spraying Pilot and Consultant (Africa) / Charter / Corporate / Offshore Oil Support
5. Not Military but Fleet Air Arm and trained Fixed Wing first in RAF
6. Since PPL East Africa Kenya 1971
7. !0,000 hrs
(including 4,500 BAe/RJ (Fixed wing) when over ten years I earnt enough to pay off the morgages etc, semi retire and enjoy simple helicopters again!!)
Last edited by Up & Away; 14th Apr 2006 at 16:07.
Thanks for the request Heliport (as you see, not that interesting!)......
What type of flying work do you do?
Mainly oil support. Currently fleet type training captain so lots of conversions and OPCs too.
What types(s) do you fly?
EC-155B.
Where? (As precise as you can be without losing anonymity.)
Nigeria.
Previous jobs?
Same company throughout, but previous spells in Northern and Southern North Sea and Algeria.
Previous types?
B-212, S-76 A+/++, AS-332L, R-22
Military / ex-Military? (Which? What types?)
Civil.
How long have you been flying?
18 years since Bulldogs at University, 14 since started rotary.
How many hours?
7,500 ish, 250 FW.
What type of flying work do you do?
Mainly oil support. Currently fleet type training captain so lots of conversions and OPCs too.
What types(s) do you fly?
EC-155B.
Where? (As precise as you can be without losing anonymity.)
Nigeria.
Previous jobs?
Same company throughout, but previous spells in Northern and Southern North Sea and Algeria.
Previous types?
B-212, S-76 A+/++, AS-332L, R-22
Military / ex-Military? (Which? What types?)
Civil.
How long have you been flying?
18 years since Bulldogs at University, 14 since started rotary.
How many hours?
7,500 ish, 250 FW.
Join Date: Feb 2002
Location: N20,W99
Age: 53
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What type of flying work do you do?
I currently fly for the Bell Helicopter representative in Mexico, I do very different types of flying since we operate, maintain, and rent helicopters to many different companies, so I do a little bit of everything and I never know what I will do next, examples are, maintenance test flights, acceptance flights, ferry new acft, and bring them into the shop from all over, ENG, VIP, photo, demo, when working for the Dept. of Communications we survey proposed spots for new airports, roads and bridges, and I have been where almost every major hurricane has caused disasters since 1996 (Mexico, Honduras, Guatemala, Nicaragua, El Salvador) to aid everything from evacuating people to looking for looking for parts of decent highway to set up temporary landing strips. Rental flights are always fun, I have been to the recent Formula Kart races and sweeped the track with the down-wash, have flown with Julia Roberts, Demi Moore, Luciano Pavarotti, and I once took a couple that got really romantic in the 206 L4.
I also forgot to mention we have a contract with the government to supply medication to rural medical clinics in very remote areas, and that is one of the jobs I enjoy the most, about once a month I go out for some days to fly up in the mountains up north or down in the jungles of the Southeastern part of the country, the scenery is awesome, and landing in the doorstep of those clinics is always fun, and I used to take my wife or brother with me.
And sometimes I ride copilot in the Hawker 400A (Beechjet 400A) for a fractional program for which I flew for a while.
What types(s) do you fly?
Have flown mostly Bells professionally, all 206's, 212, 412, etc., and in Africa I flew the MD500 a little.
Where? (As precise as you can be without losing anonymity.)
My name is Carlos Oscar Ruiz and I am located right now at:
N19,22,159 W099,10,264 MEX/VOR RAD228,7.26NM, 7,451 FTAMSL, you could send a Tomahawk missle thru my window with that info!
PS. I really don't like anonymity, it allows people to easily say dumb things. I think I will register with my real name sometime.
Previous jobs?
Used to fly powerline patrol for PROTEXA, then I went the what was once the airline with the largest growth in the world for a while (non existent now) TAESA airlines, helis were toys, great place to work, the CEO was a pilot, most of the DC9 pilots were under 25, the 757 chief pilot was 26, and you could jump from acft to acft as you pleased. Then I worked for Raytheon in their fractional ownership thing flying light jets, it was interesting for a while, traveled much, never knew where I would be tomorrow, Panama and Cuba were favorites, then Colombia because of so many beautiful women. Also got to visit interesting places such as Scranton, Georgia! (YUK) Went to Fort Rucker once, and flew with the sponsor of a Formula Kart racing team once to every Kart race in America (the continent) for 6 months. But if you are a true pilot in all the sense of the word, you get really bored of the unchallenging, monotonous, button pushing, straight line, way up there flight, todays airplanes offer, and I couldn't wait until I hovered again! After a year of not being in the seat of a helicopter my boss asked if I wanted to fly with someone before starting my normal work routine, I said no, and I will never forget how at ease, comfortable and happy I felt pulling the collective on that 206, it had been a looong year!
I almost forgot, I worked in West Africa for the UN/WHO Oncho thing! Not as long as would have liked to though.
Types flown?
Bells and more Bells, flew my very first 36.5 heli hours in an R22, never been on one since, I am not an R22 enthusiast! One thing I've discovered, the larger the helicopter, the easier to fly.
Military or . .
NO military here, 1 year of military life, would kill me, I don't care if they were teach me to fly the V22.
How long have you been flying?
For a living, 8 years
How many hours?
I hate this hour thing, I see many obsessed people with their hours, I sometimes don't even put hours I fly on my logbook! I have seen 800 hour pilots that I would sent my family to fly with any-day, and on the otherside I have seen 8,000 offshore hour pilots who still get lost, and are afraid to land in a confined area above 5,000 FT. To me its more about what kind of flying you've done, than how many hours you have, but if you really want to know, I have + 4,000
My most recent picture . . .
I currently fly for the Bell Helicopter representative in Mexico, I do very different types of flying since we operate, maintain, and rent helicopters to many different companies, so I do a little bit of everything and I never know what I will do next, examples are, maintenance test flights, acceptance flights, ferry new acft, and bring them into the shop from all over, ENG, VIP, photo, demo, when working for the Dept. of Communications we survey proposed spots for new airports, roads and bridges, and I have been where almost every major hurricane has caused disasters since 1996 (Mexico, Honduras, Guatemala, Nicaragua, El Salvador) to aid everything from evacuating people to looking for looking for parts of decent highway to set up temporary landing strips. Rental flights are always fun, I have been to the recent Formula Kart races and sweeped the track with the down-wash, have flown with Julia Roberts, Demi Moore, Luciano Pavarotti, and I once took a couple that got really romantic in the 206 L4.
I also forgot to mention we have a contract with the government to supply medication to rural medical clinics in very remote areas, and that is one of the jobs I enjoy the most, about once a month I go out for some days to fly up in the mountains up north or down in the jungles of the Southeastern part of the country, the scenery is awesome, and landing in the doorstep of those clinics is always fun, and I used to take my wife or brother with me.
And sometimes I ride copilot in the Hawker 400A (Beechjet 400A) for a fractional program for which I flew for a while.
What types(s) do you fly?
Have flown mostly Bells professionally, all 206's, 212, 412, etc., and in Africa I flew the MD500 a little.
Where? (As precise as you can be without losing anonymity.)
My name is Carlos Oscar Ruiz and I am located right now at:
N19,22,159 W099,10,264 MEX/VOR RAD228,7.26NM, 7,451 FTAMSL, you could send a Tomahawk missle thru my window with that info!
PS. I really don't like anonymity, it allows people to easily say dumb things. I think I will register with my real name sometime.
Previous jobs?
Used to fly powerline patrol for PROTEXA, then I went the what was once the airline with the largest growth in the world for a while (non existent now) TAESA airlines, helis were toys, great place to work, the CEO was a pilot, most of the DC9 pilots were under 25, the 757 chief pilot was 26, and you could jump from acft to acft as you pleased. Then I worked for Raytheon in their fractional ownership thing flying light jets, it was interesting for a while, traveled much, never knew where I would be tomorrow, Panama and Cuba were favorites, then Colombia because of so many beautiful women. Also got to visit interesting places such as Scranton, Georgia! (YUK) Went to Fort Rucker once, and flew with the sponsor of a Formula Kart racing team once to every Kart race in America (the continent) for 6 months. But if you are a true pilot in all the sense of the word, you get really bored of the unchallenging, monotonous, button pushing, straight line, way up there flight, todays airplanes offer, and I couldn't wait until I hovered again! After a year of not being in the seat of a helicopter my boss asked if I wanted to fly with someone before starting my normal work routine, I said no, and I will never forget how at ease, comfortable and happy I felt pulling the collective on that 206, it had been a looong year!
I almost forgot, I worked in West Africa for the UN/WHO Oncho thing! Not as long as would have liked to though.
Types flown?
Bells and more Bells, flew my very first 36.5 heli hours in an R22, never been on one since, I am not an R22 enthusiast! One thing I've discovered, the larger the helicopter, the easier to fly.
Military or . .
NO military here, 1 year of military life, would kill me, I don't care if they were teach me to fly the V22.
How long have you been flying?
For a living, 8 years
How many hours?
I hate this hour thing, I see many obsessed people with their hours, I sometimes don't even put hours I fly on my logbook! I have seen 800 hour pilots that I would sent my family to fly with any-day, and on the otherside I have seen 8,000 offshore hour pilots who still get lost, and are afraid to land in a confined area above 5,000 FT. To me its more about what kind of flying you've done, than how many hours you have, but if you really want to know, I have + 4,000
My most recent picture . . .
Join Date: Aug 2003
Location: Oz. Mahgni
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Thanks for the request Heliport
What type of flying work do you do?
I'm a 'contract pilot', so don't really have a full time job. I usually get around 500-600 hours annually though. Mostly Fire suppression and Ag. I fly fixed wing ag as well.
What types(s) do you fly?
Most current helicopter ride is an old UH-1B. Have wanted to fly one since I was 7 years old. Took me 32 years but finally did it.
Have done some spraying with it but mostly fire's now.
Where? (As precise as you can be without losing anonymity.)
Queensland, Australia.
Previous jobs?
Only ever aviation really. Learnt to fly at 17. Got my F/w CPL at 19. Helicopter license at 20. Spent about 10 years mustering in a Hughes 300 during the winter and F/w spraying in the summers.
The majority of my total time is still on one particular 300.
Previous types?
Hiller 12 E, H-300, R-22, B-206, B-47/T
No 500 time yet dammit!
Military / ex-Military? (Which? What types?)
Civil. All civil, well mostly (don't like being cut off in the circuit!)
How long have you been flying?
Almost 27 years( I know, a non-achiever.)
How many hours?
15,600 or something. Who cares really? (Anybody ever ask old truck drivers how many hours they have?)
Without wanting to sound like too much of a '8 ' I would just like to say that, having just discovered this forum. I think Rotorheads is great! The input from some of the contributors is incredible. Being able to communicate one on one with the likes of Nick , Rich , Lu and Co. just blows me away. A better source of helicopter truths and wisdom I have not yet seen.:
What type of flying work do you do?
I'm a 'contract pilot', so don't really have a full time job. I usually get around 500-600 hours annually though. Mostly Fire suppression and Ag. I fly fixed wing ag as well.
What types(s) do you fly?
Most current helicopter ride is an old UH-1B. Have wanted to fly one since I was 7 years old. Took me 32 years but finally did it.
Have done some spraying with it but mostly fire's now.
Where? (As precise as you can be without losing anonymity.)
Queensland, Australia.
Previous jobs?
Only ever aviation really. Learnt to fly at 17. Got my F/w CPL at 19. Helicopter license at 20. Spent about 10 years mustering in a Hughes 300 during the winter and F/w spraying in the summers.
The majority of my total time is still on one particular 300.
Previous types?
Hiller 12 E, H-300, R-22, B-206, B-47/T
No 500 time yet dammit!
Military / ex-Military? (Which? What types?)
Civil. All civil, well mostly (don't like being cut off in the circuit!)
How long have you been flying?
Almost 27 years( I know, a non-achiever.)
How many hours?
15,600 or something. Who cares really? (Anybody ever ask old truck drivers how many hours they have?)
Without wanting to sound like too much of a '8 ' I would just like to say that, having just discovered this forum. I think Rotorheads is great! The input from some of the contributors is incredible. Being able to communicate one on one with the likes of Nick , Rich , Lu and Co. just blows me away. A better source of helicopter truths and wisdom I have not yet seen.:
Last edited by Heliport; 26th Aug 2003 at 16:03.
Join Date: Jun 2003
Location: Kiwiland
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Hi all heres my boring life to date,
Type of flying
Full time instructor with Commercial work as well.Fixed wing PPL.
Types
PA28,Tobago,R22,300,C,CB,CBi,H500C,BK117,Mi8(Very Badly)
Where
Auckland NZ,
Previous Jobs
RNZAF(Backender)
Professonal Guide(Africa)
Vineyard Manager
Semi Pro League Player
How Long
3 years
Hours
500+
Took me along time to get into the Helicopter world and I woudnt be anywhere else now
Safe Flying All
Type of flying
Full time instructor with Commercial work as well.Fixed wing PPL.
Types
PA28,Tobago,R22,300,C,CB,CBi,H500C,BK117,Mi8(Very Badly)
Where
Auckland NZ,
Previous Jobs
RNZAF(Backender)
Professonal Guide(Africa)
Vineyard Manager
Semi Pro League Player
How Long
3 years
Hours
500+
Took me along time to get into the Helicopter world and I woudnt be anywhere else now
Safe Flying All
Join Date: May 2002
Location: UK
Age: 61
Posts: 159
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Thanks for the request Heliport:
Type of flying
EMS (ATPL/IR) last 4 years
Types
MD902 (The ugliest helicopter ever – oops wrong thread)
Where?
UK
Previous Jobs
Southern North Sea (Bond, KLM/Era, Bristow) Total 6 years
On-shore (Dollar / PDG helis/ Lynton) 6 1/2 years
(Pipeline, Powerline, Charter, Filming, Seismic, Air Ambulance, Air Freight etc etc..)
Previous Types
BH47, BH206, AS355, SA365N, SK76
Military / Ex-Military
100% Civilian
How Long?
18years
Hours
7700 approx R/W
Type of flying
EMS (ATPL/IR) last 4 years
Types
MD902 (The ugliest helicopter ever – oops wrong thread)
Where?
UK
Previous Jobs
Southern North Sea (Bond, KLM/Era, Bristow) Total 6 years
On-shore (Dollar / PDG helis/ Lynton) 6 1/2 years
(Pipeline, Powerline, Charter, Filming, Seismic, Air Ambulance, Air Freight etc etc..)
Previous Types
BH47, BH206, AS355, SA365N, SK76
Military / Ex-Military
100% Civilian
How Long?
18years
Hours
7700 approx R/W
Join Date: Dec 2001
Location: Sandbox
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Currently SAR AW139 and 412 EP
Ex SAAF, SA Police, Middle East and USA
Hold RSA Atp(h) and plank Comm. also FAA ATP
Helo's Flown: AloII/III, Puma, Bell 206B and L, S61, Bk117, BO 105, H500, Bell 222, A109, 412 and AW139
Planks Flown: T6 (Harvard), Pc7 and Pc6
Started in 83
5000 hours..
Ex SAAF, SA Police, Middle East and USA
Hold RSA Atp(h) and plank Comm. also FAA ATP
Helo's Flown: AloII/III, Puma, Bell 206B and L, S61, Bk117, BO 105, H500, Bell 222, A109, 412 and AW139
Planks Flown: T6 (Harvard), Pc7 and Pc6
Started in 83
5000 hours..
Last edited by C4; 17th Nov 2007 at 18:22. Reason: Outdated info
Join Date: Jan 2003
Location: South East England
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What type of flying work do you do?
Mostly recreational now in my own ship (R44 Raven II)
What types(s) do you fly?
B206, R44 (Converting to Allouette II later this year)
Where? (As precise as you can be without losing anonymity.)
Based Luton Airport UK
Previous jobs?
Armed Forces/Police
Previous types?
Wessex, Puma, Gazelle
Military / ex-Military? (Which? What types?)
Ex Mil (Army)
How long have you been flying?
Since1976 on my 1st tour N.I (Wessex)
How many hours?
Total inc Co-Jo = about 3000, although since January 03, I've done 200 in the R44!
Mostly recreational now in my own ship (R44 Raven II)
What types(s) do you fly?
B206, R44 (Converting to Allouette II later this year)
Where? (As precise as you can be without losing anonymity.)
Based Luton Airport UK
Previous jobs?
Armed Forces/Police
Previous types?
Wessex, Puma, Gazelle
Military / ex-Military? (Which? What types?)
Ex Mil (Army)
How long have you been flying?
Since1976 on my 1st tour N.I (Wessex)
How many hours?
Total inc Co-Jo = about 3000, although since January 03, I've done 200 in the R44!
What type of flying work do you do?
Police & HEMS, UK
What types(s) do you fly?
MD902, Bo105, back to EC135 shortly
Where?
SW UK
Previous jobs?
HM Customs & Excise 73-74
HM Forces 1974-2002
Previous types?
JP3; Whirlwind10; Wessex5; Wessex2; AB205; AB206;
GazelleHT2/3, AH1; Lynx 1/7; Chinook HC1/2; B212
ex-Military? (Which?)
Army (Int Corps, 2 yrs) then RAF for 26 years
How long have you been flying?
started 1976 - no ground tours or other distractions
How many hours?
9200+
Best bits/
Everything to do with Oman, eg flying into caves, FAC for the Jags, DOM lifts around the Musandam, JLO from Saiq to anywhere on the Jebel Akhdar...
NVGs..
Gulf 1991 and one or 2 other ops..
Mountain flying Bavaria, Norway, Rockies, Oman, Brunei (and Wales...)
Borneo jungle..
Concrete jungle with the police..
HEMS - especially with the doctors..
Best bit of all
Being paid to do all the above! I still look forward to getting up each working day and stooging around where office workers never get to see.
(edited 'cos I can't type for toffee...)
Police & HEMS, UK
What types(s) do you fly?
MD902
, Bo105, back to EC135 shortlyWhere?
SW UK
Previous jobs?
HM Customs & Excise 73-74
HM Forces 1974-2002
Previous types?
JP3; Whirlwind10; Wessex5; Wessex2; AB205; AB206;
GazelleHT2/3, AH1; Lynx 1/7; Chinook HC1/2; B212
ex-Military? (Which?)
Army (Int Corps, 2 yrs) then RAF for 26 years
How long have you been flying?
started 1976 - no ground tours or other distractions
How many hours?
9200+
Best bits/
Everything to do with Oman, eg flying into caves, FAC for the Jags, DOM lifts around the Musandam, JLO from Saiq to anywhere on the Jebel Akhdar...
NVGs..
Gulf 1991 and one or 2 other ops..
Mountain flying Bavaria, Norway, Rockies, Oman, Brunei (and Wales...)
Borneo jungle..
Concrete jungle with the police..
HEMS - especially with the doctors..
Best bit of all
Being paid to do all the above! I still look forward to getting up each working day and stooging around where office workers never get to see.
(edited 'cos I can't type for toffee...)
Last edited by Thud_and_Blunder; 13th Oct 2007 at 21:28.
Join Date: Nov 2000
Location: standing by my bbq
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What type of flying work do you do?
Forest fire suppression
What types(s) do you fly?
Bell 204 and 205 A-1+
Where? (As precise as you can be without losing anonymity.)
All over Canada, but mostly in Ontario, Manitoba, Saskatchewan
Previous jobs?
Heli-portable seismic, drill support, sampling, the usual stuff we do here in the great white north
Flogged autoparts, cleaned toilets, worked at a ski hill, maintenance at a golf course
Previous types?
Bh206, Hu 500 D/E, Rh22, Rh44, SK58ET
Military / ex-Military? (Which? What types?)
Nil
How long have you been flying?
12 years for helis
How many hours?
Under 4K, I'll figure it out for my next resume
Forest fire suppression
What types(s) do you fly?
Bell 204 and 205 A-1+
Where? (As precise as you can be without losing anonymity.)
All over Canada, but mostly in Ontario, Manitoba, Saskatchewan
Previous jobs?
Heli-portable seismic, drill support, sampling, the usual stuff we do here in the great white north
Flogged autoparts, cleaned toilets, worked at a ski hill, maintenance at a golf course
Previous types?
Bh206, Hu 500 D/E, Rh22, Rh44, SK58ET
Military / ex-Military? (Which? What types?)
Nil
How long have you been flying?
12 years for helis
How many hours?
Under 4K, I'll figure it out for my next resume
Last edited by Randy_g; 27th Aug 2003 at 23:09.
Join Date: Dec 2001
Location: Gold Coast, Queensland
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At Heliport's second request, I thought I had better put something down!
Start.
First flight as a freckled faced teenager in a fairly new Tiger Moth in June 1952 after reading all the Biggles books and wanting to be a Spitfire pilot! Never did but at least I sat in one!
Blew my medical for the Royal Navy by admitting to being sea sick occasionally. Stupid, stupid , very naive to admit that to a Navy board!
Joined the Army instead and had my first passenger flight in a Sikorsky 55 in Malaya in 1955. Then had a flight in a UN Bell 47 in Central Africa. Decided I liked helicopters and finally got into the Royal Navy to become one.
Work.
Left RN in 1967 and came to Australia to join Qantas, was made redundant on my second day and went back to helicopter flying with a break as an Air Traffic Controller in Sydney from 1970 to 1974. Flew for several companies in Australia, UK, South Africa, Qatar, Saudi Arabia and France.
Licences and validations from Australia, Papua New Guinea, India, Qatar, USA, Canada, South Africa, Cyprus, UK. Flown about 22 types, the S61 the biggest, Enstrom 28 or the Skeeter the smallest, the S76 quickest.
Now.
Living on the Gold Coast, Queensland, semi retired but doing weekend beach patrols in a 350. Still get phoned up to do various jobs, good for my morale! Hope to get my hands back on a Wessex MK 5 soon!
About 13000 in helicopters and 1000 in planks, no accidents, not too many serious incidents!
Admit to being older than John Eacott!
Nigel's far too modest to mention one of his claims to fame - as a TV star! See 'Talk Down a Heli' thread.
Heliport
Start.
First flight as a freckled faced teenager in a fairly new Tiger Moth in June 1952 after reading all the Biggles books and wanting to be a Spitfire pilot! Never did but at least I sat in one!
Blew my medical for the Royal Navy by admitting to being sea sick occasionally. Stupid, stupid , very naive to admit that to a Navy board!
Joined the Army instead and had my first passenger flight in a Sikorsky 55 in Malaya in 1955. Then had a flight in a UN Bell 47 in Central Africa. Decided I liked helicopters and finally got into the Royal Navy to become one.
Work.
Left RN in 1967 and came to Australia to join Qantas, was made redundant on my second day and went back to helicopter flying with a break as an Air Traffic Controller in Sydney from 1970 to 1974. Flew for several companies in Australia, UK, South Africa, Qatar, Saudi Arabia and France.
Licences and validations from Australia, Papua New Guinea, India, Qatar, USA, Canada, South Africa, Cyprus, UK. Flown about 22 types, the S61 the biggest, Enstrom 28 or the Skeeter the smallest, the S76 quickest.
Now.
Living on the Gold Coast, Queensland, semi retired but doing weekend beach patrols in a 350. Still get phoned up to do various jobs, good for my morale! Hope to get my hands back on a Wessex MK 5 soon!
About 13000 in helicopters and 1000 in planks, no accidents, not too many serious incidents!
Admit to being older than John Eacott!
Nigel's far too modest to mention one of his claims to fame - as a TV star! See 'Talk Down a Heli' thread.
Heliport
Last edited by Heliport; 27th Aug 2003 at 09:38.
What type of flying work do you do?
Charter/Sales, ferry flights and contract work.
What types(s) do you fly?
206 (Bell and Cessna), 350, 105
Where? (As precise as you can be without losing anonymity.)
East Coast, U.S.
Previous jobs?
Always a charter pilot (and had one single ship corporate/charter job that I hated), sightseeing, traffic reporting, offshore GOM...and now charter again. Stick with what you know, I guess.
Previous types?
BH47, Sk58 and a smattering of the usual fixed-wing singles.
Military / ex-Military? (Which? What types?)
Ex-mil, but not as an aviator. All civilian as far as that goes.
How long have you been flying?
Private certificate (f/w) in 1976 as a mere freckle-faced boy (God, was it really that long ago?), first "real" flying job in 1982.
How many hours?
10,000+ but who really keeps track?
Sorry I can't be any more specific than that, lads. Unlike the esteemed Mr. Lappos, my current boss really doesn't want me posting here as me (laughs at my posts but says I'm probably a "wee bit too outspoken," he does). But let's just say that I've spent nearly my entire adult life in the civilian helicopter industry where making profit was a prime directive, and leave it at that.
Charter/Sales, ferry flights and contract work.
What types(s) do you fly?
206 (Bell and Cessna), 350, 105
Where? (As precise as you can be without losing anonymity.)
East Coast, U.S.
Previous jobs?
Always a charter pilot (and had one single ship corporate/charter job that I hated), sightseeing, traffic reporting, offshore GOM...and now charter again. Stick with what you know, I guess.
Previous types?
BH47, Sk58 and a smattering of the usual fixed-wing singles.
Military / ex-Military? (Which? What types?)
Ex-mil, but not as an aviator. All civilian as far as that goes.
How long have you been flying?
Private certificate (f/w) in 1976 as a mere freckle-faced boy (God, was it really that long ago?), first "real" flying job in 1982.
How many hours?
10,000+ but who really keeps track?
Sorry I can't be any more specific than that, lads. Unlike the esteemed Mr. Lappos, my current boss really doesn't want me posting here as me (laughs at my posts but says I'm probably a "wee bit too outspoken," he does). But let's just say that I've spent nearly my entire adult life in the civilian helicopter industry where making profit was a prime directive, and leave it at that.
Join Date: Mar 2002
Location: West of zero
Posts: 240
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What type of flying work do you do?
Airborne Law Enforcement, day & night VFR.
What types(s) do you fly?
R44 Police version.
Where? (As precise as you can be without losing anonymity.)
Western Hemisphere
Previous jobs?
Was a doodle****** for nine years. Glorious job, but nothing beats flying. Then instructing, tours, charters.
Previous types?
R22, B206B & L, AS350 (a bit)
Military / ex-Military? (Which? What types?)
Sillyvillian through and through.
How long have you been flying?
Gliders since 1978, plank since 1991, ultralight since 1995, helos since 1996. Turned pro in 1998.
How many hours?
About 2,800 in helicopters, plus another 400 in the rest.
Airborne Law Enforcement, day & night VFR.
What types(s) do you fly?
R44 Police version.
Where? (As precise as you can be without losing anonymity.)
Western Hemisphere
Previous jobs?
Was a doodle****** for nine years. Glorious job, but nothing beats flying. Then instructing, tours, charters.
Previous types?
R22, B206B & L, AS350 (a bit)
Military / ex-Military? (Which? What types?)
Sillyvillian through and through.
How long have you been flying?
Gliders since 1978, plank since 1991, ultralight since 1995, helos since 1996. Turned pro in 1998.
How many hours?
About 2,800 in helicopters, plus another 400 in the rest.
What type of flying work do you do?
Oil industry support
What types(s) do you fly?
AS 365 N
Where? (As precise as you can be without losing anonymity.)
West Africa, Middle East
Previous jobs?
Mountain work, heli skiing, crop spraying, seismic support
Previous types?
Dauphin C, Lama, Al III, H300, Djinn, BO 105, some S76...
Military / ex-Military? (Which? What types?)
5 years in the Army Aviation, on Al II and Al III
How long have you been flying?
Fixed wings since 1969, helos since 1972
How many hours?
9000 +
ATN
Oil industry support
What types(s) do you fly?
AS 365 N
Where? (As precise as you can be without losing anonymity.)
West Africa, Middle East
Previous jobs?
Mountain work, heli skiing, crop spraying, seismic support
Previous types?
Dauphin C, Lama, Al III, H300, Djinn, BO 105, some S76...
Military / ex-Military? (Which? What types?)
5 years in the Army Aviation, on Al II and Al III
How long have you been flying?
Fixed wings since 1969, helos since 1972
How many hours?
9000 +
ATN
What type of flying work do you do?
Flight Test, Training, Examining, Charter, Consultancy.
What types(s) do you fly?
R22, B206, AS355, B212/412, F/W SEP
Where?
Southern UK
Previous jobs?
RAF, then Commercial Training (H & A), civilian flight test, ops management, police aviation
Previous types?
Over 60 aeroplane and helicopter types.
Military / ex-Military? (Which? What types?)
ex-RAF (SH), QHI, tp (ETPS)
How long have you been flying?
Since UAS in 1969
How many hours?
9000 +
Most memorable flight (so far...)
Shuttle approach profile flown in T-38 at Edwards, CA.
PS: So there goes the anonymity bit...what the hell!
Flight Test, Training, Examining, Charter, Consultancy.
What types(s) do you fly?
R22, B206, AS355, B212/412, F/W SEP
Where?
Southern UK
Previous jobs?
RAF, then Commercial Training (H & A), civilian flight test, ops management, police aviation
Previous types?
Over 60 aeroplane and helicopter types.
Military / ex-Military? (Which? What types?)
ex-RAF (SH), QHI, tp (ETPS)
How long have you been flying?
Since UAS in 1969
How many hours?
9000 +
Most memorable flight (so far...)
Shuttle approach profile flown in T-38 at Edwards, CA.
PS: So there goes the anonymity bit...what the hell!
Join Date: May 2001
Location: London
Posts: 528
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What type of flying work do you do?
Occasional instruction on the R22, but my business is publishing... including the excellent AOPA UK magazine General Aviation which this month carries a full feature section on helicopters... Free with AOPA membership...
What types do you fly?
R22, R44, B206. But have flight-tested for magazines the MD520N; Rotorway 162F; Westland Scout; EC120; EC130; MD600N; Alouette II; Gazelle; Hiller 12C; AS350, and some planks.
Where?
London area.
Previous jobs?
Hack. Sydney Sun, New York Post, National Enquirer (yippee!) Mail on Sunday, News of the World, The Sunday Times, Evening Standard and many more. Interviewed among thousands of others John Howard (Australian PM) Jimmy Carter (who he?) his cleverer brother Billy, Dolly Parton, Frank Robinson, Russ Meyer, Nick Lappos and Flying Lawyer!
Military experience?
Thrown out of the Cubs for smoking.
How long have you been flying?
Planks 20 years, rotary 15 years,
How many hours?
1,200.
Most memorable flight?
Flying at 65 knots with Rich Lee. Backwards.
Hobbies:
Playing Heliport's straight man and winding up Lu.
Occasional instruction on the R22, but my business is publishing... including the excellent AOPA UK magazine General Aviation which this month carries a full feature section on helicopters... Free with AOPA membership...
What types do you fly?
R22, R44, B206. But have flight-tested for magazines the MD520N; Rotorway 162F; Westland Scout; EC120; EC130; MD600N; Alouette II; Gazelle; Hiller 12C; AS350, and some planks.
Where?
London area.
Previous jobs?
Hack. Sydney Sun, New York Post, National Enquirer (yippee!) Mail on Sunday, News of the World, The Sunday Times, Evening Standard and many more. Interviewed among thousands of others John Howard (Australian PM) Jimmy Carter (who he?) his cleverer brother Billy, Dolly Parton, Frank Robinson, Russ Meyer, Nick Lappos and Flying Lawyer!
Military experience?
Thrown out of the Cubs for smoking.
How long have you been flying?
Planks 20 years, rotary 15 years,
How many hours?
1,200.
Most memorable flight?
Flying at 65 knots with Rich Lee. Backwards.
Hobbies:
Playing Heliport's straight man and winding up Lu.
Last edited by t'aint natural; 31st Aug 2003 at 07:03.
Join Date: Apr 2001
Location: SoCal
Posts: 113
Likes: 0
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What type of flying work do you do?
Law Enforcement, including search and rescue work.
What types(s) do you fly?
MD500D/E/N, AS350B2
Where? (As precise as you can be without losing anonymity.)
SoCal
Previous jobs?
Law Enforcement ground pounder, Fixed wing instructor/charter work
Previous types?
300CB
Military / ex-Military? (Which? What types?)
None
How long have you been flying?
Fixed wing since 1978. Helicopter since 1997
How many hours?
3,300 hrs in helicopters. 2,700 hrs in fixed wings.
Law Enforcement, including search and rescue work.
What types(s) do you fly?
MD500D/E/N, AS350B2
Where? (As precise as you can be without losing anonymity.)
SoCal
Previous jobs?
Law Enforcement ground pounder, Fixed wing instructor/charter work
Previous types?
300CB
Military / ex-Military? (Which? What types?)
None
How long have you been flying?
Fixed wing since 1978. Helicopter since 1997
How many hours?
3,300 hrs in helicopters. 2,700 hrs in fixed wings.