I'll take any job going. :=

Me too, but it's always better to jump before you're pushed. Easier to get a job when you've already got one too.............

So, if the experienced pilots are leaving does that open up opportunities for the less experienced people, like instructors with 1000+ hours but only 100 on a gas turbine? Or is it a case of being desperate only for pilots with 5000+ hours on the job, on the type and who are willing to live in a shanty town and work for peanuts?

CBW,
Now that Caverton Helicopters is starting to fly out of Lagos, maybe you could give them a try. They don't have oil company contracts so maybe they would offer something to you. There's been a bit of publicity, both good and bad, about them on here, but nothing ventured, nothing gained. They have an application form on their website: www.caverton-helicopters.com or you could try their new Ops Manager, [email protected]

Good Luck :ok:
MM

MM.............Don't think they are hiring just yet. In fact not a whole lot of things happening @ CH. Buzzing around in the 2060kg (APS) A109E that belonged to the maharaji of India.......Great to fly, but will have a heck of a time generating revenue ........................As the company is run by the HRM.....you could always apply directly to him. His name is Mark Tungwashe and is an expert on NCAR OPS 3 and all that it entails!!!;) :ok:

Uncle Bob is an exceptionally experienced guy. If anyone can get it off the ground he can.

Believe me, I know him.

N.E.O.! You ARE uncle Bob, aren't you?

HPB

I think you'll find that they are hiring. Their 109 has been flying around Lagos and it was also in Warri and PH the weekend before last. The grapevine here has it that they're looking for a couple more 109 guys because since the last Chief Pilot left they only have 2 pilots. They're also starting to look for pilots for their shuttle operation to VI ready for when the heliport there is finished. I was driving past it only 2 days ago and work is going on there with piling and infilling, though I guess it'll be a few more months before that's finished. Even so, they need to have crew in place ready for that. I hear that they're planning to operate S76s for that.

Must admit, I don't know the 109 really, but isn't there some kind of weight increase programme to increase the MAUW? It's certainly a nice looking helicopter, though if what you say about the APS weight is right I suppose it won't carry a lot.

What we really all want to know out here at the moment is whether the planned strike of next wek will happen, because if it does I think it will be a lot harder than last time.:(

NEO
I met 'Uncle Bob' again recently and he looks older, fatter, balder and more tired. Do you really think he can do it.

Cold Filtered/Tokunbo,
First, I think the posts have cleared up the fishing, no, I am not Uncle Bob !!
But I do think he has the background to to get the thing off the ground provided he gets the support of his employer, the NCAA and customers who hopefully are willing to try something different.
Given the traffic/security situation between Lagos and VI, if I had the money I'd use the shuttle, and there are a lot of rich people who could see the luxury charter side as a good way of getting their sons/daughters/loved ones to/from weddings etc for example. Nice way to make an entrance :ok:
Time will tell.......... but good luck, it's about time a fresh operator got a bit of the cake.

I'd hazard a guess that Bob's pseudonym involves damp under -garments, looking at the profiles!

MM....The A109 GRANDE Gross Wt will be 3150kg as oppossed to the 109E and 109E Elite which is 2850. This resriction is on the U/C configuration. Full fuel at 700kg+ APS 2060kg leaves you just enough weight to allow a 90kg pilot and his sandwich box to make the Max all-up. And that is on a standard day, not a dusty smelly hot and humid Lagos day!!!!................Yep, it's going to be interesting! :p :cool:

HPB,
Why are you so negative ? Why not just wish Caverton and Uncle Bob good luck !!:mad:

Nothing Negative....just have a bit more knowledge about the operation. I'm constrained due to legal matters but suffice it to say it's a story about keeping face over a little rich boys dream that went terribly wrong....financially.....and trying to make it work is at ALL costs!
As for Bob, the new DO. Never met the man so I can't comment, other than I wish him all the best, despite the chaotic and corrupt environment that is around him.
The investment to date would take nearly 30 years to have returns based the single A109....and thats flying everyday!!!!!
:cool:

HPB,

Just been looking at the figures. The A109E has an STC allowing an AUW increase to 3,000 kg with a change of landing gear. According to the Flight Manual, at 30 degrees at SL the 109E can take off clear area up to 35 degrees with no restriction. Can't see why you'd necessarily want full fuel, but after burning off some for start, if their aircraft has the additional fuel, it would probably depart with more like 660 kg. Perhaps you know something about the pilots Caverton has, but 90 kg also seems rather high for pilot weight. If they've done the undercarriage modification and with a rather slimmer pilot they should be able to lift off with a few hundred kg of payload.

Can't make any comment on any investment they've made as I have no idea what it might be. What have they invested in - apart from an A109E and the rather nice hangar on their website? I have to say it does say a bit like sour grapes on your part as it appears from your posts that you have been involved with this company but have now left for whatever reason. :*

Anjou: No sour grapes, just lessons learned the hardway!
Concerning the U/C STC.....not as simple as you make out, or as cheap!! Regarding the weights.....that is @ ambient temps of up to 24 Celsius. Then it really starts to dip! Max operating temp is 45 Celsius!! Have you A109E time? Then you would definitely appreciate the power management in high temp. Also, I side bar of this is the Perf 1 and Cat A performance.....goes out the window. You didn't include the cost of the Downtown Heliport, The halfmillion Dollar Helideck???? and a bunch of other stuff that we won't mention!.........................But if you think it'll work, why not join them?
:ok: :ok: ;)

HPB....in Nigeria one must remember...it is how well connected one is that counts.....and if the new guys are in....then it will succeed. Funny how the other guys in town always turned their nose down at non-oil business. You cannot make me believe there is no way to make a utility helicopter company work in that part of the world. Granted the biggest pot of money is in the oil industry but there have got to be "lucrative" government contracts out there for the taking....with a bit of giving.

Think of the EMS situation for the wealthy.....that alone could be a good market...sell subscriptions for a helicopter/airplane service....works in other places.

Sas,
Dead right, and I hear the man behind this is VERY rich and well connected. As far as I am aware, at present this is the only non oilpatch helicopter operation, so there should be plenty of business for them if they can get up and running.

SASless.. I agree with you, especially the market potential....It'll be along time though, before they recoup the monetary investment............especially if they don't begin operations on the MMIA-VI route very soon with the required number of machines on hand and the type and configuration to support the venture.
It took them nearly 3 years just to acquire their 109, and that particular one took the best part of 8 months to deliver! There is great potential for onshore work, but it has to be developed with proper strategy and financial security..................unless of course you have money to throw away like many wealthy Nigerians:cool:

HPB
No I don’t fly the 109E, but I have been looking at the possibility of using one in West Africa, so I do have a copy of the Flight Manual and I have been talking to Agusta and a number of operators of the type. This leads me to question the figures you are quoting of the aircraft starting to limit on performance from 24 degrees Celsius. According to the A109E RFM, Supplement 12 (Category A Operation) the aircraft can be operated at sea level at its max gross weight of 2850 kg from a clear area up to 37 degrees, from a short field up to 32 degrees and from a helipad up to 28 degrees. In fact, at a normal day time temperature of 30 degrees in that part of the world, it can still take off from an elevated helipad at 2800 kg. They all seem pretty impressive figures compared with many of the helicopters being operated in the region.
I also understand that the modification for an increase in MAUW to 3,000 kg involves a small structural modification and changing the 3 undercarriage legs, at a cost of around $150,000, which I agree is not that cheap. It does then give a max gross weight close to that of the Grande (Agusta tell me it’s not an A109 Grande, just a Grande because it’s a different aircraft – rather like one mustn’t call a Lexus a Toyota I guess!!).
I’ve seen other operators try and set up in competition to the big two (OLOG/Bristow and CHC/Aero) in Nigeria and fail, either because they tried to go head to head with them or because their operations were badly set up and funded. From what you say, Caverton actually seem to be trying to do a proper job if they’re spending the money you quote. As`SASless and NEO say, there are a number of very wealthy corporations and individuals in that part of the world, so if they’re trying something different to tap into that section of the market, maybe they can actually make it work. If so, good luck to them I say, and I hope they succeed.