Flying in the Persian/Arabian Gulf
 

Does anyone have any information on the various operators in the Gulf.
(Gulf Helicopters,Aerogulf,Abu Dhabi Helicopters etc)

I could only find a web site for Gulf Helicopters.
Any opinion on which would be the best to work for and the experience required, would be appreciated.

Rob Denehy at Aerogulf in Dubai would be a good contact. They have orders in for a number of 609 Tiltrotors. At the moment they are operating 212 / 206 and BO-105s. Or at least they were when I visited them. Seem like a great company, good equipment and run by expats.

Gulf Helicopters from what I hear are also a good company. Have a few friends that are flying up there and they speak very highly of them. If you need contact numbers for Aerogulf let me know.

Pac Rotors

Don't have time right now, but I know for a fact that if you use a search engine and look for Aramco, Gulf Helicopters and Abu Dabhi (spelling?) aviation, you will get results.

Abu Dhabi right now is about 45 degrees celsius, 85% humidity. You'll fly up to 8 hours per day in ***** vis, single pilot in a Bell 212 and come home to temporary (since 1975) accomodation where there are no women, but lots of very grateful Indian males and depressed US ex-Vietnam types. Oh, and no beer either. Enjoy!

Out of Balance

Whats your thoughts on Aerogulf in Dubai. I spent a lot of time in the UAE and found Dubai to be a great place, lot of women, beer at the nightclubs and bars as well as decent place to live.

Sorry been to Blighty for a week.

Gulf Helicopters, Doha want about 2000 and previous Captain experience. Fleet is 412/212. Co-pilots with less but no Captain upgrades. Pay daily rates. 28/28,56/28 and 6/6.

Abu Dhabi Avaition want 2500, over 30 years old and a name that doesn't sound Jewish. Fleet is 412/212/206. They will train as Captain. 56/28 rotation. No co-pilots but have been considering it for the last 4 years.

Aerogulf are the smallest and have sold the 105's. Fleet is 212/206. Very low turnover there, only 18 pilots. 42 days off a year.

Out of Balance, don't know where your information is from but beer is plentiful in Dubai, Abu Dhabi and Qatar.

Weather today 42 on the ground, 36 at 1000'.

Thanks for all the information

Rotorbike, do you know if you need the 212/412 rating before you apply. They are not that easy to get in the UK. (and very expensive)

Maybe you could get 212/412 rating in NZ or Australia. With the exchange rate the way it is it would be very very cheap and cost effective. Also there are a lot of kiwis and Aussies in the Middle East so obviously they recognise the licence and ratings.

If you need operator info that have the aircraft let me know and will see what I can gather.

Sadly I understand you need 200hrs 212 time!(for Gulf Helos)

Damn shame that 2000 Huey and 1000 Sea King doesn't cut it! (13hrs 212 but!)

Anyone know different pse let me know.

Pac Rotors and Mr Fish,
Abu Dhabi used to have it's pilots with out US license go to America and get one post haste as the US license is easier to keep current. I think they even paid part or all of the cost for the US license. I was there in the early 80's, I had to 212 time did my 212 conversion there.
It's a good company to work for as far as I know.

With so many of the pilots now being civilian trained and already having put a minimum of US$50,000 on the line to start. More in the UK. I was just wondering where a journalist thinks people are going to find more for a 212/412 transition.

Even an ex-military pilot is going to have to pay about $10,000 to transition to a Commercial licence in the UK.

I could understand a contract requiring you to stay at a company for a year in exchange for a transition but to go get one with the possibility of a job ahead seems taking the job hunt to a whole new pay scale.

Just wondering where Pac Rotors believes the new pilots to the industry are going to find this kind of money in the future after spending a year sweeping the hangers, a year instructing on below $1000 a month, a summer in Alaska at $1500 a month etc....

By the way, Gulf Helicopter, Abu Dhabi Aviation and Aerogulf don't expect you to turn up with 212/412 on your licence. Instrument ATPL's are given a month temporary licence during which time you pass a checkride and air law written.

Gulf has taken on guys with less than 200 in type. I suppose it's a case of timing!!! And maybe a recommendation or two.

:D

Middle East, UAE contacts
 

Hey everyone,

I am trying to get some contacts (email or Ph #& names) in the helo world in the above mentioned areas for contract pilot work.
Am having very little luck from this end, so am calling on everyone's wealth of knowledge to assist me.

Thanks - BigJim :rolleyes:

www.gulfhelicopters.com based in Doha

e-mail [email protected] attention chief pilot or try [email protected]

Telephone ++(974) 4333808
Fax ++(974) 4411004

Other choice for contract work is Abu Dhabi Aviation......who have moved so I don't have their number anymore.

Thanks for the contact, will give them a go.


BigJim :p :p

How's It Going in the Emirates?
 

Just wondered (with all the goings on in the nearby region) if there is much of a 'drop out' rate amongst the chopper driver corps in the Emirates???


Fly Safe and Keep the Fan on Top!

Hey there Droop stop..

Just wonering who you are flying for up there in sunny Cairns.??

:D

Just finished almost 10 years in PNG, taking a break at the moment. Things are really crazy up there in Pt. Moresby.

[img]null[/img] :eek:

U. A. E. Jobs
 

Does anyone have any info on UAE jobs looking for pilots with a FAA ATP?

Not sure about UAE but Gulf Helicopters are always on the lookout. A friend of mine is flying there and says conditions are quite good.
www.gulfhelicopters.com

Thanks for the info Autorotate. Rotorbike, Thanks very much. Tried to email you, but your email address didn't work.null