Iraq BK117 work?
 

Did anyone get a reply regarding positions for this contract?

If you are referring to the recruiting by Helicrew Solutions, I put in a CV, but was told I am too old!!!! The age limit is 50 - something to do with insurance. Not too happy, but such is life.

Cheers all.

It reminds me of Joseph Heller's book Catch 22.

To paraphrase the book: Because of the extreme nature of the place If you want to go there there must be something wrong with you, therefore we don't want you. On the other hand if you don't want to go then your the guy we want.

Now I know this is a rumour network....but this whole situation is worrying me.

The advert goes out...some folks respond...some get no answer...some get positive answers...some get hokey answers about insurance...some about an age 50 cutoff. Stong aroma of skunk here!

Good thing it is not a USA based outfit that said age was a criteria.....it can be...but you cannot say it is.....or be proven to have used age to discriminate against an otherwise qualified applicant.

However....that being said....if it is US Aid funds being used.....as part of the contract with the US Government will be just such clauses in the contract.

Why can the helicopter industry not run on an ethical basis that raises no questions about integrity?

IRAQ Ops
 

If that would be the case there would be no helicopter industry anymore:E

I heard heli pilots are making big $$$ over there.

Really Big - like sport stars!!!!

You Just Got To Live Long Enough To Spend It.....!!! :ok:

How does a shrink decide you are fit for the job from a resume?
Is the emphasise going to be on past military quals or practical experience?

One would think that the practical experience for flying in a war zone would more likely be gained in the military.

Civies need not apply...................until the locals have shot down all of the ex-mil personnel :uhoh:

These guy's are fiction......if they knew what they where doing, they would NOT need to advertise in a magazine......even Dynacorp or everybody's favorite secret airline Evergreen :eek: knows this.....but at least they are credible in weird contracts
:}

Kevlar is itchy anyway....:=

Any news or further contact information on this work?

Looking for some online corroboration sources..

Thanks

Lots of jobs here.

I was called to go!
 

I constantly get offers from big operators to go work in weird places.

Its funny, but some major US operators prefer to hire non US citizens for these jobs. I have friends that have been hired over much more qualified US candidates to go to Africa just because they were not US citizens, and their reasoning was that if they ever got into trouble it didn't make such a big deal in the media and politically, in some places in Africa US citizens were not really welcome but if you came from say Peru or Mexico it was never a problem, plus I guess you can't kidnap a Peruvian and put him on TV begging to withdraw troops from Irak since these countries are not even participating in the . . . . . . well you know.

i just spent 15 mins on my ipaq typing a reply and i lost it reviewing the text. bolloxs.
i may do it in the morning subject to mood!

Blender...

I have been told by a little birdie that Spanish speakers work cheap and don't complain like their Yankee brothers too. There is some truth to what you say....easier to deny someone that is not carrying that blue passport. Of course a Gringo working down south can find himself a hostage pleading for his life as well.

When you guys going to start drawing combat pay for working around Nuevo Laredo?

SASless,

What you say is definately true for people that work in the fields picking oranges, but for pilots its the other way around completely, the reason is that being a pilot in the US is almost "blue collar" work in many instances, anybody with a good loan and determination can become a pilot and there are thousands of people becoming pilots everyday, usually supply equals demand, and pilot pay is usually not the best amongst profesional workers in the US.

In Latin America people that become pilots are either very rich to be able to pay their training or military which are always the lesser part of the pilot pool, either way pilot supply is very limited, jobs are well paid, equipment is usually new or almost new, for example offshore pilots over here work 14 on 14 off, get airfare home every 14 days, go to FlightSafety at least once a year and fly brand new 412's, the money is comparable to what their counterparts make, and they stay in good hotels not trailers, so why move?

Actually the recent trend has been to bring US operators to do such things as fight fires because they are much cheaper, they bring old UH1's that over here nobody wants to fly do the work for less money than the local companies which operate to a different standard, sort of like the Russians in Spain.

Wages for a 60/30 schedule with Blackwater is reported to be in the $140-190K range: KiowaPilots.

I/C

Link to Blackwater helicopter video in Iraq. You need to sign on but it is free.

http://www.atwar.net/content.php?article.239

Great video. Brave men! My kahunas must be tiny in relation to these guys/girls.

Like the comment that no one will come and pick you up if shot down, which met the reply that 'they will come, dress you in orange pyjamas and make you famous'.

They are still massively underpaid.

What about these guys? Any one have info?

http://www.helicrew.co.uk/

wde

Seem like a credible bunch. Know a few guys that have had placements from them.

As for the age question, it is fairly obvious isn't it?

With the clients that you will be flying around, if you go downbird, you will be expected to join in and hold your own with the 'team'. Therefore, previous military training and a level of 'combat fitness' would be essential!

I am pretty sure that even the security companies also have an upper age limit for their field guys. I would hope that in these 'Non permissive' environments, common sense would prevail over politically correct equal rights etc, especially when lives are at risk.

Check them out anyway, looks like they have some firm salary figures + T's & C's.

Some info:

Tax free UK£100000 per annum paid.

- Roster worked 6 weeks on 4 weeks off. Also downtime as stipulated by normal civil aviation regulations (within 6 weeks on) may be taken in Bahrain. 4 weeks off is flown to place of recruitment as a return economy fare.

- Accommodation will be within Baghdad’s Green Zone in BHA’s villa. Shared accommodation, A/C, satellite TV, unlimited broadband access, cook and cleaner, all meals provided.

- All insurance and medical cover will be provided within the parameters of the PSC (Personal Security Company) contract. This includes personal accident, death and disablement including Medevac cover (incl US$250k payout on death to partner plus US$1000pcm US Government Scheme to partner for life). Medical and dental will be provided for year round cover in Iraq/Bahrain and place of recruitment.

- 3 months notice in contract

- All aircraft will be single pilot but flown at all times with crew of 2

- The aircraft will be flown under a Kenyan AOC. Successful candidates will fly first to Kenya for licensing, NVG refresher and desert flying.

Candidates will be requested not to work in their roster downtime as rest is considered crucial to pilot vitality and professionalism

How fit does one have to be to stand and fight? 8.5 footpounds of torque on the trigger seems manageable by the average housewife.

Where does one sign up.....investment guy told me today to not do anything unless it was "fun"....he suggested working as a necessity is over.

Just thought that I would let you know that I tried calling Blue Hackle Aviation ref this job in Iraq.

No joy I'm afraid. I was categorically told to go through the guys at Helicrew Solutions. So don't even waste your time.

Looks like recruiting has already begun.

What's the problem?
AOC set-up.
Job agency to get the CVs.
V Experienced set-up running the show.
Air America it's not, job for a divorcee with 5 ex's it could be!

Any news on this.....?

Is it up and running yet.... what types are they using?

Why even advertise if they are so specific, dont all those 160 guys all know each other. Heck i would go in a heart beat, just dont have time in the 160th..


MD 530F Pilot
Location: IRAQ International International
Salary Range: TBD-TBD
Email: [email protected] or fax (321) 253-8814
Job Desc: Currently have two MD 530F pilot openings. Rotation is 60 days in country, 30 days off, round trip ticket to home of record. If you are applying for this position, you will need to have commercial and US Military aviation operations experience. Expect long hours, high-risk environment, and working with talented and skilled aviators, who demand the same.
Benefits: Paid medical, dental, life insurance. Paid holidays, vacation and sick time. 401K with Company matching funds. Company supplied uniforms.
Requirements: MD 530 F helicopter pilots must have over 3500 total helicopter time, time in MD 500s, at least 500 NVG time, have served in either a high-risk environment or combat tour with the US Military (Special Operations experience is a plus, i.e. Served in the 160th Special Operations Aviation Regiment). Company will not talk to anyone unless a complete resume is on file with us.
:ok:

A little birdy tells me that Blue Hackle have gone t1t$ up - anyone been dumped after receiving a contract???

B-L

You heard wrong Blue Hackle are fine and most definately employing they just got given a bum steer by a bunch of walts.

Look them up on the web and give them a call.

I've never flown the A109c.

Could anybody enlighten me as to how far you could get in a A109c in +40 deg C with pilot and five pax?

This info may help Blue Hackle plan its future Ops, or then again you could just cuff it.

Good luck with the recruiting.

Do you want a normal circuit, or a wide one ;) :p

Don't know how true this is but what the heck, it's a rumour network.

Heard a rumour that a helo flying for a “civvie” company got shot down over Iraq a while ago. Don't know if it's days, weeks or months ago.

Can anyone confirm?!

Last i heard the guys had gone to Kenya for their hot and high etc and the contract was subsequently lost, every body carry on normal jogging:ok:

Iraq Gigs?
 

Asides from Blackwater blasting around in 500's does anyone know of other civilian operators in Iraq what sort of steel? pay? any contacts?

Re: Iraq Gigs?
 

Some prior discussion about Iraqi work here.

I/C

Re: Iraq Gigs?
 

Ironic, you mention that. Have a few friends hired on with some. Dyncorp etc.Making very very good Dinero....Seems that the shades of Air America from the Vietnam days is alive and well.
Breaking the taxpayers back as usual.......
If the military cannot do the job(which we all know they can if left alone by the Political crooks) why do we have so many mercs on the U.S. payroll??. Many non U.S. folks.......At Least give the Americans the first chance at the big dollars......

Re: Iraq Gigs?
 

Typical, a war against terror that every free country should fight for world freedom....but if there is money to be made Americans first then the rest.


Lunar

Re: Iraq Gigs?
 

Lunar,


After all, dear boy...it is US Tax Payer dollars paying for this. Think we should put the French and Germans on the US Welfare system....was not the Marshal Plan enough?

Re: Iraq Gigs?
 

The whole point of having mercs do these jobs is that the administration can avoid too many "Local high school QB dies hero's death" headlines in local newspapers - might put the voters off the upcoming regime change in Iran!

Foreign mercs getting killed generates no headlines at all, and is therefore the preferred option. It might be your tax money, but the politicians get to spend it and they want to get re-elected.:yuk: