Have you ever considered the possibilty that Shell want the EC155 because it is far cheaper than the AW139 and because the PC2E requirements have changed there is no problem with using it now?

Reassuring to read the evidence for the depth of technical knowledge held by some posters, today.

The EC155B1 complimentary flight manual, section 7.5, page 2, has two tables. 1.2.1 is for standard tanks; 1.2.2 is for crash-worthy tanks.

Crash-worthy tanks were one of several special options fitted to all Bristow B1s, at the request of Shell, that mostly added weight. In this case it also reduced fuel capacity by approx. 41kgs. Some options, but not all, were later fitted to some other operator's B1s (such as external liferaft release). However, Bristow's 155s are probably unique as a result.

Another option that Shell required was eventually dropped before delivery. EC designed a mod for crash-worthy floors, but they were cancelled to prevent an extended delivery delay, and also as the final design was going to be very heavy. I expect the risk assessment was that fitting them would lose a passenger on every flight, so requiring more flights, leading to an overall increased exposure to incidents happening...

EDIT: For anyone who doesn't believe that Bristow's 155B1s have these tanks installed, just ask a CHC refueller at EHKD what's the most fuel they've ever been able to get in one, compared with everyone else's fleets. So much for comments such as "Crash-worthy tanks are not installed on any 155 flying commercial as per today" - total BS!

@ Mazda Driver - I could try and talk myself out of this but let's just admit that nobody is ever old enough to learn:uhoh:

The crashworthy floor was not compatible with size of the team necessary to intervene in a blowout on a NUI.

The EC155 also has the advantage of a fenestron tail rotor.

So economics over principles again.
I don't mind a choice for economics but please be honest about it. I get so tired of listening to all the PC safety nonsense that is then quickly disregarded as soon as it starts hurting the bottom line.

I'd rather deal with a consistent rogue than a company that keeps changing their tune. At least with the known rogue I can take a calculated risk or decide to decline it.

Does tend to make one rather cynical I agree. Which is why when I read drivel like this:

I shake my head at the naivety of some in this industry.

Is a fenestron an advantage?

Well its a little bit harder to walk into, and its more forgiving when bouncing backwards off the railings.

I wonder if NHV´s aircraft will be equipped with FDM recoders. Anyone know ?

CHC Netherlands spent a lot of time and money putting this into their aircraft the last 2 years, because the "customers demanded it" ... so let´s see if money talks and bull**** walks

and what´s this about PC2 with exposure time coming back into the dutch sector, I´ve missed it completely, please tell me more

?¿
 

JulieAndrews, What do you know what we would like to know?

Tune in tomorrow to find out....:)

Yeah tomorrow...... We'll see :rolleyes:

Ok it's the 16th, where is this announcement ?

SNS anouncement
 

....wait fot it........................

Don't hold your breath....

If you choose to do so give me your adress and I'll call emergency services:)

PHI !!! I didn't even know that they were shortlisted! This will cause some upheavals. WOW!

So who has Shell.......

Epiphany.

What are you sinking about? :confused:

I.e. Who is shortlisted and what will cause some upheavals?

Epiphany was simply trying to "wind up" someone with the idea that PHI have been awarded the Shell contract.

Nice try!

Yaaawn
 

Yo Julie,

Tuned in.... but a rerun of Eastenders is more exciting

blimey, you believed me?
enjoy re-runs, Mitchell bros did it!

Julie, of course I believed you.
It is a rumour network after all :8

And since you gave the plot away, what am I to do?

Check the PHI website I guess

Julie?
Have you been relying on pillow 'torque' do get your information again?

Time to change the tampons girls??:{

Any anouncements expected by the end of this month maybe ? :cool:

Anyone in the know about the rumour that ALL the shell work in the north sea is out for tender?

RP

Den Helder
 

Yesterday i've received a message of the Dutch Airline Pilots Association that CHC Den Helder lost a major contract. The DALPA will now investigate the consequences for involved pilots.

That would be the Wintershall contract; CHC don't fly for Shell.

Doesn't this contract finish the end of june?!

Not much time left for a new operator to hire/ train staff and set-up a base....:suspect:

RP

If any contractor doesn't already know that they have the contract then they don't have the contract. Everyone else will have to wait for the official announcement.

Dancopter had a meeting with Norwich ATC...

Shell is old news....... What about Tullow can the Belgians play their Joker and retain it?

Shell
 

I had a meeting with Norwich ATC last Tuesday; it doesn't mean I've landed the Shell contract.

Any News
 

So who has won this one? How many helicopters is it? Any News?

Dancopter wins Shell contract!
 

Finally things are clear, Dancopter wins Shell contract over Bristow! This means not only the NAM-North sea but Shell WORLDWIDE! All Bristow / Shell AOC's have been revoked as per januari 2012! Congratulations for all involved at Dancopter!!!

It is still not clear if Dancopter has the initiative on all other sites besides Den Helder but for sure engineer recruitments for NL and UK are set for monday the 7th of may .

Time has come for the big operators like Bristow and CHC to meet with the small but nasty threats like Dancopter, NHV and Heli Holland. Purely because of arrogance, management overkill and uncontrollable long supply chains their dominance is systematicly turning agains them. It's like allways that the small ones push out the big ones to eventually become to big themselves, ending up with the same fate. It's just nature!

CHC has indeed lost the Wintershall contract already and is therefore trying to relocate or possibly fire 15 pilots and started stopping all 1-year contracts for approx. 10 engineers to make their operation redundent again.

While Wintershall is not running smooth at the moment rumours go round that they are gonna combine flights with Total. This would mean that the lost contracted flights and ad-hoc flights will return to CHC. For the engineers that will only be too late, they find themselves applying for jobs outside Holland. They will most likely be smart enough not to return to CHC again untill they have finalized their transformations.

Hello there, this part of your post i don't understand? CHC still has this contract at the moment until January 2013. Wintershall and Total have been combining or sharing flights for a long period of time already. So can you clarify what you are talking about?

thanks

That is quite a hit they are taking.

While I have little sympathy for the management, my heart goes out to a number of employees who have behaved professionally and with grace and now face an uncertain future.
I know it is the market and there is no long term security in this game, but it takes its toll on a personal level.

Well done to Dancopter, obviously an offer well played and having had dealings with them before I trust they will be as professional and pleasant to work alongside as they were then.

Target zero, indeed...

It sure looks like Bristow is well on track to achieve Target Zero.

Well done by DanCopter. Will be interesting to see if DanCopter is also going to do the work in addition to the southern north sea or is there a seperate winner for those contracts?

Job Security
 

There is now very little job security for offshore pilots and engineers. The nature of how oil company contracts are allocated has changed from one of reward and renewal for a contract well executed to one of bottom line savings, perceived or real.

Therefore, as with other short contract industries, salaries must rise significantly to compensate for the inevitable periods when no employment is available and pilots are working milk rounds just to keep a roof over their heads.

Like some airlines, will there come a time when the big players outsource employment contracts i.e. no direct employment?

anyone know of suitable crew digs, 2-weeks on/off, within easy reach/cycle of Norwich airport ;-)
Please PM a/r