An Interesting Proposition
 

Hi all,

I am looking to start up a non-profit helicopter operation and am looking for someone to come on board as a partner, as I am from the engineering side of things I need a pilot. Basically what I am looking for is someone who would be interested in helping establish the organisation from the ground up and manage the flight operations.

The sort of qualifications/experience I am looking for include:
-EASA CPL-H
-Minimum 2500 Hrs TT
-MEC/IR/IFR (apologies if I mix up some of the ratings, I'm not that familiar with them)
-Naval, SAR or EMS experience
-CP/FOM experience
-Experience in setting up an AOC would be a bonus but not essential

Now being non-profit and a start-up, it is going to require a lot of personal commitment and there may not be a huge amount of remuneration available initially.

I know that this is an extremely big ask and some of you are probably going to take the piss but, there may just be someone out there who is looking for a challenge and could jump at the chance.

If you want to know any more details just send me a PM.

Cheers,

Nomad

It may be helpful to state under what regulatory structure you intend to operate.

Might help to know what part of the world this is in and what the mission is?

Thought most helicopter ops were non profit:{

No worries, here is some more info as requested.
The operations will be under EASA regulations and primarily based in the Mediterranean, mission will be providing aerial assistance in a maritime environment.
Cheers

FlytingThis is a pathetic, narrow response to what is evidently a project to provide humanitarian assistance to refugees in the Med.

I think that some people may misunderstand the definition of a non-profit organisation, it does not mean that employees work for free, far from it. A non-profit is an organisation that uses any funds it receives or generates to cover the costs of operation, including staff salaries and therefore does not have shareholders or pay profits to members. The Westpac Rescue Helicopter Service and Careflight are two organisations in Australia that operate under this model very well and provide life saving services. What I was looking to do is establish a similar operation based in the Med to provide assistance to those in need and reinforce the current resources that are stretched thin and limited by their government budgets.

Cheers,

Nomad

I have done a similar thing to that in the past-i can already tell you that you´re going to face a lot of trouble and obstacles on your way...

The authorities will not care about you being "non-profit", nor will they reward your enthusiasm....they just want to see you jump through their hoops.....

So be prepared to take 2-3 years to set things up straight....

You will then need a team of about 10-12 people, working all kinds of "non-flying" jobs, like Quality and Safety Management...

Thanks for the advice hueyracer,

I understand that it is going to be a massive undertaking requiring the skills and experience of many different people, and I don't expect any concessions or leeway from the authorities. Honestly I don't see the migrant situation in the Mediterranean slowing down anytime soon and feel that any sort of assistance could help, even if it is just throwing life rafts out of a helicopter in order to get people safely out of the water until rescue boats arrive.

I recently found myself in the situation where I have access to a pair of aircraft configured for maritime utility work and if I am able to get all of the AOC, safety, training, personnel and funding requirements in place then why not use them for something good. Every operation had to start somewhere...

Thanks again,

Nomad

If you can use Framemaker, I can let you have the blueprint for an ops manual

phil

Why don't you team up with MOAS?

Hi QDMQDMQDM,

I've already been in touch with MOAS and gotten a lot of helpful info and advice so there are definite possibilities, it's just going to take a bit of time and effort.

Cheers,

Nomad

Can you tell us what type of aircraft the are the pair which you have available? If they are of the right type, I may be able to offer help with training/ checking/ piloting/ other.

Good Evening NomadicMechanic, can you PM me your contact details, Thanks.

Hi Non-PC,

At this stage there are a pair of ex-military A109E's available but if you or anyone else knows of some other more suitable aircraft that are available then I would certainly be open to suggestions. Ideally what I am looking to do would involve having one or two aircraft positioned on the Italian islands of Lampedusa and/or Pantelleria and flying single pilot day operations, have a bare, stripped out cabin with one crewman and as many SAR life rafts as is practical. Once a refugee boat is in distress or sinking, we could launch and get on scene as fast as possible and drop the life rafts in order to get people out of the water until rescue boats can arrive.

A huge, huge task ahead to get it all off the ground with funding being the biggest concern (hopefully we can find some charitable companies or individuals with deep pockets) and ideally a medium twin would be more suitable but again, it comes down to getting the available aircraft and funding.

Cheers,

Nomad

Surely a single engined machine would carry more payload / fuel / longer range and be cheaper too? If you are just carrying crew and cargo, why use a twin?

Hi chopjock,

Are you thinking something along the lines of a AS350 or even a A119? Ideally I want to be able to carry at least 3-4 SAR life rafts which weigh about 38kg each so need something that could do that.

Let me know your thoughts.

Cheers,

Nomad

AOC versus ex military equipment
 

You need to give some more thought to operating structure when it comes to ex-military equipment and AOC issuance. How are you going to re-register and/or support them. An ex military airframe being used for para-public or civilian use under a civilian issued AOC - very big concerns. I looked at this personally for AS355 'civilian' airframes used in a para-public/military role and the manufacturers baulked on any type of conversion/support - note these were civilian airframes.

There is a reason the 109E's are available. Currently there is a lot of excess inventory on the civilian register and you would be wise to look there. A philanthropist is looking for something that works as planned, not a minefield.

You want to fly over water for extended period-so a twin is mandatory, probably (depending upon regulations) even floats=heavy aircraft.

I suggest you focus on your funding first-with 2 aircraft, we are looking at 5 Million USD at least to start going.....plus another 500.000 in annual salaries, probably 250.000 in overhaul, same for insurance, and probably around 250.000 in fuel..

So you need to get around 1-2 Million USD EVERY YEAR on top of your 5 Million to start with...

Once you get the money,it will take you 2-3 years to get to operational stage-by that time, the migration crisis will have sorted itself out...

am interested in helping, I have expereience in start-up, and can do quite a bit towards technical paperwork, forms, technical procedures manuals, maintenance programmes etc, let me know if you are interested