YIPPEE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
 

Do ya think they might give me a job now ive got my CPL(H)?

hmm, if anyway catches sight of a wanted poster let me know! I'm only 20 and can fly Bell 47s, im sure an S76 shouldn't be much more of a handful!

Good news anyhow!

Heck Bonkers.....don't let anyone fool ya....helicopters are all the same....but different. Just like the female of the species....each have different peculiarities and need different kinds of handling.....ignore or abuse any of them and they will get even! If you can fly one...you can fly anyone of the others....it is just a matter of how well and how long it takes you to figure out the taps, levers, and dials.

But helicopter companies.....oh, now that is another story!

;)

Roudweego

I macke now appoligies 4 mi spelin cos

I wil be intervuwin them.



:D :D :D

I assume as no-one has confirmed this or come up with any firm evidence to back up this rumour it can't be true.

Bond back on the north sea
 

Word is that Bond has won BP contract from Scotia..and bought up all the Pumas form EC

The CHC perspective on this loss is at http://www.rotorhub.com/news/0212/chc-bp.htm

So Bond is back in the N Sea

Just a few questions.

Where is he going to get his Captains from? Most Scotia Captains are on a final salary pension and would be reluctant to lose this. Scotia will probably make low hour co-pilots redundant who will be unsuitable as Captains. By keeping their Captains they will thwart any attempt by Bond to benefit and also open up the opportunity of ad-hocing the flights that Bond can't crew on 1 Aug 04

Will ex-Bond employees return to Bond? Will they remember how they were treated last time the Bonds sold up i.e they got nothing for the hard work they put in to make Bond Helicopters successful? The pilot work force is more militant now and are unlikely to put up with the old Bond way of doing things.

Will the Bonds sell up again? This is how most private businessmen make the big money out of setting up a business.
The pilots will then be in the same position they are in now but those pilots who left CHC will be further down the seniority ladder with no final salary pension.

Who knows the answers to these questions? I don't and I wouldn't like to be involved as it looks like it will be a depressing time for the boys and girls in Aberdeen.

332M:(

I would rejoin East-side Aberdeen again tomorrow to enjoy the friendship, cameraderie and sheer professionalism of what became the largest and very best off-shore operator.

It is easy to find fault but I question the memories of those who extoll the values of the post-Bond era. Of course there were issues; we were after all employees. However, after nearly 40 years in aviation, I regarded my time with Bond as the most rewarding and satisfying aviation job that I have ever had.

If you want a comparison - consider the lot of the twin turbo-prop night freight operators and then look at your present pay & conditions. The Ladies & Gentlemen on the North Sea have an exceptionally good deal and I'm sure that the new Bond will maintain that tradition. Do you really want a salary of c£32K as a commander? Get real!

Crikey are Bond only offering £32K for commanders:D :D :D

HF;)

Pedro must be a Chief Pilot's job a shopping!

Bond Helicopters wins (pounds) 255m contract
Source: The Herald - Glasgow
Publication date: 2002-12-11
Arrival time: 2002-12-12

BOND Offshore Helicopters has won a (pounds) 255m contract, thought to be the largest of its kind in the world, to support BP Exploration's North Sea operations.
The company is buying six new Eurocopter Super Puma twin-engined helicopters, which carry up to 19 passengers each to fulfil the 10- year contract. The aircraft, costing over (pounds) 50m, will be delivered in 2004 when Bond takes over the BP contract from CHC Scotia of Canada.

Bond Offshore Helicopters is owned by brothers Peter and Stephen Bond. The company has its foundations in Bond Helicopters, the family-controlled business which built up North Sea operations in the 1970s and became the leading offshore operator in the UK.

It merged with Norway's Helicopter Services Group, but the Bond brothers regained control of the onshore helicopter division in July, 1999. It is now the third largest helicopter operator in the UK .

Publication date: 2002-12-11

Why did CHC lose this contract?
and did they really care?
your thoughts please.

Bond Offshore helicopters
 

Does somebody know if bond have a website ? can someone provide the URL ?

Sounds like someone F@cked up! But dont despair, CHC owns all the Supers and the L2's as well.

So, Who ya gonna call? Bond Busters! Been there, done that.

Cheers, :eek: OffshoreIgor :eek: :p

Why did CHC lose the contract?? Well it's only my opinion, but I'm certain it's nothing to do with money, performance or any other key measurable. IMHO it's down to personalities and relationships. "Bond" of old secured a deal that meant that they would have all of the BP work, a contract that was previously shared between Bond and Bristow. The new deal meant that BP were paying some of the lowest rates on the North Sea (arguably at a loss to the operator), so they were obviously happy. Why Bond thought this was a good deal only they can answer. Along came CHC and gobbled up the old HS/Bond empire - along with the BP contract. The squeeze then happened and BP were "cornered" into paying more for their service - and rightly so!!

A year or so later BP issued a tender for offshore SAR, something they called Jigsaw. It was obvious from day one that if BP were to involve a certain individual in the tender decision, then this tender would go against CHC. Surprise, surprise the tender went to Bristow and the writing was on the wall for any future work between CHC and BP.

So when the "news" that the Bond brothers and Keith Greenwood (aka BP) had reached a landmark deal with regard to offshore helicopter support was issued I was not in the least surprised. Keith no doubt had been wined and dined (more wined than dined!!) a few times in the process.

All I can hope is that the new Bond is as successful as KLM's efforts into the N Sea sector.

The only bit I regret is that the real losers are those that invest their personal effort and job security in these prospectors of life and well being. Those in CHC that may be thinking of jumping ship I urge you to think at least twice, hopefully quite few times more. I really believe you will be taking the big gamble.

All of the above is from someone who really shouldn't give a !!!!! any more:-))))


Happy Christmas & a Prosperous New Year

Variable Load

There is only one winner - the NS operators who want more price competition to drive down their logistics costs.

Have we not been here before??

Variable Load - you are not too far wrong. Bond did establish a good relationship with BP but remember they had been supplying a service to BP since the late '70s with offshore based aircraft. Margins have never been high with BP but Bond would not have taken on loss-making contracts unless it was a sweetner for something bigger in the future. The volume of work that BP gave Bond would force lower rates but allow good cash flow.

Greenwood was "small fry" in BP and didn't carry much respect. Of course he had to be kept reasonably sweet as he was the day to day man but the Bonds would have gone for those higher up the ladder to make any significant impact on the way the contract would go.

As to those who are considering jumping ship, I agree. Think very carefully. The younger guys will probably do better moving as command will come quicker and long term job security will be more assured. Going the fixed wing route will no doubt provide an even better career path unless you have a perverted wish to stay working in rubber suits.

Those with only a few years to go (and in the final salary pension fund) will be better staying put - unless the redundancy deal is particularly good.

I suspect CHC UK division will go into terminal decline unless there is a big change at senior management level.

Are Bond buying the aircraft or BP? One would imagine that BP are well placed to drive the best bargain with Eurocopter, given a certain individual who now works for them (not the one variable load refers to, is it?).

Interesting article !

In today’s “Wall Street Journal”, dated December 23, 2002 an article appears stating that BP plans to dispose of some assets which include some mature oil and natural-gas fields in the North Sea. The article also said that BP may need to make investments in Gulf of Mexico western Africa, and Asia.

Any thoughts, comments ?

Bond Recruiting?
 

Gentlemen,
I read today on a site here in the US, that Bond Helicopters had placed an advert into the 'Press and Journal'. I confess that I could not find the advert in question, though an associated article mentioned that one indeed had been placed in the paper.

Has anyone seen the Bond ad and can comment on it's contents? Is there a contact Tel# or Email address listed ? Does anyone have any details which may not be easily discovered between the lines of print? Requirements, compensation, schedules, etc.

I'm looking to possibly return to the scene of my 'original' sin, (ie. first civil job) and would welcome any commentary, pro or con.
I've been at this business for many years now and I require only about 5 or 6 more years to complete my 'career' and call it an evening! I did so enjoy Aberdeen and Sumburgh in the 70's!

Seriously, I am quite out of touch here in the US, and some might add my mind as well for even considering this move, but I am hoping to get a more 'local' angle from those of you still working in the North of Scotland.
thanks all,
Kevin

Bond do seem to be advertising. Picked up a copy of Flight International last night and theres a full page add mentioning they have won the bp contract from 2004 and will be advertising vacancies soon. They want people who are interested to get in touch. They even mention sponsorship!!!

I've sent you the address by private message as not sure whether it's advertising or not.

From the Press & Journal

HELICOPTER FIRM LOOKING TO RECRUIT


09:00 - 15 January 2003

The helicopter firm that is returning to Aberdeen after winning a lucrative 10-year deal with oil giant BP has advertised for staff today.

Bond Offshore Helicopters, run by brothers Peter and Stephen Bond, has asked pilots and engineers to register their interest with it in an advert in the Press and Journal.

Bond is taking over the BP contract, believed to be worth £260million, from CHC Scotia in August, 2004.

CHC confirmed to the Amicus-AEEU union last week that it was looking to axe 39 permanent staff and 18 contract workers in Aberdeen on top of 19 pilots that were previously announced.

Bond has already announced that it is buying six of the latest Super Puma twin-engine helicopters in a £53million deal for the contract. It also said it would relocate its offshore operations to Aberdeen Airport later this year from its current base in Gloucestershire.

The Bond brothers run extensive aviation interests in the UK and internationally.

Bond expects to employ 80 staff in Aberdeen.

The brothers sold their previous North Sea operation to CHC-owned Scotia Helicopters in 1999. They agreed at that time not to become involved in the North Sea market for two years.

Bond recruiting
 

To Kissmysquirrel;

Could you email me the address of Bond Helicopters Ltd. I have quite a lot of offshore experience. Wouldn't mind to get closer to home. I would appreciate it.


Regards, Alouette:)

I just hope that pilots coming to Aberdeen are wise enough to ensure that in the middle / long term pilots’ conditions don’t suffer.

Surely many people will want to enjoy the present level of conditions that pilots enjoy in the North Sea at present. Those conditions were achieved by CHC Scotia and Bristow pilots standing up united in 2001. Also our Norwegian and Danish colleagues played their part. It will be long before we have a similar opportunity in the future.

Now companies and unions are learning to work together. Conflicts sometimes are the order of the day, but that is part of the adaptation process. Sooner rather than later we’ll get a culture where both parties understand how to work together in one common direction while looking after their own interest.

Bond brothers were always anti-union, and the chances are this time they will do their best to prevent their pilots getting unionised. If they succeed, it won’t be long before we start losing terrain again.

So if you want a job in the North Sea and Bond is your option, be aware of the terms and conditions they’re going to offer (watch the space!). If you go for it, make sure that once the group is up and running you get your act together and you don’t jeopardise all the progress that your fellow pilots made for you in 2001.

A cynical reading of the ad (which really only announces an intent and offers the chance to register) is:

Wannabies apply - we'll train you and pay you a pitance
FOs - join Bond and fast track to captain

.... and then stay in those postions for 10 years or till we expand.

Interesting further gen in the BP Jigsaw thread which casts doubt on the BP contract's long term future.

Interesting that they are operating out of 'BAS Towers' at Staverton, since though the brothers had to stay onshore for 2 years, BAS have to stay out of the North Sea for 5. I hope they have a decent chinese wall.

I have some experience with Bond and would only say that if you are tempted to work for them go ahead but get a union card before you turn up! If you do not have the protection of a strong unionised workforce they will take liberties - they must be going in at a very low rate and the best way to save money on the North Sea is to pay low and screw the most hours out the flight and engineering crews. Good Luck but watch your backs!

Wiz

Anyone think BP selling the 40s will have any effect on this contract

To Kissmysquirrel,

Is there any chance that you could e-mail me Bond address as well, please? I have no north sea experience but I am willing to learn. Many thanks, Fatspice.:D

could you be so nice and e-mail me also the Bond address, I´ve been trying to locate Bond and called to Aberdeen last week and some guy on the airport informed me that they wouldn´t set up their base until later on ??....dont know more but sure would appreciate some mort info about Bond..thanks

Some are headhunted
 

Some are made to apply again and again and some are hounded to come and work for the good of the company. A certain South African Australian executive director has been appointed the managing director of the new bond operation. Good luck Bond, he is a good man, bad luck those poor b@st@rds still working for CHC Australia under the trotters of the pig!

What will Bond take over ? The 40's are being sold as well as the Montrose and Arbroath platforms ! That's just the Bruce and West of Shetland rigs as Bristows fly to the Magnus .
Just a thought .

:D

Don't forget the Miller, Harding and ETAP and I think a couple of others although names do not spring to mind at the moment.

There is a report in todays press that Miller is to be the next sell-off. Talisman are reported to be the interested party.

But don't forget the Claire field is being developed which is to be new platform West of Shetland.

I think a company like BP would know their short-medium term strategy very well before signing a 10 year deal with Bond.

You assume that the aviation dept knows the advance plans of bp. The 40s people only found out that they had been "sold" the day it happened. The Clare platform and the rest of their west of Shetland operations will only support a max of 2-3 Pumas a day not 6. Remember that the perfect oil platform is one that is run from the beach and that is the oil companies goal so you can expect a rundown of offshore helicopter support as we get further into the 21st century.

HF:sad:

Clarence
 

You have my attention......what is Trotters of Pig???

Feet of Swine..????

Over to you please.

Hummingfrog - I take your point about the sale of 40's, however most of the onshore and offshore support staff are contractors emmployeed through service contracts and are not direct employees of BP. There is no way that a comany like BP would reveal it's strategy to them.

As far as unmanned and fully automated platforms - I agree, every operators dream. However as long as we have offshore platforms, there will be a requirement for personnel such as drilling, commissioning, maintenance and production. I can think of many 'new' platfroms with state of the art productions facilities etc that are now being retrofitted to increase their accomodation capacity. Why? Because the operators suddenly find they need more offshore support staff than the accountants / economists said they would (should).

There is no doubt that the north sea is continuing to decline (for the time being) however as we tend further towards becoming a net energy importer rather than exporter, who knows what incentives may appear via the Government, who will ultimately want to see this industry remain in force until every viable barrel has been squeezed out.

The point I actually want to make is that I do not believe the Bond brothers would have come back into this industry, signing such a deal with BP, without considering the older assets which BP may have been consider disposing of. They are successful businessmen and know how the NS oil industry works.

GJB

I think that the Bonds will be concerned at what is happening with bp. The sale of the 40s to Apache came as a complete shock to the bp personnel offshore (OIMs OTLs etc). On the Monday morning they were working for bp and by the afternoon they had been sold to Apache with no warning or ability to stay with bp. It would be the same as a RAF Sqn Ldr being in the RAF one minute and being told the next minute that he was now a Major in the Army.

This decision was taken way above the level of asset manager and therefore when the aviation dept gave Bond the bp contract they gave it with the idea that 6 a/c would be required for bp work. This will not be the case if the present rate of sale of bp assets goes on, Miller just being the next on the list. Look out for Andrew, Brae, Everest, Harding, Lomond but probably not ETAP.

Bond were given this contract because bp wanted a 3rd operator in the N Sea. The new owners of the bp assets may not be interested in this but want to continue with the operator who is giving them good service at present


A year is a long time in the N Sea!

HF:D

HF

All good an valid points.

I still think the Bonds would have considered the eventuality of BP's sale of assets. The production from these assets, has been low/marginal for many years; this does not fit in with BP's strategy.

Production figures are readily available within the public domain. I think Forties (A,B,C,D & E) cumulative production is on average 48,000 boe today.

I cannot believe that the Bonds would not have considered this.

To all

Moving away from the oil platform debate, just for this question, has anyone actually wrote to Bond and heard anything back?? Any news of the supposed 'sponsorship' training????!!!!

Just thought i would ask!

I believe anyone being sponsored will have to go to CABAIR to be trained, both for the IR and ab initio.

Don`t know any more details at present.