So -
my ask on advice - if you were me, 4,000 hours, ATP, current medical - but haven't flown a helicopter in almost 20 years - how do you break in to this kind of role?
- 50 Hours in Puma series in last 60 months; 10 in last 12months
- 100 Hours in last 12 months (up to 25 of those hours in sim)
It from the posting the goal it to simply hire someone already current is a Super Puma.
I haven't flown professionally since 1998 - since flying EMS in the BK-117.
But now have the flexibility in life, financial savings, and most importantly a clean FAA Second Class Medical.
I would sincerely appreciate advice on practical steps.
@mad dog - I'll need this if we are going to fly for Sheriff
Good news first: if you are single, some find it to be a fantastic job. We had a few guys in their 60's and one (I think) in their 70's - didn't need the money but loved the job. If I was suddenly single, I would go back to that job and stay and stay and stay until I could not pass the medical....especially if I was in the Med (Djibouti not so much...)
Bad news: your timing could not be worse. Oil prices are down. Bristow (Gulf of Mexico) has furloughed. CHC has gone bankrupt. The SuperPuma had a fatal crash a few months ago, is being pulled out of service and there are pilots with 332 type ratings looking for work. In other words, I am betting they have a list of applications of guys who are current and with time in model. (Vertrep flies the 330 Puma, it is the bigger 332 & 225 SuperPumas that are crashing.)
The genesis of civilian vertrep begins with the Navy wanting to save money by using civilian contractors - began with GeoSeis back in the 90's. The Navy does vertrep with two expensive Seahawks and 30+ people, we did it with 2 vintage Pumas and a detachment of 9 bubbas. The Pumas can pick up more, we can move stuff faster (not that it matters), and fewer people means a less crowded ship. The 2 companies that do the work are AAR and Erickson (formerly Evergreen before they went bankrupt and were purchased). There are a few chuckleheads (like anywhere else) but most are really good guys. Quite a variety of pilots: some civilian, some Army, quite a few Navy and Navy Reserve. The guys who have done longline in the past really have skills.
You will normally be on a T-AKE - the Lewis and Clark class. Brand spanking new.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lewis_and_Clark-class_dry_cargo_ship Civilian mariners who really know their stuff and we hung out with all the time - whether having a beer at The Terror Club on base in Singapore or chowing down on Italian pasta at the Sigonella Inn (nice eyeball liberty as the outdoor restaurant is beside the pool where the Euro strippers lay out). We actually called the ships the "Friends" class because one of the new guys when we were aboard the USNS Matthew Perry remarked he couldn't believe they named a ship after the actor - after that, we all wanted to get transferred to USNS Jennifer Anniston....
More than anything, the companies will want to see a type rating in a Puma. How you get that, well, you are going to have to find a company that flies them. This probably means Africa, Afghanistan, or some other less than desirable place. The other thing that might be in your favor is if Columbia ever bids for a contract using BV-107's. Not many helicopters have the medium to heavy lifting capability and are sea compatible. S-61's, Phrogs, Pumas (again, the SuperPuma seems on life support after the last crash.)
And as for that suggestion you are willing to work for less, don't
ever go there......
