Bond Cork

[norunway]

Anyone hear that Bond have won the contract in Cork off CHC in support of offshore gas production,using an EC135.

[Wizzard]

No, I haven't.

[NorthSeaTiger]

Is this something to do with the Blackpool contract that was mentioned ? Do CHC do anything other than SAR in Ireland ?

NST

[Pink Panther]

Got a brief mention here last week. The rumour is Bond won the contract using a 135. CHC have been operating out of Cork airport, servicing gas rigs off Kinsale for quite a few years now using a 365. As I understand it current contract finishes May 10.

[doorstopper]

Dont know about Cork but am pretty sure that the SAR contract is due to be tendered fairly soon

[CVR]

Yes the contract has been awarded to Bond, they are going to operate EC135's to the Kinsale field. Another loss to CHC, one wonders how many more they can take.

[doorstopper]

Interesting point CVR, if true then they do seem to be losing a fair few. Is it due to First Reserve i wonder?

[Hoppit]

they do seem to be losing a fair few


Seem to be loosing all of them!

Had a quick look at CHC's website and the last contract award that I can find for the UK was July 2006 for an S92 out of Abz for Apache. SAR interim contract was Dec 2005.

Top marks for the commercial departrment! :D

[griffothefog]

Does that mean Marathon are agreeing to go back to single pilot ops. There is a significant amount of IFR flying required on that contract, and I do mean IFR down to the vinegar strokes on minima's :eek:

So much for safety if that's the case :{

[Pink Panther]

I undrstand it won't be SPIFR.I would be very surprisd if the IAA signed off on that one :}.

[griffothefog]

Multi-pilot ops in a 135... Err... How does that work ???? :E

[rufus.t.firefly]

Should be cosy with 5 in the back ! :hmm:

[walesuk]

if you can even get 5 in the back with the available payload.

[slyguy]

Ok,

we know cork has gone, whats the news on blackpool then??

[bolkow]

from what I have seen of the Irish helicopters EC135T2+ boot space or rather lack of it is an issue. I may be wrong but I believe there was even talk about putting a panel in and making it a 5 seater to try to get more boot space. Cant imagine a 135 doing the rigs? Maybe they mean a 145?

[ScotiaQ]

No....EC 135T2 it is.

[pumaboy]

Sure it is not EC155 cant see EC135 doing the rigs

Then again I could well be wrong

[TeeS]

After all, it's not as if we used to 'do the rigs' in Bo105's is it :)

TeeS

Oh, and Griff, we find it works best with one in the left seat and one in the right seat :D

[rufus.t.firefly]

Just means the customer will probably have to fly more with a max of 5 !

Distances aren't great but given that Cork spends alot of time in fog - at least thats what I've been told , plenty of IFR practice and diversion fuel then.

Stick in a couple of liferafts , and all the extra gubbins required by the oil companies for offshore fit and it will be a nice cosy fit:eek::eek:

[bolkow]

I well remember when the Bell 212 operated those rigs and some days it did multiple trips to the kinsale oilfield which I understand may only lie 40 miles offshore, but I think an ec135 will be doing multiple flights where a medium size chopper would halve the flight time. So its a chc EC135 then? I wonder if its going to be a new build.

[Heliboater]

Could the new machine at Eurocopter be for this, HEOI, (Helicopter Offshore Ireland), just a thought.....

[HillerBee]

I well remember when the Bell 212 operated those rigs and some days it did multiple trips to the kinsale oilfield which I understand may only lie 40 miles offshore, but I think an ec135 will be doing multiple flights where a medium size chopper would halve the flight time. So its a chc EC135 then? I wonder if its going to be a new build.Which medium sized helicopter is twice as fast as an EC135??????

[HOGE]

Which medium sized helicopter is twice as fast as an EC135??????

Airwolf....

Airwolf (helicopter) - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Airwolf_(helicopter)#Specifications)

:}

[walesuk]

Which medium sized helicopter is twice as fast as an EC135??????

I think the point was that a medium sized helicopter can often do in one trip what the EC135 will take in two trips.

[Greeny9]

Aahh, the American grasp on humour still as active as ever!!

[HillerBee]

If Bond decides to use an EC135 it won't be because it's more expensive is it!? It's a numbers game and Bond is very good at that.

[Droopy]

So have Bond - or anybody else for that matter - actually made a verifiable announcement?

[slyguy]

Still no announcements yet!!

perhaps they are waiting to see if the big CHC machine goes on strike, yeah like that will ever happen.

Somebody must have heard by now!

[Greeny9]

Decision delayed again apparantly!

[nightjar1]

Maybe >Official< but do BOND have the goods to supply a service ??
From the rumours around they have no N3's to do anything :(
Same old, same old,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,

[Pink Panther]

Also, I understand Bond kick off in Cork from 1st Jan 2010 with an EC 135, two pilot IFR operation.

[bondu]

nightjar,

Bond have three/four 365N3s on order. Rumour has it that another Aberdeen operator will be fitting the TCAS systems into the aircraft for Bond in the near future.

bondu

[Paddyviking]

Speaking with someone in CHC last week and confirms what
Pink Panther just posted :ok:

Pv

[Greeny9]

Bond do not have the goods!!
They have approached CHC to continue using the N2 on the Leman platform until June/July next year and are trying to lease the two CHC N3s in Canada to put into BPL. Short term until they get theirs from EC!

[nightjar1]

This all seams very strange to me that Bond have to go to Chc to supply Heli's,
Does it then make sense to approach Chc about leasing the 365 that is already in place at Cork ?

[Greeny9]

It is what used to be G-BKXD and is very close to a 'G' check! Very expensive and takes some time! Given the performance of the Ns single engine with the new rules coming in I would be surprised if the 'G' check gets done.

[nightjar1]

BondU

With N3's only on order can you explain what you mean by >>near future<< :confused:
Is there any date set as and when the first 365n3 will be delivered?

[bondu]

Nightjar,

No idea of timings - just something I heard last week from a very reliable source. If I find out when, I'll let you know.

bondu

[heli1]

The full story is apparently in today's HeliData News if anyone is interested....Contract details ,aircraft delivery dates,the lot
Unfortunately at £200.00 a year I can't afford the subscription !

[nightjar1]

The crew's from both of these bases ? Does TUPE apply ?
And if so has it been put in place ?

[maxvne]

I dont think TUPE would apply, this is a contract that CHC has lost to Bond thats all, It would be different if Bond were taking over CHC then TUPE would come into force. I have heard that all the crew involved at the moment have been allocated positions at other CHC bases.

[nightjar1]

Does TUPE apply?

A 'relevant TUPE transfer' can occur in the following situations:

A business undertaking (or part of one) is transferred from one employer to another as a going concern. This is known as a ‘business transfer’
A client engages a contractor to carry out work on its behalf, or where it reassigns such a contract – including bringing the work back ‘in-house’. This is known as a ‘service provision change’??

Have CHC allocated there EGNH crews to other bases also ?

[maxvne]

I still dont think TUPE applies on the bond contract on those basis either but thats just my opinion, I didnt hear about the guys in Blackpool, but I did hear that in north denes they were looking to either move crew as they were over manned and now the loss of contracts, well I hope it doesnt mean redundancies.

[chcoffshore]

Bond Forties Apache contract? http://images.ibsrv.net/ibsrv/res/src:www.pprune.org/get/images/smilies/eek.gif


Have they won this one aswell?:confused:

[Epiphany]

What a turn around. Just a few months ago the pax were refusing to fly with Bond. It would appear that a company recent safety record has little influence on award of contracts. So much for Target Zero.

[defiance]

What on Earth has Target Zero got to do with Bond?

[Epiphany]

Not much it seems.

[One Pint]

Epihany.

So are you saying that an operator should not be granted any new contracts if they have an incident/accident?

[rsevo]

I have heard that all the crew involved at the moment have been allocated positions at other CHC bases.

As far as Blackpool is concerned, there's no truth in that whatsoever I'm afraid. At least, if they have, they've not bothered to tell the crew.

[maxvne]

rsevo, if you take a little time to read the thread that statement was in a discussion with reference to the operation at Cork, and as stated about 2 comments later nothing to do with Blackpool as nothing heard about that base or contract.

[walesuk]

maxvne,

no need to get defensive. in any case, you are wrong about Cork as well. Nothing has been decided about the crew there yet either.

As far as I know, TUPE is still undecided, but if you go by the guidelines posted earlier, there is no reason it wouldn't apply. What makes you so sure it wouldn't?

[maxvne]

Hi Walesuk
I wasnt being defensive just stating that he should have read the thread before using a statment in the wrong context. As I have said already it is only in my opinion that I personally dont think TUPE would apply as I cant see why it should or would. when contract are won and lost all over the north sea I dont ever remember TUPE comming into force, only time is when there was a company purchased. In the case for the Bond contract there were at least 5 tenders and Bond won the contract.
I know of 2 pilots in CHC Cork and one is heading for aberdeen and the 2nd is heading for SAR.
Maybe if I am wrong you can provide the correct answer Im sure they would love to hear where you think they are going.

[nightjar1]

A relevant transfer :-

ii) activities cease to be carried out by a contractor on a client's behalf (whether or not those activities had previously been carried out by the client on his own behalf) and are carried out instead by another person ("a subsequent contractor") on the client's behalf;

Nuff said.:hmm:

[maxvne]

Dont forget they are not in the UK and the laws differ from country to country

[rsevo]

maxvne, don't be so condescending. Your initial post was in response to nightjar1 which read:

The crew's from both of these bases ? Does TUPE apply ?
And if so has it been put in place ?

There's no specific mention of Cork there whatsoever. You then stated in a later post that you hadn't heard about the guys in Blackpool, and I responded by saying that there has been no mention to any crew members of allocation anywhere, thereby partially filling a gap in your extensive knowledge of the situation.

To be honest, you started by saying that ALL CHC crews involved had been allocated positions at other bases, and now you think you know of 2 Cork pilots that are defainately moving somewhere else. Probably.

Personally I think you make it up as you go along.

[maxvne]

The name of the thread is BOND CORK and I have only being referring to Cork only as I stated I didnt know or hear anything about any other base so get back in your little box please

[rsevo]

You may only have been referring to Cork, but when you respond directly to someone else's post, you have to take into account the context of that post. The fact that you didn't know anything about any bases other than Cork didn't stop you speculating about what you "heard" in North Denes either did it.

Good grief. Tell you what, I'll go find a box, but only if you promise to be specific about what you know and don't know, instead of throwing out barely decipherable statements which may or may not be factual. I've "heard" alot of things about you, but I'm not certain they're true, so I don't think I'll post them here eh.

I think that's enough about that.

:D

[nodrama]

TUPE in Ireland is called PETU (no joke!) and it is apparantly as much as a minefield as TUPE is here in the UK.
Just something to think about amongst all this speculation....
The aircraft type is changing for this contract to a smaller skidded machine. Would the current crews want TUPE (PETU)?

[Hompy]

This thread is depressing.
Yes, contracts always change hands and one company rises as another falls etc.
However, the company that is disappearing up its own behind just now has the strongest union membership and a history of improving the industry terms and conditions - the last big industry wide pay rise for example. This fast shrinking company has decided to remove the good terms and conditions it took credit for in the past and either as a result or just unfortunate coincidence it is losing contracts left, right and centre.
Are we really headed back to the days when flying a helicopter was scoffed at by our fixed wing cousins? A time when the only people who could afford to do it were pensioned ex-military or people who had rich Daddies and nothing better to do?
Let's not go back to split pay based on the size of your machine or the reach of your tongue. Nor single pilot IFR offshore ops. There were reasons these things disappeared and they weren't financial.
Anybody else seen Crude Brittania recently and the similarities between 'then' and now? :(
Hompy

[Burr Styers]

Another then and now..............

Strong unions, strike action, disaffected customers,Loss of business.........That would be British Leyland in the 70s then - reflect on what happened to them.

I'm afraid CHC is a bit of an complex animal, with many constituent parts, that in themselves probably function Ok. However nobody has ever had the strength of leadership to pull all these fractious children together.

There has also been unfortunate history going back to the days of Maxwell, the "merger" at the end of the nineties, the strategic re-organisation in 2003 which had no artifacts of "Change management" applied, and I feel your current woes probably extend from that point forward.

Mix in with this the massive churn of management and admin staff, and positions that exist for a few months only, initiatives to fix problems identified, that are not resourced, chronic lack of project management at any level, people promoted into inappropriate postions. The wonder is that is that it still exists as a business entity today.

There are many excellent people throughout the depts and levels of the organisation, but they are essentially leaderless.

The responsibility for the way any business operates ultimately rests with the CEO/MD, supported by his Directors and senior managers. CHC Scotia doesn't operate as a top down organisation, its kinda from the middle, in a bit of an unstructured way.

There was perhaps maybe one person who was able to make a go of it, and he stayed for 10-11 months before being short toured back to Australia - which was a great pity, but just another example of how not to run a company.

I wish everyone well in these difficult times for the company.

BS

[rsevo]

Nightjar1/walesuk;

Contrary to what certain other contributers to this thread have tried to suggest (amongst other things), it has now been confirmed that, as agreed by Bond and CHC in the contract, TUPE will apply to those at Blackpool at least.

[ZeroAlpha]

So, if Bond have taken the contract in Cork off CHC then does that mean they also are well placed to do the same with the Rescue Services Contract in Ireland?

Apparently its worth around 270 million over ten years.

[Hompy]

No, it doesn't.

[unstable load]

ZeroAlpha,
Hompy's rather brief reply is accurate.
As you state, that job is worth $x over y years, meaning it has been contracted out to the current operator for that time. Now, barring any serious breaches of that contract by the operator that will void the terms as wirtten and automatically result in cancellation, the next time this job is up for grabs is at the end of the term.

THEN it will go out to re-tender and be up for grabs to whoever puts the best offer on the table. Under certain circumstances a party in a contract can withdraw early by mutual agreement, thus opening up the job for re-tender, but generally the job is secure to the contractor for the duration of the term.

[nightjar1]

rsevo;

Thats great news for you guys!, lets just hope Cork has the same outcome .

When you say 'confirmed' you mean Bond have been in touch or its in writing ?

[ScotiaQ]

Burr Styers has it exactly right with regard to CHC Management. They are lead from the middle....for as long as competent people remain in post.

They have lost Cork, they have also definitely lost Blackpool and Perenco out of Norwich. It won't stop there but there is the question of airframe availability. Time will tell.

[Burr Styers]

There is no doubt that those companies that have a strong identity, are also pretty cohesive, (well put together) stable, and generally prosper. The problem with CHC is, .........its not quite sure what it is, or who's running it. The last decade has been pretty turbulent for them one way or another, and there still seems to be this air of instability throughout the organisation. This manifests itself as commercial uncertainty and a grumpy workforce.

Despite the efforts of many good people who have come, and left in frustration, CHC trundles on in spite of itself,.........and not because of itself.

There is no magic wand to wave, no pixie dust to spread around, they just need to start talking from the head........ and not the heart.

BS

[The Governor]

Burr

Perhaps they should be putting you in to get CHC on the right track along with the management consultants. You seem to have it all worked out.

[Burr Styers]

Gov

My comments are nothing more than a retrospective view - based on 20/20 hindsight. Been There, done that, ......now doing something else.:ok:

I genuinely wish them all the best.

BS

[nightjar1]

You show me a company that does'nt have at least one bad manager and you win a banana !! or a enstrom ;)
CHC may have more then there fair share at the moment, but what goes around' comes around' :)
'''Watch this space'''

[The Governor]

No heart? Where's Dorothy when you need her.

I'm off to see the Wizard.....

[walesuk]

Anyone applied for a job in Cork? Am curious what Bond are offering captains and co-pilots salary wise. Please email or PM me if you don't want to post here.


Cheers.

[walesuk]

I just found out the starting salaries being offered to pilots in Cork from Bond Air Services. It's an absolute pittance. A disgrace really and a major step backwards for pilot's as a whole. I just hope their cost cutting doesn't affect safety.

[revs&checks]

Anyone applied for a job in Cork?Is there a need for additional Pilots? Will some of the current workforce move to other bases? The grapevine has been very quiet in my neck of the woods!

[Pink Panther]

Word on the street is P2 salaries starting in and around 40,000 euro, new guys (not current CHC pilots) to fill the slots.
P1 salaries starting around 60,000 euro, one of the positions possibly filled by a contributer to this thread, not me by the way. Stand to be corrected.:E

[walesuk]

€32k for co-pilots and €68k for captains is what I've been told. Captain rates are comparable (I think) to onshore rates in the UK, but from what I hear, Ireland is a much more expensive place to live.

Co-pilots are going to be struggling, especially if they have a family.

[monkey pilot]

Hi guys its actually 38k euro for the co-pilots. Havent heard bout the captains pay yet.

[ragman20]

Hi I also heard 32 for co and 68 for capt, but great if they get more.

[Pink Panther]

So, what's the latest on this one. Isn't it suppose to be kicking off Jan 1st.:confused:

[ec135driver]

Why :confused:

It will start as advertised :ok:

:D:D:D

[HYDPUMP]

word on the street is still no AOC yet,

[JIGSPY]

ec135driver - good to hear that the 135 will be starting on 1 Jan - heard rumours that it has been having payload problems.

JP

[jayteeto]

Let me just add one here please. 68k is NOT comparable with the onshore salaries for captains. You are tens of thousands out there!! I have just been taken on by Bond, they have a set pay scale and I am receiving a substantial pay rise from my present post with a major UK onshore company. I am very happy with the terms and conditions offered, but I would crawl over broken glass for that 68k mentioned. My initial impressions are that BAS are well organised, pilot friendly (views of current pilots) and very competetive on T&Cs.

[Brilliant Stuff]

Cork is running on the present BAS AOC I have been told.

[helimutt]

So, are the salaries really low because they will have to offset the cost of running an N3 in place of the proposed 135's? Rumours of only 155kg of available payload with the 135's out of Cork?? Surely an operator should be able to carry more than that? :eek:(nothing to do with the only suitable alternates/ diversion airfields and fuel requirements for same i'm sure)

Has someone got their figures wrong somewhere or is the rumour closer to the truth than Bond would like to admit? :E

[fkelly]

Anyone care to say what an offshore equipped 135T2+ weighs? I'd guess at about 2000kg.

[HYDPUMP]

BAS AOC does not allow for Offshore work only windfarm stuff, also spot on with payload, must have been some big fibs on the tender form,:=

[ragman20]

After speaking with one of the pilots last week he said The contract will be up and running with no problems and they also thought they would have payload issues but the aircraft has come in at just under 1940kgs so they can take 4 paxs with baggage ifr reserves, the client loves the new aircraft and pays way less than the current old aircraft. They may have to do two trips but that has all been agreed and the client is very happy. They have submitted the aoc manuals as they are going to get their own stand alone Irish aoc as they have a lot of contracts they are looking at so could be good news for pilots I personally hope so.

[Brilliant Stuff]

I stand corrected. Cheers.:ok:

[helimutt]

Ragman, out of interest, can you tell me what IFR alternate they are using and any chance of a breakdown on the weights for planning purposes?

[serf]

Are any of the CHC guys staying on?

[ragman20]

Hi Helimutt, All I was told was that they would be most likely be using Shannon as the alternate for IFR, I dont know the breakdown on the weights other than they were happy the aircraft came in at 1940kgs and all up weight is 2910kgs with 20 minute transit time to the rig at 30 nm from airport.

For Serf no chc guys joined they turned down the positions and are getting re located within chc.

Brialliant stuff your are semi correct actually as they are going to operate on bond offshore helicopters aoc untill the stand alone Irish aoc is issued

[Brilliant Stuff]

Cheers.:ok:

[helimutt]

2910-1940 = 970 kg's

Oh well then, the rumours were just that.:ok: Don't know where they got the figure of 155kg's from. ;)

[norunway]

2910 Kgs - 1940 Kgs = 970 Kgs
20 mins transit time at 200 Kgs per hour = 70 Kgs
20 mins back = 70 kgs
Deck Fuel = 20 Kgs or so
Alternate Cork to Shannon 20/25 mins = 70/85 Kgs
Approach at Rig and at Shannon = 50 Kgs
2 Crew at Standard weights 85 Kgs =170 Kgs

970 Kgs - 465 Kgs = 505 Kgs Payload

Standard weights for Offshore worker 90 Kgs and we all know the average offshore worker weighs more than 90 Kgs

Class II enhanced? How much of a weight penalty will that incur.

[chcoffshore]

I take it that Cork is a small operation, with a couple of shuttles per day?

[1helicopterppl]

I take we are referring to the new Bond 135T2+ G-CGHP ? can anybody advise if it will be operating on G-reg or will it have to change to Irish marks ?

some nice pics would be lovely too !

[Nf stable]

Have to say that 300kg an hour would be around 100kg an hour more than any 135 I know :sad:

[norunway]

Weights duly adjusted but even at 505 Kgs payload its still only four passangers plus baggage and that is before taking into acount any weight penalty there will if operating to class II enhanced performance standards.

[JIGSPY]

Norunway.

If Irish IFR fuel regs are same as UK you have forgotten to add 10% of calculated fuel usage and 1/2 hr loiter time at Vy which would equal about 130kgs in the Cork - rig - Cork - Shannon route. I also believe that the weight penalty for Class 1 onto the rig is 200kgs so as 100kgs of fuel is used to reach and IFR approach rig then another 100kgs needs to be taken off disposable load ex Cork. A total of 230kgs off your figs.

Using your basic figures this gives a disposable load ex Cork of approx 275Kgs or 2 workers and their bags or at a push 3 workers and no bags.

[norunway]

Good spot not a very good payload is it.

[Brilliant Stuff]

As per FODCOM 27/05 standard weights for offshore are male = 98 female = 77 but in the case of the 135 it will be more like actual weights due to the narrower margin.
For what it is worth.:}

[TeeS]

Norunway

Having got your fuel burn wrong and your basic IFR fuel calculations wrong are you really in a position to comment?

Cheers

TeeS

[JIGSPY]

Hi TeeS

Are my calculations nearer the mark - only thing I wasn't sure of was the penalty for operating Class 1 to the rig (which I believe is part of the contract terms).

Now I am retired it keeps my mind active doing these theoretical sums:confused:

[TeeS]

Sorry JIGSPY

I have no idea of what the contract terms are, I just got the impression that there was a random number generator producing a lot of the figures quoted by Norunway.

Regards

TeeS

[walesuk]

The posted calculation of 505 kgs payload didn't take into account the 110 reserve fuel or the 10%. Someone already posted this but was rudely discounted. Also 20kgs of deck time only allows for one landing when they regularly have more than that. With 8 pax possible shuttling they will need two shuttles which is more like 100kgs deck fuel.

In any case, Bond do a good job of making the numbers look better. The gas company is in for a bit of a shock.

Also heard the aircraft hasn't been approved yet for the operation, but again is only rumor.

[Lenticular]

JIGSPY - We do not operate Class 1 to offshore elevated helipad locations (PC1), due to hugely restrictive payloads, inappropriately high TDP's (cannot guarantee rejected take off outcome) amongst other issues. It will be PC2 with exposure or PC2 if the sea state can be considered suitable for a 'Safe forced landing'.

[ragman20]

Lenticular you are spot on with your statement, the guys say it will be a minimum of two shuttles but client is very happy as they get a brand new aircraft at half the cost of the previous heli. The aircraft has been out to the rig with the CAA and completed all the necessary paperwork so it looks on target for the Jan 1st start date

[norunway]

Half the cost of the previous heli but twice the number of flights.

[RVDT]

Half the cost of the previous heli but twice the number of flights. Maybe it was twice the cost with half the number of seats full

[DeltaNg]

If the weather is suitable I'm sure the flights could VFR, so an onshore diversion will be sufficient, with VFR reserves. Even with an S76 payloads are reduced in the poor weather seasons due to all the IFR reserves. Over the course of a year things average themselves out.

[serf]

The ROI is very expensive to live in at the moment, hope they are paying enough!

[helimutt]

so an onshore diversion will be sufficientI always thought Shannon was 'onshore'??? :E

Wonder how many days a year there are which would require IFR out of Cork.

Either way, it will be interesting come january 1st, to see how well the contract runs as the customer expects.

[DeltaNg]

Who knows. Who cares? It'll either be acceptable or a bag of sh*te, and the contract will go to someone else in the big game of swings and roundabouts which is the wonderful helicopter industry in the UK and immediately surrounding islands.

[Thud_and_Blunder]

the wonderful helicopter industry in the UK.
psst - DeltaNg, check your geography book. The one with a date AFTER 1922...! ;)

[rufus.t.firefly]

"Half the cost of the previous heli but twice the number of flights."

In the eyes of the customer that makes it "cost neutral" , might mean more flights but it doesn't cost anymore overall - a result as far as they will be concerned - they will only be interested in the bottom line ;)

[Brilliant Stuff]

They used to use the SA365 FYI.

If the 135 does not work out it will be a doddle for Bond to change it for a AS 365.
I would have thought the important thing for Bond is that they have got the contract keeping it for them shouldn't be too difficult.

Remembering how they work.

[JIGSPY]

But a 365N3 at 135 rates - not a sound financial proposition. The customer is unlikely to pay 365N3 rates when the contract specifies a 135. Afterall you don't expect to pay the increased cost of a hire car if the renter has to upgrade you. Also 365N3 qualified pilots are more likely to leave when the oil exploration climate improves as the Bond Irish pay is low compared to the N Sea.

[ScotiaQ]

Has anyone heard how this has panned out? Should have started Jan 1st I believe.

[bolkow]

Yep, I wos wondering alos if anyone has seen the new ec135 or better has a pic to share.

[Heli1234]

Photo of Eurocopter EC135T2, G-CGHP, Bond Air Services (http://www.irishairpics.com/photo/1034303/L/Eurocopter-EC135T2/G-CGHP/Bond-Air-Services/?&sid=&sp=&PHPSESSID=f210fe2088659679dde065cda844cb85)

[bolkow]

thank you for that picture, really appreciated.
I cant but help compare it with the Irish Helicopters EC135T2+
The inflator bottle for the pop outs is much smaller on this machine and is located on the port instead of the starboard side, and the nose radome is much larger resembling those I have seen on the larger EC145. Interesting picture to me.

[Heli1234]

There are two CO2 bottles, one on either side of the a/c, one for the floats and another for the liferafts (which are incorporated into the floats).

[bolkow]

Did not know that, I do know the larger one on the Irish Lights machine is a single one only.

[monkey pilot]

The larger bottle on the irish lights heli is for the floats only. there are two bottles on the bond aircraft the large which is on the other side of the aircraft is for the floats and the smaller one seen here is for two six man life rafts . Hope that clears things up.

[1helicopterppl]

check irishairpics for photo....

[Heli1234]

http://i740.photobucket.com/albums/xx46/Heli1234/EC135A.jpg

[Heli1234]

http://i740.photobucket.com/albums/xx46/Heli1234/EC135B.jpg

[RVDT]

One big bottle RHS = Aerazur Zodiac original fit.

Two small bottles either side = Apical aftermarket (lighter, cheaper, manual activation, raft incorporation option, etc, etc)

Fat radome = Radar that might actually work!

[Heli1234]

http://i740.photobucket.com/albums/xx46/Heli1234/EC135C.jpg

[DeltaNg]

She looks at home offshore. Nice looking bird.

[Bladecrack]

the nose radome is much larger

It does look bigger than the standard wx radar, could it be an RDR1600 search and wx radar? :hmm:

Also, does anyone know what that unit is forward of the radalt antennas on the tailboom?

[ironchefflay]

thats the crash position indicator (CPI) beacon.

[RVDT]

"Mid skids" seem to be approved in EASA land now as well.

[bolkow]

its the ADELT, automatically deployed emergency locator beacon. The Irish Lights aorcraft has it also and it used to be on the starboard side of the previous bolkows.

great pics thanks.

[603]

Any thoughts on the CPI location? Looks like it will deploy downwards rather than laterally

[bolkow]

It sure looks that way, but I'd certainly not want it going upwards at least not before I was on the surface.

[CODBO]

I hear the Bond operation in Cork is in difficulty.
6 months on still no AOC despite being a requirement from day 1 and still being operated by BOS. Cant see the IAA being to pleased with that.
Also hear that staff are unhappy with low wages and the usual Bond extra work for no pay lark and are looking elsewhere. Itll only take one or two to jump ship and the operation is all but grounded.

[Brilliant Stuff]

I am certain if a couple jump ship there will be thirty waiting to take over.

As for the rest, I have no idea.

[Pink Panther]

Rumour has it one of the cork boys is heading back to old pastures.

[CODBO]

Bettystown? :E

[Pink Panther]

Very funny:D No , the other one.

[ragman20]

CHC
CODBO he is flying in Portugal

[CODBO]

CODBO he is flying in Portugal
Not him, the angel on his shoulder ;)

[ec135driver]

I like PPRune except for the speculation over a company's state of health or fitness to operate, I think this is bad for the individuals who work at the company and is unprofessional (remember the first P in PPRune?)

So how about some "real" info?

Bond's Cork operation is in good health, customer likes the aircraft and it meets the requirement of the contract. What else is there for it to do?

One of the senior pilots is leaving to return to a previous employer, for a salary that Bond could not and would not be able to meet. There are no hard feelings, he needs to do his best for himself and his family, so his decision is easy. Bond are disappointed but these events happen and are not unusual over the life of any contract.

Transfer to the IAOC and away from BOH is imminent and is being carried out with the FULL co-operation of the Irish Authorities. They have been involved all along and are very happy with the way BAS (Ireland) have been meeting their requirements.

Do you get the feeling that I know what I am talking about?

As for salaries and any general unhappiness - would I accept more money for the job I do - Yes, do I look in my bank account and wish I had more - Yes, would I come in later and go home earlier if I could? - Yes. Does that make me unhappy - No, does any of that stop me doing a good job - No.

[CODBO]

Hi 135,
I am delighted that you're happy, your customer is happy, and the IAA are happy. I dare say that getting paid double figure millions for a three year contract with a single 135 and convincing you guys that they cant pay any more BAS are also happy. Good news all round:ok:

[killabeez]

I also get the feeling CODBO know's what he's talking about also,,,,,

[helicrazi]

You haven't worked out who ec135driver is then! :)

[LIGHT50]

GH leaving Bond Cork to return to CHC Ireland as Flight ops manager. This time last year he was leaving CHC SNS having just got a 139 rating to go to Bond as 135 driver. Everyone must have short memories or just short on talanted people.

[CODBO]

Ah LIGHT50 that just sounds like sour grapes to a fellow DW pilot :}

[500 Fan]

Does anyone know when the Cork Bond 135 is due to take up an Irish registration serial (or has it changed already)? Can it remain on the UK register for the life of the contract or must it change to an Irish reg soon? Some of the previous posts suggested work was well under way for the transition. Thanks.

500 Fan.

[sox6]

When is 12 months up - January?

[TeeS]

Hi 500 Fan

I hope this answers your question :)

Before

http://i51.photobucket.com/albums/f369/TeeS12/Before.jpg

During

http://i51.photobucket.com/albums/f369/TeeS12/During.jpg

After

http://i51.photobucket.com/albums/f369/TeeS12/After.jpg

Cheers

TeeS

[night dipper]

TeeS

Congrats with your new Irish reg.

I do hope you guys don't carry any Dutch speaking passengers as they will wet themselves after reading the reg ;)

EI-KEL translated in Dutch means DICK-HEAD :O

[RVDT]

At least they couldn't put "klootzak" on the side of it!:O

[TeeS]

Ah! Thanks for that Dipper, we were struggling to think of a new callsign. We will try and wear it with pride. :D

TeeS

It brings back memories of starting operations to the 'Horns Rev' windfarm in Denmark. After several weeks, I was informed that the way I was pronouncing it meant 'Horns Ars**ole' rather than 'Horns Reef'. I never did figure out quite how I was saying it wrong.

[night dipper]

Quote "we will try and wear it with pride" Unquote

Real man at Cork :ok::D

[bolkow]

How many airframe hours have you clocked up in the year on your new 135 Tees? Just curious about how much the slightly smaller machine is working?