Rotor Tales - 01 - 2006
Rotor Tales - 01 - 2006
Rotor Tales - 01 - 2006
EXECUTIVE CHAIRMAN
shape and in very good hands. I look forward to my visits to Brazil, South Africa and West Africa, including Nigeria. I witnessed incredible diversity in the countries in which we operate, but at the same time I was struck by the common values and striking similarities among people of vastly different cultures. After visiting so many countries, one cant help but notice that we have a lot more in common than we might think. One of those common links is our innate desire to help our fellow man, and I am pleased to say that this is an extremely strong value at CHC.
Giving back to the community
which CHCs Lead Director, Sir Bob Reid and I visited in January. CHC employees everywhere are raising money for local charities, assisting schools and orphanages, raising funds through walks, runs and other events. In the emergency services section of this issue, you can read about Survival One staff who donated their time to create a potentially life-saving suit for a very sick girl in Aberdeen. In the next issue, CHC Ireland winchman Ciaran Smith, will tell us about a recent trip to South Africa, where he volunteered his time and money to help build 100 desperately needed homes in South Africa. I am honoured to be associated with so many giving employees and doubly honoured to have my name associated with a new CHC-Craig Dobbin Foundation for Children launched late last year and outlined on page 3. This fund was created to lend additional assistance in those communities where CHC employees and families are helping those in need. I encourage you to continue to open your hearts and use this new Foundation as a means of matching your own fundraising efforts to help the children.
Early in 2006 I joined Global Operations President Christine Baird and VP Business Units Chris Krajewski on a tour of CHC operations in Southeast Asia. We met with our partners, customers and staff in several locations, including Thailand, Myanmar, India and Malaysia, where we had very good meetings with our counterparts at Malaysian Helicopter Services in Kuala Lumpur. Everywhere we went, there was optimism about the requirements for increased helicopter services. The purpose of the trip was to further enhance business opportunities around the world, and I commend Christine and her team for the tremendous work being carried out in so many diverse locations. Our Global Operations are in very good
The generosity of my fellow employees around the world is extraordinary and commendable. When the devastating earthquake and tsumani hit regions of Asia last year, CHC and its employees raised more than $95,000 for the relief effort. Recently, the CHC Board of Directors approved a large donation for children in Louisiana who were displaced by Hurricane Katrina. The Company also made a significant contribution to the Benjamin Franklin House in London,
Growth Trend
Sylvain Allard
2005 was an incredible year for CHC, a transition year with more firsts and extraordinary events than any other year in the Companys history. The number of transactions and contracts completed last year represent a remarkable accomplishment by employees across the Company. We completed three dispositions (Schreiner Canada, CHL and Inaer) and two acquisitions (Coulson and Brazilian Helicopter Services). We successfully launched a major bond placement, completed a stock split and moved into a brand new building for our head office location in Vancouver.
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CHC HELICOPTER CORPORATION
On the operations side, we were equally busy, winning contracts, introducing new aircraft types, and hiring and training hundreds of new staff to meet a growing demand. CHC Global was successful in renewing contracts everywhere: West Africa, Southeast Asia, Eastern Canada, the Middle East and, most recently, just north of Australia in the East Timor Sea, where we are providing two Super Pumas for ConocoPhillips. In the North Sea, we launched the Sikorsky S-92 in Norway and rolled out the AB139 in the Netherlands. CHC Europe landed contracts with Marathon, Nexen, Total, ConocoPhillips UK, Tullow, and most significantly, the UK Coast Guard, which has awarded CHC a five-year contract that will see the introduction of both the SAR S-92 and SAR AB139. This new work validates years of hard work by employees across Europe and is a powerful endorsement of our Search and Rescue expertise around the world. It paves the
way for continued growth in this area and the strengthening of our leadership position in emergency helicopter services. Congratulations to all involved, it is a great victory for the entire company. With so much activity, it is almost possible to overlook the most significant event of the year: the emergence of our restructured operating divisions and the creation of the new division, Heli-One. By the end of the year CHC Europe, CHC Global and Heli-One had made a commitment to purchase ten heavy and 31 medium aircraft by the end of fiscal 2007 and had options to purchase up to two additional heavy and 34 additional medium aircraft over the next five years. This extraordinary restructuring effort and build-up for future growth could only have been accomplished through the dedicated, focused hard work of employees throughout the organization. I thank and commend my fellow employees for your extraordinary effort.
EMPLOYEE MAGAZINE
to the conclusion of the Good Friday Agreement (GFA), on 10 April, 1998. John Kelly has worked tirelessly for CHC as a member of the CHC Board of Directors and Chair of the Pension Committee. He is also Professor Emeritus at the School of Engineering, University College, Dublin and has served as Dean of Engineering and Registrar/Senior Vice-President of University College, Dublin. This strengthened board will ensure a strong CHC presence in Dublin and a vibrant future for our operations in Ireland.
Welcome BHS
Songkhla, Thailand
The awarding of a new UK Search and Rescue contract to CHC Europe is a major milestone in the evolution of this company and a great achievement for the entire organization. In particular I would like to thank Managing Director Keith Mullett, along with Steve Duffy, Nick Mair and David Rae for their tremendous effort. I visited Aberdeen in January and was very impressed with the entire group here. We have a world class operation in Aberdeen, and we are now the world leader in helicopter Search and Rescue services. I see many opportunities for expansion in this arena. Not only are we introducing new technology to this five-year contract, we are building momentum to bid on an even larger UK Search and Rescue contract which will commence in 2011. As articles
in this issue indicate, we have an impressive inventory of Search and Rescue and Air Ambulance services around the world.
CHC Ireland
I am pleased to announce the appointment of Wally Kirwan and Professor John J. Kelly to the Board of Directors of CHC Ireland. Ireland represents a significant market for CHC and our presence here warrants a strong board of directors. Wally has enjoyed a distinguished career in the Irish public service, serving as Assistant Secretary General in the Department of the Taoiseach (Prime Minister) and heading the Northern Ireland Division until his retirement in July 2004. He was a senior member of the Irish Governments negotiating team in the multi-party negotiations that led
I would like to welcome the more than 200 employees of Brazilian Helicopter Services to the CHC team. As highlighted on pages 4-5, this is a great team of professionals operating in a market with fabulous potential. The timing for the new partnership could not have been better. I plan to visit Brazil shortly and I look forward to meeting the entire team and working with all of you to become the Number One offshore transportation provider to Petrobras and the No. 1 operator in the country
While 2005 was a transition year, your hard work has a purpose: preparing for future growth. I am confident 2006 will be another record-setting year for CHC. We will continue to introduce new technology aircraft such as the S-92 and AB 139, and prepare for the introduction of the EC 225 in early 2007. Not only will we fly further in 2006, we will make offshore flight safer, and witness the dawn of a new generation of rotory wing aircraft. Im confident our new organizational structure will provide CHC with more opportunities for growth and security. With our investment in new aircraft and personnel, we will be in a position to satisfy one of the highest demands for new aircraft that I have seen in my career. This rapid expansion and fleet renewal is challenging in the short term but will reward employees, customers and shareholders in the medium and long term
EMPLOYEE MAGAZINE
03
CHC GLOBAL
Major Expansion
On Thursday, December 8, 2005, CHC announced it had exercised an option to acquire a significant equity position in Brazilian Helicopter Services (BHS), culminating months of hard work and negotiations on both sides of the equator.
Less than a week later there was even more good news: Brazilian national oil company Petrobras opened the bids from its tender for up to 22 aircraft required to meet its future needs and CHC/BHS were pleased with the way their bids stacked up against the competitors. Of course, the bidding team did not expect to get all 22 aircraft, but after hearing all the bids was confident of receiving a fair share of the work. Together, CHC and BHS bring a unique level of local knowledge and international experience to the Brazilian marketplace. Under the association, CHC will provide its internationally recognized safety management systems, maintenance procedures, technical support, flight standards, advisory personnel and offshore oil and gas expertise. CHCs helicopter support company, Heli-One, will provide helicopter leasing services, access to its worldwide
fleet of aircraft and power-by-the-hour maintenance support. BHS will provide its extensive knowledge and expertise in the Brazilian offshore sector and other areas, as well as personnel, operating certificates, licences and approvals to service all joint venture contracts.
worlds largest oil and gas companies. Furthermore, the recent creation of Heli-One as a leading provider of leasing and R&O services will enhance the ability of BHS to bid competitively on offshore contracts. The BHS fleet currently includes AS332 Super Puma Mk2 and Sikorsky S76 aircraft operating out of Sao Paulo, Maca and Farol de Sao Tom, transporting an average of 14,000 passengers per month. At the end of 2005 there were approximately 50 aircraft operating in the Brazilian offshore, market primarily for Petrobras. Petrobras recently announced its intention to invest US$22 billion in exploration and production and plans to build another ten offshore platforms
CHC Global Operations President, Christine Baird said: BHS is an excellent company with talented people, and we look forward to a long-term relationship that will prove prosperous for both companies.
This agreement validates CHCs strategy of developing a single standard of superior safety and service to meet the needs of the
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EMPLOYEE MAGAZINE
CHC GLOBAL
BHS was founded in 1992 by doctor and entrepreneur Arilton Ribeiro Malagrino, making his first business venture into the aviation industry. Initially, BHS operated an AS-350 service for executive and aeromedical services. In May 1996, it began operating the first two Sikorsky S-76A contracts for Petrobras, the Brazilian national oil company. From that moment on, the company focused its attention on the offshore oil and gas market where our competitors had been in the business for over 20 years.
Dcio Ricardo Galvo President, BHS
contract, and introduce the first two S-76Cs in the country. BHS was also the first aviation company in Brazil to be certified by ISO 9001: 2000. All of these achievements have helped make BHS the second largest operator in Brazil an amazing achievement for a family enterprise that has been in the market for only a decade. As its 10th anniversary in the offshore sector approaches, BHS has nine contracts in place and anticipates major changes that will bring additional professional development to the more than 200 professionals on the BHS team. BHS, which has embarked upon a program of constant improvement and professionalization over the years, is now joining the most important offshore operator in the world, CHC. This opportunity arrives just as Petrobras is in the middle of renewing and expanding its helicopter fleet. In addition to existing and pending contract demands, Petrobras is implementing a new operational excellence program, PEO-TRAM, which will create additional opportunities for the CHC-BHS safety and management systems. It is a great pleasure and a great motivation for BHS to join the successful CHC family. Like CHC, BHS has worked hard to demonstrate leadership in its markets, and the new partnership will definitely bring the realization of many dreams, particularly our longstanding goal of becoming the number-one helicopter operator in the Brazilian offshore market in terms of safety and reliability
rewards that lay ahead, BHS relied on the support of experienced professionals from the offshore segment. In less than five years, BHS landed eight contracts with the national company, demonstrating an innovative and fearless attitude in the tender process. In 2003, BHS introduced the first two Super Puma MK2s to Latin America. A year later, it would sign its third heavy helicopter
BHS faced the same challenges as any other beginner; however, there were indications of a promising market. The oil monopoly was coming to an end, new multinational companies were beginning operations and huge new oil reserves were discovered in the Brazilian area. Understanding the tremendous challenges and potential
EMPLOYEE MAGAZINE
05
CHC EUROPE
and in particular, to demonstrate the depth and value of the UK business. On the agenda was a visit to the Scott Platform and the Buzzard Field, the latter currently under development, due onstream late 2006. This is where CHC Europe came in. Wed been asked if we could provide two helicopters for two days to take 60 of the visitors offshore. The fact that the tour fell only two days after the start of the new sole-use contract was an added challenge, as Aberdeen, along with the other UK bases, has been extremely busy supporting the oil and gas industry and spare capacity wasnt in the vocabulary at that time! However, where theres a will, theres a way and, helped by some clever scheduling and some last minute changes to activity, two helicopters departed Aberdeen on the morning of the 14th for St Andrews. The passengers, many of whom had not travelled by helicopter, let alone offshore, were probably wondering what on earth
Monday 12th September 2005 saw the start of a five-day tour, based in St. Andrews, hosted by Nexen Inc which was attended by a number of their shareholders, financial analysts, brokers and bankers along with Nexen senior management from Calgary and the UK. Nexen is the latest new company to start operations with CHC following a successful contract award earlier in 2005. The contract started as a PAYU AS332L operation flying to one of the Nexen Drilling Rigs but from 12th September, Nexen went sole-use to support drilling and Scott Platform operations. During 2006, Nexen will increase the number of aircraft operated to include the new Buzzard Field. The aim of the tour was to provide an update of Nexens global operations
theyd let themselves in for. First we dressed them in yellow survival suits followed by the compulsory re-breathers and lifejackets, stripped them of mobile phones and laptops then lead them into a field we referred to as the landing site. The weather appeared to be a challenge on the first day due to high winds, which prevented the helicopters remaining offshore, but we were able to return to Aberdeen and go back out later to collect the visitors, the visibility was fantastic, they were able to see the Buzzard installation on the return journey, as well as some stunning Scottish scenery. The feedback given to CHC Europe from those who attended has been hugely positive. They were able to receive valuable insight into Nexens UK organisation and its operations. We will be supporting Nexen Petroleum UK Limited during and after the hook-up phase of the Buzzard
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EMPLOYEE MAGAZINE
The S-92 to be introduced for the new SAR contract has a radius of action of 289 nautical miles, a speed of 145 knots, a cabin area of 14.4m2, and a winch speed of 350 feet per minute.
AB139
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Fisherman Gerry Sweeney, left, relaxes aboard Rescue 115 with his rescuer Winchman Ciaran McHugh.
lights allowed the Captain to catch a glimpse of a reflective strip on the casualtys jacket. On establishing a hover over Deer Island, our Winchman was lowered to the Island. The casualty, Gerry Sweeney, later described the sight of the winchman being lowered from the aircraft as a bird from heaven. Once we had Gerry on board we climbed out of the bay, back to Shannon at MSA.
Winched to safety
Ian Taverner Business Unit Leader
On the 3rd November the first autumnal storm of the year swept in from the Atlantic towards the western seaboard of Ireland. In its path lay the Spanish MFV Santhil fishing 80 kilometres southwest of the Fast Net Rock. Within hours the vessel, battered by gale force winds and violent seas, had requested urgent assistance for a very seriously injured crewman who had fallen 15 metres into the fish hold.
MRCC Dublin immediately diverted an Irish Air Corp Casa to the scene and scrambled CHC Irelands Rescue 117, the Waterford Coastguard Helicopter. Vectored to the vessel by the Casa, Rescue 117 quickly winched the injured fisherman by stretcher from the boat and transferred him ashore to Cork hospital for urgent medical treatment
Crew: Capt. Dave Duthie, Co-Pilot Barry OConnor, Winch Operator John Manning, Winchman Derek Everitt
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CHC provides sophisticated EMS and SAR services around the globe.
Irish Coast Guard As the sole provider of Search and Rescue helicopter services to the Irish Coast Guard, CHC has extensive experience in the North Atlantic, as well as the Irish and Celtic Seas. Maintaining and operating a fleet of six heavy Sikorsky S-61N helicopters at bases in Dublin, Shannon, Waterford, and Sligo in 24/7 operations, CHC has sets the standards for safe, efficient helicopter rescue service. Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) CHC is the largest provider of emergency medical helicopter services on the Australian continent and has been providing dedicated rescue support to the RAAF since 1989. CHC recently signed a contract to support the RAAF with a mixed fleet of Sikorsky S76 and Bell helicopters for an additional ten years. Victoria Police Air Wing and Air Ambulance Services, Australia CHC provides three Dauphin SA365 aircraft and one AS350BA, plus maintenance services, to the Victoria Police Department on a full-time long-term basis. Western Australia Government Fire and Emergency Services Authority Based in Perth, WA, CHC provides a Bell 412 EP aircraft, plus pilots and crewmen for a 24-hour ambulance/rescue service. Metropolitan Ambulance Service (MAS) of Victoria, Australia CHC has been providing helicopter services to the MAS since 1989. CHC currently provides two Bell 412EP helicopters for Air Ambulance and Search and Rescue duties. New South Wales Ambulance Service CHC provides a Bell 412 EP for emergency medical services in the area of Wollongong, NSW Central Queensland Helicopter Rescue Service CHC provides a Bell 412, an SA365C1 and a Bell 206 LongRanger for EMS helicopter services. Snowy Hydro SouthCare Air Ambulance Service CHC provides a Bell 412 for emergency helicopter service. Norwegian Search and Rescue CHC provides a private Search and Rescue services in the Norwegian North Sea but acts in concert with government SAR operations. The CHC SAR fleet includes three offshore-based Dauphin AS 365N2s, along with a Bell 214 ST at Statoils Statfjord field, which can be converted from inter-rig shuttle role to SAR duty role within 15 minutes. Several of the Super Pumas in CHCs Norwegian fleet are prepared for the same quick change to SAR configuration. NH90 CHC is designing, manufacturing and installing 19 life-raft assembly kits for the NH90 helicopter, a new military search and rescue helicopter provided to France, Italy, Germany and The Netherlands through a joint venture shared by Agusta, Eurocopter and Fokker. Related Services CHC provides extensive ship supply and rescue service off the coast of Africa and the Netherlands, and helicopter support services to scientific expeditions in Antarctica and other harsh environments.
Crew: Capt. Mark Kelly; Capt. Cathal Oakes; Winch Operator Daithi O Cearbhallain, and; Winchman Ciaran McHugh.
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F I S H E R M E N
F O U N D
in middle of cyclone
Not all of CHCs search and rescue missions involve winchmen hanging from a hovering helicopter. In this rescue, most of the action took place before CHC arrived, but it is a fascinating story, a survival miracle, brought to us by our customer in the Indian Ocean, Transocean Drilling. CHCs role was to fly to the Discoverer Seven Seas (DSS) and bring home the fishermen saved by Capt. Craig Courtney and his crew. The DSS is a massive deep-water drill ship, 534 feet long, 80 feet wide and 32 feet in depth.
By Captain Craig Courtney Master of the Discoverer Seven Seas
The Discoverer Seven Seas was making bare steerageway, riding out a storm off the East Coast of India in the upper reaches of the Bay of Bengal. The winds were blowing from 40-60 knots. One gust was seen into the 70s. A workboat riding out the storm four miles away reported a gust in the 90s. The barometer was falling fast. The seas were running high and wild and at times the rain sheeted down in walls of water. Visibility was obscured with the blowing spindrift and spray, with often only the white of the breaking and rolling crests of wave standing out. The weather forecasts were insistent that this was not a cyclonic storm but after four intense hours fighting howling winds and aggressively lively seas, our rig emerged from the din into deafening silence as the winds suddenly dropped. Overhead was a circle of sky, the first we had seen all day, and the air was filled with hundreds of dragon flies. The Bridge filled with crew members marveling at this fine spectacle we were actually in the eye of the storm and there was no doubt that it was cyclonic. Just as suddenly as the wind had dropped and the dragon flies appeared,
a tiny boat with six men appeared out of nowhere, suddenly they were just there, on the crest of a huge wave. They appeared and then disappeared again and again as they maneuvered through the wild and confused swell, making their way in our direction. They were flapping their hands in undecipherable gestures and yelling in a language that was foreign even to the Indians on board. Most of them were standing up in the boat which was as lively as a surf board. It was a light wooden craft probably no more than four meters long, powered by what may have once been a small generator engine which was adapted for marine use by attaching it to a long pipe through which the shaft ran and drove a propeller that trailed another 4 meters behind the boat. The boat was steered by pivoting this motor and shaft on the stern sheet like a sweep oar. Later, once they were safely aboard, they told us that we appeared like the gods out of the storm to save them. The men spoke one of the hundreds of unique and obscure languages of India and had no English. Lead Roustabout Craig Jacobs had been raised in this part of India and luckily, of the six languages he speaks, theirs was one of them. They had been lost at sea for three days, they had been with
Later, once they were safely aboard, they told us that we appeared like the gods out of the storm to save them.
two other boats but they had not seen them in days. The small boat was tossed like a leaf on the seas as they tried to maintain position alongside. We were almost dead in the water, making bare steerageway, but the high confused seas came from all directions and had no pattern. Deck Pusher Manoj directed Seamen and Roustabouts, throwing a line over to the boat and passed six lifejackets. The men had probably never seen a lifejacket in their lives and spent over five minutes putting their heads and arms through every hole and fold of the jackets but the right ones. Finally they had them on correctly. The dark of night and the clouds of the approaching perimeter of the cyclonic storms eye were fast descending and the fishermen all had the lifejackets lights on.
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The vessel motion and severe confused seas of the storms eye made it dangerous to have the boat close in. They had ridden out the storm and made their way to the eye and survived so far, but to get close to the steel of our hull could instantly destroy their boat and land them in the water with little hope of survival. Time and options seemed to be running out as the winds started building fast from the opposite direction than they had been blowing earlier. Two things became apparent: our crew had a clear and positive faith that they could save these men, and the wind fast building on the starboard
be noted that Craig Jacob was instrumental in the success of the whole operation. Two pilot ladders were secured to strong points and two rope lines were thrown to the fishing boat in an attempt to help control its position. The captain of the fishing boat was instructed to come along side (as best he could), when the heave of the sea corresponded with the position of the pilot ladder. the fishermen were instructed to go for the ladder one at a time.
All six fishermen were escorted into the accommodation; one had to be carried as his legs would not support him. Their photographs were taken and then they were escorted down to the communal showers, given fresh towels, soap and a pair of Transocean coveralls. Once warm and dry they were given a hot meal in the galley, after which their names, ages and home details taken.
bow was now allowing on the port side a small area, if not exactly a duck pond, it was definitely a patch of sea less wild than anything we had seen in hours. The decision was made to go for it, to attempt to board them at the port moonpool, which is normally eight feet above the water, due to vessel motion and the seas was actually level with the sea at times and therefore accessible to the boat. The lee provided an acceptable measure of safety to our men and the fishermen.
An attempt was made to secure the fishing boat, but by this time the weather had deteriorated to such an extent that the securing ropes snapped and the fishing boat was lost.
Once on the ladder, our crewmen grabbed the fishermen and passed them over to the chief mechanic, whereupon they were placed on deck in a relatively sheltered position. Five clean snatch & grabs were made, with the sixth (the captain) being marginal; once he left the controls of the boat it was pure fate that allowed us to grab him and bring him to safety. Suffice it to say the entire team were well chuffed that they had managed to rescue the fishermen without physical injury to them or any of the DSS crew. An attempt was made to secure the fishing boat, but by this time the weather had deteriorated to such an extent that the securing ropes snapped and the fishing boat was lost. Two of the fishermen required medical treatment for minor cuts and bruises. One fishermen called his village to inform family and friends that they were safe and well. A cabin was allocated for the fishermen, and further provisions were made for their safety, including a call to CHC Helicopters to fly out and bring the fishermen home. Come Monday morning all six fishermen looked a lot better for a good nights sleep, and were thrilled to be heading home at last
THE RESCUE
Once the word was given to go ahead with the rescue, all on-shift seamen & roustabout crews plus the senior crewmen gathered at the port side moonpool area. A quick ad-hoc verbal Think Planning Process was conducted; all involved crew put on work vests, while Mike put on a safety harness with lanyard and positioned himself over the side of the vessel. It has to
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Greg Allanach
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oil and gas company customers, including the worlds largest multinationals, as well as 18 commercial operators and military organizations in Europe. Survival-One provides suits and service to the US Air Force and Coast Guard, Japan Coast Guard and Navy, South Africa Air Force, Australian Defence Department, and coast guards or air forces in the UK, Ireland, Norway, the Netherlands, Germany, Belgium and Finland.
In addition to manufacturing and maintaining survival suits, Survival-One provides concept design, prototypes, testing and certification, approvals, product integration, rental services, logistics and total product support. With its main service and repair facilities located in Peterhead, 30 miles north of Aberdeen, Survival-One further designs and manufactures rescue harnesses and strops for search and rescue, and services and repairs
life rafts, life jackets, floats, PLBs, EPIRB, strops & harnesses, seat covers and Air Pocket Plus Rebreathers. Annually, Survival-One services and repairs more than 400,000 passenger survival suits and 8,000 aircrew survival suits and military immersion suits
Steven and Margaret wondered if it was possible to make a dry suit for Chiara that would enable her to paddle in the sea, something she had never been able to do.
Up for the challenge, the Design Team set to work. After a few prototypes and calling in some favours, Andrew Wilson and Laura Cochrane succeeded in meeting the challenge. The suit is manufactured in Gore-Tex fabric, making it fully waterproof and breathable. It has attached mitts and socks and a watertight zip
Chiara Venditozzi at her final fitting for a unique immersion suit, designed and made by Survival-One in Aberdeen. Design and Development Manager Andrew Wilson, at left, and Design and Technical Support specialist Laura Cochrane helped create the suit, which will allow Chiara to paddle in the sea for the very first time.
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The call came to CHC Africas George base on Thursday 18th August 2005. A crewman had been washed off the Chinese-crewed bulk carrier Hebei Progress in rough seas about 50 nautical miles offshore from Port Elizabeth. A fixed wing Coastal Watch aircraft was sent to look for him but in such high seas, the chances of spotting someones head in the vast ocean was next to zero. However, the effort was made and we were put on standby in case he was found.
(winchman) and Cameron Qumba got airborne in S-61N, registration ZS-RLK, with National Sea Rescue (NSRI) and paramedic personnel on board from George airport for the 250 nm trip to the ship. It was late afternoon and the flight, east along the coast, over Knysna, past the Tsitsikamma forest to Cape St. Francis was most pleasant, with the sun from behind. Offshore from Cape St. Francis to the Hebei Progress, contact was established with the vessels skipper to give us some detail of conditions - of the patients and of the vessel itself. He told us that the ship was pitching a lot and rolling up to 30,
past the hatches to fall off the other side like a waterfall. Unfortunately she was directly into the sea, the wind and low sun, so there was a lot of spray curling back from the bows in particular. It was obviously a winch job and a high one at that, to avoid the spray as much as possible, to say naught of the gyrating deck. The injured crewmen were not stretcher cases, making the winch simpler and quicker, but they needed an escort to interpret for them when they got ashore, so it was three sailors to come up. We winched Cameron down first, to help them get things straight on deck. Well, nothing was straight, as he can testify and it was all he could do to keep his feet under the topsy turvy conditions. Afterwards he remarked that he was no sailor as those on board were walking about with such ease that they looked like they were ashore. It didnt take long for Cameron to get things organised on deck and we had finished all the winches within 10 minutes. The seas off the Eastern Cape coast of South Africa are notoriously ugly in stormy weather and this day was no exception. One could appreciate how ships have had holes knocked in them and yet others (many, actually) have gone down to join Davy Jones in such conditions. The flight back to Port Elizabeth was uneventful and after talking to the NSRI on the radio, ambulances were waiting for the injured crewmen. One had two amputated fingers and other lacerations, whilst the other had a splinter in a badly bleeding neck wound, plus broken ribs. However, they seemed pleased to get ashore - albeit in a foreign country, with no knowledge of the languages. For us it was refueling, flight planning and back to George on a gorgeous night, with the full moon having risen behind us to light our way home all along the beautiful coastline. We got back to base at 20:30, happy not to be later due to our early scheduled start the next day at 06:00!
Ken Whittal, left, and Monster Wilkins back at the base in George, South Africa.
It was obviously a winch job and a high one at that, to avoid the spray as much as possible, to say naught of the gyrating deck.
Unfortunately, the missing crewman was not found, but another two crewmen were injured in the same incident and we were asked to medevac them to Port Elizabeth. The vessels master had sent the three men to secure a rope that had come loose in the high seas. This was a storm, but with clear air - no clouds, just strong winds and mountainous seas. Capt. Ken Whittal, co-pilot Monster Wilkins and two engineers, Douggie Smith so we announced that we would not be landing on board! He asked if we would use a basket or a rope ladder and seemed taken aback when we said we had a winch. There was no mistaking the ship, a 253 metre bulk carrier with a dozen hatches number seven (amidships) marked for helicopter use. It was an impressive sight to see the 830 ft ship being tossed about like a trawler in high seas. Solid water was breaking over the port side and washing
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CHC GLOBAL
Commercial Aeroplane and Airline Transport Helicopter licences. By mid 1977 Pam & Bruce were back in the UK where Bruce started flying helicopters in the North Sea for British Airways, which would later become part of the CHC group. After starting in the S-61, he went on to fly the Chinook and the SA 332, and later become a training captain and simulator instructor on all three aircraft. In 1989 Bruce decided it was time for a change, and left to work for a training school in Perth, Scotland, called AST, where he would take fixed wing student pilots right through their licences up to ATPL standards. He also became an examiner of airmen for the UK & Irish Aviation Authorities. Four years later, Bruce took an instructing job in the Middle East, this time in Doha, where he became the Chief Flying Instructor. But the lure of the Captains seat was too great and in 1996 Bruce started flying helicopters again, for Gulf Helicopters, on the Bell 212/412. By 1997 Bruce had moved across to working full-time for Gulf Helicopters as an instructor. Once again a phone call would change things for Bruce and his family, this time with an offer to be the CFI for a flight program with European standards at Western Michigan University in the U.S. In 2002 after 9/11 there was a downturn in flight training, so Bruce got in touch with CHC partner AeroContractors of Nigeria (ACN), and began yet another chapter in his flying career. Late in 2005, Bruce turned 65 and retired from flying, but with his unique combination of instruction and flight experience, it is hoped that Bruce will continue to be involved with CHC Global in their simulator programs. Always a true gentleman, it has been a pleasure to work alongside such a man
If youve been around the international helicopter industry for long, you will be certain to bump into someone you know at the Aero Bar in Port Harcourt, Nigeria. In this West African city, CHCs Nigerian partner, AeroContractors of Nigeria (ACN), has a dozen pilots with approximately 400 years experience between them. Needless to say, it doesnt take much to get a story started and there is not much in aviation that these guys have not done. Recently, a senior member of this illustrious group eased into retirement for now. Capt. Bruce Mortons aviation career has literally taken him around the world, with long stopovers in more than a half dozen countries and stops at two CHC companies 25 years apart. Originally from Eltham, New Zealand, Bruce completed a 5-year electrical apprenticeship before moving to the UK in 1963, where he later joined the
Royal Air Force (RAF). He had 18 months training including his flight training for fixed-wing and helicopters, and reported his first solo Oct. 18, 1967 in a de Havilland Chipmunk. Bruce went on to a two and a half year posting in Hong Kong, where he flew the Sikorsky S-55. In his time there the squadron reported 14 engine failures, but Bruce was one of two pilots fortunate enough not to report a single one. While based in Hong Kong he met an English school teacher named Pam Shelton whom he married in 1971. After returning to the UK from Hong Kong, Bruce completed his Instructor Training and took an instructing post on fixedwing aircraft which lasted until he left the RAF in 1975, with the rank Flt.Lt A2. On leaving the RAF he moved to Saudi, based in Riyadh working for British Aerospace as an Instructor on the Strike Master aircraft. While in Saudi, Bruce began to study for his UK ATPL by correspondence and went on to obtain his
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EMPLOYEE MAGAZINE
CHC ADVENTURE In April 2005, a group of 25 CHC Safety & Quality Managers, HESS Representatives and other CHC employees with safety performance rolls came together in Prague. This marked the first company-wide Aviation Operational Risk Management training session, and the largest gathering to date for the sharing of best practices to further develop a new Integrated Safety Management System. Collectively, this group represents a combined 613 years of aviation experience! Stories from that gathering inspired a new Rotortales feature: CHC Adventure.
Antarctic Salvage
In summer 1976 I had just finished a detachment in Berlin carrying out a major inspection of a military helicopter. I was looking for a fresh challenge when an opportunity to join the British Antarctic Survey arose, and I applied.
By R. Milburn
After frantic preparations, I was to fly to Toronto for a training course on DeHavilland twin otter aircraft. The training was good and quite different from my previous aircraft experience. The only fixed wing aircraft I had ever worked on before was a piston-popping radialengined Beaver. A short while after the training, an air party consisting of two aircraft with a pilot and engineer for each set off on the ferry flight from Toronto to Adelaide Base, Antarctica. The journey was done in seven stages, which involved carrying fuel and equipment, with a typical take off weight of being 17,500 lbs just a little over the normal all-up weight of 12,500 lbs. We overcame severe icing over the Dakota Mountains and an H.F Antenna that had wrapped around the elevator before proceeding to Manaus and Santa Cruz, Bolivia, where we were met by a group of young boys who approached the aircraft and held out their hands. I passed around chocolate bars, which they accepted but kept their hands out. I was advised by one of the Pilots who had been here before that they wanted protection money and I would be well advised to give it as there was no security and I could find a wheel missing the next day. So we gave the leader an American ten dollar bill.
The next morning we set off very early and to my astonishment I found the little group of boys sleeping around the aircraft and it was intact. Money well spent, I thought.
the sea with a mountain at one end and a crevasse running up the middle. I was amazed that anyone would consider landing there, but we did. Many times we journeyed to Damoy and I dont mind admitting I was terrified each time we landed flying towards a mountain, dodging the crevasse or launching off an ice cliff with petrol drums in the cabin banging like a Caribbean band. I enjoyed the routine once I got used to it, but I didnt enjoy living in a tent at Rothera. I always felt cold and damp. However the view of my front garden was spectacular. We soon discovered there is no room for complacency in Antarctica. As we were coming into landing at a place called Gomez Nunatak, some 400 miles from Rothera, the speed was reduced with full flap when we pitched up and stalled. The aircraft panned into the mountainside and those of us in the cabin were shaken about.
I will always remember my first flight over the Drakes Passage as the coldest, most unwelcoming and isolated stretch of sea I had ever seen.
After a few hours my pilot announced that we had reached the point of no return and no matter what was ahead we would have to face it. Eventually we landed at Adelaide Base in marginal weather with a bump. Turns out it was the pilots first ski landing! The welcome from the base members was amazing. Of course, We were the first people they had seen since the ship left some six months ago and we had mail and fresh produce for them. After removing the ferry fuel tanks and equipment we beagn re-locating the base personnel and 48 husky dogs from Adelaide Base to Rothera, a move necessitated by a rapidly deteriorating airstrip and the unwelcome appearance of several dangerous crevasses. Early in the season the RRS John Biscoe managed to get as far down the Antarctic peninsular as Damoy point. Our first flight there (to pick up early scientific field parties) revealed a piedmont running to
After taking stock and inspecting the aircraft I made a radio call to base to announce that the aircraft was a write-off, as the undercarriage had spread, the nose leg was pushed into the cockpit, the engines had sprung the nacelles and the tail was twisted by at least 10 degrees. Our party erected tents and we settled down as best as we could. Most of us were dazed and quite likely in a state of shock.
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EMPLOYEE MAGAZINE
Bob Milburn, second row, third from the left, is CHCs Safety and Quality Manager in Aberdeen, and the first contributor to CHC Adventure. Bob brings a wealth of experience to his position and is an example of the Safety & Quality Departments vision of providing world class advisory service to management.
whaling station after his epic sea voyage in a lifeboat. His final resting place is a grave on the hillside overlooking the Harbour and Whaling Station. After three days in South Georgia we set sail to the Falkland Island, then on to Montevideo, followed by weeks of non-stop sailing to the U.K. There were rumours of a tug boat and docker strike which almost had people jumping ship to get to the Isle of White. The next season I found myself back in Antarctica. The mission went very well apart from our Canadian friends of Survair who transited through Rothera and sustained damage to their aircraft. They refueled, but were stuck to the ice; even with engines at full power the aircraft would not budge. The Survair party called it a day. That night, however, the westerly winds arrived and caused a lot of damage. The wind caught the aircraft tail and severely damaged the rudder. We would have been stuck were it not for the spare parts salvaged a year earlier. We towed the aircraft to a level area and I helped the Survair guys change the rudder and elevator for the ones from VP-FAP on Gomez Nunatak. I shall always consider myself fortunate to have traveled so far and to have seen so much in such a short space off time. The memories are priceless
The next day, the other aircraft arrived from McMurdo Sound and took us to Rothera where the doctor checked us out. He declared us fit, and a day later I found myself back at Gomez making plans to dismantle the aircraft. The next three weeks would be remembered as the most uncomfortable I had ever endured. Although we had crash-landed in good weather, five days later we were tunneling through snow to get to the aircraft and back to the tent.
winch. All the parts were safely moved to an old base called Fossil Bluff on King George VI Sound. It was a good thing we salvaged the parts, as you will see later. I spent the rest of the season working on the new Rothera Base, building and crating up the aircraft components. I was to sail home via bases on the Argentine
We managed to salvage engines, propellers, control surfaces and all avionics equipment, which were flown back to Rothera in the other aircraft. This was a severe test of stamina, endurance and initiative.
I put the initiative part into practice immediately by chiseling off the nose of the aircraft, which forms a baggage compartment with door, to make a portaloo. For this I received great admiration and plaudits from my colleagues who like myself could endure most things but not performing natural functions on top of a mountain in Antarctica with a severe wind up ones chuff! Using the sledges we were able to construct ladders to enable the removal of the aircraft flying control surfaces, rudder, elevators and ailerons. The props and engines were removed using a bolt-on
Islands (now called Faraday); Deception Island, north of the Antarctic Peninsula; Signy Island in the South Sandwich Islands and South Georgia, with fond farewells and libations at every stop. I enjoyed the parties (perhaps a bit too much) and fell in love with South Georgia immediately. The natural beauty and tranquillity is overwhelming. The views are spectacular and it is easy to imagine the feelings Shackleton must have had when he finally led his men to safety in Grytvicken
In the next issue of RotorTales, we will hear from Nigel Woolmer, the Safety & Quality Manager in Australia. Nigel has over 50 years in aviation, and will be taking on a new training roll where he can share his vast experience with the rest of the CHC group.
EMPLOYEE MAGAZINE
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GLOBAL OPERATIONS
Vancouver
Haakon Andersen Business Support Manager, Monica dland Skilled worker/ Survival work shop, Ivar Hamre Skilled worker/Avionic work shop, Mark Boumans System Engineer Avionics
Vancouver
Michael Campbell Technician/Painter, Stephen Coetzee Project Manager, Roar Askheim Business Information Analyst, Ivan Whitticase QA Manager Assistant, Blake Scott Cleaner, Barry Tooke Component Shop Technician, Arthur Wan Component Shop Technician, Shireen Amijee Supply Contracts Officer, Leianne Emery Tender Coordinator, Wayne K.Barlow Customer Service Officer, Helmut Neuper World Wide Technical Records Manager, Yii Fei Wang Component Planner, Helen Hao Ying-Strother Purchaser, Salil Dhaumya Business Information Analyst, Sharon Doucelin Business Support Assistant, Brian Pedersen Project Officer, Robert Lukawenko Fleet Planner, Tim Blockley Director, Fleet & Sales International, Aran Oster Project Officer, Glen Stutt Customer Support Officer, Isaev Vyacheslav
Component Planner Corporate
Alan Stewart Avionics Specialist, Nicolaas Van Der Ploeg Director, Business Unit AMERICAS, Megan Johnson Administrative Assistant, Safety & Quality, Brian MacLean Director Of Finance, Aero Cont, Jeremy Hart Flight Standards Tech. Author, John Pineo Manager, Fleet Assets, Vimi Nijjar Travel Coordinator, Douglas Drummond Fixed Wing Type Engineer, Mogens Rasmussen Director, Business Unit, Phoebe Jokes Executive Assistant/ Tech Services, Huub Langeveld VP Finance, David Leithner Assistant Chief Pilot, Maria Duran de Egan Recruiter, Robert Chris Robinson Maintenance Program Planner, Gabriella Fung Administrative Assistant, James Swoboda Project Planner, Allan Anderson General Manager, Port Harcourt, Stephen Waldron Type Engineer, Kathleen Foley HR Administrative Assistant, Josette Calleja Commercial Manager, David Acton Flight Stand. Author, Evelyn Victoria Records Coordinator, Ian Hunt Travel Coordinator, Ludmila Kolesnitskaya Avionics Specialist
Australia
Martin Forsyth Engineering Trainee, Andrew Smith Co-Pilot, Ralph Wood Co-Pilot, Nicholas Ledger Co-Pilot, Adrian Hallas Co-Pilot, Tim Dunton Co-Pilot, Jason oFlynn Co-Pilot, Maia Christiansen Co-Pilot, Geoffrey Packer Co-Pilot, Justin Harrington Wells Co-Pilot, Marie Holloway Employee Relations
Manager Blackpool
John Howard Co-Pilot, Simon Foddering Co-Pilot, David Whitby Certifying Technician, Steven McNeill Certifying
Technician Humberside
Martyn Smith Mechanic, Steve Broomhead Certifying Technician, Joe Ramsey Certifying Technician, David Baldry Temporary Ramp Dispatch, Tony Garside Co-Pilot
Shannon
Liza Marie Fuentes Senior Payroll Administrator, Yvonne Sham Accounts Payable Analyst, Jeff Cheah Gss Support Lead, John Hanbury Corporate Treasurer, Yvette OSullivan Accounts Payable Analyst, Dennis Walsh General Accountant, Donald Sahertian Internal Auditor, Crystal Gilliard Financial Analyst, Neil Dorken Manager, Financial Reporting, Farhan Shaheen Financial Analyst, Geoffrey Kellogg Senior Tax Manager, Jack Orzechowski Fixed Asset Accountant, Nancy OKrafka Manager, Compensation & Benefits, Jeffrey Scotland Director of Merger & Acquisition, Jeannie Jimenez User Support Administrator, James Long Financial Analyst, MOVEX, Michael Pretorius Internal Auditor, Ranjeev Sangra Legal Counsel, Cynthia Aguila Accounts Receivable Analyst, Josephine Pinchin Accounts Payable Analyst, Van Lam Accounts Receivable Analyst
Bronwyn Hughes Travel Admin, Cliff Hanning Sheet Metal Worker, Dinah Gore Purchasing Officer, Max Marton Quality & Safety Auditor, Robert Duckier VPAW, Stuart Williams O/Haul, Justin Heath ACM, David Oakley IT, Ross Lemke Pilot, Guy Jackson Pilot, Steve Simpson Pilot, Andy Parry Pilot, Bean Benson Pilot, Blair Robertson RCM, Peter McDonell ACM, David Land ACM, Maria Nikas Executive Assistant
Michael Farquhar SAR Co-Pilot, John Collicut Captain, Katie Williams Winchman
Promotions/changes
HELI-ONE
Norway
Tor Bergersen Team leader avionics, Henning Danielsen Senior Purchaser, Ken Vidar Pedersen Senior Planner Asset Control, Bjrn ge Dybdahl-Holthe
Director of Business Applications Global Systems, Bente Kartevoll Chief of reception/post department, Christian Scheiene Skilled worker, Kjetil Svereid Skilled worker, Leif Egil Torkelsen Customer Service delivery (CSD) Manager
EUROPEAN OPERATIONS
Aberdeen
Paula Leslie Administration Assistant, Amanda W Davidson HSE Coordinator, Lorraine Hodgson Quality Coordinator/ Flight Ops, Peter Das Director of Financial Services, Andrew Langman Pilot, Eleanor Milne Accounts Assistant, Bjorn Tore Kjaerland Co-Pilot, Vegard Hole Co-Pilot, Tara Geddes Business Information Analyst, Erik Zwart Co-Pilot, David Reaside -Business Development and Marketing Director, Malcolm Calder Technical Clerk, Katriona Cunningham Receptionist, John Stevenson Treasury Assistant, Linda McLellan Accountant,
EUROPEAN OPERATIONS
Gary Queen Chief Pilot, John McCartney Training Crewman, Noel Donnelly Base Manager, Steve Pyttlik Chief Pilot, Wendy Mottram Procurement Manager, Rob Goodbody Line Training Captain, Brian Brophy Line Training Captain, Andrew Thom CRM Facilitator (and pilot!), Margaret Bodman Purchasing Assistant, John Cooper
Engineering Supervisor
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EMPLOYEE MAGAZINE
Departures/Retired
CORPORATE
Mark Gosse Assistant Director Finance, Teri Price Payroll Manager, Sheryl Dunwoody Payroll Manager, Aman Atwal Director/Financial Services, Michelle Roberts Payroll Administrator
Australia
HELI-ONE
Norway
Steve Saddler Pilot, Bruce Cottam Engineer, Susanne Potter Logistics, Phill Pearce Pilot, John Zeid Pilot, Craig Barraclough Manager, Andrew Mottram ACM, Andy Baker Pilot, Cindy Mason SBE, Adam Harris ACM, Jennie McBeath Sales & Marketing Assistant, Gary Williams O/Haul, Bernard Williams Pilot, Rob McBeath Store
Magne Bjelleb Quality Manager, Emilie Hagen Receptionist, Jan Erik Hogstad Skilled worker, Bjrn Tore Kjrland Mechanic, Heidi Kleppe Secretary, Tormod Langballe Director Logistics, Ronny Lie Skilled worker, Torunn Swisher Contract advicer, Olav Thorsen Skilled worker, Jrgen vretveit Skilled worker, se Arnesen Skilled worker, Stein Asbjrnsen Quality Engineer, Oddvar Eide Receiving inspector, Harald Gimre Skilled worker
Vancouver
Awards
HELI-ONE (NORWAY)
35 years
Marriage
EUROPEAN OPERATIONS
Brian Brophy and Sinead ODriscoll married August 26, 2005. Lisa Duncan and Chris Birnie married August 20, 2005.
Per Smitt-Amundsen
30 years
HELI-ONE
Vancouver
Michael A Lycett Receiver, Jeannine Bitter Purchaser, Kimberly Raabe Business Support Assistant
Otto Alsnes, Haakon Magelie, Arild I. Moen, Birger Berntsen, Lars Ole Ellingster, Ove Birkedal, Per Arne Brten, Einar Kverneland, Rigmor Nordberg, Leif E. Pedersen, Sigbjrn Skjveland, Audun Stangeland, Sigve Stavnem, Roy vreb
20 years
Births
EUROPEAN OPERATIONS
Paul Careys (Engineering) wife had a baby boy, Mark, on the 5 May 2005. Richard Foleys (Ramp) wife Katie had a baby boy; Clark Henry Foley, on the 30 June 2005 weighing Samantha (HR Team Leader/ABZ) & Tony Waldram had a baby girl, Pyper, on the 2 July 2005. Craig Websters (First Officer) wife Katherine had a baby boy, Nairn Peter, on the 28 July 2005 David Prestons (Captain) wife Jo had a baby boy, Stanley James Cosmo, on the 29 August 2005 Maxine Ackerley (Pilot) & Richard had a baby boy, Sebastian, on the 10 October 2005 Andy Rees (Pilot) wife had a baby girl, Lana, on the 22 October 2005.
EUROPEAN OPERATIONS
Dominic Howlett Co-Pilot, Steve Johnson Head of Procurement, Allan Gray Engineer, Alan Veale Flight Standards Co-ordinator, Koula Elvin Engineering Technical Clerk, Deborah Buchan Certifying Technician, George Santos Co-pilot, Mike Kenhard Technical Training Officer, Seamus Clare Engineering Supervisor/Base Manager, Roy Middleton GSS Financial Systems Analyst, Toby Heiermann Co-Pilot, John ORourke Winch Operator, Justin Steggles Ops Dispatch Officer, Richard Eaves Ramp Dispatch, Gordon Burnett Certified Technician A&C, Geoff Roper Technical Training Manager, John Webster Senior Tech A&C, Mike Shaw Captain
Torstein Fjermestad, Trond Kjetil Hammer, Edvin Holstad, Arne Jacobsen, Bent Klever, Magne Lillejord, Tor Atle Lillejord, Brynjulf Lomeland, Rune Nesse
10 years
Tor Bergersen, Tom Breisnes, Kjetil Fuglestad, Trine Glestad, Joar Ommundsen, Bjr Aslaug Tjelta
EUROPEAN OPERATIONS
25 years
John Ambrose, Richard Lomberg, Harry Harrison, Ian Sutherland, Ronald French
20 years
Geoff Roper, Tricia Laing, Jerry Vaughan, Mark Gamblen, David Plaistow, Stuart Jackson
15 years
GLOBAL OPERATIONS
Vancouver
GLOBAL OPERATIONS
Africa
Jerry Jackson (no applicable code), Susan Hamilton (no applicable code), William R. Olsen Manager, Design Engineering, Ken J. Steele Director, Business Unit AFRICA, Sharon Stafford Travel Coordinator, Suzanne Clarke Head, Bids And Contracts, Alaina Saarela Records
Coordinator
David Richardson, Jason Fakes, Sandy Thom, Ian Chandler, David Leeman, Stephen OCollard, Gary Kendall, David Lippeatt, Stephen Cropper, Michael Davey, Daniel Porter
Geoff Roper receives 20-year award from Keith Mullett.
Paul Doxey (Captain, Nambia) and his wife Nicola had a baby boy, Ethan, on the 25 October 2005
Death
Australia
CHC regrets to announce the passing of Mike Skewes, of a heart attack on October 25, 2006.
EMPLOYEE MAGAZINE
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They say that things happen in threes; this was the case for three births within three months at a single base. All three were boys born to fathers in the Flight Operations Department of the CHC Base at Humberside, Eng.
First up to the plate was Clark Henry Foley, the first born to Richard and Katie Foley (left). Richard is a Ramp Handler at Humberside. Clark was born prematurely on June 30th, weighing in at 4lbs 6ozs. He is now putting on the pounds and keeping his Dad awake at night. Next came Nairn Peter Webster(centre), the second born to Craig and Katherine Webster. Craig is a First Officer, flying the Sikorsky S-76C at Humberside. Plans for
a home birth had to be put aside as Nairn arrived ahead of schedule on July 28th, weighing in at a healthy 8lbs 7ozs. Last up to bat for Humberside this summer was Stanley James Cosmo Preston (right), born August 29th to David and Jo Preston. David is a Captain, flying the SikorskyS76C at Humberside. Jos pregnancy was difficult, as she developed a kidney stone during the pregnancy, and a C-Section had to be performed after 21 hours of labour. Stanley weighed in at a healthy 8lbs 8ozs. If Clark, Nairn and Stanley follow in their fathers footsteps, this baby hat-trick could ensure that the worldwide shortage of helicopter pilots never hits close to Humberside
sembled, documented, crated, insured and shipped to Liverpool en route to Halifax, Canada, where it would be re-registered C-FGDO. In Halifax, Regional Director Barry Clouter and AME Supervisor Woody Brinson coordinated volumes of paperwork, transportation to the airport, reassembly and preparation for a ferry flight of some 5,000 kilometres across Canada to Vancouver. Next, Heli-One and partner disassembled the aircraft for its 10,500-hour major inspection, refurbishment, modification and painting. Once rebuilt, the aircraft underwent extensive test flights and was once again partially disassembled, crated, documented and loaded aboard another ship, bound for Singapore. After clearing a labyrinth of customs and officialdom and given a police-escort through Singapore on a flatbed C-FGDO was met by pilots Blain Foreman and Khun Wim and flown, at last, to Songkhla. Re-registered as HS-HDO, the S-61 began regular flight operations Jan. 1. 2006 four months after leaving the Netherlands. Just like clockwork
RotorTales
Rotortales is the employee magazine for CHC Helicopter Corporation, produced four times per year. All material is gathered and written by CHC employees for CHC employees and interested parties. No material contained within Rotortales magazine may be reproduced without permission of CHC Helicopter Corporation. For questions or comments, or to submit an article or photos for publication, please contact CHC Helicopter Corporation Director of Communications Chris Flanagan, by telephone at 604-279-2493, or by e-mail at cflanagan@chc.ca, or forward correspondence to CHC Helicopter Corporation, 4740 Agar Drive, Richmond, BC, Canada, V7B 1A3. For more information on the company, please visit the website www.chc.ca.
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EMPLOYEE MAGAZINE