Offshore News

[Aviafora Newsdesk]

Flight Safety Foundation Expands Aviation Risk Audit Program to Offshore Helicopter Operators

The Flight Safety Foundation (FSF) is highlighting its Basic Aviation Risk Standard (BARS) audit program to rotorcraft operators here at Heli-Expo 2014. It was developed to establish a common safety audit standard that could be applied to “on-shore resource sector aviation support activities.”

In response to feedback during last year’s Heli-Expo, the foundation is looking to include offshore operators. According to FSF managing director Greg Marshall, the BARS audit and training program, initially created for use in the natural resource sector, can enhance additional categories of rotorcraft operations, especially emergency medical service, industrial, charter and sightseeing.

The standard was developed from a risk-based model framed against the actual threats posed. Key components of BARS include courses for onshore and offshore personnel, as well as one about helicopter external load operations for ground personnel. Overall, BARS provides a consistent audit model that allows member companies to share in the audits of participating operators. Findings from BARS audits, especially for aviation operations in remote areas, is already benefitting a much wider community of fixed- and rotary-wing operators, FSF said. Operators interested in the program can contact Marshall at marshall@flightsafety.org.

To date, 25 organizations–including Bristow Helicopters, PHI and EcoCopter–are BARS-registered operators. Marshall said three more operators will soon be added to these ranks.

http://www.ainonline.com/aviation-news/hai-convention-news/2014-02-25/flight-safety-foundation-expands-aviation-risk-audit-program-offshore-helicopter-operators

[Aviafora Newsdesk]

Two 139's for Indonesian Operator Travira

AgustaWestland, a Finmeccanica company, is pleased to announce that Travira Air is to take delivery of two AW139 twin intermediate helicopters. The helicopters will soon enter service for offshore passenger transport operations in Indonesia.



Vincenzo Alaimo, Head of Regional Sales SE Asia, AgustaWestland, said “I am delighted to know these helicopters will soon enter service with Travira Air who has a long and successful history of providing onshore and offshore helicopter services to its many clients in Indonesia. The AW139 provides the latest safety features, unrivalled performance and exceptional comfort which will be greatly appreciated by all those that fly in the aircraft.”

The AW139 has achieved great success in South East Asia in recent years with orders placed by local operators for offshore, corporate, firefighting, EMS/SAR and coastal patrol missions. State-of-the-art technology, outstanding performance, low operating costs and the only helicopter in its class to meet the latest safety standards, have made the AW139 the helicopter of choice in the medium twin market. With its power reserve, the AW139 delivers Category A (Class 1) performance from a helipad (elevated or at ground level) at maximum take-off weight with an unmatched one engine inoperative capability.

The AW139 can carry up to 15 passengers in its spacious cabin. Over 750 AW139s have now been ordered by customers around the world with more than 620 now in service.

http://www.agustawestland.com/news/t...39-helicopters

[Aviafora Newsdesk]

Atlantic Aviation commences helicopter services for Shell Nigeria

WorldStage Newsonline-- Atlantic Aviation, aew helicopter-services operator, has begun commercial flights of Augusta Westland 139 (AW139) helicopters from Lagos. According to a statement, Atlantic Aviation, a Nigerian company owned by Jagal Group with technical service support from CHC Helicopter, started crew-rotation flights for Shell from Murtala Muhammed International Airport to the Deepwater Discovery drill ship.


Atlantic Aviation Nigeria commencing AW139 operations in partnership with CHC

On its maiden commercial flight, Atlantic Aviation transported nine Transocean employees to the waters around the Shell Bonga concession. The Deepwater Discovery is a fast drilling ship that is boring some 80 holes in a relatively short amount of time in the Gulf of Guinea.

Shaf Syed, regional director Atlantic Aviation said the first flights were significant: “These flights are only the first of what we expect will be many years of helping oil and gas operators to go further, do more and come home safely in Nigeria, one of the world’s fastest growing regions for this industry. “Today represents a culmination of several months of planning and hard work from many people, to establish and demonstrate Atlantic Aviation. In line with the Governments’ strategic agenda on investment, job creation and Nigerian Content Development, Atlantic Aviation is investing in delivering to Nigeria world class standards through quality and excellence.

Shaf said that with technical service support from CHC for training, flight and engineering standards, Atlantic Aviation will become “the leading helicopter operator in this market. “Customers will feel reassured by the depth of experience and expertise that we bring to this sector in Nigeria," he said.

The twin-engine, medium-sized AW139 helicopter is well suited to current and future requirements of Nigerian offshore drilling, having the range and capability to operate into the deep water and frontier drilling ultra-deep water fields. The AW139 aircraft is a new technology helicopter that meets all the latest offshore safety requirements whilst bringing enhanced customer comfort to the offshore traveller.

With all the regulatory approvals now in place, Atlantic Aviation intends to ramp-up its operations and introduce more helicopters into the under-served Nigeria market, with additional AW139 helicopters joining the fleet over the coming months.

Atlantic Aviation has established bases with efficient facilities and hangars in Lagos (able to operate out of both Snake Island and international airport) and Port Harcourt, where further investment is being made to develop a state-of-the-art operational hub. The company is able to serve customers on long-term contracts and for hourly charter work.

http://www.worldstagegroup.com/world...13679&catid=27

[Aviafora Newsdesk]

Pilots Following the Money

At least five pilots and engineers resign from National Helicopter Services Ltd (NHSL) in Trinidad on an annual basis because of inadequate compensation packages.

This is according to NHSL general manager, Joshey Mahabir.

Mahabir said pilots and engineers employed at NHSL were being paid 20 per cent less than its competitors.

He was speaking last Friday at the launch of the S76D model aircraft into Trinidad and Tobago which was held at NHSL’s hangar at Camden Road, Couva.

“We would have lost every year five or six pilots and engineers. We pay for training and try to bond them for a certain period but after that salary becomes important,” he said.

Transport Minister Stephen Cadiz, Energy Minister Kevin Ramnarine and Couva South MP Rudranath Indarsingh attended the function.

Mahabir said NHSL employees were unable to enjoy the luxuries of their competitors as the company operated under the office of the Chief Personnel Officer.

“Right now it is a competitive business and we are on the low side. It is not about attracting staff, but retaining qualified staff. After we train you and we give you all the training we don’t want you to leave us. We invest a lot in our people and we want to keep our people so we have to find very innovative ways of doing that. But after a while it all boils down to money,” he said.
Cadiz agreed that pilots and engineers at NHSL were providing the same services as a private entity and should enjoy competitive salaries.

“You are operating in a very competitive environment, providing the same services as a private entity so they have to compete. And not only with the level of service, with quality of equipment, but they also have to have competitive salaries.

“If you want the best business you have to have the best people working for you and you can’t be restricted in that way,” he said.
Cadiz said he was an advocate for companies like NHSL to be removed from under the CPO and be allowed to negotiate on its own terms and conditions.

Cadiz said his ministry was working on revamping the public transport system.

He said a proper transit policy was being developed to establish connectivity across the country.

http://www.trinidadexpress.com/news/...243426301.html

[Aviafora Newsdesk]

Malaysia's Weststar wins offshore contract in Thailand

UALA LUMPUR, Feb 4 (Bernama) -- Weststar Aviation Services Sdn Bhd, a subsidiary of Weststar Group, has signed a seven-year agreement worth RM2 billion with Thailand Oil and Gas company, PTT Exploration and Production, for offshore helicopter services.



Weststar Group Managing Director Tan Sri Syed Azman Syed Ibrahim said along with its Thailand-based partner, United Offshore Aviation, the offshore operations was a big step in their efforts to strengthen the offshore global aviation industry.

"The agreement, which marks the beginning of the first regional operations in Southeast Asia, comes with the option of a two-year extension," he said in a statement.

Six Agusta Westland AW139 helicopters and 140 employees will be engaged in the operations in Songkhla, south Thailand.

Weststar currently has service contracts totaling some RM6 billion and also owns the world's largest fleet of offshore helicopters.

http://www.bernama.com.my/bernama/v7...php?id=1012008

Newsdesk Note: It is possible that Bernama may have meant that Weststar has Malaysia's largest fleet of offshore helicopters?

[Aviafora Newsdesk]

INAER wins 139 contract with Enagás

INAER Spain (INAER), a leading provider of aerial emergency services, has been awarded a one-year contract to transport personnel, goods and supplies to the Gaviota underground gas storage platform, operated by Enagás. The company will operate an AgustaWestland AW139 helicopter, which can accommodate 15 passengers, and will schedule flights for crew changes on the platform, which is located 8km from the Cabo Matxitxako in Bermeo.



The Gaviota underground storage platform is a strategic natural gas reserve capable of holding more than 9.8 million cubic metres of gas and helps meet Spain’s energy requirements. “We are very pleased to be working with Enagás, who play an important role in the Spanish energy sector” said Manuel López Aguilar, CEO of INAER. “This new contract perfectly complements our extensive experience providing services to the oil and gas industry.”

INAER has been providing support services to the energy industry since 1972, making it one of the most experienced companies in Spain in this type of operation. Companies such as Repsol YPF and Escal UGS have entrusted the transport of passengers, supplies and materials to INAER, an international operator which meets all HSE (Health, Safety and Environment) and QA (Quality Assurance) standards. In 2012 alone, INAER helicopters transported 9,952 passengers.

http://www.verticalmag.com/news/arti...r#.Uu1fND2Swnk