RLC aquiring 50+ aircraft from Bristow

[Fidelis]

As I understand it, Rotorcraft Leasing is (or has) aquiring 50+ aircraft from Bristow. Any insight on what this means in terms of their missions, where is Rotorcraft getting the pilots (they currently have some of the highest minimums), and what is happening to the excess (that's an assumption) Bristow pilots, etc?

[Goldy]

As I understand it, Rotorcraft Leasing is (or has) aquiring 50+ aircraft from Bristow. Any insight on what this means in terms of their missions, where is Rotorcraft getting the pilots (they currently have some of the highest minimums), and what is happening to the excess (that's an assumption) Bristow pilots, etc?

 

 

What I heard the deal was 53 single engine ships for $65 million bucks....thats a big deal in the helo world.

 

Bristow has a bunch of new S92's coming in so they can do more deep water trans, and they sold off their single engines as part of that strategy. So, other than type of aircraft, I dont see much changing at Bristow.

 

I guess the unknown is what is Rotorcraft Leasing going to do with 53 ships? Maybe some will be converted into the EMS market???

 

Either way, there is still a lot of demand for available helicopters, single engine or not...so its probably not a bad deal for RLC.

 

You do know that RLC bought the production flight services division of Bristow a couple weeks ago, right ? So some of those ships may be needed to support that division.

 

Be good to hear from any Bristow pilots what they have heard ??

 

Goldy

[Fidelis]

Rotor & Wing--- "The terms of the definitive agreement contemplate the sale of over 50 of Bristow Group’s Bell model-206 aircraft to Rotorcraft, in addition to various other assets, related equipment, inventory and parts currently used in its production management flight services business. Rotorcraft expects to transition a number of pilots and mechanics currently involved in the business to the Rotorcraft organization."

 

Other than the fact that they want to keep paying the bills, any of these Bristow pilot's have heartburn with going to work for Rotorcraft Leasing if that be the case? Nevermind the which company is better argument, I'm talking changes in salary, benefits, retirement, etc.

[Oil Pilot]

As I understand it, Rotorcraft Leasing is (or has) aquiring 50+ aircraft from Bristow. Any insight on what this means in terms of their missions

 

From my understanding of the deal, Rotorcraft also will be taking over approximately 40 shelf contracts that Bristow was servicing with thoser aircraft. That adds a lot of work to the company which also will require more pilots and more mechanics.

 

where is Rotorcraft getting the pilots (they currently have some of the highest minimums)

 

Some of the more junior pilots at Air Log will possibly move over when they don't have a choice. Many of the mid-range seniority guys will hold out and hope they are still needed. Other than that, Rotorcraft will probably take anyone who has 1000 hours and an instrument ticket even though their ads have said 1250.

 

what is happening to the excess (that's an assumption) Bristow pilots, etc?

 

Even if you lowball it and say for 40 contracts, that only would require 80 pilots, that's a large number. At last count I believe Air Log was approximately 30 short so we're talking about 50+ pilots out of a job. They will be contracted to RLC to help with the transition and when RLC can cover the contracts themselves, they will most likely be laid off if there has not become a need for them at Air Log. I wouldn't count on them aquiring 25+ S76s and S92s in the time it will take RLC to man up, so someone will almost definitely end up involuntarily out of a job.

 

Other than the fact that they want to keep paying the bills, any of these Bristow pilot's have heartburn with going to work for Rotorcraft Leasing if that be the case? Nevermind the which company is better argument, I'm talking changes in salary, benefits, retirement, etc.

 

Many of the contracts that are being exchanged and many of the contracts that RLC currently services are the reason many people don't like the Gulf. Poor living conditions offshore coupled with lousy customers aren't much fun. Salary right now is somewhat comparable, but Air Log is also in negotiations for a raise. Benefits are pretty comparable as is retirement. The difference in off-shore pay from 100.00 to 40.00 is pretty harsh, but rumors say RLC is raising it to 60.00 a night. Both have a per hour bonus for flight time over a certain amount so that is pretty comparable.

 

I would venture to guess that quite a few Air Log pilots who have some time under their belt and have no intention of staying down here will use this situation as an excuse to move on and do something else. Some will probably move over to RLC and get their time. Only time will tell.

[Fidelis]

Thanks Oil Pilot, that's exactly the information I was looking for. As I get ever nearer to the magic number it is good to keep up with the latest information.

 

So I guess that depending on how many Air Log pilots stay, exit the scene, and/or go to RLC, there could either be an excess of pilots or a shortage in the coming months.(?)

[helonorth]

I have worked at RLC for over a year and a GOM contract is a GOM contract. I have worked

three as a regular pilot and many more on work-over. It's a myth that RLC has bad contracts.

I was treated well on all of them. Most of them were flown by another company at one time or another and they will switch again.

Regardless, RLC will be hiring a lot of

pilots. The deal calls for 37 contracts in addition to the aircraft. It's not a done deal yet,

either. Offshore pay has increased to $60 and we now have the quarterly bonus ($500).

Edited August 26, 2008 by helonorth