Alaska Offshore

[klmmarine]

I was just wondering if the offshore operators in AK cover transportation for their pilots, given the higher cost of transportation to AK.

 

Are there higher minimums to work in AK offshore? Which companies have operations up there? What are the favored aircraft for operations up there? Are there any special equipment requirements?

[doanut99]

Im also interested.

[southernweyr]

I know Era does off shore stuff. Temsco and evergreen also operate in AK. I am sure there are more that I don't know about.

[Autorotator]

I'm pretty sure PHI and Airlogistics are up there too. Not sure what kinda helicopters they use or extra requirements, regulations etc... Lots of help right?

[klmmarine]

I just thought I would bump this back up to the top so that those in the know might see it again. Still interested...

[arotrhd]

KLM-

 

Just came across your post. A good friend of mine started with Airlog (Bristow) towards the later part of '06 as a 412 captain out of Fairbanks and Deadhorse. He has a 1/1 schedule and Airlog did pick up the shuttle flight from Anchorage (he lives there) to Fairbanks or to Deadhorse, so I'm aware of at least one operator that had that as part of the package. The others - read below - I don't know what their standard transportation offers are, except for Temsco, which will send you back home no charge after a full season (tourist flights)...REY, CHIME UP! Ok, the following is a little generalised, but might give some food for thought.

 

Operators: most have already been mentioned as far as having somewhat permanent operations there. Airlog - based in Fairbanks - is primarily petro ops and contract work in the interior and North Slope activity, but they operate throught the state and beyond as required (that will pretty much apply to the following operators as well). Evergreen (Anchorage) has some airmed contracts out of local region as well as utility and contract work through the state. ERA (Anchorage) still has tourist and utility work. Temsco (Juneau) is utility/contracts and tourists. Those are the larger players. Many other smaller opeerators who have carved out some very lucrative niches. Another one of my friends out of the general Anchorage region falls into this category and is looking to have about 10 Astars by next year for charter, utility and camera work, and he's expecting to continue with some significant growth onwards.

 

As far as the equipment, off shore is usually medium or heavy twins for the 'troop' and small cargo transport to rigs. Twins are also used pretty extensively during summer for firefighting contracts and transport, along with medium singles - usually some older stuff. The light singles are used more for tourists, siesmic/exploration and light utility work/contracts. The heavy stuff is generally big contract work on a seasonal basis - firefighting and lattice tower/grid building

 

Anyways, he's really been enjoying the flight challenges - IFR/IMC and the environmental conditions of the North Slope, as well as the sights and phenomena through the winter. He was looking forward to the winter sea freeze so he wouldn't have to wear the exposure suit. I'm due to catch up with him soon and I'll get some more questions answered. I'm sure there back to wearing them again with the thaw. Hope the info helps.

 

-WATCH FOR THE WIRES-

[klmmarine]

Thanks that is exactly the information I was looking for. I was wondering about the feasibility of living in Seattle and working up there. I live in Nashville and commute to the GOM now, but my wife and I are looking forward to moving back to the Pacific Northwest.