Any S-61N Pilots around here?

[sarflyer]

Hummingbird Aviation in Hammond, LA is looking for a bunch of S-61N folks (pilots / mechanics) for contract work in Afghanistan. Has anyone in the gulf heard of them, or are they not a GoM operator?

[Arcman]

sarflyer,

 

I've got a SK-61 background with the Navy but not much interested in Afghanistan. Would definitely consider GOM. I heard that Victoria Helicopters Inc. flies them but can't imagine they would much appreciate trying to lure away their S-61 people. FWIW.

 

Good luck anyway.

 

Arcman

[Gomer Pylot]

I never heard of Hummingbird in the GOM.

[Warden201]

Here's their website.

[C of G]

Hummingbird recently relocated from Connecticut to LA after gaining some post-Katrina contracts. I have a friend who used to fly for them and had nothing but good to say. He left to pursue options in England and had a hard time making the split. The 61's must be new or leased. When he was there they had a S-58 and I believe, a 205.

[Gomer Pylot]

They may be the 61s Era dumped recently.

[Gomer Pylot]

Double post - Opera apparently had a glitch. Sorry.

Edited August 29, 2007 by Gomer Pylot

[C of G]

Actually, Era is still operating their 61's, but did get rid of their 332 Puma's over a year ago. Hopefully to be replaced by 225's next year.

[Gomer Pylot]

OK, I knew they got rid of the Pumas, although the pilots couldn't understand why. They were being used full-time after Katrina/Rita, when the oil companies couldn't get enough helicopters and were throwing money around like it was dirt, and should have been making lots of money. They told us the S61s were also going, but that seems to have been reconsidered, at least temporarily.

 

I guess they got the one left in the hangar in Fourchon airworthy again, huh? We heard lots of stories about the fallout from that fiasco.

Edited August 29, 2007 by Gomer Pylot

[rick1128]

Was in Hammond last month. The only facility I saw for Hummingbird was a trailer. So I don't know what kind of support you would have over there. It the contract is in Northern or eastern Afghanistan, it will be real mountain flying. I guess that the contractors over there got tired of dealing with russian helicopters (mi-8 and Mi 26's) that kept crashing.

[C of G]

Gomer,

 

Yeah, we (pilots) still talk about the sale of the Pumas. They were money making machines. The numbers that trickle down, if believable, are staggering. As for the 61 in Fouchon, it is airworthy again. The FAA wouldn't grant a ferry permit so it had to sit. One of the unfortunate consequences of an airframe that is designed to float, is that it will, even indoors.

[flyingseapig]

Gomer,

 

Yeah, we (pilots) still talk about the sale of the Pumas. They were money making machines. The numbers that trickle down, if believable, are staggering. As for the 61 in Fouchon, it is airworthy again. The FAA wouldn't grant a ferry permit so it had to sit. One of the unfortunate consequences of an airframe that is designed to float, is that it will, even indoors.

 

I was contacted by them for S-61 work in Afghanistan, they must've seen my resume somewhere or another. But, I would much rather keep my lower paying flying job now than risk being shot down in a foreign country on foreign soil, and spend months away from my family. If I wanted to do something like that I would've stayed in the military.

[chamerican]

I'm currently in Afghanistan now and wanted to give any of you interested some insight into what I know of Hummingbird so far. They're showing up where I am in about a week or so- some of the guys have already trickled in. Yes we are sick of the MI-8's and 24's. They are ex-russian mil pilots that barely speak English and never talk on the CTAF, resulting in many close calls. Previously they were flying into some of the hot beds around here and yes, they were getting shot at periodically. Call it common sense or whatever but if I have to have and Apache escort and they're going to some of the places single ship then I wouldn't come over here in those circumstances either. The big thing with the Mi's is that they aren't getting any of the intel briefs that we get. Apparently that's going to change for Hummingbird. They are being linked into our operations and get all the same info we get. Let's just say they are going to literally be making the 'milk runs' to only a select few locations that are relatively low threat. Without being to specific they will be relatively safe. The most dangerous thing for us over here is not the threat of being shot down- it's the terrain, quickly changing weather and power management. I will be surprised to see anything happen to them while they're here. If it wasn't for the fact that I've spent more than 3 of the last five years away from home I would jump at the opportunity. It's great flying and a good salary.