Changes to North Sea Choppers

[rossybee]

Mention of reducing number of seats, not flying in bad sea states, and stopping fatties from flying...

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-n ... d-26261742

All good for safety, but will be a real ball ache from a logistical point of view...

[S2red]

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-north-east-o...

[rossybee]

Cheers for that!

Did that from my phone...

[Robert Burns]

I'm actually happy with the changes. Sea state is silly one as if you have bad sea state then most of the time the wind makes the flight off limits.

The size one is going to be interesting. I agree with a certain size as I do notice there are a number of people now larger than the window itself. A recent bond flight on a puma found me for the 1hour 30mins sitting with 1 half of my arse sitting on the seat the other in midair being held up my the waist strap due to a very large fellow to the right hand side. If the helicopter was to ditch I know I would be last out.

Logistic side will be fine. If the oil company want you out there you will be out there no matter want. I'm sure a few more helicopters will be on order soon.

[Uncle Gueber]

Robert Burns said:

Logistic side will be fine.

Not so sure about that. If everyone’s going to get a window seat, how many extra flights are needed to make up the difference, 30%, 50%? Didn’t last years grounding affect about 25% of the fleet and that caused problems. Bottom line is more flights equals more costs and the sooner the bean counters will decide fields are no longer viable.

The ever increasing weight of crews has been an issue for years now. Would be interesting to see what the limit is set at. Have heard mention of 200lb, if true that would give a lot of folks a .

[Kiltie]

I'm sure there was a proposal a few years ago (10ish?) that flights wouldn't lift if current or forecast weather was too heavy to launch a FRB,

I recall the operators grumbling and then it all petered out.

Does that ring a bell with anyone?

[boardinscotland]

Uncle Gueber said:

Not so sure about that. If everyone’s going to get a window seat, how many extra flights are needed to make up the difference, 30%, 50%? Didn’t last years grounding affect about 25% of the fleet and that caused problems. Bottom line is more flights equals more costs and the sooner the bean counters will decide fields are no longer viable.

The ever increasing weight of crews has been an issue for years now. Would be interesting to see what the limit is set at. Have heard mention of 200lb, if true that would give a lot of folks a .

Can't just be on weight. For example you can easily be over 200lb just because of your height ie 6ft 4 and Muscle mass as it weighs more than fat. what are you going to do lop a leg off.

[Uncle Gueber]

Kiltie said:

I'm sure there was a proposal a few years ago (10ish?) that flights wouldn't lift if current or forecast weather was too heavy to launch a FRB,

I recall the operators grumbling and then it all petered out.

Does that ring a bell with anyone?

I thought was the case, can't remember the exact wording but something along the lines of being able to launch in a sea state with a prospect of recovery.

No idea how the size / weight thing will be actually be managed.

[boardinscotland]

Just spoke to some management bods here supposedly 120kg. But again rumours and nothing confirmed.

[rossybee]

boardinscotland said:

Just spoke to some management bods here supposedly 120kg. But again rumours and nothing confirmed.

Phew! I'm over 200lb but well under 120kg...

[eck c]

120kg eh, may need to strip down to the punts if I come back to the North Sea

[jamieduff1981]

They could just measure fatness on waist size. Let's be honest your weight isn't a big deal. It's more because some fat git has to be born out the window that's the danger.

[Allandwf]

I reckon they should pass a frame down a person when suited up and wearing life jacket, a bit like letters at PO or hand luggage at an airport. If you can pass through fine, if not, then you dont fly, simples.

[Kiltie]

120kg is very big (nearly 19stone).

Someone who is 5'9" (175cm) would have a BMI of 39.

Does the current offshore medical not set weight / size criteria?

I know someone who was given a short term one (six months I think) a few years ago on the basis that he lost some weight.

[Kiltie]

Allandwf said:

I reckon they should pass a frame down a person when suited up and wearing life jacket, a bit like letters at PO or hand luggage at an airport. If you can pass through fine, if not, then you dont fly, simples.

That'd work ... "breathe in now"

If it's based on BMI, just lie about your height.

Edited by Kiltie on Friday 21st February 10:42

[scotty_d]

And quite right I like to have the other half of my seat back when I have to sit next to a HMS massive!

[scotty_d]

Allandwf said:

I reckon they should pass a frame down a person when suited up and wearing life jacket, a bit like letters at PO or hand luggage at an airport. If you can pass through fine, if not, then you dont fly, simples.

I have thought this for years should be part of the medical at the very least!

[eck c]

Kiltie said:

120kg is very big (nearly 19stone).

Someone who is 5'9" (175cm) would have a BMI of 39.

Does the current offshore medical not set weight / size criteria?

I know someone who was given a short term one (six months I think) a few years ago on the basis that he lost some weight.

I'm 5'8" and had a BMI of 38.5 IIRC at last medical, Doc said that another 0.5 of BMI that I would not be able to work for Shell (I dont work for them BTW)
I also got put on a short term medical 8 years ago but I was almost a stone lighter than I am now, Doc said then that it was for being able to fit out of a chopper window. So Im not sure if they have upped the limits or just lack of consistency.
For me I find it frustrating that my career my be in jepordy as Ive got my bodyweight from lifting heavy things for the past 25 years. My bloods are good, low cholestral etc etc so does that make me more of a concern than someone who's BMI is fine because they spend all their time off drinking & smoking.

[Kiltie]

eck c said:

Kiltie said:

120kg is very big (nearly 19stone).

Someone who is 5'9" (175cm) would have a BMI of 39.

Does the current offshore medical not set weight / size criteria?

I know someone who was given a short term one (six months I think) a few years ago on the basis that he lost some weight.

I'm 5'8" and had a BMI of 38.5 IIRC at last medical, Doc said that another 0.5 of BMI that I would not be able to work for Shell (I dont work for them BTW)
I also got put on a short term medical 8 years ago but I was almost a stone lighter than I am now, Doc said then that it was for being able to fit out of a chopper window. So Im not sure if they have upped the limits or just lack of consistency.
For me I find it frustrating that my career my be in jepordy as Ive got my bodyweight from lifting heavy things for the past 25 years. My bloods are good, low cholestral etc etc so does that make me more of a concern than someone who's BMI is fine because they spend all their time off drinking & smoking.

Indeed - and reading my post back, it maybe sounds like I'm being critical of big people.

That wasn't the intention and I'm no "racing snake" myself.

BMI is a piece of nonsense. Everyone knows that but it's become an accepted benchmark. The only reason I mentioned it was that I think it was cited when my pal was given the short term medical.

Regarding getting through a helicopter window opening, it puts me in mind of getting out of a single seater with six point harness. Scrutineers may, at their discretion, ask us to demonstrate that we can get out of our cars in under seven seconds (I think that's what it is). That's sometimes not so easy when you're stiff and sore from hauling trailers the day before. Add the belief that there may be a fire behind you and it's a very different matter.

I remember Stiglet once saying that he was a bit "clumsy" getting in and out of his Radical in the paddock. One day when he had a wee engine fire, he managed to get out of it "like a jack in the box".

In my view, when it comes to egress from a ditched aircraft, self preservation instinct and overall fitness will trump body size.

Edited by Kiltie on Friday 21st February 12:13

[eck c]

Kiltie said:

In my view, when it comes to egress from a ditched aircraft, self preservation instinct and overall fitness will trump body size.

Edited by Kiltie on Friday 21st February 12:13

Agree with above

Past tragedies are sadly a reminder that if it goes down hard your pretty much fked anyhoo

Just get the feeling that the body weight thing is the cost effective route for the Oil Companies