Msg ID:
2756049 |
GOM VFR +3/-2
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Author:Semi retired
12/12/2022 5:34:32 AM
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Do any company’s in the GOM hire VFR only pilots? I’m retiring from powerline utility and am thinking flying in the gulf. Ya I know that flying lights in the gulf is considered trash work by some but it seems to interest me as I’ve never done it. I don’t really need the money so really any company with decent maintenance is fine.
I’m old and don’t care to get an instrument rating. |
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Msg ID:
2756050 |
GOM VFR +0/-1
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Author:You could try
12/12/2022 7:47:30 AM
Reply to: 2756049
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Panther but doubtful. |
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Msg ID:
2756064 |
GOM VFR +4/-1
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Author:You said semi
12/12/2022 10:08:06 AM
Reply to: 2756049
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Plenty of VFR jobs but you'll need an instrument rating to get hired as lots of emphasis on inadvertent and recovery. I like your sense of adventure. |
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Msg ID:
2756065 |
GOM VFR +1/-6
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Author:It's weird how it seems like some
12/12/2022 10:28:02 AM
Reply to: 2756064
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people don't even read the question. Guess what: you don't even need an instrument rating for "inadvertent and recovery" training. I know, it's amazing. |
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Msg ID:
2756072 |
GOM VFR +3/-0
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Author:olderendirt
12/12/2022 10:55:44 AM
Reply to: 2756065
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people don't even read the question. Guess what: you don't even need an instrument rating for "inadvertent and recovery" training. I know, it's amazing.
It sure is comforting to know how to keep it upright, high enough and able to go somewhere you can land VFR or shoot an easy approach to comfortable VFR mins. An ILS in a non-coupled helicopter can be really uncomfortable when you don't have fuel to abort and go to an alternate. |
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Msg ID:
2756073 |
GOM VFR +1/-3
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Author:okay
12/12/2022 10:58:29 AM
Reply to: 2756072
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is that something that actually happened to you? you went IIMC and had to hand fly an ILS while low on fuel in real life? |
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Msg ID:
2756359 |
GOM VFR +0/-0
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Author:olderendirt
12/15/2022 2:28:13 PM
Reply to: 2756073
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is that something that actually happened to you? you went IIMC and had to hand fly an ILS while low on fuel in real life?
Does nap of the Earth, pilotage through the chin bubble count? monsoon rains so hard one couldn't see 100 yards and the mission required I be at Rach Gia that day count? I Guess not- Rach Gia din't have no ILS.
But, otherwise, No, I've always been 'lucky' and very, very careful. I've diverted many miles, almost a hundred on occasion, around weather and spent days at places where I could not proceed VFR. Later, I was in the IFR program and IFR rated aircraft, so generally, no problem- two pilot hand flying is no thing, preferred that to the 1980's 412 'autopilot'... "BellPilot"?
But- Outbound (VFR AS255F1) from Intracoastal City, the bushes at the beach were creating furrows in a very thin ground fog. Offshore looked fine, with a little fog forming at the bases.
Then VFR on top of a low cloud deck offshore and from deep south Eugene Island and Brownsville to well north of my fuel range on the beach. Heard IFR ships switching to ATC for approaches everywhere and offshore birds landing at first available. No structures visible offshore, so I turned around and started looking for options, airports with VFR and/or breaks in the fog. Just Southeast of Pecan Island, a saw pavement, so I started an approach. As I got below the cloud deck I observed the contract customer's Pecan Island pumping station, so I went there instead. Spent the rest of the day there at the pumping station office. Fog deck lifted to 3-400 feet on the beach just at sunset, so I jumped the bird the 10-15 miles and spent the rest of the hitch (4 days) doing nothing. |
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Msg ID:
2756552 |
Blah, Blah, Blah, Blah, Blah, Blah, Blah, +1/-0
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Author:Blah, Blah,
12/18/2022 9:46:22 AM
Reply to: 2756359
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There I was... Inverted.... Air medals obsuring my vision....Blah, Blah, Blah, Blah, Blah, Blah, Blah, Blah, Blah, Blah, Blah, Blah, Blah, Blah, Blah, Blah, Blah, Blah, Blah, Blah, Blah, Blah, Blah, Blah, Blah, Blah, Blah, Blah, |
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Msg ID:
2756074 |
GOM VFR +6/-3
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Author:Also amazing
12/12/2022 10:59:54 AM
Reply to: 2756065
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Guess what: you don't even need an instrument rating for "inadvertent and recovery" training. I know, it's amazing.
Guess what:. You do need an instrument rating to qualify for that VFR job for lots of GOM companies. I know, it's amazing. |
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Msg ID:
2756076 |
GOM VFR +0/-3
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Author:uh
12/12/2022 11:06:29 AM
Reply to: 2756074
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we know. are there any companies don't require an instrument rating? it's amazing you idiots can't even figure out what the question is. JFC, you people are dumb as bricks. |
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Msg ID:
2756078 |
GOM VFR +0/-4
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Author:Welcome
12/12/2022 11:22:48 AM
Reply to: 2756076
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You must be new. In this form, people respond to other people's nonsense, with little to no regard to the original question. Like now, for example. This post has nothing to do with an instrument rating for a VFR job in the gulf. It's simply to welcome you here |
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Msg ID:
2756086 |
GOM VFR +6/-1
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Author:Answer
12/12/2022 2:33:04 PM
Reply to: 2756049
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PHI, Bristow (Era) and RLC all require an instrument rating... even if you're only flying light helicopters VFR. And yes, there are some cushy VFR contracts in the GOM (such as BSEE). But you will still need an instrument rating.
Without that... Westwind or Panther might hire you.
You can argue the value or practical application of an instrument rating all you want... the reality is that your quality of life at work, in the GOM, will be absolute trash without one. Working for a company like PHI vs Westwind is a completely different experience. |
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Msg ID:
2756087 |
GOM VFR +8/-0
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Author:westwind ad says
12/12/2022 3:14:59 PM
Reply to: 2756086
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- "Must have Commercial Rotorcraft Helicopter w/ Instrument rating
Panther would be your only option and they most likely will require it, too.. |
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Msg ID:
2756132 |
GOM VFR +1/-1
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Author:Semi retired OP
12/12/2022 5:32:10 PM
Reply to: 2756049
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Thank you all for the actual answers. For what it’s worth I’ve don’t IIMC recovery training annually for 25 years. Some check airmen really made me work others not.
With the advancements in GPS it’s easier all the time. Hit ‘nearest and ‘terrain’ and everything you need is right there. The trick seems to be controlling the panic.
Is the IR some kind of insurance company thing or customer driven? |
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Msg ID:
2756325 |
GOM VFR +1/-1
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Author:Iimc guy
12/14/2022 9:23:51 PM
Reply to: 2756132
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Insurance driven, but more often pushed by legal types. Imagine you crash and the companthe family of pax sues the company. |
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Msg ID:
2756326 |
GOM VFR +2/-0
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Author:they are going to sue
12/14/2022 9:37:41 PM
Reply to: 2756325
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no matter what |
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Msg ID:
2756138 |
GOM VFR +1/-1
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Author:cheap
12/12/2022 6:33:43 PM
Reply to: 2756049
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Unfortunately,a lot of pilots in EMS and GOM operations that have an instrument rating can't keep it straight and level for more than 2 minutes.The EMS guys have it tougher because they do a lot more night flying.In the GOM,most are landed by dark. |
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Msg ID:
2756437 |
The EMS guys have it tougher because they do a lot more night flying.In the +0/-0
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Author:olderendirt
12/16/2022 12:48:31 PM
Reply to: 2756138
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"The EMS guys have it tougher because they do a lot more night flying.In the GOM,most are landed by dark."
14 years in the GOM, 13 VFR; 16 years HEMS. The Gulf is way more demanding- I've landed in a lot of fields, pastures and parking lots on HEMS flights... almost none of those in the Gulf. And the Gulf makes its' own weather, it differs from "The Beach" in a lot of ways. |
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Msg ID:
2756435 |
GOM VFR +0/-1
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Author:JSFirm
12/16/2022 11:48:17 AM
Reply to: 2756049
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Westwind hires without an instrument rating, they just don't advertise it. |
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Msg ID:
2757075 |
GOM VFR +0/-0
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Author:Offshore
12/25/2022 5:16:32 AM
Reply to: 2756435
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without instrument rating not good! |
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Msg ID:
2758012 |
GOM VFR +0/-0
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Author:Anonamoose
1/1/2023 5:31:38 PM
Reply to: 2756049
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I flew out there for a couple of years without one. 2012/2014 ish
Small company. I had a lot of fun. I would have stayed if they had not closed up |
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