TIM COUSINS - LATEST UPDATE

It's been over a year and half since we last caught up with former student Tim Cousins and so what is Tim up to now?

Since my last update a huge amount has happened - I have sat all my ATPL(H) theory exams; obtained my JAA CPL(H); set up a new AOC operation in Scotland; passed a SP/ME IR(H) and achieved my dream job of flying offshore in the North Sea.

I am now a co-pilot with CHC Scotia (since January 2007) undertaking crew-change flights to oil rigs in the North Sea, flying AS332L2 Super Pumas from Aberdeen - and I LOVE it !!

It has been a long slow process to get here (took my CASA CPL(H) in 2001 !!), has cost me the monetary equivalent of the GDP of Lithuania, and without the committed support of my wife I might never have arrived here. Nevertheless, here I am and I have no regrets whatsoever.

The North Sea is a unique environment to operate in - in a matter of hours the weather can change from CAVOK to 60kt fog ! I know, I know, in all my theory studies I was told that anything above a light wind will disperse fog, well I challenge the authors of those Met books to spend some time in Aderdeen !

I have achieved a number of "firsts" since being here, and not all of them welcome. Here are some of the highlights:

I have flown at FL100; undertaken my first medevac flight; had a hydraulic failure on final approach; diverted due to weather; flown for nearly 2 hours without touching the controls (autopilot); experienced heavy ice accumulations; "gone around" from a rig when at 0.75 miles it was still not visible through the fog; highest windspeed so far of 74kts; a rejected take off as a result of pax screaming "STOP !" when they saw sparks leaving the exhaust; and taxying a wheeled helicopter.

The worldwide helicopter job market has never been so active. It seems to be driven from a shortage of suitably qualified pilots for the offshore industry which then filters down through to the corporate and single engine charter market. The number of people learning to fly is increasing year on year which is also creating demand for instructors. In short, if you're thinking of learning to fly, now seems a great time to make the jump. Don't be fooled into thinking it is an easy step to take, however, hard work and diligence will be rewarded.