Discover the amazing world of an offshore helicopter pilot for Bristow
Back in May 2022 I landed my first commercial flying job with Bristow Helicopters based in Aberdeen, Scotland. As a co-pilot, my job involves flying oil and gas workers to and from offshore platforms and vessels in North Sea. The aircraft I fly is the Sikorsky S92 which has room for 19 passengers and a maximum take off weight of around 12 tonnes.
This video has been made with the consent and approval of my employer, Bristow, and I’m grateful for their encouragement in making this project happen.
This video is a long overdue update and I am very grateful to you for sticking with me here on KZhead. I hope to bring your more content in the future.
Thanks for watching!
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Congratulations Rory, well deserved. As an ex RAF pilot and recently retired off the A380, watching your enthusiasm takes me back to my early days in aviation, it’s infectious. There will be plenty of challenges ahead, you will never stop learning and always treat every flight with the same respect and suspicion as your first as there is never a flight that can’t bite you if you’re not prepared. Safe flying and a joyous career. Cheers.
Superb advice and thank you for watching and commenting. All the best in your retirement.
Cheers for that extra insight Rory. I’m one of your regular passengers. The amazing feeling of walking up the stairs onto the heli deck to go home never gets old. Thanks for keeping us safe 👍🏻
Yeah I often wonder how you guys feel when you’re getting ready to come home. I guess it’s pretty good. Hopefully I’ll fly you myself at some stage. 👍
My father was a Bristow pilot in the 70's and 80's based in Indonesia. We lived in Singapore.
Nice one. Thanks for watching. 👍
It’s amazing to see how far you’ve come from light aircraft to a 12 Ton helicopter! Looking forward to seeing where it takes you next!
Thank you. It’s funny because different as they are, it’s all flying. 🚁👍
My jaw almost slapped the kitchen side when he said 12 tons, that’s a lot of chopper, lol 🍻
@@KumaBean yeah! It’s a bag machine and with 19 passengers plus baggage and fuel that’s a lot of weight.
I used to be a passenger in and out of there (mudlogger, on semisub). Also in Gulf of Mexico (different job, to and from research vessel, mostly from Morgan City, Louisiana). Used to love those helicopter rides. Especially the ones taking me home 😊 ! Fly safe 😊
Nice one, I’m glad you enjoyed the flights. I’ve heard them referred to as paraffin budgie or a disco taxi too. Cheers
Used to work off shore and lived about 3 mile from Dyce heliport (Little Clinterty, just outside Bucksburn) as it was called then. Probably the scariest part of our training for off shore survival was being put in a mock up of a heli in a pool which was dunked and rotated, remember the instructors words even now, “wait for it to stop moving and then blow out a little air to see which way the bubbles go up, and head that way”
Yes, I can't say the dunker was my favourite day in the pool but I'm glad to have done the training as it may be a life saver one day.
No need to apologise Rory, you’ve been very busy and we know from your Facebook page what you’ve been up to. I bet you are so chuffed that all that hard work has paid off! It’s such a great success story, been following since your early microlight days. Well done mate 👍
Thanks for that - much appreciated!
My Brother Alan Barker worked there as Aviation Electronics Engineer for yrs....
Excellent stuff. We love the ‘greenies’.
They fly us offshore in the Gulf of Mexico on S92s. I have a world of respect for offshore pilots everywhere. The responsibility of the safe transport of the crew and the helicopter has to weigh heavily on their minds, being the professionals that they are. Best of luck to you.
Well thank you. It’s a lot of responsibility which we do take extremely seriously. Cheers
I spent a lot of years as a passenger flying out in the Gulf of Mexico and back. I always said that I would rather take a helicopter than ride on a crew boat. I would get a little sea sick. Congratulations!
Yeah much better on the chopper! Thanks for watching. 👍
Interesting video Rory. As an ex offshore worker I travelled a lot on all the heli operators out of Aberdeen and always appreciated the skills of the pilots flying us out in all sorts of weather. There was no better feeling when it came to "choppers eve" as we called it, the day before you were due to go home, knowing that you'd done your last shift and could get home for 2 weeks rest. Unless of course the dreaded fog came in and flights were cancelled. Fog is also known as "cash clouds" by many offshore workers as it meant having to do another days work in many cases and with that another days pay. There were also names for the helicopters as well like "paraffin budgie" and the "disco taxi" as it got you back onshore and into the pubs/nightclubs. I'll look forward to seeing more of your offshore videos for a bit of nostalgia.
Thank you for this fascinating insight into your side of the operation. It’s great to learn a bit more about what you guys offshore make of it all. I love the idea of choppers Eve - very evocative. Thanks for watching.
@@RoryOnAir No problem I've always loved flying and to get offshore in helicopters was an experience itself. I might even see you around Stonehaven as my son lives there and I visit as often as I can. I'm just down the road a bit in Montrose.
@@norriestewart4333 ah excellent! Stoney is great and pretty handy for work. Say hello if you spot me. 👍
Congratulations Rory you have landed a dream job there mate with the most prestigious helicopter company worldwide, well-done mate 👌👍from 🇦🇺
Thanks Alan, glad you enjoyed watching. Cheers
The S-92A Super Hawk is a pretty solid aircraft. Also, its a boring flier. I love boring fliers. No surprises, just does its job. Hopefully you get to go to Coatesville Pa where they put them together. Sadly, last I know they stopped putting them together at Stratford, Ct. plant nearly ten years ago now.
Yeah it feels like a really solid, dependable machine. Always a shame when good things come to an end but we’re keeping our fleet busy on the North Sea. Thanks for watching.
Great video and good to see you back. Safe and happy flying.
Thanks for coming back to watch.
Just awesome, well done Rory 🎉
I’m delighted you enjoyed watching. Thanks
Brilliant - Thank You for this. Certainly you are one highly intelligent Brit. 👍
Ha ha - thanks!
Wow! Great to see you back!
Thank you!
What an epic journey you have had. From your microlight training up to this incredibly complex helicopter. Its an inspiration to any aviator. Good luck with the rest of your career.
Thanks very much Peter. 🚁👍
Welcome back and congratulations 🙂
Cheers!
Great to see your putting content back up and congratulations on achieving your goals. Can't wait to see more as it looks like an amazing job.
Thank you very much. Yes, I hope I can share more in the future.
Good to see you back for a bit Rory well done
Thanks 👍
Nice to see you back Rory, And well done on your achievement.
Many thanks Andy.
Well done! Safe Flying and smooth landing !👍
Thanks, you too!
Brill stuff congrats been great watching your journey thanks for sharing
My pleasure Kevin. Thanks for sticking with me
Ah. The Eric’s. Remember them from my Falklands days 😊
Cheers. 👍
Well done Rory! Fantastic to see your progress and achievements. I look forward to future content about the job!
Great! I hope to share more in the future.
Great to see that your commitment (and expenditure) have paid off. Have watched your videos since the early days of microlight flying and always found them well produced and presented. You have worked for this and it is great to see you get the job that you wanted and have earned.
Thanks Ian, I really appreciate your comment. It’s been a long road but I’m thrilled to be where I am now.
Congratulations Rory, delighted for you.
Many thanks!
Great to see you back.
Thank you.
Congrats!!
Many thanks.
Good to see you back Rory!
Cheers!
Congrats on the job! Great watching, really enjoyed this one :)
Lovely stuff Mark. Thanks for watching
Wow great to see an upload again!! so happy that you got the job you have wanted.
Im very fortunate to be here. Thanks for watching
Superb Rory!
Cheers!
Hi Rory and thanks for the update. So super proud of what you've done achieving your dream career - just shows what you can do when you put your mind and focus to it! Great to see your lovely family, best to you Lizzie and your family.
Thank you Jason, that’s very kind of you.
Well done Rory, sounds great fun and a super job.😁
Thank you for watching. :)
Well done, Rory! 💪🏻
Cheers! 👍
Well done Rory you deserve it all and great to see a success
Thanks so much. 👍
Amazing! Congrats! ❤
Thanks very much!
Well done Rory, your family must be very proud. Lots of hard work gone into that. Happy landings!
Thank you very much. Same to you.
So glad all your hard work has paid off 👏👏👏
Me too! I’m very lucky it has.
Welcome back Rory. Glad you've landed a great job. Thanks for the update. Hope your family is well.
Thank you Gary. Yeah I’m very fortunate.
Congratulations Rory been following you since you started.
Awesome! Thank you.
Fantastic video Rory! Can't wait to see a video of you flying out to the rigs... 😎
Well I’m hopeful about getting that project to fly too. 🤞
Awesome. Living the dream. Congratulations on all the hard work paying off. I look forward to seeing some more content as and when you manage!! Fly safe.
Thank you - yeah I’ll do my best to share more when I can. Cheers.
Great to watch you on this journey so pleased you got your dream job. 😊
Thanks so much! 😊
Wow what a journey you've had, what a wonderful life, thanks for taking us along with you, look forward to seeing more
Thank for sticking with me.
Great to see an update. Jack has grown too. I look forwards to your future updates. And well done on the new job.
Yeah and that clip is a few months old now too. He’s talking quite a bit now. Cheers
Awesome job mate!
Thanks a lot!
Nice video, enjoyable to watch.
Glad you enjoyed it. 👍
Incredible explanation of your journey into your chosen aviation career! Wishing you and your family the very best.
Thank you - that’s very nice of you.
Fantastic update and video Rory, inspirational journey and super high quality production as always. Thanks so much.
Glad you enjoyed it, thank you!
Excellent video Great to be able to watch you in the cockpit of the S92 Look forward to next video All the best👍
Thanks Phil - glad you enjoyed this glimpse into my new world.
Congratulations dude!!! Watched you from the middle bits of you training and I'm so happy to see you flying commercially!!!
Thank you for joining me on my journey. Cheers!
Congrats with everything 👏 Looking forward to hopefully seeing some flights 👍
Thank you very much. 👍
Wow much change! Many congratulations on all fronts, very well deserved ;)
Thank you very much Andy.
As a former US Army Aviator I found your video to be fascinating ! Thanks for posting.
Awesome, thank you! Glad you enjoyed a glimpse into our bit of the helicopter world.
As my flying instructor Julie would say, "Nice one!"
Thank you! 👍
Congratulations, Roy. It's really great to c that ur back with very good news about ur new job. B safe and good luck 10-4🤙🤙🤙🤙🤙
Thank you!
Brilliant video Rory. Look forward to more when you can. Been following you since the early days and great to see you living you’d dream! Best wishes to you, Lizzie, and little Jack.
Thanks very much Richard. I’m chuffed you enjoyed the update.
Lovely stuff mate. What a journey you've had! Proud to call you a friend!
Thank you Nick. You’ve played a great part in my flying story too and I’m grateful for that mate.
Well done mate. You deserve it for the desire and commitment you have shown. I'm really happy for you.
Thank you, that’s very kind.
Congratulations on the job! Also, thanks to Bristow for letting you film. I would love to see more of what the job entails and trips out to the rigs.
Yes, it’s excellent that I’ve been allowed and encouraged to make this. Thanks for watching.
Good to watch the catch up video.Can tell just by the look on your face you are happy with your lifelong dream that has now come true.Keep up the good work and look forward to your next video.
Yes, I’m very fortunate. Thanks for watching.
Omg, absolutely well done 👍- your great example to all, it can be done - congratulations 🎉
Thanks a million Andy. 👍
Well done! I’m really pleased to hear that you’ve made it. You really deserve it and I hope you have a long and successful career. Onwards and upwards….
Thank you so much. Glad you enjoyed the video.
Good for you, Rory!
Thank you!
So impressed Rory, what an amazing journey you have had. A dream come true!! Its been great following you over the last few years. Brilliant stuff 🙂
Well thank you very much indeed! Delighted you enjoyed this one.
Absolutely brilliant!
Thank you!
So cool to see you living your dream. Kudos to you for chasing it so wholeheartedly! Inspiring.
Thank you Jason. I’m very lucky it’s worked out well so far.
awesome video
Glad you enjoyed it. 🤟
Excellent video Rory, great to see how well you have progressed since flying at Mainair. It just goes to show what we’re capable of when we chase our dreams.
I absolutely agree with that and would encourage anyone to follow their passions where they can.
Congratulations Rory! I hope you all the best!
Thank you!
Congratulations Rory. I was actually wondering this week what you were up to. Well done - continue to enjoy, stay safe and I look forward to more videos!
Thank you. Yeah it’s been too long since I posted and it’s nice to check in with the community again.
Well done Rory, having watched you from the early days I'm really happy to see how far you've come. I have a friend who used to work on the oil rigs, so have been treated to many photos over the years of Bristow's fleet
Excellent stuff! Thanks for sticking with me CJ.
Thank you for the update! Super happy and excited for you! Congrats on the growing family! Look forward to seeing more!
Thanks so much. More to come, I hope!
Hello stranger! Great to see some new content!
Thanks for watching. 👍
Congratulations with getting the childhood dream job! Cracking video, good to have back on KZhead.
Much appreciated Paul. It’s nice to be back.
Wonderful to see where you are now, it’s been an amazing journey following your life and passion. I look forward to some in cockpit video of flights and a big thank you to Bristow for letting you, great go see an employer supporting your and our helicopter passions. 👏🏽👏🏽👏🏽👏🏽
Yes, I’m grateful to Bristow for their assistance with this and I hope we can work out a way for me to share more of the job on here. Thanks for watching.
@@RoryOnAir Yeah, Bristows made the right choice there. This is a really professional job (like all your videos) and it makes them look good, so what's not to like? I'd absolutely love to see some flying videos from the cockpit, especially landing at the platform. I used to have to flatten my face against the window to see the helipad coming up, so a pilot's eye view would be brilliant! Cheers.
Congratulations, sir! I know you worked hard to get to this point. I'm glad it has paid off for you. Congratulations from Virginia
Many thanks Ronnie
Congratulations Rory. WELL DONE
Cheers!
Fantastic Rory, it sounds like you've started your professional career in one of the most complex and challenging helicopter environments, many congratulations!!!
We’ll go big or go home they say! It’s a great place to develop lots of useful skills for sure.
Congratulations Rory and welcome back, we've all missed you!
You’re very kind, thank you for coming back!
Facinating update - congrat on the new role Rory!
Thank you kindly. 👍
That's fantastic Rory. Congratulations on the exciting job, your family addition and new house. So much in a short timeframe to deal with. Videos of your flying operations if Bristow allow would be absolutely superb! Happy and safe flying from Australia.
Thanks very much for watching.
Absolutely fantastic. And a little one. You life is awesome. I've seen some of you microlight flights, watched you learning on helicopters through Covid and up to your full commercial licence. Well done on landing this job. I hope it rakes off well. Sorry, couldn't resist.
Ha ha thanks for sticking with me Simon. 👍
great! happy landings!
Thank you. 👍
Well done Rory on your amazing new job at bristow helicopters.all the best regards Mike Yeovil keep safe
Thanks a lot Mike. 👍
Great achievement Rory! Well done. Lovely to see.
Thank you very much. Looks like you’re having fun with your machine this summer.
@@RoryOnAir yes I hope so. Would love another flight with you if we get a chance.
@@irisaviation852 so would I. Hopefully we’ll get a chance.
Ahh this is great Rory, proud of you, internet stranger. And big respect for your partner for being so supportive and relocating so far away from home!
Yeah I’m very lucky that my wife is a legend. She has been incredibly supportive throughout and I couldn’t have done any of this without her. Thanks for watching!
Top man Rory, all the best to you and your family, great to have you back into our lives, as I have said before we live the dream from our armchair with you.
Cheers John. I hope to share more in the future as it really is amazing landing on a rig or moving vessel offshore. Rory
Onwards and upwards Rory 👆👍
Cheers.
Well done Rory well deserved
Thank you. 👍
It's great to see you back I'm so pleased you've got to do you're dream job Hope the family are all well. I hope to see more content if possible Fly safe 🚁
Thanks very much. Yes, Jack is growing up fast. Cheers
Well done Rory!
Thank you!
Well done Rory, Great that your dream came true, still watching all the traffic at Leicester Airport! Rick, Leicester
You keep a watchful eye on that lot Rick! Thanks for watching.
Well done Rory and good luck
Thank you very much.
Very interesting vid Rory, congratulations on getting your job. As a longtime and regular collector of Bristows air miles, its always good to see what goes on in the front seats. Looking forward to seeing some day-to-day offshore stuff and being able to show friends and family how we get to work and what the North Sea is like to fly across.
Thanks very much Rob. I’m glad you found it interesting and I hope I am able to share more of what it’s like flying offshore as it’s a world so few people get to experience.
Fantastic - welcome back and am saving the video for later.
Excellent stuff - I hope you enjoy it.
what a well-grounded chap. thank you for the update. good luck.
Thanks Brian, you’re very kind.