Back on Course

I'm back in Aberdeen and hard at it, except instead of sitting in the back as instructor and creating mayhem for others, I'm up front dealing with all sorts of things going all sorts of wrong.  There's nothing like a level D simulator for testing one's mettle!  Needless to mention, we can't get enough and are having way too much fun!  There have been plenty of changes over the holidays, the biggest being I won't actually be flying the AS332L2 on my next gig, as they've swapped to AW139s for reasons above my pay grade.  I think I'm the only original guy still on this upcoming job as I just came off AW139s, but they wanted me to complete the AS332L2 conversion for future opportunities, and I certainly am not going to complain.  The recent nose dive of oil prices has the more expensive exploration jobs being set aside, and it's hurting.  Jobs are being cancelled all over, and it's nice to bring some flexibility to the table.

It's somehow comforting to return to a place one knows,  and everyone is glad to be back in Aberdeen.  Driving into the training centre each morning, there's a steady stream of Pumas and S92s launching off into the cold North Sea, the sound of helicopters idling, hovering, taking off and landing, never ceases, and the energy of the place is infectious.  It's all sense of purpose and working class, vibrant and dynamic despite the unrelenting grey, the permeating cold damp and drizzly weather.  Apart from the climate, it reminds me of forest fire bush camps in the Canadian North when I was starting out, but those skies were full of water bombers, Cansos and CL215s, 204s and 205s, Jetrangers and Longrangers and AStars, and the nearest entertainment was whatever stream one could find to cast a line.  But the energy and sounds of multiple helos doing their thing rekindles fond memories.

Fine single malt Scotches and old castles, and we've found some very good grub.  One just has to explore a little.  I've hit a few more Celtic castles, a few more ancient pubs, and with a couple of weeks to go, I'm sure to hit a few more....