Offshore unions backed by TUC
The TUC has backed a motion calling for a concerted campaign to resist "commercial pressures" that offshore unions say could erode safety standards, cut jobs and training.
CHC
Industry defends itself against claims of ‘compromising safety’
The industry has robustly defended itself against claims that looming pilot cuts were compromising safety. British Airline Pilots’ Association’s (BALPA) General Secretary Jim McAuslan, said pilots were at risk as the await final confirmation of job losses. McAuslan spoke to Energy Voice after surveying its members for current sentiment.
Pilot union fights Super Puma ruling
A ruling that investigators should hand over flight safety data from a fatal North Sea helicopter crash to Scotland’s leading prosecutor is being challenged.
BALPA considers appealing black box decision for Sumburgh’s Super Puma crash
A pilots' union is considering whether to appeal a landmark legal decision to release the black box recorder from the Super Puma which crashed off Sumburgh in 2013 killing four oil industry workers. The British Airline Pilots' Association (BALPA) is due to announce this week whether it intends to try and block the release of the recordings to prosecutors. Earlier, Lord Advocate Frank Mulholland successfully argued at the Court of Session that the black box should be released to the Crown Office in order to speed the investigation into whether any criminal proceedings should be brought in connection with the crash. Sarah Darnley, 45, from Elgin, Gary McCrossan, 59, from Inverness, Duncan Munro, 46, from Bishop Auckland and George Allison, 57, from Winchester died when the Super Puma crashed two miles off the coast at Sumburgh, in August 2013.
CHC boss nominated for Scottish director award
The Aberdeen-based leader of CHC Helicopters has been named as a finalist in the Scottish Director of the Year awards. Mark Abbey, who was recently appointed as the new co-chair of the Helicopter Safety Steering Group, has been heavily involved in the company's West North Sea regional operations. Under his stewardship, CHC has been awarded a number of contracts with oil and gas producers including Statoil and Total.
Fleet’s grounding means CHC losses
North Sea helicopter provider CHC has chalked up losses of £1.4million due to the grounding of its fleet of Airbus-made EC225 Super Pumas. The Canadian company yesterday said the temporary suspension of its EC225 fleet had an “adverse effect” on its results for the year ended 30 April 2014 when pre-tax profits fell 60% to £3.3million. Turnover rose 1.19% to £180million for the year due to contract wins and efficiencies, the firm said.
Super Puma makes emergency landing
A Super Puma has made an emergency landing at Aberdeen International Airport. The CHC Super Puma L2 helicopter had two crew on board and no passengers when the incident happened. The flight had been coming into Aberdeen when it made a request for priority landing.
CHC to invest millions in Aberdeen facilities
CHC Helicopter is set to invest millions of pounds to transform its facilities in Aberdeen. The company plans to deliver the expansion of its hangar capacity, passenger terminal and provide for a new operations centre. The development will be delivered in two phases.
Fire alert forces helicopter into emergency landing
A helicopter with seven people on board was forced to make an emergency landing in Shetland yesterday. A full scale emergency was declared at Sumburgh Airport, and the emergency services were called to the busy airport.