Bladestrike

Perhaps read the original post prior to posting a sarcastic comment?

As far as international touring goes, I spoke with a buddy today in Kazakhstan that is stuck there for the next four months, followed by four months off. Another buddy is stuck in Ghana for the foreseeable future. I'm SUPPOSED to be back to my government gig in the Caribbean the end of April if the government allows any foreigners in at that time, which will certainly be followed by 14 days quarantine, if I can travel at all. We proposed two month tours to help out but it may turn into 3 or 4 months...

Yes, Amazon only allows me to offer the Kindle digital version (as per my original post) for free for a maximum of 5 days. They will not allow me to offer the paperback for free.

As a lot of us are stuck at home, I've set my novel free of charge for download (Kindle) to whittle away a couple of hours. On Amazon free for the next five days. It’s a fictional tale of a timid man’s first overseas tour (East Africa - where i spent quite a few years), and things get a little nuts. It’s been well received in the literary community with plenty of good reviews. I hope you enjoy it! The Helicopter Pilot

Still on salary for the time being but nearly impossible to get back and forth to work overseas. My back2back and I offered to do two month tours and hopefully things are normalized enough by the end of April to allow my return. We're considered essential so fingers crossed....

Thanks!

My friend Stephen Ryan, pilot for the Maryland Police, has an active helicopter blog some here may find interesting; The Rotor Break My Latest Entry

I think I actually did 16 hours one day but don't have that logbook with me. I tend to remember things wrong, or so the wife tells me. I do recall doing 180 hours in 19 days back in the 80s, inertial nav survey. 180 was the limit in 30 days so I had to stop early.

If pushing my book is allowed....I wrote a novel awhile back. Its done quite well with great reviews, about a pedantic pilot's first tour overseas. Give you an idea of the things you have to deal with. The Helicopter Pilot - A Novel Fictional, mostly...... Plus a recent article in Vertical Magazine; ferry trip from Gabon to Poland; Ferry Flight Article

Highly recommended! Its quite the experience to make a living while exploring other cultures and seeing the world. There's good times and bad times, from armed compounds to five star resorts on the beach. I've flown in 32 different countries now, my favourites being Kenya and Gabon, and I'm now in Trinidad & Tobago and its a sweet gig. Best if you can get into the exploration end of things as you'll bounce around a lot more on short term contracts, as opposed to production where you could spend an entire career in one spot. Hot spots now are Ghana and Guyana. Mostly European companies with the contracts in Africa (my favourite continent) so without an EU passport or EASA ticket its difficult. I think Everett is looking in East Africa. And if you get into it, remember to explore! So many guys that tour stay at either the hotel or at work the entire tour. I figure you spend half your life away, best to enjoy it, hang out with locals, go hiking and mountain biking, fishing, etc see all there is to see.

The custom fitted CEPs are worth it. They take some getting used to initially but I've got thousands of hours on 61s (not so bad) and Super Pumas (high pitched whine) with them in a Alpha Eagle helmet, also have used them in a pair of David Clarks. Never replaced them, still in good shape. Worth the investment in a noisy aircraft. Luckily I'm on AW139s now and noise cancelling Bose (supplied) work great. They sucked in the Pumas with the windows open.

Having faced this repeatedly, and being considered a bit of a rogue, I tend to bite my tongue to get the job done, within reason. I tend to apply the following far too often; “Rules are for the guidance of wise men and for the obedience of fools - Douglas Bader” I believe common sense is sorely lacking these days, but you have to stick your neck out pretty far sometimes to apply it.

Lucky Bugger. I miss flying. I'm writing operation manuals and training programs for a foreign government, with the odd demo flight for the CAA. Mostly meetings with the quality department and the sole CAA inspector (plus deep sea fishing and days at the beach), but I do get plenty of playing in the sim. Moving towards flying SAR and bucketing with a 139....can't wait! Thanks but I'm good with those 206 numbers. Lost a favourite hat bucketing without doors in the 80s.....

Perfect! Thank you Sir!

Yup, had a CD out a few years back.... Sea level is fine.