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Aviation History
1964
1964 - 0533.PDF
322 FLIGHT International, 27 February (964 OFFSHORE OIL ... and bolt to a side of beef. Each wellhead is normally unmanned, its flow of oil being remotely controlled by telemetering equipment from a shore station on Das; but repairs and servicing must take place, and very often Bristow's pilots perform dozens of landings and take-offs per day on these tiny platforms miles out in the ocean. Frequently a servicing crew may be dropped on a wellhead in the morning and picked up in the evening after working there for the day. The Gnome Whirlwinds can carry up to nine passengers, or a mixture of passengers and freight up to a maximum payload of 1,5001b over 140 n.m. For safety reasons the aircraft are fitted with floats in place of the conventional landing gear; but, looking down from one of these machines into the clear blue water and seeing large hungry sharks, one is happy to accept the slight performance restrictions imposed by the floats. The crews are unanimous in their praise of the Gnome-engined Whirlwind. One of Bristow's senior pilots on Das, Spencer Allen, says: "We have no difficulties now we have the turbine—I feel that it gives the Whirlwind the all- the outside world are the radio station and the Gulf Aviation charter aircraft to and from Bahrain. Completing the Bristow contingent in the Gulf area are the two Gnome Whirlwinds based at Khosrowabad, near Abadan, some 450 miles from Das. They are performing a very similar task to that of the Das Whhlwinds, although their operations are in general characterized by longer range trips. One aircraft is stationed on Kharg Island, approximately 100 miles south-east of Abadan, the other at Khosrowabad itself. Their work is mainly concerned with the rig known as Pan One, operated by the Iranian Pan- American Oil Co and situated some 50 miles off Kharg Island. The two Whirlwinds are flown by Alistair Gordon (chief pilot), Bob Balls and Bill Farnell. Chief engineer James Macaskill, with a staff of four mechanics, keeps the aircraft serviceable; and again Bristol Siddeley are on hand. Service engineer Don Bartram, who also looks after the AGIP Agusta Bell 204Bs over at Khorramshahr, has been in the area since October 1962. AGIP Mineraria is part of the Italian Government's National Hydrocarbon Group, and at the moment is operating two drilling platforms, one fixed and one mobile, in the Persian Gulf. The furthest of these is 100 miles from the base camp, and the advan- tages of helicopter communications are easy to appreciate when Men on the job. (Left) With local assistance, Bristow pilot Spencer Allen performs an Arabian rope trick. (Centre) Using the Gnome cowling as a sunshade are Bristol Siddeley service engineer Don Bertram, left, and Bristow pilot Bob Balls. (Right) Bartram with Jean Dennel, ground engineer at Khosrowabad, discussing the Hawker S/dde/ey Dynamics engine control computer weather performance for which it was designed." Serviceability of the aircraft is the responsibility of Bristow's chief engineer on the island, Bill Petrie, backed by a staff of four Europeans, one Indian fitter, one Pakistani fitter and two Arab labourers. Bristol Siddeley service engineer Bryan Avery is resident on Das and is responsible for advising and generally assisting Petrie and his staff on Gnome engine matters. All the pilots are impressed by the handling characteristics of the Whirlwind, particularly by the "third hand" in the cockpit, afforded by the engine's automatic electrically controlled fuel system. This allows for intricate operations to be carried out with more safety and with less fatigue for the pilot, particularly in adverse weather. The compact box can just be seen in a picture above. Since its primitive beginnings in 1956 Das Island has become a thriving colony of 280 Europeans and 1,400 non-Europeans. Their rather monastic existence is relieved by comfortable living condi- tions and recreational facilities par excellence. A clubhouse— including a bar, billiards and table tennis rooms and library—is the centre of the social life, while outside in the almost incessant sun- shine there are several cinemas, a go-kart track, a golf course (browns instead of greens, of course), a cricket pitch, a swimming pool, four floodlit tennis courts and countless other facilities for all tastes. It is a happy community, though its only contacts with translated into a base-to-rig flight time of just over one hour, com- pared with llhr by boat. At the present time eight AGIP wells have been completed and seven are in production. The Khorram- shahr base camp is in the charge of Dr Carlo Sarchi, who is full of praise for the efficiency and usefulness of the 204B. Personnel comprising the helicopter group are four pilots, five mechanics and three locally employed "boys." Prior to the intro- duction to the 204B none of the pilots had ever handled a gas turbine engine of any kind, but flying this helicopter proved so simple that they were soon enthusiastic about it. The automatic control, keep- ing the main rotor r.p.m. constant, is of particular value to them in this area when strong winds and severe turbulence are experienced during the winter months. As with the Whirlwinds, no reduction in payload is necessary during the hot, humid summer; in fact, the engine has been operating equally well in temperatures varying from —2°C to 54°C, a considerable range by any standards. As in the Whirlwinds, nine passengers and additional equipment loads can be carried even over long hauls. The two 204Bs are putting in approximately 70hr pef tnonyl between them, carrying personnel, equipment and supplies to trie rigs as well as being on permanent stand-by for emergencies. u# is often made of the float support structure to carry long lengths o drilling pipe; and, with quickly detachable seats, very bulky objects
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