Magnificent Men and their Flying Machines

This is for those of you who are interested in Dudley’s work set-up here in Seychelles.
At present (end of March 2008), Helicopter Seychelles has 4 Jet Rangers, 9 pilots and 3 trained engineers, as well as 2 assistant engineers. The number of pilots and engineers changes often. An Augusta 109 - a twin engined helicopter - has been purchased and is on its way from the States to Seychelles. It should arrive by the end of May.
The pilots and engineers come from all over the world. Also, more recently, Seychellois men are being trained in the States on an ongoing basis and then come back here to fly for the company. As this is very expensive, they are then committed to a 10 year contract with HSL.
Most of the work is transfers – flying clients from the airport (on the main island of Mahe) to resorts on the smaller islands. They also do sight-seeing flights, under-sling work (e.g. lifting freight from boats onto islands), rat eradication (a special bucket hangs under the helicopter and distributes pellets) and surveys. Over the Easter weekend, Dudley took some people way down south to survey the coral reefs off Des Roches, Alphonse and Farquar. Most of the flying is over the sea.
Sometimes in their off times on trips, they are able to fish. Dudley took his rods on this recent trip, but sadly the fishing was disappointing. If he’d had more time, a boat and known where the good spots were, perhaps he’d have caught something more worthwhile…….

But it’s quite a nice job really…….!