Comments on: Helicopter Operations in the Gulf of Mexico http://waynefarley.com/aviation/2009/09/helicopter-operations-in-the-gulf-of-mexico/ The Air Traffic Controllers Weblog Thu, 02 Feb 2012 11:57:27 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.9.2 hourly 1 By: Wayne Farley http://waynefarley.com/aviation/2009/09/helicopter-operations-in-the-gulf-of-mexico/comment-page-1/#comment-348 Wayne Farley Mon, 08 Mar 2010 10:04:38 +0000 http://waynefarley.com/aviation/?p=402#comment-348 The NAVY .... I guess! The NAVY …. I guess!

]]> By: a.m.das http://waynefarley.com/aviation/2009/09/helicopter-operations-in-the-gulf-of-mexico/comment-page-1/#comment-321 a.m.das Tue, 26 Jan 2010 13:49:06 +0000 http://waynefarley.com/aviation/?p=402#comment-321 Quite interesting. Quite interesting.

]]> By: T. Rashid http://waynefarley.com/aviation/2009/09/helicopter-operations-in-the-gulf-of-mexico/comment-page-1/#comment-282 T. Rashid Tue, 13 Oct 2009 00:23:36 +0000 http://waynefarley.com/aviation/?p=402#comment-282 Thanks for the post Wayne, I am a military helicopter pilot that has mostly flown overwater, (guess what service) I am trying to learn as much as possible about offshore aviation support so I can fill in the gaps in my experience when I leave the armed forces. Thanks for the post Wayne, I am a military helicopter pilot that has mostly flown overwater, (guess what service) I am trying to learn as much as possible about offshore aviation support so I can fill in the gaps in my experience when I leave the armed forces.

]]> By: Dereck Wayne http://waynefarley.com/aviation/2009/09/helicopter-operations-in-the-gulf-of-mexico/comment-page-1/#comment-98 Dereck Wayne Tue, 08 Sep 2009 21:16:21 +0000 http://waynefarley.com/aviation/?p=402#comment-98 Wayne you have that right, I operate out of Macaé, and there have been some problems operating inside of Macaé's TMA. When heading to shore we are transfered to Macaé control and fly normal traffic patterns. Then sometimes you recieve instructions to return or go to another platform,you had already been transfered to Macaé control, you then have to ask Macaé control to transfer you back to the other TMA, and they in turn have to hook you up again, this can be very frustrating, especially at the end of the day when you are tired. There are many things on documents that are not implemented in real life. We are awaiting a lot of changes. The problem is convincing the owners of the choppers to put up to date navigation instruments on all the aircraft, which they say is expensive. Wayne you have that right, I operate out of Macaé, and there have been some problems operating inside of Macaé’s TMA. When heading to shore we are transfered to Macaé control and fly normal traffic patterns. Then sometimes you recieve instructions to return or go to another platform,you had already been transfered to Macaé control, you then have to ask Macaé control to transfer you back to the other TMA, and they in turn have to hook you up again, this can be very frustrating, especially at the end of the day when you are tired. There are many things on documents that are not implemented in real life. We are awaiting a lot of changes. The problem is convincing the owners of the choppers to put up to date navigation instruments on all the aircraft, which they say is expensive.

]]> By: Wayne Farley http://waynefarley.com/aviation/2009/09/helicopter-operations-in-the-gulf-of-mexico/comment-page-1/#comment-97 Wayne Farley Tue, 08 Sep 2009 13:48:58 +0000 http://waynefarley.com/aviation/?p=402#comment-97 Thanks Dereck Wayne for an insight into the Campos Basin operation. Because of the heavy traffic in the Campos Basin, Brazil is implementing ADS-B for surveillance. This is scheduled for completion in December 2010. In addition, as of May 2009 IFR flights without GNSS equipment are not authorized in in the Macaé TMA which is adjacent to the Campos Basin. Thanks Dereck Wayne for an insight into the Campos Basin operation.

Because of the heavy traffic in the Campos Basin, Brazil is implementing ADS-B for surveillance. This is scheduled for completion in December 2010. In addition, as of May 2009 IFR flights without GNSS equipment are not authorized in in the Macaé TMA which is adjacent to the Campos Basin.

]]> By: Dereck Wayne http://waynefarley.com/aviation/2009/09/helicopter-operations-in-the-gulf-of-mexico/comment-page-1/#comment-96 Dereck Wayne Tue, 08 Sep 2009 02:42:59 +0000 http://waynefarley.com/aviation/?p=402#comment-96 Flying offshore here in Brazil is the same as in the Gulf except that we have a very congested traffic situation. We move about 40,000 personel per month between platforms and land. I fly in the Campos Basin where there are about 8 different companies flying over 30 choppers in this area all day. Because of the intensity of traffic in the Campos Basin, and since flying over the sea at low altitudes make contact with the regular ATC difficult, we have a TMA sector totally dedicated to our flights so it is easy to communicate with the controllers responsible for that area. The problem with the number of aircraft flying in the same area is that crossing routes are constant. All the pilots are aware of the danger and thus maintain bilateral contact with the controller, base operations and other aircraft when possible. Sometimes we are caught by surprise crossing in front of other aircraft especially when controllers are changing shifts. Most of the choppers, however, are equipped with TCAS. Other Basins fall within controlled zones around airports, so traffic within these are monitored by the respective towers. There are no TMAs or control areas dedicated to our flights outside the Campos Basin. This is just an idea of what offshore flying is like here in Brazil. Flying offshore here in Brazil is the same as in the Gulf except that we have a very congested traffic situation. We move about 40,000 personel per month between platforms and land. I fly in the Campos Basin where there are about 8 different companies flying over 30 choppers in this area all day.

Because of the intensity of traffic in the Campos Basin, and since flying over the sea at low altitudes make contact with the regular ATC difficult, we have a TMA sector totally dedicated to our flights so it is easy to communicate with the controllers responsible for that area. The problem with the number of aircraft flying in the same area is that crossing routes are constant. All the pilots are aware of the danger and thus maintain bilateral contact with the controller, base operations and other aircraft when possible. Sometimes we are caught by surprise crossing in front of other aircraft especially when controllers are changing shifts. Most of the choppers, however, are equipped with TCAS.

Other Basins fall within controlled zones around airports, so traffic within these are monitored by the respective towers. There are no TMAs or control areas dedicated to our flights outside the Campos Basin.

This is just an idea of what offshore flying is like here in Brazil.

]]> By: Paul Tyrrell http://waynefarley.com/aviation/2009/09/helicopter-operations-in-the-gulf-of-mexico/comment-page-1/#comment-95 Paul Tyrrell Mon, 07 Sep 2009 21:54:43 +0000 http://waynefarley.com/aviation/?p=402#comment-95 Thanks Wayne...something for our country officals to take note on how to utilise the available technology that can benefit the interior locations Thanks Wayne…something for our country officals to take note on how to utilise the available technology that can benefit the interior locations

]]> By: Rayvon Bobb http://waynefarley.com/aviation/2009/09/helicopter-operations-in-the-gulf-of-mexico/comment-page-1/#comment-94 Rayvon Bobb Mon, 07 Sep 2009 15:47:08 +0000 http://waynefarley.com/aviation/?p=402#comment-94 Very informative piece and factual too. I appreciate it. Very informative piece and factual too. I appreciate it.

]]>