Bristow Helicopters said on Wednesday hat the all Nigerian crew that took a precautionary landing of its helicopter on the ocean about three weeks ago, were all recruited and trained in Nigeria and in the United States of America.
This is just as the airline commends the efforts the crew as such, insisting that all its trainings of its personnel are in accordance with international standards.
It added that the company as operated in Nigeria since 1969, primarily in support of the oil and gas industry and has made and continues to make important contributions to the country over the years, including the training and employment of a significant number of Nigerian national pilots and engineers.
“The all Nigerian crew (the Captain and the First Officer) of Bristow S76C++ helicopter (5N-BQJ), which executed a precautionary landing on 3 February, 2016, were recruited and trained locally in Nigeria and also at the Bristow Academy in Titusville, Florida, in the United States, in accordance with Bristow’s training program.
“Bristow’s training program fully complies with the regulatory requirements of both the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) and international standards. Following their qualification as pilots, the crew was employed by Bristow and continued to undergo recurrent training in line with Bristow’s operating procedures and client requirements and in full compliance with regulatory requirements. The successful water landing of the aircraft by the crew on 3 February, 2016, was accomplished safely and without any significant injuries or loss of life”, the airline said in a statement signed by Tunji Olugbodi.
According to him, the Captain, the first Nigerian female helicopter commander, performed admirably and remains an important member of the Bristow team.
“Safety underpins the company’s core values and the Company supports the NCAA’s audit of its operation of the Sikorsky S76 fleet and the investigation by the Accident Investigation Bureau (AIB) into the incident on 3 February, 2016.
“Furthermore, but without prejudice to the ongoing investigations, Bristow welcomes an industry led external audit of its operations in Nigeria, with the expectation that such initiative will also extend to include the audit of other similar entities active in the Nigerian oil and gas industry, such that any findings can be shared laterally across all operators to further enhance safety”, he added.
Bristow Helicopters (Nigeria) Limited provides aviation services to the offshore energy industry, serving major integrated offshore energy companies in Africa’s oil and gas industry.
With headquarters located in Lagos, Nigeria, Bristow Group’s Africa region comprises operations in Nigeria and affiliate Petroleum Air Services (PAS) in Egypt.
By: Sade Williams
