Australian Army pilots head to offshore operators over pay levels

Australian Army pilots head to offshore operators over pay levels

17-Dec-2012 Source: HeliHub.com

Local press in Australia is reporting a big outflow of helicopter pilots from the Australian Army, many heading for the offshore operators where they can double their pay and fly less hours.

In the last year, 22 helicopter pilots have left, including 12 at the rank of Major.  A further 8 are on leave to see out their remaining time, while a further 15 are currently in negotiation to leave the Army, potentially taking the total to 45.

Many of these pilots are expected to head to Australia’s north west where commercial operators are expected to hire 30-50 pilots in 2013 to support offshore rigs.  They would expect to approximately double their military salary, which would be approximately 100,000 Australian Dollars.

Other causes for the moves include the Army’s decision not to pay its pilots a $17,000-a-year “capability bonus” negotiated by local Air Force pilots, and ongoing problems with fumes in the cockpit on the Tiger fleet – local press now quoting “up to seven” aircraft affected, and a total of 24 fume incidents.  They also said that “one two-person crew overcome by fumes had no memory of landing their seven-tonne machine”, but without further evidence provided it is difficult to determine how much “journalistic licence” was used in that report

Graham Stevens – HeliHub.com Australasia correspondent

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