HYLA BREESE

Hyla Breese graduated from Helicopter Adventures, Inc. in 2005. He now flies for Dancopter in Denmark.

“In March 2005 I found myself heading off to HAI to continue my helicopter training after gaining my PPL(H) in the UK. After my training through the FAA programs I was hired by HAI as a CFI, later becoming a FI on the JAA CPL(H) program. At the end of 2006 I then headed back to the UK where I did some instructing before completing my JAA IR(H). I  was employed by DanCopter A/S while finishing off my IR. DanCopter HQ is in Esbjerg, Denmark with a base also in Den Helder, Holland which is where I am now based flying out to the rigs in the busy Dutch North Sea sector. I love every aspect of the job.

As most will know the North Sea can be pretty treacherous, especially in winter, and that coupled with the fact that there may be three to four other helicopters in the same small sector, all flying radar approaches in the mist trying to land onto a heli-deck at night in the fog. It makes for some challenging flying- there is nothing like it.

I fly the EC155 (Eurocopter) which is an excellent helicopter for offshore operations and a dream to fly with a full glass cockpit and a cruising speed around 155kts. The 155 is ultra smooth, quiet with very little vibrations- the passengers like the 155 for those reasons and certainly makes our jobs easier and ultimately safer. 

The work involves flying rig workers, scientific equipment, spare parts, drilling samples, food, dangerous goods and even cleaners out to platforms. A shuttle is a flight that involves hopping from platform to platform, moving people and cargo around- this operation is what we do most of the time. 18 deck stops in a shuttle is not unheard of, a total of 3 hours flying time. However, the majority of shuttles are 2 hours long- just a normal day in the Dutch North Sea sector.

I have a 2 weeks on and 2 weeks off schedule which gives me the freedom to go wherever I like during my time off. The flight and duty times are heavily regulated so the time off is required by law.  I like it as it gives me the opportunity to go home to Australia more often and be with friends and family more.

My time at HAI certainly put me in good stead for what I do now, the theoretical and practical flying skills gained were invaluable, not to mention all those approaches to palm trees certainly paid off (simulating an oil rig, so my instructor told me and I told my students). Now the palm trees are made of steel with water surrounding them.

I've heard people say it must be boring flying offshore doing the same thing each day- it couldn't be further from the truth. It's a job I love and will for years to come because there is something different happening each time we fly and enough challenges to keep you on your toes.”