NILS BERGAN

Nils Bergan graduated from Bristow Academy in October 1996. He now works for Evergreen Helicopters, Inc.

“My name is Nils Bergan. I am a 5,000 hour ATP/ CFII pilot. I started my helicopter training at Bristow Academy when the school was located in Concord, CA in February of 1996 after serving almost 3.5 years in the Norwegian Army. In October I earned my CFI and Bristow Academy hired me as a flight instructor in November. I worked for Bristow Academy until July of 1999. During my tenure with Bristow Academy I taught the Private Ground School for one year, and I ended up teaching all VFR courses at one point or another including Mountain, Sling and CFI. When I left, I had about 1,800 hours.

I then spent a year in the Grand Canyon flying tours gaining turbine experience in BH206 and AS350 airframes.

Since February 2001 I have worked for Evergreen Aviation, Alaska Division. Some of the jobs I have done are heli-skiing, drill moves, firefighting, EMS, disaster relief, military and scientific support. I am long-line, hoist, OAS and NVG qualified. This year (2006) I maintain currency in BH206, BH212, BH214ST, AS350 and BK117 airframes. I am also a company instructor and check airman. Work has taken me all the way from the arctic polar cap to the jungles of the Far East.

Looking back, some of the most challenging and rewarding experiences as a pilot I had at Bristow Academy. The professional environment and very high standards instilled in a pilot at Bristow Academy has paid dividends in my career later on.”

JUERG ABPLANALP

Juerg Abplanalp graduated from Bristow Academy in 2001. He now flies for Columbia Helicopters.

“The job for the 500 and for the 500 pilot, of course, is to support the big logging helicopter. The main thing is to fly all the people into the woods, since it’s such a difficult terrain. That’s also one of the reasons that helicopters are used for logging in the first place. The whole thing starts with the timber fallers. Usually a month before any logging helicopter shows up fallers start working to cut all the timber. That’s real interesting work for the 500 since there is no one else out here in the bush. It can get rough, but it’s also great fun. It also means that there is no mechanic close by. That will make you take care of your aircraft especially well, and if something does break it will be a challenge to get someone out here to get it fixed.

The helicopter is the main way to get around. Once the logging helicopter shows up, up here in my case right now this is a Vertol 107, the whole things changes a bit. The cutters still have to be flown in and out of the woods, but in addition we also have the rigging crew that wants a ride into the woods. Also the riggers need to get their chockers to set their turns, which will be done by the 500 once in a while. That’s the chance when the 500 pilot gets to work on his long line skills. The long line is a 200 foot steel cable. Who ever has flown with a line under the helicopter will know what 200 feet of cable will do to you. The 500 is also used for charter flights. Even though charter it’s not Columbia’s main business you can charter a helicopter pretty much any time. Up here in Alaska, where helicopters are a common way to travel, that is used quite a bit.

Up here in Alaska we are heli-logging because the terrain doesn't allow any other type of logging. For the helicopter to land the cutters will prepare a heliport, which is typically two supported logs, just far enough apart so the skids fits on it. The hill is usually so steep the rotor blades are only a few feet away from the hillside, while the tail is sticking far out. A lot of precision is necessary to land on these heliports to make sure that you don't fall off. Columbia requires the 500 pilots to land within 6 inches of a designated spot before they qualify someone in the aircraft. Now we just throw in some wind with the turbulence that comes with it on such a hillside, and we’ve got a challenge going!

Flying for Columbia is a big challenge and an experience you probably wouldn't get anywhere else. Its a blast (well most of the time at least)!