CATHAL OAKES

Cathal Oakes graduated from Bristow Academy in 1996. He now works for Canadian Helicopter Corporation (CHC) on contract to the Irish Coastguard.

"We have three Search and Rescue (SAR) bases and one oil support aircraft here in Ireland. Of 32 total pilots nine are ex Bristow Academy!!! We work approximately nine 24 hour shifts per month. Each shift starts at 1300... we are on base on 15 minute readiness. We go home on bleepers at 2100 and are on 45 min readiness until 0730 when we come back on base until 1300.

Each SAR base has a training allowance of 50 hours per month to use as we please to stay current and proficient in all the procedures we use (winching, mountains, IFR etc) both day and night. Each individual pilot will do about 20 hours per month and about 35 callouts per year. Callouts can range from 30 minutes to 8 or more hours depending on the job. We usually have a range at or near 200 nm. Lots of fun at 3am in a 60 kt gale!"