DAVID PRESTON

David Preston graduated from Bristow Academy in 1998. He now works for CHC Scotia flying out of their Humberside base in the UK.

"I fly offshore logistical support for the oil and gas industry in the Southern North Sea. A normal day involves transferring work crews and essential freight out to the oil and gas rigs in all weathers, day or night. Aside from the routine flights we're also called upon to change crews onto drilling vessels and survey ships and provide medical evacuation for offshore personnel. I love the job as it's never the same day twice at work. Whether it's planning to offer the maximum payload for a long route or flying a difficult instrument procedure, tackling the severe winter weather, or landing on the deck of a ship in rough seas flying in the North Sea always provides a challenge to keep me working and concentrating hard."

NEIL HAMILTON-SMITH

Neil Hamilton-Smith graduated from Bristow Academy in 1995. He currently works for CHC Scotia flying out of their Great Yarmouth base in the UK.

"I have been flying the North Sea for nearly six years now. Firstly, out of Aberdeen, Scotland flying Super Pumas in the Northern North Sea and latterly as Captain on Sikorsky S76's in the southern sector. Flying the S76 is a real buzz. It's sleek and fast and our machines have to be hand flown all the time, they don't have 'couplers', which make instrument flying a real challenge.

My job involves moving personnel and equipment to the gas fields off the coast of East Anglia, England. We fly from on-shore to the platforms, which can be up to 100 nautical miles off-shore, and then shuttle between the platforms for up to three hours at a time. We do this in all weathers, both day and night.

Our routes and payloads change constantly with our customers immediate needs. And, our fuel requirements change with the weather as we must maintain our legal fuel minimums, to our designated on-shore alternates, throughout the flight. It is a constant mind game.

It is extra-ordinary, but I never tire of flying helicopters. Every day is different. Every day brings new challenges. It's a practical job that keeps my mind active, and that's why I love what I do."

SEAN BAILEY

Sean Bailey graduated from Bristow Academy in 1994. He is now a commander in the Mark 2 Super Puma.