Bristow pilots, engineers earn N56m, N40m annually

• Helicopter pilots earn more that fixed wing crew

Despite crisis that has rocked Nigeria’s foremost Helicopter operators, the airline’s national pilots and engineers are said to be some of the highest paid in the helicopter business.

A document obtained from the airline puts the annual salaries of pilots and engineers at N56 million ($155, 550) and N40 million ($111, 111) putting them at some of the top earners.

The source who spoke on condition of anonymity because he was not authorised to speak to the media said Bristow has never delayed salaries to its employees.

Pilots are basically divided into fixed wings and rotary wings pilots. Generally a fixed-wing aircraft is an aircraft, which is capable of flight using wings that generate lift caused by the vehicle’s forward airspeed and the shape of the wings.

While a rotor-craft or rotary-wing aircraft is a heavier-than-air flying machine that uses lift generated by wings, called rotary wings or rotor blades that revolve around a mast.

Pilots in these two wings have a different salary scale. Relatively, a fixed-wing pilot earns less than a rotary-wing pilot.

He or she may start with N250, 000 which is relatively low. However, as a fixed wing pilot builds his or her flying hours and progress from mere First Officer (FO) to Senior First Officer (SFO) then to Captain, they start earning slightly over $3,000 to $8,500 depending on what client their company is flying for and their type ratings.

Fixed wing offers the shortest route to becoming a Captain with less earnings. The reverse is the case for rotary wings.

Finally a Nigerian pilot who is a captain (the authority on the aircraft) earns between N500,000 – N1.5million monthly. The specific salary again depends on the airline and the aircraft he captains. (A Cessna captain cannot earn the same salary with a B737 captain).

Local pilots’ salary could be up to N350, 000 to N800, 000 monthly depending on ranks, while N1-2 million are paid to an aircraft pilot working for international airline company.

This is coming amid the shutdown of the airline’s operation by aircraft pilots under the aegis of National Association of Aircraft Pilots and Engineers (NAAPE).

The group has also shut supply of aviation fuel to the airline, a situation that has indefinitely led to the shutdown of the carrier which services the oil and gas sector aside the charter operations it does.

Reacting to the shutdown of operations of the airline by NAAPE, the management in a statement said NAAPE acted without due notification to Bristow and in violation of the relevant labour laws.

 The management lampooned the union and said all allegations made by NAAPE leadership were, “inaccurate”.

According to the management, “For the record, Bristow has acted (and will continue to act) in accordance with all national laws relating to its operations and with respect to its personnel.  In addition, since its inception, Bristow continues to be the leading recruiter and trainer of national engineers and pilots in Nigeria, many of whom have since progressed to take up very senior executive positions within the Bristow Group and other companies operating within Nigeria and internationally”.

 “We will continue with our resolute commitment to the promotion of Nigerian local content, capability and capacity within our industry, despite the very challenging economic climate”.

 It stated that the issues raised by NAAPE have already been subject of ongoing discussions between NAAPE and Bristow, stressing that it is therefore very disappointing that NAAPE has elected to take this premature action contrary to the ongoing dialogue and spirit of partnership that exists between the parties”.

This is coming amid crisis that is rocking the airline as the National

Wole Shadare