Technology Adaptation in Offshore Oil Operations

For Enhanced Safety and Efficiency without Compromise

Gladstone Aerospace Corporation and their Newfoundland-based operation, Gladstone Systems Solutions, have been working closely with Cougar Helicopters for the past two years to assist with key technology development programs. Cougar has an advanced approach towards challenging flight operations. They have implemented a methodical approach that leverages core expertise to implement safe and efficient operations.

Background

Cougar Helicopters Inc. is Canada’s premier offshore oil and gas helicopter service provider with permanent facilities in St. John’s and Halifax, supporting the oil and gas fields off the coast of Newfoundland and Nova Scotia. Currently, Cougar Helicopters operates a fleet of Sikorsky S92, S61 and S76 and Augusta Westand 139 helicopters, offering customers first class service and a safety record second to none.

Cougar utilizes their fleet daily flying along the North Atlantic Coast, an area that experiences some of the world’s most demanding weather conditions, including freezing precipitation.
These demanding flight conditions have required Cougar to develop in-house technical and operational strengths to support Canada’s offshore oil production. In addition, they have developed new methods and equipment for marine search and rescue, to implement a unique offshore helicopter service, with advanced technical knowledge in avionics, aerospace engineering and aviation human factors.

Over the past 10 years, Cougar has partnered with Government, Academic and Industry Players to field an operationally proficient company and technically competent people. Working diligently with start-ups, mid-size companies and multinationals to incorporate unique technical solutions into their operations, Cougar is committed to the safety and efficiency of transporting personnel to offshore installations.

The Dispatch and Passenger Control-Advanced Command and Control Systems

Using a series of software applications, satellite communications and experienced operators, Cougar has implemented a state-of-the-art civilian command and control system at the St. John’s Airport. Through this system, Cougar knows the state and location of their passengers and aircraft at any point in time. This advanced system allows key senior flight personnel to communicate with all line pilots through home base communication systems and portable systems such as blackberries and cell phones.

Extended Range of Operation

Through advanced research and development conducted in St. John’s, Newfoundland, Cougar has developed a turn-key solution for extending the range of their S-92 fleet. This unique patented solution has launched an internal research and development program that involves government, academia and industry. This is an example of Cougar’s internal capacity to conduct advanced research and commercialize that advanced internal R&D into real operational solutions that increase the safety and efficiency of their offshore operations.

New Cockpit Technologies for Penetrating: Poor Weather Conditions

Cougar Helicopters has lead the definition and design of a new cockpit technology for penetrating poor weather. This visionary R&D program lead by Cougar Helicopters involved assembling a national team of experts from academia, industry and government. Working closely with their client base and key stakeholders, Cougar has launched an advanced cockpit technologies, program that will broadly serve the safety and efficiency of their operations.

Synthetic Training Technologies – Innovative Approaches Towards Training

Cougar, like other aerospace companies in the sector, is currently facing acute shortages of highly qualified personnel that have been exacerbated by “grey-out”, whereby older experienced workers are retiring and critical knowledge is not being effectively transferred to the younger workforce. In addition, traditional approaches to training do not exploit the aptitudes of newer trainees who have been raised with computers and virtual games. Cougar has identified a need to enhance their use of synthetic and virtual training technologies by advancing their internal training programs. Tailoring simulator technologies to the unique requirements of their offshore operations, Cougar has built their technical advancements on a core team of training expertise, resident in the organization.

Safety – A Cultural Imperative: Core Expertise and Technology Adaptation

Mr. Ken Norie, President and CEO of VIH Aviation Group of Companies and owner of Cougar Helicopters, has established a corporate culture of adapting advanced technologies on a foundation of core operational expertise. Mr. Norie’s cultural imperative of “No Compromise” is that “No operation or business opportunity, either new or ongoing should ever compromise safety or unduly affect our accepted levels of risk. This is evident in all of Cougar’s technical and operational programs in which Cougar has recruited a cadre of highly-trained experts with years of experience. This experience is furthered with additional training, and has advanced this subject matter by creating partnerships with industry, academia and government. Cougar follows these three steps as a matter of process in adapting new technologies into their offshore operations.

Operational Experts and Technical Leader

Cougar is one of the advanced subject matter experts in adapting technology to their unique requirements. They continue to demonstrate thought and technology leadership coupled with tactical expertise to safely integrate technologies into their operations. These strengths have come into play in supporting Canada’s first offshore oil production and pioneering new methods and equipment for marine search and rescue. Every new contract is a challenge – to advance innovatively and continually improve every standard and every area of their operations. On the cutting edge of technology development and innovation, Cougar continues to be an important player to watch in the days to come.