Pilot Careers
I Get Paid for This…
Anja Eriksen Providing offshore crew transport, Anja Eriksen flies the H175 from Aberdeen to oil rigs in the North Sea. Interview by Yayeri van Baarsen
How did you get into flying?
Without understanding why, as a child I always felt drawn towards aeroplanes in the sky and the sun’s reflection on them. Then at about 14 I watched Top Gun and it just hit me. I sat in front of the screen, eyes and mouth wide open – from that moment I knew I wanted to fly. Tell us about your job?
I’m an offshore pilot for NHV UK, flying the H175 from our main base in Aberdeen, Scotland. The H175 has room for 16 passengers and we usually fly twice a day, Flying CV covering the UK North Sea sector. Offshore pilot Anja Eriksen is Most flights are transporting personnel to NHV’s first female PIC in the UK. and from the oil platforms. Occasionally, we She’s also a CRM trainer and part of fly out vital spare parts or, if the seas are too the Offshore Peer Assistance Network. rough for supply ships, we may even bring Started current job July 2018 toilet paper! The biggest challenge is that Now flying Airbus Helicopter H175 Favourite aircraft Airbus Helicopter H175. 99% of the time, we fly over water. North Sea “Airbus makes pilot’s helicopters. Very agile weather can be unpredictable, with sudden and intuitive, the 175 really is a nice aircraft.” fog or ‘four seasons in one day’. Hours at job start Approx. 3,500 At the oil rigs, every approach and landing Hours now Just over 5,000 is different. Even if it’s the same helideck, there can be a ship that you have to work around, exhaust fumes blowing towards you, or winds causing turbulence. Being able to adapt to every situation, was great being outside my comfort zone though. I learned a lot by using your ‘toolbox’ of knowledge of the manuals, regulations, from that trip. aircraft, weather, experience, common sense – and even your gut feeling, is essential. Understanding and utilising the different CRM And your favourite airfield? aspects is a very big part of it. Sumburgh Airport on the Shetland Islands. There’s often a lot of It’s also what makes my work exciting. I love the busy flights, wind, so landing there requires vigilance. As a smaller airport it where I have to dig deep in my toolbox to solve a certain issue, or allows for flexibility and once again you get to use that toolbox. On when I get to do something extraordinary, like landing on a a clear day when flying across the island, it looks like the semi-sub which is being towed back to shore. Jobwise, I’m exactly Mediterranean – although the water is freezing cold! where I want to be now and that’s a great feeling.
“At the oil rigs, every approach and landing is different”
In 2006, I got my PPL-H in New Zealand. Afterwards, I went to the USA where I got my FAA licence and worked as an instructor. In 2008, I moved back to Europe, where I got my JAA Licence and worked as an instructor in Sweden, then got my IR in Norway. I flew the AS332L2 and the H225 for another operator before joining NHV in 2018. Since 2019, I’ve also been a CRM trainer. I’ve literally worked my way around the world! What’s been your favourite flight?
A ferry flight in the H225 from Istanbul to Aberdeen in 2015. It took us three days. Flying out of Istanbul Airport was an experience. It was so busy that by the time we got to 10,000ft it felt like we’d been speaking to 10 different controllers, who all thought their English would get better the faster they spoke… It 20 | FLYER | October 2021
Do you get to fly much outside of work?
No, unfortunately not. My dream is to purchase a small fixedwing aircraft to fly to work, as my partner and I have a house in Denmark and both work for the same company on a two weeks on / two weeks off roster. I have my eyes on the Diamond DA42. It looks really cool and is IFR certified so it’d allow us to fly in most weather. What’s your most valuable career advice?
If there’s one thing you need in aviation, it’s determination. So if you really want to do this, never give up. Also, a big shout out to women to become pilots. I can only speak for the North Sea, but here there are no barriers for women. Last, but certainly not least, take advantage of the European Pilot Peer Support Initiative if needed. Pilots have mental health issues just like anyone else and talking about it can make a huge difference!
Logan Walters
What training did you have?
