7 minute read
MEET OUR NEW CHIEF PILOT
by PHI
MARK WITH THE S92 SAR HELICOPTER IN BROOME, WESTERN AUSTRALIA
Since 2015, Mark Cook has been PHI’s International Head of Flight Training and, in April this year, was appointed Chief Pilot. Mark has had an illustrious career in aviation, working as a Royal Air Force Pilot for 22 years before moving to PHI (then HNZ) in 2008 as a Check and Training Captain. He spent some time away from PHI before re-joining in 2015.
HomeBase sat down with Mark to get to know him better and hear about his role at PHI.
MARK IN THE S92 SIMULATOR IN STAVANGER, NORWAY
How did you start your career in aviation?
My interest in aviation started early. As a young boy I saw aircraft flying around and imagined myself in the cockpit. I was determined to go into the Royal New Zealand Air Force (RNZAF) and structured my education around securing a highly sought-after space. This career path was extremely competitive in the mid-80s and thousands applied for a much-coveted spot.
I then spent 20 years with RNZAF, working across a range of divisions, from instructing in helicopters to flying fixed wing and rotary wing aircraft. Very few people go through the air force and spend virtually their whole career flying like I was able to, so I feel very privileged.
I was deployed to the South Pacific, Australia and Antarctica on a few occasions, taking part in peacekeeping deployments to the Solomon Islands, Timor Leste (East Timor) and Bougainville (Papua New Guinea). All incredibly interesting operations which I was privileged to be a part of.
What made you decide to join PHI in 2008?
After an interesting and exciting career with RNZAF, I felt it was time to move on, but I wasn’t ready to stop flying completely. An opportunity came up with PHI, and I jumped at the chance, joining in 2008 as a Check and Training Captain. It was a great way to transition in the civil world of aviation, and just like in the military, there hasn’t been a dull moment since.
What does a ‘day in the life’ of a Chief Pilot look like?
Busy. At the moment, I spend my day talking to other parts of the organisation, addressing any issues that arise and ensuring all our teams feel supported during the challenging nature of operating in the context of Covid-19. Prior to March 2020, I would spend a significant part of the year travelling to our training bases and simulators around the world, which I really enjoyed. I always learn something new on my travels, and it’s great to meet our teams on the ground.
What is your favourite flight destination?
That’s an easy one—New Zealand. Being involved in training our teams around the world has meant that I would often be away for almost half the year. Whenever I’ve been away for an extended period, landing in New Zealand is always special.
What has been your most memorable flight?
It’s too hard to pick just one. During my time with the RNZAF, I was deployed on several peacekeeping missions. During a deployment to East Timor, one of our soldiers was accidently shot in the neck while deep in the mountains on a day with extremely low cloud and heavy rain. We went to extract him that day just as it was getting dark; it was satisfying to get that flight done in a challenging environment where there were multiple threats and no guarantee of achieving the task.
Flying in Antarctica was also a highlight because it’s probably one of the few places in the world that you can’t buy a ticket to. It’s a fascinating place, and I spent time at both McMurdo Station and Scott Base flying in support of both the New Zealand and US Antarctic programmes, flying scientists and support staff throughout the Ross Sea region. One thing that stands out now is just how isolated we were while out there, especially since it was in the days before the internet and satellite communications. HF phone patch was the only voice communication with the outside world.
What is your favourite aircraft to fly and why?
It’s got to be the AW139. The aircraft is modern, is really reliable, has power to burn and has easy-to-use systems. However, if you’d asked me the same question 10 years ago, I would have said the Huey (UH-1H). I grew up in the era of Huey and flew it for 15 years all over the world, so it’s hard not to have an affinity with the aircraft.
MARK IN FRONT OF THE AW109 IN KARRATHA
MARK WITH THE H175 – AIRBUS, FRANCE
MARK WITH THE AW139 SIMULATOR IN BRISBANE AUSTRALIA.
You had a bit of time away from PHI at Aerogulf Services and then Bristow between 2012 and 2014. What brought you back to PHI?
I had strong pull back to New Zealand and the lifestyle here. My family was living in Dubai, and we all wanted to come back to NZ. It was my opinion then just as it is now, that PHI was the company of choice in this part of the world, so I jumped at the opportunity to come back and eventually take on the Chief Pilot role.
Leading a team of pilots at PHI, how do you foster a safetyfirst company culture?
The safety-first approach is deeply embedded across all of PHI’s operations. All employees at PHI understand their responsibilities to their passengers, the organisation and themselves. We also have a speak up culture. Our team is not afraid to step forward with any concerns they might have at any stage, and I encourage all our pilots to speak up—no matter how minor they think the issue may be.
Continuous improvement is also a key focus at PHI. We are constantly reviewing the safety procedures we have in place and adjusting them. In my role, I’m constantly on the lookout for the latest developments and research on safety in our sector, and I encourage our team to do the same.
Can you share an experience when new technology or information really helped you in your job?
The aviation industry has modernised at a rapid pace over the last two decades. For me, the use of new technology in our helicopters stands out. Modern auto flight systems, properly integrated avionics systems, Full Authority Digital Engine Control (FADEC) and powerful engines has provided reliable, high-performance helicopters, making our role as pilots easier and safer.
MARK AT THE ROYAL NEW ZEALAND AIRFORCE BASE IN OHAKEA (2002) WITH THE RNZAF HUEY
How would you describe being part of the PHI family?
PHI really does have an inclusive environment, and I really like the fact that while we have grown rapidly, everyone has a good understanding of who their colleagues are throughout the organisation. In my role as Chief Pilot, I get to interact with all parts of the organisation, and across all our bases, it’s very clear that everyone feels part of the same team.
Being part of the PHI community also means providing opportunities for our team to grow and learn. An example of this is the support we provide for our low experience scheme trainee pilots, hosting them at our base in New Plymouth and enabling them to get qualifications which then allows them to fly for on and offshore flying contracts. It can be really difficult in our industry for junior pilots entering the helicopter system, and by providing training, we are able to give some budding aviators a flying start, which is fantastic.
What is it that you believe sets PHI (and its pilots) apart from other operators?
PHI excels with our environmental footprint and the services we provide. We use an electronic flight bag and an electronic information management device in our aircraft, which makes our job a lot easier than having sheets of paper like we’ve used in days gone past. We also provide an extensive range of services from oil and gas support, marine pilot transfer, seismic survey, SAR (search and rescue), mineral exploration, vertical reference and utility operations. We provide all these services at a really high quality to an incredibly high safety standard, and I believe we are an industry leader in that regard.
