John Eacott is heavily involved in aviation in and out of the cockpit

John Eacott’s aviation career has spanned 49 years and he’s still adding time on top of that today as an active commercial pilot.

He has spent a huge amount of time flying over oceans as an ex-Royal Navy pilot and multiple stints in the oil industry.

He is also the first nuclear qualified helicopter pilot I’ve ever spoken to and we cover that in the interview.

John has worked for several of the larger companies as well as owned his own helicopter company.

Police, firefighting, aerial photography, banner towing, charter, heli-skiiing, traffic reporting, longlining and film flying – you name it – including flying in antarctica. – John has done it.

He is also heavily involved in the industry outside the cockpit being a long time member and office holder in The Honourable Company of Air Pilots and is a frequent contributor to online forums.

00:50 49 years in aviation

01:53 Meet John Eacott

02:25 6 yrs old and wanted to be a pilot

03:40 Into the Royal Navy

04:40 Flying training and Wings

06:10 Wessex helicopter on Anti-submarine operations

08:30 Sea King trials unit and introduction to service

10:20 Travelling the globe

10:50 Nuclear depth charges

12:00 SAR

13:08 Nigeria time on oil and gas with Alouettes and floats

15:04 North Sea flying 212s living on the rigs

17:10 1979 working out of Derby and Broome (Australia)

19:30 OMEGA navigation system

21:40 Navigating off a plotting board

23:53 Okanagan Helicopters Australia and S-61

26:02 Bombay and getting engaged

27:55 S-76s in Bass Strait and IFR helicopter operations

29:22 Victorian Police Air Wing (Dauphin)

30:58 TV stations and National Safety Council

31:45 Bob Jane T-Marts and V8 Super Cars

32:40 Low level filming accident

35:05 NSW Fire Fighting

37:05 Trained reactions in emergency

38:30 Twin engine emergencies

39:50 Airmanship

43:42 Guild of Air Pilots

44:40 Pilot-less helicopters

46:30 Aviator – not a systems operator

47:45 Flag flying with BK117

49:55 Antartica helicopter operations

53:50 Iceberg breaking off

56:20 Freedom of the City and Guild Livery, Master Air Pilot No. 1144

57:25 Tips for new pilots

1:02:20 Leave a comment on the blog

1:02:48 Pilot recruiting interview – send in your questions to feedback@rotarywingshow.com

1:03:50 Sponsors trainmorepilots.com

John on his trip in Antarctica

Links from this week’s episode:

John’s Aerial Photo Gallery

The Honorable Company of Air Pilots

I’ve never worked a day in my life. I’ve just flown for a living. Its not a job, its a vocation.
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The controls would actually go the opposite way of what you wanted, which was character building.
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A calm day in the North Sea is 20kts. #helicopters
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Royal Navy Wessex similar to what John flew

A BK117 of John’s in the Victorian Ski Fields

As usual, please feel free to continue the conversation in the comments.

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