Smeagol logging in
Posted: Mon Jul 23, 2018 8:39 pm
Important things first - I'm here to join like minds (I've been banned from JB on TOP but have no idea why. Also banned from two other forums for asking !).
A brief rundown on who and what I am.
I am an engineer by profession, not aircraft related, 40 odd years in oil and gas. Graduated as a mechanical engineer but rapidly got into project engineering and management rather than discipline engineering. Worked all over the world from South Africa to Norway and Holland to Indonesia with a large chunk of the Middle East at various times. Worked on refinery construction in SA, oilfield facility construction in Indonesia, refinery and offshore projects in ME and offshore gas platform construction and installation in southern North Sea and ME. Spent last 10 years involved with offshore wind farm construction in UK - had some big toys to play with there. Retired from full time work 18 months ago but still do some part time consulting for the company I spent the last 14 years with - but on my terms!
My interest in aviation started as a child and it was my ambition to join the RAF as a pilot. Nearly made it. Got awarded a Special Flying Award at 16 got my PPL at 17 but got rejected on medical grounds when applying for a University Cadetship at 18. They said I had a heart murmur (I have, but they missed it twice and then misdiagnosed it) and rejected me from General Duties but offered me a Cadetship in Engineering. Decided that if I could not fly I did not want to play in their air force. Emigrated to SA after graduating and spent the next 40 years travelling the world at someone else's expense so have no real complaints.
But I still look longingly at fast jets when they fly over................
A brief rundown on who and what I am.
I am an engineer by profession, not aircraft related, 40 odd years in oil and gas. Graduated as a mechanical engineer but rapidly got into project engineering and management rather than discipline engineering. Worked all over the world from South Africa to Norway and Holland to Indonesia with a large chunk of the Middle East at various times. Worked on refinery construction in SA, oilfield facility construction in Indonesia, refinery and offshore projects in ME and offshore gas platform construction and installation in southern North Sea and ME. Spent last 10 years involved with offshore wind farm construction in UK - had some big toys to play with there. Retired from full time work 18 months ago but still do some part time consulting for the company I spent the last 14 years with - but on my terms!
My interest in aviation started as a child and it was my ambition to join the RAF as a pilot. Nearly made it. Got awarded a Special Flying Award at 16 got my PPL at 17 but got rejected on medical grounds when applying for a University Cadetship at 18. They said I had a heart murmur (I have, but they missed it twice and then misdiagnosed it) and rejected me from General Duties but offered me a Cadetship in Engineering. Decided that if I could not fly I did not want to play in their air force. Emigrated to SA after graduating and spent the next 40 years travelling the world at someone else's expense so have no real complaints.
But I still look longingly at fast jets when they fly over................