PHI Americas appoints new Chief Pilot

Maner’s appointment builds on his extensive experience working as a Line Training Captain for PHI in the Gulf of Mexico between 2009 and 2020. In early 2020, Maner joined Bristow, where he worked as the Chief Pilot and Director of Training for the company’s Gulf of Mexico and Guyana operations.

Primary point of contact with the FAA

James Hinch, Chief Operating Officer, PHI Americas, said PHI is pleased to announce the appointment of Maner. “As our Chief Pilot, PHI Americas, James will be our primary point of contact with the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) and will also be a full member of our Operational Leadership Team and Management Oversight Group.

“James has more than a decade of recent experience working with us as an S-92 Pilot in Command and a Line Training Captain. He thoroughly understands our culture and unwavering commitment to providing safe, efficient, quality, service and he is committed to leading our Pilot workforce and Company into the future.”

Providing offshore helicopter support

Prior to initially joining PHI, Maner served in the US army for 21 years as an instructor pilot and a standardization pilot at the battalion and brigade levels. 

PHI Americas is providing offshore helicopter support to companies operating in the Gulf of Mexico as well as across the globe in more than 45 foreign countries. With bases spanning the entire Gulf Coast region, PHI meets the needs of over a million passengers each year. 

For pilots flying in an offshore and onshore capacity, introducing instrument flight rules operations is key to improving the safety of operations. AirMed&Rescue spoke to operators and training providers to find out how complicated they are to implement.