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Reflections
of an Oil & Gas Helicopter Pilot
Third Edition
Published in three formats: eBook ISBN 978-1-0687899-0-8
Colour 978-1-0687899-1-5 and Monochrome 978-1-0687899-3-9
Distributed to all good bookshops by Gardners & on Amazon Worldwide
Also stocked in these North East Scotland bookshops:
But n' Ben, Stonehaven; Better Read, Ellon; Orb's, Huntly; Yeadon's, Banchory;
Somerville Books, 56-58 Rosemount Viaduct and now at the Aberdeen Maritime Museum.
QR link to Amazon UK on the carousel below.
An overview of this book by Major Mark Lacy
Former North Sea Commander with Bristow Helicopters, British International and CHC
"Early in this book, the author refers to the 'unreported world' of the offshore North Sea. This book helps very much to bring this world to life. As I read it, I found myself vividly remembering what I experienced all those years ago.
This book highlights what a dangerous place to work the North Sea was and still is.
We were all pioneers in the job because we had to write the book as we went along, as you will see from the narrative.
The colourful stories of his travels elsewhere are another highlight.
After 38 years flying, he was asked to join the UK Search and Rescue (UK SAR) Standards Transition Team to construct and edit their operations manuals, says a lot about the man.
The book will be enjoyed by the aviation community, all who worked in the oil and gas industry, and even those with an adventurist spirit. It reads like a thriller!"
Some Reviews
"Superb! Andy recalls those early days to a T". CharlieOneSix.
“Well worth every penny.” Mick Brade. Ex BALPA National Officer (Rotary).
“Remarkable effort, amazing research.” Capt. Don Burton. RM, BIH, CHC & BHL.
"It's one of the finest books about this profession within aviation - offshore flying."
Capt. Henrik Viggen. CHC & Lider Aviation, Brazil.
"Buy this! - Highly readable book. Spent 24 years as a passenger in all models of helicopter in North Sea. I can directly relate to a few occurrences here, so adds value to this fantastically readable book.
Highly recommended and well done to Capt. Oxenford for documenting his experiences."
P. on Amazon. April 2026.
"As an ex offshore employee, thoroughly enjoyed this book. Could relate to a number of the North Sea events." MIO. Amazon.
"Bullseye! I’ve never read anything that captures the atmosphere of those times quite as well as he has done. The authenticity of his stories shines through – only someone who has been there and done that could have written it. I’ve read a lot of North Sea flying books, Oxenford’s is hard to beat. The stories are gripping, even the ones where the reader knows the outcome. In fact, I found it relentlessly harrowing, so much so that I had to put it aside sometimes and come back to it later."
Pat Malone. Aviation journalist.
“Fascinating, well-told history. One definition of a good book: a 5-minute review, an hour later you're still totally engrossed. That's what Andy has written. A well told story of a little-known part of UK and international aviation.” Amazon Anon.
“Excellent read and extremely well researched – we were lucky to survive!”
Capt. Peter Collins. AAC, BHL and international heli-firefighter.
"Congratulations Andy, it's a brilliant book" Robbie Duff. Engineering Supervisor BHL, BAH, BIH and Compliance Manager for many fixed wing airlines.
"The author is much more than just a helicopter pilot - he is a wealth of information of what we did as helicopter pilots." Capt. Dick Bares. Bristow Helicopters.
"It is a magnificent ‘Tour de Force’ and I cannot even imagine how you compiled such an amazing record of Oil and Gas helicopter operations. Not only in the North Sea but much further afield - it is wonderful."
Steve Hogarth. Flight Operations Consultant and Sikorsky S-76 TRI/TRE - TKI ATPL(H)/IR.
“So Authentic you can smell the Jet A1. Andrew Oxenford has written an autobiography that goes well past the "I did" and the Biggles fly boy yarns that one comes across in the aviation literature genre. He gives a fascinating account of the halcyon early days, and subsequent history of the oil industry, and how the helicopter became integral to the success of that industry, with companies often pushing their pilots, crews, support staff and the technology to new limits and beyond. All this against the backdrop of the cruel realities of the extreme weather, emerging helicopter technology, and the slow development of safety standards in the crucible of the North Sea, and elsewhere. Never was the loneliness of command and the harshness of the North Sea, the oil industry and the use of the helicopter itself, writ in such stark terms as those found in the accident and incident reports explained clearly in the context of the fascinating story that unfolds in this book, and all this enlivened with anecdotes from the author who has lived a full life in and out of the cockpit. Highly recommended.”
Mr M.C.K. Birbeck.
“A Gripping Read.” Former Engineering Manager at BAH.
"Best book I have ever read." Stuart Young. Ground Services, Esbjerg DK for NHV & Babcock.
"Having been a North Sea helicopter pilot, I had difficulty putting this book down. It brought back many memories, some, unfortunately, sad and others very good. The detail Andy has included throughout are, for me, an eye-opener. Well done Andy, an excellent read. Terry." On Amazon.
“I can’t praise your book enough! You’ve hit the right spot, describing technicalities and procedures nicely.” Capt. Peter Jackson. RAF AI & BAH TRE.
"What a fascinating book that captured the incredible early years of helicopter flying in support of the North Sea Oil & Gas industry. I have been an ATCO at NATS Aberdeen since 1993, so have lived through many of these experiences from the other side of the RT and have probably spoken to you on many occasions. But to read firsthand accounts of the years that went before was so interesting, and at times startling!" Mike Simon. June 2026.
“Wow! Your reflections totally absorbed me.” Capt. Geoff Bader. RN & BHL.
“Absolutely cracking read.” Capt. Alistair Ingledew.
“Probably the best book I have ever read.”
Former Production Manager on BP’s FPSO Petrojarl Foinhaven.
Thank You!
MIL abbreviations: AAC - Army Air Corps; RAF - Royal Air Force; RM - Royal Marines; RN - Royal Navy.
Civil abbreviations: BAH - British Airways Helicopters; BHL - Bristow Helicopters Ltd; BIH - British International Helicopters; CHC - Canadian Holding Co.