F Lynn Clough Venerable HSAC Chairman

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Bell Helicopter photo via Bob Petite Clough’s early flying with Petroleum Helicopters gave him a unique appreciation of the challenges met by pilots and crews traveling to and from oil platforms in the Gulf of Mexico. Not one to waste time, he applied for a position at Petroleum Helicopters in Louisiana, and was hired in March of 1958. He began flying offshore in a very early 47 J model with wooden blades, and also checked out in one of the early Alouette II helicopters, which were being introduced in the Gulf of Mexico at that time. In September of 1958 PHI sent him to Bolivia, where he flew a Helio Courier and later a Dehaviland Beaver. His tour of duty in Bolivia lasted about 26 months and was highlighted by a most important event in his life — he met his lovely wife Sarita. They were married on May 26, 1959, and returned to the states in December 1960. Back in the states, his family persuaded him to return to the farm in Missouri. He worked the farm with his father for about two years, but his love of aviation dominated, and he opted to get back to Louisiana, flying again for PHI in 1963. Then a friend from Tennessee Gas Transmission, which became Tenneco, called about an opening for a helicopter pilot. Clough applied and was hired on October 25, 1965, reporting to Al Hobson, who was Manager of Helicopter Operations. At that time Tenneco had only two helicopters, one in Agawan, Massachusetts, for pipeline patrol and one in Houma, Louisiana, for offshore work, where Clough was assigned. In 1974, Clough became Manager of Helicopter Operations after Al Hobson retired. At that time, the helicopter fleet was growing with the addition of twin turbine BO 105 helicopters. But to back up a little, Clough tells the story that the fleet really began to grow when Gardner Symonds, then Chairman of Tenneco, had flown in an early Bell 206A in 1964, and was impressed. He later recommended that the 206 should be added to the fleet. I personally remember the day that Tony Zuma, Director of Flight Operations, arrived at the Bell offices in Hurst, Texas, unannounced and asked for a salesman. I walked him back to my desk and he seemed a little reluctant as he told me “I’ve got to buy a helicopter.” Their first 206A was assigned to the Tenneco office in Houston. Later each of the eight pipeline divisions had one. At the end of Clough’s career, the Tenneco helicopter fleet had grown to about 12 BO 105 helicopters. In 1979, the oil industry experienced several disastrous offshore accidents, resulting in the loss of lives. The growing problem generated widespread concern and substantial discussion among the helicopter operators and the oil industry. Then, a major accident involving a Penzoil operation occurred, resulting in 19 fatalities, when an offshore crane struck a large turbine helicopter. This, along with previous accidents, caused the International Association of Drilling Contractors (IADC) to call for a meeting of applicable helicopter operators and other parties for a discussion of the problem and possible action. The meeting was sponsored by the Safety Committee of the IADC, and was held in Houston on February 8, 1978. The original participants of that first meeting, who would become members of the committee, included: Jack Piehl (Shell Oil Co.), Chuck Setzer (Gulf Oil), Clough Clough (Tenneco, Inc.), Lonnie Nail (Tenneco Oil Co.), Owen Guidry (Petroleum Helicopters), John Brown (Evergreen Helicopters, Inc.), Jim Grant (Evergreen Helicopters, Inc.), Don Groenemann (Evergreen Helicopters, Inc.), Thomas H. Marlow (Evergreen Helicopters, Inc.), James L. Culpepper (Air Logistics), Ed Seymour (Tenneco, Inc.), E.E. Rhodes (Mobil Oil), Herman Moore (Chevron Oil), Park Jones (Houston Helicopters), Thomas Howarth (Offshore Helicopters, Inc.), and James Jay (Marlin Drilling Co.). The result of this meeting was an agreement to work together to promote improved safety in offshore helicopter operations, to evaluate procedures and address specific operational problems. They also unanimously agreed to become the Helicopter Safety Advisory Committee, affiliated with IADC. Additionally, recognizing the need for leadership, Clough was elected chairman of the committee. Shortly thereafter, a follow-up meeting was scheduled to set direction and procedures. For the first six months of its existence, the dedicated committee met monthly. After that, the schedule was changed to meeting bimonthly, and finally, after about a year, the quarterly schedule was adopted and continues today. Participation in HSAC has grown to about 115 members, including oil companies, drilling contractors, service companies, helicopter manufacturers, and helicopter operators. Additionally, several branches of the U.S. government and the U.S. mili- 44 FALL 2006
Photo courtesy F. Lynn Clough tary participate. HSAC also cooperates with several professional organizations, including Helicopter Association International, American Petroleum Institute, the Offshore Operations Committee, the National Fire Protection Association, and others. HSAC’s accomplishments over the years are far too numerous to itemize here. However, they can be viewed on the HSAC Web site, at www.hsac.org. As an interesting example of the hundreds of problems encountered, there was a startling incident related by Clough. An Air Force B-52 bomber flew under an Evergreen 212, operating in the Gulf of Mexico, which got everyone’s attention. Then an Air Force T-38 trainer made a playful pass at one of the Transco helicopters. These incidents quickly prompted an HSAC meeting with the Strategic Air Command, which resulted in significant operational procedural changes for the U.S. Air Force. Suffice it to say that HSAC is alert and responsive to problems offshore, and is a positive influence for safe helicopter operations for the oil industry, not only in the Gulf of Mexico but also worldwide. To comment briefly on the scope of helicopter operations in the Gulf of Mexico, HSAC annually produces a report on safety statistics, which can also be seen on www.hsac.org. Clough’s chairmanship at HSAC has done much to make flying operations safer in the Gulf of Mexico. His leadership has been a benefit for everyone involved in flying operations. In the latest report on 2005 operations, it is estimated that a total of 589 helicopters flew about 389,500 hours, carrying 2,625,322 passengers in the ever-growing offshore Gulf of Mexico. The report is based on response from 21 participating helicopter operators. Helicopter operations in the Gulf represent a major slice of total helicopter operations in the United States. So, back to Clough, who is retired and living in Conroe, Texas. What is going on? Well, first Clough and Sarita raised four children, who have produced 10 grandchildren to date. That’s enough to keep any grandparent busy. But Clough spends a considerable amount of time with World Gospel Outreach. Working primarily in Honduras, he has made 13 trips to that country since 1992 in a successful effort of cooperation with the organization to improve the lives of children. They have established an orphanage, medical, and dental facilities and a bilingual language school. They have also arranged for a halfway house to assist boys and girls reaching the age of 18, in finding a job or advanced education. Clough’s primary function with Outreach is expediting the flow of goods from the United States to Honduras. He loads two 40-foot containers a year for export to the needy. That’s a fulltime retirement job. Clough has always operated with a high level of integrity and concern for his employees and peers. He is noted for his sincerity, dedication, and professional approach in both personal and business endeavors. Today those attributes are regularly benefiting hundreds of children and young people in Honduras. HAI archives photo Clough is as active today as ever with his efforts reaching out to children in Honduras. This is typical of his commitment to make things better. FALL 2006 Andy Aastad is the former Editor of the Helicopter Market Letters and a market consultant to the helicopter industry. He can be reached at 252- 635-5015 or aastad@cox.net. 45
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F Lynn Clough Venerable HSAC Chairman

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