Maun, Botswana. The essential guide.
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It would seem that they don't make newbies the way they used to. The same probably goes for false teeth too. Having followed this thread since its inception I don't think many realise how fortunate if not privileged they've been in the information that's flowed through the site.
Join Date: Feb 2006
Location: Krautland
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Hey gents!
Is there an amount of hours that is to much?
I am working as an airlinepilot, flying regulary to Afrika.
I would love to take one year off and go to Afrika.
Total ca 5000h.
400SEP, instructor rating, the rest is A320 Family and MD11.
Ca. 4600h Jet.
Any chance? Or wrong qualification?
Is there an amount of hours that is to much?
I am working as an airlinepilot, flying regulary to Afrika.
I would love to take one year off and go to Afrika.
Total ca 5000h.
400SEP, instructor rating, the rest is A320 Family and MD11.
Ca. 4600h Jet.
Any chance? Or wrong qualification?
Join Date: Nov 2011
Location: Canada
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Most look for a two year commitment minimum.
By the time they hire you, do the paperwork, get you trained, get the work permits... would only have you flying operationally for around 6-9 months.
Two years does fly by....
By the time they hire you, do the paperwork, get you trained, get the work permits... would only have you flying operationally for around 6-9 months.
Two years does fly by....
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Is there an amount of hours that is to much?
Join Date: Feb 2006
Location: Krautland
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Hello gentlemen,
thank you very much for the kind information.
In my company there is from time to time the chance of unpaid leave.
I would not leave the seniority list.
Nevertheless a 2 years commitment seems a bit to long.
So I will continue to enjoy Africa once a moth with my current company.
thank you very much for the kind information.
In my company there is from time to time the chance of unpaid leave.
I would not leave the seniority list.
Nevertheless a 2 years commitment seems a bit to long.
So I will continue to enjoy Africa once a moth with my current company.
Join Date: Apr 2014
Location: Namibia
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I have read through all the previous posts, and the opening sticky, but I failed to see if my question has been raised before. If it has been raised and answered and I missed it, would you be so kind as to point me in the direction of the previous post. I have done due diligence, and looked, so please no flaming.
That being said, here is my question.
I understand there are very few C210's in Maun, but based on the similarities between the C210 and the C206, would having roughly 1000hrs TT most of which was on C210's in a different part of Africa help towards getting a job in Maun?
I also understand that the operators hire pilots they like etc, and that hours are far from the deciding factor.
I spent some time in Maun as a fresh comm, before this other opportunity presented itself, I'm contemplating heading back there when my current contract expires, and just trying to get an understanding of the lay of the land.
That being said, here is my question.
I understand there are very few C210's in Maun, but based on the similarities between the C210 and the C206, would having roughly 1000hrs TT most of which was on C210's in a different part of Africa help towards getting a job in Maun?
I also understand that the operators hire pilots they like etc, and that hours are far from the deciding factor.
I spent some time in Maun as a fresh comm, before this other opportunity presented itself, I'm contemplating heading back there when my current contract expires, and just trying to get an understanding of the lay of the land.
Join Date: Mar 2014
Location: Around
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I have a question. Is it worth to pay for c208 tr, before going there if I have only 300h? is it possible to fly c208 with such a small experiance?
However anyone operator with poor enough judgment to put a 300hr greenhorn CPL into a 1 million+ USD turboprop would not be anyone you would really want to fly for.
Join Date: Nov 2011
Location: Canada
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I can promise you right now that they will not put a 300hr pilot into a caravan flying into the delta.
1) You would not have seen the type of flying that they do there before. They are not going to stick you out there in the flagship aircraft.
2) There are other pilots that have been there and done their dues for a year or more. There would be a riot.
One of the companies there recently poached caravan drivers from other companies to immediately fill some positions. The pilots that were approaching 1000hrs were furious as they now had to wait nearly one more season before looking at the left hand seat of the caravan.
3) All of the companies that I know of require 1000hrs and experience in the delta as part of their insurance requirement.
Pick your choice of the above reasons. Its not going to happen.
1) You would not have seen the type of flying that they do there before. They are not going to stick you out there in the flagship aircraft.
2) There are other pilots that have been there and done their dues for a year or more. There would be a riot.
One of the companies there recently poached caravan drivers from other companies to immediately fill some positions. The pilots that were approaching 1000hrs were furious as they now had to wait nearly one more season before looking at the left hand seat of the caravan.
3) All of the companies that I know of require 1000hrs and experience in the delta as part of their insurance requirement.
Pick your choice of the above reasons. Its not going to happen.
Join Date: Jun 2014
Location: Montreal
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Type rating C206, C210 & GA8
Thank you for the information spread in this thread. I read it all, although the "type rating" concept for small airplane is not a familiar concept to me having a FAA and Transport Canada licences (over 12,500lbs).
How do you actually get one of these? Is it the equivalent of a "Check on Type" that some flight school / FBO will sometime do with an instrutor if no previous experience on aircraft, and is really up to the flight instructor to set the criterias? or there are some specific criterias? (5hrs flight, etc.)
Where can you get that? Does it have to be in South Africa, Namibia or Botswana with a licence already converted / validated?
If I did my flight training with a C172, does that mean I am automatically "type rated" on this aircraft?
How do you actually get one of these? Is it the equivalent of a "Check on Type" that some flight school / FBO will sometime do with an instrutor if no previous experience on aircraft, and is really up to the flight instructor to set the criterias? or there are some specific criterias? (5hrs flight, etc.)
Where can you get that? Does it have to be in South Africa, Namibia or Botswana with a licence already converted / validated?
If I did my flight training with a C172, does that mean I am automatically "type rated" on this aircraft?
Join Date: Jul 2013
Location: Over there
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Word of Caution
Just wanted to pass on my situation. I am the second, possibly the third pilot who has been forced to leave the country, work permits and appeals all denied. It seems that Immigration would like pilots to come with more than 500 hours if they want full residency and work permits. I was able to work for a while under temporary permits, but I was denied the full permits. I came here with under 500 hours, and it was not enough to keep working here. Just passing on current info. As in all aviation, there are calculated risks. Sadly, it didn't work out for me at this current time. I really liked it here too.
Join Date: Nov 2011
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Ah man, that really sucks!
I know of others over previous years that have had the same thing. Being classed as "Security risks" and things like that. Some of them left and then found the permits had come through under appeal but by then had already found work elsewhere.
Good luck in your endeavors!
I know of others over previous years that have had the same thing. Being classed as "Security risks" and things like that. Some of them left and then found the permits had come through under appeal but by then had already found work elsewhere.
Good luck in your endeavors!
Join Date: Apr 2014
Location: Namibia
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Rmball, thanks very much for that update.
Do you know if guys with 500+ hours are struggling to get visas aswel? I've been contemplating heading across that way. Change of scenery, a new challenge etc. I have roughly 1000 hours, most of it bush flying. Before I head across that way I want to try assess the visa situation. Any feedback from the ground would be much appreciated.
Do you know if guys with 500+ hours are struggling to get visas aswel? I've been contemplating heading across that way. Change of scenery, a new challenge etc. I have roughly 1000 hours, most of it bush flying. Before I head across that way I want to try assess the visa situation. Any feedback from the ground would be much appreciated.
Join Date: Oct 2011
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Rmball, not sure I ever got to meet you, but I'm sorry to see you leave. You're the second that I know of.
There doesn't seem to be much of a pattern to the permit rejections (but did we expect there to be?). From my knowledge, pretty much every pilot has been rejected this year. Some have been successful on appeal, including some low hour guys (300-400 hr), many others are still waiting for the appeal decision to be made, quite a few of them have 500+ hours. And then there's the two that I know of who have been turned away a second/ final time.
The case I'm more familiar with, the letter is said to have come from the minister himself and clearly specifies that the decision cannot be appealed- but the company is trying.
There are two rumours I've heard in relation to the work permit issues;
First, that there is a disgruntled local pilot looking for work who has contacted the labour dept. Word on the street is that two companies here have already employed him, but then let him go for not meeting the standard even after extensive training.
Second rumour is that the Bush Pilots show caused a bit of a stir in immigration for not featuring any local pilots. It also highlighted a few not-so-legal labour/ immigration things happening with the pilots.
As for CAPSLOCK, anything is possible. 1000 hours should work in your favour, but no one knows what the government departments will think or do.
But there's always hope... I got a five year work permit issued, first try, just 21 days after submitting the paperwork.
There doesn't seem to be much of a pattern to the permit rejections (but did we expect there to be?). From my knowledge, pretty much every pilot has been rejected this year. Some have been successful on appeal, including some low hour guys (300-400 hr), many others are still waiting for the appeal decision to be made, quite a few of them have 500+ hours. And then there's the two that I know of who have been turned away a second/ final time.
The case I'm more familiar with, the letter is said to have come from the minister himself and clearly specifies that the decision cannot be appealed- but the company is trying.
There are two rumours I've heard in relation to the work permit issues;
First, that there is a disgruntled local pilot looking for work who has contacted the labour dept. Word on the street is that two companies here have already employed him, but then let him go for not meeting the standard even after extensive training.
Second rumour is that the Bush Pilots show caused a bit of a stir in immigration for not featuring any local pilots. It also highlighted a few not-so-legal labour/ immigration things happening with the pilots.
As for CAPSLOCK, anything is possible. 1000 hours should work in your favour, but no one knows what the government departments will think or do.
But there's always hope... I got a five year work permit issued, first try, just 21 days after submitting the paperwork.
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Join Date: Dec 2010
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I know that most charter companies employ agents to apply for work permits. From successful experience I am convinced that you are better off doing it personally. We spent many months at the department of 'irritation' and are now good friends of some of the officers. The personal touch is the way forward. Agent's files go to the bottom of the pile.
Wear a tie and look 'impotent' arrive at 07.30 attend their office church service and you will be 50% of the way there
Only talking from experience.
Safe aviating guys we will be back with you in 2 weeks. Make sure that beer is cold.
Wear a tie and look 'impotent' arrive at 07.30 attend their office church service and you will be 50% of the way there
Only talking from experience.
Safe aviating guys we will be back with you in 2 weeks. Make sure that beer is cold.
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mkenya it is called getting into their mindset how ridiculous it may sound. I have been operating in these sort of places for over 30 yrs. The only place my system doesn't work is India - no further comment.
Join Date: Jun 2010
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Zambia?
I emailed a company in Malawi recently who wanted 500TT with 25 hrs on type for 5 seat aircraft.
I suppose thats an improvement on the Wilderness Air quoted 800TT. Can someone confirm a similar hourly requirement exists in Zambia?
I suppose thats an improvement on the Wilderness Air quoted 800TT. Can someone confirm a similar hourly requirement exists in Zambia?
