Maun, Botswana. The essential guide.
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Join Date: Dec 2010
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DRS Even if we do get a case in Maun, I heard today that the medical authorities here are confident that they can deal with it 
So why is it if you are suspected of having maleria do your heath insurance company aeromed you straight to JNB? Must be more infectious!
So why is it if you are suspected of having maleria do your heath insurance company aeromed you straight to JNB? Must be more infectious!
Join Date: Apr 2014
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And yeah, most of the guys leave for greener pastures when they get close to the magic 1k number.
As for me, I didn't give it much time, I found that most companies didn't want someone who wanted to grow with the companies, or who had experience, or just liked the country (and it is very beautiful) they want people who will stay because they can't get a job in their home country.
They don't want people who will stay because they can't get a job in their home country, no one wants those people. Unfortunately they resort to coming here, then get pissed off and troll the internet when it turns out some of the companies here actually do have standards.
I'd say the only mistake I made was not heading directly over with my hours.
Ah, yes, another mistake might have been giving advice on manners one of the company owners on Facebook, then immediately sucking up once you realised she was the owner. Very transparent.
Why would you invest in a company who doesn't invest in you?
together?Anyway, the point I am trying to make is this; to anyone reading these threads, don't take what any one poster says at face value, there are always motivations and agendas behind the scenes.
Yes there are companies that use and abuse their pilots, but there are also companies that take care of their crew. Like anywhere they are some bad apples.
I wouldn't suggest taking any advice from people who make broad sweeping statements like "the problem with Africa is it's run by Africans". Scorn like this reeks of a singed ego, and not constructive advice.
Last edited by CAPSLOCK.1; 17th Oct 2014 at 20:33.
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Ah, yes, another mistake might have been giving advice on manners one of the company owners on Facebook, then immediately sucking up once you realised she was the owner. Very transparent.
I never sucked up to her, heck up until someone pointed it out to me, I forgot all about it (as I said based on her actions I thought she was a nobody), I put in a CV, if she opted to trash my CV because I pointed out to how she was being very rude to someone, well that just reaffirms my initial thoughts on FB.
Ether way, no skin off my back and her loss.
Last edited by James331; 25th Oct 2014 at 17:07.
Join Date: Oct 2011
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Any chance that we have a wannabe pilot coming to Maun from the US this year/ early next year?
I'm sure someone must be lurking in the shadows... Please send me a message if you do exist!
My headset is falling apart, the replacement part is easy enough to buy online (gotta love Amazon!) but shipping to Maun is ridiculous. Hoping someone could deliver it from the US to here.
I'm sure someone must be lurking in the shadows... Please send me a message if you do exist!
My headset is falling apart, the replacement part is easy enough to buy online (gotta love Amazon!) but shipping to Maun is ridiculous. Hoping someone could deliver it from the US to here.
Join Date: Oct 2011
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capslock1, you're in nam? Who do you fly for? I used to be a Nam guy..
Personally, I think the hiring period is kind of. They hire whenever they need someone. Generally I'd say if there was such thing as a hiring period, it happens around Feb, March, April. However, the company I worked for recently lost a few people in August. I would say that the worst time to go would be during mid summer (northern hemisphere) as the spots are generally filled since that is usually the busiest time of the year. Though strangely, I flew my a$$ off last October. The companies want to be well stocked for summer, and generally try to have you online by the beginning of june. This means that the end of april would probably be the latest they're going to hire in large numbers with the occasional 2-3 people after that.
The mistake James made was that his time was too high. Yes, too high. Most of the companies (excluding west air and bay air) expect you and want you gone by around 1,000 hours unless there are other planes (caravans, twins) that you may have the opportunity to fly. In other words, come to build time, have fun, and drink cheap beer with good people. If you get offered a position on another aircraft, decide if that is what will be the best for your career. I left after reaching 1,300 because I didn't want to fly in weather in old broken planes that all happen to be grounded now. Thank god they're replacing the fleet soon... Granted, it was fun while it lasted. The experience you get in these countries is invaluable, and will be looked at very highly by other operators around the world.
Lastly, when a new guy would show up, we kinda "knew" who would and wouldn't make it. My advice, go to the Chameleon. Lots of guys flying there still go to the bar there. Make some friends and ask for some HONEST advice about your character. If you're a rich kid looking to travel and don't really care, the operators can sense that...NEXT. If you go and you're goal oriented, good at making friends, and can hold your own when it comes to drinking, you'll be fine.....oh and being a good pilot helps too.
Personally, I think the hiring period is kind of
. They hire whenever they need someone. Generally I'd say if there was such thing as a hiring period, it happens around Feb, March, April. However, the company I worked for recently lost a few people in August. I would say that the worst time to go would be during mid summer (northern hemisphere) as the spots are generally filled since that is usually the busiest time of the year. Though strangely, I flew my a$$ off last October. The companies want to be well stocked for summer, and generally try to have you online by the beginning of june. This means that the end of april would probably be the latest they're going to hire in large numbers with the occasional 2-3 people after that.The mistake James made was that his time was too high. Yes, too high. Most of the companies (excluding west air and bay air) expect you and want you gone by around 1,000 hours unless there are other planes (caravans, twins) that you may have the opportunity to fly. In other words, come to build time, have fun, and drink cheap beer with good people. If you get offered a position on another aircraft, decide if that is what will be the best for your career. I left after reaching 1,300 because I didn't want to fly in
weather in old broken planes that all happen to be grounded now. Thank god they're replacing the fleet soon... Granted, it was fun while it lasted. The experience you get in these countries is invaluable, and will be looked at very highly by other operators around the world. Lastly, when a new guy would show up, we kinda "knew" who would and wouldn't make it. My advice, go to the Chameleon. Lots of guys flying there still go to the bar there. Make some friends and ask for some HONEST advice about your character. If you're a rich kid looking to travel and don't really care, the operators can sense that...NEXT. If you go and you're goal oriented, good at making friends, and can hold your own when it comes to drinking, you'll be fine.....oh and being a good pilot helps too.
Last edited by ImaginedByGod; 5th Nov 2014 at 03:58.
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doubts regarding visa
Dear friends im sathyan from india as i wanna reach maun by end of november i applied for botswana visa they issued me only for 14 days suppose if i reach maun is there any possiblities to extend to stay for 90 days from there if possible please help me out with the procedures...
Join Date: Oct 2011
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The visa situation is quite different for Indians than for most of us, so I'm not sure about the answer your questions.
When you get here, seek out the Indian pilots and ask for their advice. You'll find one at Moremi Air, and two at Major Blue Air.
When you get here, seek out the Indian pilots and ask for their advice. You'll find one at Moremi Air, and two at Major Blue Air.
Join Date: Jan 2009
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Hi Aus_SQ.
I've only a third of your gliding time, I did put it on my CV when I was down in Bots (around Feb 2013). The deal back then was 300h TT min for work visa. I had only two-hundred something hours on powered acft back then, however if summed up with the gliding hours I'd have over 300. Asked the operators if that'd be of any help, got directed to the 'agency' dealing with work visas (outfit by the name of Jambalaya or something like that) - they said it's 300h on powered acft minimum and my gliding hours won't help me.
That was almost 2 years ago though, so I'd imagine the situation might've changed a couple of times by now :P good luck!
I've only a third of your gliding time, I did put it on my CV when I was down in Bots (around Feb 2013). The deal back then was 300h TT min for work visa. I had only two-hundred something hours on powered acft back then, however if summed up with the gliding hours I'd have over 300. Asked the operators if that'd be of any help, got directed to the 'agency' dealing with work visas (outfit by the name of Jambalaya or something like that) - they said it's 300h on powered acft minimum and my gliding hours won't help me.
That was almost 2 years ago though, so I'd imagine the situation might've changed a couple of times by now :P good luck!
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Sure Flight hours are just that - Flight Hours?? Gliding is much more challenging than powered flight in my opinion.
Join Date: Oct 2011
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Adding gliding etc. time to a CV makes it easier to present a candidate to immigration and, in the case of some companies, to the (non-pilot) boss. They don't know the difference- it's all flying time as far as they're concerned.
I've seen quite a few CVs come through that include ultralight and gyrocopter hours in their total time, so I don't see why gliding should be any different.
Hell, the guys even include simulator hours in their total time over here! (One "450hr" pilot turned out to have over to 150 hours in a simulator, and people seemed surprised that his line training took about 3 times longer than expected *head-desk* ).
Do I agree with the practice? Short answer, no. But it is what it is.
So by all means include gliding in your total, but I would recommend you break it down into aeroplane and glider. Something like: x hours total (x aeroplane + x glider), x hours Pic (x aeroplane + x glider)... There's nothing that annoys me more about CV's that I see than having to work out someone's hours or not having the full picture. You would be surprised how often the 'single engine' total and 'multi engine' total don't add up to the grand total of flight time. (Side note: why tell us what your multi time is? There's only single engine aircraft in Maun.)
I've seen quite a few CVs come through that include ultralight and gyrocopter hours in their total time, so I don't see why gliding should be any different.
Hell, the guys even include simulator hours in their total time over here! (One "450hr" pilot turned out to have over to 150 hours in a simulator, and people seemed surprised that his line training took about 3 times longer than expected *head-desk* ).
Do I agree with the practice? Short answer, no. But it is what it is.
So by all means include gliding in your total, but I would recommend you break it down into aeroplane and glider. Something like: x hours total (x aeroplane + x glider), x hours Pic (x aeroplane + x glider)... There's nothing that annoys me more about CV's that I see than having to work out someone's hours or not having the full picture. You would be surprised how often the 'single engine' total and 'multi engine' total don't add up to the grand total of flight time. (Side note: why tell us what your multi time is? There's only single engine aircraft in Maun.)
Join Date: Aug 2013
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for PilotInPink
Do you know if could send my resume to some company and waiting theire interest,before go there and knock to some doors?
I'm 50 years old and experienced,I would like avoid go there and waste time.
Thanks a lot,I will appreciate your opinion.
I'm 50 years old and experienced,I would like avoid go there and waste time.
Thanks a lot,I will appreciate your opinion.
Join Date: Apr 2010
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No time is wasted here! Yes is a kind of waiting game, but the people you meet, the flight you can go on and all the rest makes it "no wasted time"! You have to be willing to spend few weeks/months of your life to chase your dream! It is worth it? Yes 100%!!!
In the last month, if our info are not wrong, two pilots have been hired...
In the last month, if our info are not wrong, two pilots have been hired...
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Guys, there is very little recruiting going on here at the moment. The redicolous Ebola scare has hit the tourism market. We just do not know what the bookings are going to be like for 2015.
To repeat what has been said here many times. You do not get a job here without sitting at the airport. If you can afford it, come here for a month. Get known and fly with all the companies. Find out when they think that they will be recruiting and come back. That is the only way forward.
To repeat what has been said here many times. You do not get a job here without sitting at the airport. If you can afford it, come here for a month. Get known and fly with all the companies. Find out when they think that they will be recruiting and come back. That is the only way forward.
Join Date: Oct 2012
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Hi there,
I was thinking on coming last year as I previously said in the post but I postponed it to this year as I had the opportunity to increase my total flight time working as a Tug pilot. I had some fun and did about 600 t/o's and landings but just 140h. Fortunately I am passing 500h now and so I am finally coming. Hope Ebola doesn't become a huge issue with the hirings. I ve flown the C206 and the GA8 and will get there by Dec the 6th. I have just gotten updated with the post to see what the differences from last year are. Looking forward to see you all!!
I was thinking on coming last year as I previously said in the post but I postponed it to this year as I had the opportunity to increase my total flight time working as a Tug pilot. I had some fun and did about 600 t/o's and landings but just 140h. Fortunately I am passing 500h now and so I am finally coming. Hope Ebola doesn't become a huge issue with the hirings. I ve flown the C206 and the GA8 and will get there by Dec the 6th. I have just gotten updated with the post to see what the differences from last year are. Looking forward to see you all!!
Join Date: Aug 2010
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Hi guys,
I have 310 hours and my intention is to come overthere in the first week of Januari,but I thinks that I do not have enough hours to apply, so what do you thinks? info about the last recruitment requirements are welcome.
thanks in advance
I have 310 hours and my intention is to come overthere in the first week of Januari,but I thinks that I do not have enough hours to apply, so what do you thinks? info about the last recruitment requirements are welcome.
thanks in advance
Join Date: Feb 2013
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I saw a advert from Mack Air Charters. They are looking for two junior pilots with 300-500TT. So you have a chance. You need send application to 24 Dec and have a two rating from three (c172, c206 or c208). Contract is for a five years.
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I would send an email to the recruiting person at Mack Air before to rush on sending cv, it looks like that for now all hiring operations have been put in a standby mode!