Aircraft Leasing Serivices and National Airways Corporation
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Aircraft Leasing Serivices and National Airways Corporation
Hey, anyone out there work for or know anything about Aircraft Leasing Services based in Nairobi, or National Airways Corporation based in Johannesburg?
Thinking of putting resume in. Any info would be helpful. Thanks
Thinking of putting resume in. Any info would be helpful. Thanks
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Don't know much about NAC, but ALS is a pretty big operation here in Kenya. They have a wide ranging fleet and operate over a wide area of east/west/south Africa and probably north Africa too by now. They specialise in lease work or operating small airlines all over the region. Its a HUGE company here - way bigger than most people realise. Owned and set up by a primarily Asian family I believe - dozens of pilots of all skills and experience levels. I have no actual information but it seems like they have a high turn-over of pilots but they are a stepping stone to Kenya Airways for most pilots - a stop gap between game park Caravan operations and national airline Boeings. Some pilots have been there for ages, others transit through quite quickly. Think some of their terms are a bit tough but it obviously works given the number of pilots heading there. It is a Kenyan company but operates all over so I don't know what their workpermit/nationality requirements are.....
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NAC and all its aviation related business is well known in the RSA. You should either get or find relevant answers in this forum.
In case Cleveland is indeed USA and you don't hold a RSA citizenship or work permit yet, rather save your efforts. Do not expect to get one as there are enough well qualified pilots in SA and therefor the criteria for a work permit for foreign pilots won't be fulfilled. You will find similar answers here before.
In case Cleveland is indeed USA and you don't hold a RSA citizenship or work permit yet, rather save your efforts. Do not expect to get one as there are enough well qualified pilots in SA and therefor the criteria for a work permit for foreign pilots won't be fulfilled. You will find similar answers here before.
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Thanks
Thanks for the replies. I have heard mixed things about getting a job/work visa in south Africa. Figure ill put in a resume and worst they can say is no. Am interested in flying somewhere in Africa, would like to be in South Africa because I know people there-but open to anywhere in sub-sahara Africa. Like to be at a company where I can go to airports and places I wouldn't normally see otherwise. Know any countries in Africa that take Americans with little visa trouble? Thanks
Thanks for info on Aircraft Leasing Services, company was totally unknown to me. Will keep all that in mind when I apply. Thanks again
Thanks for info on Aircraft Leasing Services, company was totally unknown to me. Will keep all that in mind when I apply. Thanks again
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Like everyone has said, you're wasting your time chasing employment in South Africa. Even getting a SA conversion is not worth the risk and expense, as most ZS aircraft outside of RSA are staffed by South African pilots or a mixture of local/SA's. There are plenty of excellent, well qualified and unemployed/underemployed pilots from South Africa. It's no different from the US. You are least likely to find a job in South Africa or Kenya.
As far as ALS goes, their ERJ's fly mainly for the UN in the World Food Program. Their aircraft are staffed by Kenyans.
Since you've previously inquired about UN flying, here's what I know: From personal experience, I can tell you that UN contract flying is FAR from ideal. The UN operates one of the larger scheduled airlines without owning any aircraft. UN contract pilots do not receive any of the benefits of working for the UN and are all under varying T&C. Not all crews/aircraft are created equal. You are not protected by the UN, nor treated as an asset. Due to aircraft registrations, there are very few Americans flying UN & WFP contracts in Africa. Most CRJ/DHC-8 flying is done by Canadians, some DHC-8 by Kenyans, ERJ Kenyans, B1900 mostly South African, 737-combi South African and a VQ registered 737-400 which is Russian owned, MD-83 which is Spanish. Then there are the Russians who operate virtually ALL cargo flights. IL-76, AN-26, Mi-8, Mi-24 and Mi-26. Occasionally, you will find other odd aircraft types/other countries represented because the UN puts out RFP for every contract every 6 months. The low ballers come in and try to operate for less and then figure out what a money losing proposition it is and bail. UN contracts are not lucrative for single/small-fleet aircraft operations.
If you have an unrestricted ERJ type (NO Circling Limited to VMC Only or SIC Privileges Only) and PIC time on type, there are ERJ jobs - especially in Nigeria. ACASS in Canada would be a good place for you to start. There are probably over a dozen Legacy jets operating in Lagos and Abuja. Some are N registered. Many are Manx registered for convenience/tax advantages and a validation is simple to obtain through your employer.
If you want to work in Africa, or anywhere outside of your home country for that matter, you need to take a pragmatic approach. Consider the area, look at it's needs/growth and what you have to offer. Most regions that are hiring Expat pilots are not mature markets like South Africa. Kenya is another off-limits to expats country. To be a guest in a country, they require experienced, type-rated pilots who can fulfill specific needs until such a time when there is a sufficient supply of local pilots. Nigeria is unique for many reasons which go far off-topic here. Suffice to say it's not for everyone and they will have a long-term need for expats.
As far as ALS goes, their ERJ's fly mainly for the UN in the World Food Program. Their aircraft are staffed by Kenyans.
Since you've previously inquired about UN flying, here's what I know: From personal experience, I can tell you that UN contract flying is FAR from ideal. The UN operates one of the larger scheduled airlines without owning any aircraft. UN contract pilots do not receive any of the benefits of working for the UN and are all under varying T&C. Not all crews/aircraft are created equal. You are not protected by the UN, nor treated as an asset. Due to aircraft registrations, there are very few Americans flying UN & WFP contracts in Africa. Most CRJ/DHC-8 flying is done by Canadians, some DHC-8 by Kenyans, ERJ Kenyans, B1900 mostly South African, 737-combi South African and a VQ registered 737-400 which is Russian owned, MD-83 which is Spanish. Then there are the Russians who operate virtually ALL cargo flights. IL-76, AN-26, Mi-8, Mi-24 and Mi-26. Occasionally, you will find other odd aircraft types/other countries represented because the UN puts out RFP for every contract every 6 months. The low ballers come in and try to operate for less and then figure out what a money losing proposition it is and bail. UN contracts are not lucrative for single/small-fleet aircraft operations.
If you have an unrestricted ERJ type (NO Circling Limited to VMC Only or SIC Privileges Only) and PIC time on type, there are ERJ jobs - especially in Nigeria. ACASS in Canada would be a good place for you to start. There are probably over a dozen Legacy jets operating in Lagos and Abuja. Some are N registered. Many are Manx registered for convenience/tax advantages and a validation is simple to obtain through your employer.
If you want to work in Africa, or anywhere outside of your home country for that matter, you need to take a pragmatic approach. Consider the area, look at it's needs/growth and what you have to offer. Most regions that are hiring Expat pilots are not mature markets like South Africa. Kenya is another off-limits to expats country. To be a guest in a country, they require experienced, type-rated pilots who can fulfill specific needs until such a time when there is a sufficient supply of local pilots. Nigeria is unique for many reasons which go far off-topic here. Suffice to say it's not for everyone and they will have a long-term need for expats.
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CentreofExcellence, thank you for taking the time to write this. Obviously not positive info for me but definitely useful. Appreciate the volume of info.
Have heard less than good things about Nigeria similar to what you were referring to. Will keep all in mind.
Have heard less than good things about Nigeria similar to what you were referring to. Will keep all in mind.
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I don't think ALS or anybody else at Wilson in Nairobi will be having any turnover of people going to Kenya Airways for a good while .
A senior pilot there told me there was a distinct possibility of pilot layoffs as well as the mothballing of aircraft that has already started . Passenger loads are way down thanks to the Ebola scare and security issues which continue to damage tourism .
A senior pilot there told me there was a distinct possibility of pilot layoffs as well as the mothballing of aircraft that has already started . Passenger loads are way down thanks to the Ebola scare and security issues which continue to damage tourism .
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CentreofExcellence, thank you for taking the time to write this. Obviously not positive info for me but definitely useful. Appreciate the volume of info.
Have heard less than good things about Nigeria similar to what you were referring to. Will keep all in mind.
Have heard less than good things about Nigeria similar to what you were referring to. Will keep all in mind.
I actually wasn't being negative about Nigeria. I was indicating that it is one of the best options for an ERJ pilot seeking expat flying in Africa. Having worked extensively all over the African continent, Nigeria included, I can say with some certainty that Nigeria is NOT as bad as you have heard. If you're going by a US Airline crew who tells harrowing tales of armed convoys to a secure hotel compound, warnings of robbery, rape and fatal water/food poisoning at every moment - you're not getting an accurate picture. There are a many people with scary tales of Nigeria who are passing on third-hand information or are trying to confer their limited exposure in a sensational manner.
Nigeria, Lagos in particular, can be dirty, chaotic, frustrating and difficult. Customer service is truly an oxymoron. People who live on the equivalent of US$250 per month or less, can be aggressively enterprising. It's very impersonal. Nigerians are also some of the happiest, friendly, faithful and outgoing people you will find.
I suggest not ruling it out until you've gotten factual information from some ERJ, and other pilots, who have actually worked in Nigeria. You might be surprised by the contrast.
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CentreofExcellence,
Didn't mean to imply doom and gloom. Just figured you were giving me a heads up that conditions in Nigeria may be less than ideal. But thank you for the follow-up and clarification. Good to know that you found Nigeria interesting and more so quality people there too.
I haven't traveled extensively in Africa but have been to Zimbabwe and South Africa briefly. Blackouts, no running water, riding in packed buses and sleeping under a bed net don't bother me, to a point, and aren't necessarily deal breakers. Having a bad security situation (or a bad work schedule) that prevents me from meeting new people and seeing new places would probably be a deal breaker.
I had planned on finding out what I could about Nigeria through forums, such as this, other news articles and online data. Talk to a few people who have flown there and maybe even visit and have a look myself like I did in South Africa and UAE earlier this year.
Appreciate the follow-up, hopefully it will help round out my view on Nigeria. Hate to ask as you have already given me a good bit to chew on, but if you have any recommended reading on Africa, outside of this forum, aviation related or otherwise, feel free to pass it on. Thanks
Didn't mean to imply doom and gloom. Just figured you were giving me a heads up that conditions in Nigeria may be less than ideal. But thank you for the follow-up and clarification. Good to know that you found Nigeria interesting and more so quality people there too.
I haven't traveled extensively in Africa but have been to Zimbabwe and South Africa briefly. Blackouts, no running water, riding in packed buses and sleeping under a bed net don't bother me, to a point, and aren't necessarily deal breakers. Having a bad security situation (or a bad work schedule) that prevents me from meeting new people and seeing new places would probably be a deal breaker.
I had planned on finding out what I could about Nigeria through forums, such as this, other news articles and online data. Talk to a few people who have flown there and maybe even visit and have a look myself like I did in South Africa and UAE earlier this year.
Appreciate the follow-up, hopefully it will help round out my view on Nigeria. Hate to ask as you have already given me a good bit to chew on, but if you have any recommended reading on Africa, outside of this forum, aviation related or otherwise, feel free to pass it on. Thanks
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Other than Fodors and Lonely Planet type guides, which usually cover places where tourists WANT to go and relegate the rest to 1 or 2 pages of vagueness, your're really going to have to decide on a place like Nigeria based on input from others. That is why I warned you about heeding advice from people who really haven't experienced living/working in Nigeria.
It's difficult to travel to Nigeria unless you're coming for business purposes. In order to visit, you'll need a visa that must be obtained prior to arrival. Obtaining that visa requires and invitation letter from a Nigerian company which states the purpose of your visit and accepts financial responsibility for your stay. There is virtually ZERO tourism in Nigeria. If you got a job, they company would help you obtain a visa through G3, Washington Express or any number of visa agencies in Washington DC.
PM if you want to know specifics about Nigeria, flying in country, living conditions etc.
It's difficult to travel to Nigeria unless you're coming for business purposes. In order to visit, you'll need a visa that must be obtained prior to arrival. Obtaining that visa requires and invitation letter from a Nigerian company which states the purpose of your visit and accepts financial responsibility for your stay. There is virtually ZERO tourism in Nigeria. If you got a job, they company would help you obtain a visa through G3, Washington Express or any number of visa agencies in Washington DC.
PM if you want to know specifics about Nigeria, flying in country, living conditions etc.
