2000TT Revolution in Namibia
 

Last week Home Affairs implemented a new rule for foreign pilots: No more visas for pilots with less than 2000 hours.

This new measure means that aprox 80% or 90% of the small operators pilots should leave the country. Some of us are already grounded and the rest will be in the same situation as soon their visas expire.

Apparently AOPA Namibia had a meeting with the ministry yesterday, but is gonna be a looong discussion, cause the only they got was a new appointment for the end of the next week.

Don't you think 2000TT is way too much to fly a C210 for 8000R?
No one with that experience is gonna come here!!!

And of course, the locals are thinking in jumping to Air Namibia directly!



Any info will be appreciated!

Just had a conversation with a bloke in the tourist industry last night. According to him the bill is "in discussion", not yet passed. However the department hadling visas is, again, witholding visas and permits as a "precautionary" measure, since it's possible the bill will pass.

Rumors are rampant here!

If all the operators in Namibia meet with the government and explain the situation, and that 35% of the nations entire GDP is tourism, there will either be unheard of unemployment and poverty in Namibia, OR the government will begin issuing visas/permits.

I am hoping for the latter. Sitting here at the box, wondering if I should even go to the airport as planned today... Save the N$32 round trip cab fair... Or go there optomistic that it will all clear up within the next couple of months...

well that just about figures for these african countries who cant figure out economics.


hopefully it doesnt pass.

darkroom, how many pilots are in Nam right now and what is there general experience levels?

Looks like I might return to NAM with my 2000+hrs and even get a decent salary for it and feel work's a holiday :)

soakingpilot,

There is not to much happening in Nam and plenty of pilots have been through looking for work already. I see these African countries are not great at economics, pretty rich coming from a yank and the country that caused the world recession.

The guys in Nam are waiting to meet you, the few I know have been doing some reading of your Maun posts, told you!

You have gone quiet on the Maun thread now, tail between legs I guess.:D

I know of about 15 waiting.
I know of 10 already hired this year between August and now.
So there's maybe another 5 positions left?
I also know of 4 Namibians who have been turned down at the charter operators for some reason or another.
So the season might actually be over for expats already. Or it might not.
Depending on what happens with Air Namibia and their new jets, and whether pilots leave the charter operations. In other words - it doesn't matter how many are here, there are more here than jobs for now, and with HA enforcing 2000 TT, it's bleak.
But, if the operators can't convince HA to change it's ways, there could be a massive crunch in the tourism industry here, and that could mean a HUGE cut in GNP.

And propeller pilot
N$ 8000 per month is 800 euros or 1120 US dollars per month. We're not talking 8000 US dollars per month. So it's not a great salary. Rent here, in a place that's safe is at least N$2500 per month for a "bachelor flat" which is called a studio in the US. Electric and water NOT included. I'm having a hard time on N$250 per week for food, and I get free breakfast where I'm staying. I think it will be very hard to save up enough for the return flight over a two year period.
Some of the operators are having people sign 3 year contracts - they say it's a one year contract, but then they add a year for every N$ 10 000 that they "invest in you". You have to have 25 hours in type and 400 TT for the insurance companies, and they "charge" for every training class like security, SOP's, etc. so many pilots end up with a three year "bond" contract.

Not to sound too negative, and of course you could read this knowing that I'm here hoping for a job and the more pilots here the worse my chances.

So there is good news. I haven't met a Namibian here I didn't like.
I was able to say I hadn't met anyone I didn't like until the other day, when I met an American and a Brit that forced me to change that. (I was born in England and raised in America, so I am embarased by this statement)

Here's the thing, and it's related to flying and the "never met a Namibian I didn't like". You can't come here expecting a job, nor can you expect things to be the same as wherever you're coming from. It's Africa, things are different here (I am no expert, but even I can see that things are different). Come to enjoy the people, the sights, the animals. Be prepared to go home without a job. I've seen several guys run out of money and go home in the past two weeks. But there are still many who have what seems to be an unlimited supply of money.

@darkroomsource: dude I am sitting here holding thumbs for you - I was joking a bit cause I already wear the Namibian T-shirt and know almost every corner of it! Been there, done that. I have a different goal at the moment and I am praying I will be just as lucky with this as I was back then in Nam.

Just hang in there and move around. Try Swakop...

Anyone knows something else?

Last week was 2 meetings between AOPA and the goverment... but nothing new!

Grounded!!!

Haha, don't expect news that fast.

I spent my time in Namibia and yes it is very difficult. 8000 a month is nothing. The prices of food and other things are going up like crazy but the wages are not rising with them.

In any case, the problems with the visas are not new. Last time I was there I had to wait a month for my visa at one point. Collegues also had problems, having to wait anywhere between 2 weeks to a month. Some companies don't give you a salary while you wait so that gets you in a heap of (financial) trouble. Better have some spare cash stached away if you go there (which I didn't, thanks mom and dad :ugh: ).

I used to chase those people around but you have to be very lucky to even get someone to pick up the phone. I also grew tired of the sentance 'call back tomorrow' :mad:
I believe I only got one visa on time out of 7 or so.

2000 TT requirement would effectively shut down 90% of all the charter operators. They don't understand what that means for their tourism. But the visa problems are not only for the pilots. When I was there I read an article on the issue and lot's of other industries are having the same problem (mining, construction, fishery,...) They just don't have enough trained Namibians to do all the expats' jobs yet, but they just don't seem to understand. All they want is to get that 50% unemployment figure down but that cant be done with these stupid measures... It needs a good long term vision on educating the peoples.
Maybe we should let them shoot themselves in the foot, maybe then would they understand... But only maybe though... No guarantees in Africa :\

Glad it's not my problem anymore but I still have many friends down there and I wish them and all the other guys who need one good luck with their visa's. But asking for some common sense is asking for a lot.

On the bright side, flying in Namibia is the best thing I have ever been able to do. Flying there is wonderfull, especially through the different seasons. Heat, cold, drought, rain and floods, dangerous flying and boring flying, talking **** when your boss isn't flying, teaching ATC how to seperate planes, landing without the gear,... Aah, memories.
I would recommend anyone who has the chance to go fly there. Try not to get demotivted by the officials, and/by enjoying every second in the air!
Cause when youre gone again, it's all you'll think about...

Hey MKA how many hours were you putting away in Nam anyways. WDH or Swak?

....cos the good once all have left.:{

Just got into WDH and I will say right off the bat that having steady hot water and a washing machine is awesome after 3 months of none of that though I'll be missing the Brai's.. I'm heading to the airport tomorrow wish me luck.
:ok:

You have 2000 TT soaking?
if not, why did you bother?

thanks for the wish for good luck.

do you have 2000 hours? why are you still in Windhoek otherwise?

because O I dunno you have to try try try maybe?

Been reliably informed that home affairs are prepared to evaluate prospective pilots with less than 2000 hrs TT on a case by case basis. Seems there may be some hope for the low time guys looking for work in Nam. Best of luck chaps and girls

It would be overly cynical to anticipate the release of some sort of tariff sheet from the authorities? But it is so helpful to have the correct small change about one's person. Best of luck though, that's quite a hot tip, treat it as a gratuity?

Awesome awesome! I cant wait to check it out, just got to get myself some interviewing shoes today. Thanks for the updates all!
:ok:

I'm here, actually in Swakop now, because I came before the decisions about 2000 TT, if I'd known before about this situation, I would not have come to Namibia.

I've just heard that most of the existing requests are going to be processed, but there is no guarantee about future requests.

Here in Swakop, Pleasure Flight is "in need of pilots" but have a "company policy of hiring only Namibian citizens or South African Citizens".

Hi soak!
Good news from your interviews?????

Still no one visa issued. At least I didn't hear anyone telling he/she got a visa.

Last info I had is that home affairs should be revising one by one... maybe renewing the ones for the people that was already flying, maybe giving new ones for pilots with some experience (no fixed requirements) and apparently... they are gonna reject the newcomers with low experience.

THIS IS A RUMOUR!
I'm just trying to know if someone got the same info from another source!



Happy landings..... for the lucky ones flying!