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Matoke
7th Oct 2009, 17:47
Hello everybody,

In 2002 and 2003 when I lived & worked in Uganda (I am an engineer) I dreamt about flying in Africa one day. As I have recently acquired my PPLicense in Austria, EUROPE I now want to do some hour building in Africa - and want to do a bush flying course.

After searching the internet for a week I have come up with these companies that offer bush flying courses:
in South Africa:
Bush Air - South Africa. Extreme and highly advanced Bush and Mountain Flying and Training. (http://www.bushair.co.za)
Sky Africa (http://www.skyafrica.com)
Bushpilot Adventures (http://www.bushpilot.co.za)

in Botswana:
Kalahari Flying Club (http://www.kalahari-flying-club.org)

Does anybody here have experience with one of those courses or know other companies who offer such courses in Africa?

I see other operators offering "Flying Safaris", that's definitely not what I am looking for... I am not looking for expensive tourist lodges - I just want to fly - and learn ;-)

Regards,
Erik

Csanad007
8th Oct 2009, 21:43
hi Matoke,

I'm a Hungarian guy with the same dream as you.
I'll be heading to Maun, Botswana to get a bush flying job in January next year.
My advice is that you go through the Maun thread, here's the link: http://www.pprune.org/african-aviation/342268-maun-2008-2009-season.html

And you'll find some more info on my blog, you can reach it through my profile.

Cheers and hope you find what you need!
Csanad

nyathi
9th Oct 2009, 10:02
If you want to do a real good Bush flying course then join Bush Air in South Africa. Here is the website: Bush Air - South Africa. Extreme and highly advanced Bush and Mountain Flying and Training. (http://www.bushair.co.za)

The owner is a super knowledgable chap and a safe pilot. Tell you what, you will learn how to properly fly your a/c.

When you done, then come join the Kalahari Flying Club in Maun, Northern Botswana. Here you can do hire and fly on a Cessna 172.

Hope this helps!

SLIPANDSKID
10th Oct 2009, 20:07
Hi,

Try these guys. They are fun and flexible, but most importantly professional.

You can learn bush flying and aero's all in one.

Ndege Juu Ya Africa (http://www.ndegejuu.com/home.html)

They are in Uganda.

Matoke
12th Oct 2009, 19:59
Thank you for the responses so far!

Csanad007:
I had already found your blog while searching the internet for bush-flying courses ;-) Hadn't gone through the "useful links" section yet, though - will do so now. Thanks for the reference to the other thread. Good luck!

nyathi:
Thanks for the information about BushAir! Actually your comment backs up the impression I got from their website. I will write to them to get some more information! Did you do their course?

SLIPANDSKID:
I hadn't discovered "Ndege Juu Ya Africa" yet, which looks quite interesting and promising. I am also going to ask them for some more information about their bush-pilot courses. It would be a good opportunity to o some flying there while visiting some friends in Uganda anyway!

Does anybody have experience with the mentioned companies?

fluglehrer
14th Oct 2009, 15:01
MATOKE wrote:
>Hello everybody,
>[.....]companies that offer bush flying courses:
>[.....] Does anybody here have experience with one
>of those courses or know other companies who
>offer such courses in Africa?[....]

did a 'course' with skyafrica;

many clips at
YouTube - Broadcast Yourself. (http://www.youtube.com/view_play_list?p=B1324BB9F38CA1CB)

regards
wolfgang, LOWW, VIE

nyathi
15th Oct 2009, 07:44
I havent done the Bushair course, but would like to one day as I'm a Bush pilot in Northern Botswana by trade. Love it!

Go give it a bash and let us know! :ok:

markus_m2
21st Oct 2009, 10:02
Highly recommend Bushair's bushpilot course...fun, learning intensive, extreme, and you'll definitely walk away feeling much more confident behind the controls!!! You won't regret it...

Other setups are more of a tourist gimmick, Bushair does the real thing...

Matoke
4th Jan 2010, 11:59
Thanks everybody for your responses!

I've booked the course with CC Pocock from BushAir - will be there at the end of february, and do some extra flying afterwards!

I am looking SOoooooo much forward to it :D Will report about my impressions here afterwards!

Happy New Year!
Erik

PA-34
26th Jan 2010, 10:37
Hiii every one,
Can any one tell me what are the chances of getting a flying job in Uganda for low time pilot like me .I am an Indian citizen I have Canadian and Indian CPL, multi engine rating and multi engine instrument rating.I have total
219 hours and 30mins with 30 hours and 30 mins on Piper Seneca-II.
Thanks.

NovaScotian
27th Jan 2010, 07:04
I too am thinking about flying in Africa. I have about 1300hrs in the C208B with 900 of that PIC, 3300hrs total, PC12 time and B1900D time. I'm looking for opinions if it would be worth it to move to Africa and look for a job. I have a Canadian CPL (soon ATPL), with Group 1 IFR. I just feel like I need a change. Any sugguestions?

smiley41
25th Aug 2010, 02:54
Hi there Matoke

Did you do the Bushair flying course? I'd be interested in hearing about your experience and thoughts of the course.

Regards

DaFly
25th Aug 2010, 09:24
Isn't a bush flying course just another way of pulling money out of foreigner's pockets?

If you do intend to fly in southern Africa, you are most likely required to a flight test as part of your validation. Just book a few hours extra with decent flying school in order to prepare for the test and the trip later. A lot about "bush flying" is common sense really, something that can't be taught during a course. And I hate to think, that some foreign pilot, who has to get used to a new type, since the ones he might be used to, are not available down here, now starts fiddling with intermediate flap settings ("bush flaps") or other funny "bush tricks".
First of all, learn to fly the plane within it's limitations. If the POH says, it can't be done, then don't do it, not even with flaps set in between T/O and APPR.
Any decent instructor should have taught their students to keep the hands on the controls while taxiing and 'climb into the wind' or 'dive out of the wind'.
When on gravel, apply power as the speed increases. Nothing that one needs to spend hours in the a/c for.
However, unfortunately a lot of Europeans do come here and show a serious lack of airmanship and common sense. A couple of years ago I did quite a few trips as safety pilot. It's hazardous, man!