My first job

[Jockflyer]

Well, nearly 18 months ago I got my CPL/IR from SFT and I have now finally been offered a job.. .. .On 1st May I start my professional flying career in sunny Zambia.. .. .Its been a none to enjoyable 18 months I can tell you, with lots of disappointments and worry. I nearly gave up. 3 weeks ago I attended a couple of interviews for a job back into my previous industry (insurance) and reluctantly accepted the offer of a job. I was so sad, as I saw this as me accepting that I was not going to get a job as a pilot. One week before I was due to start, I received another offer to fly for a charter company in Zambia.. .. .I'm going to be flying a Cessna 206, based in a bush camp. Hopefully I will get up to the magic 1000hrs before the end of the year, by which time the market back in the UK should have picked up enough for me to get a job back here. But in the meantime, I'll hopefully enjoy the flying there. . .. .If you had asked me a month ago if all the training and financial worries was worth it, I would have said no......ask me now and its a big yes!!. .. .Its still not going to be easy. I will be leaving my fiance at home until Xmas, she cries almost every night now because I'm leaving, which is very hard to take, but I try to assure her that it will all be worth it in the end.. .. .To everyone who is going through what I did, don't give up. Keep trying no matter how hard it gets. . .. .I need to thank my friends Daryll, Sean and Darren, all of whom are flying with UK airlines. They kept me going when all seemed doom and gloom. If you are reading this Daryll, then my eternal thanks go to you, as without your influence, I would never have got this job. You have change my life for the better, for which I will alway be grateful.. .. .I wish you all well.. .. .A very happy Jockflyer.. . . . <small>[ 28 March 2002, 08:29: Message edited by: Jockflyer ]</small>

[easondown]

Well done mate !!!

[micheal]

Hice one Mate ! Congratulations.. <img border="0" title="" alt="[Smile]" src="smile.gif" /> <img border="0" title="" alt="[Wink]" src="wink.gif" /> <img border="0" title="" alt="[Smile]" src="smile.gif" /> <img border="0" title="" alt="[Smile]" src="smile.gif" />

[micheal]

Sorry Typo ##**. .. .Nice one Mate ! Congratulations.. <img border="0" title="" alt="[Smile]" src="smile.gif" /> <img border="0" title="" alt="[Wink]" src="wink.gif" /> <img border="0" title="" alt="[Smile]" src="smile.gif" /> <img border="0" title="" alt="[Smile]" src="smile.gif" />

[jessie01]

yeh , well done Jock you probably desrve your luck after the effort you,ve put in.. .. .Can i ask you a couple of questions which are as important to me as your new job is to you.. .. .firstly , how much did it cost to get to where you are, and how old are you .Plus was the interview as gruelling and difficult as the others that i read about on pprune?. .. .I would really like to know as i feel like jacking it all in even though i havent passed all my exams yet and especially reading scroggs post about not bothering for the next 2 years , which is not an option due to the fact that i,mm the wrong side of 35!. .. .thanks and enjoy your new life.. .. .j

[POL.777]

Nice.... the 206 is a great plane.. .. .Best of luck mate. .. ./POL

[Wee Weasley Welshman]

Well done old chap. Be very careful out there though. One heres so many colourful stories... good character building stuff though!. .. .Enjoy.. .. .WWW

[spitfire747]

well done and all the best.. .. .I know it is difficult at times; i have all this to come in the following months, but i think it is like anything in life, if you are not doing what you want, then it is depressing.. .Hope and dreams should never be forgotten because you will always get there one day, and when you do it WILL be well worth any difficulties or sacrafices you have had during that time.. .. .Have fun

[captainmacuk]

hi jock,. .. .Im in east kilbride, just up the road wanna take me with you,haha!!. .. .That will be excellent flying I guess, great scenery aswell,. .. .what will you be doing, mail, passengers, air ambulance, or all of them, . .. .anyway,. .good luck

[Desk-pilot]

Jockflyer,. .. .Many many congratulations!! As a fellow ex-Insurance man I can confirm you're better off out of it!. .. .Really pleased to hear the sacrifice proved worthwhile.. .. .Keep us updated on your progress.. .. .Desk-pilot

[AMEX]

Hey Jockflyer, didn't we speak over the phone a couple of weeks ago ?. .Glad to see you have some great fun flying coming your way.. .Take care mate !

[xabi200]

Hey Jockflyer,. .. .Are you on with airwaves downthere?. .. .I contacted them, called, emailed but no reply.. .I almost flew overthere to push my luck.. .. .Did you have a little bit of help from a friend of yours?. .Where you recommended? introduced?. .. .Good for you. Eventhough I wished we were on togethere.. .. .Good luck to you.. .. .Xabi

[MorningGlory]

An Inspiring Tale. Well done mate!

[DoleBoy]

I wouldn't mind getting some info regarding how you came across the job, as I fancy doing the same. .please E-Mail me on [email protected].. .. .Regards. .. .DB. .. . <img border="0" title="" alt="[Big Grin]" src="biggrin.gif" />

[F900B]

"To everyone who is going through what I did, don't give up. Keep trying no matter how hard it gets" . .. .Could of not said it better myself...... .. .Well done <img border="0" title="" alt="[Wink]" src="wink.gif" />

[Jockflyer]

For those that wanted some info.. .. .I'm 30 with 330hrs. Last year I spent 3 months travelling to South Africa, Zambia and Botswana. lokking for a job. Basically I knocked on doors. I already had some leads from friends who had flown there before.. .. .If you want a job in Africa, then you can send all the CVs out there that you want but you'll only be wasting your time and postage. You need to go out there, meet the operators, get to know them, ask to go on flights with them etc. . .. .It also helps if you have some time on the aircraft they fly. In my case a C206. I got some hours on that last year in Botswana, then when I returned to the UK, those hours allowed me to fly for a local skydive club(www.skydivestrathallan.co.uk), I flew there everyother weekend. You don't get paid, but its free hours and good fun. These hours then put me in a good position this year, to get the job in Zambia.. .. .I should also say that I had a friend who put in a good word for me, and with out that it would have been a lot more difficult.. .. .THe bottom line is really to get up off your bum and visit the places you want to fly in. . .. .For those looking for a job in Southern Africa this season. The unfortunate message is that you are probably to late now. You need to be contacting the people from Jan, as most hiring will have been completed by Mid March, early April.. .. .I wish you all good luck.. .. .JF. . . . <small>[ 30 March 2002, 09:34: Message edited by: Jockflyer ]</small>