Spectators Balcony (Spotters Corner)If you're not a professional pilot but want to discuss issues about the job, this is the best place to loiter. You won't be moved on by 'security' and there'll be plenty of experts to answer any questions.
Just wondering what you consider the best flying job you've had or the one you reckon would be the best to have.
I spent 3 years flying in the bush in Botswana and reckon that was one of the best jobs for fun, lifestyle etc. Chasing antelope off of runways, watching herds of elephant and zebra from a few hundred feet, sunsets on game drives, great accommodation and hospitality on night stops at the camps and a couple of 1000 hours to put in the logbook - all P1.
I thought nothing could be better, but now am flying to the highlands and islands for Scotland's Airline doing the closest thing to bush flying in western Europe I guess. Great scenery, diverse weather, excellent roster and in the airline environment.
So what other jobs are out there that combine nice lifestyle with good flying?
Maun is the place to look. 7 operators who will hire 200 hour pilots as well as experienced jocks - got to turn up in the flesh though.
Nice and safe environment in Botswana along with well maintained aircraft - singles, twins and turbines. Good place to start off a flying career I think.
My job wins (obviously ), biz-jets, formation flying, low-level, lots of international travel, decent enough pay structure (mostly) and a nice long time off over xmas and new year.
hi all.. I reckon the best job is any job that while doing it u do it with so much pleasure and when u have time off, u cant wait to go back to work again...
One where I am home every night, or at least all most all of them. Hub out to xyz and then back and call it the day. Alas, I am not nearly senior enough to hold them.
hey rawmac, would you mind elaborating on those carriers in Botswana willing to hire lowtimers...cheers ps. names will facilitate a web search at least and/or advice on contacting them
Safari Air (The Booking Company) C206/207/210 BN2B GA8 Sefofane C206/208 Mack Air C206/208/210 PA31 Delta Air C206/C210 BN2A PA31 Northern Air C206 Moremi Air C206/208/210 BN2A Swamp Air C206
In all about 45 aircraft involved in the air transport business.
Telephone/fax nos. I cannot recall, but Botswana Telecom's directory is available on the web.
Talk to them, send them a CV but you'll need to rock up in person to get the job. January/Feb probably best time to be in Maun to look for work.
Can't rate the experience - flying and otherwise highly enough. They'll take any nationality with an ICAO licence - even Canadians! (joke).
And they pay too. None of this pay for your rating/flying crap. Not a huge amount by Western standards but sufficient for a nice life in southern Africa.
The flying in Botswana is all VFR so an IR is not essential. Ultimately the air charter companies are looking for guys who'll fit in with the other pilots and who'll have a good way with the clients.
Whilst it's likely any company that's interested in you would take you up for a test flight to check you can fly, you'd end up doing a minimum of 50 hours flying into the Okavango delta and its bush strips before you'd be let loose.
I know of a number of CPL onlys who've done a couple of seasons and then polished the IR off. To a certain extent, with an extra 1000 hours under your belt, the IR should be a lot more straightforward.
At times there can be upwards of 20 guys looking for work and maybe only a couple of jobs coming up, then it becomes a case of keeping your spirits up, staying positive and believing in yourself.
Best flying job in the world? Flying a Tornado GR4 at 600kts at 100ft does it for me!!! But no matter what you do, if you have a smile on your face at the end of the day, you have the best flying job in the world.
I was just about to agree with you there, Felix Lighter, but I then saw that you meant hover with rotating airfoils
I used to believe I had the best flying job in the World when I joined Rolls-Royce as a Test Pilot in 1989. I was flying a Harrier GR5 with the uprated 11-61 engine on flight test, a BAC 1-11 on corporate duties, a Spitfire XIV again on corporate duties and an AC112 as a hack. Add that to the odd weekend display with the Harvard Team and I was in Pilot Heaven.
), biz-jets, formation flying, low-level, lots of international travel, decent enough pay structure (mostly) and a nice long time off over xmas and new year.
