Hello all,
In the first place thanks to all for the great advice and information that has been put on this forum!
To date I have read the posts on Botswana, Namibia and a lot of the others (also outside of Africa). Since I couldn't find any thread actually summing up the big picture of the opportunities with up-to-date information for low-time pilots (say 400-1000 TT), I have made this one. Majority of the (bush pilot) opportunities are in Africa, hence I chose to post it over here, but it would be a pity not to include also information on good opportunities for low-timers on other continents.
Being an outsider aspiring to come to Africa from October 2016,
I will be grateful if those experienced are able and willing to adjust this information (likely the requirements may vary also based on the operator and current needs as well as given government's regulations, but it would be a great help to have a rough idea). Ideally this should be focused on single engine, but wouldn't mind if there are some serious multi engine opportunities for low-timers (which I do not suspect many, if any).
Structure of the below lists is: Country, (City or Place), Minimum hours required, Most common type(s) flown initially, (Type(s) to advance to with more hours) - Additional info/remark as applicable
AFRICA (Probably they do not accept e-mail applications and require walk-in):
Selected most "popular" and seemingly safe (& English speaking) places:- Botswana (Maun), 500 TT, 206, (208)
- Namibia (Windhoek, Swakopmund), 400-600 TT, 210, (208)
- Tanzania (Dar es Salaam, Zanzibar), 500-1000 TT, 206, (208)
- Zambia (Livingstone, Lusaka), 500 TT, 206, 210, (208) - may be more stricter
- Malawi (Lilongwe), 400 TT, 206, PA28, (PA32), ???
- Uganda (Kampala), ??? TT, 206, (???)
In some of the locations they seem to also use C172s, C182s, PA28s as well as GA8s. This above seems as if it would be the "typical" bush pilot primarily serving tourists.
Selected other opportunities in Africa but likely restricted to more hours needed and/or as twins:- Zimbabwe (Victoria Falls, Harare), 500 TT, 206, (208) - may be restricted to Zimbabwe nationals only
- Kenya (Nairobi, Mombasa), 1000 TT, 206, (208) - not possible to get work visa as a pilot due to many local CPL holders
- Republic of the Congo (Brazzaville) - not much general aviation and single engine opportunities - perhaps as a 2nd job option
From my perspective somewhat dangerous places which I didn't research further (would be happy to change my perspective based on someone's experience):- Central African Republic
- DRC
- Nigeria
There must be definitely other places in Africa where there are similar good opportunities for pilots (for example as medevacs or other type of work) that are also reasonably safe. Also there could be some French-speaking places with good opportunities for low-time pilots so if someone has some information, please post it.
OUTSIDE OF AFRICA (Probably they do not accept walk-ins):
- Indonesia, (Jakarta - Susi Air), 750 TT, 208, (Porter)
- Australia, (Darwin, Cairns, Jabiru), 400-500 TT?, 172, 182, 206 - anyone knows? - it should be fairly easy to get 1 year work & travel permit for a person up to and including 30 years of age
- New Zealand - Limited possibilities for non-kiwis
- Melanesia, Micronesia, Polynesia (there must be definitely some flying, although perhaps not for low hour pilots?) - anyone has some info?
- Caribbean - didn't find any but there surely must be some! Would love to go to the Caribbean
- Canada - perhaps could be an option for those lucky ones from Commonwealth
- USA (without work permit only possible to flight instruct at an approved part 141 academy with F-1 Visa), 250 TT, 152, 172, PA28 - need to do CPL+CFI and then flight instruct for up to 12 months; Alaskan Bush Pilot seems to be tough to get in even for Americans or for those with work permit
- Southern America - I have no information; likely need to be Spanish/Portuguese speaking
Also my understanding is, that to help to get a bush pilot job it is good to do the
instrument rating (which is also for one's safety) and an
instructor's rating as well.
PIC hours are what's important and counts (no-one is going to give you an airplane with passengers without sufficient previous command experience).
Multi-engine rating is not really important to get the job, but is going to be a factor few years down the road in case that you want to move to twins. Also it is good to
speak English well (lvl 5 or 6 preferably - if you don't, please do improve as you owe it to yourself as well as to your fellow pilots - otherwise we can hear even in "big airline flying" English incompetence which can get dangerous...).
To have
MCC/JOC/CRM is not that important, and could be even viewed negatively at some places (ah...this guy/girl just comes here to build up some hours and then he is gone to the jets).
But perhaps the most important => one needs to have a
good attitude, be a team player and a good guy/girl to hang out with. And come in person to Africa with a lot of
patience and persistence to get that job!
So, that much about my collecting information I found on PPRuNe, blogs or online search, and would be really glad if those insiders that are currently doing these jobs or (already moved elsewhere) could update the above information.
I may be wrong in many places and would be glad to change my perceptions - my goal is to get an understanding of the big picture. I will be updating the information in the list afterwards accordingly.
Appreciate to all for helping!
