Possible Africa Job- Advice Requested!
Guest
Posts: n/a
Possible Africa Job- Advice Requested!
Hello,
I am new to the forum and I am looking for some advice.
Currently, I fly a Cessna 152 doing aerial photography. I have over 360 hours total time, and recently graduated from university.
Through the help of a friend and former professor, I may have an opportunity to accept a job in Gabon, Africa. The deal is that I will work behind a desk as an admin assistant (I will be doing some financial work, which is related to my degree), and then after 12 months or less, I will be moved into a FO position on a twotter. Once I reach 1000 hours, I will likely be moved onto a Dash-8. Again, this offer comes through the help of a friend. I believe it is a Canadian company doing contract work in Africa.
I would like some advice from people who currently or have worked in Africa.
Concerns include:
- lifestyle and cost of living.
- safety and health.
- will I be able to return to my home country after several years?
I hope some people can share their stories and comments with me.
Thank you,
Raffi.
I am new to the forum and I am looking for some advice.
Currently, I fly a Cessna 152 doing aerial photography. I have over 360 hours total time, and recently graduated from university.
Through the help of a friend and former professor, I may have an opportunity to accept a job in Gabon, Africa. The deal is that I will work behind a desk as an admin assistant (I will be doing some financial work, which is related to my degree), and then after 12 months or less, I will be moved into a FO position on a twotter. Once I reach 1000 hours, I will likely be moved onto a Dash-8. Again, this offer comes through the help of a friend. I believe it is a Canadian company doing contract work in Africa.
I would like some advice from people who currently or have worked in Africa.
Concerns include:
- lifestyle and cost of living.
- safety and health.
- will I be able to return to my home country after several years?
I hope some people can share their stories and comments with me.
Thank you,
Raffi.
Advice..?
Join Date: Nov 2003
Location: South Africa
Posts: 6
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Well I would rather suggest you do your homework before you just pack up and leave for a place like Gabon,I have worked there and still do work in that region and all around there and it is not Paradise,firstly the living Conditions will depend on your employer and it can be from a little room without A/C (Most likely) to a house with a pool (If you are Lucky),Gabon is very expensive the cost of living is on par with some of the most expensive places in the world.And the most Important issue you must look at it what has been offered a deal like that sounds promising at first in order to attract you, but it is most likely not what you are going to get, I know of several people who have been seriously dissapointed and some have almost been improsend,especially with the Gabonese they like to take people for a ride at your expense, Gabon is an African country and it does things the African way,and if you are not familiar with those ways be very schepticle about what you have been offred and where it is,So my advice to you is this,be sure of what you are doing and who you are doing it with,and then be sure this is where you want to do it.
I have been flying here for many years and it is "No Holiday"
I have been flying here for many years and it is "No Holiday"
Guest
Posts: n/a
Thanks guys. As I mentionned before, I am fairly certain that the company is NOT african, but Canadian, so I would think the operations are of higher (and safer) standards.
Although I do not meet the minimum requirements for a pilot position, I know someone who is good friends with the founder of the company, who introduced us.
Well, I look forward to more comments and advice regarding African aviation.
Raffi.
Although I do not meet the minimum requirements for a pilot position, I know someone who is good friends with the founder of the company, who introduced us.
Well, I look forward to more comments and advice regarding African aviation.
Raffi.
Join Date: Oct 2002
Location: Sandpit
Posts: 313
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Raffi
The company you intend to fly for is probably the most serious operator in Libreville, Gabon. Organised duty time / rest periods, good maintenance, and they normally take good care of their crew -- they offer accommodation to their pilots and it is normally of good quality by any standards.
The company used to be entirely Gabonese / French run, but it has slowly been taken over by the Canadians who control it entirely now. Most of the flights are either domestic scheduled service or short-haul flights for oil companies such as Shell.
The Twin Otter they operate is absolutely beautiful, it has arrived in Libreville a couple months ago coming out of complete overhaul. I don't know much about DHC-6s, but it has 4-bladed props and I've been told it's one of the most recent series of Twotters.
As far as living in Libreville is concerned, you will certainly like it better if you speak French. Aside from that, it is not a bad place to live in, you have supermarkets where you can find anything you need, and loads of restaurants, bars and clubs.
In other words: I would trade a 152 for that Gabonese Twin Otter in a heartbeat...
The company used to be entirely Gabonese / French run, but it has slowly been taken over by the Canadians who control it entirely now. Most of the flights are either domestic scheduled service or short-haul flights for oil companies such as Shell.
The Twin Otter they operate is absolutely beautiful, it has arrived in Libreville a couple months ago coming out of complete overhaul. I don't know much about DHC-6s, but it has 4-bladed props and I've been told it's one of the most recent series of Twotters.
As far as living in Libreville is concerned, you will certainly like it better if you speak French. Aside from that, it is not a bad place to live in, you have supermarkets where you can find anything you need, and loads of restaurants, bars and clubs.
In other words: I would trade a 152 for that Gabonese Twin Otter in a heartbeat...
Guest
Posts: n/a
Once again, thanks for all the responses.
I am currently waiting for a call-back from the company.
Another issue, however, that has arisen is creating many problems. Apparently, many Canadians returning from abroad have been denied a security pass becuase of lack of "verifiable" documentation/information of their time outside Canada. This could mean that if I go, I may not be able to come back!
There is a discussion in the Canada forum on this topic (it's called "It's True."
Raffi.
I am currently waiting for a call-back from the company.
Another issue, however, that has arisen is creating many problems. Apparently, many Canadians returning from abroad have been denied a security pass becuase of lack of "verifiable" documentation/information of their time outside Canada. This could mean that if I go, I may not be able to come back!
There is a discussion in the Canada forum on this topic (it's called "It's True."
Raffi.
