Question about Bush Flying
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Question about Bush Flying
Can anybody give me any advice about getting into bushflying in Africa. I have JAR (f)ATPL 300hrs and i'm looking to build up experience as well as have an opportunity to broaden my horizons. I am prepared to go anywhere and fly anything.
Any advice or tips would be most welcome.
Thanks,
Itchy Kitchin
Any advice or tips would be most welcome.
Thanks,
Itchy Kitchin
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With all your respect, your experience level seems very low for any "bush flying" job. Try to get your hours up a little while where you are. Then after, if still interested in about all the hardship involved, try again.
All the best.
All the best.
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...yeah i know!
I am exploring all avenues at the moment. Hourbuilding in the UK to get a job is pricey- all the more so now i have to start re-paying the bank for all the money i borrowed to finish the training!
...but thanks for the tip.
I am exploring all avenues at the moment. Hourbuilding in the UK to get a job is pricey- all the more so now i have to start re-paying the bank for all the money i borrowed to finish the training!
...but thanks for the tip.
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...I know...howabout as a copilot in some UK company? Must be also difficult , thought. One more chance are those Twin Otter operators in Algeria and I guess Libya as well.
Nikolai
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Hey CM
Don't be so hard on the guy he is just trying to get ahead, we were/are all still in that boat and you have to start somewhere. kitchin the only way you get a job in Africa and most places I would think is get down there and show your face, unless you know somebody who is already working in whichever company you have about zero chance of getting work. I know that they employ a lot of Aussies and Kiwis in the Okavongo and those guys basicallly go and camp out for a few weeks before the start of the tourist season. As for when the season starts I am not 100% certain but I think end of Jan beginning of Feb.
Happy hunting my friend and good luck!
CM-long time no see how is life by the seaside?
Don't be so hard on the guy he is just trying to get ahead, we were/are all still in that boat and you have to start somewhere. kitchin the only way you get a job in Africa and most places I would think is get down there and show your face, unless you know somebody who is already working in whichever company you have about zero chance of getting work. I know that they employ a lot of Aussies and Kiwis in the Okavongo and those guys basicallly go and camp out for a few weeks before the start of the tourist season. As for when the season starts I am not 100% certain but I think end of Jan beginning of Feb.
Happy hunting my friend and good luck!
CM-long time no see how is life by the seaside?
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Captian Magic writes"My advise to you is GO BACK TO EUROPE and leave Africa for the Africans!"
Good idea Captain, maybe tell all your budds to tear up their FAA licenses while your at it and quit trying to get jobs in Europe, Aussieland and the U.S.. Nobody can stuff up the Dark Continent better than Africans.
Also seems to be a controversy as to who are Africans.. If you havent been there for a few thosand years your no longer welcome anyway, so what now.....
The Mugabe school of flight training?? Or are you sweating some youngster with a 300 hour ATP may just be a better pilot than you are....
Good idea Captain, maybe tell all your budds to tear up their FAA licenses while your at it and quit trying to get jobs in Europe, Aussieland and the U.S.. Nobody can stuff up the Dark Continent better than Africans.
Also seems to be a controversy as to who are Africans.. If you havent been there for a few thosand years your no longer welcome anyway, so what now.....
The Mugabe school of flight training?? Or are you sweating some youngster with a 300 hour ATP may just be a better pilot than you are....
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Jeepers guys you need to relax just a tad. Mr B Sousa, Sir, you obviously don't know me very well ....actually not at all but anyway my point is that I am only pulling the p1ss out of IK. He /She is more than welcome in africa. We definately have enough space. As for being an african I am born and bred african. Just because I wear a white skin is not an issue for me, mabe for but definately not for me. About being scared of a 300 hour pilot being better than me well all I can do is wish him/her best of luck with his/her future career.
Now on to more important things.....
.... Itchy Kitchen you might want to try National Airways Corporation. They are based in Lanseria JHB but have contracts going all over africa. There is also Rossair, Federal air, Airquerius and Kindair Services. I don't have any numbers for you but I am sure if you look them up on the all mighty web you will come right. Good luck once again.
Now as for Cue Ball. I am very well thankyou. Durbs is bloody marvelous. I am in Denmark at the moment for some simm sessions. Otherwise there is nothing new in my little world..
Keep well
cm
Now on to more important things.....
.... Itchy Kitchen you might want to try National Airways Corporation. They are based in Lanseria JHB but have contracts going all over africa. There is also Rossair, Federal air, Airquerius and Kindair Services. I don't have any numbers for you but I am sure if you look them up on the all mighty web you will come right. Good luck once again.
Now as for Cue Ball. I am very well thankyou. Durbs is bloody marvelous. I am in Denmark at the moment for some simm sessions. Otherwise there is nothing new in my little world..
Keep well
cm
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Itchy, you could try Central African Transport Services in Harare, better known as CATS. I know they are looking for low time guys, but not sure on a number for them, again I'm sure the mighty web can help you out there. Otherwise your best bet is always Maun in January. Get down there and show your face. Try companies like Sefofane, Delta Air, Mac Air.
Best of luck to ya.
Best of luck to ya.
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CM,
By evaluation of your first reply to itchy kitchen vs the second response, watch out for the SA government...they might like you. Yours is surely the best backpeddle I've seen since SA's foreign affairs, home affairs, the office of the Prez and lo and behold the Prez himself tried to nail COSATU on their snuffing of Bob and his (5 th?) brigade (exclude Bots of course...they hate the Zim's don't they...go Festus!!!). I also see you're from Pluto...there is a sun out there you know..and it shines on everybody.
This is one time I've supported COSATU. BTW, does ALPA-SA have any links with COSATU? Just wondering...????
Ichy kitchen...where's the handle from...seems like it belongs on the Jamie Oliver show on good/fast cooking for the kugels in Sandton/London...wherever he's from. Anyway, IK, I hope you get into the African boil of things...follow the advice of Manamana and Twotter above...if you get it you'll enjoy it.
This is one time I've supported COSATU. BTW, does ALPA-SA have any links with COSATU? Just wondering...????
Ichy kitchen...where's the handle from...seems like it belongs on the Jamie Oliver show on good/fast cooking for the kugels in Sandton/London...wherever he's from. Anyway, IK, I hope you get into the African boil of things...follow the advice of Manamana and Twotter above...if you get it you'll enjoy it.
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Guys,
first of all, thanks for all the hot tips about the flying in Africa. I have had a couple of chats with some people and it looks positive. I am thinking of literaly arriving in Maun with Licence logbook and headset (and a toothbrush) and getting my face known. If anyone can tell me where the pilots drink, that would help... Contacts are so much more easily made with the larynx lubricated don't you think?
first of all, thanks for all the hot tips about the flying in Africa. I have had a couple of chats with some people and it looks positive. I am thinking of literaly arriving in Maun with Licence logbook and headset (and a toothbrush) and getting my face known. If anyone can tell me where the pilots drink, that would help... Contacts are so much more easily made with the larynx lubricated don't you think?
Nigerian In Law
Itchy,
Don't know if you've been looking at the Rotorheads forum, but if you go on to the West Africa thread there is talk about Caverton in Lagos recruiting. More info on the Flight International jobs link. Don't know what ratings etc you have but maybe worth a look ?
Cheers & Good Luck.
NEO.
Don't know if you've been looking at the Rotorheads forum, but if you go on to the West Africa thread there is talk about Caverton in Lagos recruiting. More info on the Flight International jobs link. Don't know what ratings etc you have but maybe worth a look ?
Cheers & Good Luck.
NEO.
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N. Expat Outlaw,
Looked at the thread. Unfortunately I'm not a chopper jockey- I have 300hrs and (f)ATPL (CPL /IR/ MCC), but thanks for the tip.
I am having some difficulty in finding out what i would need to do to my JAR licence to get it valid in Botswana. Any suggestions? Is it just a checkout? Is there a flight test? Any exams?
All input is welcome.
One last question: Whats the beer like there, and where's the best place to get it?
Looked at the thread. Unfortunately I'm not a chopper jockey- I have 300hrs and (f)ATPL (CPL /IR/ MCC), but thanks for the tip.
I am having some difficulty in finding out what i would need to do to my JAR licence to get it valid in Botswana. Any suggestions? Is it just a checkout? Is there a flight test? Any exams?
All input is welcome.
One last question: Whats the beer like there, and where's the best place to get it?
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itchy
Not sure about the licence but I believe it's a validation arranged by your employer. You may need clarification on that.
Good and bad news regarding the beer, I'm afraid. It's bloody awful but you can get it anywhere. Drink it ice cold to avoid tasting it.....
Not sure about the licence but I believe it's a validation arranged by your employer. You may need clarification on that.
Good and bad news regarding the beer, I'm afraid. It's bloody awful but you can get it anywhere. Drink it ice cold to avoid tasting it.....
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Quote: Good and bad news regarding the beer, I'm afraid. It's bloody awful but you can get it anywhere. Drink it ice cold to avoid tasting it.....
It can't be as bad as the watered down p*ss at some of the pubs near me! Thanks for the license tip though. Having no end of grief trying to get clarification on that. Don't want a wasted trip, although i hear there are a few brits out there and i can't believe none of them have JAR tickets...
It can't be as bad as the watered down p*ss at some of the pubs near me! Thanks for the license tip though. Having no end of grief trying to get clarification on that. Don't want a wasted trip, although i hear there are a few brits out there and i can't believe none of them have JAR tickets...
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Itchy
Hard to say in Maun. To convert your licence (I have SACAA one, hope it is the same for you) You need to write an air law exam and do a flight test. This the employer will do for you, and pay for (or should), and you will likely do this on the 206 so that you can get type rated at the same time. That can be done there as there is a sattelite branch of the DCA there, or so I hear. Expect pay to be ballpark P5000 after deductions per month, and in season 40 to 50 hours a month. It is a fixed salary, very bumpy and loads of vomiting pax!
As for where the pilots drink, two places I know of are the power station (walking distance from the airport, not a bad bar at all) and the Audi Camp. There was another place but not sure what it is called. Just ask some of the boys, they can tell you. If you need accomodation and have no car, stay at Alpha One. If you have a car, or will buy one, buy a tent and stay at the Audi Camp, it will only cost you P10 per day (Around one pound). Get in with the other boys, that will help guarantee your success. I hope this was useful to you, good luck!
SS
Hard to say in Maun. To convert your licence (I have SACAA one, hope it is the same for you) You need to write an air law exam and do a flight test. This the employer will do for you, and pay for (or should), and you will likely do this on the 206 so that you can get type rated at the same time. That can be done there as there is a sattelite branch of the DCA there, or so I hear. Expect pay to be ballpark P5000 after deductions per month, and in season 40 to 50 hours a month. It is a fixed salary, very bumpy and loads of vomiting pax!
As for where the pilots drink, two places I know of are the power station (walking distance from the airport, not a bad bar at all) and the Audi Camp. There was another place but not sure what it is called. Just ask some of the boys, they can tell you. If you need accomodation and have no car, stay at Alpha One. If you have a car, or will buy one, buy a tent and stay at the Audi Camp, it will only cost you P10 per day (Around one pound). Get in with the other boys, that will help guarantee your success. I hope this was useful to you, good luck!
SS
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Stark,
That's a lot of quality tips there, thanks!
... a lot of my posts here mentions beer and bars- I just want to reassure you all that I'm not a boozy pilot, I just reckon hanging a round in bars is a good way to make contacts. (and i don't work for BA)
That's a lot of quality tips there, thanks!
... a lot of my posts here mentions beer and bars- I just want to reassure you all that I'm not a boozy pilot, I just reckon hanging a round in bars is a good way to make contacts. (and i don't work for BA)
