Low hour flying jobs in Africa
Join Date: Jul 2004
Location: HK
Posts: 84
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Hey thanks everyone for the replies.
Looks like it's gonna be much harder to find a job in April but at the moment I'm still gonna go for it as I can be there no earlier.
Could anyone working for sefofane, westair, or any of these other small aircraft operators in Namibia please give me some idea of the flying I will do. How long usually till you will progress to a light twin? Sefofane mention that you will be on a C210 or C206 for at least a year or two until moving onto the caravan. Is this the same as everybody else?
Also, had a quick look and found quite a few operatorss in Zambia. One was called "Pro-flight" and another "Staravia". Do they also hire low time pilots? What is life and flying like over there?
thanks for all your time,
BBN RADAR
Looks like it's gonna be much harder to find a job in April but at the moment I'm still gonna go for it as I can be there no earlier.
Could anyone working for sefofane, westair, or any of these other small aircraft operators in Namibia please give me some idea of the flying I will do. How long usually till you will progress to a light twin? Sefofane mention that you will be on a C210 or C206 for at least a year or two until moving onto the caravan. Is this the same as everybody else?
Also, had a quick look and found quite a few operatorss in Zambia. One was called "Pro-flight" and another "Staravia". Do they also hire low time pilots? What is life and flying like over there?
thanks for all your time,
BBN RADAR
Join Date: Nov 2000
Location: Scotland
Age: 53
Posts: 164
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
If you are looking for a job in Zambia or Botswana, you need to get your arse out there soon, like tomorrow. Most hiring will be going on now, so you don't want to miss the boat.
If you got to Bots, go to Maun. Plan on having no income for about 4 months, so you'll need about £2000 to live on comfortable. Don't tell immigration that you're there to look for a job!!
Zambia is great. I spent 2 years there. Go to Lusaka (direct flight on BA from Heathrow), go see the operators. Staravia is an excellent company, but there are others, including Proflight who I used to work for.
Regardless of where you go you will most likely start out on a C206 or C210, so if you could get a few hours on either before you go GREAT!
A word of warning. Don't expect British standards of maintenence or weight and balance sheets. CHeck everything yourself, and don't rely on what the grease monkeys tell you (especially the darker skinned ones, sorry but its true).
If you stick to Bots or Zambia then you won't be ripped off, or ****** about.
Also, enjoy the experience of being out there. I'm glad I did it. Regardless of what some others might say, bush flying is not difficult. Its VFR flying in fine weather using a GPS to nav. Yes you need to be careful, and single engine stuff can always be tricky (I know, do a search on my previous posts), but is great fun. Try flying down to minima on an NDB approach at night into a small hilly island on the west coast of Scotland with the north atlantic weather trying is best to kill you, FAT 21' offset to the rwy centreline, and a 30kt crosswind. Thats difficult!!!!
Oh, and if you fancy that type of flying in Scotland, then I know Loganair are recruiting for the SAAB340. I know cuase I work for them and was flying with the Flight Training Manager this morning who told me so.
Please don't send PM or emails to me, you'll find everything you need to know on the website.
Cheers and good luck to you all.
JF
If you got to Bots, go to Maun. Plan on having no income for about 4 months, so you'll need about £2000 to live on comfortable. Don't tell immigration that you're there to look for a job!!
Zambia is great. I spent 2 years there. Go to Lusaka (direct flight on BA from Heathrow), go see the operators. Staravia is an excellent company, but there are others, including Proflight who I used to work for.
Regardless of where you go you will most likely start out on a C206 or C210, so if you could get a few hours on either before you go GREAT!
A word of warning. Don't expect British standards of maintenence or weight and balance sheets. CHeck everything yourself, and don't rely on what the grease monkeys tell you (especially the darker skinned ones, sorry but its true).
If you stick to Bots or Zambia then you won't be ripped off, or ****** about.
Also, enjoy the experience of being out there. I'm glad I did it. Regardless of what some others might say, bush flying is not difficult. Its VFR flying in fine weather using a GPS to nav. Yes you need to be careful, and single engine stuff can always be tricky (I know, do a search on my previous posts), but is great fun. Try flying down to minima on an NDB approach at night into a small hilly island on the west coast of Scotland with the north atlantic weather trying is best to kill you, FAT 21' offset to the rwy centreline, and a 30kt crosswind. Thats difficult!!!!
Oh, and if you fancy that type of flying in Scotland, then I know Loganair are recruiting for the SAAB340. I know cuase I work for them and was flying with the Flight Training Manager this morning who told me so.
Please don't send PM or emails to me, you'll find everything you need to know on the website.
Cheers and good luck to you all.
JF
Last edited by Jetdriver; 20th Feb 2006 at 22:19.
Visa Requirements?
Hello folks a few quick questions related to this tread, any help appreciated.
I’m one of the many very low hours UK pilots looking for a flying job
. Heading to Africa to bush fly sounds fantastic. Just trying to do some background research to see if it is feasible. Having reviewed several posts its seems that Namibia, Tanzania and Botswana seem to be the best options to turn up at and hope.
What do people do if anything in terms of visas or work permits?
And also what’s involved in converting a JAA frozen ATPL into a useable licence in these parts? How do I do it and where? (is it a straight conversion by filling out some forms or are talking flight test and exams)
Thanks in advance for the advice
I’m one of the many very low hours UK pilots looking for a flying job
. Heading to Africa to bush fly sounds fantastic. Just trying to do some background research to see if it is feasible. Having reviewed several posts its seems that Namibia, Tanzania and Botswana seem to be the best options to turn up at and hope.What do people do if anything in terms of visas or work permits?
And also what’s involved in converting a JAA frozen ATPL into a useable licence in these parts? How do I do it and where? (is it a straight conversion by filling out some forms or are talking flight test and exams)
Thanks in advance for the advice
Join Date: Jul 2004
Location: HK
Posts: 84
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Hey Jockflyer,
thanks for the info. I had a look at Proflight at they seemed to have a good fleet. What was it like working for them? did you get lots of hours?
Why is Staravia so excellent?
Also you say to stick to Botswana and Zambia and you will not get messed about. Does this also apply to Namibia? I was planning on heading there first....
cheers mate.
thanks for the info. I had a look at Proflight at they seemed to have a good fleet. What was it like working for them? did you get lots of hours?
Why is Staravia so excellent?
Also you say to stick to Botswana and Zambia and you will not get messed about. Does this also apply to Namibia? I was planning on heading there first....
cheers mate.
Join Date: Nov 2000
Location: Scotland
Age: 53
Posts: 164
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Just had a quick look at the Proflight website. Lots has changed since I was there (left in Dec 2001). I only recognise 2 people. So I don't think I can comment on what the company is like now.
Staravia is a good company because the have nice aircraft, and the owner Bert looks after the maintainence. They pay well (or at least used to), and are well run, and respected.
I can only comment on Bots and Zambia as I haven't worked in the other countries, Namibia may well be OK.
I think I should reiterate that I've been away for a few years now, and it looks like lots has changed, so perhaps its time for me to stop giving advice on the place.
Good luck to you all, and if you do go out there, enjoy!!!
Cheers
JF
Staravia is a good company because the have nice aircraft, and the owner Bert looks after the maintainence. They pay well (or at least used to), and are well run, and respected.
I can only comment on Bots and Zambia as I haven't worked in the other countries, Namibia may well be OK.
I think I should reiterate that I've been away for a few years now, and it looks like lots has changed, so perhaps its time for me to stop giving advice on the place.
Good luck to you all, and if you do go out there, enjoy!!!
Cheers
JF
Join Date: Jan 2005
Location: Quahog
Posts: 26
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
I second what Jockflyer has said... Staravia is the best company to fly for in Zambia. I also agree that W + B is , ahem, not really the biggest prority when flying in Africa
Quagmire
Quagmire
Join Date: Dec 2005
Location: Canada
Posts: 3
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Maun in May
Hey all,
I'm heading to Maun May 3rd and will be looking for work. I bought a round trip ticket for a month but plan on staying on if I succeed. I know I'm a little late but couldn't get any time off work unitl then. I currently have a Canadian CPL, 800 hrs (650 PIC) with multi engine, IFR and frozen ATPL. I also have an instructor rating and that has been my source of employment to date. I have always wanted to fly in the bush in Africa and Maun sounds like the place to do it. I'm planning on putting in at least 3 years there. A year on the 206 and then a couple on the Caravan.
I have a ticket to J-berg and was wondering if I'm better to purchase my Air Botswana ticket to Maun in advance or should I buy it at the airport the day of??
I was wondering if anyone has any insight on the Sefofane exams and if they could PM me with some info. Also, if anybody is in Maun now, please PM, it'd be fun to meet for a beer once I arrive.
Cheers
I'm heading to Maun May 3rd and will be looking for work. I bought a round trip ticket for a month but plan on staying on if I succeed. I know I'm a little late but couldn't get any time off work unitl then. I currently have a Canadian CPL, 800 hrs (650 PIC) with multi engine, IFR and frozen ATPL. I also have an instructor rating and that has been my source of employment to date. I have always wanted to fly in the bush in Africa and Maun sounds like the place to do it. I'm planning on putting in at least 3 years there. A year on the 206 and then a couple on the Caravan.
I have a ticket to J-berg and was wondering if I'm better to purchase my Air Botswana ticket to Maun in advance or should I buy it at the airport the day of??
I was wondering if anyone has any insight on the Sefofane exams and if they could PM me with some info. Also, if anybody is in Maun now, please PM, it'd be fun to meet for a beer once I arrive.
Cheers
Join Date: Feb 2004
Location: maun
Posts: 9
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
pay in africa
Hi Guys
the pay in Africa will be around 1200 - 1500usd per month in Maun depending on who you work for and some give you a house others don't but its a good way in and you will only have to do it for about a year before you move on to better pay.
the pay in Africa will be around 1200 - 1500usd per month in Maun depending on who you work for and some give you a house others don't but its a good way in and you will only have to do it for about a year before you move on to better pay.
Join Date: May 2005
Location: Abroad
Posts: 1,172
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Nuts, thanks for the info.
The thing is, I am in (Northern) Africa at the moment, and I like the idea of building hours here once I've got my license. But boy, that is a pay cut
Oh well.
The thing is, I am in (Northern) Africa at the moment, and I like the idea of building hours here once I've got my license. But boy, that is a pay cut
Oh well.
