SA Flying schools and Jobs in Nam/Bots
Join Date: Aug 2005
Location: jhb
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Flight schools Jhb area
Sam Berriman and his brother Vaughan have taken over Benoni Brakpan flight school, and apart from the fact they are both nice guys, Brakpan is in my opinion the best place to do some fun flying for the following reasons:
The pricing structure is not bad at all.
You are not plagued by the uneccessary wastage of taxi time as well as lengthy radio procedures that you find at Rand and Lanseria, as well as Grand Central.
There is far less congestion in the East Rand flying area.
Good luck, and enjoy!
The pricing structure is not bad at all.
You are not plagued by the uneccessary wastage of taxi time as well as lengthy radio procedures that you find at Rand and Lanseria, as well as Grand Central.
There is far less congestion in the East Rand flying area.
Good luck, and enjoy!
Join Date: Jan 2003
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Maun - when to try?
The bones have been thrown... After 5 years of social work and teaching the flying bug has finally taken over - posessions sold, CPL/IR course in Kansas booked and with a dream of VFR flying in black Africa alive and well - time to make some preparations. Flying wise should be OK as I have flown AN-2s and PZL 104, been to the Nordkapp and back in a Pa 28, flown in 9 countries and althrough with only 300hrs I'm an optimist. Will make sure to get some 206/210 time while doing the course as well. My question is - when is the best time to head down to Botswana/Namibia? After researching the subject on the net it would appear that it's December but - it's the middle of the rainy season, so how is it? Any advice on jobhunting that hasn't been mentioned before? And for the experienced - I'm a big chap with 190cm and some 100kgs, would that be a big disadvantage in looking for this 206 flying job?
Kris
Kris
Join Date: Jan 2004
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I was told Jan to April is the best time but after being there it seems that September time is also a good time to visit, several people got jobs then and that is also another time when pilots leave.
Join Date: Apr 2003
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Hi
Plan to arrive around Jan. You will only have 90 days to find a job in Botswana, after that you are out, tight immigration laws here). You will not be working until Aug when the season starts in full. Get as many hours in a 206 as possible as it will be easier to convert licence.
I would say you are to late now. The companies will ask for 50 hours right seat, and 50 hours learning the strips this will be free labour (it is the way it is) so bring plenty of money to live on.
And when you get there network, and speak with a New Zealand accent.
If you have any more questions please feel free to PM me.
Cheers
Paddy
Plan to arrive around Jan. You will only have 90 days to find a job in Botswana, after that you are out, tight immigration laws here). You will not be working until Aug when the season starts in full. Get as many hours in a 206 as possible as it will be easier to convert licence.
I would say you are to late now. The companies will ask for 50 hours right seat, and 50 hours learning the strips this will be free labour (it is the way it is) so bring plenty of money to live on.
And when you get there network, and speak with a New Zealand accent.
If you have any more questions please feel free to PM me.
Cheers
Paddy
Join Date: Jan 2004
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There are still a few jobs in town but also the same number of guys waiting that have been there since Jan.
The fuel shortage didnt help this year and so some guys have run out of time and had to leave but made good impressions with the operators so the door is open to come back later in the year when it is rumoured other positions will come up.
A good point made above is the time in the 206, to convert to a bots licence you must have completed 5 hours of training, including the flight test.
Although I did mine in the 172 and will do the 206 rating during my training with my company.
but it is worth taking enough cash to look at passing the law exams, 206 tech and flight test yourself, there is a training school in Maun now and it can be done, you cant actually apply for the licence without a job offer but it shows your commitment and helps the operator to get you through the process that much easier.
The fuel shortage didnt help this year and so some guys have run out of time and had to leave but made good impressions with the operators so the door is open to come back later in the year when it is rumoured other positions will come up.
A good point made above is the time in the 206, to convert to a bots licence you must have completed 5 hours of training, including the flight test.
Although I did mine in the 172 and will do the 206 rating during my training with my company.
but it is worth taking enough cash to look at passing the law exams, 206 tech and flight test yourself, there is a training school in Maun now and it can be done, you cant actually apply for the licence without a job offer but it shows your commitment and helps the operator to get you through the process that much easier.
Join Date: May 2005
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How to get a job in Africa?? (The Top Grog thread)
Hi, I am about to take a one way trip to africa (from Europe) with my licence, garment and money with the intention to stay there forever.
What would you suggest is the best way to find an aviation related or even flight deck job.
I got 500 hrs. total, 26 yrs old, frozen JAR ATPL, taildragger + short field experience , no type rating
do you think it is an extrem risk to go there without connections?
has anyone of you experiences in africa piloting ? (safari flying, surveillance, etc.)
wherecan I get addresses to apply at from?
yours
lusthansa
What would you suggest is the best way to find an aviation related or even flight deck job.
I got 500 hrs. total, 26 yrs old, frozen JAR ATPL, taildragger + short field experience , no type rating
do you think it is an extrem risk to go there without connections?
has anyone of you experiences in africa piloting ? (safari flying, surveillance, etc.)
wherecan I get addresses to apply at from?
yours
lusthansa
where in africa are u planning to go? south, west, north or east?Join Date: May 2005
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where to go?
Hi, I plan to go to Namibia (first choice), South Africa (2nd choice) and Botswana (3rd choice).
All other countries (as far as w/o civil war and racial probs at present) 4th choice
Yours lusthansa
Do you think it is a true story that a guy from Luxembourg knocked on the doors of the Nairobi A/Ps hangars and got a job as a surveillance pilot, built hours and is now on 747 for an icelandic cargo carrier?
All other countries (as far as w/o civil war and racial probs at present) 4th choice
Yours lusthansa
Do you think it is a true story that a guy from Luxembourg knocked on the doors of the Nairobi A/Ps hangars and got a job as a surveillance pilot, built hours and is now on 747 for an icelandic cargo carrier?
Join Date: Apr 2006
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Hi lusthansa
The guy from Luxemburg story is true. You may want to give it a shot yourself. As long as you are from Europe, you will be given first priority for a job. Who knows you may end up flying large jets straight away.
Try Jet Link they operate 767s.
Try Jet Link they operate 767s.
Join Date: Mar 2006
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Hi Captabcd,
I was in kenya and Tanzania last month but I did not get the impression that the europeans have some kind of priority. In fact, In kenya you need to have the kenyan licence and work permit (difficult to obtain). In Namibia might be different, but I don't know.
I'm looking for to go back in africa as soon as possible, to search for the job and living there for a while. For this reasons, if you can please write useful info would be very much appreciate.
Thanks a lot
tony
I was in kenya and Tanzania last month but I did not get the impression that the europeans have some kind of priority. In fact, In kenya you need to have the kenyan licence and work permit (difficult to obtain). In Namibia might be different, but I don't know.
I'm looking for to go back in africa as soon as possible, to search for the job and living there for a while. For this reasons, if you can please write useful info would be very much appreciate.
Thanks a lot
tony
Join Date: Apr 2006
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Precisionair in Tanzania
Hi Lusthanza!!The three places of ya first choice are the best place to fly in Africa but I believe they would want you to come with a rating lika I did.
But one place where you might get a rating is in Tanzania. These people treated their rated and experienced expats pilots so well that they lost 80% of their work force in a couple of months.
The bill at the end is that they have now to recruit EU guys n giving them a rating if u sign one of their ridiculus bond.
Place n people r great, but can't say same thing of their std n maintenance. But... but... beggers can't be choosers.
Made lot's of hours there, though came home poorer than when I joined.
Check their web site.... I think www.precisionairtz.com ...Just pick the ad n phone No. n don't believe a crap from the web site.
Now if u really want to fly in Botswana, take a trip to Maun and walk in the offices of the different little co's that r there. U might b at the right place at the right time. They don't keep cv n give job's to who's behind the door.
Gut Luck!!
R L ASAP
Join Date: Mar 2004
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Namibia and Botswana are good places to start. SA Im not so sure about as your hours are reasonably low and its difficult to get a work permit. No harm in trying though you might get lucky. From what Ive heard Bots and Namibia are more likely options because of your hours and your shall we say nationality. Im heading out that way at the end of the year so lets hope the market is good.
Join Date: Mar 2001
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yes, you guys from europe will have no problems.
all you really need do is turn up at these companies offices and they will more than likely hire you on the spot. and because they consider the european licence a superiour licence, they wont even put you on the 206 or 210's...you will probably go straight on to a caravan, king air 200 or 1900.
even with you low hours, not a problem.
the people will all look after you well and help you with everything you need to do...
i think the sooner you guys get out there the sooner you will be employed.
all you really need do is turn up at these companies offices and they will more than likely hire you on the spot. and because they consider the european licence a superiour licence, they wont even put you on the 206 or 210's...you will probably go straight on to a caravan, king air 200 or 1900.
even with you low hours, not a problem.
the people will all look after you well and help you with everything you need to do...
i think the sooner you guys get out there the sooner you will be employed.
Join Date: Mar 2001
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yes carro, australians welcome too...infact, they just prefer poeple from the 1st world as they feel the training is ahead of the local...
i would recommend getting yourself over asap...
i would recommend getting yourself over asap...
Join Date: Sep 2005
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south coast!
where are you from and from where are your informations about namibia?
i canīt believe what you have told, that european pilots are so welcome there. maybe i am wrong, but i visited all of the companies at eros!
they put you direct in a caravan, 310 or a 414? haha!!! without time on the 206 (the "complex powerhorse") you do not even get a job on any plane there. a european licence helps? you have to have a namibian licence there! you have to do a exam in namibian air law and their radio telefonie licence. last but not least the work permit - the most difficult step!
lies like: "come back tomorrow when the OPS manager is here....." "Oh i am sorry the OPS manager is on an emergency dutie today......." and so on were told.
correct me if i am wrong. i was there at the end of jan. until mid feb.
regards
dieter
where are you from and from where are your informations about namibia?
i canīt believe what you have told, that european pilots are so welcome there. maybe i am wrong, but i visited all of the companies at eros!
they put you direct in a caravan, 310 or a 414? haha!!! without time on the 206 (the "complex powerhorse") you do not even get a job on any plane there. a european licence helps? you have to have a namibian licence there! you have to do a exam in namibian air law and their radio telefonie licence. last but not least the work permit - the most difficult step!
lies like: "come back tomorrow when the OPS manager is here....." "Oh i am sorry the OPS manager is on an emergency dutie today......." and so on were told.
correct me if i am wrong. i was there at the end of jan. until mid feb.
regards
dieter