SA Flying schools and Jobs in Nam/Bots
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Hi Descjocky!
Thank you very much for sharing all this info with me. It gives me a hell of a lot more confidence to know that there are other guys out there also sticking to their guns and doing what they want to do.
Thanks for the pro and cons. It is a huge help. I think my plan at this moment is to go all the way, and do it in one go. I have enough to do my PPL and this is covered. Now I just need to get the rest of the 150K. But the idea is that I will save and sell, so in a year or so, I think I can manage it. I also have the idea that I would like to do it all in one go. I have had experience of part time study, and like you say, hitting the books at 7 till 10 in the evening after a day of work is a bit daunting. (but not impossible!)
This is where I have no idea. I have no pilot friends, and have no idea what 'good' salaries are. I mean, after a year, would 20K a month be out of the question? I know it all depends on where and with whom, and to be totally honest, I would not like to work for peanuts in SA. I know in the beginning it is more feasable, but I would like to make enough so that my (potential) family would be taken care of. But I am sure I can find out on the forum (in the future) who the good employees are.
I actually thought about that too. But after living in the UK for 6 years, I dunno. I miss SA dearly, but like you said, I can do Europe as well, and working in a place like Spain, well, at least they have beaches there! I am allready looking into it!
This is a heck of a good thing you told me. I will definately take this to heart. This is good advice.
Thanks again for sharing your experiences!
Saffa.
Thanks for the pro and cons. It is a huge help. I think my plan at this moment is to go all the way, and do it in one go. I have enough to do my PPL and this is covered. Now I just need to get the rest of the 150K. But the idea is that I will save and sell, so in a year or so, I think I can manage it. I also have the idea that I would like to do it all in one go. I have had experience of part time study, and like you say, hitting the books at 7 till 10 in the evening after a day of work is a bit daunting. (but not impossible!)
From reading you post Im a little disturbed about your comments around how much you can expect to get paid- if you are looking for a pay cheque from the get go then you are missing the boat, there are plenty of guys who post on this forum who have made good money out of flying and others who get screwed by unscrupulous employers.
Lastly NEVER pay any training organisation lump sums of cash upfront- the reputable ones are happily accept payment after each session or if that doesn’t suit you then arrange to keep a small “float” in your student account- but be very careful and keep it to no more than a few thousand rand.
Thanks again for sharing your experiences!
Saffa.
Join Date: Nov 2005
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Cheap Accommodations in Namibia?
Hi everyone.
I’m currently in Pretoria, South Africa Visiting family, but looking to take a road trip to Namibia on a job hunt. I will be flying into Windhoek on Sunday and leaving 2 weeks afterwards. I’m looking into going to Swakopmund also, and am in need of any advice as to where I can arrange or find some cheap lodgings. Any further suggestions about the trip would be great and appreciated.
I’m currently in Pretoria, South Africa Visiting family, but looking to take a road trip to Namibia on a job hunt. I will be flying into Windhoek on Sunday and leaving 2 weeks afterwards. I’m looking into going to Swakopmund also, and am in need of any advice as to where I can arrange or find some cheap lodgings. Any further suggestions about the trip would be great and appreciated.
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Go to www.natron.net It will give you most of the acommodations in Namibia from lodges to hotels and B&B's. That's how I did my planning
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Hi Pedsims,
If you want to save your money, try backpakers; There is a lot in Namibia.
I went to one (long time ago) but I can't remenber the name.
Good luck for job hunting (go to Eros there is a lot of good company)
Soft landing
If you want to save your money, try backpakers; There is a lot in Namibia.
I went to one (long time ago) but I can't remenber the name.
Good luck for job hunting (go to Eros there is a lot of good company)
Soft landing
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yeah mate, there are a few backpackers in town - I recommend "The Cardboard box" - it has a good swimming pool and bar. Plus lots of Norwegian nurses stay there throughout the year! 
Join Date: Nov 2004
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Ahhh, the Cardboard Box, i have many good memories of that place. The bar was always the highlight after a long days job search.. yeah there were many good looking lasses staying out there. All in all, a good place to stay while hunting for that job!!
Hey Fran, hope you are well matey. When you in Pta again, you must come and visit, had Hellmon there the other day and it was a real blast from the past!
Good luck in the job search!
Safe flying BD
Hey Fran, hope you are well matey. When you in Pta again, you must come and visit, had Hellmon there the other day and it was a real blast from the past!
Good luck in the job search!
Safe flying BD
Join Date: Nov 2005
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Botswana Travel tips.
Hi there.
Was hoping to get some suggestions/tips on how the best way to travel around Botswana for a job hunt.
Also what is the most efficient way to get to Maun from JHB.
Thanks in advance
Was hoping to get some suggestions/tips on how the best way to travel around Botswana for a job hunt.
Also what is the most efficient way to get to Maun from JHB.
Thanks in advance
Join Date: Aug 2005
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Kenya Jobs / Work Permits
Slightly off Bots as a subject , but an earlier enquiry about Kenya Work permits persuades me to throw in my 2c worth.
Just been in Nairobi for a few days and a few nights in the Aero Club. Things are booming at Wilson , especially as the Southern Sudan gears up for big things ( civil wars permitting ) and a lot of operators are desperate for drivers. However , there definitely is a big squeeze on permits at the mo , as usual the timimg is eerie , but thats Africa. If any of you are passing through Kenya , do try Wilson with your CVs ,and buy some beer at 1800 onwards in the Aero Club. Supply and demand takes a little time to work its way through the system , but demand will always have the final say.
KEEP trying guys and girls.
Just been in Nairobi for a few days and a few nights in the Aero Club. Things are booming at Wilson , especially as the Southern Sudan gears up for big things ( civil wars permitting ) and a lot of operators are desperate for drivers. However , there definitely is a big squeeze on permits at the mo , as usual the timimg is eerie , but thats Africa. If any of you are passing through Kenya , do try Wilson with your CVs ,and buy some beer at 1800 onwards in the Aero Club. Supply and demand takes a little time to work its way through the system , but demand will always have the final say.
KEEP trying guys and girls.
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Gabs to Maun.
Cheaply you can take a public bus or thumb it.
Air Bots is very expensive.
Dont rely on hitching a flight...
Kenya.
Work permits are tight as a ducks arse.
Kenyan licensing is an obstacle. It can be done but its expensive either way you chose.
Loki in NW Kenya is a way around some of the mess in NBO but its not the place to just pitch up and look for work. If you are an idiot then drive up.
For low timers I suggest Namibia and Botswana. After a year or 2 try East Africa. It has a bit more weather and some serious terrain.
And when youve finished with Africa go and write a book.
Lastly, take photos
Good luck to all.
Cheaply you can take a public bus or thumb it.
Air Bots is very expensive.
Dont rely on hitching a flight...
Kenya.
Work permits are tight as a ducks arse.
Kenyan licensing is an obstacle. It can be done but its expensive either way you chose.
Loki in NW Kenya is a way around some of the mess in NBO but its not the place to just pitch up and look for work. If you are an idiot then drive up.
For low timers I suggest Namibia and Botswana. After a year or 2 try East Africa. It has a bit more weather and some serious terrain.
And when youve finished with Africa go and write a book.
Lastly, take photos
Good luck to all.
Join Date: Jun 2005
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Exactly whats involved with the kenya licencing and visas for a UK citizen with jar f-atpl?
Fortunate to have a contact there as regards a job but cant find anything on searches etc about whats involved with permits/conversions.
Help/advice would be great!
Fortunate to have a contact there as regards a job but cant find anything on searches etc about whats involved with permits/conversions.
Help/advice would be great!
Last edited by bellyfluffer; 10th Feb 2007 at 10:42.
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206 jobs Botswana
Hi
Im looking for a 206 job in Botswana.How is Botswana?I was planing to go on March,is March a good moment?
I have 900 hours TT including 380 hours Bush Flying in a C-182
Thanks a lot
Im looking for a 206 job in Botswana.How is Botswana?I was planing to go on March,is March a good moment?
I have 900 hours TT including 380 hours Bush Flying in a C-182
Thanks a lot
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most of the companies are busy training new guys - some positions *might* be opening in march - but nobody can tell.. only way to know is to come here, have a few beers and make some friends, then wait and see!
Join Date: Sep 2005
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Any pilots in bots? help pls
Hello all,
I am planning on heading over to Africa very shortly, namely botswana. I've heard Maun is a good place to start hunting for jobs.
Would really appreciate any one that's over there at the moment to share some advice on available jobs etc.. just anything that would be useful for a scotsman heading over the equator.
Thanks very much.
I am planning on heading over to Africa very shortly, namely botswana. I've heard Maun is a good place to start hunting for jobs.
Would really appreciate any one that's over there at the moment to share some advice on available jobs etc.. just anything that would be useful for a scotsman heading over the equator.
Thanks very much.
Last edited by christopher_faulds; 5th Apr 2007 at 17:08.
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Hi CF
I did not work in Bots but flew in and out of the Delta quite often. I worked in Namibia for quite some time and here are some tips before you go into the wide world of job hunting.
If you do plan to go to Bots get youreself a C206 rating. Some companies like it if you have that rating on your licence already. That means they dont have to spend too much money on you to get through your licence to get your Bots Validation. The whole of Maun is primarly C206 and C208's. A few C210's and a couple of Airvans, but 99% of the aeroplanes there is C206.
If you plan to go there send you CV off first a couple of weeks in advance and notify those companies that you are planning to go to Bots and then give them dates of when you are going to be there.
Bots is a very hard place to get into but if you are willing to spend some time there you are bound to find a job. The best time to go look for jobs is round about now because the season starts in about 2months and then they start training their pilots now.
Companies you can try is: Mack Air, Sefofane Air Charters, Moremi Air Charters, Safari Air, Delta Air...those companies should be adequate for now. When you do go, interviews are not required, just show up in your khaki shorts and maybe a collared shirt...they hate it if somebody arrive in white pilot shirt and blue pants...Remember Bots is the bush..they are looking for a bush pilot and not a corporate pilot. So if you show up dressed like that they can see if you will be some sort of bush pilot or not. Just go into their offices and ask to speak to the Chief Pilot of each company. If they are not their dont leave your CV with someone, I can guarentee you that CV will go into "Bin number 101" never to be seen again. Trust me I was in Bots when that happened and I did see it a few times. Keep going back and back everyday until somebody will see you. They actually like it if you go back continously..They might not need a pilot today but tomorrow is another day and then the first person that walks through that door they will hire...Bots changes daily and always in need of pilots. You just need to be patient and stay some time in your tent.
Here is some tips to stay for free for weeks on end....There is a camp called: SEDIA lodge...It is a lodge some 2-3kms from the airport (all tar from the airport) Very nice lodge with camping site behind the lodge...When you go there the first time, dont go to reception to look for campsite space...they will then charge. Keep to your left past the reception on the dirt road that takes you around the lodge and walk or drive like you own the place and then find youreself some spot on the campsite...you can stay there for weeks on end and nobody ever checks if you have paid or not...al provided you stay in the tents and not in the lodge...you can even go swim in the pool and they wouldnt even know you stay there or not....I stayed there for 2weeks and did not pay a single cent....LOL
That was Bots, now another place called Namibia, Windhoek...thats another 8hours drive to the west of Bots (2h55m flying in a C210) if you can get that oppurtunity..sometimes there is flights going back to Nam...just keep on asking because 80% of the flights are empty back to Namibia, maybe you can catch a ride for free...or just buy the pilot a beer on the other side and he will be happy or ask him to take you to Joe's Beerhouse in Windhoek...Cool place that.
Namibia is harder to get into. There you need a C210 on your licence to get anywhere. Companies you can try is: Sefofane Air Charters...Go speak to Ray Rothlisberger...very nice guy and very approachable too. There you need to arrange interview. Dress code is slightly different. Khaki Longs and Collared shirt should do...again no pilot shirt and pants wont do. Another company is Scenic Air...they also have an office in Swakopmund. Desert Air and Bay Air is more options....Whatever you do stay far and I mean very FAR away from Wings Over Africa...those are bunch of Sharks swimming on dry land...like you have never seen before...worst mistake of you life if you do ever find a job there.....
Wow lot of typing going on....but if you need more info I can send you a PM and tell you some more on both countries...
Good luck
I did not work in Bots but flew in and out of the Delta quite often. I worked in Namibia for quite some time and here are some tips before you go into the wide world of job hunting.
If you do plan to go to Bots get youreself a C206 rating. Some companies like it if you have that rating on your licence already. That means they dont have to spend too much money on you to get through your licence to get your Bots Validation. The whole of Maun is primarly C206 and C208's. A few C210's and a couple of Airvans, but 99% of the aeroplanes there is C206.
If you plan to go there send you CV off first a couple of weeks in advance and notify those companies that you are planning to go to Bots and then give them dates of when you are going to be there.
Bots is a very hard place to get into but if you are willing to spend some time there you are bound to find a job. The best time to go look for jobs is round about now because the season starts in about 2months and then they start training their pilots now.
Companies you can try is: Mack Air, Sefofane Air Charters, Moremi Air Charters, Safari Air, Delta Air...those companies should be adequate for now. When you do go, interviews are not required, just show up in your khaki shorts and maybe a collared shirt...they hate it if somebody arrive in white pilot shirt and blue pants...Remember Bots is the bush..they are looking for a bush pilot and not a corporate pilot. So if you show up dressed like that they can see if you will be some sort of bush pilot or not. Just go into their offices and ask to speak to the Chief Pilot of each company. If they are not their dont leave your CV with someone, I can guarentee you that CV will go into "Bin number 101" never to be seen again. Trust me I was in Bots when that happened and I did see it a few times. Keep going back and back everyday until somebody will see you. They actually like it if you go back continously..They might not need a pilot today but tomorrow is another day and then the first person that walks through that door they will hire...Bots changes daily and always in need of pilots. You just need to be patient and stay some time in your tent.
Here is some tips to stay for free for weeks on end....There is a camp called: SEDIA lodge...It is a lodge some 2-3kms from the airport (all tar from the airport) Very nice lodge with camping site behind the lodge...When you go there the first time, dont go to reception to look for campsite space...they will then charge. Keep to your left past the reception on the dirt road that takes you around the lodge and walk or drive like you own the place and then find youreself some spot on the campsite...you can stay there for weeks on end and nobody ever checks if you have paid or not...al provided you stay in the tents and not in the lodge...you can even go swim in the pool and they wouldnt even know you stay there or not....I stayed there for 2weeks and did not pay a single cent....LOL
That was Bots, now another place called Namibia, Windhoek...thats another 8hours drive to the west of Bots (2h55m flying in a C210) if you can get that oppurtunity..sometimes there is flights going back to Nam...just keep on asking because 80% of the flights are empty back to Namibia, maybe you can catch a ride for free...or just buy the pilot a beer on the other side and he will be happy or ask him to take you to Joe's Beerhouse in Windhoek...Cool place that.
Namibia is harder to get into. There you need a C210 on your licence to get anywhere. Companies you can try is: Sefofane Air Charters...Go speak to Ray Rothlisberger...very nice guy and very approachable too. There you need to arrange interview. Dress code is slightly different. Khaki Longs and Collared shirt should do...again no pilot shirt and pants wont do. Another company is Scenic Air...they also have an office in Swakopmund. Desert Air and Bay Air is more options....Whatever you do stay far and I mean very FAR away from Wings Over Africa...those are bunch of Sharks swimming on dry land...like you have never seen before...worst mistake of you life if you do ever find a job there.....
Wow lot of typing going on....but if you need more info I can send you a PM and tell you some more on both countries...
Good luck
Excellent