SA Flying schools and Jobs in Nam/Bots

[madherb]

Namibia's the place. A big country, ideal for bush flying, the beer is the best in Africa, the wild life is great (the animals are OK too). Weather is sunny mostly.

Pretty safe as well........ Not as cheap as some places, but good quality all round.

Good luck, safe flying, enjoy wherever you end up.

[EC-BBL]

Botswana info

Hi guys,

Im planning a trip to Botswana and Namibia.I have flown in Tanzania for several months but I would like to get a job flying C-206 in Botswana or C-210 in Namibia.Do you know what i have to do for the licence conversion?How much is it?Do i need instrument rating in Botswana or Namibia if i want to fly 206 or 210?(can image the answer is not).
I apreciate if you can inform me,please.
Thanks guys

[pyote]

the good thing

The good thing about Bots is that you dont have to do anything about getting a licence yourself. If a company likes you they will take you on and pay for everything. Licence medical and permits, then generaly bond you to that for a year or so.

No instrument rating needed, as its pretty much all VFR flying!

Great place have fun!

[EC-BBL]

Thanks

Thanks a lot,

Thats what i wanted to know before i go there

[z-e-d]

I'm new to here so hello everybody.

I'm also going to plan botswana, but I've got one question. How much salary do they pay for me? Is that enough for stantart living or anything else like saving money?

thx
z-e-d

[Contacttower]

How important is it to get the Cessna 206/210 in your logbook before going and how many hours do people usually want you to have before letting you fly their C208?

[freewheeler]

Give me reasons to be positive!

Greetings....can people in the know set me on the right track? I have a lapsed CAA PPL (last flew 2000) 150 hrs and always wanted to go to SA, because of the scenery and I heard they have similar standards to JAA (ie high). I fancy revalidating my licence and maybe a complex and maybe a self-fly safari. Unfortunately there appears to be a certain amount of baggage (inevitably given the politics ) attached to the aviation/training scene (as evidenced in this very forum; 43 etc) also I had personal exp. with Federal Air who fell off the radar not long after I received a quote for a residential prof. pilot course. (correct me if you know better, please) Anyway, despite all the bulldust, surely it's a great place to fly?! and, who can I trust for good, friendly and professional flight training?? Any prep. req'd in blighty or can I sort all over there, etc? Thanky'all

[GBFOE]

Pilot salary query for Botswana and Ag flying SA.

Please could someone give me info on the following items:

What sort of salary can new CPL get flying for the charter industry in Botswana C206, C210 etc.

Also, has anyone ever done AG flying in SA crop dusting/fire fighting? Turbo Thrush etc. What does this pay?

Just trying to map out a possible career as a pilot, and not interested in going onto jets, quite like the idea of flying in the bush.

[Happydays]

Between R8 000 and R10 000. (Vans and C210) If you fly contracts in Africa its about R28 000 as F/O and R42 000 as captain after tax. (King Airs)

[fluffyfan]

freewheeler
Hi, is that a SA CAA licence or a UK CAA licence? if its a UK one I would suggest you renew that licence first then when you come over here you can validate your Uk licence for a SA licence for a limited time, I am not sure if this is how things still work but it used to work like that, maybe check out the SA CAA web site I am sure it will help you www.caa.co.za
Next thing is that there are many flying schools over here in most of the cities and towns, shop around, but Johannesburg/Pretoria might be your best bet for what you are suggesting, the airfields where flying schools are established in Johannesburg/Pretoria are Lanseria, Grand Central, Rand Airport and Wonderboom, there are a few others but I have only mentioned the big ones.
You have not flown for 7 years so I would go to one of these flying schools and do a proper course, learn the airspace, most of these schools have a hire and fly facility so maybe do a conversion onto the aircraft you intend hiring, then start looking where you want to go, many destination you could go to, maybe decide that when you are here and have spoken to the flying school...........good luck and hope it works out for you

[Lex44]

Unfortunately some members of our society dont like the 'status quo' at some of the schools. That shouldnt stop you though. I'd personally recommend a flying school with a cosmopolitan setting to experience SA in all perspectives. Maybe a flying club in PE or other larger cities. Dunno bout the self fly safari.
All the best.

[Blue Planet]

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.....

Hi Icarus
Thanks for the info on Nam and Bots. I am on my way to Namibia with my CPL and 220H.
Can you please give more info on your earlier statement about "Wings over Africa"

[Jonocrawshaw]

A Kiwi is coming

Hey there guys,

Some fabulous content in these treads. I'm a New Zealander who has just got his CPL and MEIR, and is coming over to Bots in November. My questions to you guys are..... is this a good time of year to come? and would the fact that I only have 220hrs be an issue? I will have my 206 type rating before coming so maybe thats a plus??
Cheers guys
Jono
p.s I don't own a pair of khaki shorts would you recommend I invest in a pair haha.

[Contacttower]

What length of time are operators usually looking to employ people for and what's the shortest period they're are likely to?

[dnk]

the least youll get away with is a one year contract, with most companies wanting a two year... you could leave after 6 months but then you will have to pay whatever is left of the bond... one company makes this particulary silly with something like a P50 000 bond for 2 years on 206 (i stand corrected on this one.. anyone have details?)

[ALLSKY]

Hi guys, is this a good moment to try to find out a job in Bots?

[M80]

Any sofas free?

Hi,
I know this might sound a bit cheeky, but you don't get anywhere if you never ask...

I'm heading to Maun at the start of August for three weeks then, if nothing comes up in Botswana, a further three weeks doing the rounds in Tanzania; Mwanza, Arusha & Dar. If anyone has a sofa, in exchange for beers and groceries, I'd be most grateful. I'm easy going, keep my kit tidy and I can cook.

I'm also looking for a bit of information regarding kit selection. I've got desert boots and fatigues, but what's regular flying get up for charter ops down in Botswana? I have been trained in expedition field medicine and was also planning to have a grab bag in the plane in case of injuries to pax or myself - do companies provide or cater for this?

Finally, if anyone has any leads, and would like to help me out, I'd also love to hear from you. I've poured over the previous threads and basically planned most of my trip from those, but would just appreciate a little info on the actual daily setup of the charter ops.

Finally, if anyone wants anything bringing over from the UK, I'll try and sort you out (within reasonable baggage allowance! No pianos...)

Thanks for reading,
M80

[Solid Rust Twotter]

Khaki cotton/linen longs, good socks, white or khaki shirts with space for bars. Light yet comfortable footwear is a must. Don't go too Rambo on the desert boots. Blundstones are good or pick up a pair of the local Jim Greens in SA. Look at boxers rather than briefs as the heat and humidity can cause quite a severe dhobi itch if you wear the wrong kit. The khaki stuff and other clothing is all available in SA if you want to stock up here and save weight/space for a few luxuries from home.

Might find your aircraft space/weight limited as far as the med kit and grab bag goes. The Yanqui turistas in the Delta carry a lot of baggage. Keep it small and it may be a good selling point if you're seeking work but don't be surprised if they're actually looking for pilots. Bring a spare liver if you're heading for Maun.

[cavortingcheetah]

If one might be forgiven for one comment here and one addition.
The boxer short business is very important because, quite simply, if you get once get Dhobie's Itch, you will probably never get rid of it in the heat. Life will be absolutely miserable. Perhaps therefore, consider using a medicated talc or aloe vera powder as a prophylactic.

Condoms are important. You won't want to use one if you have the crotch rot, and neither will she wish you too either. However, a condom packs down flat in your flight bag and it does hold an aweful lot of water if you ever need a water bottle in a hurry.
Read up on what to do for snake bites and scorpion stings, also vampire bats, rabies and tick bite fever.

[Rat Catcher]

Hey CC you forgot to mention the "Night Fighters"
Rat