Bush-bird namibia
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Oh do I miss that beer . As well as the Oryx steaks ! Thinking of the garbage beer and meats we got here (compared to Namibian) it would have been a good point to actually endure all of the bad things about the company I mentioned above 
Join Date: Dec 2008
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great job, great boss
Im working for Bush Bird for 8 months now. i have some of the best times of my life here in swakopmund.
we are now 3 employed pilots for 3 aircraft at Bush Bird.
all of us agree that Bush Bird is the jackpot in C210 jobs in namibia and we wouldnt want to work for some other companies.
sefofane, westair and scenic air should also be ok, but forget about the other ones.
i found myself confronted with those negative statements in this forum when i was offered the job over a year ago. my big luck that i was able to get some reliable info that the company is ok and i went for it.
the doubts induced in me by those negative statements were a waste of time and i want to make sure future candidates can skip them.
so the reason why i decided to put my head up in this post is that we will need new pilots at some point and i want to get nice colleagues here and hope the ones that would fit in wont get scared away by bad posts.
sure, one shouldnt praise the day before the evening and i know some guys that got into small conflicts just before they left the company - because they didnt respect their contracts and just left in the middle of high season with just 4 weeks notice.
you have to understand that is a huge effort for the company to get a new pilot operational, and it takes around 2 months. the spend a lot of time with administrative paperwork to make it eventually happen.
in order to justify that effort, a pilot needs to stay at least a year, and if he just leaves after a couple of months, its a desaster.
lets face it, you dont find a job in europe because you have little hours, so here is the place to start. decide for yourself if for that opportunity you are willing to commit yourself to stay here for a year or not, and then stick to it.
dont even bother if you get paid for the probation period or not, who cares. you made huge investments in your dream career, so this doesnt really make any difference anymore. we always got paid in time though, never felt cheated in any way.
it might be a bad idea to come here with completly empty pockets, but the salary covers the basic living expenses here and is just as good if not better then most other companies.
the company already knows that im gonna leave in about 5 month, no problem to let them know and i expect to have a good end of my work contract period and have a great reference for future carreer. will keep you updated on that.
andy is not a lousy boss, he cares about the pilots, answers all questions with patience, cares alot about the technical status of the aircraft which happen to be the best equipped in the country.
i once got blamed about nonsense by the boss of another company and recieved superb backup from andy.
there might be instances where he takes the opportunity to make a point about who is the boss, but as far as i can tell thats happens to be what bosses do.
if high hour pilots (im curious why they even apply for the job) cant apply common sense regarding the thing with signing the waiver and air law regulations, its ridiculous.
the flying here is most beautiful and rewarding, i know a couple of guys flyin line in europe now getting bored to death wishing themselves back here to do some Sossusvlei scenics.
the one studio offered by Bush Bird is occupied by my friend and colleague who is more than happy with it and skipped the opportunity to move somewhere else more than once.
if you get the offer - be happy and take it. there are many guys around who wish they could speak german in order to be able to work for Bush Bird instead of other companies.
we are now 3 employed pilots for 3 aircraft at Bush Bird.
all of us agree that Bush Bird is the jackpot in C210 jobs in namibia and we wouldnt want to work for some other companies.
sefofane, westair and scenic air should also be ok, but forget about the other ones.
i found myself confronted with those negative statements in this forum when i was offered the job over a year ago. my big luck that i was able to get some reliable info that the company is ok and i went for it.
the doubts induced in me by those negative statements were a waste of time and i want to make sure future candidates can skip them.
so the reason why i decided to put my head up in this post is that we will need new pilots at some point and i want to get nice colleagues here and hope the ones that would fit in wont get scared away by bad posts.
sure, one shouldnt praise the day before the evening and i know some guys that got into small conflicts just before they left the company - because they didnt respect their contracts and just left in the middle of high season with just 4 weeks notice.
you have to understand that is a huge effort for the company to get a new pilot operational, and it takes around 2 months. the spend a lot of time with administrative paperwork to make it eventually happen.
in order to justify that effort, a pilot needs to stay at least a year, and if he just leaves after a couple of months, its a desaster.
lets face it, you dont find a job in europe because you have little hours, so here is the place to start. decide for yourself if for that opportunity you are willing to commit yourself to stay here for a year or not, and then stick to it.
dont even bother if you get paid for the probation period or not, who cares. you made huge investments in your dream career, so this doesnt really make any difference anymore. we always got paid in time though, never felt cheated in any way.
it might be a bad idea to come here with completly empty pockets, but the salary covers the basic living expenses here and is just as good if not better then most other companies.
the company already knows that im gonna leave in about 5 month, no problem to let them know and i expect to have a good end of my work contract period and have a great reference for future carreer. will keep you updated on that.
andy is not a lousy boss, he cares about the pilots, answers all questions with patience, cares alot about the technical status of the aircraft which happen to be the best equipped in the country.
i once got blamed about nonsense by the boss of another company and recieved superb backup from andy.
there might be instances where he takes the opportunity to make a point about who is the boss, but as far as i can tell thats happens to be what bosses do.
if high hour pilots (im curious why they even apply for the job) cant apply common sense regarding the thing with signing the waiver and air law regulations, its ridiculous.
the flying here is most beautiful and rewarding, i know a couple of guys flyin line in europe now getting bored to death wishing themselves back here to do some Sossusvlei scenics.
the one studio offered by Bush Bird is occupied by my friend and colleague who is more than happy with it and skipped the opportunity to move somewhere else more than once.
if you get the offer - be happy and take it. there are many guys around who wish they could speak german in order to be able to work for Bush Bird instead of other companies.
Join Date: Nov 2008
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As I went through this thread and read jetjockey's crap I wonder if he was ever close to Swakopmund (what's a jetjock doing in prop cowboys paradise anyway?). I am the other pilot flying for Bush Bird. Let's say the FNG. I got online in 2 months with the owners helping me in everything. Paperwork, exams, whatever problems I had. This cannot be said about other companies, where you're almost left on your own.
Not to mention the latest firing wave here in Swakop. Or the training periods that stretch 3-4-5 (sometimes 8) months at some companies. Or the tennis play that one company did with one of their recruit...
When Andy gives you a job and you get here you can be sure that it is not only your interest to get online asap but his as well.
And as Tobitree said, lots of pilots here in Swakop would love to work for Bush Bird. Hope that those who read this topic till the end will not forget that this is a rumour network... Also whichever company gives you a first chance hang on and try to do your best. Good luck to you all!
Not to mention the latest firing wave here in Swakop. Or the training periods that stretch 3-4-5 (sometimes 8) months at some companies. Or the tennis play that one company did with one of their recruit...
When Andy gives you a job and you get here you can be sure that it is not only your interest to get online asap but his as well.
And as Tobitree said, lots of pilots here in Swakop would love to work for Bush Bird. Hope that those who read this topic till the end will not forget that this is a rumour network... Also whichever company gives you a first chance hang on and try to do your best. Good luck to you all!
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"waiver"
It seems like the "jetjockey" knows as little about the air law as he does about spelling. It is the duty of any operator to ensure that their pilots are legal to fly. Validity of licence, work permit, CRM, DGR, medical, recency, etc. In addition to that, it is the PIC's duty to make sure the flight is conducted within the legal limits, be it W&B or minimum altitudes. What he calls a 'waiver' would be called a 'sign on sheet' by others. Most charter companies do put on their sign on sheet, that you as PIC have to ensure, that the above mentioned conditions are met.
Even Airlines work on some sort of sign on system for the crew. As to the work visa and "working" as crew on a holiday visa: it is highly illegal to do anything that might resemble work on a holiday visa. If you are caught, your back side will be in the sling, you will be the one to see an African prison form the inside for a few nights before being deported. So if jetjockey sat is bum in an aircraft as crew before he had a work permit or visa, it is a bit childish to blame the "boss" for that.
And as to the "German governed" Namibia: If you want a work permit or visa, go through an agent, since we are in Africa and things do get handled the African way. It might still be better, than in some of the neighboring countries, but don't get your hopes up when it comes to efficiency.
In general, your contract, your probational period and the salary that goes with it, can only start after you have been issued a work visa or permit. Anything else is illegal. How blue eyed is it, to expect to receive a salary while on holiday visa? Jetjockey, you must be either very blond, or truly american, probably both.
As for the boss, Andy, himself: I don't know, what he is like now, but a few years back he was certainly not the worst one around, in Swakopmund and all of Nam that is. Go to Pleasure Flights or Atlantic (same main peanut in charge of both) and you will be in **** before you have even said good morning. Very moody conditions there. I know of a number of descent guys, who have been fired and reinstated up to 3 times in one day.
As to the low flying: Most of the companies doing scenic flights do low flying, below 500 ft. You may not fly lower than 1500 ft over game reserves. If you have ever seen what low level flying does to a breeding herd of elephants, you must be an complete idiot to do it again, no tip should encourage you to that.
Most of the low flying is done along the coast line, over stretches where you hardly bother any wildlife.
I doubt, that bush bird is such a bad company to work for. There are a lot worse out there.
Even Airlines work on some sort of sign on system for the crew. As to the work visa and "working" as crew on a holiday visa: it is highly illegal to do anything that might resemble work on a holiday visa. If you are caught, your back side will be in the sling, you will be the one to see an African prison form the inside for a few nights before being deported. So if jetjockey sat is bum in an aircraft as crew before he had a work permit or visa, it is a bit childish to blame the "boss" for that.
And as to the "German governed" Namibia: If you want a work permit or visa, go through an agent, since we are in Africa and things do get handled the African way. It might still be better, than in some of the neighboring countries, but don't get your hopes up when it comes to efficiency.
In general, your contract, your probational period and the salary that goes with it, can only start after you have been issued a work visa or permit. Anything else is illegal. How blue eyed is it, to expect to receive a salary while on holiday visa? Jetjockey, you must be either very blond, or truly american, probably both.
As for the boss, Andy, himself: I don't know, what he is like now, but a few years back he was certainly not the worst one around, in Swakopmund and all of Nam that is. Go to Pleasure Flights or Atlantic (same main peanut in charge of both) and you will be in **** before you have even said good morning. Very moody conditions there. I know of a number of descent guys, who have been fired and reinstated up to 3 times in one day.
As to the low flying: Most of the companies doing scenic flights do low flying, below 500 ft. You may not fly lower than 1500 ft over game reserves. If you have ever seen what low level flying does to a breeding herd of elephants, you must be an complete idiot to do it again, no tip should encourage you to that.
Most of the low flying is done along the coast line, over stretches where you hardly bother any wildlife.
I doubt, that bush bird is such a bad company to work for. There are a lot worse out there.
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@ Tobitree
@ Csanad007
@ DaFly
Great guys!
It is refreshing to hear some balanced remarks about Bush Bird (or any) company instead of the poisonous vile being spewed by disgruntled others.
Congratulations to Csanad on being the FNG there and on a most beautiful website.
@ Csanad007
@ DaFly
Great guys!
It is refreshing to hear some balanced remarks about Bush Bird (or any) company instead of the poisonous vile being spewed by disgruntled others.
Congratulations to Csanad on being the FNG there and on a most beautiful website.
Last edited by classicart; 16th Sep 2010 at 08:44.
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I am really interested in joining any company like bushbirds or similar... but i am a fresh pilot, just got my PPL, IR and CPL 250tt FAA license... I want to ask you guys who are already there and know how this works.. do I have any chance on getting a job there? I need to convert my license and should get a type rating on cessna 210, how much time and money this would cost me? for those of you who are there, how much money do you estimate i should have to do the conversion type rating and live in there for a couple of months or so until i get a job?
Thank you very much everyone. It would be my dream coming true being able to work in a place like bushbirds
Thank you very much everyone. It would be my dream coming true being able to work in a place like bushbirds
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If you search a bit you will find a lot of resources on this site. Unfortunately Andy prefers employing German speaking pilots and there are always a couple around - so it will be a bit difficult for you to get into Bush Bird except if Namibia becomes a prime spanisch Tourist attraction 
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This is true, but there are other companies in Namibia that hire non German speakers as well. And you might never know, Scenic hired 3 Spanish and a Cuban this year 
Not to mention that the senior pilot for Bush Bird is spanish (German speaking thou) 
And then there is Maun...
Not to mention that the senior pilot for Bush Bird is spanish (German speaking thou) And then there is Maun...
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Sure ! I do admit I am a bit out of the Namibian loop at the moment - I just read on bush-birds website the other day that they are getting loads of CV's and they only consider German speakers if anybody. Other companies in Nam: different story!
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End of work contract went well
Hi again, just to update as promised: it was possible to finish my time at Bush Bird without problems - got all papers, invoices, statements, salary and smiling faces on all sides. Happy days - except that I miss Namibia already.
Cheers Tobitree
Cheers Tobitree
Last edited by Tobitree; 9th Feb 2011 at 06:11.
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Ignorance, the root and stem of every evil - plato
Of course, in the opinion of the many, I was never a pilot there and my writing is aweful. Unfortunately I am one of the few who types with two fingers and makes the mistakes to type fast, too fast. Not to mention, English not being my native language. But of course, given my pprune account name, for the ignorant, I must of course be an American.
Yes, of course I just came online to write bad about the outfit, just for the fun of it. I definitely met that pilot that has been there since eight years (although the other pilots I flew with there such as James and some other bloke whose name I forgot) know nobody as such. Good try Andi to put some good publicity into this.
For sure, the few bafoons that wrote bad about my post with the intention to warn others have lived in the apartement facing the trash deposit and were cornered when the boss found out that you are looking for a new apartement.
yes my dear few, I have been there, maybe too short to have written up my report but what the heck, that is how it was and I stand to this. But I am a veteran pilot with now over 3000 jet time under his belt, so for that matter and such pilots definitely see things different than the hour builder that ventures Africa. Please, do not understand me wrong here. I envy the pilot who ventures Africa, I wish I would have done my time building there. I went there, because I was sick of airline flying. I wanted to do what you time builders are doing but for the fun of it. You have no idea how many of you guys called me a fool. To leave a 737 700/800NG for a C210. Well, now I am leaving a G550 for a Embraer 195. Again, many call me a fool for that but I rather earn half but have a safe flight and professional flight environment.
But then again. From certain hour builders I witnessed unprofessional behaviour when it got to people flying at the coast at levels they feel like flying instead of following the laws. Accident rates are pretty horrible in that region. A lack in monitoring such pilots is one of the main reasons. I am sure, those type of pilots also come in such a forum to goof around rather than let one pilot that made a bad experience, do his bad propaganda for an outfit who I still today, call unprofessional.
But the numbnuts, that bash around other people's English and that really believe that I just wrote all of that for fun, those of course are the most credible of all.
Again new pilots. You want to fly for that guy, go ahead do so. he might be your best friend and I admit, we started off great. But I do not and will not sign anything stating I am not allowed to do something but at the same time being encouraged by the boss to do it either way. Because when you crash, it is your arse on the line. So all of you who sign those papers and adhere to the by law correct altitude restrictions, to you I take my hat off. To all others, you are a disgrace and a hazard to aviation, risking not just your lives, but the ones of the passengers in the back that get the kick out of it if all goes well, but that sue your arse if all goes wrong. That is when your dear boss holds the paper you signed in front of your local Civil Aviation Agent, walking off with clean hands while at that point, depending on your financial background, should be happy to be rather dead than alive, at least I would want so.
Of course, in the opinion of the many, I was never a pilot there and my writing is aweful. Unfortunately I am one of the few who types with two fingers and makes the mistakes to type fast, too fast. Not to mention, English not being my native language. But of course, given my pprune account name, for the ignorant, I must of course be an American.
Yes, of course I just came online to write bad about the outfit, just for the fun of it. I definitely met that pilot that has been there since eight years (although the other pilots I flew with there such as James and some other bloke whose name I forgot) know nobody as such. Good try Andi to put some good publicity into this.
For sure, the few bafoons that wrote bad about my post with the intention to warn others have lived in the apartement facing the trash deposit and were cornered when the boss found out that you are looking for a new apartement.
yes my dear few, I have been there, maybe too short to have written up my report but what the heck, that is how it was and I stand to this. But I am a veteran pilot with now over 3000 jet time under his belt, so for that matter and such pilots definitely see things different than the hour builder that ventures Africa. Please, do not understand me wrong here. I envy the pilot who ventures Africa, I wish I would have done my time building there. I went there, because I was sick of airline flying. I wanted to do what you time builders are doing but for the fun of it. You have no idea how many of you guys called me a fool. To leave a 737 700/800NG for a C210. Well, now I am leaving a G550 for a Embraer 195. Again, many call me a fool for that but I rather earn half but have a safe flight and professional flight environment.
But then again. From certain hour builders I witnessed unprofessional behaviour when it got to people flying at the coast at levels they feel like flying instead of following the laws. Accident rates are pretty horrible in that region. A lack in monitoring such pilots is one of the main reasons. I am sure, those type of pilots also come in such a forum to goof around rather than let one pilot that made a bad experience, do his bad propaganda for an outfit who I still today, call unprofessional.
But the numbnuts, that bash around other people's English and that really believe that I just wrote all of that for fun, those of course are the most credible of all.
Again new pilots. You want to fly for that guy, go ahead do so. he might be your best friend and I admit, we started off great. But I do not and will not sign anything stating I am not allowed to do something but at the same time being encouraged by the boss to do it either way. Because when you crash, it is your arse on the line. So all of you who sign those papers and adhere to the by law correct altitude restrictions, to you I take my hat off. To all others, you are a disgrace and a hazard to aviation, risking not just your lives, but the ones of the passengers in the back that get the kick out of it if all goes well, but that sue your arse if all goes wrong. That is when your dear boss holds the paper you signed in front of your local Civil Aviation Agent, walking off with clean hands while at that point, depending on your financial background, should be happy to be rather dead than alive, at least I would want so.
