Maun 2008-2009 season
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Ok guys take it easy! first off I dont have 60hrs grass field experience written on my cv, I do know how to write a cv! I put that in for a laugh thats why i put in suppose this would be a help in Africa! Lighten up people!
But if you must know what I mean by it I did my PPL out of a grass strip.
Bla bla bla just because someone has a (F)ATPL doesnt mean they have a SEP rating. The flight school I did my CPL with do the CPL exam in a twin, a number of guys on the course had FAA PPL's so when there licence was issued in JAR land they got a CPL with MEP rating and NO SEP rating so they cannot fly SEP a/c commercially as they do not have a rating for it.
Anyways the purpose of my post was to find out if anyone is heading to Maun anytime soon not to discuss what ive done in grass fields! lol So if anyone wants to talk about Maun please get back to me.
Thanks,
EI-CON.
But if you must know what I mean by it I did my PPL out of a grass strip.
Bla bla bla just because someone has a (F)ATPL doesnt mean they have a SEP rating. The flight school I did my CPL with do the CPL exam in a twin, a number of guys on the course had FAA PPL's so when there licence was issued in JAR land they got a CPL with MEP rating and NO SEP rating so they cannot fly SEP a/c commercially as they do not have a rating for it.
Anyways the purpose of my post was to find out if anyone is heading to Maun anytime soon not to discuss what ive done in grass fields! lol So if anyone wants to talk about Maun please get back to me.
Thanks,
EI-CON.
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" 
Hey, any maun-dawgs know if the chick with a RING in the vagine who came down there this month got a job?"
well thats an unfair andvantage, how the rest of us okes supposed to get a job?
Hey, any maun-dawgs know if the chick with a RING in the vagine who came down there this month got a job?"well thats an unfair andvantage, how the rest of us okes supposed to get a job?
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But reading some of the posts about how hard you have to drink to be able to make the cut or all this nonsense, I just know that its from people that has no clue and that has not been here. 
Friday nights at 'The Buck' followed later by a trip to River Lodge or one of the other pubs. Good times.
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A few rambling thoughts about a guy who doesn't know anything
Hey hey
I have read this thread or should I say book and have found it very interesting, unfortunately it has gotten a little out of control and it now seems that everybody and their dog plans on heading out to either Maun or Windhoek. So I thought I would try and give you some advice before all the charter companies have more pilots than clients turning up at their door. I’m not saying don’t go; just maybe think before you go.
First off if you have high hours please don’t go to Africa chasing jobs that operators are willing to give to low time guys. These jobs are for low time guys starting out and if you have worked before as a paid commercial pilot you have a much better chance at getting a job in your own country than the low time guys, and although the job market is tough at the moment you will be first in line when the job market in your own country picks up. I have even read of airline pilots planning to go over there because they are getting bored of sitting in an aircon flight deck all day. People on this site would kill to have your job.
Second. If you are going over to build hours to get into an airline, single engine VFR hours are probably not going to be the best sort of hours to get. You will still need to get another job flying IFR multi, and yes I know they are hard to get. The best way to do this is to fly as instructor and then move on to either multi IFR instructing or a multi job attached to the flight school, this is how all of my friends got into the airlines. My friends who went the single VFR GA way have either given up flying or are still stuck there doing it.
Third. If you are from Australia or NZ there are jobs available for low time guys in the Northern Territory during the mustering season or during the wet season when the roads are impassable. Just go over there and start knocking on doors at the airport in Darwin, it’s a lot cheaper, safer, easier and you will make a lot more money than in Southern Africa. Similar situations can be found in Canada or Alaska, just spend six months knocking on doors and you have a good chance of finding work. You have just as must chance of finding work in these countries if you go door knocking than you have in Africa.
Fourth. If you are going over for an adventure think very carefully. A lot of guys say it was the best time of their lives but they tend to remember only the good times, and those times look pretty good compared to their lives now, which consist of wives, kids, mortgage repayments and little time if any to hang out with their mates and drink beer without a care in the world. The reality is that you will be living in a developing country and you will see some horrible sites, and will have to deal with extreme heat, pushy rich tourist and have to work flat out six days a week in a year of forced celibacy while freaking out every time a mosquito comes near you. Don’t get me wrong, there will be absolutely awesome times but it won’t all be one long party.
Look I’m not saying don’t go, it’s not my place to tell you what to do with your life or career, I’m just saying there may be easier ways to progress your career. If you have a “calling” to go to Africa and a bush pilot is all you ever wanted to be, by all means go, just think very carefully before you go, I would rather not see people over there for selfish reasons, or having not tried really hard to get a job at home first. I wish you all the best. Good luck.
I have read this thread or should I say book and have found it very interesting, unfortunately it has gotten a little out of control and it now seems that everybody and their dog plans on heading out to either Maun or Windhoek. So I thought I would try and give you some advice before all the charter companies have more pilots than clients turning up at their door. I’m not saying don’t go; just maybe think before you go.
First off if you have high hours please don’t go to Africa chasing jobs that operators are willing to give to low time guys. These jobs are for low time guys starting out and if you have worked before as a paid commercial pilot you have a much better chance at getting a job in your own country than the low time guys, and although the job market is tough at the moment you will be first in line when the job market in your own country picks up. I have even read of airline pilots planning to go over there because they are getting bored of sitting in an aircon flight deck all day. People on this site would kill to have your job.
Second. If you are going over to build hours to get into an airline, single engine VFR hours are probably not going to be the best sort of hours to get. You will still need to get another job flying IFR multi, and yes I know they are hard to get. The best way to do this is to fly as instructor and then move on to either multi IFR instructing or a multi job attached to the flight school, this is how all of my friends got into the airlines. My friends who went the single VFR GA way have either given up flying or are still stuck there doing it.
Third. If you are from Australia or NZ there are jobs available for low time guys in the Northern Territory during the mustering season or during the wet season when the roads are impassable. Just go over there and start knocking on doors at the airport in Darwin, it’s a lot cheaper, safer, easier and you will make a lot more money than in Southern Africa. Similar situations can be found in Canada or Alaska, just spend six months knocking on doors and you have a good chance of finding work. You have just as must chance of finding work in these countries if you go door knocking than you have in Africa.
Fourth. If you are going over for an adventure think very carefully. A lot of guys say it was the best time of their lives but they tend to remember only the good times, and those times look pretty good compared to their lives now, which consist of wives, kids, mortgage repayments and little time if any to hang out with their mates and drink beer without a care in the world. The reality is that you will be living in a developing country and you will see some horrible sites, and will have to deal with extreme heat, pushy rich tourist and have to work flat out six days a week in a year of forced celibacy while freaking out every time a mosquito comes near you. Don’t get me wrong, there will be absolutely awesome times but it won’t all be one long party.
Look I’m not saying don’t go, it’s not my place to tell you what to do with your life or career, I’m just saying there may be easier ways to progress your career. If you have a “calling” to go to Africa and a bush pilot is all you ever wanted to be, by all means go, just think very carefully before you go, I would rather not see people over there for selfish reasons, or having not tried really hard to get a job at home first. I wish you all the best. Good luck.
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once you complete your training you have to do the 'Omelet' (eat an entire raw egg...shell and all....and wash that down with a horrible mix of straw rum and whatever else the guys that night decided to add to your drink!)
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EI-CON
When someone who knows a great deal more than you offers you some friendly advice there is no need to reply in an argumentative response. You will also find that the majority of cpl guys/girls learnt on a single so of course have a sep rating.
Find your self a travelling buddy and you can hold hands while you go around the companies in Maun. Good luck, you will need it in these times, I'll ask my mates still in Maun how the Irish guy got on.
When someone who knows a great deal more than you offers you some friendly advice there is no need to reply in an argumentative response. You will also find that the majority of cpl guys/girls learnt on a single so of course have a sep rating.
Find your self a travelling buddy and you can hold hands while you go around the companies in Maun. Good luck, you will need it in these times, I'll ask my mates still in Maun how the Irish guy got on.
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It sure is that time of year again
Things are stirred up and guys like me are starving to get the last drop of info before they pack and go to Mauntown.
But the sum of this thread is that if you really want to get the job and have the right attitude then show up on peoples doors in Maun, smile, hand them your CV, beeeehayve and you might end up driving the 206.
Am I wrong or am I wrong?
Good luck!
But the sum of this thread is that if you really want to get the job and have the right attitude then show up on peoples doors in Maun, smile, hand them your CV, beeeehayve and you might end up driving the 206.
Am I wrong or am I wrong?
Good luck!
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Bla bla bla,
Just correcting you on a small point you got wrong, some people i know in the exact situation i was talking about i.e. no SEP are thinking of going to Maun and looking for work and it would be nice for others reading this thread in a similar situation to them to know that there may be a licencing problem if they done there CPL on a twin, thats all!
Even those of us who "know a great deal more" than others get it wrong sometimes
anyways I dont want this brilliant thread to turn into an arguement so back to Maun.............
Just correcting you on a small point you got wrong, some people i know in the exact situation i was talking about i.e. no SEP are thinking of going to Maun and looking for work and it would be nice for others reading this thread in a similar situation to them to know that there may be a licencing problem if they done there CPL on a twin, thats all!
Even those of us who "know a great deal more" than others get it wrong sometimes
anyways I dont want this brilliant thread to turn into an arguement so back to Maun.............
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I'm pleased you know many, I'm sure with your vast experience of aviation that must be quite a few. I don't really understand the rest of your post due to your appalling grammar.
Good luck in Maun, I'll tell my mates to look out for you!
Good luck in Maun, I'll tell my mates to look out for you!
Last edited by Bla Bla Bla; 1st Oct 2009 at 23:31.
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great thread.
i went through each and every sentence in this thread.got to know almost everything it feels like i m in maun already ha!
.just few queries!
the tent thing...REALLY! theres no other way instead of carrying one to maun and paying for extra luggage.any other cheap accomodation as in dormatries or any thing as such.it just that i have never done camping ,and it will be a problem to carry it for such a long journey.
& want to know the other options precisely to go to audi camp or any other accomodation if i find it from johannesburg instead of air botswana.i think local transport is the best way to explore and i dont want to spend any extra buck when i have the option to save some.
and what is the total expenditure gonna be on a per day basis before getting a job and after.(i am very optimistic)
approximately.just a rough idea.
i forgot to mention i am planning to go there in december if everythings work out fine.
i am a fresh graduate with abt 280 hrs and i have a c206 rating as well,not much hours just 1.5, i know thats not enough but watever better then having none.
yatin.
.just few queries!
the tent thing...REALLY! theres no other way instead of carrying one to maun and paying for extra luggage.any other cheap accomodation as in dormatries or any thing as such.it just that i have never done camping ,and it will be a problem to carry it for such a long journey.
& want to know the other options precisely to go to audi camp or any other accomodation if i find it from johannesburg instead of air botswana.i think local transport is the best way to explore and i dont want to spend any extra buck when i have the option to save some.
and what is the total expenditure gonna be on a per day basis before getting a job and after.(i am very optimistic)
approximately.just a rough idea.
i forgot to mention i am planning to go there in december if everythings work out fine.
i am a fresh graduate with abt 280 hrs and i have a c206 rating as well,not much hours just 1.5, i know thats not enough but watever better then having none.
yatin.
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Jxbold I have some issues with your post and it really bores me how far off the mark you are with your points. A lot of the things you have said are a load of bollocks. Where do you get off telling pilots who can, and cannot go to Maun??!
Your points:
1. High time guys stay away from Maun- Well sorry but every year there are 1 or 2 ex-Maun pilots who come out of the woodwork for whatever reason (maybe they have no job) to come back and fly in Maun. Operators are of course going to take them over the newbees in town, theyve done there time their and know their way around the place. Thats just a fact of life.
2. Single engine hours arnt much help to you if you want to get into an Airline- What a load of rubbish. We all have to start somewhere and single engine VFR hours are a great place to start, especially in Maun. Guys come their to gain experience, its total time they are after. I would know of over 20 Maun pilots in major airlines across the world.
3. Nz and OZ pilots there are jobs closer to home- Sure thanks for the information thats great, but a lot of guys go to Maun because thats where they want to get there first job and they want an adventure....which leads me to the next point
4. If you are going over for an adventure think very carefully- WTF? you sound like a nana. Guys, If you are going over for an adventure I can tell you now you are going to have the adventure of a life time. Dont listen to a word Jxbold told you...........
Quote jxbold "The reality is that you will be living in a developing country and you will see some horrible sites, and will have to deal with extreme heat, pushy rich tourist and have to work flat out six days a week in a year of forced celibacy while freaking out every time a mosquito comes near you"
If thats how you want to look at your time in Maun then you shouldnt be their.
Heres my slant on it .... You will live in a developing country and see some of the most amazing sights in the world, the weather is fantastic 365 days of the year (excluding TS, although even they cool you down), youll meet tourist from all around the world and you will be lucky enough to get 6 fun-filled days of flying every week...... Oh and as for celibacy well maybe for Jxbold, but i can reassure you there is a fresh supply of european tourist rolling into town every night, youve just got to track them down! As for the mosquitoes well in reality the chances of getting malaria are fairly minimal and easy treated.
Guys dont let anyone put you off going to Maun, even if the chances of getting a job are said to be minimal. If you want to work in Maun then get on a plane, show up with a positive attitude and back yourself to get a job. Flying in Maun is the best flying you will do in your career and the experiences you have will be with you forever.
Good luck
Your points:
1. High time guys stay away from Maun- Well sorry but every year there are 1 or 2 ex-Maun pilots who come out of the woodwork for whatever reason (maybe they have no job) to come back and fly in Maun. Operators are of course going to take them over the newbees in town, theyve done there time their and know their way around the place. Thats just a fact of life.
2. Single engine hours arnt much help to you if you want to get into an Airline- What a load of rubbish. We all have to start somewhere and single engine VFR hours are a great place to start, especially in Maun. Guys come their to gain experience, its total time they are after. I would know of over 20 Maun pilots in major airlines across the world.
3. Nz and OZ pilots there are jobs closer to home- Sure thanks for the information thats great, but a lot of guys go to Maun because thats where they want to get there first job and they want an adventure....which leads me to the next point
4. If you are going over for an adventure think very carefully- WTF? you sound like a nana. Guys, If you are going over for an adventure I can tell you now you are going to have the adventure of a life time. Dont listen to a word Jxbold told you...........
Quote jxbold "The reality is that you will be living in a developing country and you will see some horrible sites, and will have to deal with extreme heat, pushy rich tourist and have to work flat out six days a week in a year of forced celibacy while freaking out every time a mosquito comes near you"
If thats how you want to look at your time in Maun then you shouldnt be their.
Heres my slant on it .... You will live in a developing country and see some of the most amazing sights in the world, the weather is fantastic 365 days of the year (excluding TS, although even they cool you down), youll meet tourist from all around the world and you will be lucky enough to get 6 fun-filled days of flying every week...... Oh and as for celibacy well maybe for Jxbold, but i can reassure you there is a fresh supply of european tourist rolling into town every night, youve just got to track them down! As for the mosquitoes well in reality the chances of getting malaria are fairly minimal and easy treated.
Guys dont let anyone put you off going to Maun, even if the chances of getting a job are said to be minimal. If you want to work in Maun then get on a plane, show up with a positive attitude and back yourself to get a job. Flying in Maun is the best flying you will do in your career and the experiences you have will be with you forever.
Good luck
Last edited by SkySurfin; 2nd Oct 2009 at 23:14.
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Gents
Most of you need that kick start in flying to boost those hours, this is the ideal place. You get to deal with all the variables that occur in an airline operation, most of all you're dealing and interacting with passengers.
At worse, if you don't like it leave after your bond, it's not the end of the world but honour your bond, aviation is a small worldwide community. By getting 900 hours a year it will certainly help when the airlines start hiring again, and this time when they do hire it's going to be big - there's been so many cut backs in the past.
Do what you want to do for your career. Many out there will spread the bad word to try and put you off as it reduces the competition for them. It's your decision and believe me it will be the best flying you'll ever do in your career - do enjoy it and do not be in too much of a rush to fly "heavy metal".
Good luck
Most of you need that kick start in flying to boost those hours, this is the ideal place. You get to deal with all the variables that occur in an airline operation, most of all you're dealing and interacting with passengers.
At worse, if you don't like it leave after your bond, it's not the end of the world but honour your bond, aviation is a small worldwide community. By getting 900 hours a year it will certainly help when the airlines start hiring again, and this time when they do hire it's going to be big - there's been so many cut backs in the past.
Do what you want to do for your career. Many out there will spread the bad word to try and put you off as it reduces the competition for them. It's your decision and believe me it will be the best flying you'll ever do in your career - do enjoy it and do not be in too much of a rush to fly "heavy metal".
Good luck
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Listen boys and girls..by the time the world economies pick up and you ever land that jet job you are all dreaming about, all you will ever do is to operate computers and push buttons. If you go to Maun and fly there, you will have the memories that will last you a long time and will toast your aged retirement. Maun is one of the few places left where if you have done the flying there, you almost have the right to call yourself a Barnstormer. That is a very cool thing to be and will better equip you for all sorts of the amorous adventures becaue you must remember that birds like horse feathers for softer landings!
SkySurfin's paragraph before the last one, that is the penultimate paragraph for those of you who do not speak Tswana (and you should learn some of that language before you go up there also, is just right. That is the attitude which will get the job in Maun after which, any other flying will just be an anti climax form of making money for a living.
SkySurfin's paragraph before the last one, that is the penultimate paragraph for those of you who do not speak Tswana (and you should learn some of that language before you go up there also, is just right. That is the attitude which will get the job in Maun after which, any other flying will just be an anti climax form of making money for a living.
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I agree
Skysurfin
I have to agree with what you saying, right on.
I just think us low hour pilots have huge odds stacked agianst us, and if you sitting with 30 000 hours, type rated on everything from a c150 to a space shuttle, blond bombshell flight attendant serving you coffee/tea en-route to paris for the evening. Just give the little guy a thought before heading out to Maun (who could blame them though? Maun seems to be an awesome place.) Can't wait for my chance.
I have to agree with what you saying, right on.
I just think us low hour pilots have huge odds stacked agianst us, and if you sitting with 30 000 hours, type rated on everything from a c150 to a space shuttle, blond bombshell flight attendant serving you coffee/tea en-route to paris for the evening. Just give the little guy a thought before heading out to Maun (who could blame them though? Maun seems to be an awesome place.) Can't wait for my chance.
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I think that the oddies are in your favour in Maun as the little guy. I am not sure if a 30k hour airline captain would be flexible enough to cope with the ever shifting problems of load sheets and lack of coffee, soft toilet paper and air conditioning - also there is the small matter of being able to swing the leg nonchalantly on a regular blond basis with reduced risk of SIDA or syphilis from an over enthusiastic amateur or even a professional.
All these things become desirable and apparent with the onsetting of the old age. When you are young you can cope easily with malaria. When you are older you have to take quinine and that tastes so bad you have to mix it with gin. Being old and to fly drunk is much harder than to be young and do the same - most certainly also if you have to wear the glasses, especially if they are bi focals.
All these things become desirable and apparent with the onsetting of the old age. When you are young you can cope easily with malaria. When you are older you have to take quinine and that tastes so bad you have to mix it with gin. Being old and to fly drunk is much harder than to be young and do the same - most certainly also if you have to wear the glasses, especially if they are bi focals.
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hey dudes i m still waiting for someone to clear up my queries from the last post.
thank you.
great thread.
i went through each and every sentence in this thread.got to know almost everything. it feels like i m in maun already ha!
.just few queries!
the tent thing...REALLY! theres no other way instead of carrying one to maun and paying for that extra luggage.
any other cheap accomodation as in any dormatries or any thing as such.its just that i have never done camping before ,and it will be a heck of a trouble to carry it for such a long journey.
& want to know the other options precisely to go to audi camp(or any other accomodation, if i find it) from johannesburg instead of air botswana.if theres any. i think local transport is the best way to explore a place like africa(correct me if i m wrong) and i dont want to spend any extra buck when i can save some.
and what is the total expenditure gonna be on a per day basis before getting a job and after.(i am very optimistic)
approximately.just a rough idea.
i forgot to mention i am planning to go there in december if everythings work out fine.
i am a fresh graduate with abt 280 hrs,with ir and twin rating and i have a c206 rating as well,not much hours just 1.5, i know thats not enough but watever better then having none.
thank you.
yatin.
thank you.
great thread.
i went through each and every sentence in this thread.got to know almost everything. it feels like i m in maun already ha!
.just few queries!
the tent thing...REALLY! theres no other way instead of carrying one to maun and paying for that extra luggage.
any other cheap accomodation as in any dormatries or any thing as such.its just that i have never done camping before ,and it will be a heck of a trouble to carry it for such a long journey.
& want to know the other options precisely to go to audi camp(or any other accomodation, if i find it) from johannesburg instead of air botswana.if theres any. i think local transport is the best way to explore a place like africa(correct me if i m wrong) and i dont want to spend any extra buck when i can save some.
and what is the total expenditure gonna be on a per day basis before getting a job and after.(i am very optimistic)
approximately.just a rough idea.
i forgot to mention i am planning to go there in december if everythings work out fine.
i am a fresh graduate with abt 280 hrs,with ir and twin rating and i have a c206 rating as well,not much hours just 1.5, i know thats not enough but watever better then having none.
thank you.
yatin.
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the tent thing...REALLY! theres no other way instead of carrying one to maun and paying for that extra luggage.
any other cheap accomodation as in any dormatries or any thing as such.its just that i have never done camping before ,and it will be a heck of a trouble to carry it for such a long journey.
any other cheap accomodation as in any dormatries or any thing as such.its just that i have never done camping before ,and it will be a heck of a trouble to carry it for such a long journey.
Carrying a tent is easy. I took my own and even with all my other things my luggage only came to a total of 17kgs. What on earth would you be carrying??