Maun 2008-2009 season
Join Date: Aug 2008
Location: Down the airway.
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Oh and when the insanity of living in Maun does your head in completley - because do not foget that you only fly one third of the time-and you are driving hell for the leather towards that sink hole calls itself Johannesburg for some R&R- you can spray the licence plate with hair spray so that the primitive police cameras do not get you.....the radar still gets you but you buy your way out of that on the spot.
Join Date: Sep 2006
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Hammer,
Please, not you again. Someone must have made you very angry or you probably are in life. I wonder how much flying if any you do?
if you can't generate any positive feedback in this forum...why not start, "Hammer irate bitter forum," and leave the rest of us that find this forum very beneficial and informative!!!
Where's your stand as a pilot,(or probably not) in this forum?
Or are you leaving up to your title the "****less hammer?!!!!!??"
You make me....
Please, not you again. Someone must have made you very angry or you probably are in life. I wonder how much flying if any you do?
if you can't generate any positive feedback in this forum...why not start, "Hammer irate bitter forum," and leave the rest of us that find this forum very beneficial and informative!!!
Where's your stand as a pilot,(or probably not) in this forum?
Or are you leaving up to your title the "****less hammer?!!!!!??"
You make me....
Join Date: Aug 2008
Location: Down the airway.
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Hell's teeth..did not mean to offend two such important people and one of which is a seasoned pilot by his own words too.
Thought we were having a banter about hair spray.
My positive feedback stand on Maun?
I have been there countless times.
I think the town is hot, dusty, and a one horse place. Privately I do not like it.
I think the delta is wonderful.
I think that for a greenhorn pilot there is a lot of good experience to be gained by flying there.
I also think that for any pilot that there is much fun and satisfaction to be found when flying in the delta.
I am, always puzzling as why all the pilots in Maun seem to come from NZ, Canada/USA etc. Are there not enough ex pats from SA to fill the roles?
I wish all of you going to Maun this season, very good luck for the time there and for the future. It is, how do you say, an excellent fun place to cut your teeth.
Thought we were having a banter about hair spray.
My positive feedback stand on Maun?
I have been there countless times.
I think the town is hot, dusty, and a one horse place. Privately I do not like it.
I think the delta is wonderful.
I think that for a greenhorn pilot there is a lot of good experience to be gained by flying there.
I also think that for any pilot that there is much fun and satisfaction to be found when flying in the delta.
I am, always puzzling as why all the pilots in Maun seem to come from NZ, Canada/USA etc. Are there not enough ex pats from SA to fill the roles?
I wish all of you going to Maun this season, very good luck for the time there and for the future. It is, how do you say, an excellent fun place to cut your teeth.
Join Date: Dec 2007
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so far, i've been finding this thread very useful, but it seems to be losing its purpose more and more. could we please go beyond these petty arguments and get back to the original theme of the threads? i'm getting a little tired of having to scroll through post after post of insults, abuse and childish back-and-forths....
thanks to everyone whose provided all the useful info re maun here. sounds like a great place to start a career, and i'll be looking at it soon. but i'm under no illusions that it probably also gets VERY boring at times. but i guess you can't have everything
thanks to everyone whose provided all the useful info re maun here. sounds like a great place to start a career, and i'll be looking at it soon. but i'm under no illusions that it probably also gets VERY boring at times. but i guess you can't have everything
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Join Date: Jul 2008
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Onwards!
Agreed. Let's keep this on the topic at hand (Maun jobs) rather than personal disputes.
As entertaining and beautifying as hair spray is, that has probably had it's day as well (3 pages and counting!). Although if you want to talk hair spray, talk hair spray; I certainly don't want to be the Stalin of the Thread!
Just want it to be useful to all....
I think the coming weeks will probably see my poker skills increase, and at least there is a sports club (don't know how well equipped it is though, and I'm certainly not lugging a tennis racket round Heathrow with me). I think my liver is also quivering at the thought of the experience, but hey - you only live once!
As entertaining and beautifying as hair spray is, that has probably had it's day as well (3 pages and counting!). Although if you want to talk hair spray, talk hair spray; I certainly don't want to be the Stalin of the Thread!
Just want it to be useful to all....
I think the coming weeks will probably see my poker skills increase, and at least there is a sports club (don't know how well equipped it is though, and I'm certainly not lugging a tennis racket round Heathrow with me). I think my liver is also quivering at the thought of the experience, but hey - you only live once!
Join Date: Nov 2008
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waiterpilot: did you manage to talk (email) with anyone in Maun? as I wrote you still nothing form the "top dogs", but the guys who are allready flying there are very helpful.
Join Date: May 2008
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Did you want answers from someone who lives in Maun?
Hi guys, I posted some questions a couple of months ago on here regarding moving to Maun. I now live in Maun and am working for Mack Air.
Here are a couple of answers (in my opinion) to the questions you might be asking:
Some companies are hiring. It is probably only Sefofane that takes on more than one pilot at exactly the same stage as the other companies stagger the training a bit so it depends if the company has just taken on someone or not.
Only Sefofane bond pilots on the C206, all bond on the caravan.
Nearly everyone starts on the C206.
It is cheap to live here if you are short of funds for the time you are looking for work although if you eat all your meals out and go to the pub every night this gets more expensive. A pub meal is around 5 pounds, a beer around 1 pound, a snack (toastie or something) is 2 pounds. yu can live on very little if you need to but if you want to meet people sitting in your tent with a can of beans isnt going to get you a job. not sure about accommodation but there are plenty of camps and you can get taxis or these little buses that you flag down, dont need a car straight away.
All the companies want to get to know you and it is the pilots and the rest of the staff that make the decision. The presumption is that everyone can fly, we all have CPLs, so the emphasis is on if you're a nice guy, fit in, and they believe you want to be here for a couple of years.
There has been some guys turn up, stay for a couple of weeks then decide to go home so the companies are weary of this.
I have 250h straight out of flight school, thats not a problem.
There are a number of pilots moving down here now as the economy worsens elsewhere and people start looking wider afield.
Dec/Jan are good times to be here.
It is the beginning of the wet season/summer now, 25 degrees, humid, thumderstorms in the afternoon etc.
Internet is a bit crap here so takes a while to get things done.
Feel free to ask questions, will try to get back to you asap.
Here are a couple of answers (in my opinion) to the questions you might be asking:
Some companies are hiring. It is probably only Sefofane that takes on more than one pilot at exactly the same stage as the other companies stagger the training a bit so it depends if the company has just taken on someone or not.
Only Sefofane bond pilots on the C206, all bond on the caravan.
Nearly everyone starts on the C206.
It is cheap to live here if you are short of funds for the time you are looking for work although if you eat all your meals out and go to the pub every night this gets more expensive. A pub meal is around 5 pounds, a beer around 1 pound, a snack (toastie or something) is 2 pounds. yu can live on very little if you need to but if you want to meet people sitting in your tent with a can of beans isnt going to get you a job. not sure about accommodation but there are plenty of camps and you can get taxis or these little buses that you flag down, dont need a car straight away.
All the companies want to get to know you and it is the pilots and the rest of the staff that make the decision. The presumption is that everyone can fly, we all have CPLs, so the emphasis is on if you're a nice guy, fit in, and they believe you want to be here for a couple of years.
There has been some guys turn up, stay for a couple of weeks then decide to go home so the companies are weary of this.
I have 250h straight out of flight school, thats not a problem.
There are a number of pilots moving down here now as the economy worsens elsewhere and people start looking wider afield.
Dec/Jan are good times to be here.
It is the beginning of the wet season/summer now, 25 degrees, humid, thumderstorms in the afternoon etc.
Internet is a bit crap here so takes a while to get things done.
Feel free to ask questions, will try to get back to you asap.
Join Date: Nov 2008
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Guys if you cant handle a bit of banter here and dont have a sense of humour then get your mommy to unpack the suitcase she packed for you and stay away from Maun. Otherwise bring your passport/ birth certificate etc and flying doccos, harden the 
up, RELAX and come here for a bit of a laugh, a few beers and i wish you all the best of luck.
up, RELAX and come here for a bit of a laugh, a few beers and i wish you all the best of luck.
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Join Date: Jul 2008
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A retort....
Csanda007: No word from the 'top dogs' - but I have had my questions answered by the ever helpful alexace. The Insurance is dealt with by the companies once you are hired and I'll probably be able to go back to the UK for Christmas. Sorted!
Alexace: again - thanks!
Jeanpant: Harden up? I am veritably built for the kill! (or as much as you can be if you look twelve....)
I'm not the thread dictator; people can talk about what they want. I was merely suggesting that we keep on topic because when a thread gets this long, a first time reader doesn't want to have to scroll through pages of people going off on a random tangent interspersed with valuable nuggets of advice. Let's keep this a concentrated espresso of information!
Or, you know, hairspray. Whatever.
Have you just arrived in Maun or are you a seasoned veteran? How are you finding it?
Alexace: again - thanks!
Jeanpant: Harden up? I am veritably built for the kill! (or as much as you can be if you look twelve....)
I'm not the thread dictator; people can talk about what they want. I was merely suggesting that we keep on topic because when a thread gets this long, a first time reader doesn't want to have to scroll through pages of people going off on a random tangent interspersed with valuable nuggets of advice. Let's keep this a concentrated espresso of information!
Or, you know, hairspray. Whatever.
Have you just arrived in Maun or are you a seasoned veteran? How are you finding it?
Join Date: Sep 2007
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Me too!
Hi there!
I've read this whole thread (the story about the hairspray needed some fast forwarding indeed) and I must say I'm almost ready to say 'That's it, I'm going over there!'.
Having just finished my ATPL here in Belgium I'm a bit skeptic though. I will try to get a job with Luxair or TNT but with all those experienced f/o's out there I don't know if I stand a chance (I'm even thinking of going to Maun right away lol).
Aaanywayz, please contact me about how to wrap things up 'back home' and what to bring except from all the stuff I read here (tent, docs, clothes, and maybe some home made beers?). I have contacted 4 companies and await their reply.
I'm thinking of coming over around the 10'th of January. But I need that 'spark', you know? What are the chances I will get a job? 40% (no-go) or 80% (lets go)
?
Thx to all who posted good advice! I hope to see you soon!
I've read this whole thread (the story about the hairspray needed some fast forwarding indeed) and I must say I'm almost ready to say 'That's it, I'm going over there!'.
Having just finished my ATPL here in Belgium I'm a bit skeptic though. I will try to get a job with Luxair or TNT but with all those experienced f/o's out there I don't know if I stand a chance (I'm even thinking of going to Maun right away lol).
Aaanywayz, please contact me about how to wrap things up 'back home' and what to bring except from all the stuff I read here (tent, docs, clothes, and maybe some home made beers?). I have contacted 4 companies and await their reply.
I'm thinking of coming over around the 10'th of January. But I need that 'spark', you know? What are the chances I will get a job? 40% (no-go) or 80% (lets go)
?Thx to all who posted good advice! I hope to see you soon!
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Welcome to the thread MKA742
A Police Certificate saying I have no criminal record and copies of my passport, birth certificate and license is what I have. Think (and hope) that is everything as far as official documents go....
Go on Google Earth and you will see there is not going to be too much of a problem buying things if you leave them behind; as I said it has a Spar, it has a Barclays and even a Woolworths (but don't know if this is the same chain as the rather grim company of the same name in the UK). I found another site (namely this one) that seems to be a shop's website but tells you alot more about what there is in Maun in general, as well as it's history.
If you get a reply from any of the companies you are doing better than me!
I personally wouldn't bother applying for TNT or Luxair (but you never know you might be lucky!) I would get to Maun ASAP, as I think there are quite a few people with the same idea with the economy going the way it is - it wasn't like this even just a year ago. Competition is going to be higher this time round, just like it is for all jobs aviationally based.
A Police Certificate saying I have no criminal record and copies of my passport, birth certificate and license is what I have. Think (and hope) that is everything as far as official documents go....
Go on Google Earth and you will see there is not going to be too much of a problem buying things if you leave them behind; as I said it has a Spar, it has a Barclays and even a Woolworths (but don't know if this is the same chain as the rather grim company of the same name in the UK). I found another site (namely this one) that seems to be a shop's website but tells you alot more about what there is in Maun in general, as well as it's history.
If you get a reply from any of the companies you are doing better than me!
I personally wouldn't bother applying for TNT or Luxair (but you never know you might be lucky!) I would get to Maun ASAP, as I think there are quite a few people with the same idea with the economy going the way it is - it wasn't like this even just a year ago. Competition is going to be higher this time round, just like it is for all jobs aviationally based.
Last edited by waiterpilot; 19th Nov 2008 at 16:07. Reason: Pressed enter after I wrote three words.... duh!
Join Date: Nov 2008
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emailing
waiterpilot:
emailing seems to be bullsh*t, they probably don't even bother reading it, i've wrote som 30 letters to different persons.
no answer, except 3 guys on facebook. but they all say the same, get there and make yourself known. be able to drink a dozen beers and have a good sense of humor. if you fit there, you'll probably get something, if no, then... nothing else matters.
so, me too will be heading down with a few hundred CV-s and gonna post them on every wall and stuff
emailing seems to be bullsh*t, they probably don't even bother reading it, i've wrote som 30 letters to different persons.
no answer, except 3 guys on facebook. but they all say the same, get there and make yourself known. be able to drink a dozen beers and have a good sense of humor. if you fit there, you'll probably get something, if no, then... nothing else matters.
so, me too will be heading down with a few hundred CV-s and gonna post them on every wall and stuff
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Well about TNT, some companies like unexperienced people because they don't have a set of procedures in their mind which are hard to change. Just read Luxair's requirements "as young and un-experienced as possible"! lol! But of course there are a few hundred aiming at Luxair. Ive got a friend who did the asessment at Ryanair today. I'll see what he made out of it too first.
What makes me doubt coming to Maun is the cost, combined with the competition. I just spent 70000 euros on the ATPL and have nothing left. Even 2000 euros seems impossible now. That and the strong competition is really
But hey I'm a nice guy and people told me ive got a great set of skillz so why the heck not. Right?
Grind grind grind grind ... ... ...
Thx for reply
btw ive had a few replies
What makes me doubt coming to Maun is the cost, combined with the competition. I just spent 70000 euros on the ATPL and have nothing left. Even 2000 euros seems impossible now. That and the strong competition is really
But hey I'm a nice guy and people told me ive got a great set of skillz so why the heck not. Right?
Grind grind grind grind ... ... ...
Thx for reply
btw ive had a few replies