Maun 2008-2009 season
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Good for you Waiterpilot.
Some very informative postings on this thread thanks.
Just met a lad in Spain doing an IR who did some awesome flying in Maun over several seasons. The flying looks awesome. When I finish my JAA IR in a couple of weeks I have to decide where I want to go next.
Thoroughly enjoyed all the postings here and pics on Facebook, as well as an excellent video on Youtube. Looks like you guys out in Botswana get some seriously good flying,
Will be back to follow Waiterpilot's progress and find out whether others manage to find work.
Glider Pilot from U.K
Just met a lad in Spain doing an IR who did some awesome flying in Maun over several seasons. The flying looks awesome. When I finish my JAA IR in a couple of weeks I have to decide where I want to go next.
Thoroughly enjoyed all the postings here and pics on Facebook, as well as an excellent video on Youtube. Looks like you guys out in Botswana get some seriously good flying,
Will be back to follow Waiterpilot's progress and find out whether others manage to find work.
Glider Pilot from U.K
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Fantastic thread folks, and I'm sold. I would like to be in Maun now only my JAA licence needs renewal in mid January. So I plan to head over after the paper work has been ironed out and dismissed then eventually accepted by the CAA.
So my question is do you think mid January is too late to go over to Maun?
Also I plan on flying in to Jo'burg but I would really really like to get some C206 time, let say 5 hrs. Does anybody know where I could get 5hrs C206 time in Europe or Jo'burg?
So my question is do you think mid January is too late to go over to Maun?
Also I plan on flying in to Jo'burg but I would really really like to get some C206 time, let say 5 hrs. Does anybody know where I could get 5hrs C206 time in Europe or Jo'burg?
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206 time near Jo'burg
hey sacrolicious. I've been looking for 206 time in SA as well, and have found that Lanseria Flight School near Johannesburg has a couple of 206 in their 'charter' fleet. Perhaps it would be worth giving them a call to enquire about whether it would be possible to rent one of their aircraft to build up some experience... I'm not sure what's needed to be able to fly in south africa. my guess would be a license validation, but i have no idea.
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Hi there 
I have read all 9 pages of this thread. I am inspired. Waiterpilot and others: the fact that you just packed up and headed to Bots is crazy!...and exciting!
I am an airline pilot in the states. I am getting laid off in January. I am 30 years old, and feel like I have not lived life yet. I need a change, a rather dramatic one. Contemplating a move to Maun would involve selling and storing my possessions, uprooting a stable, yet somewhat boring life, and having an early midlife crisis
As a pilot, it is easy to daydream about the big jets in the flight levels, however, I yearn for avgas and 500' agl.
I first learned of aviation in Maun firsthand, as a tourist. My family and I visited the delta, via a 206, in 1999. A fellow, close to my age at the time shuttled us off to our camp. Although it was a quick flight, I remember it fondly.
With that said, I seek more information about the operation down there from those whom have some time to sacrifice.
1. I need more information about what is required to convert my FAA certificate to the Bots eqivalent. Is the process the same for all foreign certificates? Are the written exams based Bots air law? Can someone point me out how to prepare for this? And the 206 time. Is this a company or govornment policy? Will the company that hires a pilot take care of this requirement?
2. It seems that all of the rest of the requirements are handled after you arrive, such as the Certificate of Clearance. Is this a correct assumption?
3. Living situation. This is still not quite clear to me. Do you all live in tents? If so, what can you comment about security (like leaving a laptop in the tent while working)? Showers? Is it at a camp? Water and electricity available? Cost? Options other than tents?
4. Silly question. Can you be overqualified?
5. A friend of mine is seeking a change in his life too, he might want to tag along. In the past, he was a highschool teacher, now is stuck in corporate America. He loved teaching. Would he be able to find employment...such as teaching English?
6. OK, this is a long shot, as I am sure none of you have information...but...do any of you know if it is possible to bring my dog?
Thanks for any and all help you can provide. I will check back often. Also feel free to PM me. I can also provide an email address.
ZP
I have read all 9 pages of this thread. I am inspired. Waiterpilot and others: the fact that you just packed up and headed to Bots is crazy!...and exciting!
I am an airline pilot in the states. I am getting laid off in January. I am 30 years old, and feel like I have not lived life yet. I need a change, a rather dramatic one. Contemplating a move to Maun would involve selling and storing my possessions, uprooting a stable, yet somewhat boring life, and having an early midlife crisis
As a pilot, it is easy to daydream about the big jets in the flight levels, however, I yearn for avgas and 500' agl. I first learned of aviation in Maun firsthand, as a tourist. My family and I visited the delta, via a 206, in 1999. A fellow, close to my age at the time shuttled us off to our camp. Although it was a quick flight, I remember it fondly.
With that said, I seek more information about the operation down there from those whom have some time to sacrifice.
1. I need more information about what is required to convert my FAA certificate to the Bots eqivalent. Is the process the same for all foreign certificates? Are the written exams based Bots air law? Can someone point me out how to prepare for this? And the 206 time. Is this a company or govornment policy? Will the company that hires a pilot take care of this requirement?
2. It seems that all of the rest of the requirements are handled after you arrive, such as the Certificate of Clearance. Is this a correct assumption?
3. Living situation. This is still not quite clear to me. Do you all live in tents? If so, what can you comment about security (like leaving a laptop in the tent while working)? Showers? Is it at a camp? Water and electricity available? Cost? Options other than tents?
4. Silly question. Can you be overqualified?
5. A friend of mine is seeking a change in his life too, he might want to tag along. In the past, he was a highschool teacher, now is stuck in corporate America. He loved teaching. Would he be able to find employment...such as teaching English?
6. OK, this is a long shot, as I am sure none of you have information...but...do any of you know if it is possible to bring my dog?
Thanks for any and all help you can provide. I will check back often. Also feel free to PM me. I can also provide an email address.
ZP
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Does anyone know if its any worth trying to get a job in botswana with only a ME Commercial? (I dont have a SE Commercial)
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All you'd want to know about initial ME Comm (and then some)
Csanad007 (and those who may be curious),
The ME Comm thing is one of those odd little glitches in the marvellous FAA system here in the US. It even has certain advantages over doing a Commercial the conventional way (i.e. SE Comm first, then ME).
I got my ME Comm first and then did the SE Comm as an add-on. Since your initial Comm rating is in a twin (and hence complex) airplane, when you go to do your SE Comm you don't even need to use a complex aircraft: you could take your checkride in a Cherokee or even a Cessna 152 if you wanted to. Plus, the oral and checkride are abbreviated because you've already done a commercial oral and demonstrated proficiency (hopefully) at complex systems (gear, flaps, prop). The SE ride itself is pretty simple--of course you still have to jump through the usual hoops: chandelles, etc. That's about it. (Well, you did ask.)
Question: I've decided to go try Namibia first but it sounds like kind of a royal pain to convert FAA licenses to Namibian. I'd really like to know how involved the conversion is in Botswana, 'cause I might pop over to Maun and stand in line behind the rest of you guys if it proves to be too hard/expensive to convert in Namibia.
Waiterpilot, where are you? Did you get a job--or just a girlfriend? We're all waiting to hear from you. Thanks!
The ME Comm thing is one of those odd little glitches in the marvellous FAA system here in the US. It even has certain advantages over doing a Commercial the conventional way (i.e. SE Comm first, then ME).
I got my ME Comm first and then did the SE Comm as an add-on. Since your initial Comm rating is in a twin (and hence complex) airplane, when you go to do your SE Comm you don't even need to use a complex aircraft: you could take your checkride in a Cherokee or even a Cessna 152 if you wanted to. Plus, the oral and checkride are abbreviated because you've already done a commercial oral and demonstrated proficiency (hopefully) at complex systems (gear, flaps, prop). The SE ride itself is pretty simple--of course you still have to jump through the usual hoops: chandelles, etc. That's about it. (Well, you did ask.)
Question: I've decided to go try Namibia first but it sounds like kind of a royal pain to convert FAA licenses to Namibian. I'd really like to know how involved the conversion is in Botswana, 'cause I might pop over to Maun and stand in line behind the rest of you guys if it proves to be too hard/expensive to convert in Namibia.
Waiterpilot, where are you? Did you get a job--or just a girlfriend? We're all waiting to hear from you. Thanks!
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Looking for C206 time
Thanks erik07 I sent a mail to Lanseria Flight School, they haven't got back to me yet but judging by their web site they don't rent the C206. Looks like they keep it for scenic flights, but when I know, you'll know.
Also I have read the whole thread, and I did read that open season for pilots is normally November - February, but this year isn't a normal year (Economic world slow down and such), I'm wondering if mid-January would be too late to start job hunting?
I know it's a difficult question to answer(How long is a piece of string?) but maybe some seasoned Maun or ex-Maun pilots have sensed how this season will fair out and have mentioned it to some ppruners, who might relay this info.
Also I have read the whole thread, and I did read that open season for pilots is normally November - February, but this year isn't a normal year (Economic world slow down and such), I'm wondering if mid-January would be too late to start job hunting?
I know it's a difficult question to answer(How long is a piece of string?) but maybe some seasoned Maun or ex-Maun pilots have sensed how this season will fair out and have mentioned it to some ppruners, who might relay this info.
Last edited by sacrolicious; 3rd Dec 2008 at 17:34.
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dogismycopilot:
interesting. but here (at least in Hungary, which is still an ICAO country) if you have SE comm it takes 10 hours flying in a ME A/C and you'll have both.
Waiterpilot: hope you already got that job and you're preparing for the botswana law exam and stuff and that's why we don't hear from you.
interesting. but here (at least in Hungary, which is still an ICAO country) if you have SE comm it takes 10 hours flying in a ME A/C and you'll have both.
Waiterpilot: hope you already got that job and you're preparing for the botswana law exam and stuff and that's why we don't hear from you.
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12,000 hits?!
My return to pprune is marked with an inbox saturated with PMs and a thread baying for a post. Nice to feel wanted.
I have good and bad news.
The bad news: due to a family emergency (which sounds awfully dramatic) I am back in the UK.
The good news: back on my own internet - so I can give you all an in depth report of my discoveries in Maun without having the internet cafe staff looking at their watches and sighing. I will be returning in January, so never fear - if you are headed that way you will see me in the flesh eventually (although my mummy always said not to meet strangers off the internet).
I hope this thorough debriefing makes up for my previous lack of postings - I am afraid my mind has very much been on other things as of late
. Anyway, I will probably post this over several days as I think this might be a long one. I do have photo's - but not very many.
The Journey Out
Booked through Expedia - seems to be just about the only site that knows where Maun is, so you can book everything on the same e-ticket, and get a discount on the Air Botswana flight. Just type in Maun or MUB in the destination box. You can get a coach from Joburg to Gabs then another to Maun, but this will take over a day and will be boring (but cheap!). Since this was my first time in Africa I decided to go for the Air Botswana flight instead of bussing it and being a Marcus Brody type character in Indiana Jones bumbling his way through two countries. I was most impressed with the offering of a bran muffin on this flight which came in it's own shoe box, with knife, fork, spoon, salt and pepper. Very sophisticated.
You can't buy tents in Joburg airport although there is a adventure store there which sells pretty much everything else adventury like rucksacks, shoes, mosquito nets, lanterns etc. (I went in there especially to report back to the thread. Be grateful.) JNB is also the last stop to buy books really so stock up!
Arrival
Once you land, and leave the airport you will initially probably think something along the lines of "what the hell now?!". Across the road and through the gates there is like a row of new shops with a bureau de change so probably best to go there first, then I went for a drink in the bon arrive restaraunt after my muffin extravagence. Pilots are easy to spot as they are all in their company shirts, so said hi to a couple of them, then I decided to find my way to Audi camp. It may be Maun, but there are loads of taxi's and they adopt the New York approach where you dramatically shout 'taxi!' and get in. Should be about 20 - 30 pula for the ride to Audi.
Audi and Camping
Camping in your own tent is 17pula per night (pilot price!) There is a bar and a restaurant, both of which are reasonable for prices. Breakfast is 55pula, dinner with drinks about 60pula, beer is 13pula. Staff are all very friendly, and at the moment it isn't too busy.
As I said before, camp site is sand (which I suppose I will allow, they do have the excuse that it is Africa). So that gets everywhere, and there isn't too much shade so your tent is pretty much always melty hot. The toilets/showers are clean, but one thing I didn't think about before was the number of bugs. Whatever you do, have a shower BEFORE it gets dark - otherwise you will have to do a bushtucker challenge later in the evening with beetles the size of a golf ball and moths the size of a small child divebombing your naked body. You will also need to get used to the fact that anytime you use running water you will be commiting beetle genocide. I would also advise you to steer clear of the toilets until they have cleaned them in the morning as they are a seething mass of drowning invertebrates.
Nothing much else on the wildlife front - there is a fence running all round the campsite with guards so you don't need to worry about lions or anything. There are a few scorpions and there was even a black mamba in the toilets on Wednesday, but this particular story was ended with the introduction of a machete to the plot. I don't think you really need to worry about these things getting in your tent TOO much - if you leave your tent open long enough for the 14ft black mamba to get in I would hesitantly suggest you are an idiot. I'll let you off with the scorpions - but nothing ever got in my tent. Not even a beetle or mosquito.
One thing I would suggest you do is bring ear plugs. I didn't as Virgin Atlantic used to just GIVE you some for free - alas the credit crunch really biting now. The dogs have barking competitions at night, which awakens the roosters who evidently don't want to be left out of this acoustical action, and their squawkings then enrage the donkeys who like to add to this menagerie of sound with their own displeasure. Yeah. So ear plugs. I also suggest to keep a bit of luggage space free by nicking the airline pillow you get (I was very proud of my resourcefulness here), and if you can manage it, bring a mat for sleeping on - I only had to camp for three nights but the hard ground was beginning to cause me quite some pain. Hopefully like me you will be able to housesit after a few days in town with the ensuing matress.
I have had enough now, my fingers are bleeding stumps - I will post on the other stuff later. Stay tuned for: the companies, housing, and 2009 season job prospects! Also I will answer some of Z_pilots enquiry (if others haven't done so by then).
By the way: I know one or two of the guys in Maun do check this thread - can I say thanks for the great time & sorry I didn't get round to all of you to say bye, it was quite unexpected and I had to rush off! See you all in Jan!
I have good and bad news.
The bad news: due to a family emergency (which sounds awfully dramatic) I am back in the UK.
The good news: back on my own internet - so I can give you all an in depth report of my discoveries in Maun without having the internet cafe staff looking at their watches and sighing. I will be returning in January, so never fear - if you are headed that way you will see me in the flesh eventually (although my mummy always said not to meet strangers off the internet).
I hope this thorough debriefing makes up for my previous lack of postings - I am afraid my mind has very much been on other things as of late
. Anyway, I will probably post this over several days as I think this might be a long one. I do have photo's - but not very many.The Journey Out
Booked through Expedia - seems to be just about the only site that knows where Maun is, so you can book everything on the same e-ticket, and get a discount on the Air Botswana flight. Just type in Maun or MUB in the destination box. You can get a coach from Joburg to Gabs then another to Maun, but this will take over a day and will be boring (but cheap!). Since this was my first time in Africa I decided to go for the Air Botswana flight instead of bussing it and being a Marcus Brody type character in Indiana Jones bumbling his way through two countries. I was most impressed with the offering of a bran muffin on this flight which came in it's own shoe box, with knife, fork, spoon, salt and pepper. Very sophisticated.
You can't buy tents in Joburg airport although there is a adventure store there which sells pretty much everything else adventury like rucksacks, shoes, mosquito nets, lanterns etc. (I went in there especially to report back to the thread. Be grateful.) JNB is also the last stop to buy books really so stock up!
Arrival
Once you land, and leave the airport you will initially probably think something along the lines of "what the hell now?!". Across the road and through the gates there is like a row of new shops with a bureau de change so probably best to go there first, then I went for a drink in the bon arrive restaraunt after my muffin extravagence. Pilots are easy to spot as they are all in their company shirts, so said hi to a couple of them, then I decided to find my way to Audi camp. It may be Maun, but there are loads of taxi's and they adopt the New York approach where you dramatically shout 'taxi!' and get in. Should be about 20 - 30 pula for the ride to Audi.
Audi and Camping
Camping in your own tent is 17pula per night (pilot price!) There is a bar and a restaurant, both of which are reasonable for prices. Breakfast is 55pula, dinner with drinks about 60pula, beer is 13pula. Staff are all very friendly, and at the moment it isn't too busy.
As I said before, camp site is sand (which I suppose I will allow, they do have the excuse that it is Africa). So that gets everywhere, and there isn't too much shade so your tent is pretty much always melty hot. The toilets/showers are clean, but one thing I didn't think about before was the number of bugs. Whatever you do, have a shower BEFORE it gets dark - otherwise you will have to do a bushtucker challenge later in the evening with beetles the size of a golf ball and moths the size of a small child divebombing your naked body. You will also need to get used to the fact that anytime you use running water you will be commiting beetle genocide. I would also advise you to steer clear of the toilets until they have cleaned them in the morning as they are a seething mass of drowning invertebrates.
Nothing much else on the wildlife front - there is a fence running all round the campsite with guards so you don't need to worry about lions or anything. There are a few scorpions and there was even a black mamba in the toilets on Wednesday, but this particular story was ended with the introduction of a machete to the plot. I don't think you really need to worry about these things getting in your tent TOO much - if you leave your tent open long enough for the 14ft black mamba to get in I would hesitantly suggest you are an idiot. I'll let you off with the scorpions - but nothing ever got in my tent. Not even a beetle or mosquito.
One thing I would suggest you do is bring ear plugs. I didn't as Virgin Atlantic used to just GIVE you some for free - alas the credit crunch really biting now. The dogs have barking competitions at night, which awakens the roosters who evidently don't want to be left out of this acoustical action, and their squawkings then enrage the donkeys who like to add to this menagerie of sound with their own displeasure. Yeah. So ear plugs. I also suggest to keep a bit of luggage space free by nicking the airline pillow you get (I was very proud of my resourcefulness here), and if you can manage it, bring a mat for sleeping on - I only had to camp for three nights but the hard ground was beginning to cause me quite some pain. Hopefully like me you will be able to housesit after a few days in town with the ensuing matress.
I have had enough now, my fingers are bleeding stumps - I will post on the other stuff later. Stay tuned for: the companies, housing, and 2009 season job prospects! Also I will answer some of Z_pilots enquiry (if others haven't done so by then).
By the way: I know one or two of the guys in Maun do check this thread - can I say thanks for the great time & sorry I didn't get round to all of you to say bye, it was quite unexpected and I had to rush off! See you all in Jan!
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waiterpilot, good to hear you got back safe and well... i will let you know whats happening with sefo over the next month aye, keep in touch, oh and the other companies
cheers
Gavin
cheers
Gavin
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Sorry to hear!
Best of luck with your troubles in the UK. 
Thanks for the informative post. Looking forward to part 2.
I hope you can make it there in Jan so we can meet up.
And to the guys over there, looking forward to meet you.
+EDIT+
For the guys over at Maun. Is anyone interested in an airline ticket back to Europe? Im coming 2nd of Jan, I think from Dusseldorf with Air Berlin. So I can book a ticket back and sell it to you on your desired return date. A name change will be enough.
PM me if interested.
Thanks for the informative post.
Looking forward to part 2.I hope you can make it there in Jan so we can meet up.
And to the guys over there, looking forward to meet you.
+EDIT+
For the guys over at Maun. Is anyone interested in an airline ticket back to Europe? Im coming 2nd of Jan, I think from Dusseldorf with Air Berlin. So I can book a ticket back and sell it to you on your desired return date. A name change will be enough.
PM me if interested.
Last edited by MKA742; 5th Dec 2008 at 10:11.
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good to finally hear from you again, hope everything works out fine for you at home!
i'll get the news on my visa in 2 weeks times, after that im off. kind of getting tired of writing thsi very same line again and again
oh and nice tips and will definately see you there (fingers crossed)!
i'll get the news on my visa in 2 weeks times, after that im off. kind of getting tired of writing thsi very same line again and again
oh and nice tips and will definately see you there
(fingers crossed)!