More Info for those (low-timers) seeking a job in Namibia
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For those of you that can speak afrikaans,try desert air!min 200hours required,at around 500hours you start flying multi-engine(be58,c310,c401) and then on c208. P2 on AC90(Turbine commander) and at around 1500total time you get command on it!great company to work for!but, you'll have to be able to speak afrikaans...
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What if..
... I learn afrikaans on the fly?
Only because I speak (and write) in four languages
and I could learn afrikaans in a few weeks
No chance, eh?
Only because I speak (and write) in four languages
and I could learn afrikaans in a few weeks No chance, eh?
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sefofane
Thanks for the comprehensive low-down on Namibia. but I'm hearing different stuff about total required hours. Sefofanes website says 250 with an IR, but I hear rumours about 400. Is this rubbish or do you think they are saying this to get rid of certain people?
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The new guys
A word from the wise, Nam is a great place to build up hours, but! There is a huge BUT, Windhoek is hot and high (average temp in summer at 10am 29C up to 40C or higher at mid day, at an elevation 5500' AGL), eros's runways are short and with the mountains and high terrain cause even experienced pilots to sweat sometimes! Experience counts for alot flying in those conditions. And dont forget the thunderstorms, when they hit in the afternoon either fly around or land as soon as possible! Maintenance on the older aircraft is questionable. The average age of a C210 is about 25 to 30 years old, Nam has had more fatal accidents in the last 3 years than ever before. I have personally lost friends due to the accidents and some where due to pure negligence of maintenance, lack of experience of pilots and also certain companies not doing all things by the book.
The ATC standards have dropped, the really good atc's have all left for better jobs, ie south africa, germany, abu dhabi etc... So when flying in other parts of the world you might hear a voice that once controlled eros on 118.7! Do expect to have go arounds, slower aircraft being slotted ahead of faster traffic and orbits at positions in the circuit that will kill people one day!
Namibia is a lovely place but go there first and check it out. I have lots of friends who have flown there or are still flying in that wonderful country, the companies are professional and welcoming. The people are friendly and the weather most of the time is fantastic. But with this fairytale the darker side is that unfortunately it is not the place it was 5 or 10 years ago.
The ATC standards have dropped, the really good atc's have all left for better jobs, ie south africa, germany, abu dhabi etc... So when flying in other parts of the world you might hear a voice that once controlled eros on 118.7! Do expect to have go arounds, slower aircraft being slotted ahead of faster traffic and orbits at positions in the circuit that will kill people one day!
Namibia is a lovely place but go there first and check it out. I have lots of friends who have flown there or are still flying in that wonderful country, the companies are professional and welcoming. The people are friendly and the weather most of the time is fantastic. But with this fairytale the darker side is that unfortunately it is not the place it was 5 or 10 years ago.
Last edited by underneath the radar; 17th Dec 2009 at 20:28.
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Return ticket from Namibia
Hi there,
I am thinking of travelling to Namibia to seek employment. I know you have to purchase a return ticket, but is there a way around this in case you are offered a job while there and don't need to come back within the 90 days allowed for a UK citizen. Or otherwise, can you have an onward ticket to another African country, say Tanzania? Would this be acceptable?
Thanks for any info
Nik
I am thinking of travelling to Namibia to seek employment. I know you have to purchase a return ticket, but is there a way around this in case you are offered a job while there and don't need to come back within the 90 days allowed for a UK citizen. Or otherwise, can you have an onward ticket to another African country, say Tanzania? Would this be acceptable?
Thanks for any info
Nik
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@nastynik: return ticket
Check Air Namibia (SW), flying to WDH from FRA only. They usually offer triangle flights, i.e. JNB and CPT, where arrival and departure may be at different places, even in different countries. Just enquire, may be they offer sth similar with their other African flights.
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They can't handle the conditions?
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Yeah there are a lot of Americans who are afraid of leaving the country cause they think they'll get AIDs or whatever they hear on Fox news. Its very annoying getting ignorant comments when mentioning any travel or work abroad, i would imagine fewer American pilots in that area because some are just afraid of it. so far this post hasn't been flying related, so.. whats more sketchy, flying through freezing fog, and icing conditions (currently what im seeing here in Oregon) or the effects of flying in 40C from high altitude, in a heavy loaded plane? (what i assume are the conditions in Namibia and Botswana)
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Just to repeat something:
when I was in Namibia the most hiring of pilots was done between February and June. 2010 may be different though....
Also, in 2007-8 you could get a room at the backpackers for between US$10-15.
The 20 British pounds/night that someone mentioned above seems a bit steep to me! If you're really tight and think it might take you a couple of months to get a job sorted then buy a tent and pitch it on the backpackers' grounds for around US$7-8 /night... I lived in a tent for about 6 weeks - good character builiding!
Cheers!
when I was in Namibia the most hiring of pilots was done between February and June. 2010 may be different though....
Also, in 2007-8 you could get a room at the backpackers for between US$10-15.
The 20 British pounds/night that someone mentioned above seems a bit steep to me! If you're really tight and think it might take you a couple of months to get a job sorted then buy a tent and pitch it on the backpackers' grounds for around US$7-8 /night... I lived in a tent for about 6 weeks - good character builiding!
Cheers!
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Hi everyone,
I'm getting a lot of PMs with people asking questions along the same lines so I'll post some answers here... I'm sure that I'm repeating myself in a few places
Q: Are companies hiring right now?
A: I'm guessing that 2009 was a slow year and that it will pick up in 2010. See above posts for previous high season times... I left Namibia nearly 2 years ago, but I've just emailed a mate who still lives there for a more accurate answer. Stay tuned.
Q: Is it possible to get hired with just a CPL and 200-250hrs?
A: YES! These are low hour jobs and a couple of hours on a 210 will help, but are not essential. It is more the norm rather than the exception to get hired with less than 300 hrs.
Q: I'm quite an old geezer, does age matter for employment?
A: Short answer is no. Most of the guys/gals were young in their early/mid twenties but there were the odd exceptions. The companies don't care about your age as long as you get the job done safely and perform well.
Can't think of anything else right now, Will talk later...
Happy Landings!
I'm getting a lot of PMs with people asking questions along the same lines so I'll post some answers here... I'm sure that I'm repeating myself in a few places
Q: Are companies hiring right now?
A: I'm guessing that 2009 was a slow year and that it will pick up in 2010. See above posts for previous high season times... I left Namibia nearly 2 years ago, but I've just emailed a mate who still lives there for a more accurate answer. Stay tuned.
Q: Is it possible to get hired with just a CPL and 200-250hrs?
A: YES! These are low hour jobs and a couple of hours on a 210 will help, but are not essential. It is more the norm rather than the exception to get hired with less than 300 hrs.
Q: I'm quite an old geezer, does age matter for employment?
A: Short answer is no. Most of the guys/gals were young in their early/mid twenties but there were the odd exceptions. The companies don't care about your age as long as you get the job done safely and perform well.
Can't think of anything else right now, Will talk later...
Happy Landings!
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How to find a job
Hi,
First of all I have deep respect for all of you guys here. You're all very eager to find a job, and I hope for all of us we will find one soon. I have recently graduated as a pilot in the Netherlands, and now looking for a job.
I have a question I'd like to ask. Is it an advantage to actually go to Namibia or other African countries? How do you figure out which companies you want to visit?
I've send my application letter to Sefofane, but no reply yet. So I'll be crossing thumbs the coming days.
Regards
First of all I have deep respect for all of you guys here. You're all very eager to find a job, and I hope for all of us we will find one soon. I have recently graduated as a pilot in the Netherlands, and now looking for a job.
I have a question I'd like to ask. Is it an advantage to actually go to Namibia or other African countries? How do you figure out which companies you want to visit?
I've send my application letter to Sefofane, but no reply yet. So I'll be crossing thumbs the coming days.
Regards
Thread Starter
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I'm in Windhoek now. Noone is hiring. Sefo hired one guy recently. He's currently working at a lodge burning time before they bring him online.
I wouldn't bother exploring Namibia though - you'll see the whole country for free once you're flying tourists around!
Cheers!
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Basic question here from me - when people go to Namibia (or any other random place for that matter) - do you have a few changes of a typical pilot uniform packed as well? Or is this something you buy (receive?) once you land your first job?
Also - in a place like Namibia where it's freaking hot - what sort of clothes are you fronting up to these places in? Surely not slacks & a tie?
(I am sure someone is going to **** on me for asking these questions, but hey, I'm OK with that).
Also - in a place like Namibia where it's freaking hot - what sort of clothes are you fronting up to these places in? Surely not slacks & a tie?
(I am sure someone is going to **** on me for asking these questions, but hey, I'm OK with that).
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Surely not slacks & a tie?
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Transport
Hi,
What is the transport system (if any) like in Windhoek? Would I need to buy a car to get around? I see online they are quite expensive, even second hand...compared to Europe
Thanks
What is the transport system (if any) like in Windhoek? Would I need to buy a car to get around? I see online they are quite expensive, even second hand...compared to Europe
Thanks