Namibia, Bots, Malawi Q/A's 2010/11
Join Date: Nov 2008
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Nope, except for Bush Bird, but then even Andy will hire non German speakers if he is in need! I have a Spanish friend flying for him.
And maybe Wings Over will ask for German as well. But the others are okay with Ingles...
And maybe Wings Over will ask for German as well. But the others are okay with Ingles...
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Whatever happened to the grand yet somewhat underwhelming plans for the Sefofane flight training school? I know it got swept away by the recession but as we're now in recovery mode are there any plans for a resurrection?
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The recession had nothing to do with it. The school was set up in order to get a contract to train government sponsored students. The Sefofane management dropped the ball during negotiations and the Botswana government decided to send their students to train in SA instead. Last I herd the school has 1 "chief" flight instructor, three empty classrooms and no students. Apparently they still aren't certified to train students past the private pilot level.
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Equipment To Bring?
OK all new set of questions for this thread.
I would like to know what others have brought in terms of gear and any tips.
What I am looking at bringing so far.
I am currently looking at around a 50 Liter backpack ( 3100 cubic inches ) that should haul around 50lbs max and fits in the overhead.
Latching on a sleeping bag and air mattress
2 X White Pilot shirts
1 X tent
1 X DC 10.13.4's Headset
For those in the field already:
What are you wearing on your feet?
Type of sleeping bag ( heat component )
Heaviest piece of clothing? Do I need to bring a heavier jacket?
Thanks.
btw saw a picture of Csand loaded down with 2 backpacks and a plastic bag and got scared.
I would like to know what others have brought in terms of gear and any tips.
What I am looking at bringing so far.
I am currently looking at around a 50 Liter backpack ( 3100 cubic inches ) that should haul around 50lbs max and fits in the overhead.
Latching on a sleeping bag and air mattress
2 X White Pilot shirts
1 X tent
1 X DC 10.13.4's Headset
For those in the field already:
What are you wearing on your feet?
Type of sleeping bag ( heat component )
Heaviest piece of clothing? Do I need to bring a heavier jacket?
Thanks.
btw saw a picture of Csand loaded down with 2 backpacks and a plastic bag and got scared.
Last edited by soakingpilot; 28th May 2010 at 00:21. Reason: typo
Join Date: Nov 2008
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haha
Well, a tent, sleeping bag, matress are quite big. Then in Namibia the nights tend to be cooler, so a pullover or a medium jacket comes handy. Take comfortable shoes.
It is a good idea to bring your laptop. So that would require some alternate carrying (I mean other then your big backpack for the stuff)...
But the things you saw on me are kinda basic. But carried them only once in a month when traveling from Bots to Nam and back. So have no fear.
It is a good idea to bring your laptop. So that would require some alternate carrying (I mean other then your big backpack for the stuff)...
But the things you saw on me are kinda basic. But carried them only once in a month when traveling from Bots to Nam and back. So have no fear.
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When you guys pack up your tent in the morning are you "checking" your gear somewhere during the day or just bringing it with you wherever you go. I guess the laptop probably goes with you at all times.
Join Date: Apr 2009
Location: Maun, Botswana
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Soaking, Namibia and Botswana are not in the bush anymore (well, you guys know what I mean).
They do have houses with doors that can be locked...
Bring whatever you want to bring with you and what you feel comfortable carrying around with you, just as you would if you were holidaying anywhere else in the world.
Keep all valuables such as laptops, passports, logbooks and licences on you at all times unless you can lock them away somewhere. But most places are pretty safe and you will realise this after a while.
And a big tip to stop you getting hassled from the locals. DO NOT LOOK LIKE A TOURIST.
They do have houses with doors that can be locked...
Bring whatever you want to bring with you and what you feel comfortable carrying around with you, just as you would if you were holidaying anywhere else in the world.
Keep all valuables such as laptops, passports, logbooks and licences on you at all times unless you can lock them away somewhere. But most places are pretty safe and you will realise this after a while.
And a big tip to stop you getting hassled from the locals. DO NOT LOOK LIKE A TOURIST.
Join Date: Aug 2008
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How can you look like a local if you have on you at all times, laptops, licences, logbooks, passports and so on. Also, you need a tan and some grit around the eyes and a decent slouch in a pair of veldtschoens-which I don't think you'll find in Maun.
Try the Indian market in Randburg for those. Oh yeah..don't wear Ray Bans-they're a dead give away. Also, don't try to speak Tswana unless you're very good at it. It's not a difficult language but stick to Jambo...or do I mean Tsala tsentle? Just don't say Ciao.
Try the Indian market in Randburg for those. Oh yeah..don't wear Ray Bans-they're a dead give away. Also, don't try to speak Tswana unless you're very good at it. It's not a difficult language but stick to Jambo...or do I mean Tsala tsentle? Just don't say Ciao.
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No,
Viva Zapata with a wave of the hand goes down well.
I usually pretend to be from the Argentine and mutter to myself in Spanish. Do not point. It is a bad habit South Africans have got in to. It is part of their 'my/me' culture - if culture is the word to describe the massive acquisitive vulgarity of the majority of the people one bumps in to as one sidles past Swarovksi trying to pretend that one does not, in fact, know the chandelier addicted sexy enough nit wit who owns the company.
Oh, yes where was I?-back to pointing- do not forget that in Argentina, where so many of the good Nazis ended up after WWII, we wave our hand in the direction of that which we wish to emphasis or acquire, in an empirical fashion.
Never even think of pretending to be an Italian. The reality is too dreadful although humming opera is permissible.
Viva Zapata with a wave of the hand goes down well.
I usually pretend to be from the Argentine and mutter to myself in Spanish. Do not point. It is a bad habit South Africans have got in to. It is part of their 'my/me' culture - if culture is the word to describe the massive acquisitive vulgarity of the majority of the people one bumps in to as one sidles past Swarovksi trying to pretend that one does not, in fact, know the chandelier addicted sexy enough nit wit who owns the company.
Oh, yes where was I?-back to pointing- do not forget that in Argentina, where so many of the good Nazis ended up after WWII, we wave our hand in the direction of that which we wish to emphasis or acquire, in an empirical fashion.
Never even think of pretending to be an Italian. The reality is too dreadful although humming opera is permissible.
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Medical Questions
So to continue with this I am getting my HEP A,B, Tetanus, Polio, Meningitis, Rabis and Yellow Fever shots done now. How do companies take care of their pilots medical wise? How is insurance if any provided by your employer? Also do companies generally take care of our provide information for doctors ?
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Going south by the end of this year
Im planning on flying down ther to llok for a job by october this year, what has me worried is being a bad time of the year to find a job down there, is it realy that bad or should I take a chance anyways? Im not going now because I have a job for the summer here in Spain and I shuold have around 600 hours by the end of Summer. Thanks
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October
Should be just the right time to arrive to Maun, if you are willing to stick it there for two months. The patience could land you in a position there...
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nyathi: hiring goes between those two dates, but as far as I've seen the best time to arrive is November-December. You guys like to keep wannabes there for a couple of weeks before hiring. So you know that he/she will not flee in the middle of the training. Or am I wrong?
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Conclusions...
So from what everyone says, best time to go down there to try to be on the safe side, if there is one on going to Africa to find a job..lol Is from the begining of next year in advance till the summer and with money to stay for sometime.. Just wish i could just go in September and get the job strait away (not being very realistic am I?) lol
This are my conclusions thank you all iŽll keep you update when I travel south.
This are my conclusions thank you all iŽll keep you update when I travel south.