Namibia, Bots, Malawi Q/A's 2010/11
Thread Starter
Join Date: Apr 2010
Location: on the internet
Posts: 100
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Namibia, Bots, Tanzania Q/A's 2010/11
So I am going to make the jump and go to Southern Africa come around mid-november 2010 with FAA CPL IR SEL + MEL w/ 260 hrs and I have a few questions.
1. When is the hiring season for these countries.
2. What is on the conversion exam? Does it focus on any specific areas?
3. Are you guys camping or staying in hostels during the interim while searching?
4. Interview attire?
5. What is the pay per year ( rough idea ) and living costs for an apt ( again rough guess ) ?
6. Any companies to stay away from inparticular?
7. How does it work with VISA's ( tourist ) and renewing that Visa while looking for jobs
* To the forum please just repsond to the questions. I know that there are these answers lying around but they are buried in all of the forum posts so I just wanted to start something new clear and concise.
Thanks to everyone for their help.
1. When is the hiring season for these countries.
2. What is on the conversion exam? Does it focus on any specific areas?
3. Are you guys camping or staying in hostels during the interim while searching?
4. Interview attire?
5. What is the pay per year ( rough idea ) and living costs for an apt ( again rough guess ) ?
6. Any companies to stay away from inparticular?
7. How does it work with VISA's ( tourist ) and renewing that Visa while looking for jobs
* To the forum please just repsond to the questions. I know that there are these answers lying around but they are buried in all of the forum posts so I just wanted to start something new clear and concise.
Thanks to everyone for their help.
Last edited by soakingpilot; 25th Jun 2010 at 13:56. Reason: title change of subject
Join Date: Nov 2008
Location: Where the desert meets the ocean
Age: 49
Posts: 235
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
1.
Maun, Botswana is over for this year.
Namibia should pick up nowadays.
Forget Malawi, there are 2 companies, Nyassa Air Taxi and Bush and Lake. Both want some 500 hours guys. Jobs mainly by word of mouth, And they are already full for this year...
2.
Never mind, the exams are usually no fuss and easy. Some air law, some places radiotelephony.
3.
Camp, it is cheap.
4.
Interview? I think only Sefofane does interviews...
5.
Around 10 000 usd for start. In Maun you might estimate from 100 to 300 hundred usd per month. In Namibia is not that cheap.
6.
You wanna fly or stay away? No idea on that one.
Maun, Botswana is over for this year.
Namibia should pick up nowadays.
Forget Malawi, there are 2 companies, Nyassa Air Taxi and Bush and Lake. Both want some 500 hours guys. Jobs mainly by word of mouth, And they are already full for this year...
2.
Never mind, the exams are usually no fuss and easy. Some air law, some places radiotelephony.
3.
Camp, it is cheap.
4.
Interview? I think only Sefofane does interviews...
5.
Around 10 000 usd for start. In Maun you might estimate from 100 to 300 hundred usd per month. In Namibia is not that cheap.
6.
You wanna fly or stay away? No idea on that one.
Join Date: Apr 2007
Location: through the door, left
Posts: 111
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Namibia
Coming to Nam in November would be a waste of time, since business winds down as from December. Time to show your face here is now - July.
You will need a C210 conversion on your FAA licence. That means, log a few 210 hours as dual. Here you need a conversion for each and every a/c you want to fly, unlike in the US and Europe. Since you will only get a validation at first, all a/c have to be on your FAA licence (or in your logbook before you rock up here). For more detail contact Windhoek Flight Training Centre (google).
As far as I know, DCA Namibia just made it a bit more difficult to validate FAA licenses. You might have to write 4-5 exams. You can find out from DCA Namibia (google).
Companies work on very different pay schemes, some pay per hour or NM, some pay a basic salary + S&T. Don't expect more than N$3500.- (=ZAR 3500 = U$ 400-500) monthly initially, rather less. Forget about 10k.
No company around, that is really not recommendable. Sefofane Namibia & Westair the best ones, doesn't mean you would have an easy life though. You will fly your butt off (Sefo) and eat a lot of **** (Westair) but hours are good (Sefo) and Westair got very good SOPs. A/C are workhorses but in ok condition.
Expect to pay N$ 2500 for rent in Windhoek, a little less in Swakopmund. Sharing with other guys is the best option. Initially stay at the backpackers Cardboard Box in Windhoek. They will recommend accommodation in Swakopmund. Don't miss out on going to Swakopmund, as there is a high turn over of pilots, since those companies only operate C210.
Forget about going to RSA, since they already export pilots to neighbouring countries.
Work permit in Nam: find a job, company will sign and stamp the necessary papers and then find an agent, who will process the applications for you. Most companies have somebody they work together with. Be prepared to carry all the costs, although the law says otherwise. Don't know how much it could add up to.
You will need a C210 conversion on your FAA licence. That means, log a few 210 hours as dual. Here you need a conversion for each and every a/c you want to fly, unlike in the US and Europe. Since you will only get a validation at first, all a/c have to be on your FAA licence (or in your logbook before you rock up here). For more detail contact Windhoek Flight Training Centre (google).
As far as I know, DCA Namibia just made it a bit more difficult to validate FAA licenses. You might have to write 4-5 exams. You can find out from DCA Namibia (google).
Companies work on very different pay schemes, some pay per hour or NM, some pay a basic salary + S&T. Don't expect more than N$3500.- (=ZAR 3500 = U$ 400-500) monthly initially, rather less. Forget about 10k.
No company around, that is really not recommendable. Sefofane Namibia & Westair the best ones, doesn't mean you would have an easy life though. You will fly your butt off (Sefo) and eat a lot of **** (Westair) but hours are good (Sefo) and Westair got very good SOPs. A/C are workhorses but in ok condition.
Expect to pay N$ 2500 for rent in Windhoek, a little less in Swakopmund. Sharing with other guys is the best option. Initially stay at the backpackers Cardboard Box in Windhoek. They will recommend accommodation in Swakopmund. Don't miss out on going to Swakopmund, as there is a high turn over of pilots, since those companies only operate C210.
Forget about going to RSA, since they already export pilots to neighbouring countries.
Work permit in Nam: find a job, company will sign and stamp the necessary papers and then find an agent, who will process the applications for you. Most companies have somebody they work together with. Be prepared to carry all the costs, although the law says otherwise. Don't know how much it could add up to.
Join Date: Nov 2008
Location: Where the desert meets the ocean
Age: 49
Posts: 235
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
DaFly: yepp, thanks for the clarification.
In Swakop I'd recomend Villa Wiese, pretty decent place with breakfast and wifi use included in the price. That is 115 nam dollars. But when I stayed there for more then one month I was able to get a bargain: 85 nam dolls. Even cheaper you can go to the hostel should be 20-40 bux per night depending on room.
The guys there are nice and helpful. If you fit in you'll quickly find yourserf going to braai's, playing soccer on Sundays and so on... Pretty much a place to love.
lilflyboy: let them guys keep on being curious
In Swakop I'd recomend Villa Wiese, pretty decent place with breakfast and wifi use included in the price. That is 115 nam dollars. But when I stayed there for more then one month I was able to get a bargain: 85 nam dolls. Even cheaper you can go to the hostel should be 20-40 bux per night depending on room.
The guys there are nice and helpful. If you fit in you'll quickly find yourserf going to braai's, playing soccer on Sundays and so on... Pretty much a place to love.
lilflyboy: let them guys keep on being curious
Join Date: Nov 2008
Location: Where the desert meets the ocean
Age: 49
Posts: 235
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Oh, don't worry, if I have enough of it then I'lll just ignore the questions. But now that the wifi is back at FBMN and I have quite some time it is not a big thing. Everyone needs to start somewhere.
Join Date: Dec 2009
Location: Mumbai
Age: 34
Posts: 61
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Hey Guys
Hey guys,
I have read your posts and also the "Jobs in Africa 2" forum, I am an Indian national with 200 hours and an FAA PPL +IR , I am planning to go to the USA in a few months time to get my CPL with ME rating.
My question is along with the C 210s, do they also operate the C310s ? As the school I might go to has a C310, so if I get around 25 hrs on it, will that be good for me in Africa ? Can you please tell me if any companies operate C310s ?
Thanks in advance,
Regards,
Rahul Pereira
I have read your posts and also the "Jobs in Africa 2" forum, I am an Indian national with 200 hours and an FAA PPL +IR , I am planning to go to the USA in a few months time to get my CPL with ME rating.
My question is along with the C 210s, do they also operate the C310s ? As the school I might go to has a C310, so if I get around 25 hrs on it, will that be good for me in Africa ? Can you please tell me if any companies operate C310s ?
Thanks in advance,
Regards,
Rahul Pereira
Join Date: Apr 2007
Location: through the door, left
Posts: 111
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
@ rahul
yes, in Namibia 1 or 2 companies do operate C310. Botswana not, as far as I know. South Africa, a few, but not very common, I think.
If you are looking into flying here, why don't you want to get your licence in South Africa?
It is much easier to convert an ICAO (RSA) licence into an FAA one then what it takes to convert an FAA licence into an ICAO licence.
Price difference wont be much to your disadvantage either. If you look at the job market, you will see that quite a few of the more advanced jobs require ICAO licences or JAA ones, rather than FAA licenses.
yes, in Namibia 1 or 2 companies do operate C310. Botswana not, as far as I know. South Africa, a few, but not very common, I think.
If you are looking into flying here, why don't you want to get your licence in South Africa?
It is much easier to convert an ICAO (RSA) licence into an FAA one then what it takes to convert an FAA licence into an ICAO licence.
Price difference wont be much to your disadvantage either. If you look at the job market, you will see that quite a few of the more advanced jobs require ICAO licences or JAA ones, rather than FAA licenses.
Join Date: Dec 2009
Location: Mumbai
Age: 34
Posts: 61
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
DaFly
Hey Thanks a lot for your reply and also for your suggestion, but can I then convert my FAA PPL + IR easily to ICAO (RSA) license first and then proceed for the CPL ?
If that is possible without any hassles then its not a bad idea at all.......
Also if you know about the companies in Namibia that operate C310s, can you tell me if they're good to work with and also do you have an idea of the pay there , as I also have a loan to repay here ?
Another thing I would like to ask you ( even though it is too early ) , if I can gain some experience flying in Namibia , what about the airlines in Africa ? would it be possible to get into those airlines or do I have to look elsewhere ?
Thanks once again.....
Regards
If that is possible without any hassles then its not a bad idea at all.......
Also if you know about the companies in Namibia that operate C310s, can you tell me if they're good to work with and also do you have an idea of the pay there , as I also have a loan to repay here ?
Another thing I would like to ask you ( even though it is too early ) , if I can gain some experience flying in Namibia , what about the airlines in Africa ? would it be possible to get into those airlines or do I have to look elsewhere ?
Thanks once again.....
Regards
Join Date: Apr 2010
Location: Planet Earth
Age: 35
Posts: 30
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
do you have an idea of the pay there , as I also have a loan to repay here ?
I used to be broke by the 20th of every month when I worked there. I would say that namibia is kinda expensive for a third world country.Also, the insurance minimums for a C 310 at all the companies in namibia were 700-1000 hours total time. Not sure if its lower now. So dont expect to start flying a C 310 when you get there.
Consider yourself lucky if you get to fly a C 210 with 200 odd hours.
Join Date: Dec 2009
Location: Mumbai
Age: 34
Posts: 61
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Arabian Mustang
Hey thanks for your reply, well I wasn't expecting to repay the loan with only my salary but I thought it would certainly help a little if i sent it home......
Also since you've experienced it , can you give me an idea of how much would it cost approx for living and eating at a cheap place as I am aiming to just gain the hours and have a mattress underneath to spend the night and a roof , that's all......
Also thanks for the information on the C310, but can I upgrade after a while after having gained some experience on the C210 ?
Yeah its going to be difficult , but not impossible ,so will definitely try it out next year when the jobhunting season starts.......
Appreciate any tips you have based on your experiences......
Regards
Also since you've experienced it , can you give me an idea of how much would it cost approx for living and eating at a cheap place as I am aiming to just gain the hours and have a mattress underneath to spend the night and a roof , that's all......
Also thanks for the information on the C310, but can I upgrade after a while after having gained some experience on the C210 ?
Yeah its going to be difficult , but not impossible ,so will definitely try it out next year when the jobhunting season starts.......
Appreciate any tips you have based on your experiences......
Regards
Just out of curiosity, what´s the hourly pay in Namibia these days on a C-210? As far as I know, it used to be around N$ 120 in the mid nineties. Long time ago, I know.
Join Date: Mar 2005
Location: South Africa
Posts: 112
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Csanad007 said:
What bulldust! Each and every company that I know here in Maun does interviews, full and proper interviews!
Knob!
4.
Interview? I think only Sefofane does interviews...
Interview? I think only Sefofane does interviews...
Knob!
Join Date: Dec 2008
Location: Tanzania
Posts: 45
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
I worked for sefofane and never had any formal interview. Some bull**** written quiz that I was asked to write after I was offered the job and which no one ever looked at. No flight review, and no one even asked to see my log book. A real tight ship they run. I'm sure some of the other companies are more thorough but I didn't know anyone who had much of a "proper" interview.
Join Date: Apr 2009
Location: Maun, Botswana
Age: 37
Posts: 424
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Since information is being twisted and leaked into the papers, I prefer not to say.
But I can say that the only company that conducts formal interviews is Sefofane.
The rest of the companies are looking more at the individuals rather than the qualifications, as like what was said in the papers, apparently everyone who holds a CPL can do the job. So once they select a pilot who is most likely to fit the company profile and the image that they are going for, then they will conduct a flight check to make sure they can fly, and then be hired.
But I can say that the only company that conducts formal interviews is Sefofane.
The rest of the companies are looking more at the individuals rather than the qualifications, as like what was said in the papers, apparently everyone who holds a CPL can do the job. So once they select a pilot who is most likely to fit the company profile and the image that they are going for, then they will conduct a flight check to make sure they can fly, and then be hired.
Join Date: Apr 2007
Location: through the door, left
Posts: 111
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
rahulpereira
If you care to scroll up a bit, you see my recent post about salaries.
As to 'converting' your PPL: it's easier and faster to redo your PPL in NAM or RSA. You do have all the necessary hours, the exams are peanuts. You will just have to do a flight or two to settle down to the standards and then do the test. It's not possible to convert a PPL. You could validate it (which is the same process as above) but then you still don't have anything to build up onto.
As to 'converting' your PPL: it's easier and faster to redo your PPL in NAM or RSA. You do have all the necessary hours, the exams are peanuts. You will just have to do a flight or two to settle down to the standards and then do the test. It's not possible to convert a PPL. You could validate it (which is the same process as above) but then you still don't have anything to build up onto.