Maun, Botswana. The essential guide.
Joined: Nov 2012
Posts: 6
Likes: 0
From: France
Bush Flying in Africa - Situation for 2012-2013
Hi everyone,
I plan to become bush pilot in Africa (I don't know yet where, I just want ).
Apparently, if you look at all the things already stated on this website, low timers (as me) are everywhere (Namibia, Bostwana, Zambia, South Africa....). Procedures for work permits become more and more stringent (sometimes you will need more than 1000TT to get a job on a cessna C210!
2 years ago, nothing was more easy to get a job in Maun. Just knock at the chief pilot desk's door with 250hrs TT, and a job was nearly offered to you.
Now everything is changing, and it freaks me out.
Here is a letter I just received from a chief pilot in a famous local charter company in Maun:
"We are NOT hiring at the moment. Our minimum hour requirement is as follows:
• 500 hour total time with an instructors rating and instructors experience or
• 800 hours total time with a Commercial Pilots License.
CV's are filed for six months, as is policy in our company. When we require crew, we contact short-listed candidates for an interview in person.
All non-Botswana citizens require a work visa/permit to work in Botswana. We have been experiencing extreme difficulties in obtaining these from the Ministry of Home Affairs, and this is beyond our control. Consequently, we prefer hiring Botswana crew i.e. citizens of the country. Should none be available, we revert to the (foreign) CVs on file.
All our pilots start their career with XXXX – Botswana on the Cessna 206 aircraft for a minimum period of one year, after one year of service selected candidates will progress onto the Cessna Grand Caravan.
Good luck in your search for employment!"
Howewer, I'd like to have your opinion. Is it still possible for a european guy, low houred with a CPL IR/ME to get hired by a local charter company (on SEP) out there?
Did you hear any story about employement in RDC, Gambia, Madagascar, Angola, Gabon etc... I just do not want to camp around a airport or weeks to get my first job.
I plan to become bush pilot in Africa (I don't know yet where, I just want ).
Apparently, if you look at all the things already stated on this website, low timers (as me) are everywhere (Namibia, Bostwana, Zambia, South Africa....). Procedures for work permits become more and more stringent (sometimes you will need more than 1000TT to get a job on a cessna C210!
2 years ago, nothing was more easy to get a job in Maun. Just knock at the chief pilot desk's door with 250hrs TT, and a job was nearly offered to you.
Now everything is changing, and it freaks me out.
Here is a letter I just received from a chief pilot in a famous local charter company in Maun:
"We are NOT hiring at the moment. Our minimum hour requirement is as follows:
• 500 hour total time with an instructors rating and instructors experience or
• 800 hours total time with a Commercial Pilots License.
CV's are filed for six months, as is policy in our company. When we require crew, we contact short-listed candidates for an interview in person.
All non-Botswana citizens require a work visa/permit to work in Botswana. We have been experiencing extreme difficulties in obtaining these from the Ministry of Home Affairs, and this is beyond our control. Consequently, we prefer hiring Botswana crew i.e. citizens of the country. Should none be available, we revert to the (foreign) CVs on file.
All our pilots start their career with XXXX – Botswana on the Cessna 206 aircraft for a minimum period of one year, after one year of service selected candidates will progress onto the Cessna Grand Caravan.
Good luck in your search for employment!"
Howewer, I'd like to have your opinion. Is it still possible for a european guy, low houred with a CPL IR/ME to get hired by a local charter company (on SEP) out there?
Did you hear any story about employement in RDC, Gambia, Madagascar, Angola, Gabon etc... I just do not want to camp around a airport or weeks to get my first job.
Joined: Aug 2009
Posts: 214
Likes: 0
From: UK
FasterStronger
Be patient and stay where you are ! it's not the right time to make changes even if you have the opportunity to change. It's better to gain more jet experience than anything else. The situation is everywhere crap at the moment even in Africa with low hour pilots desperately looking for jobs.
You have been warned !
Be patient and stay where you are ! it's not the right time to make changes even if you have the opportunity to change. It's better to gain more jet experience than anything else. The situation is everywhere crap at the moment even in Africa with low hour pilots desperately looking for jobs.
You have been warned !
Joined: Nov 2011
Posts: 630
Likes: 0
From: Canada
Merry Xmas to all you job hunters 
I miss my time there! I always find myself going through my old photos of there. Plus now I am thigh deep in snow... missing it even more!
Good luck! Hope you all get the chance of a life time to start your careers.
I miss my time there! I always find myself going through my old photos of there. Plus now I am thigh deep in snow... missing it even more!
Good luck! Hope you all get the chance of a life time to start your careers.
Joined: Nov 2011
Posts: 630
Likes: 0
From: Canada
I moved onto an IFR Caravan and King Air job. Great experience going from +40 to -40!
having trouble extending my work permits now though so I am heading back to NZ where I have an interview with Air New Zealand.
having trouble extending my work permits now though so I am heading back to NZ where I have an interview with Air New Zealand.
Está servira para distraerle.
Joined: Jan 2002
Posts: 6
Likes: 1
From: In a perambulator.
Allow me then to wish you the best of luck in flying with a fine and fun airline. Your cause would be probably greatly enhanced if you could somehow direct the interview panel's attention to wrinkled plums' pages, where you have for so long waged a consultative campaign to educate the aspiring android aviator and to give freely of information both helpful and constructive.
Good luck!
Good luck!
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 77
Likes: 0
From: Europe
Botswana and Namibia's view on hours
Does anyone know how either of these countries view copilot hours on aircraft they class as single pilot.I've many hours as copilot multi crew in a country where it was required by local regs but the aircraft is certified in most other countries as single.
I recently went to Tanzania and was told by few companies that they would not be recognised towards my 1000TT,then one company said ask TCAA and they said yes we recognise as P1/US not P2. I guess its down to who you ask on the day and their own interpretation of ICAO regs .
Anyone had similar dealings in these countries?
I recently went to Tanzania and was told by few companies that they would not be recognised towards my 1000TT,then one company said ask TCAA and they said yes we recognise as P1/US not P2. I guess its down to who you ask on the day and their own interpretation of ICAO regs .
Anyone had similar dealings in these countries?
Joined: May 2010
Posts: 1,093
Likes: 9
From: UK
It usually depends on the rules of the authority where the hours were flown.
For example, the Twotter is certificated for single pilot operation but most CAAs require a second pilot for commercial passenger ops so P2 time counts when flown under their rules.
For example, the Twotter is certificated for single pilot operation but most CAAs require a second pilot for commercial passenger ops so P2 time counts when flown under their rules.
Last edited by The Ancient Geek; 3rd January 2013 at 14:04. Reason: clarify wording
Joined: Jan 2013
Posts: 2
Likes: 0
From: Scotland / Panamá
Outside hiring season?
Having spent a lot of time checking up on this forum over the last 18 months while saving up for my african adventure, I finally have the money to make the trip. Instructing in the USA paid enough to survive, but not save so I found something that allowed me to obtain the cash to pursue my dream.
I know that the hiring season is Nov - Feb but unfortunately, I wouldn't be able to leave for Africa until the end of Feb. Am I stupid in considering that or is there a chance of being hired outside the specified hiring window? I am itching to go but would appreciate any advice on whether it really is a pointless venture to go at the end of Feb and whether it would be better to wait until Nov at the end of this year (seems so far away, but I guess good things do sometimes come to those who wait).
Many thanks.
I know that the hiring season is Nov - Feb but unfortunately, I wouldn't be able to leave for Africa until the end of Feb. Am I stupid in considering that or is there a chance of being hired outside the specified hiring window? I am itching to go but would appreciate any advice on whether it really is a pointless venture to go at the end of Feb and whether it would be better to wait until Nov at the end of this year (seems so far away, but I guess good things do sometimes come to those who wait).
Many thanks.
Joined: Nov 2010
Posts: 616
Likes: 0
From: Tamworth, UK / Nairobi, Kenya
From my experience, Feb is end of hiring in Namibia AND Maun.
mid November is the time to arrive, and stay for 3 months until mid Feb.
If you go back/forth between Nam and Maun, then you can stay for a few more weeks (3 months in each actually), but not really worth it after mid Feb.
mid November is the time to arrive, and stay for 3 months until mid Feb.
If you go back/forth between Nam and Maun, then you can stay for a few more weeks (3 months in each actually), but not really worth it after mid Feb.
Joined: Jan 2013
Posts: 2
Likes: 0
From: Scotland / Panamá
Unfortunately lilflyboy, no. As a UK national I was able to instruct in the USA through Optional Practical Training, but once you have done that, you cannot extend your Visa any more. Obtaining a Visa to instruct in the states is incredibly difficult nowadays. Used to be able to get a J1, but that is no longer offered for flying purposes. Alaska would be amazing and I had thought about that. Just wish it was me and not my brother who was born in the states and therefore had the right to citizenship.
Guess it will be wise to continue searching over here in Latin America for the time being until November comes back around.
Appreciate all your thoughts.
Guess it will be wise to continue searching over here in Latin America for the time being until November comes back around.
Appreciate all your thoughts.