Maun, Botswana. The essential guide.
Joined: Nov 2010
Posts: 111
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From: the last house on the left
500tt with instructors is the magic number in Bots to fast track into a job in bots. In TZ, the rating also comes in handy because it's technically required for someone to be a training captain... that or an ATPL. However, from what i've seen, it's better to hire a 206 driver from bots with 1000tt rather than an instructor with +3000tt.... most just dont have the "hands&feet"... some do real well tho... bush flying isnt rocket science.
Joined: Dec 2013
Posts: 3
Likes: 0
From: usa
got my ga8 and almost at 500
hey guys thanks for the suggestion. ill be coming there in jan first week with my cfii experience of 150 dual given. total time 500 and a ga 8 endorsement. lets see how it goes.
Joined: Jul 2011
Posts: 2
Likes: 0
From: Mexico
Requesting for advices.
Hi, my name is Roberto and i all ready read all the posts on this forum, i perfectly understand that go to Africa is like throw a coin into the air. You may have luck finding a job to reach experience or may be you dont. But as we say in Mexico 
lets take a chance an fly away.
My question to the bloggers on this forum is: does anybody in here can Help me to find a job in Namibia or Botswana?? I ask this because is a really long trip from Mexico City to Africa and of course is gonna be to expensive I can affort the round trip and I can survive for a few weeks. I know my money problems are not your problems, In fact I can Imagine that a lot of people in here had or has their own problems to arrive to Africa from all over the world. Just wondering if anybody in here can give me a little chance or and advice.
Thank you very much and greetings from Mexico.
lets take a chance an fly away.My question to the bloggers on this forum is: does anybody in here can Help me to find a job in Namibia or Botswana?? I ask this because is a really long trip from Mexico City to Africa and of course is gonna be to expensive I can affort the round trip and I can survive for a few weeks. I know my money problems are not your problems, In fact I can Imagine that a lot of people in here had or has their own problems to arrive to Africa from all over the world. Just wondering if anybody in here can give me a little chance or and advice.
Thank you very much and greetings from Mexico.
Joined: Sep 2012
Posts: 66
Likes: 0
From: Australia (NZer)
bobby AM - bad news from what ive heard. most operators want you to survive in africa and meet them before hiring. they do not tend to hire someone who still has to travel, when they may already have guys on their doorstep ready for immediate start
Joined: Nov 2010
Posts: 111
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From: the last house on the left
BOBBY, there's lots of great info here... the rest is up to you. If you are in fact serious about finding your first flying job... then just pack up and go! No one is going to hold your hand and help you find a job in bots/namib... newbies are busy looking for their own job in a highly competitive environment... and recruiters won't take you seriously until you are there. This has been said a kajillion times. Good luck!
Joined: Oct 2010
Posts: 46
Likes: 0
From: Tacoma, WA
Greetings! I am an out of work helicopter CFII thinking about doing a commercial fixed wing addon and trying my luck in Maun. I understand that the hiring minimums are around 500hrs, but I am curious if they would consider my helicopter hours as experience. My cheapest option would be to tack on my commercial addon, about 50hrs airplane, leaving me at just over 500TT. I am worried that with only 50 hrs of airplane and nothing but a SEL rating I would not be competitive. I do however have a couple hundred hrs of instruction given in helicopters, and even a little turbine helicopter time. I am contemplating whether spending the extra money for an instrument rating or cfi is worth it.
Any helpful info would be greatly appreciated!
Any helpful info would be greatly appreciated!
Joined: Jan 2014
Posts: 2
Likes: 0
From: South Korea
Hi,, I am interested in the rookie pilot jobs in Bots. and Namb.
I am gonna go to Bots 14th Feb this year. the date is almost there.
I have more than 300TT a little bit. and C-210 rating
But I've heard C-210rating is not advantages in Bots. I feel very sorry about this,, -);;
Anybody is here in Bots. and Namb. now???
I want to know situation of our evironments now a days.
Could anybody tell me about that? about recruiments of Bots. and Namb.
I am gonna go to Bots 14th Feb this year. the date is almost there.
I have more than 300TT a little bit. and C-210 rating
But I've heard C-210rating is not advantages in Bots. I feel very sorry about this,, -);;
Anybody is here in Bots. and Namb. now???
I want to know situation of our evironments now a days.
Could anybody tell me about that? about recruiments of Bots. and Namb.
Joined: Oct 2011
Posts: 118
Likes: 0
From: Bots
There is significantly fewer pilots looking for work in Maun this year than in previous years.
To be able to fly in Maun you must have Cessna 206 or GA8 Airvan ratings. Pilots who have arrived in Maun without these ratings have all left as it is not possible for them to work here.
The C210 is more common in Namibia.
To be able to fly in Maun you must have Cessna 206 or GA8 Airvan ratings. Pilots who have arrived in Maun without these ratings have all left as it is not possible for them to work here.
The C210 is more common in Namibia.
Joined: May 2010
Posts: 1,093
Likes: 9
From: UK
OTOH a conversion from C210 to C206 should be cheap and easy, the 206 is almost identical to the 210 but without the retractable gear.
It was a long time ago but I did C182 to C206 in 2 hours and another 4 hours for C206 to C210 because it is retractable..
It was a long time ago but I did C182 to C206 in 2 hours and another 4 hours for C206 to C210 because it is retractable..
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 1,403
Likes: 84
From: Brisbane, Qld
Hey All,
Quick question, can anyone give me an idea of current pay rates and conditions within the companies based in Maun? Feel free to PM me if you'd prefer. My contract is coming up towards the end of this year so I'm looking at options, thanks!
Quick question, can anyone give me an idea of current pay rates and conditions within the companies based in Maun? Feel free to PM me if you'd prefer. My contract is coming up towards the end of this year so I'm looking at options, thanks!
Joined: Oct 2010
Posts: 46
Likes: 0
From: Tacoma, WA
do you think that operators there would count any rotorcraft flying experience? I have about 550 hours, 200 instruction given in helicopters, and a commercial ASEL with about 70 hrs airplane. Im gonna be adding my instrument rating as well. What do you think my chances are?
Joined: Jun 2010
Posts: 13
Likes: 0
From: Humid Dustbowl
How is that movement? Botswana / Namibia
So I'm assuming the government restrictions on ex pat pilot hours largely flow in waves, until such time as there are few locally trained pilots to fill positions.
Given the cost, time to train locals and the volume of companies in a place like Maun for example, surely the need for pilots will resume?
With Wilderness Air requiring 800TT for CPL pilots, I expect only a steady supply of pilots in that experience bracket, along with a healthy number of locally trained pilots could keep those pilot seats warm?
Any forecast on the likelihood of those hourly requirements returning to the levels seen 3 years ago? I suppose there is a precedent for this...
Really enjoy reading this thread. Any thoughts would be great
Given the cost, time to train locals and the volume of companies in a place like Maun for example, surely the need for pilots will resume?
With Wilderness Air requiring 800TT for CPL pilots, I expect only a steady supply of pilots in that experience bracket, along with a healthy number of locally trained pilots could keep those pilot seats warm?
Any forecast on the likelihood of those hourly requirements returning to the levels seen 3 years ago? I suppose there is a precedent for this...
Really enjoy reading this thread. Any thoughts would be great