Maun, Botswana. The essential guide.
Joined: Oct 2011
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From: Bots
Joined: Mar 2011
Posts: 401
Likes: 66
From: The Netherlands + France
How about as a doctor? My wife wants to go to Africa for a year to work and I can take a sabbatical year from work (easyJet). I have an ATPL but most of my 2500 hours are on the A320, is that interesting for these type of operators?
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 411
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From: Nowhere
Apart from that, I can also advise not to make such career decisions according to please "the Mrs".
Joined: Mar 2011
Posts: 401
Likes: 66
From: The Netherlands + France
Haha,
sound advice PP, however that’s the deal we made. She is an idealist and I am also up for adventure. It will set up her residency spot in gynaecology back home in Holland.
EasyJet is very accommodating and the only effect it will have on my career is that it will delay my command by 11 months. I can put in a good 10 months work, what’s the average turnover in crew in these sort of places? We intend to do this for several months a year after the sabbatical as well. I have some experience operating 206 but only around 200 hours on short runways. Not gravel, just grass.
sound advice PP, however that’s the deal we made. She is an idealist and I am also up for adventure. It will set up her residency spot in gynaecology back home in Holland.
EasyJet is very accommodating and the only effect it will have on my career is that it will delay my command by 11 months. I can put in a good 10 months work, what’s the average turnover in crew in these sort of places? We intend to do this for several months a year after the sabbatical as well. I have some experience operating 206 but only around 200 hours on short runways. Not gravel, just grass.
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 411
Likes: 0
From: Nowhere
Haha,
sound advice PP, however that’s the deal we made. She is an idealist and I am also up for adventure. It will set up her residency spot in gynaecology back home in Holland.
EasyJet is very accommodating and the only effect it will have on my career is that it will delay my command by 11 months. I can put in a good 10 months work, what’s the average turnover in crew in these sort of places? We intend to do this for several months a year after the sabbatical as well. I have some experience operating 206 but only around 200 hours on short runways. Not gravel, just grass.
sound advice PP, however that’s the deal we made. She is an idealist and I am also up for adventure. It will set up her residency spot in gynaecology back home in Holland.
EasyJet is very accommodating and the only effect it will have on my career is that it will delay my command by 11 months. I can put in a good 10 months work, what’s the average turnover in crew in these sort of places? We intend to do this for several months a year after the sabbatical as well. I have some experience operating 206 but only around 200 hours on short runways. Not gravel, just grass.
I have left the bush for Europe 10years ago, would also go back to go flying there from time to time - but BizAv is keeping me busy... On vacation, it took me a couple of circuits more than expected to get used to the C210 in which I have 1000hrs+ again.
The only way you find out, is to physically go to the operators and knock on their doors... forget sending CV's... but that is nothing new.
Joined: Oct 2012
Posts: 21
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From: South America
Type rating C208
Anyone know what is the minimum time to be considered "type Ranting " for the Caravan ? I am going to get the initial training in a country that this airplane don't require a rating
Thank you
Thank you
Joined: Jun 2014
Posts: 121
Likes: 1
From: ask me tomorrow
There was a Bush Pilots TV show and one of the pilots was a Brit with similar times and airline experience as you. He moved to Africa to be closer to his sis, and he easily got hired. As far as your wife, I'm in the same boat. My wife worked in Kenya in global health, through the university she was with at the time. She is an MD(American) now and we have been thinking about going back to East Africa. But she would have to work for a U.S. government agency to make decent money, or volunteer. She does have British citizenship as well but I don't think that helps in this case. I'm assuming the both of your are Dutch, so maybe there is a Dutch government or university program for doctors in East Africa. but if money is no issue, then I'm sure she can find some volunteer work pretty easily.
Joined: Jun 2018
Posts: 16
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From: Bush
Haha,
sound advice PP, however that’s the deal we made. She is an idealist and I am also up for adventure. It will set up her residency spot in gynaecology back home in Holland.
EasyJet is very accommodating and the only effect it will have on my career is that it will delay my command by 11 months. I can put in a good 10 months work, what’s the average turnover in crew in these sort of places? We intend to do this for several months a year after the sabbatical as well. I have some experience operating 206 but only around 200 hours on short runways. Not gravel, just grass.
sound advice PP, however that’s the deal we made. She is an idealist and I am also up for adventure. It will set up her residency spot in gynaecology back home in Holland.
EasyJet is very accommodating and the only effect it will have on my career is that it will delay my command by 11 months. I can put in a good 10 months work, what’s the average turnover in crew in these sort of places? We intend to do this for several months a year after the sabbatical as well. I have some experience operating 206 but only around 200 hours on short runways. Not gravel, just grass.
Realistically, most companies won't invest the effort in you for only 9 months of flying... but you could always not mention that you have a leaving date and say you plan to finish a 2 year contract. Expect to pay a bond for leaving before finishing the contract.
Not trying to discourage you - just being honest.
As for landing a job, your airbus time might as well not exist. However, having C206 time helps with the paperwork a lot. Times have changed since the TV show. People are getting job offers via email/skype with some companies now. Particularly if you've got an SET and/or C208 rating (but time on other types the companies operate is favourable)
Joined: Apr 2010
Posts: 123
Likes: 0
From: Maun
Joined: Apr 2010
Posts: 123
Likes: 0
From: Maun
Not anymore...if your cv looks interesting the company you apply for most probably will ask you to came here in Maun for an assessment week. The time of waiting for months and knocking to the company’s door is almost finish...
Joined: Oct 2012
Posts: 21
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From: South America
Last edited by piperul; 3rd September 2018 at 00:31.
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 411
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From: Nowhere
That is honestly good to hear that companies are making such efforts by not wasting people's time and resources... it was always kind of a risk you had to take back in my days.
Last edited by Propellerpilot; 2nd September 2018 at 09:13.
Joined: Jul 2008
Posts: 27
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From: Valley of the Wind
Joined: Apr 1999
Posts: 447
Likes: 1
From: wherever I lay my hat
Wilderness Air have just posted an advert on their Facebook page, applications opened on the 7th and close on the 24th September 2018, reference number WAIR-BOTS013.
Qualifications
850 hours Experience or more
C208 Rating or Turbine experience would added advantage
That is a straight copy of part of the advert.
Good luck to one and all.
Qualifications
850 hours Experience or more
C208 Rating or Turbine experience would added advantage
That is a straight copy of part of the advert.
Good luck to one and all.
Joined: Apr 2010
Posts: 123
Likes: 0
From: Maun
This is not a Wilderness requirement, let's say that expat pilots with less than 500hrs have zero chances to get a working permit, 800hrs is even better! Nowadays when companies are looking to hire junior pilots they take them from the local schools, no more 250hrs expat jobs available in Botswana!
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 68
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From: Flattening the curve
Hi guys,
Are the operators in Bots, when advertising for Caravan drivers, wanting someone just for the Caravans or are pilots also expected to fly other types also? GA8, C206 etc...
If so, does anyone know how much/often a Caravan pilot would do in other types?
Cheers
Are the operators in Bots, when advertising for Caravan drivers, wanting someone just for the Caravans or are pilots also expected to fly other types also? GA8, C206 etc...
If so, does anyone know how much/often a Caravan pilot would do in other types?
Cheers