Maun, Botswana. The essential guide.
Join Date: Mar 2022
Location: New Zealand
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It's 2022! The world seems to be getting a move on from this pandemic. Can anyone in the know enlighten me on the state of aviation in Maun right now(for a hopeful prospect)?Are things starting to pick up or is still dead?
Join Date: Jul 2022
Location: FBMN
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Hi, some bad news, unfortunately Botswana does not give out work permits for expat pilots anymore. They have trained up their own pilots who has been filling jobs over the past 10 years. The only expats still around are those on work permits which will run out soon.
Join Date: Jul 2008
Location: UK
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This is correct but I believe temporary - as the airlines around the world are now struggling for crews, the recruitment drive will start sucking up those from the bottom again which will result in shortages and then they'll need to recruit from overseas again. Its a cyclical thing....
Join Date: Jul 2022
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The thing is, these guys don't have FAA or EASA licences, nor the means to convert their ICAO licenses. It is not super difficult to get an FAA license, or that expensive, but it is hard to get a work permit/green card. On the other hand, it is really expensive to get a EASA license, and then work permits is also an issue. For most airlines you also need a degree, none of these guys have a degree. It is not impossible, but it is super challenging to get a job in the airlines if you are from this neck of the woods. I think there is a bout 20-25 expats left (if that many) there is about 100 Botswana pilots in school at the moment, so i don't think this will change.
Join Date: Dec 2018
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New Botswana regulations for foreign license holders
I got some new information regarding the experience requirements for foreign license holders. This was sent to me when applying for work online. I don't know any more than this.
The new Botswana Civil Aviation Regulations will now only convert a foreign CPL to a Botswana CPL once the holder has 500 hours flying Botswana registered aircraft. Until then, a pilot will fly with a validation which allows the pilot to fly in Botswana with their foreign licence. These first 500 hours will be flown on your foreign licence which is why it needs to be current and valid along with the associated rating and medical. If any of it expires it needs to be renewed/revalidated before a new validation will be issued, this usually involves a trip back to the country of licence issue.
A Botswana Air Law exam is required before a validation will be issued which is based on the Civil Aviation Regulations.
The new Botswana Civil Aviation Regulations will now only convert a foreign CPL to a Botswana CPL once the holder has 500 hours flying Botswana registered aircraft. Until then, a pilot will fly with a validation which allows the pilot to fly in Botswana with their foreign licence. These first 500 hours will be flown on your foreign licence which is why it needs to be current and valid along with the associated rating and medical. If any of it expires it needs to be renewed/revalidated before a new validation will be issued, this usually involves a trip back to the country of licence issue.
A Botswana Air Law exam is required before a validation will be issued which is based on the Civil Aviation Regulations.
Join Date: Jul 2022
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Originally Posted by pil_dyl
I got some new information regarding the experience requirements for foreign license holders. This was sent to me when applying for work online. I don't know any more than this.
The new Botswana Civil Aviation Regulations will now only convert a foreign CPL to a Botswana CPL once the holder has 500 hours flying Botswana registered aircraft. Until then, a pilot will fly with a validation which allows the pilot to fly in Botswana with their foreign licence. These first 500 hours will be flown on your foreign licence which is why it needs to be current and valid along with the associated rating and medical. If any of it expires it needs to be renewed/revalidated before a new validation will be issued, this usually involves a trip back to the country of licence issue.
A Botswana Air Law exam is required before a validation will be issued which is based on the Civil Aviation Regulations.
The new Botswana Civil Aviation Regulations will now only convert a foreign CPL to a Botswana CPL once the holder has 500 hours flying Botswana registered aircraft. Until then, a pilot will fly with a validation which allows the pilot to fly in Botswana with their foreign licence. These first 500 hours will be flown on your foreign licence which is why it needs to be current and valid along with the associated rating and medical. If any of it expires it needs to be renewed/revalidated before a new validation will be issued, this usually involves a trip back to the country of licence issue.
A Botswana Air Law exam is required before a validation will be issued which is based on the Civil Aviation Regulations.
There is a pilot shortage in Maun, like anywhere else, EXPATS ARE NOT GETTING WORK PERMITS. Period.
Join Date: Aug 2018
Location: Shores of Africa
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Wilderness Air Botswana is advertising 9 positions for C208B. No citizenship requirement mentioned so wouldn't hurt to try for those interested. Based in Maun.
jobsbotswana .info/jobs/commercial-pilot-c208b-x9-positions-wilderness-air-botswana/
Minimum of 900h TT
C208 rated preferred
Instructors rating and experience an advantage
jobsbotswana .info/jobs/commercial-pilot-c208b-x9-positions-wilderness-air-botswana/
Minimum of 900h TT
C208 rated preferred
Instructors rating and experience an advantage
Join Date: Mar 2009
Location: off course
Age: 37
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I just dropped an email to Mack Air to enquire about expat pilot jobs, here's the answer.
"Unfortunately, due to the current work/residence permit situation in Botswana we are only considering candidates with :
CPL with Instructor rating
C208 type rating
1200hrs total time
500hrs instruction time"
"Unfortunately, due to the current work/residence permit situation in Botswana we are only considering candidates with :
CPL with Instructor rating
C208 type rating
1200hrs total time
500hrs instruction time"
