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Maun, Botswana. The essential guide.

African Aviation Regional issues that affect the numerous pilots who work in this area of the world.

Maun, Botswana. The essential guide.

Old 8th Apr 2016, 14:42
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That's really good news. Very pleased for George and the gang.
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Old 9th Apr 2016, 14:09
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And Moremi Air has also 1 C206
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Old 9th Apr 2016, 14:53
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Which of the GA8 variants are they using ?.
2 or 3 blade normally aspirated or 330HP turbocharged ?
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Old 9th Apr 2016, 15:56
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Mixture of 2 and 3 blades depending on age and/or operator preference. All are normally aspirated as far as I know.
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Old 14th Apr 2016, 17:45
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Originally Posted by PilotInPink
I'm not sure that I would say the C206 is being replaced. If anything, the operators are expanding by acquiring more airvans, but the C206's are not being phased out. From my current spot in the office I can see more C206's parked on the apron than airvans.

The numbers of each type of aircraft are constantly changing, but as a rough guideline of who operates what types:
(And someone can correct me if I'm wrong here...)

Air Shakawe: C206, C207, C210
Delta Air: C206, C210, GA8
Kavango Air: C172, C206, GA8
Mack Air: C206, GA8, C208, Kodiak
Major Blue Air: C172, GA8, C208, BE58, B200, Hawker 800
Moremi Air: GA8
Safari Air: GA8, C208, Kodiak
Wilderness Air: C206, GA8, C208

Sadly, Fridge Air closed its doors in Maun last year... but I am enjoying the kitchen/ hospitality supply shop that took over their office space. You win some, you lose some.
You're probably seeing more 206's because all the airvans are flying...
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Old 15th Apr 2016, 16:58
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Hello everyone, I am thinking to go to Maun next month to try my luck. I CAN'T stay longer at home waiting for the hiring season. Do you think this is crazy or I may find something?
note: I know the hiring season in January/February and during the other months it is more challenging to be hired but I would like to have fresh and updated information about the situation this year 2016...
Thanks a lot!!
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Old 16th Apr 2016, 23:37
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For those who had the cpl, ME+IR... why would you go to africa instead of applying to every single cia in europe? Its a good year to do it...
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Old 17th Apr 2016, 15:00
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Originally Posted by PilotInPink
I'm not sure that I would say the C206 is being replaced. If anything, the operators are expanding by acquiring more airvans, but the C206's are not being phased out. From my current spot in the office I can see more C206's parked on the apron than airvans.

The numbers of each type of aircraft are constantly changing, but as a rough guideline of who operates what types:
(And someone can correct me if I'm wrong here...)

Air Shakawe: C206, C207, C210
Delta Air: C206, C210, GA8
Kavango Air: C172, C206, GA8
Mack Air: C206, GA8, C208, Kodiak
Major Blue Air: C172, GA8, C208, BE58, B200, Hawker 800
Moremi Air: GA8
Safari Air: GA8, C208, Kodiak
Wilderness Air: C206, GA8, C208

Sadly, Fridge Air closed its doors in Maun last year... but I am enjoying the kitchen/ hospitality supply shop that took over their office space. You win some, you lose some.
Last I saw our company 'Fridge Air', sold airconditioners and fridges etc,however it was a great prank the pilots played on those who they didnt want to hire by sending them to us to drop off their C.Vs!!! We were located next to Hillarys. The new complex across the road from Kwando office only opened 2 years ago, where Wax Apple and now Kavango Air are located...
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Old 17th Apr 2016, 19:56
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Originally Posted by Wingover85
Hello everyone, I am thinking to go to Maun next month to try my luck. I CAN'T stay longer at home waiting for the hiring season. Do you think this is crazy or I may find something?
note: I know the hiring season in January/February and during the other months it is more challenging to be hired but I would like to have fresh and updated information about the situation this year 2016...
Thanks a lot!!
20 new pilots from Gabarone. Doubt expats will be hired again any time soon.
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Old 25th Apr 2016, 13:34
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Hello all,

I'm moving out to Maun tomorrow from Windhoek. What camping place would you recommend from the social perspective? I'd like to be closer to a place where all the pilot job-seekers hang out these days.

Thanks
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Old 25th Apr 2016, 16:01
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If I' m not wrong there are not expat looking for job in town right now! The best place is Old Bridge backpackers, nice location, good food, good atmosphere and easy to catch a taxi for the airport.
By the way, how many hrs TT you got?
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Old 25th Apr 2016, 16:27
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I'm in my 230iesh, and i know very well what that means.

Is there nobody at all right now? What about Wingover?
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Old 25th Apr 2016, 19:54
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What is Wingover?
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Old 26th Apr 2016, 21:20
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Originally Posted by abezzi
What is Wingover?
New family meal at Nandos
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Old 27th Apr 2016, 09:48
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Hi all..
Ive just came back from Maun. I was there nearly 3 month looking for wings.
Last week arrived 15 local pilots and let the expats with no change whatsoever to get a job at least for the next 5 or 6 month.
Of course its a theory, everybody can go there and try but i think its a waste of time and money at least for this season..

Good luck!
by the way.. 500 TT its mandatory!!
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Old 27th Apr 2016, 15:41
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You might hurt that guys' best feelings.
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Old 28th Apr 2016, 18:23
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Times are changing in Maun.

Whether you like it or not, localisation is happening. With one Botswana flight school fully operational and another shortly to open, there will be fewer and fewer opportunities for expat pilots.

For a country that has such a significant amount of light aeroplane movements and reliance on air transport for major industries (tourism and mining), it taken a surprisingly long time to reach this point. But we have to commend these guys and girls.

Did you know that the first initial issue of a CPL in Botswana only happened in 2016? Until now if a Mostwana wanted to fly they had to leave the country, get a CPL somewhere else, and convert it to a Botswana one when they got home.

It's been an uphill struggle for them, but the first class of 15 Motswana pilots got their CPLs recently and are looking for jobs. At least 7 have already been placed.

The next class will graduate in the middle of the year (not too far away now), and there are more classes chasing their tails.

Going forward, citizens will probably fill the majority of pilot positions. And that's fair. I know many unemployed pilots in my home country and if foreign pilots were to turn up there looking for work, I would definitely raise my eyebrows.

My personal opinion is that any expat that is hired as a pilot from now on will have to bring something substantial to the table (management pilots?) or they will be a friend of a pilot already employed.

In saying that, there's one, maybe two companies that will probably keep taking expats for the foreseeable future for insurance requirements (new graduates don't have 500 hours) and other reasons.

Getting that first pilot job is tough. We all know that. Come to Maun for a holiday, Botswana is an incredible place, but I wouldn't get your hopes up.
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Old 1st May 2016, 00:24
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Pink, localisation is a good thing but I hope it is not at a reduced quality.

To me 15 seems like a very high number for first class, not saying it is not possible but far more than 2-3 I would have expected.

Maybe Botswana may soon introduce mandatory 2 crew ops for all charter flights if any damage is done.
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Old 5th May 2016, 05:58
  #1159 (permalink)  
 
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"ha, you really want to fly a 206 ga8 two crew? not going to happen"


Two pilots only one can safely fly! Expats will only have R/H seat!
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Old 5th May 2016, 07:11
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I guess if my son wants to follow his dreams of being a pilot he best go to Botswana. Seems he will get free training and then a very good chance to build hours fast get on twins and turbines fast, even a bit of jet and chopper time. Will save me a fortune!
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