Maun Season 2010-2011-2012

[darkroomsource]

Im finishing my cpl this week, was wondering what is
best way getting to Muan from JHB. Bus ticket from JHB
are R250 to Gabs, but I can't find any info on Gabs to Muan.
Any advice??

This question, and just about every other one you can possibly have, and some you've not thought of, are answered many, many, many, many, many (you get the idea) times on this board.
Search one or all of the following:
Maun, Botswana, Namibia, Windhoek, Swakopmund, Gaberone
There are several thousand posts, across at least two threads per year going back to at least 2002.
If you serious about going to Maun, you will want to read them all before you make the trip.

[stevop21]

That would be awesome, but i'm looking
for the cheap way, Air Botswana is R2000
from JHB

There is no cheaper way, unless there is a bus or you take a car. It is one of the most expensive routes per km travelled!

[ctgullwing]

So I guess it will be the bus then. Just have to finish my last atp in JHB before I go. Darkroomsource I was just asking if someone did it recently and had good advice traveling there. Ive flown there and been there, my hour hour building is complete so I just want a economical way to get there. Thanx for the advice anyway, at least you posted. BTW are you going to nam? I was thinking bout going there, know some people.

S

[darkroomsource]

There are buses.
In fact there are several options.
However it's all documented in the multitude of previous threads on this subject.
There is a bus from Gaberone to Francistown, and a bus from Francistown to Maun. Sometimes there is a bus from Gaberone to Maun. There is a bus from Johannesburg to Windhoek, and a bus from Windhoek to Maun. You can take the train into Zimbabwe and a bus down into Botswana. There are lots of options. But figure on just over USD 100 for the cheapest, 150 for some options, and as much as 500 to fly.

[darkroomsource]

o I guess it will be the bus then. Just have to finish my last atp in JHB before I go. Darkroomsource I was just asking if someone did it recently and had good advice traveling there. Ive flown there and been there, my hour hour building is complete so I just want a economical way to get there. Thanx for the advice anyway, at least you posted. BTW are you going to nam? I was thinking bout going there, know some people.

Yes Windhoek first, then probably Swakopmund, and maybe over to Maun. Taking intercape, change bus in uppington (I think that's the place), a/c, reclining seats, and looks like it would cost about the same as the bus through francistown, but maybe more than direct gabs-maun bus.
As to someone who's done it recently, there's some in the threads who have, plus there's a guy who's got it on video, he took a combi from jo'berg to gabs, then bus to maun.
My gut is telling me to go to Namibia. Maybe it's because I like German food? Maybe because it's a little cooler? Maybe because it's 210's instead of 206's. Although I hear (actually read) that it's less hours and less pay.
You know they're hiring new CPLs in Madagascar, right? You should check out air madagascar, online, there their phone number and give them a ring, see if they've filled up yet, or if you have a chance.

[ctgullwing]

Thanks will give them a call. My friends in nam said I should rather go to Bots. His chief pilot recommends Muan coz nobody is getting work permits. Think I may have a change of plan, thinking of selling my car and buying bike and driving up from Cape Town. Would be an awesome adventure and at least I'll have transport there. Got a lot of plans, CPL test is on Wednesday.

S

[flyinglion29]

I think that somebody should say to all the people thinking about going to Maun....
STOP!!!
I went there 2 weeks ago and there are alrady about 42 guys there.
Some of them waighting for more then 6 month... And maybe 3 or 4 jobs left...

It's depressing to know that nearly all the young guys that you cross on the street, at the bar,in the airport,.. are..like you pilots looking for a job!
And there is absolutly nothing to do in Maun..

It's a waiste of money to come here this year if you don't take it like a holiday and go do some activitises arround the contry..

I didn't get a job there and didn't want to get one there in fact, because I don't see myself living there for 3 or 4 years so I'm now in Namibia looking for a job but I had A HELL of a good holiday there!!

[ctgullwing]

Thats the plan, mini holiday. You have to go and try. Nam is not giving work permits so your chances are better in Muan

[Exascot]

I think that somebody should say to all the people thinking about going to Maun....
STOP!!!

Oh dear, too late, all booked. Will be there first week of March. Planning on popping into Audi and Backpackers to have a look. Any recommendations for a good drinking hole in town for an old(ish) pilot (with wife - not so old!). Happy to buy the beers for the info.

I have the stop watch out for the speed of reply on this one. (09.25 GMT)

[ctgullwing]

Haha if i'm there, ill let you know.

[darkroomsource]

I too am oldish. I too have flight booked. Actually I leave Oregon tomorrow morning. I am planning on Namibia first though, I might be in Maun when you get there. If not, I'll be in Namibia. See you there!

[lilflyboy262]

Flyinglion, that is excatly the reason why they prefer people who have been here for a while. Last thing they want is for someone to get sick of the place halfway through the season and then buggering off somewhere else.
It has happened before, and will continue to happen.

Is it not worth fighting it out over those last 4 spots? I thought a job that gives you around 800hrs a year, plus around 500hrs on a turbine is worth sticking around for?

And its only 2yrs for all the operators other than sefo... not 4.

We just sat down at our company and went through the guys we wanted and didn't want to hire. There will be some happening in the coming days.

Im afriad March will be too late for here, but that will be the perfect time for Namibia.

[johnboyy2g]

air madagascar

I looked at the air madagascar english website, couldn't find anywhere on there were they have hiring listed for anything, no hiring or employment section.

Could you provide the link for where you saw air madagascar hiring?

Thanks

[flyinglion29]

lilflyboy262,

The reason I said 4 years was because I want to spend around that time here in Africa or more... Not because of a contract duration.

I suppose that it's a way of making a selection... But I find it realy strange to let guys doing nothing there for month waiting for a job.

[subbu73]

I have been reading over here for quiet sometime. Well, I am really planning to be at Maun by end of March 2011. Will it be a right time for me over there or do you suggest some where else where there could be more chances for freshers? Im really confused.
Currently hold an FAA CPL with only 344hrs of total flight time. In that have 212hrs of Multi Time(BE76). I do not yet have C206 or 208B ratings. Will be going to USA to get endorsed in C206 by middle of Feb 2011.

Though I read about Maun but still getting confused. Your suggestion would be really appreciated.

[Felix Saddler]

Subbu73,

Courtesy of lilflyboy262:

Best time to visit Maun.
The hiring season does vary a little from year to year, but it is safe to say that it generally goes from November to Feburary. It does sometimes start a little early with one or two people being hired, also sometimes goes into March with the odd person being hired.
If you plan to come during this time, then there is a chance you will be hired. The outlook for hiring is always good. There will always be a need each year for people to be hired to replace the guys leaving.
So get on a plane and find out by turning up and asking the companies themselves.
Outside of this time frame, then your chances of being hired drop sharply.

http://www.pprune.org/african-aviati...ial-guide.html

[subbu73]

Felix Saddler

Thanks a lot for your advice. I got to plan up things in short time before I reach at Maun . Got to get an endorsement in C206 from "Hillsboro Aviation(USA)". They are charging $379 per hr in C206 and $49 per hr ground instructions for transition into high performance.

Can you please tell me usually how many min hrs in C206 required to qualify for short listing for their requirements at Maun?

Thanks

[Felix Saddler]

Unfortunately I cannot help you there. I merely passed on info that was posted on here by lilflyboy262. I've heard 5/6 hours on the 206 will be sufficient, although, i've also heard that it's not always a requirement. Try the link above.

FS.

[subbu73]

Felix
Thanks for the information. I read the Maun Guide. It has now cleared all my doubts.

Are you at Maun or have you been before?

[flying free.LEVC]

Itīs great to read what people can do in order to find a job, brave guys

How are things over there? any new jobs? has anybody been hired?

Donīt worry about me, Iīm not an adversary going there to get a job and stealing your spot...at least this year hehe.

Do they keep without giving job permissions in Namibia?

Take care with the hippos Ą