Maun Season 2010-2011-2012
Join Date: Oct 2007
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You boys need to pull your knickers up and get your asses over there.
yes, it will cost you money
No, there's no guarantee of a job
If you're that worried about it, then maybe you're better sitting at home typing on pprune, and watching internet porn.
Nothing in life is guaranteed. Going to Maun to look for a job is a far safer bet than spending all your money on a CPL in the first place.
If you can drink a beer and talk about something other than flying.... then you're in with a good shot. I had heard the place was full of Nancys these days though, so your guess is as good as mine.
yes, it will cost you money
No, there's no guarantee of a job
If you're that worried about it, then maybe you're better sitting at home typing on pprune, and watching internet porn.
Nothing in life is guaranteed. Going to Maun to look for a job is a far safer bet than spending all your money on a CPL in the first place.
If you can drink a beer and talk about something other than flying.... then you're in with a good shot. I had heard the place was full of Nancys these days though, so your guess is as good as mine.
Join Date: Feb 2011
Location: VT
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Alright lilflyboy,
Agreed.
Was just referring to the average income in this country. Agreed $5000 aint the biggest amount when one is done spending $60000. But then I had also at the back of my mind what propellerpilot has voiced ( racism is rare these days but not unheard of ). You yourself said that Indians have a problem with the Visas and work permits. And that is where my problem is. Would just be disheartening to convince you to hire me- only to be rejected and sent back home by the government. - Whats the fun in that?
About the rest of my countrymen who dish out $20000 for a A320 / B737 Type Rating---- IDIOTS.
And I Sir, dont chose to be an idiot.
True, I have got some money to spend. But I am gonna spend it wisely. and a trip to Africa would be much wiser than a TR.
Just wanna try all my options in India before I come there.
Everyone has his own unique set of circumstances to deal with.
Fact is- I Just have a Multi Rating on the CPL, no single engine for me - which reduces my chances further. Besides, I have a got a little something going on here in India itself which I think might lead to a job. I have to give it my honest effort before I look towards Africa for a job. Thats all. (Hope this works- I get 2000 hrs or so on a multi turboprop- and then I make it to Africa. Would Love that better than anything else) Pray
.
I said in my previous post and I will say it again-
Mine is just an outsiders opinion to this thing.
You are out there in Africa right now, not me.
Your opinion definitely counts a lot more.
Love it the way you say it-
My time is just yet to come
Agreed.
Was just referring to the average income in this country. Agreed $5000 aint the biggest amount when one is done spending $60000. But then I had also at the back of my mind what propellerpilot has voiced ( racism is rare these days but not unheard of ). You yourself said that Indians have a problem with the Visas and work permits. And that is where my problem is. Would just be disheartening to convince you to hire me- only to be rejected and sent back home by the government. - Whats the fun in that?
About the rest of my countrymen who dish out $20000 for a A320 / B737 Type Rating---- IDIOTS.
And I Sir, dont chose to be an idiot.
True, I have got some money to spend. But I am gonna spend it wisely. and a trip to Africa would be much wiser than a TR.
Just wanna try all my options in India before I come there.
Everyone has his own unique set of circumstances to deal with.
Fact is- I Just have a Multi Rating on the CPL, no single engine for me - which reduces my chances further. Besides, I have a got a little something going on here in India itself which I think might lead to a job. I have to give it my honest effort before I look towards Africa for a job. Thats all. (Hope this works- I get 2000 hrs or so on a multi turboprop- and then I make it to Africa. Would Love that better than anything else) Pray
.I said in my previous post and I will say it again-
But we would never find out unless we make it there our self.
You are out there in Africa right now, not me.
Your opinion definitely counts a lot more.
Love it the way you say it-
Nothing is gaurenteed in aviation until you have signed the contract and sitting at the controls.
Join Date: Nov 2010
Location: Tamworth, UK / Nairobi, Kenya
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Sounds like you have your mind made up, so you might not even bother reading this, but I must tell you that I did not meet a single pilot who was hired having spent less than 4 weeks in the country, with the exception of some from South Africa who came up for a few days, dropped of CVs, went home and came back a month or so later, or were called in SA.
So, since (and this is not racist, but political) Botswana and Namibia won't give more than 30 days visa to Indian citizens, there aren't many (if any) Indian nationals flying for charter operators in Bots or Nam. It's not that you get here, get hired and then can't get a visa (although that IS a problem for all pilots), but rather that you can't stay long enough for the operators to consider you.
Good luck.
So, since (and this is not racist, but political) Botswana and Namibia won't give more than 30 days visa to Indian citizens, there aren't many (if any) Indian nationals flying for charter operators in Bots or Nam. It's not that you get here, get hired and then can't get a visa (although that IS a problem for all pilots), but rather that you can't stay long enough for the operators to consider you.
Good luck.
Join Date: Feb 2007
Location: Dark Africa
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Fact is- I Just have a Multi Rating on the CPL, no single engine for me
think that a low timer without a CPL single should not even consider going to Botws or Nam…
Last edited by chileno 777; 23rd Jun 2011 at 20:23.
Join Date: Nov 2006
Location: Enzed
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Just a question for cactus, I'm confused that you have a multi-engine CPL without a single endorsment?
Surely you would have flown plenty of hours in a single in your initial training? or do they just pop you straight into a multi for your fist solo
I would recommend a trip to bots in any case, even if you don't get a job straight away its a great experience in a fantastic part of the world.
I left NZ to head to Bots in 2006, spent 3 months there, had a great time, met some great people, travelled across the african continent.... but ended up coming home without a job...
BUT.. kept in contact with the relevant CP's etc and ended up getting a call a couple of months later with a job offer from Maun, and headed back to Bots for 2 and a half years of terrific flying and great experiences.
I also ended up doing a bit of hiring as CP of my company so I can tell you it doesn't really matter what hours or ratings you have, (everyone looking for a job there has a cpl!!) its more about if the pilots like you or not! (ie want to work with you for a couple of years)
So chin up you guys that have spent the time waiting around, it can be well worth it in the end!
Bags
ps lilflyboy do I know you? i left end of 2008. top posts bro
Surely you would have flown plenty of hours in a single in your initial training? or do they just pop you straight into a multi for your fist solo
I would recommend a trip to bots in any case, even if you don't get a job straight away its a great experience in a fantastic part of the world.
I left NZ to head to Bots in 2006, spent 3 months there, had a great time, met some great people, travelled across the african continent.... but ended up coming home without a job...
BUT.. kept in contact with the relevant CP's etc and ended up getting a call a couple of months later with a job offer from Maun, and headed back to Bots for 2 and a half years of terrific flying and great experiences.
I also ended up doing a bit of hiring as CP of my company so I can tell you it doesn't really matter what hours or ratings you have, (everyone looking for a job there has a cpl!!) its more about if the pilots like you or not! (ie want to work with you for a couple of years)
So chin up you guys that have spent the time waiting around, it can be well worth it in the end!
Bags
ps lilflyboy do I know you? i left end of 2008. top posts bro
Join Date: Feb 2011
Location: VT
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206DOG,
Thanks for your words there. Really an encouragement.
I flew single for most of the course- 240 hours on a C172/C152 just 25 odd hours on the PA 34. But I gave the FAA CPL Check ride on the multi., A multi rating is preferred in my country so I did just that (regretting it now though).
Just a few more opportunities in my own country which I wanna look into.
Else, Africa it is.
Good advise though, will most definitely follow it.
Thanks a ton.
Thanks for your words there. Really an encouragement.
I flew single for most of the course- 240 hours on a C172/C152 just 25 odd hours on the PA 34. But I gave the FAA CPL Check ride on the multi., A multi rating is preferred in my country so I did just that (regretting it now though).
Just a few more opportunities in my own country which I wanna look into.
Else, Africa it is.
Good advise though, will most definitely follow it.
Thanks a ton.
Join Date: Jun 2011
Location: india
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hey i am from india and planning to come to maun in november. anyone from india who have been there before can tell me about tha visa .like for how many days do an indian national gets visa?
Join Date: May 2006
Location: UK/Switzerland
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JAA CPL
I'm looking to head out to Botswana but I'm having difficulties understanding the license requirements. Sefofane have recently announced they require all applying to hold both a CPL and IR - I realize they are but one of a few but it triggered a thought. I'm heading to the states to do my JAA SECPL and hour building and also considering doing the FAA IR whilst out there. Now, other than being able to fly privately IFR will this benefit me commercially out in Africa.
Join Date: Apr 2008
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There's definately opportunities in Maun for the right kind of pilots, but the Bots DCA and the operators are really getting fed up with the attitude of some of the expat youngsters that come there looking for jobs. They go there full of spunk and eagerness, the operators spend a heap of money training the guys when they take them on by getting their work & residence permits, and then the sh1t starts. Ego's bigger than IQ's, rotten attitudes, and some act like real babies. Some of the operators are simply just tired of teaching these spoilt brats manners, and changing their nappies. Furthermore the Bots DCA is putting a lot of pressure on the operators to employ more locals.
In recent months there has been a number of pilots that joined companies and Maun, and some of them turned out not what they pretended to be, and some of them really did not fly the expat flag very well. One can only but wonder why the rich parents who paid for the training did not teach their kids any manners.
One guy got his licensed withdrawn by the Bots DCA for violating the law, and when he was called to explain himself, he left the country overnight. And the list goes on.
The time will come when the operators there are going to move away from hireing young inexperienced pilots. Some of the spoilt kids simply have no manners, and they are the ones who is messing up for the ones that are really dedicated.
In recent months there has been a number of pilots that joined companies and Maun, and some of them turned out not what they pretended to be, and some of them really did not fly the expat flag very well. One can only but wonder why the rich parents who paid for the training did not teach their kids any manners.
One guy got his licensed withdrawn by the Bots DCA for violating the law, and when he was called to explain himself, he left the country overnight. And the list goes on.
The time will come when the operators there are going to move away from hireing young inexperienced pilots. Some of the spoilt kids simply have no manners, and they are the ones who is messing up for the ones that are really dedicated.
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Join Date: Dec 2010
Location: Botswana & Greece
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FM, I am afraid that the series NBTVToday - Botswana Bound did you guys no favours at all. It did not give a very professional view for visitors or really show prospective pilots what the job is really about. I know that you have got some excellent aviators down there and they get very good training. You have a great number of job hunters to choose from so it is down to the selectors to get it right. Don't put the blame onto whoever you/they selected. You have more time than an airline to assess these people, like months sometimes. I will be down there in Maun for 6 months at the end of the year. I am happy to offer my consultancy services to help in the selection process if any company is interested. Just PM me. I would be happy to do it for just some flying. Or a job 
- a bit over qualified me thinks, old dogs and new tricks and all that 
- a bit over qualified me thinks, old dogs and new tricks and all that
