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Foxtrot Mike, could you expand a bit on some of the specific problems that operators have been having with their expat pilots please? What have the been doing/not doing and what have they been pretending to be?
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Qualities
Actually FM could I go one further than FSM and be more positive.
I presume that you are involved with recruiting or are a senior pilot down there. With respect, please list the qualities (not qualifications) that you are looking for in recruiting a pilot. This may help people decide if it is worth their while going down there or at least concentrate the minds of those on the limits of your required standards. If you do not have a 'check list' already composed this may be half your problem.
I presume that you are involved with recruiting or are a senior pilot down there. With respect, please list the qualities (not qualifications) that you are looking for in recruiting a pilot. This may help people decide if it is worth their while going down there or at least concentrate the minds of those on the limits of your required standards. If you do not have a 'check list' already composed this may be half your problem.
Current incumbents may wish to compile the latter 
Está servira para distraerle.
Since all swamp operations are single crew you don't want a pilot who thinks that CRM is anything other than having clean finger nails.
Since most clients are genteel folk you don't want a pilot possessed of the sort of brash humor evidenced on occasion by so many of our Antipodean comrades.
Since the aircraft are small and hot and steamy you don't want pilots who eat anything other than a bland western type diet.
Since ditto the above you don't want pilots who think people enjoy seeing their knees and toe nails.
Since age breeds respect amongst the middle classes you don't want young pilots.
So what does that boil down to on a list of desirable qualities? A reasonably mature pilot, used to operating on his own who treats his passengers with a degree of respect and keeps his personal toilet and hygiene to the highest standards. Combine that with a Botswana ATPL, Botswana or South African citizenship and a reasonable amount of single crew bush experience at the upper end of the client market and that might be a starter profile.
Now what don't you want? For that analysis you just have to read back away through the relevant threads and see how some have taken on board some of the excellent advice, strangely constantly disregarded or ignored , which has previously been posted by a few good men.
Since most clients are genteel folk you don't want a pilot possessed of the sort of brash humor evidenced on occasion by so many of our Antipodean comrades.
Since the aircraft are small and hot and steamy you don't want pilots who eat anything other than a bland western type diet.
Since ditto the above you don't want pilots who think people enjoy seeing their knees and toe nails.
Since age breeds respect amongst the middle classes you don't want young pilots.
So what does that boil down to on a list of desirable qualities? A reasonably mature pilot, used to operating on his own who treats his passengers with a degree of respect and keeps his personal toilet and hygiene to the highest standards. Combine that with a Botswana ATPL, Botswana or South African citizenship and a reasonable amount of single crew bush experience at the upper end of the client market and that might be a starter profile.
Now what don't you want? For that analysis you just have to read back away through the relevant threads and see how some have taken on board some of the excellent advice, strangely constantly disregarded or ignored , which has previously been posted by a few good men.
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Foxtrot mike, I wrote a huge reply to your post but after accidently hitting the wrong key combo, ended up wiping it all.
Long story short.
I presume your info is old or you are no longer in the loop. The Botswana aviation authority is no longer called the DCA and hasn't been for some time. It is known as the Civil Aviation Authority of Botswana, or CAAB for short.
No pilots have had their licences pulled since I have been here.
Two pilot's have left without notice due to being overworked (over flying flight hours) and nothing being done to rectify the situation. Neither of them were flying in Botswana anymore and were based in Zambia. A third left after serving noticed and went to another company.
Another pilot left after a medical issue with his eardrum and needed treatment in SA. He then decided to not come back.
These are the only resignations in recent months with the exception of the guys finishing their contracts.
With the exception of one or two guys, the majority of the bunch here are professional and safe pilots. And I have not heard of any of the operators having problems with fresh young pilots nor are looking to change the way they are hiring.
You were correct on the pressure to hire motswana pilots, but this situation will soon change as the government is no longer funding their training.
@CC, It sounds like you are trying to shine a light on yourself... Are you trying for a job in Maun?...
Long story short.
I presume your info is old or you are no longer in the loop. The Botswana aviation authority is no longer called the DCA and hasn't been for some time. It is known as the Civil Aviation Authority of Botswana, or CAAB for short.
No pilots have had their licences pulled since I have been here.
Two pilot's have left without notice due to being overworked (over flying flight hours) and nothing being done to rectify the situation. Neither of them were flying in Botswana anymore and were based in Zambia. A third left after serving noticed and went to another company.
Another pilot left after a medical issue with his eardrum and needed treatment in SA. He then decided to not come back.
These are the only resignations in recent months with the exception of the guys finishing their contracts.
With the exception of one or two guys, the majority of the bunch here are professional and safe pilots. And I have not heard of any of the operators having problems with fresh young pilots nor are looking to change the way they are hiring.
You were correct on the pressure to hire motswana pilots, but this situation will soon change as the government is no longer funding their training.
@CC, It sounds like you are trying to shine a light on yourself... Are you trying for a job in Maun?...
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No pilots have had their licences pulled since I have been here.
He then decided to not come back.
@CC, It sounds like you are trying to shine a light on yourself... Are you trying for a job in Maun?...
Lots of freshly trained pilots come to Maun looking for a job. Some are good, and some are bad. Some are decent, and some are not, and some have egos bigger than their IQ's. You cant teach them anything, and neither are they prepared to learn. By their actions, they know it all.
After hours behaviour says a lot about the individual. I have seen young pilots floating around the Maun bars at night, pissed out of their minds. I've even witnessed the odd fight. And these are the guys that one's got to entrust with an airplane worth a couple of hundred or million Pula.
Then there's the discipline. What possesses a pilot to divert from the rules and regulations? Why beat up a hunting party? Why do a low level shoot up over a river and nearly flying into wires? Why pull the ring out of the aircraft when you're frustrated and hungover?
There's a lot of things that happen in Maun after hours that the pilots think the owners and operators don't know about, but being the small community that it is, in invariably surfaces.
It's such a pity that there is always nappy wearers that's got to be taught manners their parents never taught them, and it's those ones that normally screw it up for the really good ones.
But then again, it's extremely difficult to argue with children.
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Very valid, though I have seen very capable, experienced and respected pilots pissed out of their minds wandering through bars and "lessor respected establishments" but that says nothing of their flying or influenced how that person flys to their peers or boss.
I'm sure an operator doesn't care what goes down a pilots mouth at night (provided he can do his job safely and capably) but more what comes out of it...
Personality does play a huge role, the ability to have a beer and not talk about how your company should be run is taken seriously.
Otherwise I feel have a beer with some great people in a great place and enjoy yourself. Just don't bring your work to a bar.
I'm sure an operator doesn't care what goes down a pilots mouth at night (provided he can do his job safely and capably) but more what comes out of it...
Personality does play a huge role, the ability to have a beer and not talk about how your company should be run is taken seriously.
Otherwise I feel have a beer with some great people in a great place and enjoy yourself. Just don't bring your work to a bar.
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I have seen very capable, experienced and respected pilots pissed out of their minds wandering through bars and "lessor respected establishments"
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I've been here for nearly 2 years. Yes I know that isn't a long time, but it is long enough to know whats going on here.
I'm not going to defend the guys that go out getting boozed. Its not my cup of tea, I'm over it. But I do know that there is no where near as many of these guys as in previous years.
As for the guy who didn't come back. He was never happy here. I lived with the guy for over a year. Its the reason why he did not push being trained on the caravan as he did not want to be bonded. Perhaps there is more to this story? But if it is, it has been kept unbelievably quiet. As you said, its a small community.
My poke at CC was a compliment hidden in sarcasim. I'm quite sure he picked that up.
I have not heard of anyone beating up hunting parties. A low level flight nearly hitting wires? If you saw this, did you report it? Instead of complaining, do something about it!
All of the operators in town now are concerned about their reputations.
Stu from Mack Air does not take any cowboy stunts and will fire anyone caught doing stupid stuff.
Example, a senior and hugely popular pilot retracted flap early on a caravan, same time got caught by a gust and nearly collect a game car. Was given marching orders much to the dismay of the whole pilot community.
Derek or Fred from Safari Air are in the same boat as Mack Air
Wilderness is concentrating on making themselves out to be a major airline. They would not take any crap like this. When a ex pilot of theirs taxiied a plane into another parked plane, he was sent to Jo'burg for psych evaluation.
Moremi Air's reputation has taken a beating with 5 accidents in a short space of time, 3 in very recent history. Nothing of the sort will be tolerated.
Kavango Air forced a pilot to resign over the incident that I talked about earlier.
I do not know enough about Delta, Air Shakawe or Major Blue operations, but I'm pretty sure that they are the same.
I appreciate that you are sick of the bulls
and the stunts that a small few of the guys that are here pull.
You know how many pilots are in town, and if you take a close look, it will be the same few people pulling the same old stunts.
I'm not going to defend the guys that go out getting boozed. Its not my cup of tea, I'm over it. But I do know that there is no where near as many of these guys as in previous years.
As for the guy who didn't come back. He was never happy here. I lived with the guy for over a year. Its the reason why he did not push being trained on the caravan as he did not want to be bonded. Perhaps there is more to this story? But if it is, it has been kept unbelievably quiet. As you said, its a small community.
My poke at CC was a compliment hidden in sarcasim. I'm quite sure he picked that up.
I have not heard of anyone beating up hunting parties. A low level flight nearly hitting wires? If you saw this, did you report it? Instead of complaining, do something about it!
All of the operators in town now are concerned about their reputations.
Stu from Mack Air does not take any cowboy stunts and will fire anyone caught doing stupid stuff.
Example, a senior and hugely popular pilot retracted flap early on a caravan, same time got caught by a gust and nearly collect a game car. Was given marching orders much to the dismay of the whole pilot community.
Derek or Fred from Safari Air are in the same boat as Mack Air
Wilderness is concentrating on making themselves out to be a major airline. They would not take any crap like this. When a ex pilot of theirs taxiied a plane into another parked plane, he was sent to Jo'burg for psych evaluation.
Moremi Air's reputation has taken a beating with 5 accidents in a short space of time, 3 in very recent history. Nothing of the sort will be tolerated.
Kavango Air forced a pilot to resign over the incident that I talked about earlier.
I do not know enough about Delta, Air Shakawe or Major Blue operations, but I'm pretty sure that they are the same.
I appreciate that you are sick of the bulls
and the stunts that a small few of the guys that are here pull.You know how many pilots are in town, and if you take a close look, it will be the same few people pulling the same old stunts.
Está servira para distraerle.
The poke was entirely accurate which is why I said,
A subtle and intuitive interpretation of an almost impossible situation.
In all honesty I've also got to set the record straight and while being most appreciative of the compliments, for which many thanks, just say modestly that my level of experience was somewhat over rated.
A subtle and intuitive interpretation of an almost impossible situation.
In all honesty I've also got to set the record straight and while being most appreciative of the compliments, for which many thanks, just say modestly that my level of experience was somewhat over rated.
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Spare me the blubbering about how tough the Maun charter companies have it. A few companies have a lot more trouble with pilots catching the midnight express than the rest, and with good reason.
If you dont want fighting and drinking and poor decision making then maybe it's not a good idea to hire almost exclusively men in their early to mid twenties who have never held a job before, especially in a town with 0 available women and too many bars.
These operators want cheap migrant labor. Hire inexperienced guys, train them as little as you can get away with, and move them out the door in a year or two before they start getting uppity about pay. They aren't interested in offering any kind of incentive to stick around and become part of the community so why should any of the pilots care about what that community thinks about them?
If you dont want fighting and drinking and poor decision making then maybe it's not a good idea to hire almost exclusively men in their early to mid twenties who have never held a job before, especially in a town with 0 available women and too many bars.
These operators want cheap migrant labor. Hire inexperienced guys, train them as little as you can get away with, and move them out the door in a year or two before they start getting uppity about pay. They aren't interested in offering any kind of incentive to stick around and become part of the community so why should any of the pilots care about what that community thinks about them?
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As for the guy who didn't come back. He was never happy here.
A low level flight nearly hitting wires? If you saw this, did you report it? Instead of complaining, do something about it!
If you've been there for 2 years, surely you should know about this?
I have not heard of anyone beating up hunting parties.
I can mention a heap of incidents that I know of. I can also post pages of poor airmanship displayed by some of the "so called heavies", and I can name & shame them, but will it really help? Somehow I don't think so. Like I said, it's very difficult to argue with children.
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No your right FM, We are all a bunch of childish wits, who can't get jobs elsewhere, are all unprofessional, all are riding our fathers coat tails, are all pissheads, and should give up flying right now.
The incident in March that you are talking about, the pilot did not leave town overnight. He was forced to resign by his boss after 2 companies refused to send charter work to them if they did not get rid of said pilot.
Stall turn? Thats a new development to that story. I know he was low flying, he flew past my house that day.
Why would you stick around in this town if there was no work for you? What else is there to do if you are unemployed?
I presume since you know so much about this story that you were one of the three in the boat that reported him? Perhaps the same guy that threw his toys out of the cot after a company reshuffle and also left "overnight"?
He did not want to resign earlier because of parental pressure. His father had got him the job, and rather than disappoint his father, he was going to stick it out. He wasn't upset with the job. He hated the town, the lifestyle, and what it did to him. He still worked for the company for nearly 18 months. Is that no a honourable thing to do? Honour your agreement rather than backing out in the middle of the busy season?
Does this previous paragraph make you happy? Does it make you think that you have proved your point and you are sitting at the computer with a smug smile of triumph on your face? Congratulations, your broad generalisations of the guys that fly here have managed to point to one or two of the 60 odd pilots that are currently in town.
3 times?! A whole 3 times that some moron has buzzed hunting parties?! But we aren't all unprofessional pilots? All 60+ of us? If that is the case, shouldnt there be a hell of a lot more complaints like this considering there is how many aircraft movements pilot by unprofessional young'uns in this town each day?
Again, I point to my first statement in this post.
wits, who can't get jobs elsewhere, are all unprofessional, all are riding our fathers coat tails, are all pissheads, and should give up flying right now.The incident in March that you are talking about, the pilot did not leave town overnight. He was forced to resign by his boss after 2 companies refused to send charter work to them if they did not get rid of said pilot.
Stall turn? Thats a new development to that story. I know he was low flying, he flew past my house that day.
Why would you stick around in this town if there was no work for you? What else is there to do if you are unemployed?
I presume since you know so much about this story that you were one of the three in the boat that reported him? Perhaps the same guy that threw his toys out of the cot after a company reshuffle and also left "overnight"?
He did not want to resign earlier because of parental pressure. His father had got him the job, and rather than disappoint his father, he was going to stick it out. He wasn't upset with the job. He hated the town, the lifestyle, and what it did to him. He still worked for the company for nearly 18 months. Is that no a honourable thing to do? Honour your agreement rather than backing out in the middle of the busy season?
Does this previous paragraph make you happy? Does it make you think that you have proved your point and you are sitting at the computer with a smug smile of triumph on your face? Congratulations, your broad generalisations of the guys that fly here have managed to point to one or two of the 60 odd pilots that are currently in town.
3 times?! A whole 3 times that some moron has buzzed hunting parties?! But we aren't all unprofessional pilots? All 60+ of us? If that is the case, shouldnt there be a hell of a lot more complaints like this considering there is how many aircraft movements pilot by unprofessional young'uns in this town each day?
Again, I point to my first statement in this post.
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I spent 2 months in maun trying to get a job back in 2009. Back then it was pretty much the same as how it is now. A large number of pilots hanging around for a small number of available jobs. From early January 2009 to the end of February 2009, not a single person (that I know of) was hired. Actually if I remember correctly, some companies had to let people go during that timeframe due to low volume of business.
All though I remember a few people telling me of the days in 2006 when pretty much all you had to do was show up with a pilot license and you had a job. Apparently back then the job/pilot ratio was much more favoritable towards the pilot.
Anyways, if I ever go back (which I really want to do someday), I'm definitely only doing so when the odds are a little better.
All though I remember a few people telling me of the days in 2006 when pretty much all you had to do was show up with a pilot license and you had a job. Apparently back then the job/pilot ratio was much more favoritable towards the pilot.
Anyways, if I ever go back (which I really want to do someday), I'm definitely only doing so when the odds are a little better.
