Compagnie Africaine D'Aviation
Thread Starter
Join Date: Mar 2006
Location: ****
Posts: 22
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Compagnie Africaine D'Aviation
Hi Guys,
I've got a potential opportunity to work for these guys on the Airbus and I wondered whether anyone could give me any information about life down in the Congo, and what the company is like to work for in general.
Eventually I would like to work in Europe so is flying for an EU blacklisted company going to make that really difficult?
Thanks for any replies
I've got a potential opportunity to work for these guys on the Airbus and I wondered whether anyone could give me any information about life down in the Congo, and what the company is like to work for in general.
Eventually I would like to work in Europe so is flying for an EU blacklisted company going to make that really difficult?
Thanks for any replies
Join Date: Oct 2006
Location: Pretoria, South Africa
Posts: 157
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Compagnie Africaine D'Aviation
Kinshasa, also referred to as Kin****hole by some, is not a pleasant place to stay. The drive into town from the airport is a potential nightmare. Apart from the DRC S&T which is good, I dread going there! Lubumbashi is a much nicer place in my opinion in terms of basing if possible. Flying around the DRC can be very challenging and dodgy in my opinion. If it is hours that you need go do it! I only know of the one CAA incident where they ran off the end of the runway and up the lava rock at Goma. There gas probably been other as well.
Join Date: Aug 2002
Location: Kinshasa DRC
Posts: 146
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
A Tale of Two Cities....
Life in the Congo - Although I hate to admit it - Springbok basically sums it up - the drive to the airport and back can often take longer than your flight due to road works and Taxi-buses that don't follow any known road laws and basically just need a good slap. Very interesting nightlife like most big African cities but after your first 6 months of initiation can get a little bit tiresome and most pilots prefer the most sedate Lubumbashi or Brazzaville.
CAA (Mark IV) is a far cry from it's previous incarnations -
Their A320's undergo all major maintenance outside of Congo at recognised maintenance organisations and they have employed a team of international pilots, mechanics and operations staff to ensure they do not repeat past mistakes. Crews are generally paid on time and aircraft defects are attended to on a MEL basis while replacements are sourced.
- Currently CAA operates 3 A320's, 1 F100 and 3 F50's inside DRC.
- CAA (Mark I) Two C580's W/O - Tshikappa & Kananga Area.
- CAA (Mark II) One IL18 W/O - Mbuji Mayi
- CAA (Mark III) One MD82 & One B727 W/O Goma & Kinshasa.
CAA (Mark IV) is a far cry from it's previous incarnations -
Their A320's undergo all major maintenance outside of Congo at recognised maintenance organisations and they have employed a team of international pilots, mechanics and operations staff to ensure they do not repeat past mistakes. Crews are generally paid on time and aircraft defects are attended to on a MEL basis while replacements are sourced.
- Currently CAA operates 3 A320's, 1 F100 and 3 F50's inside DRC.
- CAA (Mark I) Two C580's W/O - Tshikappa & Kananga Area.
- CAA (Mark II) One IL18 W/O - Mbuji Mayi
- CAA (Mark III) One MD82 & One B727 W/O Goma & Kinshasa.
Freight God
Join Date: Sep 2000
Location: LS-R54A
Posts: 307
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Management is pretty 'hands-on'. If you speak spanish you will do well with the ops management.
Oh, and get very up to speed with tankering, there are a few airports where there is no fuel available...
Oh, and get very up to speed with tankering, there are a few airports where there is no fuel available...
Join Date: Aug 2002
Location: Kinshasa DRC
Posts: 146
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Blacklist.......
Almost all the pilots flying for CAA are foreigners - bar a few co-pilots.
Fact - Flight hours are flight hours!
Remember the blacklist is due to the local AAC (Civil Aviation Authority) being judged incapable after an assesment from ICAO of overseeing aviation safety in the DRC.
Even the citation from ICAO states that this clasifacation is NOT necessarily due to any failings on the part of the companies but rather the body that oversees aviation as a whole in the country.
Fact - Flight hours are flight hours!
Remember the blacklist is due to the local AAC (Civil Aviation Authority) being judged incapable after an assesment from ICAO of overseeing aviation safety in the DRC.
Even the citation from ICAO states that this clasifacation is NOT necessarily due to any failings on the part of the companies but rather the body that oversees aviation as a whole in the country.
Join Date: Aug 2011
Location: Europe
Age: 50
Posts: 21
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
FO looking for vacancies
Anyone flying with CAA or in Congo that can provide some info about working there, and usual requirements for FO?
I have been flying a few years MDs and currently holding A320 TR and I am planning to take soon a tour to Africa and knock some doors, which is the usual procedure to get a job in Africa, so any advice will be greatly welcome.
Thanks and happy landings : )
I have been flying a few years MDs and currently holding A320 TR and I am planning to take soon a tour to Africa and knock some doors, which is the usual procedure to get a job in Africa, so any advice will be greatly welcome.
Thanks and happy landings : )
Last edited by ONSHORTFINAL; 8th Mar 2013 at 20:11.
Join Date: Aug 2002
Location: Kinshasa DRC
Posts: 146
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
They own 5 A320's of which 2 only are operational. All crew are foreign with Captains having extensive experience flying in DRC - most of the co-pilots PAY to fly the aircraft(25k for 500hrs) except those upgraded from the F50 at their own expense.....
