How to do a CV and get a bush pilot job
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Join Date: Oct 1998
Location: Lusaka and Joburg
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How to do a CV and get a bush pilot job
I have done this before, but after the last round of recruiting, I think I will have to make it an annual thread.
This applies to those with low time,750 / 500 hrs & less, who are trying to get into that first or second job with the light aircraft operators. Other operators please feel free to throw in your thoughts. In order of importance:
1.Get an email. Absolutely vital. With the volume of replies we get we have to handle all this work on computer.In Africa fax machine are always on the blink,runing out of paper & jamming.
2. One page only. I repeat-ONE PAGE ONLY. When I have to work thru 30/40 replies I don't want to wade thru your fancy logos and 34 point titles.
3.The object is to get me to send your a positive response.
All I need to now in this first contact:
Name,age,marital status
Origin of Licence & Date
Total Time and time on the types
Who Trained you
Phone & email contact.
Relevent experience-This is tricky. Keep it short. I don't want to know you were Head Boy or a keen fly fisherman, but details like you were in the Air Force in a non flying postion, you had a holiday job as a freight loader on a DC-3, your PPL mate and you go to a farm strip several times a year all help give you an edge.
4.Non flying experience/jobs can be mentioned but only very briefly. Languages can be a help.
All the other stuff I normally get on a CV can wait until you get past the first stage.
5.What to do while you are trying for that first job? Try and get anything that relates to flying or tourism.
6.Where to be? I have never had to recruit from out of the region. With one exception I have always been able to get who I need locally with the bonus of making interviews and flight checks quick and easy. Having said that, my recruits have included plenty of Kiwi & Oz pilots who are here already. Foreign applicants who are not in Africa are not rejected, but you would need to be around at short list time.
7.Timing. Lot of our work is seasonal. Peak flying May to Oct. We recruit around Nov to Jan.
Good Luck.
I see there is also a good thread on " first jobs" in the Dunnunda & Godzone Forum. Check it out.
Also
8. IF rating. Not essential but it gives you the extra edge. I am always happier when my guys have it. Haze in Sept/Oct can be just as bad as cloud
9.Instuctor rating. Tricky one this. I have found those 200/300 hrs of Rt seat circuits do not give you the same edge as 50 hrs in the bush strips, but it is better than nothing.
AND FINALLY
How to walk into any job in Africa - A CPL with an AME (Aircraft Maint Engineer) ticket- call me now!!!!
This applies to those with low time,750 / 500 hrs & less, who are trying to get into that first or second job with the light aircraft operators. Other operators please feel free to throw in your thoughts. In order of importance:
1.Get an email. Absolutely vital. With the volume of replies we get we have to handle all this work on computer.In Africa fax machine are always on the blink,runing out of paper & jamming.
2. One page only. I repeat-ONE PAGE ONLY. When I have to work thru 30/40 replies I don't want to wade thru your fancy logos and 34 point titles.
3.The object is to get me to send your a positive response.
All I need to now in this first contact:
Name,age,marital status
Origin of Licence & Date
Total Time and time on the types
Who Trained you
Phone & email contact.
Relevent experience-This is tricky. Keep it short. I don't want to know you were Head Boy or a keen fly fisherman, but details like you were in the Air Force in a non flying postion, you had a holiday job as a freight loader on a DC-3, your PPL mate and you go to a farm strip several times a year all help give you an edge.
4.Non flying experience/jobs can be mentioned but only very briefly. Languages can be a help.
All the other stuff I normally get on a CV can wait until you get past the first stage.
5.What to do while you are trying for that first job? Try and get anything that relates to flying or tourism.
6.Where to be? I have never had to recruit from out of the region. With one exception I have always been able to get who I need locally with the bonus of making interviews and flight checks quick and easy. Having said that, my recruits have included plenty of Kiwi & Oz pilots who are here already. Foreign applicants who are not in Africa are not rejected, but you would need to be around at short list time.
7.Timing. Lot of our work is seasonal. Peak flying May to Oct. We recruit around Nov to Jan.
Good Luck.
I see there is also a good thread on " first jobs" in the Dunnunda & Godzone Forum. Check it out.
Also
8. IF rating. Not essential but it gives you the extra edge. I am always happier when my guys have it. Haze in Sept/Oct can be just as bad as cloud
9.Instuctor rating. Tricky one this. I have found those 200/300 hrs of Rt seat circuits do not give you the same edge as 50 hrs in the bush strips, but it is better than nothing.
AND FINALLY
How to walk into any job in Africa - A CPL with an AME (Aircraft Maint Engineer) ticket- call me now!!!!
Last edited by Flying Bean; 13th Jul 2002 at 05:24.
Join Date: May 2002
Location: South Africa
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AMMO!!
Hey There!!
It's Actually an AME that Mr. Bean is referring to, that would be an Aircraft Maintenance Engineer, whereas an AMO is a Aircraft Maintenance Organisation.
It would however definately give you some Ammo If you had one of these tickets.
Mr. Bean, I dont really understand your thread. Are you recruiting at the moments or are you just giving out pointers on how to write a bush C.V. If you need pilots, Je suis Desponible!!
Preferably turbine
Kind regards
Vlamgat
-----------------------------------------------------
AGINNINTONNIXADAKEEPSAMALARIAAWAY!
-----------------------------------------------------
It's Actually an AME that Mr. Bean is referring to, that would be an Aircraft Maintenance Engineer, whereas an AMO is a Aircraft Maintenance Organisation.
It would however definately give you some Ammo If you had one of these tickets.
Mr. Bean, I dont really understand your thread. Are you recruiting at the moments or are you just giving out pointers on how to write a bush C.V. If you need pilots, Je suis Desponible!!
Preferably turbine
Kind regards
Vlamgat
-----------------------------------------------------
AGINNINTONNIXADAKEEPSAMALARIAAWAY!
-----------------------------------------------------
Thread Starter
Join Date: Oct 1998
Location: Lusaka and Joburg
Posts: 230
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NO NO
No more CV's please. Sorry it was not clear.
Having just done & finished all the recruiting for this year. I was just passing on tips for the next batch of hopefuls and trying to lighten my load for next year.
I must add though, that reviewing and updating my CV data base, I was encouraged about how many on the CV's from the last 2 years are now working. About 70% I would say.
So for all the wannabees out there - Keep on trying!!!
Thanks Vlam- Yes AME not AMO. Dont want to recruit the whole organisation do we !!!
Another PS
Get yourself a C210/C206 rating asap.
No Charter Companies fly the small Pipers. Problem is that C206 for training/conversion are vary rare, at least in South Africa.
Anyone got any contacts for one in Joburg? I am always looking.
No more CV's please. Sorry it was not clear.
Having just done & finished all the recruiting for this year. I was just passing on tips for the next batch of hopefuls and trying to lighten my load for next year.
I must add though, that reviewing and updating my CV data base, I was encouraged about how many on the CV's from the last 2 years are now working. About 70% I would say.
So for all the wannabees out there - Keep on trying!!!
Thanks Vlam- Yes AME not AMO. Dont want to recruit the whole organisation do we !!!
Another PS
Get yourself a C210/C206 rating asap.
No Charter Companies fly the small Pipers. Problem is that C206 for training/conversion are vary rare, at least in South Africa.
Anyone got any contacts for one in Joburg? I am always looking.
Last edited by Flying Bean; 13th Jul 2002 at 05:27.
