Prospects for future upcoming pilots in East Africa
Thread Starter
Join Date: Jan 2019
Location: NAIROBI
Posts: 13
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Hey!
I trained in the US and got a FAA CPL SEL/MEL with IR. I am going to do some time building before heading over to Africa to try my luck. Planning to head to Namibia first before heading to other countries. Being a foreigner and having a foreigner license, license conversion is my second concern. My first concern is to be hired. I am hoping to fly for companies that fly tourists into safaris, hence will be making my first stop in Namibia or Botswana. Do you guys know of any such companies in East Africa or anywhere in Africa?
I trained in the US and got a FAA CPL SEL/MEL with IR. I am going to do some time building before heading over to Africa to try my luck. Planning to head to Namibia first before heading to other countries. Being a foreigner and having a foreigner license, license conversion is my second concern. My first concern is to be hired. I am hoping to fly for companies that fly tourists into safaris, hence will be making my first stop in Namibia or Botswana. Do you guys know of any such companies in East Africa or anywhere in Africa?
Join Date: Sep 2010
Location: constantly crossing the equator
Age: 38
Posts: 116
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Hey!
I trained in the US and got a FAA CPL SEL/MEL with IR. I am going to do some time building before heading over to Africa to try my luck. Planning to head to Namibia first before heading to other countries. Being a foreigner and having a foreigner license, license conversion is my second concern. My first concern is to be hired. I am hoping to fly for companies that fly tourists into safaris, hence will be making my first stop in Namibia or Botswana. Do you guys know of any such companies in East Africa or anywhere in Africa?
I trained in the US and got a FAA CPL SEL/MEL with IR. I am going to do some time building before heading over to Africa to try my luck. Planning to head to Namibia first before heading to other countries. Being a foreigner and having a foreigner license, license conversion is my second concern. My first concern is to be hired. I am hoping to fly for companies that fly tourists into safaris, hence will be making my first stop in Namibia or Botswana. Do you guys know of any such companies in East Africa or anywhere in Africa?
With all due respect, given the current employment climate in East Africa in general, employment in Kenya/Tanzania/Uganda, the chances of employment as a low hour foreigner is zero. Too much competition, too many locals and you will not be able to get a work permit. Botswana do take low hour people, depending on many factors but you will need a minimum of 500 hours for them to process a work permit. Can't speak to other places though.
All the best with you search though.
Join Date: Sep 2015
Location: Singapore
Posts: 19
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Hey, The Sankara and kibz2005, thanks for the info.
I have thought of going into flight instruction but it's a costly move. Still weighing my options here. I'll probably go with the cheaper route by praying and begging companies in Africa would hire me after my hour building.
I have thought of going into flight instruction but it's a costly move. Still weighing my options here. I'll probably go with the cheaper route by praying and begging companies in Africa would hire me after my hour building.
Join Date: Sep 2008
Location: Been around the block
Posts: 629
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Hey, The Sankara and kibz2005, thanks for the info.
I have thought of going into flight instruction but it's a costly move. Still weighing my options here. I'll probably go with the cheaper route by praying and begging companies in Africa would hire me after my hour building.
I have thought of going into flight instruction but it's a costly move. Still weighing my options here. I'll probably go with the cheaper route by praying and begging companies in Africa would hire me after my hour building.
Join Date: Sep 2015
Location: Singapore
Posts: 19
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
What’s costly about it? It probably pays more than flying a bush plane. There are places in the US that will pay for your CFI to get u to work there. The written test is $100 and the exam is whatever the examiner charges or free if you do it with the Feds. I don’t recommend the Feds in ANY country...The only difference is that you have to do spin training. You’re already 90% of the way there. It sounds like you just don’t want to flight instruct. That’s totally a legitimate thought. It sucked. Stop BS’ing a forum of professional womanizing, boda boda riding, duty free booze smuggling pirates.
Join Date: Sep 2008
Location: Been around the block
Posts: 629
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
You’re not guaranteed a job as a 777 Captain either, with a gaggle of nubile hosties coming behind you. However, you invested in your training already. You might have to slum it like the rest of us working stiffs and watch students keep effing up day after day.
Thread Starter
Join Date: Jan 2019
Location: NAIROBI
Posts: 13
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Hey, The Sankara and kibz2005, thanks for the info.
I have thought of going into flight instruction but it's a costly move. Still weighing my options here. I'll probably go with the cheaper route by praying and begging companies in Africa would hire me after my hour building.
I have thought of going into flight instruction but it's a costly move. Still weighing my options here. I'll probably go with the cheaper route by praying and begging companies in Africa would hire me after my hour building.
Join Date: Sep 2015
Location: Singapore
Posts: 19
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
So, after thinking about it, I see myself having two options. Option one (expensive) is to suck it up and gather all my funds for the CFI courses. Or two (less expensive), build a little more hours and find a job in the single engine (hopefully in Africa) and move on from there.
I appreciate all your replies. It really makes me think more about my current situation. Thanks!
Thread Starter
Join Date: Jan 2019
Location: NAIROBI
Posts: 13
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Its true that the CFI course cost about $7500. But in order to get the necessary visa to work in the US after completing the course, I need a longer course (That's according to the school. Maybe they just want to suck more money out of me). Meaning I have to do CFI, CFII and MEI. It takes about half a year if everything goes on smoothly. The whole program alone cost about $24000 (Plus the school requires me to pay 50% upfront before the course starts). That's not including other expenses (accommodation, transport, etc). I have been corresponding with schools and doing the calculations recently. The amount adds up to quite a lot and I know that being a pilot have a huge start up cost.
So, after thinking about it, I see myself having two options. Option one (expensive) is to suck it up and gather all my funds for the CFI courses. Or two (less expensive), build a little more hours and find a job in the single engine (hopefully in Africa) and move on from there.
I appreciate all your replies. It really makes me think more about my current situation. Thanks!
So, after thinking about it, I see myself having two options. Option one (expensive) is to suck it up and gather all my funds for the CFI courses. Or two (less expensive), build a little more hours and find a job in the single engine (hopefully in Africa) and move on from there.
I appreciate all your replies. It really makes me think more about my current situation. Thanks!
Join Date: Sep 2010
Location: constantly crossing the equator
Age: 38
Posts: 116
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
