FAQ's about Maun
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FAQ's about Maun
From the goodness of my heart I have decided to sit down and write a little about Maun in Botswana.
I run one of the Charter companies in town and have been flying here for a while, so am probably qualified to do so. I see many comments and suggestions about Maun, and frankly they're not that accurate, and sometimes I wonder if those giving the advice have even been here!
Lets start from the beginning. It helps if you can pronounce the name of the town to start with. It's simple, it rhymes with the word down. (Not born!, very frustrating).
Whats Maun like? A dusty, sprawling place but great fun if you like the bush, interesting characters, and a cold beer. It's safe, and very relaxed and informal.
Is it expensive? Not really, the currency is the Pula, and equates roughly to about 6 Pula to the US Dollar. A beer at the pub costs around 5 Pula (a good indicator of costs).
Where do I stay when I'm looking for work? Bring a tent, cos you will more than likely be camping. Not as bad as it seems, the camp sites, Audi, Riverlodge, Sitatuga, Croc Camp etc are pretty nice (Bar, Restaurant, Pool). Sedia is the cheapest, but not popular with pilots(they dont like us!) Audi is the best and around 20 Pula a night to camp.
How do I get around? Well unless you can fit a car in your pack it looks like your walking. Hitching is relativley easy, and safe. There are also Combis that run from the camps to town for 1.25 Pula. They are safe, but crowded, just stand on the side of the road and flag one down. (It's about 12 km from Audi to the Airport.)
What are the requirements for getting a job? For a starter, you need to be here. It's all very well emailing, faxing and phoning, but you'll be told the same thing, get yourself over here! There are 8 companies, some have differing requirements, but most will accept a basic com, IF not important, and a C206 rating with 5 hours on type is a real bonus. Age is no problem, there are guys from 20 up working here.
What's the pay like? On average guys start on about Pula 5500 a month. Companies differ, but normally there is housing, or some sort of allowance.
What Types do you fly? For new guys, get to know your 206!!! after that, BN2A, C210, C208.
How long are the contracts? Most Companies want a minimum of 2 years. We do have peak, and off-peak seasons, but we work all the way through. Most guys get 1 months leave in the quiet season (Dec-Feb).
Well before this gets to long I'll leave it at that for now. If you want more questions answered, post them here. I'm not great at answering emails.
Please Dont turn this thread into a "Have you got a job for me" thing, or I'll lose interest! The answer is we will be hiring 1 or 2 more pilots for the season,next one probably end of Feb and I'm sure the other companies will be hiring also. But if you have read this carefully, you'll know what you have to do!
Well, I hope this is of help to all aspirants,
Good Luck
Kiwi Flyer
I run one of the Charter companies in town and have been flying here for a while, so am probably qualified to do so. I see many comments and suggestions about Maun, and frankly they're not that accurate, and sometimes I wonder if those giving the advice have even been here!
Lets start from the beginning. It helps if you can pronounce the name of the town to start with. It's simple, it rhymes with the word down. (Not born!, very frustrating).
Whats Maun like? A dusty, sprawling place but great fun if you like the bush, interesting characters, and a cold beer. It's safe, and very relaxed and informal.
Is it expensive? Not really, the currency is the Pula, and equates roughly to about 6 Pula to the US Dollar. A beer at the pub costs around 5 Pula (a good indicator of costs).
Where do I stay when I'm looking for work? Bring a tent, cos you will more than likely be camping. Not as bad as it seems, the camp sites, Audi, Riverlodge, Sitatuga, Croc Camp etc are pretty nice (Bar, Restaurant, Pool). Sedia is the cheapest, but not popular with pilots(they dont like us!) Audi is the best and around 20 Pula a night to camp.
How do I get around? Well unless you can fit a car in your pack it looks like your walking. Hitching is relativley easy, and safe. There are also Combis that run from the camps to town for 1.25 Pula. They are safe, but crowded, just stand on the side of the road and flag one down. (It's about 12 km from Audi to the Airport.)
What are the requirements for getting a job? For a starter, you need to be here. It's all very well emailing, faxing and phoning, but you'll be told the same thing, get yourself over here! There are 8 companies, some have differing requirements, but most will accept a basic com, IF not important, and a C206 rating with 5 hours on type is a real bonus. Age is no problem, there are guys from 20 up working here.
What's the pay like? On average guys start on about Pula 5500 a month. Companies differ, but normally there is housing, or some sort of allowance.
What Types do you fly? For new guys, get to know your 206!!! after that, BN2A, C210, C208.
How long are the contracts? Most Companies want a minimum of 2 years. We do have peak, and off-peak seasons, but we work all the way through. Most guys get 1 months leave in the quiet season (Dec-Feb).
Well before this gets to long I'll leave it at that for now. If you want more questions answered, post them here. I'm not great at answering emails.
Please Dont turn this thread into a "Have you got a job for me" thing, or I'll lose interest! The answer is we will be hiring 1 or 2 more pilots for the season,next one probably end of Feb and I'm sure the other companies will be hiring also. But if you have read this carefully, you'll know what you have to do!
Well, I hope this is of help to all aspirants,
Good Luck
Kiwi Flyer
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Thanks KF for an honest and accurate account.
Last time I was in Maun I received mixed views on the best time to be in Maun looking for work. The general consensus was as early as possible and for as long as possible, i.e. Dec/Jan onwards. But if that isn't possible, then when is the critical time? Is arriving in Maun late Feb getting a bit late?
LostComm: I'll hazard a guess and say via Joburg. Due to the frequency and choice of flights from Europe. I did Joburg to Maun by bus last year: 120 rand Joburg to Gabarone. US $20 to stay the night in Gabarone. 35 pula Gabarone to Francistown and then 40 pula Francistown to Maun.
Next time I travel Joburg to Maun I'm going to enquire on this forum and others about anyone flying from Lanseria. It might require hanging around a few days at Lanseria but there's a good chance of a cheap, if not free ride.
Last time I was in Maun I received mixed views on the best time to be in Maun looking for work. The general consensus was as early as possible and for as long as possible, i.e. Dec/Jan onwards. But if that isn't possible, then when is the critical time? Is arriving in Maun late Feb getting a bit late?
LostComm: I'll hazard a guess and say via Joburg. Due to the frequency and choice of flights from Europe. I did Joburg to Maun by bus last year: 120 rand Joburg to Gabarone. US $20 to stay the night in Gabarone. 35 pula Gabarone to Francistown and then 40 pula Francistown to Maun.
Next time I travel Joburg to Maun I'm going to enquire on this forum and others about anyone flying from Lanseria. It might require hanging around a few days at Lanseria but there's a good chance of a cheap, if not free ride.
Last edited by skytops; 22nd Jan 2003 at 05:07.
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Skytops: The age old question, when should I get to Maun? It's a hard one, guys normally hire late Feb and into March. But like all things, this is not a hard and fast rule. I also find it difficult to answer this, as I could tell you come late feb, and the day before you arrive someone gets hired! But as far as it goes Feb is not a bad time. It's just one of those things.
Lostcomm: Not sure about cheapest way from Europe, not my neck of the woods. But Jo'burg the obvious choice. Otherwise check out BA into Zambia, then road transfer to Kasane in Botswana. Maun based operators fly almost daily into Kasane (from between 0800 and1200 the busiest time) hang round the airport, find a pilot, tell him who you are and your going to Maun to look for work, and if hes got a seat you''ll probably get a free lift to Maun.
If your flying from Joburg, Air Botswana is expensive. enquire about Nationwide to Livingstone, and do the Kasane thing, or SAA/BA/Comair to Vic Falls, and once again get yourself to Kasane.
Cheers Guys,
KF
Lostcomm: Not sure about cheapest way from Europe, not my neck of the woods. But Jo'burg the obvious choice. Otherwise check out BA into Zambia, then road transfer to Kasane in Botswana. Maun based operators fly almost daily into Kasane (from between 0800 and1200 the busiest time) hang round the airport, find a pilot, tell him who you are and your going to Maun to look for work, and if hes got a seat you''ll probably get a free lift to Maun.
If your flying from Joburg, Air Botswana is expensive. enquire about Nationwide to Livingstone, and do the Kasane thing, or SAA/BA/Comair to Vic Falls, and once again get yourself to Kasane.
Cheers Guys,
KF
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At last,info!
Thanks very much,been looking for a while on info like this.
I know this is a bit of a long shot, but do you know a pilot by the name of Charl Viljoen up there.I stayed with him when we did our comm training and if you perhaps have a contact no. for him,maybe I can organise some accomadation.Either way Im up there middle of Feb.
See you then,thanks.
I know this is a bit of a long shot, but do you know a pilot by the name of Charl Viljoen up there.I stayed with him when we did our comm training and if you perhaps have a contact no. for him,maybe I can organise some accomadation.Either way Im up there middle of Feb.
See you then,thanks.
Much Appreciated.
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A list of the companies in Maun. Please dont inundate them with faxs. A C.V should be 1 page 2 at the maximum. Any more is just wasting paper!
Delta Air Ph:+267 6860044 Fax +267 6861703 Fleet: 3xC206 2xC210 1xBN2A
Eagle Air Ph:+267 6863599 Fax +267 6862806 Fleet: 3xC206
Sefofane Air Charters: Ph:+267 6860778 Fax +267 6861649 Fleet 3xC208 5x206 1xBN2B
Moremi Air Services: Ph:+267 6862078 Fax +267 6862078 Fleet 1xC208 2xC206 1xC210 1xC172 1xBN2A
Safari Air: Ph: +267 6860022 Fax +267 6860037 Fleet 2xBN2B 2xC206 1xC207
Swamp Air: Ph +267 6860569 Fax +267 6860040 Fleet 2xC206
Mack Air: Ph: +267 6860675 Fax +267 6860036 Fleet 2xC208 4xC206 1xC210
Hope all this info correct, but dont blame me if I've made any typo's
Accomadation dealt with in original post bdg.
Cheers for now,
KF
P.S. I live in same house as Charl Viljoen, so if you want any messages past on PM me
Delta Air Ph:+267 6860044 Fax +267 6861703 Fleet: 3xC206 2xC210 1xBN2A
Eagle Air Ph:+267 6863599 Fax +267 6862806 Fleet: 3xC206
Sefofane Air Charters: Ph:+267 6860778 Fax +267 6861649 Fleet 3xC208 5x206 1xBN2B
Moremi Air Services: Ph:+267 6862078 Fax +267 6862078 Fleet 1xC208 2xC206 1xC210 1xC172 1xBN2A
Safari Air: Ph: +267 6860022 Fax +267 6860037 Fleet 2xBN2B 2xC206 1xC207
Swamp Air: Ph +267 6860569 Fax +267 6860040 Fleet 2xC206
Mack Air: Ph: +267 6860675 Fax +267 6860036 Fleet 2xC208 4xC206 1xC210
Hope all this info correct, but dont blame me if I've made any typo's
Accomadation dealt with in original post bdg.
Cheers for now,
KF
P.S. I live in same house as Charl Viljoen, so if you want any messages past on PM me
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Thank you!So,when you come there,hypotheticaly get a job,do you validate your licence or you have to convert it?Are there any exams,like airlaw,local met.?I understand that there is no problem to aply with ICAO lic.
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To expand a liitle bit on this thread, Kiwi,hope you don't mind.
I am also a Charter Company owner as well (in Zambia).
Wannabes please check out my thread in in the history, 12th July 2002.
"How to do a C.V. etc "
Goto Search - African Aviation -just look under the "Flying Bean" user name and it will come up.
Cheers & Good Luck
PS Sorry Guys - just to be clear - we are NOT recruiting Pilots this season.
I am also a Charter Company owner as well (in Zambia).
Wannabes please check out my thread in in the history, 12th July 2002.
"How to do a C.V. etc "
Goto Search - African Aviation -just look under the "Flying Bean" user name and it will come up.
Cheers & Good Luck
PS Sorry Guys - just to be clear - we are NOT recruiting Pilots this season.
Last edited by Flying Bean; 20th Jan 2003 at 04:43.
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The delta gets in your blood
bgd, if I recall correctly then you need to write airlaw, which you go and do on the second floor in terminal just opposite briefing....eeh, forget the guys name in whose office you write
I do remember a few days of angst as you have to send your beloved logbook down to Gaborone to DCA by courier, but you get it back pretty soon, all the same make photocopies.
Dont recall the costs but sure Kiwiflyer or some other Maun pilot might be more up to speed on that
After you get license, you need to do 6-monthly C-of-T (flight test) on singles and another on twins if you fly it
might need some correction from guys more up to speed on the gen...
Worked in the Delta for two years and flew over it again today t0/from Lusaka/Maun/Windhoek, it really does get in your blood and there is nothing like flying over the flooded plains filled with game.......magic
I do remember a few days of angst as you have to send your beloved logbook down to Gaborone to DCA by courier, but you get it back pretty soon, all the same make photocopies.
Dont recall the costs but sure Kiwiflyer or some other Maun pilot might be more up to speed on that
After you get license, you need to do 6-monthly C-of-T (flight test) on singles and another on twins if you fly it
might need some correction from guys more up to speed on the gen...
Worked in the Delta for two years and flew over it again today t0/from Lusaka/Maun/Windhoek, it really does get in your blood and there is nothing like flying over the flooded plains filled with game.......magic
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KF-Charl Viljoen
Hi KF, so now I know which company you run!
So do you have a ...(just kidding,dont want to p... you off)
If you could please say hi to Charl from Gareth(or Gary as he used to call me,the one who threw spaghetti at him at Jannie's house,in case he has forgotten) and if you could confirm that the no. I was given above I will be able to contact him on and the best time to try.Want to chat to him about life up there.I believe the other hooligan of the house has started or will be soon flying with you,nickname spike.
Thanks.
So do you have a ...(just kidding,dont want to p... you off)
If you could please say hi to Charl from Gareth(or Gary as he used to call me,the one who threw spaghetti at him at Jannie's house,in case he has forgotten) and if you could confirm that the no. I was given above I will be able to contact him on and the best time to try.Want to chat to him about life up there.I believe the other hooligan of the house has started or will be soon flying with you,nickname spike.
Thanks.
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Hi KF.
No need to reply to the above post,as I have already contacted Charl.In fact,now that I think of it, it might have been you that answered the phone.Apologies for not saying hi.Found out everything I needed to know from Charl.Sounds really great to be able to fly up there.Will be up there in Feb. to start looking.
Cheers.
No need to reply to the above post,as I have already contacted Charl.In fact,now that I think of it, it might have been you that answered the phone.Apologies for not saying hi.Found out everything I needed to know from Charl.Sounds really great to be able to fly up there.Will be up there in Feb. to start looking.
Cheers.
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GGG: Didn't say I worked at the same company as Charl, actually run another company.
Maun Update!!! Lots of prospective pilots arriving in town, the flood gates have opened.......
Maun Update!!! Lots of prospective pilots arriving in town, the flood gates have opened.......
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Kiwi Flyer,
On average, how many hours a year (season) does a pilot log when flying for a charter company in Maun?
Any other job openings down there in case the pilot positions are already filled? (aircraft cleaning, fueling, operations, maintenance assistance,...)
Brgds,
Yak
On average, how many hours a year (season) does a pilot log when flying for a charter company in Maun?
Any other job openings down there in case the pilot positions are already filled? (aircraft cleaning, fueling, operations, maintenance assistance,...)
Brgds,
Yak