Need Advice
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Join Date: Jan 2003
Location: Sussex
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Need Advice
Dear all,
I completed training at the end of July last year, coming away with a CPL/IR qualification and have found it extremely hard to find any flying over here in the uk as have most others in my position. Come the new year I therefore find myself in the position of either getting an instructor rating or trying to find work abroad, in particular Africa, with the latter chioce being the preferred option.
However, I wont hide my ignorance with regard to the industry over there and would appreciate any advice anyone has on how to get a foot in the door such as where I can get a decent comprehensive list of the smaller operators, the best locations to concentrate my search on etc. I'm definitely prepared to pack my bags but need to do alot more ground work first. Basically, I just want to get up in the air and as long as what i'm doing pays for my board that's fine by me!
Any help greatly appreciated!
Cheers
Harvester
I completed training at the end of July last year, coming away with a CPL/IR qualification and have found it extremely hard to find any flying over here in the uk as have most others in my position. Come the new year I therefore find myself in the position of either getting an instructor rating or trying to find work abroad, in particular Africa, with the latter chioce being the preferred option.
However, I wont hide my ignorance with regard to the industry over there and would appreciate any advice anyone has on how to get a foot in the door such as where I can get a decent comprehensive list of the smaller operators, the best locations to concentrate my search on etc. I'm definitely prepared to pack my bags but need to do alot more ground work first. Basically, I just want to get up in the air and as long as what i'm doing pays for my board that's fine by me!
Any help greatly appreciated!
Cheers
Harvester
Join Date: May 2002
Location: Hong Kong
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Network
You need to go out and meet as many people in the industry as possible. A lttle bit of enthusiasm spread among as many people as possible who know you in this business will go a long way. It just takes one good contact to get the ball rolling. It has been beaten to death, but I will say it again. As long as you have the basic skills, its not what you know, but who you know.
Perseverance is also the key. Don't give up. If you keep knocking, a door will be opened. The instructor rating advice is good. It provides an income and in many cases will be very useful later - you can become a training captain. It makes you more marketable and won't hurt the salary either.
Lastly, go out and get another skill or qualification. This business is cyclical, with many ups and downs. There is also the danger of losing your medical - you just never know. Prepare for a rainy day.
Now that that is over, even in the low times, this has to be the best job in the world. We get paid to have fun and see the world. Beats working for a living
Perseverance is also the key. Don't give up. If you keep knocking, a door will be opened. The instructor rating advice is good. It provides an income and in many cases will be very useful later - you can become a training captain. It makes you more marketable and won't hurt the salary either.
Lastly, go out and get another skill or qualification. This business is cyclical, with many ups and downs. There is also the danger of losing your medical - you just never know. Prepare for a rainy day.
Now that that is over, even in the low times, this has to be the best job in the world. We get paid to have fun and see the world. Beats working for a living
Join Date: Jun 2001
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The great thing about asking advice on this African Forum is: you will get it! These okes are not afraid of sharing the knowledge! It is my opinion that if you can get down south, show face, be willing to hang in there a while and get your papers in order; you will work!!! And all of us local-yokels will welcome you with a sh!t tasting Castle and heaps of k@k stories about flying.
Don't forget to check out the "Jobs in Africa" thread on this forum a little way down by now.
Good luck and I hope it works for you like it did for me and my chinas many moons ago...
Don't forget to check out the "Jobs in Africa" thread on this forum a little way down by now.
Good luck and I hope it works for you like it did for me and my chinas many moons ago...
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Cheers for the pointers guys.
It seems public opinion that if you've got the balls to just get out there and enough time on your hands to stay out there you'll end up flying something eventually - for me it doesn't really matter to much what. May just give this theory a bash after throwing out a couple of e-mails and letters first. Flying down south certainly beats the hell out of forking out back here for an instructor rating and then struggling to find a job as well as live off the meager wage.
Cheers for the advice
Harvester
It seems public opinion that if you've got the balls to just get out there and enough time on your hands to stay out there you'll end up flying something eventually - for me it doesn't really matter to much what. May just give this theory a bash after throwing out a couple of e-mails and letters first. Flying down south certainly beats the hell out of forking out back here for an instructor rating and then struggling to find a job as well as live off the meager wage.
Cheers for the advice
Harvester
