Not easy to get the cash, even harder to get that first job. Make sure you are prepared to go all the way...get's rough sometimes. One more thing, never never never never never never never never never never ever fly for free. You don't have to charge an arm and a leg, but no reason to mine the road for those who follow. Qualified pilots who fly for free, do a lot of damage to the entry level market, ask any Kiwi. If you've payed for it, you should get payed for it.

Good luck!

Mind the tail!

Heaps of money certainly does help, but it is possible to do it on a tight budget.
So if you dont have R200 000 lying around be ready to take a very long time, idealy study something else in between or start working to get some cash, but persevere with those hours. Eventually they accumulate to 200!

As for getting a flying job, well its also about perseverance and having the right attitude. Getting a job on the ground with a decent aviation company is also a good way to get your foot in the door and meet people that could potentially help you out with some work once you get your com.
Working at a busy general aviation airport like Lanseria will also increase your chances to find some work, you not gonna get anywhere if you in the middle of nowhere. You gotta go where the action is.

If you dont have the passion from the start then forget about it 'cause its not gonna be easy! Its an awsome career and a very rewarding one (well, most of the time...) so,

Good luck :ok:

passion is definitely the word of the day.

there are ways around the cash flow issue. 43 air school offers a cadet scheme where wannabe's like yourself can work at the airschool to get your comm. i think you have to pay for your ppl, then work off the rest over 2 or 3 years. not a bad idea if you're strapped for cash.

then there's always the saa cadet scheme. i've heard snowboarding is quite the trend in hell these days.....

good luck

thanks
 

Many thanks to those who have helped making my worries a little less.

:ok: Reinier

Maun Accomodation
 

Just wondering where abouts and how much do pilots pay for accomodation in Maun. Do flying companies offer cheap accomodaton or is it every man for themselves?

thanks

Two odd years back, the best and cheapest place to spend some time was Audi Camp. You could camp yourself or hire some kitted out tents. There was a good restaurant/pub/pool and close enough to the main road to catch a ride into the main town.The people there were very used to pilots and their budget. I think the prices and info. are on line - watch out for the donkeys:eek:

I need some help please, when is the best time to go to Maun to seek employment, is it in January?

Yeah Audi Camp is good and they give a discount to pilots through the hiring season (Dec-Feb) so only 15 pula a night with your own tent, compared to 120 pula per night for the perminant tents at Audi.

Plus its on a Combi-Van route so its only 2pula to get to the airport each morning, if you can stand being stuffed in a van with 20+ locals!:yuk:
Good pool at audi as well, tho resterant and bar are most expensive in town.

When I was there there was at one time 12 other pilots all staying at Audi!:ok:

Hello shiney balls, k' passo?

Common ez tas? Q'uell K'Passo Senior.
WIBBY!!!!!:D

Botswana Immigration Rules
 

Thinking of going to Africa (some of you have already been helpful enough to reply to my pm's) but was wanting to check on something relating to Botswana's immigration rules.

I read that you need to have an outward ticket booked. Some countries I am aware of have this same rule but do not enforce it. Just wondering on how strict they are on this in Botswana ie. they will not let you in to the country without an outward ticket??

Replies appreciated.
Cheers, WW

Hey WaterWings, the Immigration guys are a bit lax in Bots they might require an ongoing ticket but since Bots is landlocked you can just forge an overland bus ride out or something.:ok:
I didn't get asked anything, so managed to waste $400nz on a ticket out coz I didn't know.:mad:

Hope this helps bro

Hey thanks for clearing that up for me man.

Just purchased a ticket to head for Jo-burg late Dec, now I just have to figure out how to book on Air Botswana to get to Maun.

Hey WW
Air Botswana has daily flights from Joburg to Maun, or if scheduling works better you can go via Gabarone. Their website is fairly comprehensive. Ensure you leave lots of time in Joburg between flights.
If you need any suggestions of places to stay/camp out there let me know.
Enjoy your trip - Bots is my favourite place in Africa!

Hi All,

Is dec-feb hiring season in Maun? Just want to confirm this from people who have worked there in the past. Also, if you get hired, do you start training right away or do you return on another specified date? Any info would be greatly appreciated! Thank you very much! :)

Hey WW,
I'm heading bots in November
Buy you a beer ay!

Sounds good man. Planning to arrvice Dec. 27th.

Catch ya there.

There are a handful of girls flying in Maun, you shouldn't have any problems. As far as safety's concerned you needn't worry, it's quite an easy going place.

Maun HAPPY DAYS
 

Well my lady friend you should have no concerns as to how safe maun is... however your only concern should be the safety of your liver!! Lots of alcohol gets consumed.... and do the other pilots out there a favour because there is a serious lack of females at the moment i believe! If anyone has any doubt about maun and botswana in general, in all honesty lots of hours, the flying is awesome and deffinately one of the safest countries in africa!! :ok: :cool:

What is the story with working in Botswana
 

Hello all, not to sure how this system works.Im a 23yr old kiwi based in london,750 hr tt comercial pilot and licenced aircraft engineer.I would like to know how i would go about working in Botswana for a summer season and was wondering if any one could please help me out.

Dumela Marcus,

The best thing to do is come over early December with c.v in and hand and do a tour of the companys. I can tell you now that a few companys are already looking for pilots so if you can come over sooner than later.

Most companys will be expecting you to stay on for a least two years otherwise it would not be in their interest to take you on.

Good Luck :ok:

What types of aircraft are we talking? what type of work? Pay etc

This type of question, while very legitimate of course, is asked about 3 times a month in this forum. Either the search function is poor, or people don´t bother to use it. In any case, dear mods, can we not make this a "sticky": "Working conditions in Botswana?" - and maybe a second one: "Working conditions elsewhere south of the Sahara?"
Those in the know could post latest developments on the issue, where and when to go, what to expect, etc.

Just a thought, no bad intentions.

Yer's is wise beyond yer years, Mr Hopper.:ok:

Probably save a bit of bandwidth and stress if a couple of the more informative posts could be combined and made a sticky...

Use a search on "Botswana" or "Maun" and you'd be amazed with what you come up with - stickies are reserved for important announcements rather than as aids to technically challenged wannabees.

4HP

Flying in Botswana
 

I want to fly in Botswana with a South African PPL.

How to do that? I was told that Mack Air in Maun could help me, but so far I didn't managed to find a home page of that company.

Anyone out there who could give me a hint?

Hire and fly.........a weekend getaway maybe..........what sort of flying would you like to do in Botswana??

First validation on a C172 and then some hour building together with my brother up to 20h within one week. Something like that.

Could anyone name me any contact number/email address/web page of companies in Botswana offering Hire and Fly?

Don't know of any in Botswana offhand but FAWB and FALA are about 1:20 by 172 from Gabs and they have a number of flight schools where you could arrange for an aircraft and the necessary validations.

good luck
 

Sorry mate, but there are no schools in botswana that I amaware of that do hire and fly. The other problem is that to fly an A2 reg a/c in the delta, you need to have done 50hrs under supervision. best bet would be to go to lanseria or wondeboom in Pretoria/jhb, do the validation there and then take the plane across the border to Bots on a ZS reg. steer clear of the A2 reg, the caa there can be difficult some times.

good luck, beautifull place to fly:ok:

hi

check out.

www.flytas.com

Macao
Contact Mack Air for the flying school in Maun +267 6860675
I'm not sure about their hire & fly policies, but them a call.
Cheers & Good Luck

Cape Town to Maun?
 

Looking to get from Cape Town to Maun 1st week in the New Year, apart from Air Botswana do any other operators cover this route?

Also staying in Cape Town a couple of days, sugggestions on the local attractions would be appreciated. Beer, where the good looking women are etc. Before any one states the obvious I know theres a bloody great big mountain there thanks.

Could go from Jo'burg but lived there for a while and never been to CT so might as well take it in, but if Joburgs easier, well...

:E

try: www.flysax.com

You can also fly with Air Namibia via Windhoek, but it will be much more expensive...! Otherwise you can always try a bus! :ok::}

CPL in South Africa.
 

Hi all...

I am planning to do my CPL in South Africa. I plan to (in 18 months time) to go to Wonderboom in Pta, at one of the schools there. They have a tower, and it is relatively (30 ks) from home. All the schools have sort of the same prices, and I have allready sort of made up my mind with wich one to go.

Now.

I have saved enough to do the PPL. This will be early in August 2008. (Long time away!) But to get the rest of the 150 grand to do the CPL is another story. Is it worth making a loan at a bank etc, to do it that way? Is there any other South Africans that went that route? And on the other hand, will I be able to have a life after, without being crippled by debt?

I have no idea what pilots get payed, but it SOUNDS like (from people I have talked to etc) that I can maby get 8-9k a month in the beginning? This is from being a instructor (while I build hours)

Is the future viable for me afterwards? I am now 28, and is hartily sick and tired of sitting behind a keyboard. I am doing graphics for computer games, and has achieved what I set out to do when I was 18. And, my salary has peaked, and I cannot see it going above what I earn now, unless I got up to management, but that is even MORE sitting behind a keyboard.

So in essence, is there any South African pilots that has walked the same route? Do you guys have problems with AA? The loans? The job security afterwards? (terrorists, fuel prices, and government allowing) I am quite serious about this. I am living in the UK now, and would it be preferable to do it here? (it is more expensive!) And is there any chance of sponsorship as well in SA? I will be 30 when I start training! But I cannot see myself doing what I do now, but I can always 'fall back' on my current job. (But I do not want to!)

So I am desperate to hear from fellow South Africans that took the same route as I am planning. The sooner I can cap the gaping holes in the plan, the better.

Thanks in advance, I really apreciate it.

Saffa

Hello Saffa,
I was in your shoes a couple of years back. I know how it is sitting in-front of those computers and coding away 9am - 5pm. Why not do the flying part-time there in the UK at weekends ? Dont even think about it, if you are bored of IT, just leave and go and fly, you can always go back if flying is not for you.

Regards
DMan

CPL
 

Hi Saffa

My advice is to avoid a loan if at all possible. Dont really know what your (current) job market is like in SA, but if you work part time while you do your comm, then I reckon you should give that a good go before borrowing cash. It will take you longer part time (took me two years) but I dont think its that much of a penalty. If you live cheap, you will easily manage to fly quite a bit, and even pick up the odd ferry flight or freebie. Then when you get your first job, you can go for whatever suits you, not what your loan repayments force you to accept.

Check your PM's

Cheers

I came to a similar crossroads 4 years ago, having worked my entire career in the airline business- some 13 years I just realised that my passion lay in flying the aircraft and not being involved in all the myriad of associated functions that go with this business. As I’m now in the home stretch for my com I’m happy to share my learning’s so far if your interested:

You need to decide if your going to go for your com in one go or do it in a more modular fashion. Here are the pros and cons as I experienced:

Modular:
Pro’s
Go at your pace, suited to your own schedule. Your able to switch schools if you aren’t happy or if you happen to want to do some training elsewhere- like the coast to experience different condiditions. You can “pay as you go” so you don’t need the whole lump sum in one go. Can also elect to fly different aircraft types at different flight schools- this can also save you big cash: EG a C172 at a traditional school will cost you between R700 and R780 solo per hour, now some schools have taken advantage in the CAA’s acceptance of NTCA aircraft like the Jabiru and Samba and acquired the type in numbers, these aircraft typically go for about R530 to R630 per hour. So on average you can expect to save, on average, about R120 an hour. Over the course of your 100 hour building phase you could save as much as R12 000.

Con’s
This route can be more expensive. What you need to remember is that the flying schools in SA may be good at training you- but they are really quite slack on the business side- particularly providing upfront quotes, invoicing etc So if you do go this route- run it as a project keep an eye on all costs. Before you start I suggest you sit down with your chosen training provider and discuss what’s going to happen when and how much do they anticipate it will cost- obviously this also depends on what kind of student you are but make sure you have a clear idea of the process like when you need to have you medical done, what study materials are you going to need for the PPL exams etc- I know this all sounds obvious but I was amazed at how haphazard some schools are.
Also very few incentives exist for the modular student – things like reduced rates on aircraft- particularly when it comes to hour building, some organisations will – on the completion of a instructors rating – give you a 12 month employment contract….provided you did all the training with them.

The whole hog in one go:
Pro’s
You will have your com a lot quicker- doable in a year- provided you get through the exams quickly. Some feel the dedicated focus allows you to get through quicker as you don’t have any gaps between lessons. Some training organisations will give you incentives like the employment contract I mentioned above. Also courses are well structured and you are in no doubt as to what the plan is going to be.

Con”s
You must have the cash in your pocket as it goes very quickly!!

Due to my work commitments, I had to go the modular route and it worked for me- and it took me almost 4 years primarily due to lack of free time. The other thing I totally underestimated was the com exams- its really tough to come home after a long day at work and get your head in the books- the full time students have a definite advantage here. Everyone has their own opinion on their relevance which is immaterial as you have to get them done. My advice would be to do your PPL and night rating, then go straight to the com ground school- most schools do both full and part time courses- if you can spare the time go to the full time classes, I did a combination of both and found the full time classes went into more detail. Whichever one you do make sure you get your head in the books and write as soon as you can after completing the ground school. There is no way around this- get it done as quickly as possible and move on.

From reading you post Im a little disturbed about your comments around how much you can expect to get paid- if you are looking for a pay cheque from the get go then you are missing the boat, there are plenty of guys who post on this forum who have made good money out of flying and others who get screwed by unscrupulous employers. what keeps the latter group in it is passion for the job- if you don’t have that then aviation is going to be a huge disappointment for you. Although the market is turning around in terms of recruitment this is only evident at the more senior levels of the industry- at the bottom there are lots of guys looking for opportunities- this is where you are going to need your passion for the job to carry you through.

So in closing chances are, unless you are very lucky, you probably wont walk into a job with your fresh new com and you are going to have to wheel and deal to make it happen- generally for very meagre reward. So I would suggest you give some thought to how you are going to manage financially over this period as well.

I would also encourage you to have a look at going the JAR route, market is far bigger in the UK and Europe than here, just a thought…..

Anyway good luck and get cracking as soon as possible, you could also consider doing you PPL in the UK in the interim so as to save a little time- I stand to be corrected but if my memory serves me correctly you can have it validated here in SA and carry on form there. Lastly NEVER pay any training organisation lump sums of cash upfront- the reputable ones are happily accept payment after each session or if that doesn’t suit you then arrange to keep a small “float” in your student account- but be very careful and keep it to no more than a few thousand rand.