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.