Things like banner towing, photo, pipeline and skydiving are all seasonal over most of the US, and amazingly sparse compared to the number of pilots. Instructing is the "normal" way to go, but I have issues with instructing, both from the idea that I don't really want to do that right now, and from the idea that a 250 pilot should not necessarily be instructing new pilots, but that he/she should have much more experience first. Just my opinion.
However I'm not in Africa because I want to build hours, I'm in Africa because I fell in love with the idea of flying in Africa just after I fell in love with flying, which was in 1981, thirty years ago. So for thirty years I've been "preparing" for this trip.
Again, when I saw "GA" and "work" in the same sentence I just couldn't help but laugh. It was not meant to impune people in Maun, and in fact has nothing to do with Maun. I'm not the bloke saying stuff about pilots in Maun. Nor am I saying anything about the way they hire there.
But I will now.

They can choose to hire whoever they want and in whatever manner they want. It's their company.
If you had that company you'd probably use the exact same criteria.
If you know a person, you would be better able to decide than if you don't know them.
If they won't stick around for more than a month, then why would you think they'd stick around after they're hired? (probably had more than one pilot say "it's too hot, I'm going back to Sweden")
If a pilot doesn't get along with everyone in the company BEFORE they're hired, how can you expect them to get along AFTER they're hired?
And on and on.
I'd even say that there are reasons for wanting pilots with less than 500 TT, without a CFI, less than 25 years old, but more than 21, and numerous other criteria, that appear to be random, but actually can find significant reason for implementation.

The fact that a person is bitter about not being hired, and expressing int in a public forum, should indicate that the person is not the kind of person one would want working in such an environment. What else would make them bitter if you'd hired them? the fact that they didn't get a raise in six months? or didn't get promoted to the Caravan in 12 months? or what?
Maybe someone in the organization with skill at reading people saw this before it manifested itself here.

Why to they want you to "hang out" and "buy them a beer"? How about because it's a small town, small companies, and you have to rely on each other. Have you pledged a fraternity? Most likely not, cuz you'd have to be at least 22 to have done University.
When you pledge a fraternity, they want to find out if you can live in the same house as the rest of the brothers. So they put you through tests that find out how you deal with different situations, looking for loyalty and trust. I think (emphasize the word think) that this is a similar process.

If you think your way is better, then get together the cash and start your own charter company.

I think the idea behind all this discussion is to help our fellow pilots. I am sure all of us mean well when expressing our opinions. GA is a broad term and when it comes to GA jobs, i would like to add that instruction is the way to go in US. I think its the only way to build time faster and also a way to get paid while learning how much u dont know after getting ur commercial at 250 hrs. I am currently instructing in US and m glad i chose to instruct. I am now close to 1000 hrs and comfortable with my skills and experience. I also have an opportunity to fly in africa(thanx to some of you guys) which i intend to take not just to get the experience and hours but because of my african roots. I suggest that if anyone gets an opportunity to instruct in US or anywhere for that matter, they should jump on it and not rush into bigger and better things as it could make u a safer pilot and make the transition easy. :ok:

Just an opinion!!!!

WELL PUT Aimtofly! And very true.

4 runner
 

Thanx buddy... hope to see u soon..

DRS,

A recent study by Boeing revealed that out of the 60000, 37000 are going to retire between 2012 and 2017. I hope that gives hope.

All the more reason for the aircraft manufacturers to hurry it up and get approval for single pilot automated cockpits. Once United States airports become automated the aircraft will only have to carry an ALP. That's an Automated Landing Pilot. The age limit will be lowered to sixteen to enable games whizz kids to qualify at what will effectively become an automated docking operator or ADO for short. Study kit for the necessary ratings will be available on the internet or through any major FAA website download facility.

and the first blown tire on landing or take off will cause the deaths of 600 passengers...
That will be the end of fully automated flight.
But even though there have been numerous studies, and they have all shown that you can't automate something like driving - in TWO DIMENSIONS - they'll still try it and still have the failures.

Any news in Windhoek or Swapkopmund?
 

I'm still keeping an eye out for possibilities. What's the latest updates in Namibia? I guess the flight as left in Maun..

Try the Namibia threads.

cavortingcheetah, once again you are full of it and spreading untruths. No purser in their right mind would allow a young ADO any authority in her/his aircraft. ADO's will in effect have to be employed as cabin attendants, and operate as Automated undocking and docking agents (AUDO's) from within the a/c under the strict supervision of the purser. Poor performance would therefor be strictly controlled, and punishable by a reporting system.

Finding jobs in Africa
 

So I've been searching for a little while but can't seem to find any good sources for jobs in Africa.

Can anyone help me out?

I'm also wondering what countries in Africa I should avoid?

Saywhat.
I see that it is good that you havent lost your radar for wind ups, bull****, sarcasm or humour.

Where have all the people with common sense gone?

Edit: I have a feeling I may have put my foot in it there... Perhaps his humour is even more subtle than cavortings....

I'm right here lilflyboy, don't worry. :8

lil fly boy
you still looking for other work?
Any turbine time at all?

Always looking for work. If you have some inside info would be appreciated. Got a tiny bit of turbine time now with 1200hrs tt.

lilflyboy262 according to Darkroomsource as what I read, in Namibia it sounds quite scary for low time foreign pilots to have min 2000hrs TT. Is it the same situation at Maun? Actually I am quite serious about visiting Maun. Since you are at Maun you would be at better position to provide us with the current updates.

Congo?
 

Have anyone tried out Congo? I heard there are a few companies there hiring. They state that you have to apply in person though. However they don't state that you have to speak fluent French but I would assume that it's a requirement.

BYOAK?
Bring your own AK47? Or is one supplied?

hahaha nice comment ;) but i don't really care about that just i want to fly one airplane

Funny That... I just came back from Congo...
 

Funny That... I just came back from Congo...

Really? What was it like? I'm really thinking about going..

You just came back from the Congo and.....

Congo...
 

Gents my apologies for not providing a complete description of Congo as I thought not many people would be interested in it… thus did not wanted to waste time and space…

I already emailed a reply but for some strange reason did not go through… so there goes 20min of writing… anyway here it is again…

I am not a pilot (not yet…) and thus My visit to Congo was for a business trip NOT related to the aviation industry…

1) The airport is as good as can be expected from an airport in Africa… lots of Russian planes as well as 737-100/200 series.
2) The place is supposed to be safe – everyone I spoke to stated that this is a safe place – now having said that I did not feel that safe… - I guess this is mainly because I did not stay there for too long. It has also something to do with the fact that it was too much of a cultural shock for a time period of a couple of days… so do take all the above into account…
3) The place is extremely expensive… well…unless you live in Japan or Moscow… so if your salary is not solid then my suggestion would be to think twice…
4) I did not see much life outside the Office… none at all… BUT that all depends what you want to do after work…
5) I had to get 8 vaccinations just for a short visit… Malaria is the number one killer in Africa… and Congo is the most dangerous place on the globe when it comes to that… so what does this mean…??? It means that after 6pm you have to start dodging mosquitoes and also keep your house/apartment extremely cold throughout the night… every night…
6) Malaria also means that you will have to take a pill everyday you are there to prevent Malaria… the people I spoke to, had stopped the pill after the first couple of months… so I suppose it is your choice, your life…

If you gents are interest, do get in contact with me (private email) and will send you all the pics I have from Congo…

I hope all the above hints were helpful…

Cheers

Johnz, Just so you know, you can only take most malaria medicine for around 3 months before it starts to damage your kidneys (or is it liver?).
The best protection is mosquito repellant and long loose clothing, and the mosquito nets for the bedroom.

Pills like Doxicycline is great to have around as they are the treatment as well as the prevention medication. Soooo instead of using them as a preventative, take them when you suspect you have malaria and then get out of the country to the nearest 1st world hospital you can find.

For the guys that are thinking about hitting the congo... there are far more and safer countries around africa to try first before heading there.
Specially when you dont have much experience and looking for your first job.

Then there's the virus which causes Ebola Fever, for which there is no cure except a lingering squeaking death. And there's Congo Fever, spread by the bite of the Hyalomma tick. And there's Marburg Fever which usually fills your liver with blood until you desanguinate through body orifices and die in gore and agony. No cures there but there is one bright point on the sick list. It seems that it's generally believed that these nasty little viral fevers can be contracted through eating the flesh of a diseased person or animal. For that reason it's unlikely, after you're dead, that you'll be eaten by anything much except dung beetles and dogs. It's rumored that Congo is only a democratic republic because no one this side of a salami slicer from sanity would wish to be dictator there. It's further rumoured that it's believed that in that part of Africa, a strong man's strength passes to another upon the consumption of his testicles lightly sauteed in cassava juice and eaten, thus smeared and speared, as a Shishkebab.

cavortingcheetah,

Now that is what you a call a mouth watering recipe! you sure have taste, man!

Congo....
 

Malarone is the best medicine to take... It is suggested to be taken everyday... no matter how long you stay...
I have spoken to guys that have been on it for 3 months and stopped and also to guys that have been on it for 2 years and stopped...
No one complained of any side effects...
There are a lot of nasty bugs down there...

Malaria does not kill...not treating it kills. Know the symptoms and know how to treat it. Had malaria from three different west african countries ( note, small caps ).....still drinking fit.

Now African Whooping Cough is a killer...much like what you get when you get there after all the promises and you get your paycheck. That almost killed me a couple of times !

Best cure...a sense of laughter....;)

need an help
 

Good morning at all the pilots,
Im a 22 year old italian pilot.
I've just finished my frozen atpl and i have no more than 300 hours.
The hiring situation in europe is really bad at the moment and every day I understand that my future here is equal at 0.
Any chanche to know if in some other part as middle east africe ecc there is a chanche for a pilot with no hours?
I have no problem to fly for an airline or another commercial company!
thanks a lot to all and happy landings:ok:

JAR (UK) CPL ME/IR + IRI (A)
SA CAA CPL ME/IR + GRD III Instructors Rating
BSc (HONS) in Airline Transport Operations

TT 660hrs
SEP 596 hrs (PA28, C150/172/172/172+G1000)
MEP 64hrs (BE-76, Seneca I, Seneca II/IIT)

P1 461 hrs
P2 199 hrs
SIM 191 hrs (including 60 hrs B737-200/400 NG for MCC/JOT)

Looking for (like everyone on here I guess!):

Contract, Charter, Scheduled, Air Safari, Bush, Air Taxi, Scenic, Film and Photographic flights, Instructing.

Currently doing B1900/BE200 combined rating and GRD II Instructors in Johannesburg. Companies and/or Private owners welcome.

PM me !