Anyone from Zimex Aviation ?
 

Hi fellows,

Is there someone here currently flying for Zimex Aviation ?
I´ve a job opportunity there and was hoping to hear from someone, who knows what´s like to work for them.......

Happy landings,
HVH

Last I heard there were about 140 pilots employed so hang in and someone will reply.

Mine is second hand info but my contact says its a fair place to work.

They are growing and adding to the fleet with B1900 no.4 on line soon and the last count was 14 or 15 Otters and a handful of the PC6 Also a B200 somewhere.

The one big minus I hear is the roster is not constant, you are always extended in the field extra days or weeks and asked to leave home early to cover for someone as they are short of crew as the pay is not that good.
Very hard to plan a normal life.

Thank you bigoil, appreciate it.
If someone has any more info, pls share...

take it
 

Take it if contract type flying in the Mideast is for you. It's the best deal going if you can take the heat. Yes, due to the shortage of European Otter pilots you don't always get the intended full five weeks well-paid vacation every five weeks. Salary for being on vacation and just existing is quite nice and then when you're in the field you get an extra daily pay rate. When you get extended or are called back early you get this daily rate so you're not forfeiting your time off for nothing.

They are in the oil field business. With the world economy collapsing as it is, it's also probably one of the most secure jobs. Lots of guys here who have been several years, even decades.

take it
 

Take it if contract type flying in the Mideast is for you. It's the best deal going if you can take the heat. Yes, due to the shortage of European Otter pilots you don't always get the intended full five weeks well-paid vacation every five weeks. Salary for being on vacation and just existing is quite nice and then when you're in the field you get an extra daily pay rate. When you get extended or are called back early you get this daily rate so you're not forfeiting your time off for nothing.

They are in the oil field business. With the world economy collapsing as it is, it's also probably one of the most secure jobs. Lots of guys here who have been several years, even decades.

hvh
There have been a few Icelandic pilots flying for Zimex over the years, hopefully you may get onto one of them who will be able to give you a rundown.
Zimex is a good operation and above all the pay is on time; the rest is up to you how you fit in.

That´s true Propstop...However, It´s been so many years since the last one was there, so that´s why I wanted to see if anything had changed over the years....

Thanks for the info...
HVH

hvh
If you have met any who were in Huambo in 1990 tell them to pm me. Those were the days!!!!

I was in Huambo in 1990...

Aaahhh! HB-LOK!!!!!! and the mid flight hot section inspection. Now D2-EVH.
I was in Burma too.
Mike, those were the days my friend, the good old days, the likes of which will never be seen again. G.

I've been with Zimex for three years now as Twotter captain. What has already been said in this thread is pretty much correct. Again, the biggest issue being the 5/5 schedule in theory doesn't work out in practice. Extensions of trips and training on your time off are normal ops. The toughest part (for me at least) is being isolated in the desert for 5+ weeks at a time away from friends and family. Flying can get quite repetitious too and not very challenging.

Other than that not too much to complain about. If you are looking to fly PC-6, DHC-6 or B1900 I can't come up with a better employer.

They are still hiring (last I heard) and if you got the JAR license go for it. They even take non typed guys if they sign a 2 year (I think) contract.

Good luck,

FT

Thanks...

What about the hiring process...
Is the interview just straight forward ?
I also read on their website that they have some tests...anyone ?

regd,
HVH

How is the housing/living like when down the route?

Do you have internet connections (skype!), hotels, appartments, can u do sports, food???

Cheers

Harrumph, cough, snort... My goodness, look at the expectations of the younger crowd these days! When I was with Zimex in the 1980s, we slept rough under the wing at night, had to shoot our own wild game every morning for breakfast, and then hand-propped the PT6's to get them started! :}

Next think you know, the co-pilots are going to be wanting 1,000 thread count sheets!

It's not like the good old days... :{

Michael

But today is December 1st in 2 0 1 0 !

How is it nowadays??????????


Isn´t the PT-6 a turbine engine?:rolleyes:
Btw., I was born in 1980 BUT I still sleep underneath my aircraft´s wing (biplane) - when I fly for leisure.
I think most guys with Zimex are flying to do their living! Thus the above questions are a little bit important today, esp. when one has family!

If you look on youtube under "Sahara operations DHC6" there are several nice clips by Eric Goujon/ Goujean ? (sorry if I got the name a bit wrong, writing from memory here)
From these , you could believe that a lot of nights are spent in air conditioned portakabins in the desert, couldn't see if there was an antennae for internet via satellite, and I imagine sport is limited to kicking/punching a ball around or racing camels, not a swimming pool in sight. Don't know how much time is spent in aforesaid portakabins, versus how many nights in Hassi M, where there would undoubtedly be a "few" (with the emphasis on "few" ) more opportunities.
Let me know if you find out more, could be an interesting little job if they respected 1 mth on 1 mth off, but I have read on here earlier that extensions & early call-outs from your time off, are not uncommon.

Must have TR to work for them. Even if you have thousands of command hours in Africa on similar aircraft. No TR no job. And thats with a JAA ATPL as well.

Do they find sufficient pilots with all those requirements? Is the pay worth all that?

TR
 

Anyone had trouble getting a CV through on the Zimex website...I get it all filled out then push send and all I get is ...server error....probably me as I am not all that computer literate. WTH is a TR?, I have a Canadian and JAR ALTP with about 35 years in Africa, must have missed something.

TYPERATING maybe ......;)