Watch out with this guys in Congo DRC.
 

Hello Guys.

I want to shear with you a bad experience I had in Africa.
They were operating a Saab 340A based in Lubumbashi, DRC and hired me as Captain.

At first, to convince me to go there, they painted me a nice picture; fully furnished house, with swimming pool, air conditioning, internet, cooker, etc. When I arrived there the picture was completely different, it was a dark hole (let's call it appartment...) in a terrible area of Lubumbashi, with most of the days without electricity and water.

Regarding the operation, as with most african operators, from the begining, they were pushing me to fly with overloads and with many items under the MEL (Minimum Equipment List).

They were also operating a pair of LET 410, this is a Czech rugged airplane prepared to land in non-prepared strips and with STOL capability. They were operated by a bunch of guys coming from eastern countries. The "russians crews", as we use to call them, were friendly, nice guys, but used to a completely different culture of work. e.g. no-checklist, no weight limits, etc. Of course in the company started pushing me to fly the same way than the russians and pretending to go to the same places virtually with no runway were they landed a LET.

Anyway, as the atmosphere of work was not bad, and the roster was good (2 months ON 1 Month OFF), I stayed with them until they started delaying my payments. They owe me today two months salary.

So, Guys, be careful with the contracts outside there, once they owe you money there's nothing you can do, especially in those corrupt countries like Congo, were you can buy everything with money.

Giving us a hand this way we are going to enclose this bad guys and avoid they cheat more colleagues.

Thanks.

Yes, you are right. You noted, after all, at the end it was the only serious problem...money.

You want your money, take one of their planes somewhere and when they put the money in your hand they find out where their plane is.... Works every time.

Money
 

It will be possible to know how much was the salary that were giving to you?
Just to compare with the offer that not long time ago were preparered to give to me

Heh heh, I worked in the DRC when it was still Zaire. No way I would trust an operator out there to have my best interests at heart. Not surprised to hear about the lack of concern for MELs and load limits. Lots of cowboys out there and not just in the aviation industry. One thing though, if an employer employs you as an ex-pat and does not provide decent accommodation (i.e. house in the suburbs, big high wall all around, vehicle to drive (or preferably be driven) around in, and at least a swimming pool then pack your bags and leave. Forget about living in one of the less salubrious neighbourhoods in Lubumbashi. It's just not worth it.

I like many others have had the fortune of flying (as an expat) in Europe. It was one of the greatest experiences ever! Africa seems to be a flying school though. The difference here is what is posted on the thread. You must understand the people, to get through the ordeal of polling in Africa. Overloading - Don't negotiate! :mad: off! I won't. No pay - Don't fly. Europe and the US, you deal with a different mindset. So unlike some of the other homophobic posts I have read on pprune before, all foreigners welcome, but don't take any :mad:, and learn where you are operating!!!! Africa is not for Sissy's!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Hi gautengflyboy.

No, I never flew with overloads. We all know what happens if you loose an engine.
And that was the begining of my problems with this Company.
After some years in the profession and many white hairs I learnt to say "no" to pressures.

Thanks.

Returning from Goma
 

Nearly all of the aircraft presently flying in DR Congo (around 150) have either their airworthiness certificates expired or expiring very very soon, not to mention their general conditions. Saying that fliying in Congo or Africa is for macho pilots only is misleading: it is only for desperate people who do not care for their lives and for the lives of the people on the ground. There are some very very few companies in Congo (one or two)that are managed in a nearly decent way, all the other ones are run by bandits and the most corrupted people I ever seen in my life.
Some pilots there believe vodka is a solution. Go ahead, and kill other people.
Pilots should refuse to fly in DR Congo until the government will not put order in the aviation sector (this is likely the only way to compel that corrupt bunch of cleptocrats to find some remedy and think about the population). It is not only about the aircraft, but also about the airports and airstrips and about the "cargo". A long history behind the kind of cargo they often transport.

come again...??
 

"Pilots should refuse to fly in DR Congo until the government will not put order in the aviation sector"

hahahahahhahahahahahhaahhahahahaahahhahaahhahahahahhahahahah ahhaahhahahahaahahhahaahhahahahahhahahahahahhaahhahahahaahah hahaahhahahahahhahahahahahhaahhahahahaahahhahaah
hahahahahhahahahahahhaahhahahahaahahhahaah!!!!!!

Yes! Good joke!

Caboto, pls come with us on our next tour of duty - we need someone with a good sense of humour up there, it does get a little boring from time to time.

Anyway, I will also refuse to fly there and then let someone else take my job and my money so that I can't support my family.

Whoop whoop for Africa and the Congo!

Hahahaha:ugh::ugh:

RICCARDO couldnt even get a job with this mob. Must be something really wrong with you mate.

DR Congo aviation
 

SAABFLYER, thanks for the heads up. I think I know the outfit. If we care about Congo aviation somebody should name and shame the "fly by nights". The civil aviation authority there has become more approachable in recent years.

Maybe we draft a list of suspect outfits and publish it wherever possible within the African industry. Many of the culprits are actually Belgians and Lebanese who operate aircraft as a sideline to their general trade and mining businesses.

I know of two Kenyan companies who have only horror stories to tell of Congo. To be fair though, there are some very good outfits there too.These too could be named and applauded to raising the bar ?.

Coleman Myers
 

Coleman Myers,
please cold mention those few goods outfits?
Regards
R.V.

DRC is not for "Pilots" it for aviators with a sense of adventure and no fear of ruin, or death by sudden impact and the ingress of molten metal into bodily orfices and whos daily mantra is Everybody gotta die some time.

Congo DRC and the rest of Africa
 

Sig, I'm an aviator! Currently looking to get back into the air? Anything going at the moment?

HA ha ha....... what can I say you wanted it, and you got it.

Geeez guys this is the DRC for :mad: sakes, the most dangerous place to fly and you guys expect to get paid.
The only way to fly in this place, and you have to hang on to your bowels is for a contract company for the UN where there is a moderate chance to claim you meager wage with some hold on the rule book.


This place is the Gee Whiz jungle and flying in the DRC is what it was when the wright boys got airborne for the first time but with a jet engine strapped to the back of the ole flyer.

My advise:
1. Stay away
2. Stay away
3. If you foolish enough make sure you can get out fast
4. Cash up front
5. My way or I hit the highway

P.S
Lubs is really the best place in the DRC, you must try some Kissingani or a bit of Bunia, and the King of holes.

340-co
 

340-co,
please can you tell me this place or this company you have been working for?I will apply immediately
Thanks
R.V.

Riccardo, Oh Riccardo, how do you land yourself up in this kind of sh!t everytime and every job you take on. Surely somewhere through this is a lesson for you to be learned.

You must be one of the best experienced pilots with the lowest actual hours flown. And everytime you return for more.

This is Africa my brother, not for sissy's, our pilots are very brave, money is in short supply because often uncle Sam's payments/donations/aid is late, and Vodka or Palm Rum is cheap.

In Africa you must fly for the love of it and the passion (Italiani sembrate avere molta passione!), not for the love of money! What is money after all, you cant take it with you, and you wont get out of the Congo alive anyway.

Use the opportunity to build your hours and contributing to a good worthwile deserving cause.