Get on with it!!!
 

Soaring High

Sorry to take so long to reply work beckoned just getting reacquainted with my time zone.

Coincidentally flew directly over Maun on way to and from Jo'Burg not that long ago. I have no direct experience of Maun but have two collegaues who went down to Jo'Burg then that way then eventually down to Namibia and they managed to gain about 2500hrs over 3-4 years.

Starting from 4 seat Cessna and ending up on ME Turbo props. It served them well as one now flies B747 and the other TPs for European companies.

I know that there is a question in there and I will try and answer what I think the question you kind off asked is!

Chap

First things first you are asking the question on the forum and are asking for peoples help so do not expect me to do the legwork of reading your posts from other threads!

Will you be hired?
Who knows get down there and find out if not someone else will!

Last Flight in Nov 08?
Suggest you get hands in pocket and get some cobwebs blown off even if it is in A C172 before you go out or you will look pretty rubbish compared to the guys who have just finished thier IR a few weeks before hand. Time spent in recce and preparation are never ever wasted you cannot be over prepared.

Re Bots CPL
It isn't really an option you will either have to fly on Bots CPL or a validation of your FAA one as you would be flying Bots registered a/c.

Travel to the US?!"£!$£"%£%
Why on earth would you do that. There are N reg aircraft all over Africa, India and Europe go and fly one of those instead. Why go all the way across the Atlantic spending money you don't probably have when you don't need too. If you are that wealthy then get an SSTR!

Equal Opportunity Employers
Ha ha!!! chap seriously what world do you live in. There are no such things except in Scandinavia and Holland. Basically get down there stand in someones in tray until they give you a job get some hours come back. It really is that simple no one cares how hard it is or where you sleep or how much money you have run out of.

There are times in life for taking and times for doing. You haven't flown since Nov 08 and you want someone to take you seriously. Get a flight in something somewhere then get down there and get on with it.

Harsh, probably but write me back in 5 years and tell me if I was right!

Good Luck VT

Right on the money
 

Your post sounds honest. I too am concenred with the age thing.

Don't be. Old fellas have been hired too!
Quite a few people were in their early to mid 30's this year.

@Vortex.Thing,
:DGreat post sir !! Appreciate your effort to help the newbes (like myself !!) out. I wont make you wait for 5 years to inform you that yes you are correct and right on the money !! I did not find your post to be harsh rather I found it to be quite informative.Apologies if you had to work/search extra bit to find out all my Posts/Questions/Doubts.
I know that trevelling to Bots in search of a job is like taking a chance.There is no gurantee that I shall find a job for sure and I am willing to take a chance.If I dont get a job then I'll think I took a vacation of 60 days and explored Maun /Bots and had a great time with chaps flying there (will get to know at least something from them which will enhance my knowledge about aviation!!).Yes sir you are right havent flown after Nov'08 which is a big negative point and that is why I have decided to log a few hours before I head towards Maun.I know heading towards US for just few flight is a foolish option and that is why I have kept it as a very last option.I have been searching for N registerd A/C out side US (on FAA web site) and havent been successful.No sir I am not that wealthy to travel across atlantic just for a few flights.I wanted to do an Instrument Proficiency Check (IPC) but I can do it later since it is not required in Bots.
Regards
S.H

I've read on a previous thread that upon arrival in Bots with a visitors visa, not to say to customs officials 'that I'm here looking for work' because they may not let you in.
What is the best thing to say?

Note: I've found an answer to this now, tell them I'll be on a road trip up north to Okavango & Kasana and then back down south etc...

Can anyone recommend insurance companies here in the UK that provide the appropriate cover at a reasonable price?

hi Capt. Rahul
 

how was your experience in Maun?

I am just two weeks near to my FAA multi commercial, came to US from India and was wondering some options now, saw that you had some plans to visit Maun in Jan so thought if you could give some idea about how are things there.

thanks

Don't bother trying to get too into your descriptions, easier to dig yourself into a big hole.
There is a ton of tourists that enter this country every day on holiday. Just tick holiday and if asked (which you more than likely wont be), your planning to touring botswana, unsure of your route, but starting in the okavango delta.

After getting all the information that is there in the forum and some great PMs ,I have now decided to go to Maun this December end and try my luck. I did contact the Botswana High commission here in India. They said that they can only give a tourist visa for 1 month and then I have to try and renew it from there.Is it going be a problem renewing the visa from within Botswana?

Cheers:ok:

@Dolly . You planning to go Maun this year end?

thinking about it, evaluating different options which are available or can be, so not decided but i think i would give it a try, apart from that one gets to see the beautiful South Africa.

@Dolly08,
Can you elaborate what other options are you thinking about? It would be nice if you shared your ideas/plans with us.I must appreciate your spirit that you are willing to take a chance and prepared for a failure.!! Yes SA/BOTS are beautiful countries but being Indian citizens obtaining even a tourist visa can be a tough task!! Anyways wishing you all the luck for your upcoming CPL checkride!!:ok:
P.S : Dont forget to give the examiner one of the cutest smile possible in order to enhance the chances of passing the ride at the first go!! (I assume you are a girl...If u are a guy and gave the examiner a Cute smile..I gurantee the ploy will back fire and you'll fail!!;))
Regards
S.H

Getting the visa thing done is going to be the first of the many hurdles to come. Am working on it at the moment..
@Dolly. Best wishes for your check ride and you are right regarding Botswana. It would be a good experience at least .

Age is not much of a problem. Thing is just to convince the companies that this is what you want to do and that you will stay out your contract.

Some older chaps start viroursly and then decided after six or so months that its not for them and then they want to move on, this cant happen!

See you all soon!:cool:

Nyathi, how long on average are the contracts?

Thanks Nyathi for the input. these are very vital knowledge before people like me land there..:ok:

Jet and Air India will be showing openings again quite soon, now what matters is how well we are prepared for the written, one cannot expect to land up to a fair job without completely in command of the written test requirements, We cannot just rely on one option so it is always good to find or try to make a way out that can lead closer to what you want. Also, strong determination is required towards what you want, same goes with going to Botswana, a good ground work, knowledge about most of the things before handed and then giving it a best try is the best approach. Other than that start saving money, u never know when you might need it and study well.

@ Dolly: Indigo and Jet are hiring but you need to pay for the type rating.. I dont have that kind of money.. And Indian Airlines and Air India , not sure when they r coming with vacancies but again like what happened the last time .. Its all rigged ..
:ugh:

as some one mentioned about..i would like to know if any one of you knows a flight training school in Asia or Africa using a "N" registered if so pls PM ...thanks

Getting the visa is a big pain.. Too much paper work but am after it now :ugh:...
Now next step is to fix a date and get the air tickets done.http://images.ibsrv.net/ibsrv/res/sr...ilies/evil.gif

I have read all the posts here and seen all available pictures on the net, and videos on you tube and called the consulate, tried to acquire all necessary information. Maun might not be the best city in the world but it certainly is like the light at the end of the tunnel. Most people go there to get some hours and then get out of the place but some love it and stay. Think in both cases its the best bet .

I am heading there with a with a positive mind but even if i don't land a job atleast I will see the country and have some great memories to come back with. See some great wildlife which I have only watched in national geographichttp://images.ibsrv.net/ibsrv/res/sr...y_dog_eyes.gif
Anyone heading there this season??

Hope to see you all soonhttp://images.ibsrv.net/ibsrv/res/sr...ies/thumbs.gif