For VC10... haha ok, work through those one at a time.

Average sector: Depends on you. 500ft was common early in the morning or late in the afternoon once the turbulence died down.
I liked to give my passengers a scenic flight out there because there are thousands of animals to look at!
Over the desert areas I was usually flying between 6000-9000ft AGL on the longer legs to stay above the bumps.

Scraping the vegetation... Not often. I had one instance of finding some reeds in the brakes. That was from landing though, not take-off...

No NDBs out there. I only used the ADF to tune into BBC World for the nice long legs. Was the top 20 on sundays.
There is a VOR at Maun and Kasane, they do want you to report crossing some radials for separation from inbound IFR flights. But that's about it. The DME can be a bit unreliable.
We had to do 50hrs flying with a senior pilot to learn where all the landmarks are and your check ride is done without the GPS to show you can find your way around without it.

There is no lights out at the strips, but there is lights at Maun. Kasane Airport closes at a certain time from memory.
No night flying though. If you are going to be late back, it will mean an unscheduled stopover at a camp for the night...not a bad thing.

We do hot turn-arounds on the Caravans due to engine start cycles. Average day is 8-10 legs. Will soon chew through the cycles before the engine has to be overhauled.

No encounters with lions thankfully... Got close enough to them in a car...

As for Kikofc... I'm sorry mate, I'm not in town anymore so can't tell you. I still believe turning up there and talking to the people is the best option.
Although, I spent a year in Canada... there is a lot of opportunities there. I would put a hunk of that money into a road trip across Canada and look there.
Chuck bags for half a year or so.
A lot of companies out there!

To fly in Canada do they require a canadian passport/citizenship?

Do you mean the Canada in Afrika? If so yes...:rolleyes:

No Bastian, but they require a work permit just like every other country. It is next to impossible to get for someone with low hours due to the thousands of fresh CPL students trained every year.
I only mentioned Canada because of Kikofc being from there.

ok thanks for the answer!:ok:

My friends and family think I've gone nuts, but I'm going to have a shot at flying in Botswana. With 1300+ hours I'm hoping to have a bit more luck than others with the visa/ job situation.

I'm looking at booking flights in the next week or so to arrive in Maun later this year. My itinerary is sorted for the rest of the trip but I'm yet to get the JNB-MUB connection- Air Botswana is cheaper than South African Airways, but is the latter more reliable? I haven't heard much about this option since it began operating on the route.

As a mere pax and very frequent flyer JNB-MUB, I have to say SA Air Link everytime! Sorry to sound negative, but all my recent experiences with Air Botswana have been utterly dreadful (lost luggage, cancelled flights, crazy re-routes) and they just couldn't care less. If you are really strapped for cash and can afford to arrive late (and probably without your luggage for a day or two), then risk Air Botswana but any extra expense associated with SA Air Link is completely worth it. Enjoy Botswana.

Pilotinpink, just out of curiosity, why would you want to take such a gamble and go to Botswana if you already have 1300 hours?
Is it just that you have a burning desire to be a bush pilot in the Okavango delta? As a career move, I can't see it being too beneficial for you.
Sure you have your reasons, would be interesting to hear them.

Air Bots best avoided if possible, as already said, they seem to leave the luggage behind more often than not out of Jo'burg.

Even if you are the first to check in.

Or, put it on the wrong flight.

I know a few pilots who have been to Africa and I want to experience it too. I've been wanting to go for several years but have never been in a financial position to go until now.

I agree it is a huge gamble to leave a stable, secure job. However, I'm young, single and craving a new adventure. I figure now is the time to explore rather than reaching middle age and wishing that I had.

Worst case scenario, I'll return home and get and instructing job or apply for the regional airlines.

Pilotinpink, with over a 1000 hours, Tanzania will also be a very good option for you, if Botswana doesn't work out. Good luck.

Worth checking out Zambia and Namibia too. A lot more twin / IFR work in Nam at least, which will be useful to have if ever coming home to NZ / Aus.

Hello!

My wife and I are headed to Maun in the next few months. Just figure I'd introduce myself since it seems like a lot of the pilot community is already on here :)

From Alaska. Currently working as an aircraft inspector in Anchorage. Got a job flying 206/ 207's at FMS out of Maun.

Looking forward to meeting and flying with some of you over in Bots!

Hello to all... This is my first post here the reason is because I've a travel planned to Botswana in the busy season for try to get a Job there.

Now i have 210 TT In these hours have 50 Hours in a C206 and 20 in a GA8. I believe that I can to get a job with that experience but I now that is a Very low TT.

Guys tell me... Whats is better Maun or Namibia for me... for the first landing and then continue my adventure.


Thanks

JS32, perhaps you should read the previous posts regarding hours required. The Botswana authorities have tightened up considerably on work visas and I would suggest that your 210 hours total time is way below the hours that the operators and the government require.

Flying in Botswana sounds like a real adventure. I'd love to do this after getting my CPL+IR+ME in South Africa.

How much of a living wage do pilots make? I don't mind making little when compared to other nations, Just that the wage is ok to live comftably in the country.

Air Bots v Air Link
 

I have just booked JNB-MUB for 26th with Air Link it is only 15 € more than Air Bots. It however takes half an hour less as it is a 146 not an ATR. So by the hour much cheaper with Air Bots :cool: However we may get our luggage, and get more drinking time at Bon Arrive on arrival. Watch this space and stand by your beds Exascot will be back in town ;) Actually a little earlier than planned due to a small police problem here in Greece. Well I didn't know she was only 15 did I? :}

Yes I know, Whats the minimun 300 TT? I still flying here till I go to there?

Somebody are in Namibia or Bots now? Where is better for me?

Thanks.

JS32, I wouldn't totally get down about it just yet. You have time in aircraft that they need. One of the new requirements is having the rating on the aircraft you will be using.
It's worth getting in touch with the companies and see what they say rather than just the hearsay that is on here. The hours excuse can be used on a lot of the guys that they don't think will be a good fit with their company.

@pilot in pink. Have you thought about air nz? Or is this a one last adventure before settling into the airlines? They are taking nz pilots with around 700 hours at the moment.

Maun
 

Just been reading all the interesting posts on Maun. Brings back some memories.
I flew in Maun years ago with Moremi Air, then owned by Mark Smith. 1997 I think it was? Seems like everything is just the same as it was then? Maybe a little bigger now with a few more caravans and twins etc.
If your thinking of going to Maun, my advice is DO IT!!! I fly a 777 now and I can tell you that although the finances are a little better its the most incredibly boring and over regulated flying you will ever do.
Get out there and enjoy what is probably the best stick and rudder flying in the world. with the exception of maybe Alaska? Plus you have great scenery all at low level and fantastic wildlife and some of the best entertainment and friends you will meet in aviation. Everytime I see a C206 I have to smile. I loved it there.
As a pilot in Maun you will learn the ropes far quicker and better then your compatriates who elect to stay at home and go down the hours building route or instructing route. You will be wearing many different hats. Dispatcher, load controller, ATC (sometimes) fuel'er, Maintenance (Yes you will get stuck somewhere in east nowhere and have to do this) Flight planner..... the list goes on. You will leave Maun as a very capable pilot.
It was a fantastic time in my life and because of it I can certainly pole an airplane.
The only down side to places like maun (in the flying sense) is that you will be a little rough round the edges when it comes to things like regulations, SOPs ANRs and all that which is part and parcel for the airline world, should that be your goal? My advice is don't worry about it. Get flying, have fun, get the experience, then go back and polish yourself up for the rules and regulations that that we are forced to comply with in the airline world.
Get out there and get flying on a 18 sector day round the delta starting with Vumbra and ending up in Vic falls.
Wish I could be there. So much fun.
Cheers Guys.

Confirmed the bookings and paid for my tickets today! Arriving in Maun 1st December :}
Now I'm reading through travel insurance policies for my first few months in Africa :ugh: Most seem to exclude everything to do with small aircraft :*


@lilflyboy. Yes I have considered Air NZ Link and more than meet the minimum requirements but I don't feel like it's the place for me yet. I want to do some real flying after instructing for 3+ years. Definitely my 'one last adventure' before I settle into a real, and as Royal Navy put it, 'incredibly boring' job.

Royal Navy you have just ruined my plans with all that talk of Maun being some of the best flying of your life. Now I'm going to have to change my mind and book a ticket there.

I was going to go out to the Australian bush, but after reading your comment, you have reignited my obsession with heading over for the hiring season. With 280TT I know I wont quite make the Botswana requirements so Im looking firmly at Nam.

Any advice from those in Namibia right now? Still having a blast?

Air Link
 

Further to my post dated 13th July we flew Air Link JNB-MUB on Friday. It was a very fast check in with one queue for all Air Link flights and many desks open. There were a fair number of people but we got through in about 4 minutes. The flight departed smack on time and we arrived 10 minutes early. One hour twenty instead of two hours with Air Bots. Very smart aircraft (BA146) and crew. Very nice chicken with sweet chilli baguette. Good selection of drinks - 4 different beers, wine and soft drinks.

The whole flight was operated in a very professional manner - AND we got our luggage on arrival at MUB :ok:

They have my vote.

I thought Nam's requirements are even higher than Bots'?

I was there in 1998/1999. I'm now a A380 driver with 10K hours. If I was single and had no responsibilities, I would go back tomorrow! Best two years of my life!

JE you 'were' very much a driver and unlike many airline pilots of today can probably still 'drive' if requred. You are now a 'systems operator' :E

Not so sure that even the word 'operator' is appropriate for an A380.
Shouldn't that position rather be described as 'systems supervisor' or perhaps, in Lufthansa, an overseer?

Like Juliet-Echo and Navy1, I flew in Bots back in 96/97...
Now on the 777 further north but I managed to get back to the bush a couple of years ago again with another trip planned next year (they become less spaced in time).
Not much has changed, airstrips seems much better however and "Le Bistro" has been relocated and renamed to "Bon Arrivée".

Don't know if I ll ever get to do this again but being rather free, once my future is assured (I am not greedy money wise), I ll head back I reckon.

No worries for the job hunters, it is not quite for tomorrow.

The flying was great and rather safe I found but what made it was the people I met, the place and things I saw and where I lived (nothing special other than the memories I guess).

Great place.

My plans of going to Maun got up-ended since i managed to land a job as a flight instructor in the USA for now.

Hopefully I'll still want to go to Maun when my contract here is over. After that I should have around 2000h in the worlds most complex airspace.
With that experience, will there be a challenge finding jobs in Maun? Will the companies see me as over qualified?

206 rating necessary?
 

Hello, I am seriously considering to get over Maun this season but I'm concerned about the need of the C206 rating.

I'm from the EASA land and C206 doesn’t have a rating here, will this excludes the need for the rating because of the license of origin? Or perhaps if I just have about 5h to 6h would be enough?
If even a C206 rating (I really don't know where to endorse it) or C206 time is needed, can it be done in South Africa or other African country just be renting it?

Thanks

@ guerreiro, it's nice that you found the right thread to post in, but also try reading it thoroughly,,,, you'll find the answer to your question.

@daladaladriver, it's easy to notice what's has already corrected but perhaps you should start noticing more on your wrong assumptions or filter your comments to those who are more contributive.

I the beggining of the theard there wasn't much interest for those who have time on the 206 but on the last year posts I notice advantage given to those who have it.
I'm trying to understand if it is something worthfull of investing, like if it is something that will cut much of your chances if you don't have, and most of all the best way to add that experience.

"but on the last year"
that should answer your question.
the thread is several years old.
Most of what's in it is pertinent for now, however things have changed in the last year.
Read the thread. Your answers are in there.

@ guererra, my assumptions are accurate. If you are serious, read the thread starting at page 1. Of course your EASA license won't exclude the need for a 206 rating. You will need a 206 checkout, 5 hours. But good luck with that,,, not many flight schools have a 206. Best bet is get your instructor rating and get a couple hundred hours of instruction under your belt, then come down.

hello dalalaladriver
 

Hello. I am planning to come over to maun in mid nov. I have 5 hours in the c206 and a total flighf time of 345 hours. Kindly guide m as to which company I should head for once I am there. I am going to visit all but if you think about any particular company then please let me know. I am 32 and still looking for a job. Please let me know where I can begin. Thanks a lot. Have a good day.

Hello everyone.
I am visiting maun in mid nov. Could any of you kindly tell me from previous experience a lodge where I can stay till I get thru with a job. Any decent lodge which is close to the aviation offices.

Appreciate any help I receive. Thanks a lot. Have a good day.

Lodge...take a good tent with you. 3 months waiting for a job, living in lodge will be expensive. Take a tent and camp with the other guys/gals waiting for illusive first flying job.

Trying to get a job in Botswana has been my hardest experience yet. I was hired in August 2010, then lost job due to company's change in management. I then came back January 2011, and again tried for 2months, but ended up getting a better offer in Kenya. And then came back November of 2012, and finally got hired January 2013, after 2.5months.
It is a waiting game. Third time lucky for me.
The hiring scene has changed soooooo many times since my first time here. Currently the law does not convert your license, but much rather does a validation on you original license (so make sure you have a valid/current license before coming here!!!) until you get 500hours on a "A2" aircraft, and with that obliviously you have to have the rating, ie: you wont get a C206 job unless you have a C206 rating. And you most definitely wont get a job on a C208 even if you have the rating due to insurance requirements, and seniority.
So make sure you either have at least one or 2 of these ratings- C172, C206, GA8.
But along with law requirements, companies too have requirements- most want at least 400hours (with the odd exception) [1000hours max, companies find it "fishy" if you come with too many hours] and something else that pretty much will help you get the job in terms of work permit- Dangerous Goods (even though immigrations probably have no idea what that is, it makes yr CV look pretty therefore making the permits application process a little bit smoother)
Even though I have a lot of "pretty" things on my CV- instructors with 100hours instructing experience, a few hours experience on C206, 60hours multi and instruments, dangerous goods, previous bush flying... it still took me a while to get a job... so don't come here thinking that you are "hot sht" because you have a ME/IR. It mostly boils down to personality and your behaviour- you are constantly under watch by the companies!!! (small town, mostly pilots = news spreads quick!!!) Which is why you generally have to stick it out for at least a month (I know some guys have been hired way sooner than this) because eventually your true colours start to shine, and no company wants to hire a "dck head"- we are all one really big family of pilots working together at the end of the day!!
So do come, rough it up- bring your tents and a few beers! If you are lucky you might get to house sit for someone (mostly December/January- luxury living for a few days!). Do keep your wits about yourself, dress casual smart (in case you do get on a flight- the company wants you to look presentable!), don't be a know-it-all (remember... dck head), do socialise a lot (but don't get too wasted- you r constantly under watch!) and do buy the pilots beers (it will score you points, but don't be an ass-kisser) ! Do check scheduling before 8am, and 4pm (for next day) for flights (EVERY SINGLE DAY!), and be friendly with the scheduling ladies, they have enough stress as it is!
BEST OF LUCK! ~ May the odds be ever in your favour

Just as I left Safari Air, they had implemented a thing that only allowed one flight into the delta per person. Had to sign a whole bunch of liability forms etc.
And I think they were only offering them to people that they had an interest in hiring.
Not sure if that is still the case now that the Ops Manager has moved on... but yeah. Safari Air even at the best of times didn't offer tons of flights... it was usually up to the pilots flying the plane.
Don't hit them up every day... It gets a little much. Making friends with the pilots is a better idea, they will know their schedule and who is on it the afternoon before.

Really?

Do the rest of you guys find this true as well??

Planning on heading over in December with 3k hrs , ATP and flight instructor.