As you will see from looking back over the Maun forums, the bizarre world of work permits in Maun goes in unpredictable waves. There was a very deep trough in recent months, so many companies introduced arbitrary hour minimas in a bid to increase the chances of their prospective candidates successfully acquiring work permits. It has now become common for companies to ask for 500, 800 or even 1000 hours.

In the last month or so, we seem to have been climbing out of the aforementioned trough, as more work permits have been issued, but the problem still remains that there is no clear guidance from the Ministry of Labour & Home Affairs. If they do have defined requirements or a set quota of permits, then they don't make these known publicly and it all seems to change regularly anyway so the whole thing remains a bit of a lottery. :ugh:

You Do NOT need 1000hrs to get hired or get work permits, however the more hours the better and still no promises that once you get hired that you will receive the permits, but the company that hires you will do its best to make sure that your work permits come thru.

Things are starting to look a little better at the moment with some companies receiving word that 2x300hr pilots have been approved by the government. If you get hired its most likely you will get work permits(eventually).

Medical - Africa
 

Hello all

Can anyone confirm if u Uk class one medical should be renewed prior to travelling to Africa for a pilot job, or will a separate medical be required once a job offer is accepted, say for instance if Botswana was my intended destination.

Cheers

You will need to get a class one medical in each country.

not necessarily. I know that in Nam for instance, you are not required to get a foreign medical unless you're applying for the commercial license of Nam. Otherwise you work on a validation. a validation 'validates' your license and its privileges. Since your medical keeps your license valid, your medical is automatically validated with your license.

So to keep your license valid for as long as possible without renewing your medical, then yes, i'd recommend that you update your medical before heading out.

They way they do it in Bots, you will have to get your class one.

Ok thanks, so just so i have this right, i currently fly in the uk using class 2 privelages which are automatically issued on back of a class 1 medical. As i dont fly commercially, the class 1 is not required, the class 1 is expired. So, you are saying i should renew the uk class 1 prior to leaving for Africa as opposed to just paying for a class 1 with a converted licence. Hope that dosent sound too confusing. Thanks again

Well, as Imagined by god said, your licence needs to be valid to convert, and that also means medically valid.

I would suggest doing it anyway, its only a smallish expense and its better to have done it before you go and find out that you don't need it, than get here and find that you do need it...

Good point, cheers lads

Word has it that Wilderness Air is looking for pilots.

500 hrs with an instructors rating or 800 hrs total time with a CPL, seems that the work permit issues are pushing the minimum hour requirements sky high.

Wilderness Air
 

Heard a rumour from a friend that previous CEO of Sefofane/ Wilderness Air aka November Lima who was in charge for 21 years had left the company and become the owner of a guest house in Cape Town. He seemed extremely dedicated to his organisation but has moved into a different business altogether- was wondering if the current state of the flying business in Maun/ Botswana was a deciding factor or did he just fancy something different ??

Probably nothing to do with work permits etc, there are more pilots looking for work than there are jobs so owners will set a high standard to get the best applicants.

When the economy improves and there are more tourists the standards will change to get the number of pilots that they need.

Hey Everybody

I spoke to the chief pilot at WA a week ago and he said because they're one of the biggest guys around the government is quite strict with work permits. Having said that it also makes sense to get a few extra hours IF at all possible before looking for work, can only help in the end...

Anybody know if anything interesting came out of the Aviation Pitso in Maun, particularly regarding the work permit issue?

Sunday Standard - Online Edition

Only interesting news I heard was that the AKD report will be released "soon" after it was initially going to be kept private.

@Rico 25, The rumour is true.

@Nyathi, they are short at the moment. Want higher houred guys as there is less hold ups in getting the work permits. Been a bit of inter company shuffling, but curiously none have gone to Wilderness, instead they have gone to Mack and Safari.

Strange thing you mentioned there, I believe that an ex Mack Air jockey is now flying or will be flying for Wilderness Air soon.

Facts..........?:D

" Strange thing you mentioned there, I believe that an ex Mack Air jockey is now flying or will be flying for Wilderness Air soon.

Facts..........?:D "

@Nyathi:

CONFIRMED...True and Correct! :ok:

Yup, been the one. Missed that one!

Hello,
I've been reading these great posts about African flying for 3 years now with great interest. Back when I had only a handful of hours I thought it would be a really good challenge with the bonus of building up hours, but now 3600 hours later I'm still after the challenge, only this time I want it to do it with my fiancé and make it a permenant move.
What I'd like to know, is if there is anywhere that provides flying work for people not after building up hours but for a lifestyle change. Also a place that may provide opportunity for my fiancé who is a graphic designer (with flexibility to work in other positions).

All my hours are single engine instructing on PA28, PA32 and Cessna 172/182 with a bit of instrument instructing.
I have worked as a deputy CFI/Operations manager in flying school in the UK.

I would greatly appreciate any advice from people who have flown, or currently flying in this part of the world.

As you can see, I am 36 years old, if that matters.
Thanks

@lilflyboy-thanks for update. Good thing N.L. left Maun-at least there's one less snake in Botswana!:}:}

@redwingUH- firstly I'd like to say at 36 years you are still not too old to become a bushpilot - I was actually the same age as you back in 2009 when I came to Botswana. Most of the guys (and a few gals) are about 25 years average but your age shouldn't be a concern at the moment.
If you are after a lifestyle change then you will certainly find it here in the Okovango Delta/ Maun although you will need to come here with your fiancee to have a look around to see if you both will like it. Maun is a very small town/ village that has the usual essentials such as internet, mobile phone network, supermarkets etc. but it is also lacking the little luxuries such as latest magazines, DVDs/ music CDs and that kind of thing unless you can get them from other pilots. As regards finding a job for your lady- there aren't really too many jobs for graphic designers in Maun so that could be a problem.

Your experience with flying single engined piston aircraft seems suitable although there isn't much instrument flying in the Okovango Delta- mostly VFR ,however, there are times that it can save your life if you inadvertently stray into cloud.

If you do decide to come you should budget for a few months stay in order to get a job and also to complete training/ go online/ get work permit etc.

Regards,

Rico 25