IFR Requirement
 

For those mentioning about the Wilderness Air IR requirement, as many have pointed out, it is not a regulatory requirement. However, the weather can get very hairy in the wet season and it is a very good idea to have an IR rating.....its only 175 seconds if you don't.....I spent 3-1/2 years in the Delta and was TC and DCA Examiner so have a little experience on the subject...

Hey guys,

could please one clarify the actual requirements regarding the documents to be brought?
-Must it be originals or can it be copies?
-Must it be certified?
-Which documents are exactly required?

Thanks a lot! Cheers

Less than 10 posts ago I wrote the following:

:hmm: :ugh: :hmm:

Hi, does anyone know what it is like to work in Maun if you bring a girlfriend/wife? is it a family-friendly environment and do spouses usually like it or has there been a history of this being an issue for a lot of pilots? Any info is highly appreciated, thanks

Plenty of pilots have come with significant others. Some love it, some hate it. Maun is totally what you make of it. There are no real shopping malls or cinemas and not everything works properly, but with great friends and a positive attitude you can really have a good life here. From my observation, it's the wives/ girlfriends (and sometimes even the pilots themselves) that don't get out much and miss the conveniences of "home" who are less happy.

Brilliant! Oh how things have changed in Maun since the 1980s

Thank you for the info! Do the pilots in Maun usually come home in the evenings or is this rather rare and they mostly sleep in lodges and only come home for 1-2 nights per week?

>1000TT C206/208 Jobs
 

Hi

Do you know of any open positions for a C206 or C208 pilot with over 1000hrs TT? I don’t really care where, as long as it is anywhere in Africa. But I assume that South Africa might be an issue for non-residents. Can you recommend any websites that might list such opportunities or how did you find your job? Does anyone have any other information on the job situation in general, also in regards to what salary can usually be expected and so on?

Thanks and good luck to you all with your jobs and applications!

Depends on the company. Most of the companies the pilots come home every night but you will also overnight in camps/lodges a couple of times a month.
There are one or two companies where you will spend a lot more time in the camps/lodges.

Maun is a frontier town, facilities are limited and basic, there are no other towns within reach and few expat females, so your lady would have to be very tolerant with a high boredom threshold. If she had been to Africa before, knew the territory, was passionate about wildlife and flying maybe it would be OK, it would be a good idea for her to visit you for a couple of weeks before committing, check up on visa for long stays too.

Thank you, this is very useful information! There’s a lot to think about...

Hunting job during September and October
 

Hi, I wonder if anyone knows if during these months are currently any chances to get hired ? I have ICAO CPL 740 TT 255 MEP 50 IFR, ELP 5 and coming CFI rating.

Thank you in advance for any help !

Tourism in Maun is rapidly growing. This has meant that in recent times there has pretty much always been at least one company hiring, if not several.

Currently, there are several companies hiring including for people to put straight on to turbines. The time of year isn't so critical anymore for getting a job, but arriving in the busy season (winter) will likely mean your training will take longer than if you arrive in the summer.

​​​​​​If you turn up with a CPL and more than 500 hours, you have a shot at a job.

Thank you for the update
Someone at Maun at this time doing interviews or trying to get one ?

You asked, but you're probably not the only one wondering so I'll give a public reply...

Salary can be between 8,000 and 18,000 pula a month for line pilots, depending on the company and what you're flying.

All companies pay enough to live off. If money is your reason for going to Maun, you probably won't live a happy life here.

Thank you for your reply, I just asked to have an update on the payment, but the money in my case is not the cause to go there, I am earning more than the common paycheck in Maun, just wondering is the information I knew is the same.

Docs to be presented in Maun
 

Someone mentioned to bring at least 3 copies of everything you may have for visa work paperwork.

​​​Is there any kind of requirement to have those docs translated to English by a registered translator with legal stamps on the translated docs ? I am from a non native English speaker country.

Yes, they must be translated by a registered translator and stamped accordingly. But since a month the regulation has changed, you can bring only 1 original document and then have copies made here in Maun and stamped by a local lawyer, cheaper option!

Hey Bushdodge, can I ask if you're still working in Maun ?

Someone heading to Maun next month ?

Hi,
Any potential for wives / girlfriends to find teaching positions anywhere around Maun..
Thanks

I believe, but stand to be corrected, that getting work permits as a foreign teacher is more difficult than getting work permits as a foreign pilot.

There are the odd airline guys now and then appearing on the bush scenery sometimes also for sabbatical... however I would think your personal CV does play a hugh role - without PIC hours and at least some commercial experience in small aircraft and operating in and out of gravel, it will be harder. So I would think you would have the same value as a guy fresh from flight-school - A320 experience is kind of from another universe. If your intention is to leave after 12-months, your chances will be very slim, as there is no value investing in you. As you still seem young, I would stay persuing my career on the A320 to be honest - going to Africa will adversely disrupt or affect your chosen path.

Apart from that, I can also advise not to make such career decisions according to please "the Mrs".

Those C206 hours are your best friend in Maun...

I have left the bush for Europe 10years ago, would also go back to go flying there from time to time - but BizAv is keeping me busy... On vacation, it took me a couple of circuits more than expected to get used to the C210 in which I have 1000hrs+ again.

The only way you find out, is to physically go to the operators and knock on their doors... forget sending CV's... but that is nothing new.

Type rating C208
 

Anyone know what is the minimum time to be considered "type Ranting " for the Caravan ? I am going to get the initial training in a country that this airplane don't require a rating

Thank you

There was a Bush Pilots TV show and one of the pilots was a Brit with similar times and airline experience as you. He moved to Africa to be closer to his sis, and he easily got hired. As far as your wife, I'm in the same boat. My wife worked in Kenya in global health, through the university she was with at the time. She is an MD(American) now and we have been thinking about going back to East Africa. But she would have to work for a U.S. government agency to make decent money, or volunteer. She does have British citizenship as well but I don't think that helps in this case. I'm assuming the both of your are Dutch, so maybe there is a Dutch government or university program for doctors in East Africa. but if money is no issue, then I'm sure she can find some volunteer work pretty easily.

It can easily take 3 months for your validation and work permits to be granted, so you'd only be left with 9 months of use to the companies. That's assuming you get a job as soon as you arrive and the company has the capacity to train you while you're waiting for the paperwork, which isn't always the case.

Realistically, most companies won't invest the effort in you for only 9 months of flying... but you could always not mention that you have a leaving date and say you plan to finish a 2 year contract. Expect to pay a bond for leaving before finishing the contract.

Not trying to discourage you - just being honest.

As for landing a job, your airbus time might as well not exist. However, having C206 time helps with the paperwork a lot. Times have changed since the TV show. People are getting job offers via email/skype with some companies now. Particularly if you've got an SET and/or C208 rating (but time on other types the companies operate is favourable)

That is honestly good to hear that companies are making such efforts by not wasting people's time and resources... it was always kind of a risk you had to take back in my days.

Great news...just where do we apply? :)

Not too long ago Wilderness was hiring 200 hr pilots, now they want guys with 850 hrs plus a Van rating? Cathay will take you on at 250 hrs.

Good one. Shush I am not me.

This is not a Wilderness requirement, let's say that expat pilots with less than 500hrs have zero chances to get a working permit, 800hrs is even better! Nowadays when companies are looking to hire junior pilots they take them from the local schools, no more 250hrs expat jobs available in Botswana!

Hi guys,

Are the operators in Bots, when advertising for Caravan drivers, wanting someone just for the Caravans or are pilots also expected to fly other types also? GA8, C206 etc...

If so, does anyone know how much/often a Caravan pilot would do in other types?

Cheers