Hello, anyone heading this winter to Bots?

Hi all!

Can anyone recommend the best operator in Maun that is most likely to advance you from the single piston to a C208 and/or another turbine or twin the fastest?

I have over 1200hrs TT

Cheers!

No twins currently flying in Maun.

Regardless of how many hours you come with, it's an absolute minimum of one year before you're considered for van progression with any of the operators that fly them.

Progression is mostly down to luck with regards to your place in the seniority list. Two guys can be hired a week apart in the same company, but if there's little movement at the top, they can end up over 6 months apart in terms of progression to turbine. You win some, you lose some.

If you're only in it for the turbine time, maybe try looking somewhere else.

PNG would be a good place to look for Caravan time

I know of a few operators in West Papua Indonesia looking for Van and PC6 drivers. Maun had a part time King Air at one point a few years ago.

The information that PIP is currently giving out is incorrect.

WAIR have recently hired a direct entry van pilot, with no Delta exp.

An absolute minimum of 1 year on piston before going on to the turbine is also incorrect. Times are changing and people are progressing quickly. Someone I know of spent 6 months on piston before going to turbine, another 8 months.

PIP is correct however in saying there are no twins operating anymore.

What exactly is "Delta exp" it was the direct entry as low time pilots - still sort of is just need a bit higher grades.

Used to be that you had to do one year in the delta and have 1000hrs before you could go on the van for insurance requirements.
In saying that, I was 9 months before I went on due to pilots leaving for other positions.

That's where the delta experience comes from. Even before you were let loose on your own in a C206, you were right seat for a bit, and then left seat under supervision.

As for the direct entry captain for the van, I suspect that it was more of an exception to the rule rather than a new norm.
Only reason it would have happened was that there was no suitable captains ready for upgrade at this point in time and needed the spot filled ASAP.

I may be wrong, but I think that the pilot who went straight on the Caravan used to fly here in the Delta, and with the same company...

No affiliation and hasn't flown in Botswana before

My time there (start of second Caravan try)Delta Exp was still showing dedication by staying in "Maun Town" at a campsite at one of a few """hotel/resorts""" and getting character tests at The Power Station or a bit latter at Bull and Bush.

Doesn't matter what your total time is. Companies will rather advance someone on the caravan that has sweated it through in a piston in the busy season than take direct entry pilots for the Van. Wilderness is the only company that I know off where the guys advanced in less than a year. Most companies want one year delta experience and 1000hours total time for insurance. That said your progression can take 1-2years. The delta is still like it used to be. Build hours move on. So there is constant movement all the time and its a bit like a lucky draw. In our company the last 4 pilots will advance within a year, and the next most likely only after two years.

What company are you working for?

I'd consider coming back if they'd let me go straight into the left seat of a Van or Kodiak. Flying here is boring. In hindsight, flying in the Delta was great. I'll take a safari camp overnight versus a cheap motel in a bad part of town any day of the week.

Updated requirements Wilderness Air Bots.

200 Hours total time for Botswana citizens
Non-Citizens:
500 hours total time

Additional Requirements
C206 and/or GA8 rating

Africa - Other?
 

Hey, I know this thread is for Maun Botswana, but has anyone heard of any possibilities in the rest of Africa for 230TT Pilots? Ghana / Zambia / Tanzania / Anywhere!

Maun details
 

Below are the details which may help fresh/experience pilots to get a job to built hours ..

Moremi Air regularly reviews those pilots in Maun that are seeking work and meet our minimum requirements. When pilot positions become available those pilots that have met us will be in a much better position. Most of the companies in Maun will not hire on a CV sent via e-mail. The best way is to physically come to Maun with CV in hand and go door to door. This way you will spend time with the companies and get to know the pilots.

A lot of pilots come to Maun with their bags packed and an attitude of getting a job. During this time, most people will fly right seat with some of the companies and get an idea of the area. Maun’s social life can be as good as the flying life so it is important to meet all of the pilots and talk to them. This will give you a good idea of life in Botswana and they will throw some tips your way.

The 500 hours is a minimum requirement and we will not be making any exceptions. (Please don’t offer to work for free to get your hours up as it is not an option.)

Depending on which country issued your licence will affect which rating system applies to you. For example, EASA and FAA issue SEP Class ratings while South Africa and New Zealand require specific type ratings for each aircraft you fly. Therefore, depending on which licence you have will decide if you need to have flown the Airvan before arriving. You will need a rating that allows you fly the GA8 Airvan.

The new Botswana Civil Aviation Regulations will now only convert a foreign CPL to a Botswana CPL once the holder has 500 hours flying Botswana registered aircraft. Until then, a pilot will fly with a validation which allows the pilot to fly in Botswana with their foreign licence. These first 500 hours will be flown on your foreign licence which is why it needs to be current and valid along with the associated rating and medical. If any of it expires it needs to be renewed/revalidated before a new validation will be issued, this usually involves a trip back to the country of licence issue.

A Botswana Air Law exam is required before a validation will be issued which is based on the Civil Aviation Regulations. These can be found on the CAAB website: caab botswana civil aviation botswana aeronautical navigation aircraft licensing botswana 02-23-19

Proof of your theory exam results will be required for a validation so please bring a copy.

You will also need your documents translated into English (if required) for validation and immigration applications.

If you are interested in visiting then please stay in touch.

I hope this helps and good luck with your job search.

Can the Botswana air law exam only be taken in Botswana? and does anyone know any of the places that it can be taken. Any information on what to read before hand

I expect it would be possible to take Botswana Air Law in any country you wish, it would certainly be expensive to meet conditions I expect they would impose!

Along the lines of min 2 CAA staff (a "valid" reason given for this).

CAA staff airfares business class, 5 star hotel (day of arrival, recovery day, exam prep day, exam day, marking day, results issued day, rest day, prepare departure day and + any weekends that fall during this period)

Overnight allowance to be paid in full in $US as per rate below.

http://circulars.gov.ie/pdf/circular...ce/2008/11.pdf

The conference room of the hotel must be booked and paid for by yourself for the entire stay of the CAA staff for use as office and exam room.

All expenses including hire car (including any excesses) are to be met by yourself.

Should you fail Your Air Law Exam, another exam can be booked 2 working days after CAA staff have returned to Botswana - same conditions will apply.

On a serious note, how is the local pilot program working?


and effecting things.