Services Air, the COngo

[NZ X man]

Have tried a search with NO information. Anyone have any details about the company , operates 727-200's throughout the congo and parts unknown.

Cheers

[four engine jock]

Web Site: Services Air - Cargo - Home (http://www.servicesair.net)

Services Air is one of Dem. Rep. of congo’s leading private sector cargo airline in its formative stages based in Kinshasa (DRC). It is well organized to take advantage of a specific gap in the short-haul domestic freight transportation market.


January 8, 2009
SERVICES AIR (B727 Captains, First Officers & Flight Engineers - Kinshasa, DRC)

Tel: +243-815149950

Email: Click here to Apply
Web Site: Services Air - Cargo - Home (http://www.servicesair.net)

[NZ X man]

Thanks, I looked up there home page, showed the one aircraft and their routes. Do you know anyone working for them or who has first hand experience working with them in the past?

Thanks

[AAL]

NZ X man, They only operated Russian planes (An-12,An-26's) till recently.

They have just bought this 727 from Fedex, but already rumours that it is not ready/good to fly. No record and history of type and western aircraft, so make sure that money is always up front if you intend going there.

You will work very hard long hours, be expected to bust minima, and be careful of accomodation standards. Whats 3 * to them may only be 1 to you.

Aware they are desperately seeking crew.

[four engine jock]

AAL your so correct!!
They have been adv on Climbto350.com for a long time now.
Pay sucks.
$9000 for Capt including perdiem
$7500 for FO "
$5500 for FE "

First time I ever see that an FE make less than an FO.
At rates like that makes you wonder why they cant find crew!!

Money up front for sure!!!!!!!

[Bleedvalve]

Apparently you must also get a complete crew together before applying. You cannot apply as an individual. Capt I know tried and was told to get rest of crew together and apply again.
Now that does not make sense. Only in Africa.

[Siguarda al fine]

"dont Do It !" I Tell You "dont Do It."

[NZ X man]

I guess it was the "per diem included" that put a damper on the idea, and perhaps I am getting to old for this S()(t
Thanks for the tips

Cheers

[ajet32]

Don't know much about this outfit except that with the continual crashes of former Soviet/Russian aircraft in the DRCongo and other African states Governments and business are looking for alternatives. Regulation in the DRC is does not exist , period. The only regulated carriers are those flying under the UN banner and they are regulated by their home register and the UN. The pay is probably good by DRC standards, if based in Kinshasa living costs are similar to many european cities if you want a european style place. It is a wide open free ranging country where a guy can have tremendous fun if so inclined. It wont be like anything you have seen at a 1st world airline. Or maybe even a 2nd world one. The DRC is quite simply broken , a 3rd world country corrupt to the core. The girls are friendly and beautiful and just love to party.

[efatnas]

Does anybody know about the commuting deal? Is it an all night operation? Did somebody survive the job?

[Mobotu]

Service Air seems to be under the impression that they can convert their Russian Antonov operation into a western-style Business success with the purchase of five 727's. Unfortunately for them - they are now learning the hard way how difficult it is to opperate any aircraft in the Congo let alone a ex Fedex 727!
Having an existing airline since several years was an advantage - however these Indians are way out of their depth! They have one plane flying for the moment, one waiting for authorisation and one undergoing a Congo C-Check(Colour Change).
The Yugoslav captain that is 'Checking' other 727 Pan-Am rated pilots knows less about the aircraft than the Hostess and having never operated in this part of the world before is constantly bamboozled by his Congolese conterparts with Jungle Jeps and jippoed procedures used frequently here with little concern for the possible remifications.
Somebody forgot to mention to these people that Congo like the rest of the world is in a financial free-fall - mineral prices are down more than 60% and the Diamond market has been decimated to a level below the 91 world recession.
With the majority of Congo's runways too short and pot-holed to benefit from the load capabilities of the 727 and the competion flying with 30+ tonnes on their 727's and 40+ on their DC-8's into and out-of 2000m runways you can be sure they will start operating these western aircraft like their Russian conterparts - overloaded and with no maintenance!
As to why they want to hire complete crews that's an easy one to answer - like the Russians you get teams of crews together to compete with one another to see who can load the most into the cargo hold and still close the door and who can use the last 100m of runway available - especially when a prime awaits you at the other end!
My advice - unless you have a pending third divorce and death wish stay away from Cargo flying in the congo - especially when it involves Russian converts!:eek:

[four engine jock]

You hit the nail on the head!!!!!!! You cant operate a B727 in the same manner as a Russian Antonov . They will fail very soon, And as to Yugoslav captain that is 'Checking' other 727 Pan-Am rated pilots , Thats all they will ever get.
My advice, STAY AWAY GUYS.

[A310wrencher]

First time I saw their local mechanic torquing 727-2S2F MLG axle but with a sledgehammer and pry bar was enough for me.Just a matter of time to crash and kill somebody. Hell I guess they did that already.