Maun,Namibia and Zambia it is then!!!

[Kash360]

Dear Peers,

As you maybe aware from my diaries that i have not long completed my training JAA CPL/ME/IR . And posted a follow on thread asking if it was wise for me to go to Africa or get a type rating.

Well i decided to go to Africa, starting of in Maun. I have read the two very informative threads Maun 2008/8009 and Maun 2009/2010.

Like most of you i have sent out 1300 CV's and cover letters and no responce. So this is the last ditch for me!!

I am planning of spending 3 months in Africa. And have found out from the threads mentioned above where to stay, where to go and how much money to take with me.

My question to you all is, if anyone of you kind people can give me some heads up or contacts to use when i am there i will be so greatful.

I find no shame in asking for help and certainly no shame in working my ticket up the pecking order. But would like it if you guys could give me some heads up, advice or anything.

Like always i will be keeping a diary of my travels and the outcomes of getting my first job.

PPRune has guided me and helped me through my training and through my diaries i like to give something back.

Again to all my fellow PPruners just some advice or contacts or where i should go or anything.......

Please feel free to PM me

Many thanks in advance!!

[ab33t]

Good for you hope it works out for you .

[PIELORD]

Good luck Kash....I really hope it works out for you...Please keep us updated of your exploits!
:8

[Kash360]

Thanks allot guys, much appriciated!! Going down to the Doctors tomorrow for my jabs and malaria tablets. Been told that i will have to pay for my yellow fever jab!! oh well...

Been looking at flights thought i would head out on the 21st but now more like the 26th Dec.

Going on Saturday to go and buy all my camping gear that i will need out there.

I have asked the question of police certificate on here several times but no reply, was hoping if someone could advice me if a disclousure Scotland will be OK?

Other than that just planning, planning and more planning....

[flyasthesky]

Good Luck Kash, hope it works out for you.:ok::ok:

[anotheradam]

Mate, DO NOT GO WITHOUT A POLICE CHECK!!

That answers that then.

Best of Luck

[anotheradam]

Disclosures Scotland should be okay, but there is a better check you can get from police which is for a foreign visa. The larger police stations should know about it. Thing is the Disclosures Certificate does not look very official. If you can't get the other check I refered to, take your Dislosure one to your local police station and ask them to stamp it, to make it look better than something you printed yourself.
Good luck again,

[Kash360]

Cheers mate, i have applied for a disclousure along with a WA162. Together they should be water tight. I dont require it for visa's just incase i get a job i believe they will ask for it then. But thanks for the advice mate. Much appriciated!!

[Bealzebub]

The certificate you are looking for can be obtained by filling in this form. (http://www.acpo.police.uk/Certificates/Police%20Certificates%20App%20Form.pdf)

It will cost you £35 for a 10 working day service (2 weeks) and double that £70 for a 2 working day turnaround. They will take very one of those days to return the certificate (and add 2 days), so apply well in advance of when you are likely to need it.

[Journey Man]

Going on Saturday to go and buy all my camping gear that i will need out there.

My advice would to just get a Snugpak Jungle Bag or similar that can be zipped open completely to make a blanket and head out. Spend your money on socialising, getting to know guys, and kip on someones floor/sofa. Or under a table in the bar.

[Leezyjet]

Been looking at flights thought i would head out on the 21st but now more like the 26th Dec.

Have you tried the 25th ?. This tends to be the cheapest day to fly over the festive period.

:ok:

[Kash360]

Merry Christmas to you all,

just an update I have now had all my jabs and picked up some malaria tablets. Packed my tent, airbed, sleeping bag, clothes and the usual malarki.

Booked my tickets from Birmingham to Johannesburg. And from there I will have to sort a flight out to maun as I belive this cannot be done online.

I will be leaving on the 28th Dec.

If anyone has any advice for me I would really be greatful.

[Halfbaked_Boy]

Have you tried Air Botswana? They operate services between JNB-MUB.

Also, have a look at Cheap Flights South Africa (http://www.cheapflights.co.za/).

Once again, best of luck mate :ok:

[Kash360]

Currently at BHX drinking my gingerbread latte waiting for my delayed flight to Dubai will be spending a night there before I head to JNB and then onto Maun the 30th. Will keep you all posted as I go on this adventure.

[FREQUENTFLYER1234]

I'd just like to wish you good luck! It's great to see someone getting off their arse and doing something about their situation rather than bitching about it on here! I look forward to reading about your adventures!

[Kash360]

Thanks FrequentFlyer and everyone else,

Im currently at Dubai Airport waiting to get on my next flight to Johannersberg. I got to Dubai at 0200 dropped my bags of into my room and went out to a nightclub to practice my drinking skills for Maun....I need to improve on my drinking skills for sure.

I managed to book my flight from Johannersberg to Maun so i will get there at 1210 on the 30th.

I hope everything works out for us all...

I hope you guys dont mind me writting this stuff on here thought it would be helpful to people thinking of coming. So thought id share my experience.

Anyway of to Duty Free...Will write again tomorrow when i get to JoBerg

[VorlocGreen]

Best of luck to you!!

I look forward to reading your African adventures, I am currently flying in Nigeria :ok:

[Kash360]

Hey guys just arrived at my hotel in Joberg. It's a nice hotel....However I have been robbed already within 30 mins of getting to Joberg. I found out that my taxi ride should not have cost more than 350 Rand but the driver charged me 600 Rand. Gutted!!

Well im of to the swimming pool and then tomorrow morning ill be going back to the airport to catch my flight to Maun.

[Kash360]

Well back at the airport, waiting for my flight to Maun!! just bought some books as i was told the reading material is poor. But ill find out when i get there.

Im planning of starting my rounds as soon as i get of the plane. Ill go and introduce myself to all the operators there.

Then find my way to Audi camp and see if there is anyone who can help me put my tent up because im crap at it...lol

I have made a nice little collection of things that i picked up on the way here.
Cutllery thanks to emirates
sewing kit thanks to the hotel in Dubai
and a toilet roll thanks to the hotel in Joberg.......You never know!! thats all im saying..

Anyway ill keep you guys posted.

And a big thankyou to all you!! And a big thank you to halfbaked boy a great read.

[Nearly There]

Kash, the most interesting thread on the wannabe forums for sometime, keep it alive and good luck on your venture, I do hope it all works out for you.

[Kash360]

OK, well i have made it to Maun after a 2 hour flight...Was'nt too bad!! got my passport stamped but the immigration officer only gave me 40 days but told me to come back and extend it!!

Grabbed my bags and headed straight across the road Delta Air and met the chief pilot. Nice bloke gave me the in's and out's of what to expect well he said they will not be recruiting in the near future.

I then paid a visit to mack air but the chief pilot was out flying so will pay him a visit later.

Came back into the terminal to pay a couple more companies a visit but again the chief pilots are out.

But the suprising thing is i was introduced to 11 other pilots who are in the same position as me we are all sitting on the first floor on our laptops as the internet is free.

In a starnge wayi feel like a travel reporter sitting amongst guys who proberbly write on here too.

One of the guys i have spoken to currently sitting acorss me typing away has been here 2 and a half months when some others a month.

Well i didnt expect an easy ride!!

So for now guys take care ill keep you posted..

P.S It's hot here!!

[taff_lightning]

Keep your chin up Kash. ;)

I used to have a flight instructor who ran a charter company out of Maun. He said to me once not to worry about the time other people have been hanging out for jobs in the bush. There will always be a residual amount of unemployed pilots that wont find jobs as the guys don't like them. Bit hash I know but apparently true.

Can I ask for a bit of back story? Where did you train?

Best of luck and keep writing!

[Kash360]

OK so just put my tent up which isnt up perfectly because i bought it on ebay and they sent me the wrong poles..

and my air bed has a hole in it!!

I am so tired...!!

Its still really hot at the moment!!

met a few really nice people today. Going to do my rounds again in the morning starting at 8am...

The basic answer at the moment is no jobs at the moment!!

But am going to stick it out!!

Anyway going to get my head down and get some sleep...

[CRuS4D3R88]

Would Be my 1st post out here but i am glad to post in this topic..
As said earlier by some others. its great to see your efforts and I really wish you goodluck in your venture

[Kash360]

Never slept very well last night as my air bed kept defalting so will go and buy a floor mat today.

Woke up at 6am a quick shower and shave and walked to the main road where i got a combi to take me to the airport. Was soked in rain by the time i got here.

A quick coffee across the road from the airport and then started my rounds at 8am.

Had a good chat with a few companies here, just to tell you on how the set up works in Maun.

The people here seem very friendly.

[EchoKiloEcho]

Good luck! I just came back from Maun, and also Namibia. I spoke to most operators in Maun, and everyone said that I came too early and that recruitment season is end of January.

The locals are really friendly.

Have some fun whilst waiting... I rented a C206 & did some low level flying over the Okavango. You can also book a seat as passenger for a scenic flight for about £30. Mackair & Sefofane looks the best.

There is a small flying school with 2x C172s to rent. If you fly you might come in contact with the right people.

Watch out for big snakes & scorpions! :ok:

[pablo2973]

HI there , just to wish you good luck and happy new year ,I´m flying in Ghana an ATR , unfortunately no jobs around here for the moment ,but we expect changes for better very soon , since economy here is growing fast , good thing is that GCAA here gives you the ghanian licence with no too much trouble ,maybe wont be a bad idea to search among the small operators with bandeirante here will give you the name of the operator soon since I dont remember now :confused:, also direct flights back to gatwick with Ghana international from Accra .
As I said good luck with your living adventure I`ll keep you tracked .
happy new year also

[Kash360]

Happy new year to you all, and thanks everyone for your kind words and gestures.

After doing my rounds at 4pm yesterday i strolled into town to see what its like. I was most suprised to see a Nandos here!! The town centre is small but has about everything you need in it. And am sure that if they havent got what you need then they will direct you in the right place.

I travel here using a combi bus, it's really cheap and it gets you to your destination eventually. They pick and drop people along the way as for my trip yesterday to the airport took me 1 hour for 16km. But i enjoyed the experience.

Anyway got back to my camp still scratching my head on how to fix my air bed. I thought i had but again woke on the floor today.

had a few drinks last night at the Audi camp and after decided to pop around to a party arranged by orange mobile. ( Lets just say it was experience i wish i never had)!!

Got into the airport at 8:30 today, did my rounds. Again i would like to tell you that i have been whipped up but that would be a lie. Things seem to tik along here. A very laid back approach, but dont mistake that with being lazy. People here work damn hard.

Anyway guys im keeping my chin up and hope everyone else reading this is.

Again if anyone has any contacts or friends who could help me out i would be prepared to travel anywhere. PM me!!

Again thank you for reading!!

[Charley]

The Bandit operator would be Air Shuttle, operating from Accra. However the Bandits they use are wet-leased so Air Shuttle didn't get directly involved in crewing (info good as of last spring).

I believe the lessor is Kenyan although many of the crew had come from the now defunct Air Fiji.

[josemarb]

Please keep on writing. I planning to go down there in June and I appreciate your experiences. Seems very intereting place, hope you find something soon.
All my best wishes for you Kash360 and happy new year to you all:)

[Kash360]

Good afternoon everyone, wish everyone where ever they maybe are well and good.

Today has been a tough day for me, its exteremly hot and have not been feeling well since last night. However came in this morning to do my rounds and see if there has been any changes since 4pm yesterday.

Allot of people are asking about the accomodation im currently staying at a place called Audi camp about 15km from the airport. But dont let the distance put you off i travel by combi bus which works out to be 25p each way.

The camp itself is nice bring your own tent and its £1.10 per night, the toilets and showers are clean and there is internet and power but for a price.

Anyway i have been around the operators this morning and am now waiting till 4pm to do my next rounds.

Over and Out!!

[redsnail]

Kash,

Firstly, let me congratulate you on getting off your backside and heading OS. Look at it as an adventure and you'll enjoy yourself.

Ok. Some gentle advice if no one else has taken you under their wing.

It doesn't take much to become annoying. If all the chief pilots have your details and mobile phone number, then visiting them every day will annoy them. If you are seeing different CPs per day, then ok.

Make friends with the local pilots, they'll know well before any boss does if a pilot's going to leave. Also, DO NOT advertise that fact online. Someone else may grab that opportunity!

If you can, get some work. Whatever, doesn't matter. The chief pilots generally know every one and a good word about your work ethic just might give you the edge.

(This is what I did way back in 1994 in outback Australia, it worked)

[dawsonj1]

All the best Kash, really good reading about your experience so far! Hope you get something out there.

James

[Kash360]

Thanks so much for support guys, and for your advice redsnail,.

I think Redsnail has made a very fair and valid point that there is a very very fine line in showing your interested and annoying!!

I think that anyone in my situation must remember is that the chief pilots have jobs to do and so do the pilots. The last thing i suppose they need is to keep repeating the fact that there is no jobs. Its good to have your face known but not hated.

I pay a visit to the schedulers when i do my rounds in hope that i may be able to jump on with a pilot. And go and see for myself what conditions pilots here fly in. Its one thing to read about it and another thing to see it.

Last night after my afternoon rounds i decided to head to Spars, NO not a copy of spars but an actual spars. For those who do not know what spars is it is a superstore. Instead of eating at Audi camp which costs a fortune
if your on a budget. So grabbed some dinner. Went back straight into the pool for an hour and id like to tell you that i met a blonde model who wanted to take me to bed but i was on my own.

Anyway just completed my rounds this morning hoping to jump on a flight but no luck, but will try again this afternoon.

Feeling a bit down and missing home. But this is a natural process and people being so nice around here helps.

Again thank you all for reading my posts, and as always i hope you are well.

For those in the same situation as me dont EVER let your hopes fade away, we have all come so far in this journey to give up now and it would be a regret for most of us.

If you already have a job not flying KEEP IT!! but keep looking. You guys with jobs as crap as they maybe are so lucky at the moment.

I used to be an Engineer before i got into this mess but got made redundant but tried every avenue for a flying or non flying jobs. I came here when no fruit came of it.

Again if anyone has any contacts or could help me not just in Maun but anywhere then please help your fellow friend out and PM me!!!


Take care!!

[Kash360]

Morning Everyone!!

Day 6 in Maun..

Not really got much new to report today, after yesterday afternoons rouinds i had to wait an hour at the top of the road to get the bus home. Got back to the camp and straight into the pool, met some really nice people who invited me to dinner with them.

Woke up pretty early this morning its been raining all morning here, wwhich reminds me of home. Did my rounds this morning and now sitting in my usual spot on the first floor of the terminal where i spend most of the day waiting to do my afternoon rounds.

I amazed at the amount of views this thread has recived and am very greatful to you all for taking the time to read it.

Like always i only ask if you have any contacts or any information in finding me a job anywhere in the world please PM me!!

[Kash360]

Afternoon guys,

Hope all is well and good, to my suprise this afternoon i managed to get on a flight to do a frieght run with one of the companies here. It was a great experience and the pilot was so helpful and informative.

It is one thing that you come here in persute of a job but it is as important to go and see what conditions you will hopefully be flying in.

My flight today was in a caravan, which i have never been in before but what a beauty.

I borrowed the pilots chart and with his help was finding landing strips on the way to our destination i the delta.

I have had some very informative and helpful PM's from some of you reading my posts so thank you so much.

I have just done my rounds again for the afternoon but will be here again bright and early in the morning.

Enjoy the rest of the day where ever you maybe!!

[747TDR]

Hi there Kash,

Firstly, well done on providing an excellent blog on your experiences. I think it will work wonders for those considering a similar move.

Secondly, what aircraft are you rated on?

747TDR

[Kash360]

Hi 747, thank you for your messsage i do hope this thread will help other people. Im rated on Multi engine pistions and single eengine pistons. In the UK its just put under a class but have flown a variety of aircrafts. C150,C152,C172,PA28-Warrior, Seminols and dutchess 76.

If you have any leads on any jobs that may come up please please please PM me!!

Again thank you for you message.

[747TDR]

Kash, the first thing necessary to stand a chance is to get a 206 or Van on your license. This will make you more attractive to your potential employers as you can jump onto the line straight away and they won't have to spend money on getting you rated.

It also shows them some dedication on your part. As has been said earlier in the thread, your best chance of getting a job is being the only pilot in the immediate vicinity who is unemployed and has a 206 or van rating.

I'm thinking of coming up to Maun at the end of the month to have a look.

[Kash360]

Hello Peeps

After yesterdays great weather and the flight i had in the caravan i had yesterday i wasnt counting on a repeat.

last night got back to the camp around 7pm, and did my washing they dont have a washing machine at the camp that i know of so had to do it old school. Using some washing up powder and beating your clothes on a stone.

Met a really nice couple who were passing though as they were self driving around the delta. But they did buy me a few drinks!! i know im a tramp..haha

But again here back at base early morning, not many flights going on today so my chances on jumping on a flight are pretty slim. But i do have a few hours so anything is possible.

The temp here is 43 deg C today. A little different to back home as my mom told me its snowing.

If there is anything you guys would like me to cover in my posts please feel free to do so. I would be glad to get some ideas.

But please i know its hard for most of us to get jobs. But if anyone has any ideas or contacts on helping me get a job i would be so greatful. But please guys if you hear anything please keep me in mind. Just PM me!!

Take care for now i hope you are all well.

[INNflight]

Kash mate hang in there.... dedication and hard work ALWAYS pay off sooner or later, trust me.

I'm in the CPL ME IR boat as well but thankfull have two jobs (non-av) to work at the moment until times get a wee bit brighter, otherwise we may aswell have met in Maun.

All the best and keep this goodie blog going, it's gonna become a legendary reference thread for newbies once you scored a job :ok:

[CRuS4D3R88]

All the best and keep this goodie blog going, it's gonna become a legendary reference thread for newbies once you scored a job

I cant agree less mate. all the best to you really ..good work :)

[AlternativeProcedure]

A very interesting read Kash,

Brings back so much memories, I also went to africa to kick off my career in 2005. A fantastic place to learn your trade. Teaches you so much patience/humility. When I first got there, I expected things to take a lot shorter than it did, but in the end it took 10 months to get a gig on the DHC-6. And since then I havent looked back. Flew other types and now with BA. A little piece of advice, since things arent so good recruitment-wise, dont just chase flying jobs, because sooner or later you'll get frustrated when it doesnt happen in the time frame you want. Look into dispatching, other areas in Ops where they just need a helping hand, even if its admin, tour guides whatever, accept the whatever salary and put yourself in one of these companies. First and foremost it will be a fantastic experience and secondly you'll hear about recruitment before most other pilots. I wish you all the best, with such determination you are going to achieve success of the highest order in good time.

AP

[ChrisT4LFC]

Kash,

Heed the advice from Redsnail and 747. If you have enough funds, get some hours on the 206. The Majority of Operators from South of the Equator operate them.

I was in Zambia last year and my mate visited me and went looking for work in Lusaka, Livingstone, Maun and Kasane. He described to a tee what you have also experienced. There were Pilots there sat in the Caff, who had literally been there for months! Luckily, you're are there at a good time, the wet season will be over soon and things will pick up. I think you should definitely broaden your search though, dont just stay in Maun. Head north and see what is happening in Vic Falls, Kasane, Livingstone, Lusaka. If you have an ME IR, try Proflight in Lusaka and ask for Ken, the Chief Pilot, hes a good guy and may be able to help you, they operate BN2 Islanders and Caravans. Sefofane are also good to consider but you will need some 206 time. In both cases, I know of pilots whose Contracts are due to expire by March and they may be looking for replacements.

If you are willing to go further afield and want a grand travelling experience, then get the Tazara Express (Only costs about 250,000 Kwacha, bout 40 quid last I checked) from Kapiri Mposhi to Dar es Salaam. Dar's Domestic terminal was bustling with sightseers when I was there and their tourist season will begin again in mid february. I was due to go there this year, but due to the dreaded cashflow couldn't. I may try again in 2011. Check out Coastal Aviation, Chief Pilot is a guy called Aziz or SafariAIRLink at [email protected]

Some more food for thought for you. Get out there and see some of Beautiful Africa and meet those guys, then if necessary get back to Maun. But don't keep all your eggs in that one small basket.

Let me know how u get on. Very keen to see how it goes

All the Best,

Jesus

[747TDR]

I have a contact at SafariLink if you're interested. PM me for details.:cool:

[Kash360]

Hello Brothers,

Firstly i would like to thank you all from the bottom of my heart for all your kind words and advice.

I hope my journey will be of some help to some of you and if not it just shows that there is many ways to achive the same goal but you have to try.

I would like to share some of my past with you guys just to show what experiences i have had to date. I have had allot of PM's asking about my past. so here it is.

Like all of you i had a passion from a early age and i managed to get work experience at Coventry airport but instead of being paid for sweeping the hanger or polishing aircrafts i asked to be paid in flying hours. That was my first taste of flying at 15 years of age.

I went baack in the summer to do the same again but thought that by doing this i would never be able to get my PPL. So after my G.C.S.E's i got a job at BHX loading bags but this was seasonal work but saved every penny and by the end of my Season i had enough to do my PPL so went to the States.

I got my FAA PPL and multi engine rating. I came back home and joined back at the airport as a passenger services agent for a compay at BHX. I worked up to a supervisr but wanted to go into dispatch to tranfered and worked there for a while and was sometimes covering ops supervisor role.

I wanted to do something big as i thought i had enough experience of working at the airport. So i managed to get on a foundation degree course as i was a mature student by now. I transfered to Manchester working at the airport for the same company. So i asked the manager to give me 4 night shifts 7PM to 7AM and after work i would go straight to uni. To my suprise i passed my foudation year. And chose Aeronautical engineering as my main degree. I studied for the the next 3 years but changed my job which was to work in ops for an airline that no longer exists under the same name. But all the time i would do 4 night shifts and study in the day and do my homework and coursework in the office.

After Uni i left my job at the airline and worked for a space agency company but didnt really fit in with the rest so left 7 months later and got a engineering job for an oil and gas company.

I saved every penny by myself and never borrowed any to fund my training.

After being made redundant i tried to get another job but couldnt so i decided that i had enough money and go and complete my flight training.

And so in September 2009 i got my CPL/ME/IR/MCC with a total of 284 hours. But after finishing i tried for any flying and non flying job i could find. But nothing came through so after 4 months of trying i decided to use the last of my savings to come here.

So thats my story guys. Crap i know but it's my story!!

I dont have enough money to do a type rating i wish i did but havent. I dont want to burden my family for the money as this is my path and i need to get up by myself when i fall.

Thanks for the heads up Jesus much appriciated for your post and thanks for the email address.

But again everyone thank you all for reading i hope you are all well, where ever you may be!!

GodSpeed!!

[747TDR]

Your story is far from crap Kash!

It is an inspiration to many people! I'm glad to see that there are still pilots around with that raw, undying passion for flying. And all this, despite the current situation!:D

I have a similar story but I think I had it easier than you. My parents funded my flying.I Started flying at the age of 14 after being given an intro flight for my birthday! Flew once or twice a month and ended up going solo on my 17th birthday. Did all the solo stuff and got my PPL a few months later.

Finished school in '06 and headed to 43 Air School in Port Alfred in Jan '07.
Did the CPL Ground School and got my night rating but was restless because I was far from home.

Ended up jacking it in and headed over to the UK for a while. Came back to SA and got a job in IT. Hated every second of it. Managed to build some reasonable solo time with my salary. But, the bug just didn't go away.

Eventually quit my job in Sep '08 and started studying for the CPL subjects. Returned to 43 Air School in Feb '09 (2nd time lucky?) and got to work on getting the subjects out of the way. Got my subjects in July and started with the advanced flying. Started on the multi-engine stuff (Seneca 1) on the 2nd of November and graduated with a CPL/ME IR a little over a month later on the 8th of December 2009.

Been unemployed since but starting my Instructors Course next monday, after which I have a solid guarantee of a job with the flying school I'm doing it at!

My only word of advice to anyone who is feeling disheartened? Believe! You can do it.

[swaziboy]

Just a thought... but with time on your hands, you may as well try get your hands on a 206 POH / AFM and a copy of the Bots airlaw and start reading... wont be wasted time in my opinion... heck, while you're at it do your medical :ok:

I work in the tourism industry in the South Pacific and it looks like a bumper year for us this year (compared to last year) and we dont have a world cup around the corner! Africa is heading the same way and there WILL be jobs...

Good luck Kash....

[RoyHudd]

Brave guy..good luck to you

RH

[redsnail]

Hi Kash,
This is more general info as I did my bush flying in Australia, not Africa.

I've already mentioned getting a job (doing any thing) in town. It'll help you survive and keep you motivated. Ideally, on the airport in Ops or front of desk sort of stuff. Failing that, try the usual bar work, tourist bureau sort of stuff.
If you have any sort of spannering skills, let them know.
(I washed aeroplanes, a mate worked for the Shire council mowing the grass at the airport).

If the local pilots have a "drinking hole", find it and get yourself established. Be friendly but not pushy. (Already mentioned that ;)

Techy stuff. If you can find out what is "useful to have". First Aid certificates, Dangerous goods certificates, bus license etc. (Now, this is relevant in Australia, need to check with the locals if that's the case.)

Ideally, time in a C206 would be great. Probably a bit late to organise. However, grab your new found friends and see if they have a POM or something like that for you to read.

For the interview, make sure you know the last type you flew. Stuff like battery (12v or 24v*), payload, gross weight, landing distance req'd (rule of thumb sort of stuff).
Eg, on a 35 deg at sea level day at MTOM I need X feet. (your POM should be able to guide you) It shows you've thought about it and any thing "under that" won't be an issue and you won't "waste" time going through the books finding an answer.
(Of course, for more complicated aircraft, you do need to check the books, however, eg, on a "good day", I only need to really go into the POM/AFM and review every thing if the runway is less than 4,000' for the Hawker. However, I do have that RoT to act as a trigger)

If it's scenics etc, know a bit about where you'll be flying and the main points of interest. If it's charter, know the main clients that the company has.

The chief pilot will be thinking to him/herself as he gets to know you.
1. Can he/she work with the team?
2. Can he/she handle the clients/passengers?
3. Can I trust him not to bend the aircraft?

Checkrides will be nerve racking and they know it. Esp if you haven't flown that type before. They are looking to see you have the basics.
Such as, ability to listen and take in instructions.
Flying accurately. If they say climb it at 80 kt, you do that.
Basic landing and cross wind techniques are sound.

*It may seem trivial but a person failed an interview on that point. The person announced that all C206s have 24 volt batteries. The boss asked the person to have a look at VH-TUD. It had a 12 volt battery. :hmm:

Good luck :ok: Remember, you'll have good days, you'll have bad days. It's normal and we've all been there. Until all the chief pilots tell you to FOAD, you're in with a chance. :ok:

[Kash360]

Hello again Brothers,

Today has been a good day, NO i have not got a job but i have done things abit different today and tried to apply some of the advice you guys have posted.

I arrived at the airport bright and early at 7.30 this morning, and to my suprise the pilots were in there getting there boosts for work. I got chatting to a few. After i went and did my rounds at the operators and managed to get a flight with one of the companies.

Didnt stay around the airport today, Went and bought a 206 POH and then went of into town to break up my day!!

Got back to the airport to fly, had a great flight, first flight in a C206 and God it suprised me with a full load and a short strip in the heat it still managaed to get airborne.

I did see some elephants today which was amazing but my camera is so crap that i would have to stand next to one to get him in the shot.

Got back and did my rounds again, didnt wait around the airport so went back into town to get a bite to eat and then back to the camp.

Oh i ate a caterpillar last night!! Lets just say never again!

Anyway sat at the bar at the moment typing away.

But as always guys i hope you are all well and good.

There seems to be allot of senior's posting on this thread so i hope us new guys take there advice!!

I like to thank all of you for posting on this thread and reading it!!

[Kash360]

Hey Guys,

Currently sitting in an internet cafe, drinking a nice ice cold appletiser in 48 deg C. I feel like i am melting away at the moment!!

Anyway, just wanted to say mostly to us newbies, that i have had some great PM from allot of our senior pilots who have been through what i am going through at the moment so it would be stupid of me not to heed to there advice!!

As you guys know i have come out here looking for a flying job, but as yet nothing has come of it. So i have decided to also try and look for any other work around here. But the only problem is obtaining a work permit. So i will see how things go and ask around.

Was trying to get on a flight to Kasane from Maun today, but it is not unusual to to be bumped off last minute, you have to remember that fair paying passengers, frieght or air operators crew will come before you. And thats what happened to me!! But it's OK keep your chin up smile and try other avenues.

No flights today, not hanging around the airport all day either to hack people off. The time i do spend there i try and talk to as many pilots as i can.

I am reading through my 206 POH, because just incase i do get invited for an interview i would like to show that i havent just been sitting around all day twiggling my thumbs.

I am going to try and arrange a medical too!!

Anyway guys got reading to do speak soon. Feel free to write a post or send me a PM.

[oOjorelOo]

Very nice to read your posts! Greetings from Cold Sweden! (-40 C some days ago up north) Could sure use some or your warm and sunny weather. :ok:

[5711N0205W]

Nice one mate, keep plugging away :ok:

[Kash360]

Hey Guys,

Thank you so much for your kind words and encourgement it means allot to me when i see your posts.

Well again a early start this morning, the combi bus to Maun drove at 10mph. I thought i would never get to the airport for 7.30am. But to my suprise i did, watched all the pilots coming in for coffee's chated to a few pilot.

I seem to have made some new friends around the companies. Not the kind of friends who you are chatting to for a job, but the kind of friends that you want to be friends with.

Did my rounds but things seem really quite today, every aircraft on the ground. So no flights, sat at the coffee shop across the airport for a few hours chatting to people passing by.

Left the airport around 12 and headed back to the camp, got straight in the pool for a cool down. Now just sitting at the bar enjoying a beer will be having a barbeque later.

Still reading my 206 POH and have had my chart checked by some of the pilots, so just studying where all the camps and airstrips are.

Anyway guys better go, need to go and find something useful to do with my life.

Oh im also looking into paying a visit to Victoria Falls, well i cant come all this way and not go and see one of the worlds wonders.

Take care!!

GodSpeed

[Dane-Ger]

Hi Kash

Good luck with your search for work. It's certainly an interesting thread to follow.

regards
D-G

[albatros19]

Hey Kash,


Say if you were to get some other job there while waiting but I'm curious how you are going to solve the work permit issue?

All the best luck mate your thread is the most interesting one here so far!

TXT SPK REMOVED AT NO EXTRA CHARGE
HWB

[Kash360]

Thank for the reply, i did have a look into this matter and found out that it would be pretty much impossible because there is local people who can do the same job, so i would not be able to get a work permit!!

But again thank you for the post and im glad you think the thread is going well!!

[Kash360]

Afternoon Ladies & Gents,

Another very hot day today, not feeling my best either after yesterdays drinking antics. Went out to the Old bridge and river lodge last night. A couple or more beers arrived back at Audi camp. In the evening we all put some money in a pot and had a barbeque.

Your proberbly thinking this guys seems to be having more of a holiday then looking for jobs,

but the truth is that after you do your rounds and chatted to the pilots there isnt much to do. You could always drive out of town for a couple of days and head North and go to Kasane or to the falls. But im a bit scared that if i leave for a few days things may change on the job front and and may miss my big break.

I feel so jealous of the guys home as they maybe jealous of me but i wouldnt ming being in the cold just for a couple of days to cool me down from the heat.

Again no job and no flight, I sit here in hope and think that maybe today is going to be the day, but that day has not yet come.

Allot of our fighting spirit gets lost in this process hearing that no one in employing. But everyday i tell myself that even if i walk away from here without a job i fought and i tried my best.

Im not giving up not at all, but somedays you you do think did i make the right choice by coming here. But for me i had a limited amount of choices and this seemed the best for me.

I do hope i find something soon, and i hope anyone else looking finds the job they are looking for too.

My best wishes to you all!!

[swaziboy]

Ahh... Old Bridge... just a few weeks yet...

Kash, alas I feel you are getting despondent... this is a great post... very positive, for many people... took balls, big ones, to pack up and head south, a lot more balls than many people reading this post have ever had... So I reckon this post should stay this way (positive in spirit).

Admittedly, you probably wont get a job today or even tomorrow or maybe even in a month :ugh:. But just think, when that spot does open up and the CP is sitting in his office, who will he think about... the guy sitting in the terminal all day drinking coffee trying to make friends with everybody or the guy with the bots med, airlaw passed, 206 in his head, ready, determined and hungry for the job? Me thinks the latter..

Secondarily (sp sucks... ), bro, you are in Botswana... the king of all safari countries... people pay thousands of dollars to vistit there!!! I dont know how tight your budget is, but try see a bit of Africa... it is a fantastic continent and it will work its way into every bone of your body....(yes, biased!!!) Get a taxi to Kasane? Have you been on a makoro yet?? Leave your mobile number with someone important and go see some bush!!!

[CRuS4D3R88]

I agree with above totally..dont let yourself down mate. you have been here so far and really have had the determination to head to a totally new place looking for a job.

Takes some guts. and i really admire you for that..
I just hope you stay out there which i know you will

People like you deserve the break. all the best

[robofos]

this is a great thread and i hope it continues after you find a job. there are lots of guys on here saying they will go there next month, next year, or whatever but you never hear back from them. my guess is they flaked out and stayed at home. i respect your commitment for heading down there, and determination for finding a job. stay positive.

somewhere online there is some d-bag who's selling his blog on his african bush flying experience. i appreciate the free, honest information, and wish you good luck finding your first flying job!:ok:

[Kash360]

Good afternoon Ladies and gents,

A new day and so a new start, feeling allot better than yesterday. My spirit levels are back to a 100% and im roaring to go.

Last night we had a barbeque and invited allot of the pilots from the operators,not many turned up but the ones that did knew how to throw a party. One of the guys asked me if i had ever tried straw rum, and me being me said no. Well he was really addiment for me to try it. Straw rum is 80% proof alcohol. Anyway after 1 shot of that i was dribbling and shaking as the burning sensation ran down my throat. Well another 4 shots later i wastoally wasted but so was everyone else.

Im sorry if some of you felt that my post was a little depressing yesterday, but i like to write on how i feel and what i experience in Maun.

The bar at Audi camp has had the Modonna CD on loop for 2 days, i was ok with it but woke up sining American Pie. Thats when i knew that i had to request the bar to change the music.

Went to the airport today popped my head around the doors of the operators but nothing really going on. Everyone in town knew that we were on straw rum and were all laughing about the stories.

Dont worry i never got naked and started dancing on the bar!! I was the good boy.

It's a little cooler weather today which is great.

Im glad that you guys are enjoying the thread and long may it last.

Again thank you to all of you reading and inputting into it. Without you guys this thread would not be possible. So again thank you and keep posting anything you like. Its your thread too!!

Take care and stay happy.

[747TDR]

Hey Kash,

Glad to hear that the spirits are up again! We all have our days. Especially when we are not able to do the thing that makes us happy and the thing that we've sacrificed a lot for.

Hopefully, for your sake, (and everyone elses), things will start picking up soon when the wet season calms down. I would love to say that I will joining you up there soon but I start my instructors rating tomorrow. So I will be teaching people how to drill holes in the sky. Poor students lol :suspect:

Anyway, must be off. If you see Luke, Theo or Tuan up there say hi from Tyron.

Blue Skies.

[George Semel]

Gee's this was an interesting read to say the least. What you guys do to get a job flying a 206! Nothing more that a heavier 172. I take it that you have not done much camping, till now. Well you have any tuck tape or 100 mph tape as we call it? You can fix that air leak with that or some rubber cement. The problem is that all airmats will leak. A foam mat is better. Looks like you spend a lot of time in bars and drinking a lot. I would not talk about it to much, it gotten to be a big no no here in the states. I been flying for almost 40 years now, for a living. I enjoyed your posts, but the first question I had in my mind is , dose he have a drinking problem? I would bet a dollar or a pound that employers read these posts too. I am not saying that I would not consider you for a job if I had one for you, but you could bet one of the interview questions I would have for you would be with regard to this issue. We live in a world now were things like what use to be, and I partied a lot, is kind of not look at being well just a good sociable type, but maybe a liability. Its just the times we live in. All it takes is for some bystander to say I think the pilot been drinking, true or not, pilot are getting hauled off the airplanes states side these days. Its your profession and how you are going to make your living, only if you can keep your Medical and Certificate/ License. Looks like you are having a blast never the less, and in these current down turn in aviation, having a bit of a blast on the job search trail in not a bad thing.

[MVE]

George, to have a social drink in the uk is considered nothing more than that, the US is much more religous and reserved, dare I even say paranoid when it comes to alcohol. The only drink problem I ever had was two hands but only one mouth!:ok:

Kash360 good on you for making the effort and providing you are working at least as hard as you are playing and providing you don't get a reputation for being a bit of a piss head, you shouldn't have a problem. All the best.

[Kash360]

Morning Ladies and Gents,

First of all thank you George and MVE for posting on this thread. I do like seeing people posting there ideas and thoughts because it helps us all.

George thank you for your concern, and will certainly take your points on board. The truth is that i dont drink much most nights i dont even have a beer. But when there is a few guys around the camp i do have a few. But my rule is very simple i dont drink until i make a fool of myself. The other night i did have 5 shots of straw rum and im sure it didnt to my insides any good. But even having those drinks im see myself as a calm and colective person.

However i certainly see your point that employers read this thread. And wish not to give the wrong impression.

But again thank you to all reading and posting on this thread.

I will post again later today!!

[Grum]

I did just over a month camping in the grounds of the Sedia Hotel and got lucky . . . (and got a flying job :O).

Sounds to me that you are going about everything the right way. Sure read your PoH and show your eagerness to learn. It more importantly shows that you haven't traipsed in thinking that you already know everything.

Making friends with some of the folk already working there is imperative but there is a tricky balance. Maun is a pretty isolated little place with a very tight little community. People want to see that first you can adapt to life in the dust and donkeys and that you can be part of the community. Ask questions about water. That's right everyone is water mad, whether it be the comming rains or the advancing flood.

Operators also want to see if you will take to the town and stick around for awhile. I.e. they don't want you to bugger off after 1 year with your 1000 hours. They also don't want someone haranguing them for an upgrade onto the caravan so best not even ask how long it might take to move.

Most of the camps are pretty exclusive so your pax are paying top dollar. Each operator has a covetted contract with certain safari companys. They need to keep the safari company happy by providing excellent customer service and impeccable safety. When you get free rides on the aircraft try and help the pax with bags and maybe a little conversation. Politely warn them before they bash their brians out on the wing. It might be their first time in Africa (probably don't know which country they're in) and is almost certainly the first time in a small aircraft. You are pretty much the first introduction to their safari experience. So find out which companies each operator services and show an interest in the punters.

Finally your friends at home will live by their Ops manual or a quick call to the office will aide them with any problems. In the bush you need to 'make a plan'. So show possible employers that you can think for yourself and problem solve.

I feel for you man, it is one hell of an interview process. Worth it though, my Maun days were some of the best in my life. You have made friends on this thread and i'm sure the same personality has made friends in the Kalahari so you are on your way.

Good luck. :D

[Kash360]

Hey guys,

As always i hope this post finds you well and good.

Another day in beautiful Maun is coming to a close but not another day lost doing nothing. Monday seems to be the day where we all turn up at the airport blue eyed and bushy tailed.

I have been arriving at the airport as one of the seniors had posted on here at 7:30. If not to get on flights but at least to meet the pilots going into the coffee shop.

Hardly any flights today for any operator but it is a relavant quite period which the companies go through every year.

It's pretty expencive to eat at the camp resturant every night so for the past few days we have been having barbeques at the site.

I've been out cutting wood for the past hour, to get the fire started.

I went around to the companies and invited them around for a bite to eat and a few drinks. Let's see who turns up.

I feel so much more comfortable around town but please dont get that mistaken with arrogant. Because that wouldnt get me far.

No movment at all regarding hiring but i have hope, passion and determination. And so when the situation changes i hope these qualities will carry me forward.

The people who have posted on this thread and PM me have taught me allot. And it is vital that myself and anyone in my position heeds there advice.

I came here just looking for a job but quickly through your advice i have learnt not to forget the finer things such as experiencing new cultures, making new freinds and taking in beautiful views.

So for all your advice i thank you from the bottom of my heart!!

Long may you guys post on here or PM me!!

I hope you are all content and if you find your not i hope you find a path that will!!

Take Care!

[Appugre]

hei Kash,

I have just read this very long very long thread and i must say Kash i really respect you for all you have done to get here and what all you are doing....I hats off to you for that.

I really want to thank all the senior pilots for reading into this thread and giving their very valuable advice.

I had planned to come to maun in the first week of Jan but due to some visa issues my plans got delayed.

I think the best that you are doing there is that you are reading your 206 POM ,this will really help you.Just get that medical in if u can and then i guess your all set....
Just have a good time side by side ...make great friends....(i know you are doing this pretty well .....STRAW RUM!!...))
;)
I was pretty surprised to read that you managed to get a few flights there.How did you do that?.This surely means that pilots like you over there.
Best of luck
May God be with you

[Kash360]

Afternoon guys,

Hope all is well and good, another day in Maun is passing me by fast.

I would like to thank everyone for your post and private messages allot of kind words and encouragment.

Another early start today got a ride into the airport as im starting to learn the art of hitch hiking.

Did the rounds to the operators again no flight or hiring today. So spent the next five hours sitting at Bon Arrive.

Its' been 2 weeks i have been here now and the number of people coming into town is increasing daily. Someone today told me that it's now up 16 people looking for jobs. I wouldnt stop anyone coming or discourge them infact i would try and help anyone coming in town. But just take a second to think if this is where you want to come with so many people here with no jobs. Again i did it and im still here in search of a job.

I was sitting at the coffee shop today watching this mentally challanged person who is known in town as the crazy bloke. But i thought who is the crazy ones here him who never had a choice of being the way he is. Or me sitting around every morning thousands of miles away at home at 7:30 am in hope for a job or a flight. I didnt come to a conclusion but thats what 5 hours of sitting around makes you think.

No one came to the barbeque last night so it just ended up being all the wannabes making steaks and peri peri chickens. I must say that the meat here is outstanding and cheap. Doing the same again today.

We all made our career choices and its not easy for anyone in anytime period let alone the recesion. But we must all plug away some have taken loans some borrowed there parents money and some worked and saved up to follow this path. If you give up like i have read a thread on here of some people doing its not a bad thing remember giving up ahead is not the same as giving up but it's not my choice my choice is to fight all the way to where i have always wanted to be without hurting people on the way.

So again guys i wish you all the best in whatever you choose. We are all in the same boat and this boat will one day take us to our destination.

But please post or PM on here give me your views. If anyone has any leads anywhere in the world to help your peer out by PM. It's your thread too.

Take care and Godspeed

[Kash360]

Dear friends,

I hope all is well and good, i have some relativley good news. Not to do with flying but have been contacted by a magazine who was told about this thread and found it interesting. They wish to run a story once i have found a job.

I didnt even know this thread was going to make an impact. But it's because of you guys that it has.

Nothing new on the job front spoke to a few pilots this morning asking about movment but they said they had not heard anything.

Once i had done my rounds i paid a visit to the crocadile farm, which was amazing saw 4000 crocs in one cage which were to be used for meat and skin.

Once we finished got back to the airport and did my rounds again. But nothing changed in the few hours i was away.

Again i hope myself and everyone finds the path they search for!!

Take care!!

[High-higher]

Wow, great news Kash, keep at it!

[TJ1F]

Kash , Been reading your thread and really enjoyable.. Im from that neck of the woods but was lucky enough to get into the industry in the UK ...

Good news about the Magazine article.. This could just be the foot up you need to get yourself stood out from the crowd... :ok: Maun is a small place and word gets around Fast.. This can be good .. Keep doing the right things and be positive.. It will Happen, just a matter of when... Its amazing how nothing happens , then it all comes at once!!! enjoy Africa. Its a Magic Place...

TJ

[ankitmania]

Hey hello everyone

I have a CPL of india and canada both with multi ifr ttl 270 hrs
Just found out about pilot jobs in botswana especially.. sefofane

Please any info about the interview there would help
thank you
cheers ....

TXT SPK REMOVED AT NO XTRA CHARGE!

HWB

[Kash360]

Afternoon guys,

The tempature is in the high 30's and hardly any wind movment at ground level. Which means it's hot hot hot!!

After a very late night was a very early start. Last night i was invited by a few pilots to there house which was having a few guys around for a few beers and abit of a call of duty 4 night. Had a great time and chatted to the pilots.

All the pilots know how frustrating it can be to be in my position because they have been through it. The genral advice i get around town is hang in there and stick it out. Which im sure is great advice, but like many of you out there as well as i have always been used to the simple process of sending your CV waiting for a call for an interview and if your lucky you will get a job. BUT this is Africa and it's a tight knit community in Maun.
Where the process is completely different you leave your home and travel and visit the operators every morning. And hopefully your number will come up and you will be hired.

This process can and sometimes be frustrating and i wont lie sometimes you do think to yourself is this the right place for me. However THIS IS THE PROCESS and to be a pilot here you must adhere to it.

Me and the other guys laugh about our situation that we have put ourselves in. And have now elected our president for the unemployed club.
After a few hours sleep and meeting the guys at our usual meeting point ( Bon arrive) i found out that while i was sleeping 4 more people and turned into town.

I was one of these guys who came of an Air Botswana flight all blue eyed and bushy tailed wanting to know all the gossip and fit in with everyone and get a job. But beleive it or not when you hear stories of people being here 2 maybe 3 months it puts things into perspective.

The number of people in town i beleive is now upto 20 and rising by the day. And hope that everyone of us gets the jobs we are looking for but the truth is there is not going to be 20 positions. So someone will be turned away. Will i be one of those who return home in a few months and think what a waste. I think not, i think that if i do get turned away i will take my memories with me and look into my families eyes and say that i TRIED and never waited for for food to fall on my plate instead i went and looked for it!

Time is a funny thing we have, i remember my farther once saying that time will heal allot of things but it never heals regrets. So i know that i will not regret this experience.

But anyway i have done my rounds and again found no fruit from the harvest today. But i will be there again blue eyed and bushy tailed tomorrow. In search for the holy grail.

But YES i do hope that the magazine article i have been offered makes a difference for me.

To all my peers thank you for reading my posts, I hope this finds you well. In time we will all look back on our journey and laugh. But we must make the journey first.

And as always this is not my thread it's yours too. And with your advice people thinking of making a similar move to me will hopefully read this and appricate your input. So please post on here. If any of you have any leads forr me world wide please PM me.

For now take care!!

[josemarb]

Thanks for your posts Kash.
Every single post i read make me feel better. I'm in a similar position like you, but in UK saving some money.
Every day I ask to myself if it worth to go there and try to find a job but with your stories i realise that have to be a great experience and we must try.
I just want to say keep on trying to find a job and thank you.
Take care mate

[abhi88]

Just outta curiosity Kash, your thread title says Maun, Namibia and Zambia.:} I see that you have made it to maun, when are you planning to go to namibia or zambia????

Also, since this ad campaign of yours in pprune is working in your favor dont you wanna put up your abbreviated CV with total time, license's held etc here????;)

[Kash360]

Good morning Guys,

As you see from the post above Abhi88 has raised an important post on a number of levels.

The first would be when am i going to be heading to Zambia and Namibia?

The truth is i do not know, i suppose when a person has no options he has time. I will run out of this town when hope has come to an end here. And then i will travel further to Zambia and Namibia.

The second point Abhi88 raised was why dont i make good use out of my advertising campagin.

Im sorry if you feel this is a advertising campagin and i see who you could have mistaken it as such. But i have said from my first post that i have done diaries in my past and that PPrune helped me sso much through my training that i would like to give something back. And this is a learning curve i am going through, so you guys who are in the same position maybe able to take heed of the advice our seniors have posted on here or try avoiding the mistakes i am making.

But if you feel i CV on here will help then i will be happy to put up my summary. Like i have said before i find no shame in asking for help.

If anyone is interested i have the below.

JAA CPL/ME/IR + MCC (fATPL)

Total Time 284
PIC 137
IR time 75

Like i say i am more than happy to take on peoples advice.

[FlyBy_7]

Kash, this really is a great thread. I've been reading these threads for months and finally decided to go to Africa and join this forum for some advice. This is the first day by day account of life in Maun that I've found and it's really helpful. It sounds like a fun place and I really hope you find a job so this story can have a happy ending.

I'm looking through all the other options in Africa, but who knows, I might end up in Maun in a month or two.

[STRANGELYBROWN]

Hi Kash

I spent 2 months at Audi Camp and 1 month before in Namibia. It sounds to me you have the right atitude to get the job, just keep at it and get to know as many people as possible. When you get that job it is the best flying you will ever do and also you will get to see the greatest safari country from the air and from the camps when you night stop.

Advice:
1, get to know as many people as possible, often the boss will ask the pilots before they hire. Do not become annoying! Friday night is the big night at the Buck and Hunter

2, As said before, ask about the water. Rain but mostly the floods, the town is obsessed with it.

3, Learn about the country and wildlife, anything to set you apart from the rest of the crowd.

4, offer to help anyone in any way even if it is not flying related, it's a small town and word gets around, as you found out after the rum.

5, Keep everything of value with you at all times, i had a lot of stuff nicked from my tent whilst i was asleep in the tent (i think it was the bloody rum). But don't worry about violence, there is none.

6, Move your tent every few days, the ants will eat through the bottom of it.

7, Enjoy and make the most of being in such a great town, it's very odd when compared to the UK, embrace how strange it is, have a good time and do as much as you can whilst there.

8, Most of all hang in there and don't give up, if Maun is not looking good head to namibia.

Good luck

I wish I was back there

SB

[Kash360]

Morning everyone,

I hope everyone is well, im sorry i have not posted my last two days accounts. I have been busy chasing up a lead. I came to Zimbabwae yesterday and am now in Zambia. I will be travelling back to Zimbabwae later todaay and back to Maun tomorrow morning.

I promise i will either give my full account later today in Zimbabwae or when i get back to Maun tomorrow. I am so greatful for the messages asking if i am ok.

Im trying to follow a lead in Zambia at the moment. But everything in Zambia is closed on a Sunday so it may have been a wasted journey.

I will get back to you guys later and keep you up to date.

Godspeed!!

[Kash360]

Afternoon Ladies and Gents,

As always hope all is well and good, just got back to base at Audi camp, back safe and sound but tired. A 12 hour car ride doesn’t really do your body any good.

I do apologise again for not posting my daily reports for the past two days. I decided to go up to see Victoria falls and like I said before following a lead in Zambia.

I left early morning on Saturday after a poor night sleep setting off at first light. A 10 hour drive up to Zimbabwe and a punctured tire finally got to the border which I thought I was going to be hassled at but surprisingly breezed though. Arrived at the backpackers pretty late and tired so after a few beers and a bite to eat got my head down in an air conditioned room with an actual BED. I had to treat myself after 20 days of bumming it in a tent.

Another early start and straight to the Vic falls. I must say I have travelled the world a few times over. But what Vic falls did to me no other place yet has come close. I have always heard other people say it takes your breath away but thought how wonderful can it really be. But honestly it does take you back. I sat on a rock and thought for hours but after a while I found myself without a single thought and at peace. I’m not saying I found God at all, I’m just saying I felt really good after a long time. But as everything goes good things must come to an end.

I had to get across to Zambia and see if I could walk around and show my face. Managed to get into Zambia pretty easy but for us British its expensive getting visa's. Got into Zambia and went to the operator’s office which was closed and was thinking just my luck. In the UK we find allot of companies still open over the weekend but I’m not in the UK. So everywhere was closed.

I decided to head to the airport in Livingstone airport and see if I can try my luck there. So with my CV's in my hand I shot straight to the airport.

After about 10 minutes of standing around I met a first officer for one of the operators who after introducing myself said that the training captain was on board and is also from Manchester. And that he will come and see me.

I was amazed at meeting the training captain on how friendly and genuinely interested he was in my ventures of finding my first job. I gave him a copy of my CV. And he did say that you have just come to the right place at the right time. But he did say I will get a response maybe not tomorrow or a month or three. But I will get a response.

I hope something does come off it. But straight back to the border and back into the Zimbabwe. Never did anything else interesting other than pretending to be a guest at 5 star hotels enjoying free perks.

Got back into the car at 6am and after a 12 hour drive and a few problems on the way got back in time to do my rounds.

Got into Maun to find 3 new guys had turned into town while we were away I believe that takes the total to 25.

I’m not too sure now if this is the right place for me now. The numbers are out the roof and many more are coming. And the operators have zero jobs going. It seems with the economic problems allot of the pilots are renewing their contracts and the operators are being cautious.

I not too sure what my next move is going to be but Zambia is asking for a 1000 hours which I don’t have and have heard that Namibia has 16 people in Windhoek. And also require pilots to speak German.

I’m not losing hope but am finding it hard to see any light at the end of the tunnel.

Again I hope this finds you well. And as always if you have any leads on any jobs or contacts worldwide please PM me. And this is your post too so feel free to add to it.

Take care!!

[AlternativeProcedure]

Kash, how about some pictures of your travels. It will benice to see some of these places you are visiting and the people you meet

[meggo]

Absolutely fascinating to read of your "travails' (French for very hard work) and now your "travels". Keep it up mate. You are a winner. Your family must be so proud of you.:ok:

[bfisk]

Dude, you absolutely rock. :ok:

[Nickdj]

Kash,

Good luck mate, hope it works out for you. Awesome what you are doing!!

cheers Nick

[Kash360]

Evening guys,

Firstly i'd like to say thanks to the above post. Very kind of you guys to write such comments.

After about 5 hours of sleep last night and an upset stomach went back to the paradise city (Maun Airport). Sat at Bon Arrive and met the new pilots who had come into town while i was away. I sat there pretending that i had just arrived into Maun and was the new boy. I had them going for about 30 minutes before i ended up telling them that i have been around for 3 weeks. I know it was mean but just abit of self humour!!

Did my rounds at the operators trying to get on some flights but the companies are very quite themselves. Sat around Bon arrive again most of the day as one of the operators asked me to help them with some data analysing and doing some chart stuff.

Have spent most of the evening working on it and have just finished it. Hopefully i havent made any mistakes and will hand it in tomorrow.

Was offered a house sit too which i took without a thought but that starts next week and its just for a few days. But it's better than nothing.

So 26 guys in town fighting for the same food. The pressure is now certainly on. And to anyone even thinking of coming bring your A game. The competion is high and strong.

Been given some advice through PM which is basicly stick at it and dont put all your eggs in one basket and to throw your net further afield. So been calling operators in Africa today trying to get a feel of where next to pitch my tent.

I know sometimes i come across as a crying baby and when i have PM of people telling me that it had taken them 7 months to find there first job, i feel like an idiot.

But the truth is that this is my last chance, like many off you my finances are starting to dry out and i dont wish to go asking anyone for hand outs. I made the choice of becoming a pilot and saved every penny while my mates used to go out on nights out. And so i dont wish to borrow money for a future that is uncertain. Im not better than anybody and am glad that my feet are firmly on the ground. Im not a person who feels he is too proud to ask for help in fact i have said on here many of times that im not shy in asking for advice. But i dont wish to gammble other peoples money.

Spoke to my family today who are 100% behind me and thats what counts the most.

I noticed on one of the posts that someone has requested for some photos on here. I promise i will put them on. But i dont wish to put peoples faces up on here until i have asked for there permission.

But dont worry guys i still have health, strength and hope. And so am not looking at giving up anytime soon. We all have bad days and these are mine. But at the same time i am meeting some great people and seeing some amazing sites. And it will be these things that will help me through.

As always i hope this post finds you well.

But for now take care and Godspeed!!

[Abu Bebo]

Dear Kash

I have been reading your blog for only a couple of days now, but already I'm hooked! I think many people will agree that it is the most interesting thing on PPRuNe for ages. Everyone likes a good serial, so keep it up, good news or bad, happy or sad, with no apologies. I can tell you it has already been inspirational: people will reference this in future when they plan their trip overseas, so let us know what's the right bug juice to use.
Yours wishing you good flying tomorrow

A.B.

[sierra_november]

thanks for this really informative thread Kash !

I'm sure you'll start flying soon, hang in there buddy

[sbetts]

Truly inspirational kash,

With your attitude, operators would be mad not to want you.......:ok:


Hope it all works out for you

[Kash360]

Evening ladies and Gents,

Again i would like to thank you all posting such nice, promising messages.

Not got much sleep last night kept hearing something scratching outside my tent last night. Didnt want to get out and check just incase it turned out to be something poisionous!!

Sat up at 5am sending messages to operators around Africa before heading to the airport. Sat at Bon arrive waiting for pilots to come in but i think it must be towards the end of the month and they ran out of money. No one came in, or it could be that we scared them off from there local.

But staright after breakfast and went up to show the teacher my homework ( data analysing for one of the operators). As i arrived in there office i was asked to have a look at a problem which has taken me all day in fact till 8pm tonight. But im so glad that they asked me, it gave me something to do. In Maun you need something to keep you sain when your looking for work otherwise this place quickly takes hold of you and leaves you feeling useless.

Just got back to the camp writting this having a cold drink, let me tell you it tastes so good when yo have done something productive.

Spoke to one of the new guys today who was asking me about when he will be hired, i took the glass closest to me and gave it to him. I then told him to rub it unil a genie came out and ask him. Again just a another bit self houmour.

Anyway guys better go guys really tired now, Will speak to you all tomorrow. But as always i hope this post finds you well. And please remeber this is your thread so please feel free to post on it.

Take care and God speed

[TheBeak]

The word resilience springs to mind when I read your posts!

[go around flaps15]

A very admirable journey you are undertaking. Fair dues to you.:ok:

[Kash360]

Evening Ladies and Gents,

Hope all is well and good, and hope you are all reading this in high spirit.
Today is my 22 day in Maun and still in the same position as i was on my first day here (looking for work). But in these 22 days i have made good friends, seen some amazing places. That is not what i had 22 days ago.

I have made a rule at Audi camp with the lads. I ill buy anyone a shot as long as i choose what shot. 2 minutes ago i had my second victim who i gave 3/4 tabasco sauce 2 fresh chopped chilles and the rest stroh rum. I do feel sorry for him now. But im sure the feeling will go away soon.

Headed down to the airport this morning, and after breakfast went back to the operator to carry on helping them with some computer stuff. I've not got a job but it feels good working.

Got back to the camp early around 3 and witnessed the biggest storm i have ever seen. My tent is drenched so am sitting wondering what kind of sleep im going to be having.

It's a funny place Maun, i came here a stranger hateing the place but once you get to know the place and people you get attched to it very quickly. But i must not loose my focus i am here to find work!!

Im scared about moving on to somewhere else to find work but i felt the same before coming here. I'm not too sure what to do now, but i know that i must hunt for my food.

Like many i have a dream about finding a job and making an honest woman out of someone and settling down. But i cant go doing the rest until i have something that will help support my future family.

I get some great positive remarks on here and when i read them it makes me smile. But at the same time im asking all of you reading this if you hear of any place or have any contacts that will help me find work please please please PM me.

I know im sounding desprate and i know i shouldnt. A few of our senior pilots have said dont sound desprate. And to those who gave me that advice i hope you are not upset for me grovelling. But im in tight spot!

To those who are thinking of becoming a pilot because they love flying dont let my journey put you off, Im a great believer in things somehow just seem to work out. But if your doing it for the money or glamour find something else. We as pilots have a responsibilty when we are working. Making sure safety is above all things and remembering that people have put trust in us to deliver them to there destination.

Im no saint, not at all i have a laugh like everyone else but when we have been tasked to fly people we must put all other things aside and focus.

I dont know why im giving this advice im in no position to and certainly dont have a job. But dont come into this industry other than for the love of it.

22 days have gone by as if it were yesterday. With nothing to do all day you will be suprised how fast time passes you by.

Spoke to my mother today, the sweetest woman in my life. Who said to me "dont let yourself down just remember im still here the world hasnt come to an end". Thats all you want to hear from your mother is that dont worry son whenever you fall i be there to help you up. No other relationship can offer that security. Sorry just being a sentamentle ****!!

Anyway guys, as always keep your spirits high, your courage strong and your hopes high. We will all come through this rough patch it's just not our time yet. But it will be soon, so hang in there.

Take care!!

[Yassan81]

Duuuuude. You're making me wish I were a film or TV producer, we could make a fortune! Anyway, all I can say is, I'm impressed. I wish I had your kind of dedication. Who knows, maybe once I step into a cockpit for the first time in my life, I'll get "the bug" as well. So far I'm just content to work in Ops and dream of becoming a pilot. I only discovered this site today with the help of one of the FOs at my company. But I think I'm going to embark on that journey pretty soon. I don't even need to wish you luck. You've already made it. As a Greek poet once said "When you set out for Ithaca, hope that the road is long". Or as Aerosmith put it, "Life's a journey, not a destination". You're living the kind of life we only see in movies, the lives we're all too chickens#$@ to go out and lead. I envy you and stand in awe of you. Hats off. Dunno what else to say other than hang in there. Not just for the job, but for this whole attitude toward life you have. Cheers!

[Kash360]

Morning Ladies and Gents,

Firstly sorry about not posting yesterday, wrote the entire report and when i went to press send the internet went down. So again sorry!!

Yassan81, i would like to thank you for your extremely kind post above but honestly im not worthy of half your compliments. This is no movie or a TV show. This is a normal bloke just trying to get his first foot on the ladder and am just giving you my personal accounts of how i have been getting on. Im sure you will become a great pilot one day and join the ranks.

Yesterday i was speaking to another wanabee looking for work who had read my blog. His first comments to me is that i am seeking attension. Im sorry if some of you feel the same way but honestly i enjoy posting but at the same time its meant to teach us things about the do's and dont's of finding a job.

I met 3 more pilots who have just come into town all blue eye and bushy tailed. They ask us guys who have been here for a while looking for tips of getting a job. But the answer is there is no rules to this game. If your face fits and theres a job then its proberbly yours.

I got a fantastic PM from a pilot who has thousands and thousands of hours under his belt. But the one point that took me back was the fact that even when his senior pilot was placed in a nursing home he constantly went and met him. Thats what respect of your seniors and friendship means to look out for each other.

Nothing has changed on the job front. The work i was doing for an operator has been completed and so am joining my ranks of unemployed people looking for work again.

Im still doing my rounds and last night was invited to a party which was awsome. but i was back in bed for 10:30 im sure im getting too old.

Im now coming to a stage where im thinking about going home, nothing is changing around here and feeling that i am wasting money. Im not getting anywhere with the other countries around Africa either.

But ill see, anyway as always i hope you are well, and please remeber this is your thread too and if you have any contacts or know of any jobs going around the world please please please PM me!!

Take care!

[Ronand]

Hi Cash I must say that I admire you for your brave decision to head to maun without any certainty of a job. I am in a similar position as you are ( same age, jobless Frozen ATPL 250tt) I recently also lost my regular job and now I'm unemployed again :bored:. Some days I feel really down about my situation, and I know it must be a lot harder to be a in a foreign country not knowing anybody on your arrival.
I was also having the thought of heading to Maun, Namibia and Bots... But somehow I did not have the balls to make the final step. I just could not afford to lose any more money or maybe I'm just to much of a pessimist... May I ask how much your journey has costed so far incl plane tickets? Have you set your self a limit (time or money) after which you will return home?
If you do not want to post it here you can also pm me
I wish you all the best and honestly hope you will find something soon!

[Krazy]

Kash - you have sparked one of the best threads I have ever read on pprune here! I admire what you have done and like many here, respect your ethics, professionalism and perseverance!

I am in a similar position, and although having considered Africa, I don't think I have the guts to do what you are doing. Being able to keep your spirits up like that is amazing. I truly hope that places there start hiring soon and am confident that you would be one of the deserving ones to get a job.

[AutopilotEngage]

Get it in writing from the magazine place that they will do a story on you if you get employed, and then take this proposal to the operators asking if they want to be the hero and get some free publicity, could be a win/win for both you and some operator...

[PosClimb]

Kash's problem is not him personally. I'm sure he's a nice guy who would make a great pilot. I'm sure the operators probably really like him.

His problem is timing.... he missed the hiring the wave (the one the one that usually comes around once every ten years.)

Reality is operators can't hire him unless a position becomes available, and generally a position will only become available if a current pilot leaves for greener pastures.

Problem is because the aviation industry is contracting hard and shedding experienced pilots, so there's no greener pastures for the current pilots to move up to, which means no slot for Kash to fit into.

The industry may not see another meaningful hiring cycle for another 8 years... that's very possible.

My advice for Kash... offer to work for free washing the planes... do anything just so you can be around and pray for a miracle.

You've already spent a small fortune... may as well borrow some more to go the extra mile to pay for living expenses... you've gone this far. No point in quitting now.

[dik cheney]

My advice for Kash... offer to work for free washing the planes...

:yuk: Poor effort PosClimb. Sure Kash, if your down there and one of the guys is washing a plane, you could offer to give him a hand and have a yarn while doing so. As for actually going to the owner offering to work for free....just dont do it.

[Kash360]

Morning Peers,

Just woken up with about a million ants crawling inside my tent. I think they must of made there way through the ground sheet even though i move my tent around often. It freaked me out but, like many say this is Africa. The phrase "This is Africa" gets used allot it seems it gets used when people have no excuse or cant be bothered to make things better. But this is a great place. And I find it's a place where we should all come one day to see that sitting behind a desk working 9-5 then going home and watching TV isnt all that life has to offer.

Someone on here raised the question of my expenditure so far. Well I managed to get a flight BHX-DXB-JNB-MUN return for £1100. My tent,clothes and all the stuff i brought out with me abou £200. And so far i think i have used about £600 here. I still have about £400 left and will see how far this shall take me.

Someone else raised the idea of working for free!!! there are two issues that i see with this. The first being, that i do not mind what so ever helping out what so ever. But i will NEVER work for free, yes if any company said there is 5 aircrafts outide go and wash them i would. But if they said come every day and wash planes then i would hold back. We must set a standard to what we are willing to do. The second being Im sure you gave advice though my best interest but. There is a limit. Our industry is all ready on it's knees and i dont wish to be a part of it to bring it down further.

Another person said go around and show operators a letter from the magazine who has offered to run a story on me, to get some free publicity. To be honest im sure its great advice and someother people PM me saying the same thing. But i cant see myself walking in to an operator asking for a job on the back of a magazine article. Of course i do tell them that on the back of my thread i have been offered an article to make them aware.

Im sorry if you feel that i have set my standards too high, but i find that all of us have a role to play to make sure that we dont drag our industry down further. I had a great PM from someone who said. That we must show that there are other routes into this industry other than ab initio or SSTR. I was one as you know considering about paying for a type rating but am glad i didnt persue that path.

Of course i want a job, and ill sign any contract that comes to me first but i will never sign something that i find i couldnt survive on.

Anyway guys better go my breakfast has arrived, i will post again later.

But thank you everyone for reading and posting on this thread.

Kash

[Kash360]

Afternoon guys,

Hope all is well and good, just back from a dip in the swimming pool at Audi. God it has been a hot day, been into the airport to show my face to the operaters and to see if i could get on any flights. But again no progress today either.

Came back to the camp pretty early today. Tired from the lack of sleep.
Met one more wannabe today. Im not sure if im now starting to suck sour grapes but i really couldnt be bothered doing the whole "Welcome to Maun" speach.

I'm starting to find myself at a low point for the past few days, constantly wondering when this unemployment storm will pass over me. Starting to think maybe i have bitten of more than i can chew.

I will be calling emirates tomorrow just to enquire of when they can get me home. I starting to think that i have to accept defeat. But i gave it my best shot i could.

I'm still going to fight for a job until the last day i am here. But sometimes after fighting so long you get tired maybe thats whats happened to me. Maybe im just tired!!

I'm not going to confirm my flights just enquire about them. I feel like im constantly moaning about not getting employed. Maybe i've just not got what it takes.

I feel silly, coming on here trying to show you all on what to do and not to do. To get your first job, but i dont think ill get my first job yet to show you. But dont any of you DARE let your hopes down about your career. Make sure you fight for the first job and dont let anyone tell you that you cant do it. Think of all the people who look upto you or that are proud of you.

Again i will take this struggle to the end and see if i can get my foot on the ladder. I still have strength and hope, but at the moment they are damaged. Maybe after a goodnight sleep i will be able to recover.

For all those reading thank you, and for all those posting and PM me i salute you.

Take care and Godspeed!!

[boeingbus2002]

Kash!
Well dude, just to echo everyones sentiment here, well done and good luck! You really are doing what most people dream about or talk about doing yet never have the guts to strive to achieve. As a fellow poster mentioned we had the same idea yet you actually have taken that step.

You will no doubt have lows during yr time away. Keep positive and strong. Remember how you felt at Vic falls? Well keep that in mind, maybe try to take another trip if its permissable just to boost yr morale! At times like these, read through all the positive comments posted here.
Also bear in mind that your postings are also motivating a lot of people back home.

Your experiences now will also be a fantastic talkin point in future interviews or for those long winded application forms! You are already much more positive about a lot of things than many others so keep that focus in mind.

Good luck and keep us posted! You will never know whats around the corner!:D:ok::ok:

[Muddy Boots]

Kash after all your efforts you're thinking of giving up now?

I know you went through your finances earlier but stay another month please. Surely you can find the money from someone at home? You have effectively in the grand scheme of things only just got there. You have spent all this time becoming a face at the airport getting to know everyone only to leave now, before what I understand is the main hiring season? When they need a pilot, you're the number one in the queue, if you get up and leave one of the Johnny come latelys will take your spot.

You talk of "the unemployment storm", do you really think it would be any better in the UK at the moment? Now that you've paid for the flight out there it's probably costing you less to hang out there and not work than it would to be kicking you heels around the UK not working and trust me the weather is better and it sounds like you're having fun.

From what I understand some guys have to hang out for three months before they get a break, I know that's a long time to be in a tent. Can you try and find other work? Be a barman or work at the airport and then find more solid accomodation? It will make you look like you're there for the long haul and cement some of what you've done so far.

Don't leave early and be the fifth Beatle. It's going to be a war of attrition and the last man standing will win.

Buck up and hang in there.

Muddy Boots.

[CRuS4D3R88]

@ above
Cant be said any better way.
Kash ,Saying and Doing are two completely different things i know but as everyone has said out here.You have been there DOING it the right way

I hope you find the right justice to your efforts..

Again,Like everyone my good wishes with you
All the best

[Barcud]

Kash you are an inspiration and I sincerely hope something comes up for you soon. I've been dipping in and out of pprune for ages but still have not posted or even started my ppl yet! Your blog is the best thing I've read here in ages and I had to use my first post to offer you my encouragement.:ok:

[Kash360]

Morning Peers,

Firstly i would like to apologise for sounding really down last night, I have woken up to check my messages am overwhelmed at the messages of encouragment. Yesterday was a bad day for me and my mind took me to places i didnt want to go.

But today the phoniex has risen out of the ashes and will be going to the airport in the same manner as i first arrived, it's amazing what a good nights sleep can do to a person.

I'm going to be sticking around until the end. Forget about Emirates they can wait!!

Muddy Boots has made some great comments in the above post and he is right in the grand scheme of things i havent even started!!

I do look back at all the post and PM people have sent me and honestly it cheers me up like no other.

My family read this thread yesterday and i got a phone call from them as soon as they read my post yesterday. My dad just said, "your not coming home yet, you have a job to do".

Again im sorry if i came across like a little girl. But today i have my strength, hope and determination like no other. I am hoping for some feedback today from a operator across the border. I pray it comes back positive.

Anyway i have a job to do, i have to go and find one. So for now you all take care and i hope you all feel as content as i do today. And if you find your not then i hope you have the strength to make yourself content.

[bfisk]

Keep at it Kash, think about the stories for the grandchildren!

"Back in the day when grandpa forked out your now obsolete inheritance to go flying, I had a ball. I remember, it was called the 737, the grandest airplane of the day, I had 500 wonderful hours before I went to work at the convenience store"

err...

"Back in the day, when grandpa went to Africa, in order to try to get a foot on the ladder, [insert blog here], and after a long time of hardship, finally luck caught up with me, and let me tell you there's been some stories after that too! But I can tell you more about those next time, little fellow"
:ok:

[Tim88]

Great stories Kash! I've got the deepest respect for you heading out to africa without any prospect!!
Today I heard that Citylink in Accra, hired someone if he was willing to pay his TQ.

[albertaboy]

Hey Kash!
Excellent blog. I really appreciate all of it, the good and the bad. I too lived in my tent in North West Ontario Canada for a couple months waiting for the big break. By no means was it as hard as your journey, but I rode the same wave of emotions you are. I love how your blog demonstrates resiliancey (sp?). It is great to show all those low timers out there that this is no cake walk. I spent many days cooking Kraft dinner on the hood of my jeep dreaming of the break. Stick with it, I reached ultimate lows but eventually got the highs (a job). Keep the blog raw and honest as you have done already. If you do go home, by no means is it a failure. No doubt you have learned and accomplished more than many out there!!
Bon Chanse!

[Kash360]

Afternoon Guys,

As always i hope all is well and good, just got back to Audi camp sitting with a ice cold coke, waiting for one of the lads to cook us all a meal.

As you are aware yesterday was a bad day. But today was a new day and as said in my post earlier that the phoniex has yet again risen from the ashes.

Was at the airport again bright and early popping my head around the door of the operators. After my rounds sat back at Bon arrive only to have two pilots from different operators come over and ask if i could help them with some data analysis and have a look at there computers.

It made me feel great being asked, i shot out of my chair paid the bill and ran to the operators. Sat most of the morninng doing work for one and then running to the other operator to help ot there.

They were very pleasant and thankful. I like it when people ask me to help out, it beats sitting around Bon arrive watching my pokets loose weight while my stomach puts it on. I think Bon arrive should make me a stake holder.

3 more new guys in town today, i've lost count now,but now i dont even care how many people are here looking for work. I have my A game with me now and nothing is going to get me down. When every door has closed in my face then i will know it time to move onto somewhere else.

Some of the guys were talking about heading to the delta by road in about 2 weeks so think i may join them ifthey still have a seat left.

Again guys sorry about yesterday, i had a PM from a person who i would now class as a friend, basicaly saying " stop being a D**K" " Get yourself together".

I have not heard of any other news from any leads or jobs that i have applied for. But it's ok, im in the playing fields at the moment and will see how it goes.

To all of you posting on here sending me your notes of encouragement THANK YOU SO MUCH. It really is a morale booter, many of you are sitting in front of your computers thinking GOD is Kash on his periods. He keeps going hot and cold on us. Well boys hopefully it will be all hots from now on. Well im going to try my best and if i fail ill keep trying.

Anyway guys enough for the day, im starving going to get a bite to eat. But as always i hope this post and every other finds you well.

Take care!!

[George Semel]

Gee's Ant's what else? On one hand reading all of this has been a bit of a hoot. On the other, something is going on, they are having you do stuff for them. Are they asking any one else ? I don't pretend to know how things are done there. It seems to me that you are being looked at and in a good way. My guess if there is a job on the horizon, you are going to get it.

You complain about the heat, well I am going to clue you in on something, yesterday was the first day since Christmas were I didn't need the Silk long Johns and the Durafold thermals on. The other day it was -2 F when I got up in the morning, this morning it was just about 57 F. Its warn wet and very windy today. At least you have a pool and plenty of cold beer to go along with the ants.

Well it good to know that you have support from family, its a catch 22 you can't get a job with flight time and you can't get the flight time with out a job. Welcome to the part of aviation that nobody talks about when you go to flight school, only there are jobs to the end of the horizon out there for you with your Wet Inked Pilots Certificate.

[Tiger_ Moth]

Kash,

You are an absolute paratrooper! If anyone deserves a job it's you. You have the right attitude, the commitment and by the sounds of it the personality to succeed.

If you can't do it no one can: so we're counting on you!

The very best of luck to you sir

[NovaScotian]

You are defiantly an inspiration to fellow aviators, I registered on PPRuNe just to post this to you. I commend your efforts and determination of finishing what you started. That is a quality that is all too often forgotten about in today’s society.
Reading your blog has made me think about wanting to go to Africa and try the same thing. The flying looks fun out that way and it sounds like much warmer weather that I’m used to and no icing to worry about, but I already have a job and it would take me quite a bit of time to save up enough money to attempt that.
I wonder if you ever thought of going to Canada and looking for some work. I don’t know what the immigration situation would be to get a visa but there are opportunities here, although times are slow.
Keep up the battle, there is much support here on this forum for you I think we all want you to succeed.

[EK4457]

Kash,

First post on this thread but I have read it daily, each time waiting for the page to load with figers crossed that the job you deserve has found you.

You understand better than anyone else that you arrived in africa with no guarantees. However, you can be doing no more than you are. You are a credit to newly qualified pilots and if all were like you the profession would be as it always was and may be again.

I have no advice to offer as I have never been in your situation, however I can say that you have come too far to give up before your last allocated penny has been spent in search. Enjoy the journey, as you have so far.

EK

[bfisk]

no icing to worry about

Oh well... Don't let high surface temperatures lead you to the conclusion that there will never be icing at altitude. Haven't flown in Africa myself, but from what I've heard, beware of towering cumulus and of course CB activity. Furthermore, I suspect onboard deicing/antiicing equipment might be less common on some aircraft operated in Africa, than elsewhere. But that's just my guess!

[FlyBy_7]

Not that I know what it's like to be in your shoes right now, but I must say I agree with the last few posts. You should find a way to stay a bit longer. I know you've said there are twenty-something pilots there right now, but if you're willing to stick it out maybe you'll be the only person the operators recognize when it does come time to hire someone. Good Luck! And don't be so hard on yourself if you have a bad day. You're certainly entitled every now and then.

On a practical note, how did you arrange your return flight to be flexible? I've been looking into that part of it and I seem to have to book a date and then pay large fees to change it if I needed to.

[Kash360]

Afternoon Peers,

As always i hope this post finds you well and good, another day has passed me by in Maun. Woke up pretty early this morning to hear birds going mad uo n the tree above my tent. Oh and last night had my hair shaven off, which has left me looking like a idiot. That is the last time i let the lads talk me into something.

Heard of one of the operators hiring two guys today, one out of town and another who has become to be a good friend of mine. But it's ok my hopes are still alive and am more hungry than ever.

Been helping around again at the opertors working on there computers, which is cool because i get to sit in a air conditioned office.

Went for lunch at the Buck and Hunter and ate the biggest burger i have ever seen, a foot long.

Back at Audi relaxing waiting for another day to start tomorrow.

Wish i had more to tell you today, but unfortunatly i dont. I feel like im getting along with everyone in town always laughing my socks off. One good thing is, it doesnt matter where you are in the world aslong as you have good company around you. Im glad i have!!!

Anyway must go, but please feel free to post and if you have any leads world wide please please please PM me.

Kash

[Muddy Boots]

Kash,

Very pleased to hear you've turned the corner on being blue and now have a more positive outlook. Feels great to be able to reach out to someone half way round the world and offer words of encouragement to a complete stranger that you now feel as though you're part of his hopes and fears, wishing I were there doing it too!

I do wish I was there and have been planning to try and do something similar myself. I have a burning question though, I have a FAA CPL IR with a Mulit rating I'm just finishing up. I can see from your other posts you had an FAA license first too before you got you JAA ATPL. Can you tell me if they'd look at someone with the complete package of FAA licenses or is it all guys with JAAs that get hired? The reason I ask is I'm in the middle of my ATPLs (not trying to avoid them) but keen to get working somewhere while I finish them up.

Keep up the good posts.

Many thanks,

Muddy Boots

[fly_antonov]

It' s Africa.
As long as you know how to fly a plane, the colour or the logo on the license doesn't matter.

It would be interesting to know what kind of operators are being approached down in M. Is it GA/airline/NGO and light or larger turboprops?

What was your reason for choosing Botswana over for instance Nigeria?

Congo is interesting with many recent start-ups including SAA regional and Brussels Airlines' Korongo. Only that I' m not sure about the political stability of the country at the moment. I recently read that there were some localised exodusses to neighbouring countries due to local tensions.

For those interested in working for NGO' s in Africa, visit "aviation without borders" websites:

www.aviationwithoutborders.org (http://www.aviationwithoutborders.org)
http://www.asf-fr.org/ (http://www.asf-fr.org/)
http://www.asf-spain.org/ (http://www.asf-spain.org/)
http://www.luftfahrtohnegrenzen.de/ (http://www.luftfahrtohnegrenzen.de/)
http://asfbelgium.org/ (http://asfbelgium.org/)
http://www.pzg.nl/ (http://www.pzg.nl/)


Some of them are looking for volunteering pilots. Some of them (UK and NL) are about to purchase aircraft.

Volunteering for a good cause beats pay-to-work-and-still-jobless-after-that.

Good luck to all.

[Kash360]

Morning Ladies and Gents,

Sorry about not posting yesterday, have had a stomach bug which had led me to stay in bed. Feel a little better today. Anyway hope you are all well and good.

Yesterday arrived at the airport bright and early and carried on helping the operators with some more computer stuff and general help around the office. It's quite cool helping around the operators even though the wanabe lads give me a bit of friendly grief. But it's all fun and games.

Arrived back at Audi about 4 pm after picking some stuff up from Spar for dinner. But as soon as i got back i took a turn for the worse. But i tell you what the staff at Audi and the lads could not have done a better job to help me recover. I felt like royalty!!

Some more guys have turned into Maun, but it's ok everyone is welcome. At first it used to worry me about how many people are coming buut now it doesnt bother me at all. I have shown my face around and done my best to know and get on with people just as i would have done back home. There is nothing else that can be done.

Each day seems to by the same here, and everyday you hope that today will be today. But this is how Maun is. And there is nothing you can do to change it. I see Maun as a place similar to Purgatory.

I've not heard back on any of the leads i was following but i still have hope. I do wish sothing from anywhere comes through quick.

I have my heart set on flying anywhere in the world and im sure allot of you do too. Im not asking for a right hand seat on a 747 just a seat in a cockpit.

But i dont deserve it above anyone else. So ill just sit my time out and wait like the rest of you.

Anyway as always i hope you are well and things are going well for yourselves. And again thank you for taking the time out for reading and posting on this thread. With out you this thread would have not been possible. If you have any leads please please please PM me.

Take care!!

[RR RB211]

Gday Kash

Great to hear of your adventures in Africa. It's great to read your posts and see what you have been up to and if the tables are turning in your favour or not.

It can be a tough long road at times but you mustn't give up. One thing that kept me going through all the training and then finding that elusive first job was a quote I heard somewhere along the lines of "so many people accept failure when they never knew how close to success they were".

Admittedly it was different 3 years ago and some of us have been very very lucky but you make your own luck. I guess it's safe to say you have everything lined up for when someone eventually makes you an offer? Not sure what the requirements are in your part of Africa but here in Australia you put yourself behind the eightball if you didn't have time on the type the operators were using (the 206 POH study you are doing is a great start), a current Dangerous Goods certificate for starters.

These things can take a while but it sounds like you have been networking well and getting to know the other pilots is a sound strategy. They may be your work colleagues one day and sometimes the boss may ask them if they know anyone suitable who will fit in with the team, look after the customers and has a sensible head on their shoulders so as to not bend their aeroplane!

Not sure what else I can tell you but all the best and hang in there. Trust me, it is so so worth the struggle.

[Kash360]

Afternnon Ladies and Gents,

As always i hope everyone reading this is well, it's been a long day in Maun for me. Been helping out at the operators all day with data analysis. Making sure that when they go to present there files they will be in order and make sence. It's funny how things work here i was asked by another operator to help do there data anaylsis too. But i did say that as soon as i finished my work at the first i will come straight to them.

I cant say i have been feeling 100% today after being sick, but your private messages and post certainly help to cheer me up. Been to the doctors just to make sure it would not happen again.

Im not sure if i will get a job or not here. But i know i will certainly leave knowing that i gave my best, helped out as best as i could and made some great friends.

I know i keep complaining about the heat here but really is it bad to hope for a bit of rain to remind me of home? Had to come back to Audi and dip in the pool to cool down.

Just at the bar now watching the Audi mascot dog playing around!! He is so cool.

Oh and went to Whimpy and had the best milkshake in the world or should i say that i had two.

Im sorry if my posts are becoming more and more repetative but this is meant to be my journey, however boring it maybe id like to share it with you all.

Most doors in Maun have closed on me, but there is still hope of a couple. And when those couple close on me i will hopefully have the strength to find somewhere new to pitch my tent and start again. Im not a religous person but i do pray i do get hired someday soon. I pray we all get hired some day soon.

Anyway with all my respect to all of you, i must leave you for now and wish that you find this a good read and wish that you are content with all things you do. We may one day meet in the skies!!

[Kash360]

Afternoon,

As you may guess my circumstances are yet still the same, and I am no closer yet to getting a job as I were yesterday. However today is a new day, and a new day brings hope but even that has faded for the day.

Tomorrow will be a new day and along with it comes hope, another early start today at the airport. Popped my head around the operators but no work to be done today. The operator I was meant to help was out of the office all day. So sat around at Bon Arrive sipping on a coffee milkshake, after doing another set rounds i decided come back to Audi camp (home sweet home).

Nearly every door in Maun is closed, and yet more people arrive daily. I managed to contact a few other operators today by telephone around Africa, but the first question they ask before you carry on the conversation is how many hours do you have? And as soon i say 284, they pretty much say thanks but no thanks.

I'm not too sure what the future for all of us low hour pilots will be, but it definitely is a struggle. I don’t agree with people paying for a type rating and then paying for 500 hours on type. But at least they have their applications looked out. I’m not that stupid or wealthy so I don’t have that choice

Was talking to a few guys about if things don’t work out here then I will have to go home and take a job at McDonalds as there is no jobs in engineering either.

Well let’s leave McDonalds for another time and concentrate on getting a flying job here or anywhere.

I know you are all saying keep positive and I totally agree and am trying my best. But i am in the battle field and seem to be on the losing side. But I will give it my best to be the last man standing.

Anyway better go,

Take care!!

[375H&H]

Hi Kash!
Stumbled on your blog a few days ago as I've been thinking about coming to Africa to try and find work. Forgive my ignorance, but what exactly is Maun? is it a town where there are a lot of operators who fly tourists etc?
It seems a lot of people from around the world come there to start building hours and get into the industry.
I'm currently still training in Canada, and at this point thinking I might be better off staying here to find work. (less competition for you heh :))
Anyways, it's been really good to get a real perspective on how things can be. I'm bracing myself not to give up if I can't find anything for awhile. I know here up north people start on a ramp and get promoted after awhile.
All the best,
Will

[yash]

hey kash360

I really appreciate all your efforts in writing to us everyday and i hope you get paid for all the hard work you've been doing .
All the best mate

[NovaScotian]

Keep strong Kash, you've been there a month soon and i'm sure your well liked there. Just hang in there for as long as you can. I'm sure things will turn around, just make sure you keep letting the operators know your still around. Just think, if it usually takes someone 2 or 3 months to get work there, you're already 1/3-1/2 the way there, more that can be said for the blokes who just got there. Hang in there bud, we're all cheering for you!

[soaring.high]

Hii Kash,
How are you?Hope you are fine and doing good.I must confess Kash you are one hack of a blogger!!! Keep one thing in mind buddy sometimes the journey towards achieving a goal is much much more important than achieving the goal it self.What every one of us witnessing is one such journey of yours towards achieving a goal.Doesnt matter if you dont achieve the goal(God forbids) but look how far you have travelled!!
I tell you my story.I got my CPL with IR and ME in NOV 2008.Have been trying to get a job eversince but havent been successful.Working in HR industry for the time being to provide my family with much needed finances ( The sole earning person since dad retired).Cant afford to get Instructors or TR because of the financial conditions.Have been advised by dad to stop dreaming about aviation and start looking for a permanent job.But I havent given up the hopes.Still applying and looking for jobs in aviation.It was my dream to become an aviator now that I have become one I just cant let it go away like this.I still will hang in there and keep on looking until I find what I want.And even if I cant find a job in aviation the efforts would count much more than anything else.Atleast I wont regret that I didnt try hard enough when I would have retired and would be seeing my entirelife in a flashback sitting in my armchair!!Cheers!!

[Kash360]

Evening,
Firstly thank you to all the people posting and reading this thread, I would not have believed for a second that this thread would have reached the numbers it has. Again this is your thread and you make it what it is. I do look back through the posts and read them regularly whenever I get bored or feeling down. But this thread isn’t about making me feel better it’s meant to show the struggle of getting you first job. It is also supposed to help people about the things they should avoid doing.
Secondly, I would like to assure you all that I’m not giving up now or in the future, if Maun isn’t the place I get my first job then I’m sure I will find somewhere else to try. I love this place but I also love having a job. I’m still positive but no one can guarantee me a job except the operators.
I still have the strength, courage and hope to achieve my goal but I don’t have the finances. But to every will there is a way. So not too worried about that just yet.
Been in to the airport today just to show my face, but nothing for me to do and neither any flights for me to get on. So after a quick stop at shopperite and straight back to camp. Been sitting around the camp applying for jobs on every continent. Not a single reply as yet.
I’m not sure what else I can do other than what I have been doing to try and get my first break. I’m giving it everything I have got, and to repeat it every day isn’t easy.
I came here with hope and will leave here with it, whenever that maybe!!
But if anyone has any advice on what else i should do please feel free to post. And if you have any contacts or any leads for me to follow, please PM me. I would really appreciate it.
Take care

[hallava]

Hi Kash,

very interesting blog you have. It's lovely to read this from europe where there is -25 degrees at the moment so bare that in mind if africa sometimes feels a bit overwhelming :ok:

I wish you good luck workwise and while your at it, keep us peeps posted :}

[Kash360]

Evening,

I tell you what i'm going to be sleeping like a baby after the day I have had. A extra early start today because I thought Iwould be able to get on a flight at 7 in the morning but was bumped of because of a last minute staff member needed to board. But it's ok I was close to getting on it. But went staright around the operators and showed my face, talking about a party to everyone who went to it on Friday night asked if Icould help out with anything. then staright of to a petting zoo.

I thought why not it's Sunday and I really need to explore the place while im here. It was amazing!

Got back to camp and moved and cleaned my tent again, noticed a few new holes that the ants had got through. But now it looks like the Ritz!!

Took a dip in the pool and played a couple of hands of poker before pulling myself away and coming this.

I would like to say, that I have had a few PM regarding some new leads and I would really like to thank you for them. I have sent an email to all the contacts you have provided and will follow them up by phone calls tomorrow.

Anyway must go not much internet credit remaining and still need to contact home. So im sorry about the short read today.

Take care!!

[Csanad007]

did the same as i did.
it's chillout here guys

[weelard]

hi kash
first of all i would like to and thank you for posting this day to day diary, i feel like i am there with you.
i am from canada and working on my CPL ME IFR same sort of deal, and will be done around nov 2010.
just a question are there any canadian pilots down in maun jon hunting?do you know if they even hire canadians?

thanks a lot kash. best of luck. Hope you reallli realli reallli get a job. you got my support. will be watching this thread daily.


will =)

[Kash360]

Evening All,

Firstly please let me take this opportunity to apologise for not posting yesterday. I would be lying if I told you that I had a good reason. The truth is I was extremely tired after helping out the operators. Even to the extent that I missed my lunch and dinner and fell asleep.

As I have said before Maun is a strange place. And even stranger is how things plan out here. I would be more than happy to tell you that I have been hired, however that is not the case. And by the looks of it, it will not be the case for a long time. It has now been drawn to my attention however cannot be ruled out that all doors in Maun are closed. This year it seems to be that more people have been recruited from outside of Maun than within.

Today has been an experience to say the least, I was trying to follow up a lead in one of the neighbouring countries. After trying to get on a flight from one of the operators in Maun and being unsuccessful I decided to drive the journey with a friend of mine. The journey would have been in total of 2200km return. However after driving for several hours I was stopped at a police check point to be advised that the car tax disc had been expired. I cannot fault anyone but myself for not checking. However the police check point I was stopped at was about 200km away from the closest town which had an operating cash machine. The officer in charge was adamant of either impounding the vehicle or paying 1500BWP cash. Like many have advised it is not wise to carry such large amounts. The officer would not allow me to go and collect the money so for that reason I have had to leave the car there and hitch a ride back to Maun.

Like many of you I have hope, and like many of you we come across obstacles to succeed in our journey. These are my obstacles, and I completely understand that sometimes our confidence and postures get dented from time to time. I feel this is happening to me, but believe me when I say I still have my hope, strength and courage. As I have come to learn over the past four weeks that tomorrow is a new day. And I will use any opportunity to utilise my qualities to succeed.


I beg you all not to let your spirits down as I have done in the past. We are all feeling the pressures of our industry, but we must believe that one day we will succeed in our endeavours to become fully fledged pilots.

I hope this post and all the ones yet to come find you content, and if you find your not I hope you find the courage to do so. And as always this is your thread too. Thank you all for reading, posting and PM. If you find in your hearts and have any leads and contacts please PM me.

For now take care

Kash

[albatros19]

Kash u were saying that operators hired many from outside maun rather than within, does that mean those pilots might have written to them first and actually being hired rather than showing up at their doorsteps? How does the hiring process actually begins for them?

Anyway just a point to ponder - every door are made to be closed its the key that are meant to open it, so closed door arent necessarily the end of it!

My deepest wish of luck to ya buddy u are already a true fighter in this journey.

Cheers!

[Kash360]

Afternoon All,
Hope all is well and good, another day has passed me by in Maun. And without any luck I’m still unemployed. However another early start, showing my face to the operators. I know no one will recruit now because all companies have hired.
I find that the situation is no longer about staying around and being the last person. It is also not the case of holding out and making friends. The truth is everyone who needed to be hired is hired.
I do wish something else comes through soon, I do still have hope. But staying here would now be a waste of time. I am now stuck between a rock and a hard place; I have notified the operators that I am thinking about leaving next week to return home.
I will try and confirm my tickets back to the UK on Friday, but I would be happy to return back to Africa in a heartbeat given the chance.
I feel like I have failed on this tour and as much as I dislike people who have paid for a TR and 500 hours it now seems not to be such a bad idea as at least those guys still have an edge above people like me. However I will never attempt doing something I completely disagree with
I don’t know what else to say, for the first time I’m lost for words and ideas!!

Take care

[eagerbeaver1]

I have read all of this thread but i do not seem to remember reading if you had considered doing a FI(A) rating?

I did and it worked for me in the end, took some time though.

A FI rating cost me 3.5k 8 years ago.

[ricknorm79]

Hi Kash,

Like many this is my first post but I have been reading your post with some interest and am very impressed by your bravery to go to such lengths in the pursuit of a job.

I now see that you're thinking of going home :(. Uhuh.... Let me give you some perspective. From what I can see, you've only been in Africa for about a month. That's nothing mate! You're looking for a job and have no experience... It's going to take time and you're going to have to be VERY persistant, particularly at this point in time. I don't think you'd be doing yourself justice by returning to the UK after only a month.

I'll put it in perpective. I work in the multimedia field (I know, different) and graduated from university with no experience in 2000, just when the 'dot coms' all crashed. I applied to about 150 jobs, without a word of response.

After about FOUR months, I started tp offer to do 'unpaid' work experience, just to get my foot in the door and do something (as well as working in a cafe).

This did land me two brief unpaid jobs which both lead to some short term paid contracts. People knew me, they saw I was keen.

After SIX months, I finally got my big break. I had to move from Australia to France to persue it, which was hard because I left my family, friend, everything I knew (I was only 21yo), as you've done. But it was the best experience of my life and has since pretty much set my career up.

What I'm getting at is that you're just at the beginning of your journey after one month!!! Keep your chin up. :ok: Find some paid work doing anything, so you can stay in Maun (the UK's going to cost you a lot more to live at). And then, maybe if in August 2010 you still haven't had ANYTHING, I think you'd have given it a fair go. Keep going brother! :)

[RMarvin86]

I've been reading this thread since the beginning and I think you've done a really great job so far by keeping faith and strenght all this time with the correct attitude but I think that many of the "lucky" guys down in Maun may have spent 2 months or maybe more hanging around the operators and as a user before me said
Thomas Edison once said:
Many of life's failures are people who did not realize how close they were to success when they gave up.

And I think you're pretty close! why not keep trying a bit you never know if one of the new pilots will give up and leave a vacancy! Have yuo tried looking in some other places like Windhoek? Whatever is going to be your decision I wish you good luck! :ok:

[Muddy Boots]

Kash,

Ok so Maun hasn't worked out for whatever reason, which is probably the same reason a lot of people aren't working, the economy is :mad: and people haven't moved upwards and onwards. We are in the deepest recession in living memory, now Harry Patch has died I doubt there are many who can remember the 1920s downturn...

However, you're in Africa and there are other places to go while you're over there and it's the cost of a regional flight or bus or back of a lorry, rather than the cost of a long haul flight. Use Maun as a base to come back to as everyone knows you now and there are people you can trust there to leave some of your things if you need to. As I said before, it'll cost you a lot more to hang out in a bar in the UK than the one at camp Audi.

Why not get a job at the airport loading bags or at one of the game lodges greeting guests? Maybe even as a barman, which is the best way to get to know a whole town over night. Work out your accomodation and get your arse out of that tent which will make you feel better.

The title of this post is "Maun, Nambia and Zambia it is then!" It feels like you've only explored the other places breifly and there is more face time to be done by you. What about Tanzania or Zimbabwae to mention a few...?

I have never seen a post get so much attention on PPRUNE so fast and have so many people write such positive replys. For me I have got up every morning and logged in to see how you are. I, along with many others, will be very upset if you give up now.

PM me if you really want me to give you some hardcore encouragement ...:E

Muddy Boots

[TJ1F]

Hi Kash ,

Have to agree that as long as it may seem , one month is not long at all... the best advice i got after training was to try and stay as close to the Airport as possible.... With this, as it turned out I landed a flight ops job for 6 months before finally getting my lucky break. Two job offers came at once... Funny how it works.

All I can say is hang in ther and Try your other options... Look on the African Forum.. Namibian situation 2010.. You seem to be there at the right time... Worth a go... :ok:

[RoyHudd]

Keep on keeping on. No flying jobs back home, thats for sure.

I almost gave up. Glad I didn't.

RH

[Kash360]

Evening All,
Not been a good night for me, was lay in bed scratching my hand all night. Then waking up to notice that my hand had ballooned up, but still went into the airport and saw the operators to show face. One of the operators noticed my hand and advised that I should go and see a doctor immediately, it turned out that I had been bitten multiple times by a poisonous spider. So not feeling my best today, been injected and pilled up to the rim.

Anyway I hope you are all well and good, sitting comfortably in front of your computers reading this post. From your replies after posting yesterday I notice a general feeling that I should stay here longer because I have only been here a month. And a month doesn’t mean anything in our industry.
I could not agree with you more, but please here me out. On the end of the day you are my seniors and I have complete respect for all of you. And I would never rule out anyone’s advice, because I wasn’t born with all the knowledge I require.
I just want to say that “yes” I have only been here for five weeks and it means nothing but what would you do with the information I’m about to share with you.
As you know I never mention companies or people on this thread so I will keep it that way.
Operator 1 Hired 2 people
Operator2 Hired 3 People
Operator3 Hired 2 people
Operator4 Hired 2 people
Operator5 Hired 2 people
Operator6 Hired 2 people
More than a few were hired from outside of Maun, there is 1 more position left in Maun. However I spoke to the person in charge of one of the operators who will be hiring one more but it will be filled by a local pilot. The pilots who were hired from Maun were here for a minimum of 2 months.
I can’t take any other kind of work to tie me over here, because I will never be given a work permit as there are local people who can do the same job. May that be bar work, ramp or any other?
I agree that I will be spending more money back at home than I would be staying here. However at least at home I would have the slightest chance to go back into engineering. And then this will help fund my next journey.
I will be travelling again to one of the neighbouring countries on Sunday/Monday to go and speak to an operator. I’m won’t be going to Namibia as there are 3 people waiting for jobs here who have just come from there and were told minimum 500 hours and fluent German language. I have also confirmed this by calling the operators.
I’m would like to apologise to you all if you think I’m letting you down. Honestly I think I’m letting myself down too. However this is not the end of my journey. I will go home save some more money and find a new spot to pitch my tent.
I know I have always had your support on this thread and through my PM. And honestly thank you so much for it because I think I would have left a while ago if weren’t for you. But this isn’t just about the money anymore it’s also about sitting here twiggling thumbs and waiting knowing that all operators have just took people on.
I will understand if you think I’m doing the wrong thing, but really tell me how you would feel with the information I have just shared with you?
As said before I will be heading up on Sunday/Monday and on every step I take there I will pray that it will be everything I hope. If not I will return home!!
Please don’t think I have given up!! Because I am far from that point yet, I’m just trying to make a decision that will allow me to fund my next trip as Maun has turned her back on me.
I will sing of roof tops till I am blue in the face, that please don’t give up your dreams. May that be flying or any other dream, the truth is without these dreams we won’t ever know what we are capable of. If you ever fall or fail please try again. I know how it feels to fall but I also know how it feels to stand up and try again.

Again thank you for your support and for everything you have all done for me. I still hope!!

Take care!!

[Kelly Hopper]

Kash, I can't tell you how much I wanted you to succeed in getting a first rung on the ladder, if for no other reason but to show all those pay2fly fools that there is an alternative means other than resigning ones life away to a road of debt.
Please do not come back home to do that as the real problem right now is one of timing.
There are hundreds of pay2fly's who after completing line training find themselves replaced by the guy behind them. It is a vicious circle that is geared all in favour of the airline at the expense of the wannabee, safety and passenger ignorance and indifference. Do you want to join them?
I don't know anything of flying in Maun but I can't help feel that at some other time you may have been more successful.
The aviation world is in an unprecedented trough right now. It has never seen such extreems of losses for operators, crews, or T's & C's.
In that environment to try to get a first job on a freshly printed licence with no operational experience in a foreign country was never going to be easy.
Perhaps at another time things would have been different.
My only real advise to you is to network network network, wherever you are. Keep your ear to the ground and chase every oportunity that arises. Take any job in aviation.
I for one will look forward to the day I read on here that you finally got it sorted.

[747TDR]

Kash! Don't even think about going back home! Try SA first! Spend some time and money doing an FI rating. Schools are crying out for Gr3 FI's! As for cost, you can expect to pay between R30k and R40k.

I'm with a school now and they're guaranteeing subsequent employment!

Maybe not what you want to do and maybe a bit steep, but well worth it!

If you do it at Rand airport (FAGM), the beer's on me!

[gerpols]

747, you might be able to give him a beer, but it will only benifit him if you provide him with a SA workpermit too, which is impossible !!
Dont talk crap.

Fly safe.

Gary

[albertaboy]

Hey Kash.
I am sure you have seen many of your peers fall by the wayside already in the short time since you have started your career. Some just arn't cut out for the journey. You are at another one of those points where a few more of them will throw in the towel. This may end up being your real test. Personally, I think it's a good idea heading home, getting together some more cash and heading out for round two somewhere else. Hold your head high and keep up the search. Just watch out for those man eating spiders!!

[smiley41]

Hi Kash,

From your post there seems to be a fair amount of hiring going on. Any idea why these people were hired ahead of you? Is it a question of experience or whether the operator likes you or not?

If you seem to be getting passed over by other people perhaps a chat with one of the operators might help.

[747TDR]

You sound like you're talking from experience gerpols???

If you're so experienced, you would know that work permits in SA are as easy to come by as a European with 200hrs and an A320 type rating!

Most schools offer subsequent employment, even if they are foreigners.

Did you expect Kash to work in Maun without a work permit? Methinks you need to revise your statement... :ugh:

[aceman18]

I agree with 747. I didn't find it too hard to get an SA work permit last year.

[suntorytimo]

"The pilots who were hired from Maun were here for a minimum of 2 months."

- So wait it out another month?

"I can’t take any other kind of work to tie me over here, because I will never be given a work permit as there are local people who can do the same job. May that be bar work, ramp or any other?"

- I'm sure you could find work in a bar where the owner is willing to overlook the absence of a work permit!

[ei-flyer]

I'm not wishing to burst anybody's bubble here, but you'll find it extremely difficult, if not impossible to get hired in Africa with any less than 500 hrs TT.

No matter how clearly motivated you are.

I'll bet anything that's why you're hearing/seeing all these other guys from outside Maun jumping the queue, so to speak.

I'm a little surprised nobody's brought this up sooner...

[Kash360]

Afternoon,
Again thank you all for your posts and PM. My hand is still ballooned up and still has the burning sensation running through it. But I have been given medication, so hopefully will get better soon.
I don’t know how to put this across to you guys. But Maun is a small place where everyone knows each other. I tried to get some bar work but as said earlier you must have a work permit. I know in the UK people work without permits but in Maun the word gets around pretty quick that you are working illegally. I don’t wish to take such risks and get deported, but thank you for the advice.
Also I would like to stress “I AM NOT GIVING UP” far from it. Someone raised the point that you cannot find jobs without having 500TT in Maun, I’m sorry but I don’t think this is true. People who have been invited from outside are friends of pilots or chief pilots with 200-300 hours TT. Maun is one of the only places in the world that takes low hour pilots.
The point rose by a fellow poster about if people have been hired after 2 months then why don’t you stay another month. I wish that was the case but I have spoken to every chief pilot in Maun who has said clearly that they have recruited everyone they needed and that I should come back in November at the earliest.
I believe that people here have been hired because of a number of reasons, which include they have had perfect timing in coming showing their faces for 2 months and so have been hired. Everyone in Maun knows how to fly otherwise pilots would not come, but no one here is disliked my competition are a bunch of great guys who all deserve the jobs they have got. I wish I had come a little earlier but such is life. I get on with everyone here and have been told by a few chief pilots that they would have hired me in a heartbeat however their hands are tied because of management.
I have given it my best shot here, and I will still carry on trying. My spirit is still high.
I have booked my flight and will be travelling to one of the neighbouring countries on Sunday to try my luck there. And as said before, that for every step I take towards their I pray thing turn out for the better.
Nothing much happening at the airport today, yet again an early start and full of hope with a spring in my step trying for the big break. But not much today, spent most of the morning running around trying to get flights for my trip on Sunday.
Will be attending a party later to witness a pilot who has just come on line do an omelette. Which includes eating a raw egg including the shell. Should be a sight to see.

Anyway must go, and as always I hope this post finds you well.

Kash

[GWidgery]

Good luck with wherever you're heading onto next, sorry I won't be around for the farewell braai tomorrow! Safe travels.
GWidgery

[Water Wings]

I have been following this thread for sometime and as a former Maun pilot I feel that Kash has indeed done everything possible to get a job and whilst many people on here are offering advice, a few seem to have little idea of how Maun works.

"The pilots who were hired from Maun were here for a minimum of 2 months."

- So wait it out another month?

If there were still jobs going I would say the same thing but come Feb. with the operators themselves telling you the hiring is done, why waste time on a losing battle?


"I can’t take any other kind of work to tie me over here, because I will never be given a work permit as there are local people who can do the same job. May that be bar work, ramp or any other?"

- I'm sure you could find work in a bar where the owner is willing to overlook the absence of a work permit!

Maun: 49,800 Black locals and about 200 Ex pats. A strange new white face in a bar would arouse a fair bit of attention and the Botswana government actively looks for illegal workers...not good to get on the wrong side of them if you want them to one day issue you a work permit.

I'm not wishing to burst anybody's bubble here, but you'll find it extremely difficult, if not impossible to get hired in Africa with any less than 500 hrs TT.

No matter how clearly motivated you are.

I'll bet anything that's why you're hearing/seeing all these other guys from outside Maun jumping the queue, so to speak.

I'm a little surprised nobody's brought this up sooner...
I think you'll find there are hundreds of pilot's out there who showed up in Maun with 200-300 hours and successfully found work and now have 10 times those hours.


People who have been invited from outside are friends of pilots or chief pilots with 200-300 hours TT

It's the old story of it not being what you know but who you know. Such is life I guess.

The only words of advice I can offer is keep looking for that first job even if you now have to look in a different place. There has been more than one person in Maun turn up one year looking for work that never materialised only to return a year later and try again, usually with success (funds permiting of course). I'm certain you will find something one day, persevernce is the key and you seem to have that in droves.:ok:

[Kash360]

Morning All,

Sorry for not posting yesterday, went on a boat ride which kept me away from my computer all day. But to be honest it was worth it. I love every minute of the trip. I'll be travelling for most of the day to one of the neighbouring countries.

I will be at some point in time be returning here, as I have made friends here. I have not finished with Maun yet but I must try and follow the leads I have been given.

I' sorry this is not of length or detail however I must go and pack my stuff. I wish you are all well. And as one of the guys here said to yesterday " look at it this way, your one more day closer to getting a job".

Again thank you all for reading, posting and PM me. If I do get a chance I will post later today and keep you posted regarding my day.

Take care.

Kash

[Kash360]

Afternoon All,
Again I must apologise for not posting yesterday, having travelled for over 2200km in search for a job and not having any internet connection or power led me not to post until now.


So my dear peers, I hope you are well. And everything your doing leads you to that lucrative first job.


As posted not long ago I tried travelling to a neighbouring country (Zambia) but had car troubles which led me to return to Maun. I decided to try again as I had promised. However I called in advance advising that I would pay a
visit on Monday.


I left Maun on Sunday morning and flew to Kasane. I had then hitched hiked by car and boat and travelled a further 600km to my destination. Spent the night at backpackers which was the worst night I had spent in my life. However I was just waiting for the sun to rise so I could get to the airport. As a fellow friend of mine PM me say “It carries a certain amount of tax not being African in Africa”. So I believe everywhere I went I was being over charged. Arrived at the airport and spoke to some of the pilots who worked for operator who I went to visit directed me to the headquarters. I arrived at the office at 08:00 and after a brief discussion with one of the managers. I was told to go and speak to the CAA about licence conversion, again more tax and more money pouring out of my pockets.



Spoke to the director of CAA who was extremely pleasant and helpful. After finding out the requirements I took a taxi back to the operator’s headquarters to speak to the manager who had sent me to the CAA. However being Monday he was extremely busy and did not have the time to see me. I was told to book an appointment which I was told by the secretary would not be anytime soon. I left the office feeling as I had lost everything I had. I decided to return to the terminal to take a taxi back to the bus station. However as I was feeling I did not want to spend another 9 hours on a bus. I decided to take a flight with the operator in question. I must say that the service they provide their passengers was great.



I arrived at the destination thinking that I would have loved working for such a company. After disembarking one of the pilots had approached me, only to be the person I have been liaising with through PM. I advised him of the situation and was told to email him. I must say it is a great feeling when you go from no hope to just a glimmer. Arrived back in Kasane hoping to get a bus or a flight back to Maun however all had left for the day. This left me trying to hitch 600km ride back, but after a 2 hour wait in the baking sun, I decided to call one of the operators which was stopping in Kasane and flying back the next day. I was overwhelmed at the way they had received us and offered me to stay the night with them and transport me back. Had the best flight I have ever had on the way back from Kasane to Maun. Arrived back at Audi exhausted and got some rest. Just woken up to have a bite to eat and post to you guys, who are probably enjoying the comforts of your home?



I’m now not sure what to do, as always I find myself lost in this journey. To every door I turn I find im to late, I’m not saying a have I right to get a job because I have turned up to Africa. Im just saying I wish I had tried harder and earlier. I was not born with a right to fly, but believe you me I am trying my best maybe I just don’t have what it takes to get my first job. I’m not asking for hand outs or people to feel sorry for me. I just want to say to anyone out there training or close to finishing, it’s hard and it’s not like they promised us at flight school where we would go straight into a right hand seat of a shiny jet. It’s hard out here trying to get your first job. But don’t be afraid of the hard work. Otherwise you will lose this battle which we are fighting for. Keep your hope, beliefs, strength, determination and the rest.
We will get there one day!!


I know that sometimes I have been down and probably I am a bit now. But like I have said tomorrow is a new day. And with it comes more hope!!!

For now take care

Kash

[EK4457]

Kash.

You are my hero.

EK

[MVE]

Kash,
Hang in there mate! You will look back on your experience one day in the future and explain to some young FO how hard things were in your day. Keep the faith!:ok:

[Kash360]

Morning All,

As yesterdays post said, with every new day come new hope. Well I rise again at sound of donkeys and chickens going frantic at 04:00. All showered up, 3 cups of coffee later, I am now ready to head back into the airport and try again. Will as always pay a visit to all the operators and see if I can try my luck after being in Zambia for the past couple of days.

Thank you for all the kind words posted above, I really to appriciate them.
As always this is your thread, and its you who makes this thread what it is. So if your just reading or even posting then from the bottom of my heart thank you. However if anyone has any leads that I maybe able to follow please PM. I promise I wont just read the PM and ignore it. I always follow all leads.

I will post again later today, for now take care!!

Kash

[Csanad007]

Kash, my man! I wish you'd find something, as this would give some hope to all of us still here in Maun. And we are a few who really did prepare for this and worked our way through good and bad to find out that we arrived too late. But as I learned it in Hungary things will start rolling when you are in deepest dispair! I know that you're not going to give up, and I hope you will have the strength to go on and achieve your goal!

I'm with you mate!

[ishe]

Kash- Man I have been living this for you and I can only imagine how off putting this must have been for you, hell I wish I had a connection or something to spur you on.

I wish you all the best, with your fantastic attitude and determination you will excel far more than you think, I hope we all get to hear when you get your first job.

Good luck Kash

[Csanad007]

Kash at least you are part of this big and happy family here in Maun:
http://img63.imageshack.us/img63/729/unemployedpilotsofmaun.jpg (http://img63.imageshack.us/i/unemployedpilotsofmaun.jpg/)

[Kash360]

Afternoon,

As promised that I would post today, so here we go. As you know I had a super early start this morning. Left for the airport and did my rounds to the operators, as always no job and no flight. However I used this opportunity to advice the operators that I will be leaving Maun on the 16th to return home. Speaking to the operators this was a good decision as if things change I would need some days left on my visa to return back if I were given the opportunity.

Emailed the operator in Zambia yesterday, however I know that they are extremely busy so can’t expect miracles. But I stand in hope that things plan out well.

Some of you have always been against me cutting my trip short but if there are no jobs then I won’t be staying around. Of course if I get a call from any operator asking me to return to Zambia or Botswana, I would return on the next flight.

But I cannot stay in purgatory forever; I must make a decision may it be one that will bite me later. However this is a calculated exit from Maun. Nothing new happening in Maun, people still laughing and cheering, and that’s how I like to see it.

Got back to Audi and bought some art work for me to take home as souvenirs for friends and family. Saying my goodbyes will be hard but at the same time good. I will not be leaving closing any doors behind me. I will leave on good terms with all operators. Am thinking of arranging a leaving party, so let’s see who turns up!!

I’m not upset with any of the operators or the guys I have come across, I has been a pleasure meeting them all. I’m just out of options and need to return home.

Anyway must go, as always I hope you are well.

Kash

[darn]

Shame to hear your coming back home, but I actually think your doing the right thing. Hanging around there indefinatly for a job that could well never come is bound to be soul destroying, and you can at least say you've given it your best shot.

No doubt you'll go back to Maun at some point, and when you do it won't be such a leap into the dark and you'll be a face that all the operators will remember. Good luck, respect for what you've done!

[Asrian]

Hi Kash,
thanks for writing about Your experiences openly and frankly! I enjoy reading Your posts and I wish You all the best to find a good job soonest!

[EK4457]

kash,

I have to say, in my heart of hearts, you are making a sound decision.

If it is clear that you will not get a job, you are wasting your time.

You can look yourself in the mirror and know you have done all you can and will continue to do so.

You will come back the the delights of Manchester, get a kebab from Fallowfield, and continue the journey.

EK

[Krazy]

+1 from me Kash. Good on you. You gave it a really good shot and you are trying to make the most of your available time. I hope you get a call back, or you get lucky back home. All the best - you've been an inspiration!

[Kash360]

Ladies and Gents,

Once more I post, the sun beating at my hopes as I walk around the operators this morning. I try to take smaller steps to reach to their doors as nothing there is waiting for me. Last night I sat with a bunch of guys celebrating one of the pilot’s birthdays drinking, having a laugh wishing that time itself would freeze. Wishing how awesome it would have been to do a two year stretch of seeing wildlife that people pay $2200 a night to see, and flying being free of all ties of all things I call home.



I came here as a 27 year old man, thinking I was the coolest thing Maun would see. Having worked in airports most of my life, having an aeronautical engineering degree, having worked at a space agency and having a fATPL. I thought how could Maun not offer me a job on a plate. It only took me a few days to realise how wrong I was, how wrong I have been about everything. Maun is a forgiving place; I came here being all pompous only to find out that this is probably the last place they want to see that behaviour. The truth is that I’m no better than anyone, and I don’t deserve a job over anybody else. I admit I have made mistakes but at the same time I have tried rectifying them as soon as they became visible. My attitude when I arrived was a mistake, and I like to think that when I leave I would have rectified my mistakes.


All of you have been too kind to me through your posts and PM; I don’t deserve any of your kind comments. But still I thank you all, I remember my parents always telling me that if you’re educated in life then all things you desire would fall at your feet. I love my parents but it has only taken me a little while to prove that there theory was flawed. I certainly educated myself but that’s not what life is all about. I like to think that it doesn’t matter if you’re educated or not. What does matter is that how we treat each other, how we all find common grounds, how we forgive people for the way we have been treated. It’s these simple skills in life that will take us through life. I’m sorry if you feel that I’m being all sentimental, maybe I am. However this thread was for all of us to learn how hard things were and how we need to learn of our mistakes trying to find our first jobs.


I’m certainly no angel, and I would not pretend to be one. But what I will do is carry on with this journey all the way until I reach my destination. Sure I will take breaks, feel down and tired. But who doesn’t feel that way? I’m tired now on this journey and I’m only going home to take a rest. I’m tired of always fighting for my big break. But I will fight all the way though, not to prove to you guys but to prove to myself that all this wasn’t about paying for a type rating and getting hours on a jet. It was about knowing how far I could push my desires and how far I could push myself to find my own limits. I’m not a mummy’s boy by far but I would love to see my mom’s face when she one day sees me in uniform. I don’t think there will be enough money in this world to buy her expression. I hope all our parents are proud and content of what we have become. They do all things in their power to make sure we have the best chance in life.


Coming to Maun and Zambia was not a mistake, far from it. I actually like to think that I will be going home with more than I came with. This journey like all has its ups and downs; I will leave on a up even though I have no job. But I beg you once more time, don’t give up on your journeys, and don’t let people tell you that you can’t become what you want. Find your limits, get to your destination. If you don’t find that you enjoy it when you get there then for sure let it go. But you must get there first. Without the support of you, friends and family I wouldn’t have the courage to walk this path alone but yet I have. Thank you!!

This world is big enough for us all it will find us all a place we call home! But as always, this is not my thread it’s yours. It was you who made it what it is today. Even if your just reading or posting and PM I salute you all. If anyone has any leads for me that I could follow to help this journey become shorter please PM me.


Take care!

Kash

[Mr.Bloggs]

I will break the silence. Good try, Kash360. You used your judgement to leave a place where no clear opportunities lay. Command decision.

Many months lie ahead, maybe years, before you get your chance. Keep your eye in, keep trying, and even return to Maun if that's where your main chance seems to lie. But stay in the game.

[flite idol]

Please dont`feed the TROLL`s. They will keep coming back if you do:ugh:

[redsnail]

Kash,
Been reading all your posts. One of the worst things a pilot can do is to "dither". You have made a decision. Well done. I am sorry you haven't got a job yet.

However, tomorrow's another day and it sounds like you've learnt something which never ever hurts.
You'll live to fight another day. :ok:

[Hobgoblin]

Hi Kash,

Just spent almost an hour reading through this thread. I have to take my hat off to you for persevering and working to make your dream a reality. I realise it hasn't happened yet, and that you've decided to pack it in and go home for the time being.

For what it's worth I think you'll find that if you return to Maun in the new hiring season there will be a lot of people who remember you from this time around and would be willing to give you a shot. No one can accuse you of not working hard!

Good luck mate, let us know how you get on.

PS: The reason new guys find it so hard is because of people like this other cretin who will gladly fly for food and pay for his own type rating. People like that destroy the industry by devalueing not only their own, but also everyone else's worth. (Rant over)

[banjodrone]

Herculean try Kash dude. You really never gave up did you? Now you have exhausted all avenues and are making a decision. I've got to say you made the best effort anyone could make. Been following your posts on here and I'm well impressed. Keep it up.

[Kash360]

Afternoon Ladies and Gents,

As always I hope all is well and good, I must apologise for not posting the past couple of days. I have been on some excursions, thought I better fit them in before I head back home.

Wish things never ended this way, but things do come to an end. Like I said I haven’t given up and I probably never will. My stay here has been incredible and must say that this place is like no other. I have had a promising lead at the moment and am trying hard to turn it into a success. I have said my goodbye’s to all the operators. I will be having a leaving party tonight which should be great.

As you all know I have given it my best shot. If I had to do it again, I wouldn’t change many things.

But for now I bid you farewell and will hopefully post when I return home.

[ShaunLanc]

Hi kash,

i've been reading through this thread for a few days and it has been a real eye opener, so much so that it makes me wonder if i should attempt my dream as a pilot, not a commercial pilot, just any pilot. If you cant even get a job with the effort you've put in what hope does the rest of us have other than relying on luck.

I hope it all works out for you in the end mate, you deserve it!

[IrishJetdriver]

You can't rely on luck. Kash hasn't and hopefully he'll get somewhere by making his own luck. Might take a while, maybe a couple of years. Persistence is the name of the game and having something else to fall back on.

[fly_antonov]

Kash deserves an applause for his courage. :D

[INNflight]

I've followed your thread since day one.....and I am sad to see you didn't make it "THE" legendary, successful thread we all would have wished for Kash mate!

Take good care, and keep us updated - I am sure somewhere along the line there's a fancy right hand seat waiting for you! :)


:D

[Ozy]

Kash, I admire your efforts, mate, but I think you are missing on something very important and this is actually what separates you from success in your endeavors.
It is called imagination and visualization.
Use your subconscious to get where you want to be.
It is simple.
Just take some time (about 15-30min.), sit in a quiet place and imagine everyday you are already doing what you want to do. See yourself at the LHS of a C206 holding the controls and enjoying the beautiful scenery laying beneath you.
Pretend it is happening right now, act as if it was already true. Increase all positive and pleasant feelings while you do it.

It may look like a woo-doo bull**** to you right now, but please try it for a month. Do it everyday and than come and tell me it is not working. I have used this technique with great success for many things in my life. It has always worked. Always!
Good luck!

[SHARPPOINT]

I too went to Maun a 4 years ago and was unsucessful at gaining employment, yes roughing it out in a tent in a tent during thunder storms at the audi camp doing the morning rounds to the operators getting demoralised. You know when you are flogging a dead horse and it is liberating when you know its time to stop and you do.

The cards where stacked against me probably more so than you, being a light drinker, not a very sociable type of person, quite agressive, and not an a*** licker. Allied to this not being South African or from New Zealand but from the UK like yourself. All traits which do not lend themselves to gaining employment in Maun.

In retrospect it was a good experience, certainly focussed my mind when I returned back home to blighty, and felt I had done myself justice in knowing who I am rather than what you had to be to get a job, just to add I and am currently working overseas on 6 figure salary, in real money tax free.

Anyway enough about me, though it is one of my favourite subjects so the ladies tell me but they seem to like it, not to worry young Kash chin up there's a big wide world out there and something will happen when you least expect it. You have broadened your horizons and learnt some new things about yourself that will serve you well in the future even though you may not realize it at present.

You may be a few quid lighter in the pocket, but you have a myriad of memories that money will never be able to buy in a period of time that will never come to pass again. You didn't lose an arm or a leg or hurt anyone and you did as much as you could. As you can see from the response of these pages everyone respects you for giving it a go as do I.

All the best in your future endeavours.

:)

P.S. I don't think flying a sh***ed out overloaded 206 for 2 years in uncontrolled airspace will do any favours in the UK. Take the instructing route by the time you do 2 -3 years full-time the industry will hopefully be on the way up. European carriers will prefer disciplined chap with a proven traceable and known track record from a 'nice' FTO.
SAs & NZs have their own requirements they are more in tune with what the operators in Maun are looking for in terms of hours and longevity.

[McNulty]

Much respect Kash,

Hard luck on not finding anything this time, but for sure with your attitude and heart you will find a job before 99.9% of everyone else in your situation. Keep trying and one day that stroke of luck will come.

[Muddy Boots]

Mate,

When you get back I would like to buy you a beer and I'm know there are a couple of other guys here that would like to buy the one after that and the one after that....

Good effort.

I'll watch the posts and PM you when you get home.

Muddy Boots

:D:D:D:D:D:D:D

[Kash360]

Morning All,


Firstly thank you so much for all your kind words, it really means allot to me to have the support of my peers and seniors. Many people leave Maun happy and wishing that they never have to go back. Well I left heartbroken, I don’t know if I’ll ever make it back to Maun but what i do know is that I have just met and spent time with some of the greatest people I have yet come across.


My journey home is yet incomplete, I am currently in Johannesburg spending time with one of my best friend’s family who have been greatest hosts and extremely welcoming. I was painted a picture of South Africa by a few pilots in Maun; let me say that picture was far from the truth in the short time I have spent here so far. However I am only spending a day here before I move on so they may be right.


I miss my friends and family back in the UK; however I would go back to Maun in a heartbeat. I have travelled the world a few times. But I have never come across so many people that I would class as the greatest people to make a difference in my life.


I will be leaving for Dubai today, but before that my friend’s family will be showing me around Johannesburg which I am really looking forward to.
I don’t regret or feel bad about going to Maun, like I said Maun has been a great experience. I have left there with more than I went with.


We must carry on searching for what we are looking for. My journey is yet far from the end, I still have much work to do. As I have always said keep your hopes high along with your strength and courage.


For now take care my last post will be tomorrow hopefully.

Kash

[chipieflyer]

Hi Kash.

Sorry to hear things didn't work out for you on your trip but I must applaud you on the positive effort you have put in this far to making your dreams a reality. I'm sure with your attitude something will turn up eventually.

Enjoy your trip home and if your heading back to Manchester, I'll join the queue Muddy Boots has started and buy you the second beer.....looking forward to hearing more of your stories!

[robofos]

hey kash i have been reading this since the beginning also. i havent read this in a few days, cause ive traveled to ecuador, but i just got on a computer down here to see whats going on. i was suprised to see your decision, but it makes sense. i was hoping the best for you. you return home with a good attitude, just like you had for the majority of your duration in maun. i hope you stay in aviation, and respect you for your decision to go such distances to try getting a job. so long!:D

[ford cortina]

Kash, great story and very interesting reading. Sad to see it all came to naught. But a great experience and a good talking point at interviews.
Keep up the good work. :ok:

[BALEWA]

Your a True Son of your Father Kash360, I must say your humility is worth commending.

Check your PM its worth a try, just try.

Stay Well

Balewa

[Kash360]

Dear Peers,

As always and always will do, I hope you are well and good. I am now home in the comfort of the surroundings that I have been used to for most of my life. However, in a way this place feels fairly strange to me now. I think I may have left a part of me in Africa, as you are all aware that I have always complained and moaned about the heat in Maun. However, I am prepared and willing to return back to Africa in a heartbeat. I still find myself lost in a journey that seems to be endless. I have regained my energy and strength but have seemed to have lost hope, and so I find neither doors nor hope are accessible just yet.

I know it has only been two days since my return, but seen to always recall yourselves advising that I should have stayed there longer. I feel that I should’ve, but under the circumstances I had to make a decision that knowing all operators had hired. As mentioned before, that I have come back with more than I went, I find myself to have acquired new skills that I wish that had acquired years before.

Not for a second did I believe that this thread would have been so viewed. I would like to thank each and every one of you for viewing, posting and PM. The primary focus of this thread was to highlight the difficulties that we as pilots experience once training had been completed. It should have also highlighted areas where I had thought were an advantage point to securing a job, Along with showing my mistakes. I know I have come away from Africa without a job and so my theory cannot yet be proven. But I truly believe that, it is the basic skills in life that will take you forward in your future career for example; Personality, manners, etiquettes, so on and so forth.

All companies know that we can fly, as we all hold licences. I will utilise my new acquired skills from Africa throughout all aspects of my life. I am far from giving up on this journey, as I feel it has yet just began. I am now following all the leads that you have all provided.

For all those who are thinking about becoming pilots in the future, please, please, please do not be taken in by the schools that promise you right hand seats of a shiny new aircraft. I am sure that it has happened to a very few number of us, but the truth is that getting the license was the easy part, and I am now finding this out for myself that ninety – nine percent of us have to sit around for months to find just a glimmer of hope.


Again, I would like to thank you all for all that you have done for me. You will certainly hear from me again, but for now I must bring this part of a journey to an end, and it would be wrong for me to carry on with this thread as i am now no longer on the battlefields of Africa. But please keep your hopes high, along with your courage and strength. I am sure that our journeys will come to a positive end.

For thus journey, I bid you farewell and bow out.

Kash

[Halfwayback]

After discussing this with Kash360 we have agreed to close the thread after the last post and leave it as a 'sticky' for a while for others to read and learn from.

HWB

[Kash360]

Ladies and Gents,

Firstly allow me to take this opportunity to thank PPRuNe and moderator HWB for providing me with a platform for me to voice my opinions, thoughts and advice. I’m sure you will all join me on applauding them for the service they have provided for free.

Secondly, HELLO!! I was very fortunate for HWB to allow for this thread to be reopen for me to provide an update of my status on my return to the UK.

I have always criticised and mocked those fools who return home to the UK expecting it to be as sunny and as warm as it was on their holiday. They return back to the UK wearing shorts, t-shirts and flip flops. Well let me say I have too joined the ranks of those fools, arriving back just over a month ago wearing the same stuff.

As you may be aware I came home bearing no fruit from my travels. As much as my family were pleased to see me as I was to see them. I couldn’t help notice the disappointment in their eyes as they saw the disappointment in mine. I spent the first few days locked in my room trying to come up with a new plan of action. I made a list of all possibilities open to me everything to resending the 1300 CV’s and cover letters, following up phone calls, sending over 400 CV’s and cover letters to engineering companies and many more. After taking a few days of being captive to my bed I broke free from its chains and did everything I have mentioned above and more.

Time is a funny thing after a while of doing nothing sometimes you find yourself doing things which you hadn’t dreamed to do if the circumstances were different. I found myself looking at pay to fly websites, type rating websites. But I quickly brushed them out of my head. I would love to fly but not at the price of paying for a type rating or paying to fly. I don’t wish to look back at myself in the future and say that I had a hand at screwing this industry up.

It’s been just over a month that I have been back home and have not heard of anything not even a whisper. I am planning knocking on a door that I wish no one has to ever knock on (job centre). I always thought of myself helping to pay into the system to help others but find myself pondering the idea of being the one who needs help.

My friends and am sure allot of your friends at your age have all got married, settled down, got a house and the usual happy family stuff. Leaving me to watch them all pass me by, while I live in my parents house at the age of 27 borrowing money of them.

I do look back and think was this flying thing really the right choice for me? But the truth is that it is!! I know I’m having a crap time at the moment and probably will do for allot longer but once I reach my destination I will then know if it were the right choice.

I have been following up a lead in Zambia, which I feel I have destroyed as I have been doing something I was afraid of doing which was pestering them. The lead I had was amazing and the person I was in contact with was so helpful and friendly, not just in trying to get me a job but also in all aspects of advice. I do still have hope that something comes through and comes through quick.

My day goes by faster than I can blink and when I look back at what I have done during it I find that I have done nothing what so ever. I’m at a loss now more than I have ever been in my entire life. I now don’t know what to do. I will at the start of the following week start travelling from the top of the UK and work all the way south stopping at every airport that I know has some sort of connection to aviation and apply there.

But fear not my friends, me and you have come a long way since we began this journey, but I’m afraid will still have some distance to go. I have come across a thread I think called “a glimmer of hope maybe” there has been many of these types of threads in the past on PPRuNe but never by someone like WWW. I am sure many of you have come across his posts and am sure you have as much respect for him as I do. But WWW has been famously known to forecast the economy and its trends, and the surprising thing is that he has a vision of things picking up which for us is great.

Anyway I wish all of you are well and you all still have the same amount of courage, determination, strength and hope as you first set out in your careers. I know that at the moment we are going through our lows. But like many people say “every dog has his day” all we have to do is wait for ours.

I would however like to ask you all in fact beg you all that if you have it in your hearts, to please PM me any contacts or leads that I may be able to follow. And I promise that I will follow up every lead you send me.

For now I wish you well and the best in all your endeavours.

Kash360.

[Halfwayback]

This thread has been 'unstuck' as the Arfican season - and the recruitment that goes with it - is well under way.

I shall 're-stick' it if it becomes relevant time wise in the future.

HWB

[vishal_somanna]

Hey Kash
Your story your effort and hard work is truely admirable you have also given in so much detailed info about your journey in maun tht it will help every person thinking of going to Maun.Hats off to you sure not every body has the balls to do what you did hats off to you . This is one of the best stories i have read.
I am exactely the same position as you are in so
Keep it up and good luck .:D
Vish

[Kash360]

Morning,

I would personally like to thank moderator HWB for reopening this thread and allowing us all to share information and advice. This thread could not have been reopened at a better time, as some of you may be aware I am returning back to Africa on Friday as long as my passport comes back tomorrow with all the required visa’s. However this time I shall be trying my luck in the North. I have been offered a position in Algeria to teach English to up and coming pilots. I will use this opportunity to try and cover more ground over a longer period of time.

As you maybe aware I started a thread called “calling all experienced pilots...we need help!!” I would like to take this opportunity to apologise on a few of my last posts on there as the comments I had made were negative and were unhelpful to both morale of other wannabes and myself.

Let this be the new day some have been waiting for and be positive and stop sitting around moping and moaning as to why we have not been given an opportunity flying. I have made many mistakes myself since being back, thinking that there is nothing to do, but the truth is there is plenty for us all to do.

Fingers crossed and finances allowing I will be covering Algeria, Morocco, Tunisia, Egypt and Libya. I may be trying to bite of more than I can chew but I am trying. I am not taking all my camping gear with me this time as I will spend the first two months in Algeria teaching and staying in paid accommodation but at the same time I will be running around trying to speak to as many operators and airlines possible. My father is at hand and has said he will send all the stuff out when I will require it.

I find hope returning slowly and courage returning even slower, but I am finding both and I will again try my best as I did earlier this year. The lead I was following in Zambia fell through, they offered me a contract, start date the whole lot but they never responded back and feel hard done by the company. I will not name them as this would be unprofessional but life goes on!!

Again this is your thread; it is here to help you and myself. You make this thread what it is, again I would like to ask for your support and advice as I go through another adventure of finding work!!

Kash360.

[Time Traveller]

I cant believe that comment from A320. (But then he flies an airbus so he wouldnt understand) :ok:

Poling around in G/A piston aircraft is some of the best fun you will ever have, particularly in Africa. The Algerians can be great fun, once you've tuned into their wave length.

You only live once.

[A320rider]

if you don't like what i write, what s the point to have this forum?
why everybody want absolutely be a desperate pilot?.

I told to cash with his eng. degree that he should look for a job at airbus industry, he can even play with the flight sims 380 if he ask nicely the sim instructors and make some connection with the airlines.

this guy is an engineer, and I think it's a good time to look for something else than flying small planes in Africa.

so Kash, go make some real money in your profession, you can still fly later when demand is back.

now tell me I am wrong...I want hear why it's so much better going to africa with an engineer degree!???.

[Csanad007]

Kash baby, howzit man? Where on this tiny planet are you? Back on the continent of dreams?
As for me? I had my share in rumbling across southern African parts. Then went home just to be called back a month later. So now I'm back in Nambia. Got a job in Swakopmund with Bush Bird. So keep up man! There's a place for every one of us!
Keep the faith!

[Black Knat]

He's back in Africa on a short term contract teaching English to pilots. He will earn in 2 months what most new FOs earn in 6. Keeping his licences current, no debt, doing interesting stuff. He has the right idea-sort of guy that crew will enjoy flying/socialising with when he eventually ends up in the airlines.
When you get a chance to update us as to how it's going, do a post Kash!!

[Kash360]

Morning guys,

Firstly allow me to take this opportunity to apologise for the lack of posts and updates since arriving to Algeria. I have been so busy teaching, prep work until the late hours of the day, and arriving back at the hotel I have just been crashing out. There is no internet at the hotel but it is quite and clean which is great.

Travelling back to this great continent so soon after my previous trip has been a dream come true, I have come to Algeria to teach students technical English for which they will go on and become pilots back home in the UK. I have never taught anyone in my life, so I am new to this teacher’s world which is a great experience and at the same time I get to revise my ATPL’s and learn a new language.

Many people I spoke to before arriving to Algeria advised against coming here, telling me that people often get kidnapped and killed and its hell on Earth. In fact I couldn’t disagree enough with the people who have given me such advice. Algeria is a great country where people are hospitable, kind and respectful. An eye opener for me was to see families walking along the beach together at night, kids playing football until the early hours of the morning and seeing a country rebuilding its core structures. I would have to say that after being here for just more than a week I have really enjoyed seeing a country that has a strong family spirit and an even greater community spirit. This is something I feel that we are losing back at home. I’m not saying Algeria is paradise on earth but it’s not what people who advised me back home make it out to be.

I have been keeping my ear to the ground and trying to find out which operators are in Algeria, the best thing is all three airlines use the school I am teaching at to send their pilots to improve on their English. I am hoping to make some contacts which as always hope that bloom into something fruitful. However it is early days and I have much ground to cover.

My hotel is on the beach which is a little different to sleeping in a tent, and I have a driver which takes me to school every morning which is also different to the combi buses in Botswana. Also there is a greater variety of food and shops here. However even with these comforts my task ahead of finding a flying job are no easier than they were in Botswana.

I feel allot better in myself recently, allot more positive and certainly allot more hopeful than I have been in the past few months. But even if I don’t find anything on this trip either; at least I am taking away these great experiences and memories. But I will keep trying for everyday until I have succeeded.

Enough of my rambling, but to the people in my shoes, flying an aircraft is not everything. There is more in life than this, just keep doing what you’re doing we will get to where we want to be but only when the time is right. Keep trying, keep applying and as always keep your hopes, strength, and courage up and oh stay current.

If anyone has any leads that you think I would be able to follow up please PM me. I would forever appreciate it.



Kash360.

[MartinCh]

Csanad,
GREAT NEWS !! Well done. Shame you had to pay for the airfares, but alas.. Flying C210 according to their website. Nice indeed.
Gyere velem sörhaz! :-D October, Budapest.. Long shot...

Kash,
First time writing here, long time observer.
Very nice, to do something interesting and productive. I may teach English in the Far East in few years' time. We'll see, that is, in case of no flying or engineering jobs, later on. Combining job hunt with teaching, what better way?
On va apprendre français! Bien accompli :-)

[Kash360]

Thank God it’s Friday, oh wait it’s Thursday but it is still the end of the week for me as in Algeria the weekend is classed as Friday and Saturday it being an Islamic country. Anyway as always I hope this post and all the ones to come find you well. I have always had a theory about teachers which was that they have such an easy life just working from 9 till 3pm, however after doing this job for two weeks I must take my hat off to them as it really does drain you out. Standing on your feet all day long and talking and then planning exercises and tasks until the late hours does come close to breaking you but the next day you teach the students and they understand what you’re on about makes it all worth it. I could not be happier than I am now; just being able to work is such a great feeling.

At the school I teach there are captains from various airlines such as Air Algerie and Tassili that attend advanced English classes along with the engineers. This has allowed me to get my face known and talking to them and break times and lunch has been great. I may not get a job with either airline but I am making contacts. I shall be applying to various airlines on this continent to ask if anyone has any work. And as soon as I finish this contract in six weeks I will be in a position to go and follow up any leads I get back from my emails.

I would also like to thank all the people sending me PM of well wishes, and if you have not sent me a message I would still like to thank you for taking the time to reading my posts.

To all the people in the same position me, as I had said before please don’t get yourselves down. I have been down myself and will do again in the future. It’s just the way things are sometimes, we are adults and must learn especially me that we cannot spit our dummies out and get what we want. Times are bad at the moment, but we will get to where we want to be. Just be patient wait out this storm and stay current. We will be thrown many more obstacles which we have no control over in our lives, we just have to accept them and work around them. Keep your spirits high!!

Again I would ask all that read this post and the previous posts, please if you find it in your heart to throw a lead or contact my way I will be so grateful. Just PM and I promise to follow it up.



Kash360.

[albatros19]

Welcome back Kash ! :D

We've been missing you on this thread...good to have you back here at last :ok:

[Kash360]

Morning,

I had forgotten what a weekend felt like for a while, as every day for me was the same. I had spent Friday outside of Algiers visiting some roman ruins along the med sea, which was a great experience and a real eye opener, finished the day having a wonderful meal overlooking the ocean watching the sunset. Yesterday spent most of day in an internet cafe typing away on an Arabic keyboard applying for jobs in all sectors.

I have had the pleasure of speaking to many Air Algerie pilots which have said that it would be a waste of my time trying to find work with them as they do not hire foreign pilots. I believe the same applies to the other operators but I cannot confirm this as yet. I know that I have all the comforts that I could wish for on this trip but my goal and the road ahead is still the same.

I have not been sleeping well lately and am dreaming of teaching when I do get some sleep, so I went to the pharmacy to get some sleeping pills but can swear that he has given me something caffeine based so lay in bed with my eyes wide open.

I may not get a flying job soon but I will certainly try my best finding one and in the meanwhile I really enjoy what I am doing in Algeria so am putting my name out to find similar work teaching anywhere in the world.

Anyway better go the students are making their way up to the classroom, I better go and teach them something useful.

Kash360.

[Kash360]

Hello all,


As always I hope you are well and good, another week as ever quickly coming to a close. I can’t believe it will be 3 weeks I would have been here on Friday. It only seems like I arrived yesterday which just shows how much I have been enjoying myself teaching. I only have five more weeks left before I must move on, so have been applying to other teaching/flying/engineering and operations positions around the world. Trying my best to get my name back out into the market; I have made some useful contacts here and hope to further do so. However as stated before trying to find a flying job here seems slim.


The past few days I have been trying to teach myself French, hoping that this will help further my goal. If not then I will use my French at home trying to impress some girl at a bar. Before I had come out to Algeria I tried to ask as many people as well as on here if they knew if it would be worth while exploring countries such as Morocco, Tunisia, Libya, Egypt and a few others. However was not able to find any secure and definitive answers to make a decision, so just came out here. Again I would like to ask you if you think it would be a waste of time exploring such countries.


It would really help me out, if I had more information to go by. I was speaking to a few of the guys in Maun who have said that I should go back to Botswana. So that is an option, I must keep some money aside to keep current as my ME/IR is due towards the end of September. I know a few people have said that I am crazy for trying to get people to get pass me on some of their leads. But I feel that if I don’t ask then that would make me someone who is crazy. If you feel you cannot then I totally understand, and just thank you for reading my posts.


I know my trip in Algeria will not have the same impact as my Maun trip had previously made. Never the less it is still a trip which I am using to find any possible ways to find work.


Also please notice I am not moaning about the heat on this trip (George Semel) as the weather is great here.


Again thank you all for taking the time to read my posts, I thank you and wish you the best in the future with any decision you make. It’s not easy for us wannabes but as many have said on here before.Iit is the journey that is sometimes better than the destination and I for one am enjoying the journey, just hoping that I or we do not spend too long on this journey and that the destination is close.


I know I always ask this question and it may make me sound and come across cheap and desperate, and maybe I am but I still need to ask. Please if you find it in your hearts of any jobs that maybe suitable for me please PM me. I for one will be forever grateful and will go to all lengths to follow up the lead you provide.


Kash360.

[Kash360]

Hey everyone,

I hope you are well, you’re probably sitting in front of your computer sipping on an ice cold beer or drinking a nice cup of tea thinking, oh damn do I have to read this guys life story? I’m sorry if you think it has come to thinking that, and I can totally understand why. I do see that this thread is going off on a tangent and needs to be steered back towards aviation and the problems that are ahead trying to find my first flying job.


But I am back on the African continent and my goal is the same, just trying to find my first foot on the flying ladder. However this time I get paid while I do it, by teaching pilots who have been sponsored by their companies. I came out here to teach technical aviation English but it has turned out to be ground school for pilots. I don’t mind infact I really enjoy it!! However I only have this job for another 4 weeks before I must move on and try something else.


I see that this thread is not as responsive as before, but please remember this is your thread and you make this thread what it is, if you feel this to be a complete waste of time then please let me know and I will stop.


However another great weekend relaxing by going down the beach and drinking mint tea, while the lads walking by taunt the girls. The teaching is going well, I have to organise a test as a the half way mark is coming up on Thursday so need to include question based on airports, navigation, aircraft parts, radiotelephony and some other topics.


Have been trying to put my name out to the neighbouring countries but as yet have not had any response from them. I have been asking around if it is possible to travel by road to the neighbouring countries as I can’t afford the air fare , I will need to hold on to the money I make here to keep current and travel around looking for work. I have got some contacts from a pilot in Algeria for Jet 4 you, seven air and air express. I have contacted them all however have been pre warned about the need for type ratings and hours, which I have neither.


Anyway must dash much to do, you know with having a job and all!! But please again I know things are bad at the moment but we just need to weather out this storm. Our day will come like they say only the strongest will survive. I hope we have the strength to survive.


If you have any leads that I could follow up, please please PM me. I am willing to travel anywhere in the world and do any job until I find a flying job.

Kash360

[Smike]

Nah! Don´t stop updating mate, less traffic doesn´t mean less interesting. I´ve been following this thread and, as much as everyone here, i´m waiting for the day where the good news come. Things aren´t any brighter in the rotary side for low-timers but we all have to stick with it ready for the change.

Best of luck K!

[CCUaviator]

Don´t stop updating Kash, I am new here and this thread gave me a lot of information. I planed to go down to Maun last year but didnt happen, so I am planning to try this year. Hope the situation will better. And a big Thumbs up to you.

Cheers:ok:

[captnitin]

Kash I love to read here. Its motivates me and many more after reading you here. I personally want to go Botswana in December but following you and dint go there after reading about you and other in Botswana last season. Still I love to do Bush flying or any if given a chance. Waiting for the day you will get a flying job. and you will get that as you might think you are alone but we all here also waiting for you to get it as that will help all of us.

cheers..

[Kash360]

Hey guys,

Firstly thank you for your messages and posts of support, I know that after reading some of my previous posts they have either been repetitive or have at best not been related directly towards actively searching for a flying job. However have been more about my experience in teaching. For this I would like to apologise. I will try my best to stay focused and ensure that I only post when I need to.

Secondly I have only 3 weeks left in Algeria before my contract here come to an end. I was hoping to build useful contacts in this region of the world however it seems to be a hard market to break into. I have made some contacts but nothing that will help me find a job in North Africa.

I am planning to use some of the money I will save to renew my IR/ME and the rest I’m unsure of. I have thought that I could use the remaining money on going to a new destination and pitching up my tent somewhere else in the world. I would like to go back to Maun however I will only be allowed to stay in Botswana for 3 weeks as you are only allowed a maximum stay of 90 days in 365. I have thought that I may try a new continent for example hit over to Thailand, Malaysia and Singapore. I have done a very rough calculation and worked out that it would be cheaper to stay out of the UK then within. However it’s just an idea at the moment and really don’t want to go back to searching for jobs from my bedroom and being under the feet of my family.

I have not entirely given up on North Africa, however my chances look slim as even though these countries are great they have a great influence by the unions and do not wish to see foreign people taking their jobs which is understandable. Also my costs to survive in this region would dramatically increase as there is not a culture of camping and I cannot afford hotels or B&B’s.

I am forever hopeful of things improving and watching the new aircraft orders take place at Farnborough looks to be some positive news. I am in this for the long run and will do all things in my power to secure a job either in engineering, flying, operations or anything else.

Guys stay positive, try hard and don’t let yourself down. Where there is a will there is a way!! I’m just trying to find the way! If anyone has any ideas on where I should pitch my tent next please let me know or if you have any leads or contacts that I could follow up on please PM me.

As always this is your thread and you make this what it is, voice your thoughts share your opinions, tell me I am wasting my time or even guide me in the right direction. Anything it’s not all about me it’s about your experiences too.

Take care, stay in touch and stay safe!!

Kash360.

[mutt]

I will save to renew my IR/ME Maintaining these ratings in Europe is extremely expensive and not really justified considering your "hunting" area.... Have you considered getting an FAA CPL/ME/IR?

Mutt

[initial vector]

Hey Kash,

Only stumbled upon your thread recently, but had to read the whole thing "cover to cover" as one would call it...
As an outsider, some of your particulates were very funny to read (ants in your tent, ballooning hand due spider bites). I know, cruel humor, but if you read it from a comfortable chair holding a cold beer... Plus I try to see the humor in things as much as possible - not much humor to be found on the job hunt!
Don't hold it against me! ;-)

Anyways, I read about your latest idea, and I would advise against it! As much fun as it would be to read your stories from that part of the world, it isn't worth it.
I am not sure about all the countries, but Malaysia I am certain about.
The Malaysian CAA will not allow operators to hire outsiders if there are locals able to do the proposed work. You having no more experience than any of the locals, this would be an impossible sell for a local operator.
Unfortunately, several countries in that region have similar rules (which are understandable - to save the local market).
An option I know of (and it has been mentioned before) is applying as a FI! Especially Indonesian schools are screaming for FI's! Diamond aircraft just waiting to be flown through fantastic terrain while you get free accomodation and decent wages... Hmm, let me think about that once more..... ;-)
Try lobbying with Buraq in Libya (you are just around the corner). They generally tend to buy brand new (B737-800) which comes with "free" type ratings for the operator. In other words, they could hire non-rated enthusiasts.
Good luck on the hunt!
(if you do decide to head over to the -far- East, drop me a PM)

[M80]

perhaps work on the contacts you've made rather than jump to a new region?

You seem to be jumping around a lot. I know some operators in south african region who've been hiring in the last month.

[Kash360]

Hey guys,

Thanks for the heads up guys; it seems that a move to Malaysia, Singapore and Thailand would be premature as it is highly unlikely to hire anyone without experience as they have many of their own pilots. I totally understand MD80’s point and would like to thank him for the advice, I am still constantly working at all my contacts in fact I never stop. However around North Africa it really does seem like I would be wasting my time, but I’m not ruling anything out.

I do seem like I jumping around quite a bit, which seems silly but I spent a couple of months in Southern Africa and a couple of months here but seems to be no movement. I still may head back to Maun but it’s just my visa that I am worried about. The contract I had from Zambia seems to have come to nothing but this is normal for this industry and there are not many more operators in Southern Africa that I could try.

I have three weeks left in Algeria before I find somewhere to pitch up, or plan too!! I will be returning to the UK to revalidate my ME/IR just trying to find somewhere that is relatively cheap. Once done try and get back out again anywhere!!

Somehow the world seems like a small place as I’m running out of ideas that I can pitch up and try and find work without having to go through a whole load of red tape. I have never considered doing a FAA CPL/ME/IR as one the cost and second the right to work and live in the States seems pretty much impossible, certainly as there are thousands of unemployed pilots in the US. Anyway still seeking your advice in all matters mentioned before.

Again if anyone would be so kind to provide me with some leads that I could follow I would really appreciate it!! Just PM me.

Kash360.

[MartinCh]

The thing about FAA ratings isn't just about working in the US.
There are some N-reg operators around the globe, and for N-reg you'd need FAA papers. Also, doing FAA CPL isn't as time consuming as JAA, especially with CPL and hour requirements from elsewhere.
Also, as mutt mentions, what's the point of keeping current in JAA system living around the world, not using JAA licences?

Did I mention the FAA (C)FI rating?
You'd be able to find instructing job around the world should you not be lucky in the UK (for which you'd need JAA FI). If you had JAA FI, I'd point you to 2-3 schools I know of that'd probably take you on.

As mentioned, Indonesia would like some instructors. Middle East school or two look for FIs. Malaysia would be feasible for instructing job, even if not for charter/airline gig.
Hell, you can even go to other countries as FAA instructor and instruct on it or do local revalidation/conversion.

I've read enough from your thread and other threads to know what your heart desires and that in the past you shelved FI rating in the UK due to cost and at that time crap vacancies. By now, considering how much you spent and how long it's been since then, plus dosh from your current contract, you'd have more than enough money to do FI rating. Maybe even FAA papers in the UK, without even going to USA, ie Willow Air.

I'm rotary aficionado, gliding fan, love smaller piston/turbine aircraft, etc, but should I finish up my fixed wing flying to CPL level, I'd be doing FI rating for sure.
I'm also going to do FAA papers first, then I'd see if JAA is worth the hassle for global entry jobs and depending where I'd live at that time.
I seriously don't believe you'd not be able to afford JAA FI rating right now, with money you're earning now and possibly small loan from family/overdraft.

You could do your FI rating in Czech Rep for GBP 4500 at current exchange rate incl VAT. My Finnish online friend did his training in Zlin 326 and bit in Z142 I think. Great airplane, Z326, you'd have a blast. Jyri instructs in Baltic area now in Tecnam gear etc. This place I flew at (gliding only) has OK facilities, bit in the middle of nowhere, but it's best value for money there is in Czech Rep.

Greetings from Argentina, where I do my initial tailwheel training in J3 Cub.