Is Africa the place for me?

[armyclimber]

Hi everyone! I have creeped this forum for years and finally decided to post. I traveled to Africa (Tanzania and Kenya) in 2011 and loved every minute of it. Since then I have become a pilot and am considering moving there to work, if that is an actual possibility!

About me... im 33 years old
FAA Commercial SEL w/ Instrument
FAA CFI
I have just shy of 1000 hours, all of it Alaska time
I have about 60 hours in tail wheel aircraft

I love Alaska, but I have lived here for 9 years an frankly need to move on.

Thoughts?

[The Ancient Geek]

Its a long time ago but some things never change.
To get a job flying tourists around the game reserves you need time on the typical workhorses of the business, currently that means C206 and GA8.
You need to be physically presentable with the right attitude and personality to give the customers a happy experience. Above all you need to get lucky and be in the right place at the right time.

Nobody advertises pilot jobs, reads CVs or answers emails. The only way is to be hanging around at the right airfield making a good impression when an opportunity happens. Having friends in the right places is a good way of locating the possible jobs, do you know any pilots currently working in africa ?. Another problem is that governments are getting stricter about work permits which means that you can spend months sitting around waiting for paperwork with no pay after you have been offered a job.

Spend some time ploughing through the Maun and Namibia threads, there is a lot of good information there and asking questions that are already answered there is a good way to be treated as an idiot in this forum.

Good luck - you are going to need it but its a great life if you succeed.

[4runner]

Are you right for Afrika?

[4runner]

Kind of giving you a hard time junior. It sounds like you've got the right personality though. I worked on boats through college up in Bristol Bay and around the Kenai peninsula. Personally, I'd get your ATP mins and get some jet time stateside(or at least something turbine). If you insist though, the previous poster said it. Gotta have "boots on the ground" in continent to be considered. And for Gods sake Man, bring some nice clothes and a proper flightbag, if only for your interview. You won't get in anything bigger than a caravan with a US passport unless you're typed and experienced. I did, but I'm the exception rather than the rule. And on second thought, I would go to afrika if I were you. You'll get frustrated, but you won't regret it. Oh, the clubs in Africa are abit more gentleman orientated than the bush company...

[armyclimber]

Well I am not afraid of hard work, or dealing with BS. I spent 12 years in the US Army, including several trips to Iraq and Afghanistan.

One other thing, I do have both US and UK passports.

So my current plan is this, short term;

I currently work at University of Alaska Anchorage as well as on Elmendorf as an instructor flying mostly C172 and DA20. I have a good shot at spending the summer in Talkeetna teaching float flying in piper pacers.

I will be getting my CFII over this holiday break.

I have considered getting on with a 135 operater flying a B1900 or a Casa or something. But that may hinder finishing my BS degree. Im on pace to graduate next fall, so that is probably when I'd be interested in moving. I have also thought about areas around say, Indonesia flying floats.

Why do you think turbine time would be all that helpful if I were going to end up driving a 206? Maybe I misread that.

Thanks a lot!

[Feather44]

Hi,

With 1000 hrs and your bush experience (Alaska), you have pretty good chance to get a job in Africa, at least on C206/C210 or even Caravan after a few months if your are lucky.

However, you have to show up!!
... forget emails or phone calls!! (unless you apply for Ethiopian)

I myself took a chance in Africa 7 years ago and everything went well (with much less experience than you have)

All the best

[darkroomsource]

While Alaska and Africa might seem to have a lot in common (besides both starting and ending in A), like wilderness, "bush", remoteness, etc. The difference in culture is drastic.
You aren't planning on moving for a year, take a couple weeks and have a holiday (without going on safari), but just stay in a hostel for a couple weeks. Get to know a bit about the place, you might find that you're right for Alaska, but not right for Africa, or you may find that Africa is your heaven on earth.

[armyclimber]

I have no doubt that I have to show up! But any Intel that I can get from those who have walked this trail already is helpful.

Are some places better than other? Namibia vs Botswana vs South Africa etc? So I mentioned that I am both a US and a UK citizen (I'm American but I was born in the UK to an American father and a British Mom, so UK claims me too). Would that be handy at all?

A couple of notes... It seems that most posts on here asking about Africa are from guys with 200 hours. Like I said I plan on showing up with 2000+ with a FAA SEL, SES, MEL. CFII/MEI.

Also I have been to Africa. I went to Tunisia in 2002 but that was Army related, and then I climbed Kili and Mt Kenya 4 years ago. During that trip I spent a week in Arusha and Moshi just hanging out, watching Rugby and drinking Tusker Beer and riding around in dolla dollas. Then after Mt Kenya I had 5 extra days in Nairobi. I liked that less.

[James331]

With those hours look at Tanzania.

[armyclimber]

Why do you specifically say Tanzania??

[darkroomsource]

I also am (was) both American and British (now only British), can't afford to remain American, the only country in the world that makes you pay income tax even when you don't live there.

I am married to a Kenyan, and stayed in a tent in Namibia and Botswana for about 6 months. (that sounds like a small amount of African experience, but actually I've significant time in Africa, I just want to point out that I am familiar with Botswana, Namibia, and East Africa)

Having 2 passports has an advantage in that you can enter the country on one passport, get a 3 months visa, leave, and re-enter with your other passport for another 3 months. so you can stay 6 months in one country each year "legally".

having that many hours isn't necessarily a benefit in places like Botswana, as they normally want 200 hour newbies, although they have hired people with more hours, its just not the "normal" way of working - and for that I would email the chief pilots and tell them you're coming, and that you have 2000 hours and the real reason you're going to Africa is not to get hours to go on to be a jet jock, but you want the experience, etc. blah blah blah.

However, if you didn't like Nairobi, you ain't going to like much of living in Africa mate. Nairobi is one of the better cities outside of South Africa. (although SA has some not so good cities too)

Botswana and Namibia have been called Africa for beginners, and for good reason. And when you go on a safari, or climb a mountain in east Africa, you aren't in Africa, you're on a tourist reservation. Kind of like going to a casino in the US and saying that you've spent time with the natives on the reservation.

[armyclimber]

The thing I didn't like about Nairobi was how big it was.

When I was in east Africa I was on a budget, I didn't stay at touristy places, or eat at them. I don't much like Anchorage either, for that same reason.

[oldpax]

Theres a company called Petroplan(Oil&Gas)who have sites in Zambia and Tanzania which are in the boondocks.I dont know if they have airstrips but its worth contacting them?

[James331]

Why do you specifically say Tanzania??


Because you have too many hours for the greenhorn jobs, I'd also imagine you'd prefer a better QOL. Only thing you might be lacking is a little van time, which is odd for someone with your hours working in AK. Still worth a shot.


I also am (was) both American and British (now only British), can't afford to remain American, the only country in the world that makes you pay income tax even when you don't live there.

I didn't know many African counties reported your income to the US IRS....

[armyclimber]

Yeah I would prefer Tanzania for sure. I was there before and loved it. I have looked online and the only place I could find was called Coastal and the guy I emailed told me that I "wont get a job in Tanzania unless I have 100hr 208 PIC time".

The lack of 208 time is because I am a flight instructor at a University. Frankly I dont even know how to get my but into a seat of a caravan. Flying in Alaska is great, but there are SOOOO MANY people up here who fly and have been doing so forever. Most lodge jobs require 2500+TT.

I can average close to 80-100 hours a month doing what I am currently doing until I graduate, but I wonder if that will be in vain. Will 2000 hours make any more of an impact that 1000 hours if I dont have caravan time?

Are there no float planes in Africa? I do plan on spending the summer teaching float flying and bush flying up here, have a job lined up if I want it. Does anyone think that would be useful?

I know I am asking a lot of questions, I have searched other threads, but it seems like my situation is a little different than most. idk. I appreciate all of the help!

[Trim Stab]

Are there no float planes in Africa? I do plan on spending the summer teaching float flying and bush flying up here, have a job lined up if I want it. Does anyone think that would be useful?


There is (was?) an outfit in the Deltas area of Nigeria flying Caravan floatplanes. I am not sure they are still around, but then I haven't been down there for a while.

But be warned - Nigeria is the armpit of Africa and the Deltas is its areshole. Difficult to imagine a more gloomy, sweaty, dreary, dirty, dangerous place to work anywhere in the world, and I've been around a bit.

[rmball]

Go for it! My wife and I moved from Eagle River, AK to Maun, Botswana back in 2013. Loved it. The summer sucked, but the flying was incredible! We still miss it.

[darkroomsource]

Quote:
I also am (was) both American and British (now only British), can't afford to remain American, the only country in the world that makes you pay income tax even when you don't live there.

I didn't know many African counties reported your income to the US IRS....

That would be the "norm", however, if a bank in any country wishes to do business with any 'merican banks, it must provide a list of all US citizens and their bank details, including deposits and withdrawals, and the US will not provide a list of US citizens to any bank, therefore, in order to do business with 'merican banks, some African banks are sending details of all of their customers to the US. So, depending on where you bank, if you're an 'merican, you just might end up getting a notice from the IRS when you return to the good 'ole home country.

[Phone Wind]

It is getting more difficult to obtain a visa to work in Tanzania. Many companies have been ignoring and/or bending the rules - for example Chinese coming in to drive dalla dalla buses. Since the election of President 'The Bulldozer' Magufuli, many government departments have started cracking down on corruption and there are changes to the procedure for obtaining a CTA visa, prior to the issue of a work permit. Immigration department officials recently carried out visits to most operators at JNIA and a number of pilots were found to be working illegally.

[1234 Go]

Hey Guys,

I need your help and this question directed for those who had or still have an experience in Africa
I got a job offer for 2 major air carrier base at 1. Lagos (Nigeria) & 2. Kigali (Rwanda) I am really confused !!
I never had an experience to fly or work & live in Africa and i'm kind of concern about country life style, Safety ..etc...

However i am very interested to take one of this jobs and i am very excited to take a new challenge.

So what you guys can help me with my options ?

Thanks in advance.

[exeng]

I have worked in both Lagos and Kigali on the 737.

I would imagine you are talking about Arik versus Rwandair.

Arik offers a very good rotation - Rwandair did not offer the same. 4 weeks on followed by 4 weeks off is hard to beat. However LOS is a very hard place to live and work.

Rawandair is a worse rotation but Kigali is a much nicer place to live.

That's it in a nutshell! And a difficult choice to make. Can't help more unless I know more about your personal circumstances. If you are single and unattached then I would go for Kigali. If otherwise then LOS could be your thing as you get more time with the Mrs (although YOU will pay for it).

Very glad I have retired now as I only have to choose which pub with real ale I will spend my cash in tonight.


Kind regards
Exeng

[The Ancient Geek]

I would imagine you are talking about Arik versus Rwandair.

You forgot to mention that Arik have a terrible reputation for not paying salaries on time, sometimes months late.
Best avoided.

[1234 Go]

Hi... Appreciate your reply and information provided.
You got it right it's Arik VS Rwanda Air I am a 737 flyer
well as far as both contracts Arik looks more convenient since I am a family man committed to my MRS :)

" The Ancient Geek" had brought very important comment in terms of late salaries pay I heard quite few people talks about it before and doesn't sounds good instead of focus on my job and schedule just been hunting and chasing my flying salaries until it landed safely into my bank account...

Beside that Arik wont pay for my assessment ticket and hotel expenses

Overall thanks for everything man, Pup's and fishing would be my priority too when i get retired hahaha :ok:

Best of Regards & Happy New Year
RJ

[1234 Go]

Thanks man for your comment I will keep that in mind and put it into my consideration,

Cheers
RJ

[4runner]

There's no comparison between the two. Rwanda referred to as "Africa Lite". Clean, organized and secure. You can walk around Kigali with an Omega and a diamond ring. I won't even do that in LA or HK. RwandAir pays on time too. On the downside, Kigali is less cosmopolitan than Lagos. Still fun, just not jumpin like Lagos town. RwandAir DFO is formally Arik driver and a good guy. You can bring the Mrs to Kigali too. Nice climate and downtown is walkable, relatively hassle free and quite pleasant by any standard.