Moving to Africa for that first GA job - still possible?

[hazza4257]

Just looking for any advice people may have as I approach completion of my CPL. Struggling to find much info in forums like this one, except to say that Botswana is no longer a prospect.

What about other countries like Zambia, South Africa, Kenya, Nigeria? Just brainstorming really. Word from recent graduates is it’s pretty dire here in Australia.

Je parle même un peu de français si cela est utile !

Cheers

[meleagertoo]

Even the God-botherers like MAF require relevant experience in addition to nauseating levels of piety and self-sponsorship - otherwise I doubt there is a single gig in Africa available if you do not hold a National licence. And good luck to you in getting one of those as a non-resident/non national unless you have large reserves of baksheesh, time and patience. And then yet more baksheesh. And time.

And forget UN or contractor jobs too. Without substantial and usually relevant experience they won't consider you either.
Sorry.
Best of luck, you'll be needing it. More's the pity because Africa is a wonderful place to fly.

If you're from Oz that's the best place to start - by far.

[jjhews]

Sorry buddy, African nations are closed up as of late in preference for their own nationals. Which is only fair for their own pilots. In Zambia it's 700 hours, in Botswana it's 800 hours before a work permit becomes possible by government law. South Africa has always been closed and never tolerated graduate foreign entrants.

A lot more Gen-Z nationals of the said countries have been to flight school over the last 5-15 years, so the days of overseas pilots walking in easily are unfortunately gone. There is just enough local supply. The exception is highly experienced captains on whichever fleet, in the thousands of hours. Kenya is very pro-Kenyan, Nigeria has never been open to foreign entry.

There is a carrier in Tanzania called Air Coastal. They hired widely across the globe on 2022 because they were desperate for over 10 plus pilots after covid. There were all kinds of nationalities during screening. You can keep an eye on them in case it happens again.

You can also try Suzi Air Indonesia, whether it's a good place to work will be up to you to decide.

[krismiler]

You could consider springing for an A320 rating if you can find an operator in SE Asia who'll guarantee you a job on the condition that you obtain one. Vietjet in Vietnam and Scoot in Singapore would be worth a look. Don't do the rating without an offer of employment on completion as some airlines require particular training providers and without time on type, the endorsement alone isn't worth much.

[Yisman22]

Airbus rating is good
used in many places

[metalboi69]

Honestly mate just try your luck in your home country. You won't have to deal with the additional cost (and waiting time) of permits that give you the right to live/work there since you're already a citizen.