JOBS!!!!!
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Join Date: Mar 2005
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JOBS!!!!!
Boys and girls, I am fed up with people banging on here about the lack of jobs. " I've just finished OAT or PTC and i'm not getting any replies" Boo Hoo. You have 200hrs ish and are now sending amazonian paper's worth of C.V's out to the top and bottom, CX to ryanair, and hearing nothing. Grow up, u r now playing with big boys. Mods, give me a mo here, my gen had the same problem, but we went and did something about it, we went to AFRICA. The best place to earn and learn. We learnt things JAA would have a kitten about ( Giraffe clearence ), we left some behind, and we miss them, but it made us better pilots, and thats what its all about. So stop your bitcing, grow a pair, and EARN your hours. P.s 200ish hrs are worthless.....TRIC
Join Date: Sep 2003
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CathayBrat
Well, going to Africa, is one solution. Would it look good on a CV. Hmmmm. not convinced. Effort spent on how to break through the barriers to get a much sought after position with a UK or European airline is going to say much more about an individuals strength of character, resourcefulness and will power than bush flying.
There is a bloody good reason why the CAA/JAA would have kittens over some of the things you may have done in Africa and this suggests to me a willingness to take undue risk. Something I would not recommend.
Times are getting more and more difficult, not helped by an unregulated supply of newly qualified pilots, and false promises made by the training sector. The ones who succeed are going to be the ones who think beyond the CV.
Well, going to Africa, is one solution. Would it look good on a CV. Hmmmm. not convinced. Effort spent on how to break through the barriers to get a much sought after position with a UK or European airline is going to say much more about an individuals strength of character, resourcefulness and will power than bush flying.
There is a bloody good reason why the CAA/JAA would have kittens over some of the things you may have done in Africa and this suggests to me a willingness to take undue risk. Something I would not recommend.
Times are getting more and more difficult, not helped by an unregulated supply of newly qualified pilots, and false promises made by the training sector. The ones who succeed are going to be the ones who think beyond the CV.
Supercharged PPRuNer
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One tries to avoid posting at 5am, as one may come across as a raving lunatic.
Blood sugar levels and all that.
Blood sugar levels and all that.
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Agreed that experience counts beyond anything else. It builds decision making skills, and ocassionally teaches you the hard way that there are certain things you should and shouldn't do. No doubt that Africa is a good place to get experience, but obviously not at the price of safety.
I've flown with guys who have learnt "tricks" or said yes to unreasonably risky requests (normally from the CP or Ops manager) and does it make them better pilots? Not in my opinion - all it does is lull them into a false sense of security that they can safely do something which clearly is not safe, and one day that will come back to bite them in the arse.
I've flown with guys who have learnt "tricks" or said yes to unreasonably risky requests (normally from the CP or Ops manager) and does it make them better pilots? Not in my opinion - all it does is lull them into a false sense of security that they can safely do something which clearly is not safe, and one day that will come back to bite them in the arse.
Join Date: Jun 2004
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Well, going to Africa, is one solution. Would it look good on a CV. Hmmmm. not convinced. Effort spent on how to break through the barriers to get a much sought after position with a UK or European airline is going to say much more about an individuals strength of character, resourcefulness and will power than bush flying.
There is a bloody good reason why the CAA/JAA would have kittens over some of the things you may have done in Africa and this suggests to me a willingness to take undue risk. Something I would not recommend.
There is a bloody good reason why the CAA/JAA would have kittens over some of the things you may have done in Africa and this suggests to me a willingness to take undue risk. Something I would not recommend.
'Giraffe clearance' is not something unusual. It is also wise to have knowledge of the heights kudu and impala can jump from a standing start. A few aircraft doing a low pass to clear a runway have found out the hard way that they can leap quite high.
Please, don't perpetuate the misconception that bush pilots are all 'cowboys'. The cowboys and the unfortunate don't last long in this business. Calculating every possible risk and ensuring that you maintain the highest personal standards are what breeds a good pilot here. Those are transferable skills to any sphere of aviation.
I've flown with guys who have learnt "tricks" or said yes to unreasonably risky requests (normally from the CP or Ops manager) and does it make them better pilots? Not in my opinion - all it does is lull them into a false sense of security that they can safely do something which clearly is not safe, and one day that will come back to bite them in the arse.
It's interesting to note that many Brits who come out here don't get along with not having things prepared and organised for them. Here you are dispatch, refueller, loader, flight planner, customer representative, commander and safety officer all in one.
I'm glad it doesn't suit eveyone - the guys who do come and do it, and get on with it are some of the most interesting people I've met - and usually have previous backgrounds rather than "mum and dad funded me through xxxx integrated course."
So, Bush Flying. Don't dismiss it as cowboys. You'll rarely have to make sure that every decision is the absolutely correct one as you have to here in Africa. And finally, bear in mind that we fly clients into bush strips who pay upwards of 450$ a night. There is a lot of money involved in some of these operations, and a track record of incidents would end any of the exclusive agreements lodges, operators and agents have together. I suggest some of you who've posted her try to have an understanding of a subject before posting about it.
Last edited by M80; 7th Jun 2008 at 10:05.
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Africa is a marvelous place to earn your first experience as profrssional pilot. They're recruiting everywhere and they need pilots badly and pay well (it's mostly tax-free).
European airlines love Africa-trained pilots because they have such a broad knowledge and experience.
Important is to keep clear from typical airline operations (B737,etc..) and to stick to bush operations.
European airlines love Africa-trained pilots because they have such a broad knowledge and experience.
Important is to keep clear from typical airline operations (B737,etc..) and to stick to bush operations.
Join Date: Jan 2006
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While on the bush flying subject. Where is the best place/country for bush flying opportunities. I spent 12 years in South Africa, and did quite a few trips to Botswana, Zambia, Zimbabwe, Namibia, Angola.I had such good times out there, and would love to build my experience out there.
I take it most the flying will be in light singles?
I take it most the flying will be in light singles?
Join Date: Jul 2002
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JOBS!!!!
I have decided to bite the bullet and head off to Africa to get my hours heading in the right direction. Just one question to those in the know, is August a bad time to go job hunting?
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Africa
Go to youtube and ask for "sweethome Arusha".
Best video of flying in Africa I think you'll ever see. Made me realise what flying is all about and wishing I had done some flying there.
Sit back.....turn up the volume and enjoy.
Best video of flying in Africa I think you'll ever see. Made me realise what flying is all about and wishing I had done some flying there.
Sit back.....turn up the volume and enjoy.
Join Date: May 2001
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I have to say that I find CathayBrat's post rather ignorant and obnoxious. 200 hours pilots are not worthless, as everyone, at some point, has 200 hours, and I must say that if this post has been made by one of the 'big boys' that I shall be working with, it is a rather sorry insight into the industry.
I take exception to the fact that he singles out integrated students (again...sounding like a long-broken record) as if all modular students are completely different. This is not the case and indeed most of the modular students that I know are little different to integrated guys. Perhaps CathayBrat needs to take his own advice and 'grow up'.
Certainly, if the attitude that CathayBrat exhibits is what awaits in Africa, then i'll stay well clear, thank you.
I take exception to the fact that he singles out integrated students (again...sounding like a long-broken record) as if all modular students are completely different. This is not the case and indeed most of the modular students that I know are little different to integrated guys. Perhaps CathayBrat needs to take his own advice and 'grow up'.
Certainly, if the attitude that CathayBrat exhibits is what awaits in Africa, then i'll stay well clear, thank you.
Join Date: May 2001
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Are you suggesting that it could become more degenerate than drunk raving?! I'm willing to bet he would say the same thing had he not been - and I for one would still have had a go!
From a WAFU too!! My biggest issue is that he's drunk and ends up on PPRuNe! I usually end with a donner or something far more appetising!
From a WAFU too!! My biggest issue is that he's drunk and ends up on PPRuNe! I usually end with a donner or something far more appetising!
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The annoying thing as well , is that everytime flying down there is mentionned in the generic forums , it's always 'Africa' as a whole .So many countries with so many different operators and so many different standards ...
Pity really , because I can tell you that flying in Sudan on a crapped out Antonov registered in Swaziland (flag of convenience) bears little or no similarity to being employed by a professionnal sched. or charter company in Kenya , RSA ,Cameroun ....
It's all relative folks even in the 'dark continent'.
Pity really , because I can tell you that flying in Sudan on a crapped out Antonov registered in Swaziland (flag of convenience) bears little or no similarity to being employed by a professionnal sched. or charter company in Kenya , RSA ,Cameroun ....
It's all relative folks even in the 'dark continent'.
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CathyBrat, I must commend you on managing to piss many people off with one single and to be honest irrelevant rant! Has someone done or said some think to you to condone this gibberish? As a low houred pilot I find it very irritating that obnoxious TO***RS like yourself are around in this industry. For some reason I sense sour grapes??? I had the choice to go either integrated or modular, and before this goes down the fricking rout of what’s best I am just answering back to a pointless outcry, one which may to be called pointless but it makes me feel a hell of a lot better! I chose intragrated because (until recently) modular just weren’t getting the jobs that intragrated were getting fact! Sorry but it over a year ago it was true. I do not have anything against modular, as I said I contemplated it very hard. As for having only 200 hrs, I worked dam FU***NG hard for them 200 hours and I am proud of them, for god’s sake you have to start somewhere! Bush flying sounds like the experience of a life time but can’t stop and play got a shiny jet to fly!!