Bush Pilot
Joined: Sep 2011
Posts: 399
Likes: 0
From: UK
RS,
Super Cub any day! And I would specifically ask the pilot to make an off-airport landing... closer to the resort, so we don't have to drive from the strip. LOL
But seriously, I wasn't saying that they should be using Super Cubs in Africa. I was just pointing out that the fear factor and the whole "bush flying" thing is not as exciting as it is in Alaska.
Super Cub any day! And I would specifically ask the pilot to make an off-airport landing... closer to the resort, so we don't have to drive from the strip. LOL
But seriously, I wasn't saying that they should be using Super Cubs in Africa. I was just pointing out that the fear factor and the whole "bush flying" thing is not as exciting as it is in Alaska.
PPRuNe Handmaiden
Joined: Feb 1997
Posts: 4,910
Likes: 184
From: Duit On Mon Dei
Bearcat, I haven't flown in Alaska (yet) but I have done similar flying that you're seeing on tv in Australia. I am guessing a lot of the more interesting stuff won't be shown on tv - and for good reason.
Also, it may look "tame" but when you're the one staring at the huge cell near the soon to be flooded strip that you need to land on, it's not so tame...
It's fun and character building, definitely adds to your repertoire of flying skills (which, believe it or not are relevant to the jet world) and I've made life long friends doing it, but would I give up my nice cozy biz jet gig to do it again? No, but I'm glad I did it and sort of sad that most Brits/Europeans will never experience that sort of flying.
Also, it may look "tame" but when you're the one staring at the huge cell near the soon to be flooded strip that you need to land on, it's not so tame...
It's fun and character building, definitely adds to your repertoire of flying skills (which, believe it or not are relevant to the jet world) and I've made life long friends doing it, but would I give up my nice cozy biz jet gig to do it again? No, but I'm glad I did it and sort of sad that most Brits/Europeans will never experience that sort of flying.
PPRuNe Handmaiden
Joined: Feb 1997
Posts: 4,910
Likes: 184
From: Duit On Mon Dei
Well, my old Chief pilot said "if you know why you're doing the checks, then you don't forget them".
They're mainly flying fixed gear, single engine constant speed prop a/c. It really isn't rocket science.
Also, the director may have thought that filming guys reading a checklist is "boring" tv.
They're mainly flying fixed gear, single engine constant speed prop a/c. It really isn't rocket science.
Also, the director may have thought that filming guys reading a checklist is "boring" tv.
Joined: Jun 2001
Posts: 12
Likes: 0
Some of you guys need to stop judging others and live your own life. Seriously Pprune is full of bitches, have you got nothing better to do? I posted this original thread in an effort to help people who are considering kick-starting their career in Africa - to give something back - and look what's happened, as with every Pprune thread, it's another slagging match. Take a look in the mirror first.
Last edited by The Bobmeister; 7th July 2012 at 18:49.
Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 314
Likes: 0
From: Button Moon
Well it's series linked for when I get home but I liked the first few episodes, depsite the nauseating dramatisation. It made me step back and have a peek at the 'Big Picture' with my own career. Currently flying a nice comfy 757 and whatever the moans and groans in the crew room, life isn't really so bad when I see people living in a tent under a tree in Botswana, 100k in the hole and scrapping for a job on a Cessna in Africa 
Hats off to those travelling down there in search of work. It looks fantastic fun. Sadly my mortgage company wouldn't think too highy of the pay cut but I do envy the work you do.
Is it me or did I see someone taxi out with a pitot cover on in episode 1.....did I imagine that? I'm sure that shot was just for the TV rather than a shot of someone actually about to go flying......I HOPE!!!
We all like to have a grumble and I believe the collective for a group of pilots is 'a whinge'. Long story short, it takes the odd slap round the chops to realise that, in reality, I'm very happy with what I've got after all!
Enjoy the rest of the weekend folks.
Hats off to those travelling down there in search of work. It looks fantastic fun. Sadly my mortgage company wouldn't think too highy of the pay cut but I do envy the work you do.
Is it me or did I see someone taxi out with a pitot cover on in episode 1.....did I imagine that? I'm sure that shot was just for the TV rather than a shot of someone actually about to go flying......I HOPE!!!
We all like to have a grumble and I believe the collective for a group of pilots is 'a whinge'. Long story short, it takes the odd slap round the chops to realise that, in reality, I'm very happy with what I've got after all!
Enjoy the rest of the weekend folks.
Joined: Nov 2010
Posts: 632
Likes: 0
From: EU
Is it me or did I see someone taxi out with a pitot cover on in episode 1.....did I imagine that? I'm sure that shot was just for the TV rather than a shot of someone actually about to go flying......I HOPE!!!
Joined: Jul 2012
Posts: 66
Likes: 0
From: huj
Also certain species of flies and bees like to make their nest in the cosy confines of a pitot tube. I'd say Africa has plenty of those.
Check list for a pre-flight? Doubt it. More likely no walkaround or just a TV set up shot. If they had taken off with the cover on. It would have made the episode particularly dramatic and genuinely exciting.
Check list for a pre-flight? Doubt it. More likely no walkaround or just a TV set up shot. If they had taken off with the cover on. It would have made the episode particularly dramatic and genuinely exciting.
Moderator
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 2,522
Likes: 7
From: England
Pprune is a forum for professional pilots and this forum is for those that genuinely want help with interviews or jobs.
This thread is about someone seeking advice to become a professional bush pilot
It is NOT a place to come to discuss the various attributes of someone on a TV programme. If you want to do that go elsewhere - F'bok or Twotter - because I will continue to delete such posts (thread drift) every time they appear.
HWB
This thread is about someone seeking advice to become a professional bush pilot
It is NOT a place to come to discuss the various attributes of someone on a TV programme. If you want to do that go elsewhere - F'bok or Twotter - because I will continue to delete such posts (thread drift) every time they appear.
HWB
Joined: Mar 2012
Posts: 34
Likes: 0
From: African Myths
Completely agree with HWB, have not watched the TV programme, but sounds like it may lead a lot astray. One post said Maun would be packed this winter, well only from a Northern Hemisphere perspective, hiring season is sweltering uncomfortably hot, not winter at all. Occurs at this time as it is low peak with tourists, enough time to do line training etc before the peak arrives, June/July winter in the Southern hemisphere. The most common destination is obviously the Okavango Delta, however, winter is when the Delta floods, and for the last 3 yrs has been (record breaking) flooding extensively covering airstrips, and some camps not being able to opperate. Before going down there in droves in "winter", you really should understand what your getting yourself in for.
Joined: Jul 2012
Posts: 19
Likes: 0
From: UK
looking for a job
Hi
I'm planning soon(september) to go somewhere to find a job as a pilot, i have ATP FFA BE1900 1550H total, 107 mep, doing FI actually.
i'm in France, i think to go to Africa(Tanzania and around) or Indonesia ....i'm 46 and still feel very good
so could you tell me what do you think about? please thanks
I'm planning soon(september) to go somewhere to find a job as a pilot, i have ATP FFA BE1900 1550H total, 107 mep, doing FI actually.
i'm in France, i think to go to Africa(Tanzania and around) or Indonesia ....i'm 46 and still feel very good
so could you tell me what do you think about? please thanks
Joined: Jan 2012
Posts: 2
Likes: 0
From: Belgium
Bush pilot
Hi,
I'm almost done with my flight training (ATPL) and I want to start my flying career in Africa as a bush pilot. I've been reading on blogs and forums that it's best to go to Botswana or Namibia.
Does anybody has any experience or tips on how to get started?
Thanks in advance guys!
I'm almost done with my flight training (ATPL) and I want to start my flying career in Africa as a bush pilot. I've been reading on blogs and forums that it's best to go to Botswana or Namibia.
Does anybody has any experience or tips on how to get started?
Thanks in advance guys!
Joined: Jul 2012
Posts: 153
Likes: 0
From: Glasgow
There's quite a lot of questions already asked on this, one of the most useful threads I found was this one ...
http://www.pprune.org/african-aviati...ial-guide.html
That one is on Botswana, although a lot of the African countries that bush pilots fly in differ to each other, they have a lot in common, so this is a good start point.
Read up on it and then do some searching on the forum.
Hope that helps!
http://www.pprune.org/african-aviati...ial-guide.html
That one is on Botswana, although a lot of the African countries that bush pilots fly in differ to each other, they have a lot in common, so this is a good start point.
Read up on it and then do some searching on the forum.
Hope that helps!