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:

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 :)

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

Sound advice from Redsnail and 747
 

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

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

Thank you everyone!!
 

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!!

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.

206 type rating
 

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....

Brave guy..good luck to you

RH

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:

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!!

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.

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:

Nice one mate, keep plugging away :ok:

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

Hi Kash

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

regards
D-G

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

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!!

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!!

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!!!

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

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:

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.

Good On Ya!
 

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.

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.

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.

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!!

Hows it going Kash?
 

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

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!

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

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

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!!

Wow, great news Kash, keep at it!

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 ....

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!!

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

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????;)

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.

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.