Hi Kash

I spent 2 months at Audi Camp and 1 month before in Namibia. It sounds to me you have the right atitude to get the job, just keep at it and get to know as many people as possible. When you get that job it is the best flying you will ever do and also you will get to see the greatest safari country from the air and from the camps when you night stop.

Advice:
1, get to know as many people as possible, often the boss will ask the pilots before they hire. Do not become annoying! Friday night is the big night at the Buck and Hunter

2, As said before, ask about the water. Rain but mostly the floods, the town is obsessed with it.

3, Learn about the country and wildlife, anything to set you apart from the rest of the crowd.

4, offer to help anyone in any way even if it is not flying related, it's a small town and word gets around, as you found out after the rum.

5, Keep everything of value with you at all times, i had a lot of stuff nicked from my tent whilst i was asleep in the tent (i think it was the bloody rum). But don't worry about violence, there is none.

6, Move your tent every few days, the ants will eat through the bottom of it.

7, Enjoy and make the most of being in such a great town, it's very odd when compared to the UK, embrace how strange it is, have a good time and do as much as you can whilst there.

8, Most of all hang in there and don't give up, if Maun is not looking good head to namibia.

Good luck

I wish I was back there

SB

Morning everyone,

I hope everyone is well, im sorry i have not posted my last two days accounts. I have been busy chasing up a lead. I came to Zimbabwae yesterday and am now in Zambia. I will be travelling back to Zimbabwae later todaay and back to Maun tomorrow morning.

I promise i will either give my full account later today in Zimbabwae or when i get back to Maun tomorrow. I am so greatful for the messages asking if i am ok.

Im trying to follow a lead in Zambia at the moment. But everything in Zambia is closed on a Sunday so it may have been a wasted journey.

I will get back to you guys later and keep you up to date.

Godspeed!!

Afternoon Ladies and Gents,

As always hope all is well and good, just got back to base at Audi camp, back safe and sound but tired. A 12 hour car ride doesn’t really do your body any good.

I do apologise again for not posting my daily reports for the past two days. I decided to go up to see Victoria falls and like I said before following a lead in Zambia.

I left early morning on Saturday after a poor night sleep setting off at first light. A 10 hour drive up to Zimbabwe and a punctured tire finally got to the border which I thought I was going to be hassled at but surprisingly breezed though. Arrived at the backpackers pretty late and tired so after a few beers and a bite to eat got my head down in an air conditioned room with an actual BED. I had to treat myself after 20 days of bumming it in a tent.

Another early start and straight to the Vic falls. I must say I have travelled the world a few times over. But what Vic falls did to me no other place yet has come close. I have always heard other people say it takes your breath away but thought how wonderful can it really be. But honestly it does take you back. I sat on a rock and thought for hours but after a while I found myself without a single thought and at peace. I’m not saying I found God at all, I’m just saying I felt really good after a long time. But as everything goes good things must come to an end.

I had to get across to Zambia and see if I could walk around and show my face. Managed to get into Zambia pretty easy but for us British its expensive getting visa's. Got into Zambia and went to the operator’s office which was closed and was thinking just my luck. In the UK we find allot of companies still open over the weekend but I’m not in the UK. So everywhere was closed.

I decided to head to the airport in Livingstone airport and see if I can try my luck there. So with my CV's in my hand I shot straight to the airport.

After about 10 minutes of standing around I met a first officer for one of the operators who after introducing myself said that the training captain was on board and is also from Manchester. And that he will come and see me.

I was amazed at meeting the training captain on how friendly and genuinely interested he was in my ventures of finding my first job. I gave him a copy of my CV. And he did say that you have just come to the right place at the right time. But he did say I will get a response maybe not tomorrow or a month or three. But I will get a response.

I hope something does come off it. But straight back to the border and back into the Zimbabwe. Never did anything else interesting other than pretending to be a guest at 5 star hotels enjoying free perks.

Got back into the car at 6am and after a 12 hour drive and a few problems on the way got back in time to do my rounds.

Got into Maun to find 3 new guys had turned into town while we were away I believe that takes the total to 25.

I’m not too sure now if this is the right place for me now. The numbers are out the roof and many more are coming. And the operators have zero jobs going. It seems with the economic problems allot of the pilots are renewing their contracts and the operators are being cautious.

I not too sure what my next move is going to be but Zambia is asking for a 1000 hours which I don’t have and have heard that Namibia has 16 people in Windhoek. And also require pilots to speak German.

I’m not losing hope but am finding it hard to see any light at the end of the tunnel.

Again I hope this finds you well. And as always if you have any leads on any jobs or contacts worldwide please PM me. And this is your post too so feel free to add to it.

Take care!!

Kash, how about some pictures of your travels. It will benice to see some of these places you are visiting and the people you meet

Absolutely fascinating to read of your "travails' (French for very hard work) and now your "travels". Keep it up mate. You are a winner. Your family must be so proud of you.:ok:

Dude, you absolutely rock. :ok:

Kash,

Good luck mate, hope it works out for you. Awesome what you are doing!!

cheers Nick

Evening guys,

Firstly i'd like to say thanks to the above post. Very kind of you guys to write such comments.

After about 5 hours of sleep last night and an upset stomach went back to the paradise city (Maun Airport). Sat at Bon Arrive and met the new pilots who had come into town while i was away. I sat there pretending that i had just arrived into Maun and was the new boy. I had them going for about 30 minutes before i ended up telling them that i have been around for 3 weeks. I know it was mean but just abit of self humour!!

Did my rounds at the operators trying to get on some flights but the companies are very quite themselves. Sat around Bon arrive again most of the day as one of the operators asked me to help them with some data analysing and doing some chart stuff.

Have spent most of the evening working on it and have just finished it. Hopefully i havent made any mistakes and will hand it in tomorrow.

Was offered a house sit too which i took without a thought but that starts next week and its just for a few days. But it's better than nothing.

So 26 guys in town fighting for the same food. The pressure is now certainly on. And to anyone even thinking of coming bring your A game. The competion is high and strong.

Been given some advice through PM which is basicly stick at it and dont put all your eggs in one basket and to throw your net further afield. So been calling operators in Africa today trying to get a feel of where next to pitch my tent.

I know sometimes i come across as a crying baby and when i have PM of people telling me that it had taken them 7 months to find there first job, i feel like an idiot.

But the truth is that this is my last chance, like many off you my finances are starting to dry out and i dont wish to go asking anyone for hand outs. I made the choice of becoming a pilot and saved every penny while my mates used to go out on nights out. And so i dont wish to borrow money for a future that is uncertain. Im not better than anybody and am glad that my feet are firmly on the ground. Im not a person who feels he is too proud to ask for help in fact i have said on here many of times that im not shy in asking for advice. But i dont wish to gammble other peoples money.

Spoke to my family today who are 100% behind me and thats what counts the most.

I noticed on one of the posts that someone has requested for some photos on here. I promise i will put them on. But i dont wish to put peoples faces up on here until i have asked for there permission.

But dont worry guys i still have health, strength and hope. And so am not looking at giving up anytime soon. We all have bad days and these are mine. But at the same time i am meeting some great people and seeing some amazing sites. And it will be these things that will help me through.

As always i hope this post finds you well.

But for now take care and Godspeed!!

Dear Kash

I have been reading your blog for only a couple of days now, but already I'm hooked! I think many people will agree that it is the most interesting thing on PPRuNe for ages. Everyone likes a good serial, so keep it up, good news or bad, happy or sad, with no apologies. I can tell you it has already been inspirational: people will reference this in future when they plan their trip overseas, so let us know what's the right bug juice to use.
Yours wishing you good flying tomorrow

A.B.

thanks for this really informative thread Kash !

I'm sure you'll start flying soon, hang in there buddy

Truly inspirational kash,

With your attitude, operators would be mad not to want you.......:ok:


Hope it all works out for you

Evening ladies and Gents,

Again i would like to thank you all posting such nice, promising messages.

Not got much sleep last night kept hearing something scratching outside my tent last night. Didnt want to get out and check just incase it turned out to be something poisionous!!

Sat up at 5am sending messages to operators around Africa before heading to the airport. Sat at Bon arrive waiting for pilots to come in but i think it must be towards the end of the month and they ran out of money. No one came in, or it could be that we scared them off from there local.

But staright after breakfast and went up to show the teacher my homework ( data analysing for one of the operators). As i arrived in there office i was asked to have a look at a problem which has taken me all day in fact till 8pm tonight. But im so glad that they asked me, it gave me something to do. In Maun you need something to keep you sain when your looking for work otherwise this place quickly takes hold of you and leaves you feeling useless.

Just got back to the camp writting this having a cold drink, let me tell you it tastes so good when yo have done something productive.

Spoke to one of the new guys today who was asking me about when he will be hired, i took the glass closest to me and gave it to him. I then told him to rub it unil a genie came out and ask him. Again just a another bit self houmour.

Anyway guys better go guys really tired now, Will speak to you all tomorrow. But as always i hope this post finds you well. And please remeber this is your thread so please feel free to post on it.

Take care and God speed

The word resilience springs to mind when I read your posts!

Kash
 

A very admirable journey you are undertaking. Fair dues to you.:ok:

Evening Ladies and Gents,

Hope all is well and good, and hope you are all reading this in high spirit.
Today is my 22 day in Maun and still in the same position as i was on my first day here (looking for work). But in these 22 days i have made good friends, seen some amazing places. That is not what i had 22 days ago.

I have made a rule at Audi camp with the lads. I ill buy anyone a shot as long as i choose what shot. 2 minutes ago i had my second victim who i gave 3/4 tabasco sauce 2 fresh chopped chilles and the rest stroh rum. I do feel sorry for him now. But im sure the feeling will go away soon.

Headed down to the airport this morning, and after breakfast went back to the operator to carry on helping them with some computer stuff. I've not got a job but it feels good working.

Got back to the camp early around 3 and witnessed the biggest storm i have ever seen. My tent is drenched so am sitting wondering what kind of sleep im going to be having.

It's a funny place Maun, i came here a stranger hateing the place but once you get to know the place and people you get attched to it very quickly. But i must not loose my focus i am here to find work!!

Im scared about moving on to somewhere else to find work but i felt the same before coming here. I'm not too sure what to do now, but i know that i must hunt for my food.

Like many i have a dream about finding a job and making an honest woman out of someone and settling down. But i cant go doing the rest until i have something that will help support my future family.

I get some great positive remarks on here and when i read them it makes me smile. But at the same time im asking all of you reading this if you hear of any place or have any contacts that will help me find work please please please PM me.

I know im sounding desprate and i know i shouldnt. A few of our senior pilots have said dont sound desprate. And to those who gave me that advice i hope you are not upset for me grovelling. But im in tight spot!

To those who are thinking of becoming a pilot because they love flying dont let my journey put you off, Im a great believer in things somehow just seem to work out. But if your doing it for the money or glamour find something else. We as pilots have a responsibilty when we are working. Making sure safety is above all things and remembering that people have put trust in us to deliver them to there destination.

Im no saint, not at all i have a laugh like everyone else but when we have been tasked to fly people we must put all other things aside and focus.

I dont know why im giving this advice im in no position to and certainly dont have a job. But dont come into this industry other than for the love of it.

22 days have gone by as if it were yesterday. With nothing to do all day you will be suprised how fast time passes you by.

Spoke to my mother today, the sweetest woman in my life. Who said to me "dont let yourself down just remember im still here the world hasnt come to an end". Thats all you want to hear from your mother is that dont worry son whenever you fall i be there to help you up. No other relationship can offer that security. Sorry just being a sentamentle ****!!

Anyway guys, as always keep your spirits high, your courage strong and your hopes high. We will all come through this rough patch it's just not our time yet. But it will be soon, so hang in there.

Take care!!

Hats Off.
 

Duuuuude. You're making me wish I were a film or TV producer, we could make a fortune! Anyway, all I can say is, I'm impressed. I wish I had your kind of dedication. Who knows, maybe once I step into a cockpit for the first time in my life, I'll get "the bug" as well. So far I'm just content to work in Ops and dream of becoming a pilot. I only discovered this site today with the help of one of the FOs at my company. But I think I'm going to embark on that journey pretty soon. I don't even need to wish you luck. You've already made it. As a Greek poet once said "When you set out for Ithaca, hope that the road is long". Or as Aerosmith put it, "Life's a journey, not a destination". You're living the kind of life we only see in movies, the lives we're all too chickens#$@ to go out and lead. I envy you and stand in awe of you. Hats off. Dunno what else to say other than hang in there. Not just for the job, but for this whole attitude toward life you have. Cheers!

Morning Ladies and Gents,

Firstly sorry about not posting yesterday, wrote the entire report and when i went to press send the internet went down. So again sorry!!

Yassan81, i would like to thank you for your extremely kind post above but honestly im not worthy of half your compliments. This is no movie or a TV show. This is a normal bloke just trying to get his first foot on the ladder and am just giving you my personal accounts of how i have been getting on. Im sure you will become a great pilot one day and join the ranks.

Yesterday i was speaking to another wanabee looking for work who had read my blog. His first comments to me is that i am seeking attension. Im sorry if some of you feel the same way but honestly i enjoy posting but at the same time its meant to teach us things about the do's and dont's of finding a job.

I met 3 more pilots who have just come into town all blue eye and bushy tailed. They ask us guys who have been here for a while looking for tips of getting a job. But the answer is there is no rules to this game. If your face fits and theres a job then its proberbly yours.

I got a fantastic PM from a pilot who has thousands and thousands of hours under his belt. But the one point that took me back was the fact that even when his senior pilot was placed in a nursing home he constantly went and met him. Thats what respect of your seniors and friendship means to look out for each other.

Nothing has changed on the job front. The work i was doing for an operator has been completed and so am joining my ranks of unemployed people looking for work again.

Im still doing my rounds and last night was invited to a party which was awsome. but i was back in bed for 10:30 im sure im getting too old.

Im now coming to a stage where im thinking about going home, nothing is changing around here and feeling that i am wasting money. Im not getting anywhere with the other countries around Africa either.

But ill see, anyway as always i hope you are well, and please remeber this is your thread too and if you have any contacts or know of any jobs going around the world please please please PM me!!

Take care!

Hi Cash I must say that I admire you for your brave decision to head to maun without any certainty of a job. I am in a similar position as you are ( same age, jobless Frozen ATPL 250tt) I recently also lost my regular job and now I'm unemployed again :bored:. Some days I feel really down about my situation, and I know it must be a lot harder to be a in a foreign country not knowing anybody on your arrival.
I was also having the thought of heading to Maun, Namibia and Bots... But somehow I did not have the balls to make the final step. I just could not afford to lose any more money or maybe I'm just to much of a pessimist... May I ask how much your journey has costed so far incl plane tickets? Have you set your self a limit (time or money) after which you will return home?
If you do not want to post it here you can also pm me
I wish you all the best and honestly hope you will find something soon!

Kash - you have sparked one of the best threads I have ever read on pprune here! I admire what you have done and like many here, respect your ethics, professionalism and perseverance!

I am in a similar position, and although having considered Africa, I don't think I have the guts to do what you are doing. Being able to keep your spirits up like that is amazing. I truly hope that places there start hiring soon and am confident that you would be one of the deserving ones to get a job.

Get it in writing from the magazine place that they will do a story on you if you get employed, and then take this proposal to the operators asking if they want to be the hero and get some free publicity, could be a win/win for both you and some operator...

Kash's problem is not him personally. I'm sure he's a nice guy who would make a great pilot. I'm sure the operators probably really like him.

His problem is timing.... he missed the hiring the wave (the one the one that usually comes around once every ten years.)

Reality is operators can't hire him unless a position becomes available, and generally a position will only become available if a current pilot leaves for greener pastures.

Problem is because the aviation industry is contracting hard and shedding experienced pilots, so there's no greener pastures for the current pilots to move up to, which means no slot for Kash to fit into.

The industry may not see another meaningful hiring cycle for another 8 years... that's very possible.

My advice for Kash... offer to work for free washing the planes... do anything just so you can be around and pray for a miracle.

You've already spent a small fortune... may as well borrow some more to go the extra mile to pay for living expenses... you've gone this far. No point in quitting now.

:yuk: Poor effort PosClimb. Sure Kash, if your down there and one of the guys is washing a plane, you could offer to give him a hand and have a yarn while doing so. As for actually going to the owner offering to work for free....just dont do it.

Morning Peers,

Just woken up with about a million ants crawling inside my tent. I think they must of made there way through the ground sheet even though i move my tent around often. It freaked me out but, like many say this is Africa. The phrase "This is Africa" gets used allot it seems it gets used when people have no excuse or cant be bothered to make things better. But this is a great place. And I find it's a place where we should all come one day to see that sitting behind a desk working 9-5 then going home and watching TV isnt all that life has to offer.

Someone on here raised the question of my expenditure so far. Well I managed to get a flight BHX-DXB-JNB-MUN return for £1100. My tent,clothes and all the stuff i brought out with me abou £200. And so far i think i have used about £600 here. I still have about £400 left and will see how far this shall take me.

Someone else raised the idea of working for free!!! there are two issues that i see with this. The first being, that i do not mind what so ever helping out what so ever. But i will NEVER work for free, yes if any company said there is 5 aircrafts outide go and wash them i would. But if they said come every day and wash planes then i would hold back. We must set a standard to what we are willing to do. The second being Im sure you gave advice though my best interest but. There is a limit. Our industry is all ready on it's knees and i dont wish to be a part of it to bring it down further.

Another person said go around and show operators a letter from the magazine who has offered to run a story on me, to get some free publicity. To be honest im sure its great advice and someother people PM me saying the same thing. But i cant see myself walking in to an operator asking for a job on the back of a magazine article. Of course i do tell them that on the back of my thread i have been offered an article to make them aware.

Im sorry if you feel that i have set my standards too high, but i find that all of us have a role to play to make sure that we dont drag our industry down further. I had a great PM from someone who said. That we must show that there are other routes into this industry other than ab initio or SSTR. I was one as you know considering about paying for a type rating but am glad i didnt persue that path.

Of course i want a job, and ill sign any contract that comes to me first but i will never sign something that i find i couldnt survive on.

Anyway guys better go my breakfast has arrived, i will post again later.

But thank you everyone for reading and posting on this thread.

Kash

Afternoon guys,

Hope all is well and good, just back from a dip in the swimming pool at Audi. God it has been a hot day, been into the airport to show my face to the operaters and to see if i could get on any flights. But again no progress today either.

Came back to the camp pretty early today. Tired from the lack of sleep.
Met one more wannabe today. Im not sure if im now starting to suck sour grapes but i really couldnt be bothered doing the whole "Welcome to Maun" speach.

I'm starting to find myself at a low point for the past few days, constantly wondering when this unemployment storm will pass over me. Starting to think maybe i have bitten of more than i can chew.

I will be calling emirates tomorrow just to enquire of when they can get me home. I starting to think that i have to accept defeat. But i gave it my best shot i could.

I'm still going to fight for a job until the last day i am here. But sometimes after fighting so long you get tired maybe thats whats happened to me. Maybe im just tired!!

I'm not going to confirm my flights just enquire about them. I feel like im constantly moaning about not getting employed. Maybe i've just not got what it takes.

I feel silly, coming on here trying to show you all on what to do and not to do. To get your first job, but i dont think ill get my first job yet to show you. But dont any of you DARE let your hopes down about your career. Make sure you fight for the first job and dont let anyone tell you that you cant do it. Think of all the people who look upto you or that are proud of you.

Again i will take this struggle to the end and see if i can get my foot on the ladder. I still have strength and hope, but at the moment they are damaged. Maybe after a goodnight sleep i will be able to recover.

For all those reading thank you, and for all those posting and PM me i salute you.

Take care and Godspeed!!

Kash!
Well dude, just to echo everyones sentiment here, well done and good luck! You really are doing what most people dream about or talk about doing yet never have the guts to strive to achieve. As a fellow poster mentioned we had the same idea yet you actually have taken that step.

You will no doubt have lows during yr time away. Keep positive and strong. Remember how you felt at Vic falls? Well keep that in mind, maybe try to take another trip if its permissable just to boost yr morale! At times like these, read through all the positive comments posted here.
Also bear in mind that your postings are also motivating a lot of people back home.

Your experiences now will also be a fantastic talkin point in future interviews or for those long winded application forms! You are already much more positive about a lot of things than many others so keep that focus in mind.

Good luck and keep us posted! You will never know whats around the corner!:D:ok::ok:

What?
 

Kash after all your efforts you're thinking of giving up now?

I know you went through your finances earlier but stay another month please. Surely you can find the money from someone at home? You have effectively in the grand scheme of things only just got there. You have spent all this time becoming a face at the airport getting to know everyone only to leave now, before what I understand is the main hiring season? When they need a pilot, you're the number one in the queue, if you get up and leave one of the Johnny come latelys will take your spot.

You talk of "the unemployment storm", do you really think it would be any better in the UK at the moment? Now that you've paid for the flight out there it's probably costing you less to hang out there and not work than it would to be kicking you heels around the UK not working and trust me the weather is better and it sounds like you're having fun.

From what I understand some guys have to hang out for three months before they get a break, I know that's a long time to be in a tent. Can you try and find other work? Be a barman or work at the airport and then find more solid accomodation? It will make you look like you're there for the long haul and cement some of what you've done so far.

Don't leave early and be the fifth Beatle. It's going to be a war of attrition and the last man standing will win.

Buck up and hang in there.

Muddy Boots.

@ above
Cant be said any better way.
Kash ,Saying and Doing are two completely different things i know but as everyone has said out here.You have been there DOING it the right way

I hope you find the right justice to your efforts..

Again,Like everyone my good wishes with you
All the best

Kash you are an inspiration and I sincerely hope something comes up for you soon. I've been dipping in and out of pprune for ages but still have not posted or even started my ppl yet! Your blog is the best thing I've read here in ages and I had to use my first post to offer you my encouragement.:ok:

Morning Peers,

Firstly i would like to apologise for sounding really down last night, I have woken up to check my messages am overwhelmed at the messages of encouragment. Yesterday was a bad day for me and my mind took me to places i didnt want to go.

But today the phoniex has risen out of the ashes and will be going to the airport in the same manner as i first arrived, it's amazing what a good nights sleep can do to a person.

I'm going to be sticking around until the end. Forget about Emirates they can wait!!

Muddy Boots has made some great comments in the above post and he is right in the grand scheme of things i havent even started!!

I do look back at all the post and PM people have sent me and honestly it cheers me up like no other.

My family read this thread yesterday and i got a phone call from them as soon as they read my post yesterday. My dad just said, "your not coming home yet, you have a job to do".

Again im sorry if i came across like a little girl. But today i have my strength, hope and determination like no other. I am hoping for some feedback today from a operator across the border. I pray it comes back positive.

Anyway i have a job to do, i have to go and find one. So for now you all take care and i hope you all feel as content as i do today. And if you find your not then i hope you have the strength to make yourself content.

Keep at it Kash, think about the stories for the grandchildren!

"Back in the day when grandpa forked out your now obsolete inheritance to go flying, I had a ball. I remember, it was called the 737, the grandest airplane of the day, I had 500 wonderful hours before I went to work at the convenience store"

err...

"Back in the day, when grandpa went to Africa, in order to try to get a foot on the ladder, [insert blog here], and after a long time of hardship, finally luck caught up with me, and let me tell you there's been some stories after that too! But I can tell you more about those next time, little fellow"
:ok:

Great stories Kash! I've got the deepest respect for you heading out to africa without any prospect!!
Today I heard that Citylink in Accra, hired someone if he was willing to pay his TQ.

Good Stuff!
 

Hey Kash!
Excellent blog. I really appreciate all of it, the good and the bad. I too lived in my tent in North West Ontario Canada for a couple months waiting for the big break. By no means was it as hard as your journey, but I rode the same wave of emotions you are. I love how your blog demonstrates resiliancey (sp?). It is great to show all those low timers out there that this is no cake walk. I spent many days cooking Kraft dinner on the hood of my jeep dreaming of the break. Stick with it, I reached ultimate lows but eventually got the highs (a job). Keep the blog raw and honest as you have done already. If you do go home, by no means is it a failure. No doubt you have learned and accomplished more than many out there!!
Bon Chanse!

Afternoon Guys,

As always i hope all is well and good, just got back to Audi camp sitting with a ice cold coke, waiting for one of the lads to cook us all a meal.

As you are aware yesterday was a bad day. But today was a new day and as said in my post earlier that the phoniex has yet again risen from the ashes.

Was at the airport again bright and early popping my head around the door of the operators. After my rounds sat back at Bon arrive only to have two pilots from different operators come over and ask if i could help them with some data analysis and have a look at there computers.

It made me feel great being asked, i shot out of my chair paid the bill and ran to the operators. Sat most of the morninng doing work for one and then running to the other operator to help ot there.

They were very pleasant and thankful. I like it when people ask me to help out, it beats sitting around Bon arrive watching my pokets loose weight while my stomach puts it on. I think Bon arrive should make me a stake holder.

3 more new guys in town today, i've lost count now,but now i dont even care how many people are here looking for work. I have my A game with me now and nothing is going to get me down. When every door has closed in my face then i will know it time to move onto somewhere else.

Some of the guys were talking about heading to the delta by road in about 2 weeks so think i may join them ifthey still have a seat left.

Again guys sorry about yesterday, i had a PM from a person who i would now class as a friend, basicaly saying " stop being a D**K" " Get yourself together".

I have not heard of any other news from any leads or jobs that i have applied for. But it's ok, im in the playing fields at the moment and will see how it goes.

To all of you posting on here sending me your notes of encouragement THANK YOU SO MUCH. It really is a morale booter, many of you are sitting in front of your computers thinking GOD is Kash on his periods. He keeps going hot and cold on us. Well boys hopefully it will be all hots from now on. Well im going to try my best and if i fail ill keep trying.

Anyway guys enough for the day, im starving going to get a bite to eat. But as always i hope this post and every other finds you well.

Take care!!

Gee's Ant's what else? On one hand reading all of this has been a bit of a hoot. On the other, something is going on, they are having you do stuff for them. Are they asking any one else ? I don't pretend to know how things are done there. It seems to me that you are being looked at and in a good way. My guess if there is a job on the horizon, you are going to get it.

You complain about the heat, well I am going to clue you in on something, yesterday was the first day since Christmas were I didn't need the Silk long Johns and the Durafold thermals on. The other day it was -2 F when I got up in the morning, this morning it was just about 57 F. Its warn wet and very windy today. At least you have a pool and plenty of cold beer to go along with the ants.

Well it good to know that you have support from family, its a catch 22 you can't get a job with flight time and you can't get the flight time with out a job. Welcome to the part of aviation that nobody talks about when you go to flight school, only there are jobs to the end of the horizon out there for you with your Wet Inked Pilots Certificate.

Kash,

You are an absolute paratrooper! If anyone deserves a job it's you. You have the right attitude, the commitment and by the sounds of it the personality to succeed.

If you can't do it no one can: so we're counting on you!

The very best of luck to you sir

You are defiantly an inspiration to fellow aviators, I registered on PPRuNe just to post this to you. I commend your efforts and determination of finishing what you started. That is a quality that is all too often forgotten about in today’s society.
Reading your blog has made me think about wanting to go to Africa and try the same thing. The flying looks fun out that way and it sounds like much warmer weather that I’m used to and no icing to worry about, but I already have a job and it would take me quite a bit of time to save up enough money to attempt that.
I wonder if you ever thought of going to Canada and looking for some work. I don’t know what the immigration situation would be to get a visa but there are opportunities here, although times are slow.
Keep up the battle, there is much support here on this forum for you I think we all want you to succeed.

Kash,

First post on this thread but I have read it daily, each time waiting for the page to load with figers crossed that the job you deserve has found you.

You understand better than anyone else that you arrived in africa with no guarantees. However, you can be doing no more than you are. You are a credit to newly qualified pilots and if all were like you the profession would be as it always was and may be again.

I have no advice to offer as I have never been in your situation, however I can say that you have come too far to give up before your last allocated penny has been spent in search. Enjoy the journey, as you have so far.

EK

Oh well... Don't let high surface temperatures lead you to the conclusion that there will never be icing at altitude. Haven't flown in Africa myself, but from what I've heard, beware of towering cumulus and of course CB activity. Furthermore, I suspect onboard deicing/antiicing equipment might be less common on some aircraft operated in Africa, than elsewhere. But that's just my guess!

Not that I know what it's like to be in your shoes right now, but I must say I agree with the last few posts. You should find a way to stay a bit longer. I know you've said there are twenty-something pilots there right now, but if you're willing to stick it out maybe you'll be the only person the operators recognize when it does come time to hire someone. Good Luck! And don't be so hard on yourself if you have a bad day. You're certainly entitled every now and then.

On a practical note, how did you arrange your return flight to be flexible? I've been looking into that part of it and I seem to have to book a date and then pay large fees to change it if I needed to.

Afternoon Peers,

As always i hope this post finds you well and good, another day has passed me by in Maun. Woke up pretty early this morning to hear birds going mad uo n the tree above my tent. Oh and last night had my hair shaven off, which has left me looking like a idiot. That is the last time i let the lads talk me into something.

Heard of one of the operators hiring two guys today, one out of town and another who has become to be a good friend of mine. But it's ok my hopes are still alive and am more hungry than ever.

Been helping around again at the opertors working on there computers, which is cool because i get to sit in a air conditioned office.

Went for lunch at the Buck and Hunter and ate the biggest burger i have ever seen, a foot long.

Back at Audi relaxing waiting for another day to start tomorrow.

Wish i had more to tell you today, but unfortunatly i dont. I feel like im getting along with everyone in town always laughing my socks off. One good thing is, it doesnt matter where you are in the world aslong as you have good company around you. Im glad i have!!!

Anyway must go, but please feel free to post and if you have any leads world wide please please please PM me.

Kash