Are you interested in a PNG job?
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chimbu
Well I guess fortune smiles on many as you are correct fansidar is a marvel... providing you can actually be administered it. The issue here is a thing called anaphylactic shock.
A bit like catching an STD and not being able to take penecillin or the miriad of mycin tablets to cure the ill quickly.
I guess 100's of thousands of pilots have had the clap and hold prominent airline positions also, however prevention is always better than cure.
Oh by the way one of them has also developed an allergy to peanuts...
PIRG
Well I guess fortune smiles on many as you are correct fansidar is a marvel... providing you can actually be administered it. The issue here is a thing called anaphylactic shock.
A bit like catching an STD and not being able to take penecillin or the miriad of mycin tablets to cure the ill quickly.
I guess 100's of thousands of pilots have had the clap and hold prominent airline positions also, however prevention is always better than cure.
Oh by the way one of them has also developed an allergy to peanuts...
PIRG
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and me....
Hi , I am looking into PNG as a future possible move (From may next year as I have some contract to finish in EA and an ATP to wingle ) .
The Life seems business as usual but I am not taking lighter than necessary (and yeah I have that sense of humour) .
Do you really need that aussie ATP and IR to work at airlink (or anywhere else for that matters ) or an other one (two actually) with a decent amount of experience (3500 TT,3300PIC,700ME,300TUR) would do ???
And East Africa , to me , is only dangerous to the people with gates , askaris , apparent excessive wealth ...Not as such .Been in Nairobi for five years and the worse that happened was an attempted mugging that costed me 50 australian cent ...four years ago .It is all down to you at the end .
The Life seems business as usual but I am not taking lighter than necessary (and yeah I have that sense of humour) .
Do you really need that aussie ATP and IR to work at airlink (or anywhere else for that matters ) or an other one (two actually) with a decent amount of experience (3500 TT,3300PIC,700ME,300TUR) would do ???
And East Africa , to me , is only dangerous to the people with gates , askaris , apparent excessive wealth ...Not as such .Been in Nairobi for five years and the worse that happened was an attempted mugging that costed me 50 australian cent ...four years ago .It is all down to you at the end .
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Be Wary
Recently a very experienced PNG pilot who rates with the best of them was given a start by Airlink. 
After he reorganized his affairs he without notice found out the job offer had dissapeared.
I would advise any prospective job seeker with Airlink to be very careful in dealing with them. If you are desperate enough to work for this shonky operator, get everything in writing or you could be spived too. rolleyes:
Long live Whitegrass
After he reorganized his affairs he without notice found out the job offer had dissapeared.
I would advise any prospective job seeker with Airlink to be very careful in dealing with them. If you are desperate enough to work for this shonky operator, get everything in writing or you could be spived too. rolleyes:
Long live Whitegrass
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Yup nothings perfect in this world.
Air Link often has to replace crew, who leave I believe - mainly because they have no tour system (unlike most other turbine ops up there) and allegedly the poorest pay in PNG for this kind of work (barring maybe MAF!).
There have been rumours about dodgy dealings over contracts (see post above) and that some of the training leaves something to be desired.
But hey be realistic - its PNG (long taim post independence), its still a good place to see some interesting countryside and get Multi time and endorsements with relatively low hours.
Just remember, you won't see the same stds you may be used to from back home. And DCA don't seem to bother stopping offenders either! (no money in the kitty I hear?).
Problem blong yu!
Air Link often has to replace crew, who leave I believe - mainly because they have no tour system (unlike most other turbine ops up there) and allegedly the poorest pay in PNG for this kind of work (barring maybe MAF!).
There have been rumours about dodgy dealings over contracts (see post above) and that some of the training leaves something to be desired.
But hey be realistic - its PNG (long taim post independence), its still a good place to see some interesting countryside and get Multi time and endorsements with relatively low hours.
Just remember, you won't see the same stds you may be used to from back home. And DCA don't seem to bother stopping offenders either! (no money in the kitty I hear?).
Problem blong yu!
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Let me tell ya Dennis Buchanan was a saint compared to your average Aussie GA shyster.
At least most of his aircraft where half airworthy and he paid honest money.
I cant say about the local operators but it would surprise me if they tried to screw you as well as asking you to live in a society full of totally hambak drunken dangerous psychopaths.
As the boys are sayin dont take the girlfriend(heaven forbid dont take the boyfriend).
The satisfaction of havin a beer with the boys after dodgin yer way home thru ( pooey) weather will never be equalled, not ever by wankin yer way around lookin at magenta lines on a TV screen.
At least most of his aircraft where half airworthy and he paid honest money.
I cant say about the local operators but it would surprise me if they tried to screw you as well as asking you to live in a society full of totally hambak drunken dangerous psychopaths.
As the boys are sayin dont take the girlfriend(heaven forbid dont take the boyfriend).
The satisfaction of havin a beer with the boys after dodgin yer way home thru ( pooey) weather will never be equalled, not ever by wankin yer way around lookin at magenta lines on a TV screen.
Last edited by Capt Vegemite; 25th Dec 2002 at 21:21.
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Well Said Vbitter, poetry in motion.
When it happens again, and it will, they will be wishing they chose a tried and proven operator rather than a wannabe.
He is destined for bigger and better things anyway.
" A chianti and fafa beans thanks"
When it happens again, and it will, they will be wishing they chose a tried and proven operator rather than a wannabe.
He is destined for bigger and better things anyway.
" A chianti and fafa beans thanks"
I have to agree entirely with VBitter and Captain69 - the treatment that was dished out by certain management types was nothing short of appalling.
To all those who are thinking about taking the plunge & going up to PNG, this incident should serve as a bit of a "heads up" - it is exactly the sort of management you will have to deal with on a daily basis.
Something else also worth considering is the high turnover of staff - not just line pilots, but also the rapid revolving door that is the deputy chief pilots position...
You'll also have to get by on pay that was pretty low by any standards as of 12 months ago - prior to the huge drop in the value of the kina. Not to mention the fact that your whole lifestyle will be sacrificed, and your basic personal security will be constantly under threat. Believe me - you DON'T want to be based in Lae & have to do the hell-drive (i.e. just getting to & from work) 5 or 6 days a week, week in, week out.
Some of the other suggestions made by others on this thread about training standards should also be carefully considered. PNG is a dangerous place to be flying aircraft of any description.
The possible outcome(s) are very scary indeed, and should not be discounted - many highly experienced aviators have come unstuck in PNG due to seemingly minute errors, and unfortunately some of them are no longer with us today.
Food for thought - make of it what you will.... If you decide to go for it, then good luck - you're sure going to need it...
Capt Vege - I'll take relaxing in Sydney, downing aussie beers, eating seafood & being with family & friends, after having come back from a sector or two of
over any numbers of beers with the boys in PNG anyday, anytime. 
Not having
is more than made up for by the satisfaction of being on home soil & actually having some personal security once again...
To all those who are thinking about taking the plunge & going up to PNG, this incident should serve as a bit of a "heads up" - it is exactly the sort of management you will have to deal with on a daily basis.
Something else also worth considering is the high turnover of staff - not just line pilots, but also the rapid revolving door that is the deputy chief pilots position... You'll also have to get by on pay that was pretty low by any standards as of 12 months ago - prior to the huge drop in the value of the kina.
Not to mention the fact that your whole lifestyle will be sacrificed, and your basic personal security will be constantly under threat. Believe me - you DON'T want to be based in Lae & have to do the hell-drive (i.e. just getting to & from work) 5 or 6 days a week, week in, week out. Some of the other suggestions made by others on this thread about training standards should also be carefully considered. PNG is a dangerous place to be flying aircraft of any description.
The possible outcome(s) are very scary indeed, and should not be discounted - many highly experienced aviators have come unstuck in PNG due to seemingly minute errors, and unfortunately some of them are no longer with us today. Food for thought - make of it what you will.... If you decide to go for it, then good luck - you're sure going to need it...
Capt Vege - I'll take relaxing in Sydney, downing aussie beers, eating seafood & being with family & friends, after having come back from a sector or two of
wankin yer way around lookin at magenta lines on a TV screen
Not having
...the satisfaction of havin a beer with the boys after dodgin yer way home thru (let's just say crap instead) weather
Last edited by Johhny Utah; 24th Dec 2002 at 13:17.
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I'll back you up on that one, Johhny. During my short stint in secure and stable airline employment in Australia (back in the days before the world fell to pieces!) I can't once remember landing at Brisbane after a 4 sector day, driving to the Hammo to meet friends for a beer and maybe dinner at Ginos and then saying to anyone; "Gee. I really miss downing a few SPs with the boys after a hard day of hoping I wouldn't either plough into a hill or be shot at 4 mile."
Having said that, PNG was a unique and memorable time in my life and with the state of the aviation industry and my place in it (after Impulse, I haven't got a place in it anymore!) I wouldn't mind giving it another go. If someone will have me.........
Having said that, PNG was a unique and memorable time in my life and with the state of the aviation industry and my place in it (after Impulse, I haven't got a place in it anymore!) I wouldn't mind giving it another go. If someone will have me.........
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Me post was intended to be very past tense.Not having had an edjamacation shows sometimes.
How do I set my laser printer to stun?
How do I set my laser printer to stun?
Last edited by Capt Vegemite; 25th Dec 2002 at 21:44.
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Well guys,
I see that there are plenty of opinions still floating around out there, probably some right & some not so. The pay levels & ( lack of ) tour options have been discussed & are well noted. No ken change!
I'd be the first to admit that things aren't perfect at Airlink, however there seems to be a bit of an difference between what some of the posters have described here recently & what I've experienced personally with the company over the last 18 months.
Firstly, I'm not in any management position - just an average line pilot, so I can agree that sometimes dealing with them is like banging your head against the proverbial brick wall - including some problems with contracts in the past.
However I do take to task the comments by VBitter ( good name it seems? ) that Airlink are a proverbial "shonky" operator.
In the last 12 months alone, Airlink has had numerous checks by the PNG DCA
( despite that lack of funds that someone mentioned ) & has came out OK. There are plenty of other operators in PNG that can't lay claim to that. We have the usual number of Lik Lik snags on the A/C but at least they do get fixed pretty quickly by a reasonably professional engineering dept.
As far as the training goes; given the incredible amounts of training that the company undertakes by offering positions such as the one's on this post , I can't see how anyone that has actually flown with Airlink since it went to multi-crew operations could make an assertion that the training is so sadly lacking. Especially if you haven't been there & experienced it personally?
I also can't speak for any problems that some experienced individuals may have had in gaining a spot with Airlink, as that's none of my business. Though maybe there is more to those stories than meets the eye?
Funny that Airlink can be seen in such a bad light by some & then to see that it's one of the few operators going ahead against the current negative trends in PNG aviation.... and by the way, 2 deputy chief pilots in over 2 years hardly constitutes a "revolving door".
Good luck to anyone who has applied for the positions offered. Maybe those that get a spot can make their own judgements here on Pprune at a later date?
Cheers & Merry Christmas to you all.
I see that there are plenty of opinions still floating around out there, probably some right & some not so. The pay levels & ( lack of ) tour options have been discussed & are well noted. No ken change!
I'd be the first to admit that things aren't perfect at Airlink, however there seems to be a bit of an difference between what some of the posters have described here recently & what I've experienced personally with the company over the last 18 months.
Firstly, I'm not in any management position - just an average line pilot, so I can agree that sometimes dealing with them is like banging your head against the proverbial brick wall - including some problems with contracts in the past.
However I do take to task the comments by VBitter ( good name it seems? ) that Airlink are a proverbial "shonky" operator.
In the last 12 months alone, Airlink has had numerous checks by the PNG DCA
( despite that lack of funds that someone mentioned ) & has came out OK. There are plenty of other operators in PNG that can't lay claim to that. We have the usual number of Lik Lik snags on the A/C but at least they do get fixed pretty quickly by a reasonably professional engineering dept.
As far as the training goes; given the incredible amounts of training that the company undertakes by offering positions such as the one's on this post , I can't see how anyone that has actually flown with Airlink since it went to multi-crew operations could make an assertion that the training is so sadly lacking. Especially if you haven't been there & experienced it personally?
I also can't speak for any problems that some experienced individuals may have had in gaining a spot with Airlink, as that's none of my business. Though maybe there is more to those stories than meets the eye?
Funny that Airlink can be seen in such a bad light by some & then to see that it's one of the few operators going ahead against the current negative trends in PNG aviation.... and by the way, 2 deputy chief pilots in over 2 years hardly constitutes a "revolving door".
Good luck to anyone who has applied for the positions offered. Maybe those that get a spot can make their own judgements here on Pprune at a later date?
Cheers & Merry Christmas to you all.
PPRuNeaholic
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Yeah PG... a certain amount of the venom and vitriol on this thread seems to have been regurgitated from the NCA thread of a few months ago. Some people need to face the fact that, anywhere in GA, a pilot is likely to get screwed over for something. It's a fact of life.
And, yes, Airlink really has lifted its' game. I can't comment on pay or living conditions but the rest of the stuff is a character building experience. Security IS an issue right throughout the country and some people can't handle that. It's a good idea to go in there with your eyes open, really WIDE!
But I have to say that I know of some pilots who failed to live up to the high standards required in PNG, just to stay alive. The country and its' aviation industry is undoubtedly better off without them. It's only the thinking, professional pilot who will go the distance in PNG.
And, yes, Airlink really has lifted its' game. I can't comment on pay or living conditions but the rest of the stuff is a character building experience. Security IS an issue right throughout the country and some people can't handle that. It's a good idea to go in there with your eyes open, really WIDE!
But I have to say that I know of some pilots who failed to live up to the high standards required in PNG, just to stay alive. The country and its' aviation industry is undoubtedly better off without them. It's only the thinking, professional pilot who will go the distance in PNG.
Here's some food for thought from the ABC website Latest news reports indicate that he was beaten to death with a car wheel jack - after it had been used to force open the security bars on a door/window, thereby gaining the rascals access to otherwise secure premises.
Yet another sad indictment on the value of life in PNG today...
ABC Online
ABC Australia News - 04/01/03 : Suspect detained over murder of Aust man in PNG
Sat, Jan 4 2003 6:20 PM AEDT
Suspect detained over murder of Aust man in PNG
Papua New Guinea (PNG) police have detained a suspect in the murder of an Australian man in the city of Lae.
The man was beaten to death in his own home after apparently disturbing burglars.
62-year-old Peter Hall, a former resident of Brisbane, had been in PNG for more than a decade, working as supply manager in Lae for the Porgera Gold Mine.
Police believe he was attacked by a group of burglars who had defeated razor wire, a patrol guard and security bars to break into his home early on Friday morning local time.
Neighbours fired a flare gun to raise the alarm after hearing screams.
An Australian High Commission official has confirmed the death and says funeral arrangements mr Hall are being handled by his employer.
Mr Hall is the second Australian to be murdered in Lae in three months.
In October, the manager of a local supermarket was stabbed to death in an attack outside his home.
Latest news reports indicate that he was beaten to death with a car wheel jack - after it had been used to force open the security bars on a door/window, thereby gaining the rascals access to otherwise secure premises. Yet another sad indictment on the value of life in PNG today...
ABC Online
ABC Australia News - 04/01/03 : Suspect detained over murder of Aust man in PNG
Sat, Jan 4 2003 6:20 PM AEDT
Suspect detained over murder of Aust man in PNG
Papua New Guinea (PNG) police have detained a suspect in the murder of an Australian man in the city of Lae.
The man was beaten to death in his own home after apparently disturbing burglars.
62-year-old Peter Hall, a former resident of Brisbane, had been in PNG for more than a decade, working as supply manager in Lae for the Porgera Gold Mine.
Police believe he was attacked by a group of burglars who had defeated razor wire, a patrol guard and security bars to break into his home early on Friday morning local time.
Neighbours fired a flare gun to raise the alarm after hearing screams.
An Australian High Commission official has confirmed the death and says funeral arrangements mr Hall are being handled by his employer.
Mr Hall is the second Australian to be murdered in Lae in three months.
In October, the manager of a local supermarket was stabbed to death in an attack outside his home.
Last edited by Johhny Utah; 5th Jan 2003 at 21:40.
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PG, any idea when people will be contacted re the positions?
I have tried to contact the Cp but had no luck, he has been to busy. I sent my resume before xmas and have heard nothing
I have tried to contact the Cp but had no luck, he has been to busy. I sent my resume before xmas and have heard nothing
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As Checkerboard & no doubt others are interested;
The response to the Airlink advert has been HUGE, with EK literally being buried in emails, faxes & phone calls - To the point that he was giving me a few nasty looks the first time he saw me again!
He's asked me to pass on his thanks to all who who been in contact over the last few weeks & to let everyone know that he has made a short list of those that he has received CV's from.
If you don't happen to hear anything from him over the next couple of weeks then I'm sorry to say that you've missed out this time around.
He will be retaining all of the details that he's received & he will no doubt have another look at them in a few months time when there is another need for recruiting.
By the way, as a small personal tip to those that are still keen...
It never hurts to take a trip up here & have a look for yourself. Arriving in PNG in person is a sure way to get EK's attention & you will get to meet a lot of the people that you may end up working with. ( Just a thought )
And Mr Utah ( Davo, me mate ) you're not helping me here!
How's life in Oz these days?
All the best,
PG
The response to the Airlink advert has been HUGE, with EK literally being buried in emails, faxes & phone calls - To the point that he was giving me a few nasty looks the first time he saw me again!
He's asked me to pass on his thanks to all who who been in contact over the last few weeks & to let everyone know that he has made a short list of those that he has received CV's from.
If you don't happen to hear anything from him over the next couple of weeks then I'm sorry to say that you've missed out this time around.
He will be retaining all of the details that he's received & he will no doubt have another look at them in a few months time when there is another need for recruiting.
By the way, as a small personal tip to those that are still keen...
It never hurts to take a trip up here & have a look for yourself. Arriving in PNG in person is a sure way to get EK's attention & you will get to meet a lot of the people that you may end up working with. ( Just a thought )
And Mr Utah ( Davo, me mate ) you're not helping me here!
How's life in Oz these days?
All the best,
PG
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Good operators?
OK guys,
There's been a lot of conjecture as to who the good, the bad, and the ugly are in PNG.
Quick question....... who is worth looking at to work for up there?
I'm going there in a few weeks to have a look around and a heads up would be appreciated.
On top of that, I've only 1300 hrs total, all s/e piston time.
Any replies would be much appreciated.
Ta
There's been a lot of conjecture as to who the good, the bad, and the ugly are in PNG.
Quick question....... who is worth looking at to work for up there?
I'm going there in a few weeks to have a look around and a heads up would be appreciated.
On top of that, I've only 1300 hrs total, all s/e piston time.
Any replies would be much appreciated.
Ta
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bigfella5... your current experience severely limits your options in PNG. I can't see too many operators scrambling to offer you your first twin endorsement and there aren't a lot of s/e ops these days. The largest s/e operators are MAF, New Tribes Mission, SIL and the SDAs - and you need to be just about a lay preacher to even get a look in with them.
All the other s/e ops are either private or at most two-aircraft companies. The chances that they'll need pilots is pretty remote. North Coast Aviation, at Lae (Nadzab Airport), used to have two 206s but I don't know if they still have them. They might be worth a try and probably best if you visit them to deliver your CV in person.
All the other s/e ops are either private or at most two-aircraft companies. The chances that they'll need pilots is pretty remote. North Coast Aviation, at Lae (Nadzab Airport), used to have two 206s but I don't know if they still have them. They might be worth a try and probably best if you visit them to deliver your CV in person.