Learning / Flying in Zambia
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Learning / Flying in Zambia
Hi all,
Student here working at the (very!) early stages of my PPL, gearing up to my first solo and hugely enjoying it so far...
However there is an opportunity - through work - for me to possibly spend a couple of years in Zambia, based in Lusaka. Any move would be in seven or eight months which gives me a decent chunk of time before then to build hours but with it being over the winter and built around a hectic job and a family I doubt I'll be fully qualified by then.
So does anyone know if there are flying schools in Lusaka? A web search has drawn a blank but I suppose not all clubs or schools out there would be online? If no schools are there clubs or a decent private flying scene? How do costs compare? And lastly does the EU blacklisting have any impact on private flight?
Thanks in advance!
Student here working at the (very!) early stages of my PPL, gearing up to my first solo and hugely enjoying it so far...
However there is an opportunity - through work - for me to possibly spend a couple of years in Zambia, based in Lusaka. Any move would be in seven or eight months which gives me a decent chunk of time before then to build hours but with it being over the winter and built around a hectic job and a family I doubt I'll be fully qualified by then.
So does anyone know if there are flying schools in Lusaka? A web search has drawn a blank but I suppose not all clubs or schools out there would be online? If no schools are there clubs or a decent private flying scene? How do costs compare? And lastly does the EU blacklisting have any impact on private flight?
Thanks in advance!
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No idea about Zambia, but there are several in Namibia. The problem is, that you would gain a local (i.e. Zambian, Nam, Bots) license and not an EASA one.
I'd suggest you try to get it done before leaving (hey, seven-eight months should be doable even in the UK! If not, go to Spain) and then get a local validation.
Flying in Africa will be the best flying you'll ever do. Only downside is, that after you've tasted that, flying in Europe (and the UK in particular) will bore you sh*tless
Go for it and enjoy !
I'd suggest you try to get it done before leaving (hey, seven-eight months should be doable even in the UK! If not, go to Spain) and then get a local validation.
Flying in Africa will be the best flying you'll ever do. Only downside is, that after you've tasted that, flying in Europe (and the UK in particular) will bore you sh*tless
Go for it and enjoy !
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My FI had mentioned that a local qualification would need a conversion test to allow me to fly in Europe but to be honest I'd put that in the "problem far in future, no need to worry" box.
As for the rest - I wish I had the same confidence you to have in my ability to get through the PPL in 7-8 months! I suppose I'm still at the stage of thinking of the whole thing as progressing very slowly but once you get to a certain stage I guess you're building hours and won't be working on the basis of an hour every weekend but instead will be doing blocks of time. Weather / time / funds permitting that sounds like the best option, even if it does involve a week in Spain prior to leaving to batter out the kinks in a single lump.
Thanks for the responses!
As for the rest - I wish I had the same confidence you to have in my ability to get through the PPL in 7-8 months! I suppose I'm still at the stage of thinking of the whole thing as progressing very slowly but once you get to a certain stage I guess you're building hours and won't be working on the basis of an hour every weekend but instead will be doing blocks of time. Weather / time / funds permitting that sounds like the best option, even if it does involve a week in Spain prior to leaving to batter out the kinks in a single lump.
Thanks for the responses!
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Warning: Zambia is Wonderful
It'll be an interesting experience, that's for sure!
To convert your license, you would need to sit an Air Law exam, plus a Type Rating AGK and Performance exam for whichever aircraft/aircraft group you will end up flying.
Not being fussy about where you did your training, just that you have the hours and experience, I expect that if you can find an instructor and aircraft in Lusaka, you will be able to carry on your training where you left off. (It wouldn't be so easy to convert a Zambian PPL to an EASA one though).
The aircraft fly the same as they do here, albeit with less gusto when taking off from 4000' AMSL at ISA+20, but the hardest bit will be getting your head around ATC (very TIA/AWA) and their way of saying and doing things, followed by navigating over vast wilderness in 4-8k of visibility.
I know a man or two who may be able to help you out when the time comes. PM me.
To convert your license, you would need to sit an Air Law exam, plus a Type Rating AGK and Performance exam for whichever aircraft/aircraft group you will end up flying.
Not being fussy about where you did your training, just that you have the hours and experience, I expect that if you can find an instructor and aircraft in Lusaka, you will be able to carry on your training where you left off. (It wouldn't be so easy to convert a Zambian PPL to an EASA one though).
The aircraft fly the same as they do here, albeit with less gusto when taking off from 4000' AMSL at ISA+20, but the hardest bit will be getting your head around ATC (very TIA/AWA) and their way of saying and doing things, followed by navigating over vast wilderness in 4-8k of visibility.
I know a man or two who may be able to help you out when the time comes. PM me.
