Going to Africa ?
Thread Starter
Joined: Jul 2002
Posts: 7
Likes: 0
From: London
Going to Africa ?
Well, I've just about given up on finding a job in the UK in the near future and am considering taking a trip to Africa to go knocking on doors.
My question is, and this is assuming than I am sucessful in my quest, is when I return to the UK after 1 or 2 years flying round Africa, how is a potential employer going to view my flying experience.
Will flying round the bush, mostly VFR etc.. count against me, or will the experience enhance my job prospects ? Will I have restricted my self to flying in Africa for the rest of my life ? Or do the hours and experience still count ?
Any thoughts, anyone been there already ?
Cheers
Trekker
cc:African Forum
My question is, and this is assuming than I am sucessful in my quest, is when I return to the UK after 1 or 2 years flying round Africa, how is a potential employer going to view my flying experience.
Will flying round the bush, mostly VFR etc.. count against me, or will the experience enhance my job prospects ? Will I have restricted my self to flying in Africa for the rest of my life ? Or do the hours and experience still count ?
Any thoughts, anyone been there already ?
Cheers
Trekker
cc:African Forum
Joined: Jan 2002
Posts: 115
Likes: 0
From: euskadi
Hi trekker,
I've been in Mali for three months now flying a tcheck a/c LET410
I do hope that my hours are valuable eventhough I'm flying without a type rating.
Anyway I think that flying here mostly with GPS and doing visual approaches is better than sitting at home.
At least for the first time in my life I'm been paid to fly (700pounds), isn't it what we want? To fly and be paid?
I did not have much choice as this is the only job I came accross in one year, I only had 400h.
The only way to get a job is to knock on doors or have connection.I've heard of a guy in Accra getting a job showing up.
The biggest problem is that Africa is expensive.
Expensive hotels, expensive airfares.
I almost got a job in Abidjan knoking on doors, and got that job here thru connection,complicated connection I should say.
Good luck to you.
I've been in Mali for three months now flying a tcheck a/c LET410
I do hope that my hours are valuable eventhough I'm flying without a type rating.
Anyway I think that flying here mostly with GPS and doing visual approaches is better than sitting at home.
At least for the first time in my life I'm been paid to fly (700pounds), isn't it what we want? To fly and be paid?
I did not have much choice as this is the only job I came accross in one year, I only had 400h.
The only way to get a job is to knock on doors or have connection.I've heard of a guy in Accra getting a job showing up.
The biggest problem is that Africa is expensive.
Expensive hotels, expensive airfares.
I almost got a job in Abidjan knoking on doors, and got that job here thru connection,complicated connection I should say.
Good luck to you.
Thread Starter
Joined: Jul 2002
Posts: 7
Likes: 0
From: London
Xabi
Thanks for your advice. Good to know that it worked out for you.
As I feel I have nothing to lose I'll probaly head out there in November, not sure where yet, and go knocking on doors and hope I'm in the right place at the right time. Should be a bit of an adventure if nothing else !
Cheers
Trekker
Thanks for your advice. Good to know that it worked out for you.
As I feel I have nothing to lose I'll probaly head out there in November, not sure where yet, and go knocking on doors and hope I'm in the right place at the right time. Should be a bit of an adventure if nothing else !
Cheers
Trekker
Guest
Posts: n/a
Kenya is a land for experienced pilots I am afraid. Lots of experienced , skilfulled guys in th area and the licence conversion is quite difficult and expensive (unlike many other African countries).
A very temping country (Films, national Geographic,etc....) but far from easy to break in.
A very temping country (Films, national Geographic,etc....) but far from easy to break in.
Joined: Nov 2000
Posts: 1,016
Likes: 0
From: London,Bucharest...wherever...
Africa is not a place for the in-experienced...
Conditions are poor both flying and otherwise...most good operators require experienced flyers because of all the added hazards and the simple fact that they want there $1 million Cessna Caravan or similar brought back every day in one piece!
Conditions are poor both flying and otherwise...most good operators require experienced flyers because of all the added hazards and the simple fact that they want there $1 million Cessna Caravan or similar brought back every day in one piece!
