Africa

nmineau

nmineau

Well-Known Member
I know someone can post a google link but any new news on Africa? What to bring/ what not to do/ what to do?
 
Theres a show on youtube called bush pilots about getting a job in the bush. I think it's british but that may answer some questions.
 
nmineau said:
I know someone can post a google link but any new news on Africa? What to bring/ what not to do/ what to do?
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The great thing about Africa is that you can get fresh, high quality antibiotics at your local pharmacy for a few dollars. And other things as well.
I'm probably going back there in a month or so. What does the OP wish to know?
 
nmineau said:
I know someone can post a google link but any new news on Africa? What to bring/ what not to do/ what to do?
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What sort of flying are you looking at? and what is your experience?

200 hours TT bush flying jobs are pretty much gone, companies need more experience in order to get you a work permit from the govt that is pushing more and more to get locals hired.

If you are looking at a bush pilot job abroad send me a PM and I will give you more info...
 
Well it was a job flying a caravan in Uganda I have about 2000 hours 208 time and 4500 total
 
Have you seen the movie Machine Gun Preacher yet? That's set in Uganda and Sudan.

We overnight in Entebbe, not a bad place as far as Africa goes. Lots of UN airplanes on the ramp there.

I'd bring mosquito repellent and make sure all of your vaccinations are up to date. Malaria prophylaxis (sp?) should be looked into. If you have never taken it before be careful some of them can make you really dizzy. Lariam (Mefloquine) would not be my personal drug of choice, that is the one that made me think getting Malaria might be better than taking the preventive medicine. You need to find a good doctor who knows what the prevalent form of Malaria is in the part of Africa that you will be in and what is the best way to prevent catching it.

Take up drinking Gin and Tonic. The tonic has quinine in it, that would be my preventive drug of choice :D



TP
 
swisspilot said:
What sort of flying are you looking at? and what is your experience?

200 hours TT bush flying jobs are pretty much gone, companies need more experience in order to get you a work permit from the govt that is pushing more and more to get locals hired.

If you are looking at a bush pilot job abroad send me a PM and I will give you more info...
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So 267TT with 6 hours on floats is out as well? :)
 
typhoonpilot said:
Have you seen the movie Machine Gun Preacher yet? That's set in Uganda and Sudan.

We overnight in Entebbe, not a bad place as far as Africa goes. Lots of UN airplanes on the ramp there.

I'd bring mosquito repellent and make sure all of your vaccinations are up to date. Malaria prophylaxis (sp?) should be looked into. If you have never taken it before be careful some of them can make you really dizzy. Lariam (Mefloquine) would not be my personal drug of choice, that is the one that made me think getting Malaria might be better than taking the preventive medicine. You need to find a good doctor who knows what the prevalent form of Malaria is in the part of Africa that you will be in and what is the best way to prevent catching it.

Take up drinking Gin and Tonic. The tonic has quinine in it, that would be my preventive drug of choice :D



TP
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I really wouldn`t worry too much about Malaria. Uganda, Ethiopia, Kenya, TZ have pretty low risk. I dunno why so many people are so freaked about Malaria, I m working in one of the places on earth with the highest amount of Malaria cases pro capita (Guianas), but I never met a single expat pilot that has ever considered the prophylaxis or even got Malaria. Be smart wear the right clothes and sleep under a mosquito net and you will be fine. Prevention treatments are for short term stays only, I would carry some Lariam to take in case you suspect malaria.

Tonic water, or beer yeast unfortunately don`t work with vampire mosquitoes, which is what will sting you the most, they are not dangerous but they are a huge pain to deal with.

I would worry more about Dengue Fever, the chances of getting that are waay higher then Malaria.

jskibo said:
So 267TT with 6 hours on floats is out as well? :)
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Don`t wanna sound negative, but I don`t see many opportunities, especially with "no type rating" on a 206/210 and a CFI.
 
I too recommend to people NOT to take the anti-malarials. I've seen people get way sicker from the treatment than what the malaria gives you. Besides, in Uganda you can go to any pharmacy and get the cure (coartem) for a few dollars. A dose for an adult was around $5.
Then again if coartem is not what you need they'll have what you do need. Malaria is not that big a deal unless youre an infant or old. I've had it several times and I'm still upright and doing. I was tested the first day I thought I had it, had the results about 5 minutes later and medicine in 2 minutes after that. Rooibos tea and chicken noodle soup and seasons 1-3 of Deadwood and Arrested Development later I was on my feet a new man.

I quit sleeping under a net as long as my fan blew across me at night but I did use the occasional bug spray deep out and needless to say long pants, socks, hat, suntan lotion on my ears and nose. You will burn and the rest keeps the biters away.
 
BajtheJino said:
I too recommend to people NOT to take the anti-malarials. I've seen people get way sicker from the treatment than what the malaria gives you. Besides, in Uganda you can go to any pharmacy and get the cure (coartem) for a few dollars. A dose for an adult was around $5.
Then again if coartem is not what you need they'll have what you do need. Malaria is not that big a deal unless youre an infant or old. I've had it several times and I'm still upright and doing. I was tested the first day I thought I had it, had the results about 5 minutes later and medicine in 2 minutes after that. Rooibos tea and chicken noodle soup and seasons 1-3 of Deadwood and Arrested Development later I was on my feet a new man.

I quit sleeping under a net as long as my fan blew across me at night but I did use the occasional bug spray deep out and needless to say long pants, socks, hat, suntan lotion on my ears and nose. You will burn and the rest keeps the biters away.
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Are you flying for the Kampala Aeroclub?

I applied there several times, both as Charter Pilot and Flight Instructor...
 
swisspilot said:
Are you flying for the Kampala Aeroclub?

I applied there several times, both as Charter Pilot and Flight Instructor...
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Nope. But I know, or knew, several people flying there and had some interaction with them. Nice people, very well maintained equipment. Very, very low pay. But they have a pool!
 
BajtheJino said:
Nope. But I know, or knew, several people flying there and had some interaction with them. Nice people, very well maintained equipment. Very, very low pay. But they have a pool!
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I use to follow the flikr page of one of their pilots, I remember the pool !
 
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