My buddies having fun in an Alouette II.

My helicopter flying here.

If you happen to visit Hungary and would like a helicopter sightseeing ride just check them out.

Zambia again and Sefofane requirements

I checked the previously posted Zambian air charter companies websites. Here's the working ones (as there are a few phone numbers and email adresses it might save some time):

Avocet
Batoka Sky has no working website but the email is: malana@iafrica.com

Proflight

Staravia

Zambia Flying Doctor Service Air Charter (not their site but phone numbers and email)

Sefofane (really professional site)

United Air Charters

And here's a link with Sefofane Pilot Employment requirements. Sefofane has headquarters in Botswana, Namibia, Zimbabwe, Zambia and South Africa so it's worth a read, applies to mainly all African companies (maibe not so strictly). Download PDF.

A Tanzanian bush flying blog

Check out John Alexanders blog. The guy is flying in Tanzania out of Dar es Salaam. He's got good stories so you can get the picture what is awaiting on you in Africa on the ground and in the air. Also might be worth checking his book.
Thanks John, keep on posting. Love to read your adventures!

On Zambian low time pilot jobs

Zambia is a beautiful country with beautiful people, and currently there's not even too much to complain about the nation's governance! Zambia is the hidden treasure of Africa, that often went unseen by tourists who were always in a rush to see the country's well-marketed neighbors (Zimbabwe, Botswana, Namibia etc).

The national parks are absolutely stunning, and the local population is friendly and kind-hearted. You occasionally will see some form of racism, but name one country in the world where such an ignorant minority does not exist!

Zambia would be a fantastic place to fly. International investments have been flourishing over the last couple of years, especially in Livingstone which seems to have become the new hub to Victoria Falls. As many tourists seem to feel uncomfortable flying into Zim these days.

(erik07 via PPRuNe)

Sorry, I did not check the links yet, just posted them here:

LUSAKA
Avocet
Tel : + 260 97 770502 or 783106
Fax : + 260 1 229261 or
avocet@zamnet.zm

Batoka Sky
Tel : +27-12-342-6414
Fax: +27-12-342-1701
marketing@batokasky.co.zm

Proflight Commuter Services
Tel: +260 1 271032 / 271035
Fax: + 260 1 271 139
Cell: 097 33 55 63
reservations@proflight-zambia.com

Staravia
Tel: 271038
Fax: 291962
staravia@zamnet.zm

Zambezi Airlines

COPPERBELT
Travel International Air Charter
Tel: 312812
Cell: 02-780267
Tel: 311212
(Kasompe Air Feild)
tiac@zamnet.zm

Zambia Flying Doctor Service Air Charter
Tel: 640510

LIVINGSTONE

Batoka Sky
Tel: 03 321830
Fax: 321539
marketing@batokasky.co.zm

Sefofane Charters
Tel: (265) 781393
Fax:781397
reservtions@wilderness.co.zm

United Air Charters (helicopters)
Telefax: 03 323095
Telefax: 03 323095
info@uaczam.com

Quick note

I'm glad because it seems that a lot of people are getting information from this blog and find it useful. But I have to make it clear again that unfortunately I'm not yet anywhere in Africa. When I'm not flying somewhere over this small country I sit in my office in Budapest and do the art thing wishing I could speed up time.
On this blog I just wanted to share information that I have gathered through the last few months since I decided that Africa will be the place for me. Maybe it'll be of help to others who are in the same situation who share the same dream. And also saves some time. Maybe even give some tips. And hopefully it'll be my diary.
Press on and hope to meet you all in and over Africa!

Photo: Frederik Rasmusen via his blog: Flying in Tanzania for Safari AirLink

Some ferrying

Things didn't quite go as I've planned. Instead of taking the family for a ride I had to ferry a C152 to LHKA and from there the Cherokee to LHSA. Didn't do solo xcountry since my PPL training. I had to realise that flying a machine all alone, with no passengers, no buddy's just me and the machine is an almost sacred experience.

Cherokee checked

Today there was really wonderful weather. And got checked on Cherokee pretty quick. Soloed after 2 landings.
Already planned to take my babes with her this weekend on a xcountry and parent visiting at Szeged for Easter. But then out on the sun by herself the right gear fluid just flew out.
But the owner promised me to repair her till tomorrow noon. So there's hope for flying.
This happened around 1400 hours. So continued flying with my ol' C152 and my buddy Matt until sunset.

Cherokee and IFR

On Thursday 9th of April it's Cherokee time. Already going through the POH. Will do my check and then in a few days will start IFR training. Will surely be a new challange, a new adventure. It is: back to low wing configuration! And press on!

Some recent flying

My way or the highway

Somogyvámos temple ruins

Hungarian Pentagon

Lake Balaton

Not much nowadays, except some flying. Weather improves so there'll be a lot more of it.

On African situation no new info.

Sounds like some good news from Malawi

Just a short one here:
Mike who is flying for Nyassa Air Taxi writes on his blog

We are getting there, flights are increasing and the bookings look promising! Just working on getting A/C to fly and pilots ready! Likoma Island has a new airstrip now. Its great! The only thing missing is the terminal building. As the contractors say that will be done by mid of April. Jahuuu, what a change this is to the old bush strip we used before.

Andy Pope, airliners.net

Update on Kilwa Air, Mwanza, Tanzania

Kilwa Air does still exist partially. There is just one Islander left that still flies under Kilwa Air.

Most of the work is done for an Exploration company. The Casa was sold in November last year.

Some first hand info on Kenyan pilot licence validation torture

From LOW BURNER via PPRue:
I just got back from 2 months over there.
Pilot licence conversion test for CPL is on the second thursday of each month. Only this day. Dont miss it. It costs $200 us dollars. I dont know what your licence is like but the Kenyan exam is a lot different than the canadian one. A good deal of the questions are written in broken english and the words combined do not equal a sentance. Its multiple choice and done on a computer.You go to the Kenyan civil aviation authority to book the test. You go across the building to pay for the test at the Kenyan revenue authority. You then go back to the Aviation authority then they tell you when and where to write the test. The test is on the old airport road down a small road at the East African School of flying. Despite confirming and visiting several times to make sure i was booked for certain date they still did not have me on the list when i arrived. Had to stand in the Testing office and demand that i could write the test for one hour and refuse to leave before they allowed me to write.
If you go a couple weeks ahead of time you can get a flying shool to prep you for the exam. Dont know the cost of that process though. Once you have a licence in hand some of the companies will then talk to you.
The work permit is around $2000 USD. You may have to bribe someone an equal amount to actually get them to process it. It is a two year permit. If you have just finished your CPL and have 2-300 hours they may just flat out deny you the permit since there are a lot of kenyans in the same boat.
You can avoid a work permit with the right company and out of country placements.
If you can get in you are in a great position. If nobody is willing to take you on try to convince them to let you work the ramp for a while and you will end up flying a fair bit and logging hours when they need somebody. Most kenyan pilots wont give you the time of day but a lot of the expats can be quite helpful. It will be an adventure...

Sweet Home Arusha

Enjoy!

Sweet Home Arusha from Matt Watt on Vimeo.

Something cool from Kenya

East African Air Charters (eaaircharters.co.ke/):

Is a Kenyan air charter company, owned and operated by Mike Seton and his son, David Seton. It is based at Wilson Airport, Nairobi. It is one of the largest privat air charter companies operating there, and it is also one of the oldest established companies on the airfield.

Aircrafts: Grand Caravans (3), Cessna 406, Cessna 310 (2), Cessna 210, Cessna 206, Cessna 182 (2)

Requirements: already sent out a mail, in hope of a reply, but with no big expectations (as until this day I haven't got any reply from any company that I've wrote).

What I really loved at this company is the family spirit. The heritage. They have a history section with old photos, that really make this company very personal.
And as usually: any info is welcome!

P.s.: After the Kilwa info (updated today) I'm starting to be afraid after posting these things here...

Update: got reply from them, good and bad news too... Will clarify a few things and then will post the info.

More on Tanzania

Ran over the list of Tanzanian Air operators on the TCAA website. There is a lot of info, what airplanes they are flying, where is their base, phone numbers and emails. Might also be a good start cheking them out. So check it out! As usually I've found a very simpathic one: KILWA AIR based in Mwanza. Now not becouse their website is so cool (could redesign it in a few days), but becouse the Kilwa staff seems to be very cool. Also wrote their chief pilot already. So if I get any answer (maybe) then I'll let you know about their requirements.

Cessna 182s 5H-ZGF

Photo: Felix Borner via Airliners.net

Updated this one to (by Soap Box Cowboy via PPRuNe): Company does not really exist anymore. From what I recall the CASA has been sold. The 210 was banned from Tanzania after it taxied into a caravan ripping of it's own beacon and the pilots decided to go ahead and fly without reporting it. The 406 was sold to Auric Air and destroyed during a training flight, sadly leading to the deth of both pilots. There is one islander left with one or two pilots flying it but not sure for how long it will be operated. With the curent situation in Eastern Congo and world fincial crisis their market has dried up a bit.They are operating out of Entebbe into Eastern Congo last I heard.

So that's the end of this info too...

A few excellent words about pilots by Bob Buck, retired TWA captain

You see them at airport terminals around the world. You see them in the morning early, sometimes at night. They come neatly uniformed and hatted, sleeves striped; wings over their left pocket. They show up looking fresh. There's a brisk, young-old look of efficiency about them. 

They arrive fresh from home, from hotels, carrying suitcases, battered briefcases, bulging, with a wealth of technical information, data, filled with regulations, rules. They know the new, harsh sheen of Chicago's O'Hare. They know the cluttered approaches to Newark and LaGuardia; they know the tricky shuttle that is Rio; they know but do not relish the intricate instrument approaches to various foreign airports; they know the volcanoes all around Guatemala. They respect foggy San Francisco. They know the up-and-down walk to the gates at Dallas, the Texas sparseness of Abilene, the very narrow Berlin Corridor, New Orleans' sparkling terminal, the milling crowds at Washington. They know Butte, Boston, and Beirut. 

They appreciate Miami's perfect weather; they recognize the danger of an ice-slick runway at JFK. They understand short runways, antiquated fire equipment, inadequate approach lighting, but there is one thing they will never comprehend: Complacency. They marvel at the exquisite good taste of hot coffee in Anchorage and a cold beer in Guam. They vaguely remember the workhorse efficiency of the DC-3s, the reliability of the DC-4s and DC-6s, the trouble with the DC-7 and the propellers on Boeing 377s. They discuss the beauty of an old gal named Connie. They recognize the high shrill whine of a Viscount, the rumbling thrust of a DC-8 or 707 on a clearway takeoff from Haneda, and a Convair. The remoteness of the 747 cockpit. The roominess of the DC-10 and the snug fit of a 737. They speak a language unknown to Webster. They discuss ALPA, EPRs, RVR, ICAO, fans, mach and bogie swivels. And, strangely, such things as bugs, thumpers, crickets, NATS and CATs, but they are inclined to change the subject when the uninitiated approaches. They have tasted the characteristic loneliness of the sky, and occasionally the adrenaline of danger.

They respect the unseen thing called turbulence; they know what it means to fight for self-control, to discipline one's senses. They buy life insurance, but make no concession to the possibility of complete disaster, for they have uncommon faith in themselves and what they are doing. They concede the glamour is gone from flying. They deny a pilot is through at sixty. They know tomorrow, or the following night, something will come along they have never met before; they know flying requires perseverance and vigilance. They know they must practice, lest they retrograde. They realize why some wit once quipped: "Flying is year after year of monotony punctuated by seconds of stark terror." 

As a group, they defy mortality tables, yet approach semi-annual physical examinations with trepidation. They are individualistic, yet bonded together. They are family people. They are reputedly overpaid, yet entrusted with equipment worth millions. And entrusted with lives, countless lives. At times they are reverent: They have watched the Pacific sky turn purple at dusk and the stark beauty of sunrise over Iceland at the end of a polar crossing. They know the twinkling, jeweled beauty of Los Angeles at night; they have seen snow on the Rockies. They remember the vast unending mat of green Amazon jungle, the twisting Silver road that is the father of waters, an ice cream cone called Fujiyama; the hump of Africa. Who can forget Everest from 100 miles away, or the ice fog in Fairbanks in January? 

They have watched a satellite streak across a starry sky, seen the clear, deep blue of the stratosphere, felt the incalculable force of the heavens. They have marveled at sun-streaked evenings, dappled earth, velvet night, spun silver clouds, sculptured cumulus: God's weather. They have viewed the Northern Lights, a wilderness of sky, a pilot's halo, a bomber's moon, horizontal rain, Contrails and St Elmo's Fire.

Only an aviator experiences all these.

It is their world. And once was mine...

A few words from Africa to give a little hope

I've only been flying here in "real Africa" for 3 years. It is not that hard, it isn't that dangerous and you don't have to be a macho marlboro smoking cowboy to hack it. Just rock up, keep you head screwed on, get stuck in and have fun.

As for jobs I spoke to coastal by email in Tanzania and they said I should fly down there next week and if I stay to work they will reimburse my flight! starting in a c206 and upto c208 when proved myself, if i remember. And as for the boredom thing, 90% of us started flying for fun and excitement, so if his job isnt that anymore, he should pack up and move on. And guess what? If he moves here to work that means there is a flying slot in India so maybe one this forums idiot can rock up over there and get it!??!

I'm in Africa and think you should come on over.

(THX SLIPANDSKID via PPRUNE – had to post it here to keep the spirit alive)

I'm asking a favor

I see that I have a few hits from Botswana, Namibia, Malawi, Tanzania. 

If you guys read this post please keep me up to date. Or if you have any comments please feel free to write it to me.

We're a few guys out here who are eager to know about the situation about the changes that take place (see post on Scenic). Thank you guys in advance.

Just bad news

Just found out that the insurance company of Scenic Air changed their policy (don't know if this applies to other Namibian companies too). It is good-bye 200 TT fresh CPL. The insurance company asks that Scenic entry requirements for new pilots need to be 400 hours! Well, I think this kindda changes things. 

Fun with clouds

We - my buddy Matt and me - managed to hire a C152 for a longer period. So really cheap time building is on it's way. 

This weekend we took her on a ride. The weather was minimum VFR at the beginning but we had some beautiful clouds at 3000 so we flew between them. And as there was no other traffic we did not have to care just for the airspeed. We went from Kalocsa ex military (LHKA) to Szeged (LHUD), landed had a little chit-chat with the lady in the Tower, then flew over the city. Headed to Szentkirályszabadja ex military (LHSA - see last picture) where the weather really improved. We will keep the plane here. And hope to have lots of fun with her.

PIREP Africa

Maun is in real recession depression. Companies do not hire any pilots, and some are thinking of letting go without pay many of their pilots. Tourism is down by 50%. So it is an absolute NO GO situation.

Did not get any reply from Tanzanian operators. But I just started to explore this possibility.

But it seems that situation in Namibia isn't that bad. Some guys in Windhoek are saying that the companies ain't saying that there is no hireing. They will not downturn you. So it might be worth a try.

We just have to keep up and wait for a while until the end of this recession will be seen. My biggest problem is that I wanted to do an instructors rating and the Hungarian authority told me that I need to have 400 hours. Shoot...

Alouette II flying

My buddy bought an ex-bundespolizei Alouette II turbine helicopter. So on sunday we went xcountry to try it out. Beautiful CAVOK all over and white world. 

We flew to a place called Tündérmajor (Angel Manor) for a few hundred gallons of kerosene. 1000 ft AMSL, low above hills and woods. The trees without leaves alowed us to see the deers, boars and other animals in the forests. 

It was my first rotor flying. Vertical takoff, low speeds, hovering was cool as it could get but I won't really be a helicopter freak. 

This beast sips 43 gallons of kerosene per hour. It carries 4 (yeah mainly 1+3 depending on fuel load) adults at speeds between 90-100 knots. Gush, in my little DA20 I'd be doing 10 hours with that amount... 

We got to Tanzania

Here's the info I gathered on Tanzania. It seems that most companies need to be contacted to find out the requirements, and maybe they'll be more informative then the ones in other African countries. 

ZanAir: I don't know about requirements. Get in touch with them for the piston hours. The Let's still need a type rating and this is in the range of 11000 Euros. (www.zanair.com)

Tropical: They are overhauling the entire fleet, and eventually will need pilots. A good place for low time guys to start off in and work up. As for requirments you need to get hold of them. (www.tropicalair.co.tz)

Flightlink: They have C206, Seneca II/III, Islander BN2B-20 and C208B. Based in Dar-Es-Salaam. (flightlinkaircharters.com)

Sky Aviation: Several twins. They operate C402B/C an Aztec and a Cherokee 6. A relativly new company. Nothing of their requirments or working conditions. (unfortunately no link)

AuricAir: They have everything from little singles to big twins (Caravan, Seneca and L410). (www.auricair.com)

Coastal Aviation: One of the biggest operators out there. Safety is cool. The pilots are experienced, and entry requirments are high. 400+ for a 206 and 2000+ for a Van. Flying to some pretty out of the way places and some very rough strips. 

Comment from a Coastal pilot: It does take a certain character to make it in Coastal, it's not for everybody. It's hard to get onto the Van since most pilots are upgraded internally. But if you want to come and fly out in East Africa for a while with a descent Company and fly serious hours. Then I'd say look up Coastal. It is very hard for the new guys, but managment wants dedicated people who give that little extra for the job. It's not just good enough to just fly you got to help out in all factions of the company from time to time. Often your in some middle of nowhere place or in another country where you have no support staff. It's hard work, but I've had a fun doing it. You'll work hard but fly all over the country and it's neighbours. (www.coastal.cc)

Kili Air: ran over them while looking for Tanzania flying pictures (the ones posted here are from their site), a company incorporated in Tanzania and is based in the town of Moshi on the foothills of Mt. Kilimanjaro. They have flights in Tanzania and Kenya. Flying C404, C210. May be worth a check. As I work as a designer for me a nice website tells me a lot about the company and Kili has a really nice one. Small, well positioned and has a well defined image. They are my personal favourites (like MackAir is in Maun – www.mackair.co.bw – or Pleasure Flights & Safaris, based in Swakopmund – www.pleasureflights.com.na). (www.kiliair.com)

Previous post

After receiving the update info (thanks Soap Box Cowboy) my first move was to remove the post, but then I tought it might be good to illustrate how information on the net (there is an existing Renair site) can be sometimes way too outdated. But then who's paying for the annual fee? Why isn't it removed or something? 

No matter. I've gathered some more and recent info on Tanzania and will post it this weekend.

Renair Ltd., Mwanza, Tanzania

This post is to give a little hope. 

Recently I ran over a company in Tanzania called Renair Ltd. based in Mwanza. Their fleet consists of a Cessna 310, a Piper Aztec and two Piper Cherokee Six aircraft. From a low-timer pilot point of view the company might be interesting as they claim not to rely fully on tourism but having a massive part of flying done for mining companies. Which maybe will not be afected so deeply by this downturn.

They do pretty simpatic routes for tourists: Serengeti, Lake Manyara, Ngorongoro Crater, Tarangire National Park, Ngombe Stream National Park, Rubondo National Park and so on.

Might be worth giving a try. I didn't write them yet, so I know nothing about their requirements, but if I find out or you might know something about them feel free to share it with me. 

 Capt. Mark Lekeu, Aviator Pilot and Managing Director of Renair

Update, with hope gone... Got this from a guy: Man your info is way out of date. The Aztec was written of when it went head to head with a couple of cows. One of the Cherokee's had it's C of A suspended because of illegal or unsanctioned mods. The other flew in Serengetti for a while, not sure if it is the one that in the end went to Dar and had it's nose gear ripped off. The 310 is here in Dar with Tanzanair. But as far as I know has not flown for several years. As for Mike, no idea where he ended up.

Whoa

Was sick for a few days, bloddy flu, watched tv (blody CNN) and became hell of a depressed. As economical figures are falling so it seems that the flying possibilities are shrinking. Wherever you look be it Botswana, Namibia, Malawi, Zambia, Tanzania it is NO GO! Had a feeling that it is time to give up. Take the flight bag with logbook, license, headset, maps and all that sh*t and drop it in the trash.  

But then I had to realize that nobody got me into this but me. And I knew that it won't be easy. And at least I have a degree, I have a very good job. I'm not  starving. So I just need to press on, and if it'll take 5 years to get that first comercial pilot job in Africa than be it. As long as I try to do my best in becoming a more and more experienced pilot I'm on the way to achieve my goal.

So any of you who's depressed nowadays keep up. You are not alone...

The Namibian Connection

Wrote to post here some stuff on am too, so while I'm still lazy and while nothing really happens these days. But here's a few charter operators:

Scenic Air (C210)
Wings Over Africa (C210)
Westair (C210, C310, C404, C406)
Sefofane (C210, C208)

The story is tha same as for the earlier mentioned places: go there, be nice, make yourself known and maybe you'll land a job and every other thing will be taken care. I've already posted Martijn's blog. He got that job at Scenic in notime. 

Stolen Cessna 177RG Cardinal

Never heard of stolen airplanes in Hungary. Hijacked yes, but stolen, come on...

We flying people all know - what I had to explain the whole day to my colleagues and friends - that starting an airplane isn't like starting a car. Not to say flying it and then landing it. Police said that the plane wasn't removed with a truck. The surface of the airport from where it was stolen (Baja: LHBJ) is grass and it was wet with no truck tracks. 

My guess would be that it was flown to Serbia which is only 30 kilometers from Baja.

Cessna 177RG Cardinal

HA-SVW

Was repainted since the picture was taken.
The Canadian signs were removed.
The color is white with red stripes.

Being lazy nowadays

Promised some info on Namibia, but untill I get out from this greyness I'm in right now here's something to read. Martijn Denecker's blog. He went to Windhoek on 6th of January and a few days later was hired by Scenic, a local charter company. You can get some idea of the process on his site: 

http://www.martijndenecker.info/

Scenic C210 over Namibian desert