Cargo Flying in Africa

[Redmeat]

Hi!

There are many ways to fly in Kenya. We R flying a Sao Tome registered plane, with a Sao Tome validation, which is quick and simple. There are Canadians here flying Canadian registered planes, and they all have work permits for Canada.

Tommorrow, I will be taking the Air Law Exam to get a 3 month validation for Kenya, as our planes are changing to Kenyan registry. We will then have 3 months to take the conversion test.

Air Law is 100 questions on the regs. The conversion exam is 120 on 8 different subjects, including Air Law. The Capt had to take a checkride when he got here, with a Kenyan, I presume, which is strange because of the Sao Tome license and registration.

You need the right to work to fly a Kenyan registered plane. If you try and get it yourself it is VERY difficult and VERY, VERY expensive. If you work for a company, they know who and how much to bribe, and boom, you have the work permit.

I think the physical is very easy.

cliff
NBO

atpcliff, I have always liked your posts here on FI. It's a travesty what happened to USA jet.

All I can say about your new job is WOW!..you must really like flying...

Stay safe man.

 

[atpcliff]

Hi!

Yeah, I'm liking the flying.

The bad part is the 6 months on, no commuting. I'm hoping I do 6 months (or less) and find a job with a better schedule.

US charter flying is starting to pick up, so I'm hopeful.

cliff
NBO

 

[b19]

Hope you are safe and well and enjoying the African adventure, but I am curious have you seen one old person yet ?

Also forgot to mention don't go swimming in Lake Victoria. Something about the shells on the shore having sharp edges, cutting your feet and leaving you open to some nasty microbes, also some real horror tales about Edi dumping thousands of bodies in the lake. Just don't understand how the Europeans can eat fish out of the same lake that is unsafe to swim in.

And do not leave without going on at least one safari. Stay safe and good luck.

 

[DeathPencil]

I think the disease you're talking about is Schistosomiasis (also known as Bilharzia). The parasite lives part of it's life in the snails and then finds another host to finish it's life cycle. It's supposed to be easily treatable with some medication. Theoretically you could get it (along with other lovely things you probably don't want) from any fresh water.
I ate fish from lake vic. Nile Perch are delicious.

 

[nitefr8dog]

Hi!

Yeah, I'm liking the flying.

The bad part is the 6 months on, no commuting. I'm hoping I do 6 months (or less) and find a job with a better schedule.

US charter flying is starting to pick up, so I'm hopeful.

cliff
NBO

Cliff I think Redmeat meant to put up with all that crap you must really like flying. I agree when my job at ABX goes away I am not going to stay in avation just to stay flying AT ALL COST, it just is not worth it to me.

 

[Flyby1206]

Whatever they are paying you guys to fly in Africa it isnt enough. This is a great thread with some crazy and informative posts. Wow! Good luck cliff!

 

[atpcliff]

Hi!

I also like paying our mortgage and not losing our house. This job was the highest paying one I could find.

The senior capt here is 64, and he has flown in Africa for 35 years. The local FO we currently have is 62.

cliff
NBO

 

[G21Agoose]

I think the disease you're talking about is Schistosomiasis (also known as Bilharzia). The parasite lives part of it's life in the snails and then finds another host to finish it's life cycle. It's supposed to be easily treatable with some medication. Theoretically you could get it (along with other lovely things you probably don't want) from any fresh water.
I ate fish from lake vic. Nile Perch are delicious.

Absolutely right- I caught it from a lake in Zimbabwe- urinating blood and other good things but a treatment with Praziquantal and it was gone. You usually get it from still, shallow water.

But there are lot's of other nastier things to worry about more.............

 

[Captain Morgan]

Absolutely right- I caught it from a lake in Zimbabwe- urinating blood and other good things but a treatment with Praziquantal and it was gone. You usually get it from still, shallow water.

But there are lot's of other nastier things to worry about more.............

WOW! Makes what you can catch from the domestic F/A's look like chicken pox! Hope you're doing well Cliff.

 

[DC10]

Absolutely right- I caught it from a lake in Zimbabwe- urinating blood and other good things but a treatment with Praziquantal and it was gone. You usually get it from still, shallow water.

Yep, I picked up a healthy dose of Bil in Zaire / Congo in the 1990's. 7 large pills of Praziqualtel / Biltricide later and I was cured.

 

[b19]

Okay, so I keep asking if you have seen any old people ?

I don't count pilots as locals because they are pilots.

What I was trying to point out, was to truly understand how pervasive AIDS is, by noticing the population demographics. I realize it is anecdotal but it leaves you wondering-are they all dead, are they all infected. Again was trying to say just be careful. Hope you still are having fun.

P.S. have you been on a Safari yet ?

 

[propsarebest]

Is this yer outfit??

http://www.airliners.net/photo/Astral-Aviation-Cargo/McDonnell-Douglas-DC-9-34CF/1517076/L/

 

[atpcliff]

Hi!

That IS the plane I am flying. As for outfits, I typically wear shorts and a t-shirt around here, with sandals. Wearing the DC-9 would be quite heavy and tiring, even if it was my outfit for only a short time.

I have been on a day safari to Lake Nakuru National Park (aka: Drunken Safari). I have posted a lot of photos of it (and other stuff from flying/living in East Africa) on facebook.

So far, I have seen everything except for elephants and full-size hippos. The coolest thing is that there are sometimes giraffes grazing in the fields just outside the airport road on the way to/from our duplex. They are quite large, and not very afraid of people.

I am very excited about my CEO coming to visit in a couple of months. I also really enjoy the flights where we carry lots of aid supplies (UN and Non-Governmental Agencies stuff).

cliff
NBO

PS-There are a lot of older people working in our company. When U walk around downtown, there ARE lots of younger people.

 

[Colonel Savage]

Hi!

Yeah, I'm liking the flying.

The bad part is the 6 months on, no commuting. I'm hoping I do 6 months (or less) and find a job with a better schedule.

US charter flying is starting to pick up, so I'm hopeful.

cliff
NBO

Cliff, tried to PM you, make some room in your inbox!

 

[atpcliff]

Hi!

Just cleared up some space.

Still hangin' in!

cliff
NBO