Fiji´s licencing

[gipsyflyer]

Any hints on the conversion from a fixed wing Canadian commercial licence to the Fijian commercial licence? written exams, flight test?

Thanks in advance...

[trey kule]

Check your PM's

[Snow Angel]

I'm really interested in the answer to this question as well. Could someone PM me with it?

[Nahanni]

can I get the goods on fiji info as well. i spent sometime on beachcomber island a million years ago and when I was there the usa girls ski team on route back from summer training in nz was occupying 1/2 the co-ed dorm, what a treat. Always dreamed of going back and setting up my own float company.

Thanks in advance for the info

[mraviator]

I just got back from a 6 month contract in Fiji. The way it works there is that the gov will only give you a 6 month work permit the first time around. After that it can be renewed for 3 years and you have to have a sponser in order to get a work permit. Pacific Flying school used to hire foreigners but due to the economy let everyone go and now thy are just training locals to be instructors. They also said it costs to much money to bring canadians down so they only hire Kiwis or Aussies. Pacific Island seaplanes is owned by a canadian and he loves to hire Canadians and Americans as long as they have 500 hours on floats or about 500 PIC for the islander job. But since air fiji folded they dont need any pilots for the islander. float pilots come and go all the time. Pacific Sun airlines will hire a foreigner right now if you have an islander or twin otter rating. It takes about 2 months or more to convert your licences. Everyone is on FIJI time down there.
Hopefully this helps

[shinysideup]

I wouldn't mind working down there some day. Could you give me some insight on what the job was like in Fiji. Thanks for you help, sorry for the questions, PM me if you would rather do things privately.

Who were you working for down there? Why did you come back? How many hours a month did you fly and how many days off? What is the pay compared to the cost of living? What kind of flying experience did you have before getting the job? How did you find out about the job/person to contact?

[Slipster]

The info above is fairly accurate. PIS is a good way to break the fiji scene. Dusty is very approachable and does require drivers from time to time. One point Id make though is the FIJI busy season runs at the same time the Canuck one does. PAC Sun hires expats and looks for decent DHC6 pilots and is a decent place to work. With the failing of air fiji the BN2A market is flooded and the ex Bandit Capts. are gunning for the DHC6 jobs at PAC Sun. Things are political here and have a "Fiji Time" way of falling into place. The hopes of being able to skoot out to the sweet spots all the time dwindle quickly as you look at your pay and schedule. All said it is a great place to break into the ex pat way of life if snow is not your thing.

As a footer Africa is a great place to get a foot in the door as an ex pat if F1J1 looks you by. Peter Fox out of Dar is looking for Caravan pilots and BN2A pilots and there is a tonne of work in Maun.... But you gotta take the plunge there. Be in their face and dont be a douche. and youll be flying soon.

Good luck with Fiji ... I lucked out here and other fellow Canucks have had the pleasure of flying here as well. If you do go to Dusty be sure youre comfotable with swell and unprotected reef flying and tiered machines... They fly but they take there time.

Bula Vinaka

[gsfromc]

Back in the mid-seventies I was the second pilot to fly for Richard Evanson's Turtle Airways (C206) and when I left 18 months later he was on #14 or so (all in the middle were Americans). Say no more. Was a great experience, met some wonderful people, did all the flying for the Blue Lagoon movie and saw some great places. But eventually you get "island fever" and need to get to a more diversified culture again. It is certainly a great life experience to get and some fun flying. But as in many countries, getting anything done officially takes lots of time: something that should take a day takes a week, a week takes a month or so, a month may take a year.... So patience is required. There are probably enough of us Canucks that have cycled through there that we could have a reunion.
Gary

[Rudder Bug]

I went there and stayed one year.

As stated above, one gets the "Island Fever" after a while. Nice experience though. Good living with 45K FJ in such a poor country, housing paid, but you're not gonna walk away with money.

If you'd like something really different, go for it. I recall their "Experience the Difference" written on their aircraft.

Bula Vinaka