Helicopter Day Captain

Role overview

This position places the pilot in command for daylight helicopter operations and in the co-pilot seat during night operations. The role also carries responsibility for the safety, supervision, and overall management of crew members and passengers in line with the applicable civil aviation regulations and the organisation’s standard operating procedures.

What you will do

You will plan and execute day and night flight missions around marine traffic needs and Port Control instructions, prepare aircraft resources and loading plans for marine pilot transfers and other port-related work, and carry out pre-flight inspections and safety briefings. The role also includes safely transferring marine pilots to and from vessels, supporting evacuation missions for injured or distressed persons, coordinating with Port Control and air traffic services, and keeping accurate operational records such as take-off and landing times and flight hours.

In addition, you will contribute to smooth 24-hour port operations, help improve ship turnaround times through timely responses to directives, support customer service and operational performance, and assist with training, development, and line proficiency checks for Day Captains, Co-Pilots, Cadet Pilots, and other related staff.

Compliance and safety responsibilities

The role requires strict adherence to South African Civil Aviation Regulations, SAMSA requirements, the National Ports Act No. 12 of 2005, TNPA procedures, and approved aeronautical charts and flight-planning standards. You will be expected to operate in all weather conditions permitted by procedure, maintain high safety standards during vessel transfers, and be able to manage a multi-crew cockpit and emergency situations without compromising the safety of passengers, crew, aircraft, or equipment.

Experience and qualifications

Applicants must hold a current CPL or ATPL-H, a Night Rating, and an Instrument Rating. The role requires at least 2,000 total flying hours, including 500 hours on turbine helicopters and 350 hours on multi-engine helicopters. Experience on the A109 helicopter, while not compulsory, will be considered an advantage. A minimum of 3 years’ experience is required, and familiarity with TNPA marine pilot services will also be beneficial.

Additional job requirements

A valid driver’s licence with code 08 is required, and travel may be needed whenever approved and operationally necessary.

Competencies and working strengths

The ideal candidate should demonstrate strong decision-making, the ability to handle multiple tasks, sound judgment, operational control, and excellent crew resource management. Good communication, active listening, assertiveness, accuracy, time management, social awareness, diversity management, and strong English language, radio telephony, navigation, mathematical, and flight-planning capabilities are also important.

Equity and application notice

Preference will be given to suitably qualified candidates from designated groups in line with the organisation’s Employment Equity Plan and targets. If you do not receive feedback within 90 days, your application should be regarded as unsuccessful. No recruitment fee is ever charged by the organisation; any request for payment should be treated as fraudulent and reported through the anti-fraud contact details provided by the employer.