Lead Pilot Aoraki Mt Cook-New Zealand

The essence of what we do, is focused on quality, passion, and experience. We are proud of our team at Southern Lakes Helicopters and being a family owned and operated business. We are based in Te Anau and Mt Cook and provide a variety of helicopter services such as scenic flights, commercial operations, search and rescue and assisting with scientific research, both within New Zealand and internationally for more than 40 years.

The Role

We are looking for a self-driven Lead Pilot to be a part of our team at our Mt Cook base. You would share responsibility for our base operations, whilst maintaining an operational pilot’s role.

This role would need you, the Lead Pilot to live within the McKenzie District.

As Lead Pilot at Mt Cook, you will be a key and valued member of our Southern Lakes Helicopters team, reporting to the CEO and Chief Pilot and will have the full support of our Te Anau base behind you.

You would be proactive in building trusting relationships with current and future clients, with the drive and initiative to enhance our Mt Cook operations. Business development will be a strong focus.

We are committed to investing in the right person for our team and would do so by offering to upskill you in areas of technical skills, soft skills, leadership, and personal development. There will also be opportunities to work from and experience our Te Anau base with flying in Fiordland.

Minimum Experience Required

• CAANZ CPLH

• Minimum of 2,000 hours helicopter

• AS350 rating and experience

• Longline and mountainous flying experience

• Class 1 medical

• New Zealand citizen or permanent resident

• Full driver’s license

Desirable Experience

• Managerial/Team leading experience

• Dangerous Goods License

• Human long line experience

What the role entails:

• Safe and professional performance of scenic and commercial flights

• Providing leadership, guidance, and support to the Mt Cook team

• Building trusting relationships with existing and new clients

• Overseeing the team and day to day operations with identifying and implementing improvements

• Ensuring understanding and compliance of Company manuals, policies, and procedures

• Understanding and adherence to the Civil Aviation Act and rules

• Assisting management with base and external audit processes as required

• Practice and actively promote our Company’s safety policy and safety management system

• Identifying and driving opportunities for business development

• Working alongside our Te Anau base to collectively achieve our Company vision and goals

• Communicating and co-ordination of maintenance requirements with the maintenance controller

What attributes we look for:

• A team player with a collaborative and proactive approach in leading a small team

• Ability to thrive and work independently from Mt Cook

• Excellent planning, organising and communication skills over multiple platforms

• Have a positive, proactive, and problem-solving attitude

• Adaptable and prioritising to meet changing operational demands

• Well-developed computer and IT skills

We are offering you an opportunity to be part of a dynamic team based in a unique environment. We offer an attractive salary package, a Company vehicle which would be offered to you acknowledging the level of experience, skills, and attributes that you bring to our team.

If you are ready to step up and be part of our team, we would love to hear from you. Please either apply through Seek or email through your cover letter and CV to Michael Hayes at michael@slheli.co.nz