Line Helicopter Pilot

Reporting to:                                  Project Manager

Location:                                        Sioma Ngwezi National Park, Western Province, Zambia

BACKGROUND

Peace Parks Foundation, founded by President Nelson Mandela, HRH Prince Bernhard of the Netherlands and Dr. Anton Rupert, is a leader in large-scale ecological restoration across southern Africa. Through co-management partnerships that unite governments, communities and donors, it restores vast transboundary landscapes that deliver measurable conservation and livelihood outcomes. Vision 2050 will secure 18 functional landscapes spanning 980,000 km², one of the world’s largest land-conservation initiatives. 

Visit: www.peaceparks.org

JOB PURPOSE

The Line Helicopter Pilot position in Sioma Ngwezi National Park plays a pivotal role within Peace Parks Foundation’s aviation strategy, providing dedicated aerial support for conservation, law enforcement, wildlife monitoring, and park management operations. In addition, the position contributes to capacity building by mentoring low-hour pilots, thereby enhancing operational quality, safety, and Peace Parks Foundation's long-term commitment to developing local aviation expertise.

This role was established to ensure consistent, safe, and efficient helicopter operations in Sioma Ngwezi, where expanding conservation activities and on-site aviation needs demand dedicated support. Within the Peace Parks Foundation Aviation structure, the Line Helicopter Pilot reports to the Peace Parks Foundation Aviation Manager, ensuring strict compliance with civil aviation regulations, standard operating procedures, and aviation policies. At the park level, the position works closely with the Park Manager and Counter Poaching Unit Coordinator, supporting anti-poaching operations, wildlife monitoring programmes, and rapid response interventions. By bridging Peace Parks Foundation’s central aviation oversight and Sioma Ngwezi’s on-the-ground conservation objectives, this role serves as a critical operational and strategic link.

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

Helicopter Flight and Maintenance Operations

• Ensure safe helicopter flight operations in Peace Parks Foundation areas of responsibility.
• Operate all Peace Parks Foundation aircraft and flight operations in compliance with Civil Aviation Authorities and relevant Peace Parks Foundation Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs).
• Ensure meticulous flight planning, fuel management and good airmanship.
• Ensure timeous reporting and recording of all notifiable incidents.
• Ensure aircraft are maintained according to service schedules and kept flight worthy, clean & tidy.
• Manage the safety & security requirements of the following in accordance with Civil Aviation Regulations and Peace Parks Foundation SOPs: 
  • Hangar facilities
  • Flight-line 
  • Fuel storage  
  • Flight following.
• All other reasonable pilot duties required by the Civil Aviation Authorities and Peace Parks Foundation's Management.

Flight Operations

• Ensure the following operations are undertaken:
  • Anti-poaching rapid reaction and close air support.
  • Trooping & deployment of Rangers teams.
  • Deployment of K9 elements.
  • Air observation & suppression.
  • Game capture operations (rated helicopter).
  • Game control and monitoring.
  • Game census.
  • Emergency extraction.
  • PPF management & personnel and VIP flights.
  • Ferry flights – maintenance.
• Ensure the following training responsibilities are undertaken:
  • Facilitate training of rangers in helicopter operations, including:
    • Safe embarkation and disembarkation procedures.
    • Radio communication protocols.
    • Aerial safety standards.
    • Ground to air “call-in” & “location” orientation.
• Ensure the following management support and oversight functions:
  • Flight Crew Management – Coordinate pilot rotations, ensuring seamless operational handovers.
  • Helicopter Deployments – Arrange helicopter movements to parks to support operational functions, special projects, or VIP visitor requirements.
  • Partner Liaison – Work with in-country partners to arrange helicopter leasing or pilot contracting when PPF helicopters or pilots are unavailable due to rotations or maintenance schedules.
  • Maintenance Logistics – Organize repositioning flights to maintenance facilities or arrange for Aviation Maintenance Engineers (AMEs) to conduct servicing and repairs in the field.
  • Reporting Compliance – Ensure all required reports, logs, and administrative tasks are done in a timely manner.
  • Oversee and conduct inspections of aviation infrastructure and equipment across all park operations, ensuring strict compliance with aviation regulations and Peace Parks Foundation SOPs.

Administration

• Ensure adherence and provide oversight to the following:
  • Flight and Duty times.
  • Pilot currency requirements.
  • Flight medicals.
  • Proficiency Checks.
  • Flight Logs.
• Daily and monthly reporting.
• Flight summaries and Invoicing.