AW139 NVIS SAR Pilot – Australia

Heli Preflight; Nowra; Hybrid; AUD 150,000 - 210,000; Full time

Job summary

CHC Helicopters Australia seeks qualified AW139 Pilots – Captain or Copilot – for its Nowra, NSW base, supporting the ADF SAR contract. Permanent role with some touring as required.

Candidates must hold ATPL(H), IR-C-ME(H), substantial PIC time, AW139 type rating, NVIS and SAR/EMS experience; full Australian work rights.

Qualifications

• ATPL(H) and IR-C-ME(H) with renewals; 3,000+ total hours and 2,000 PIC on H; 1,200 multi-engine PIC hours.
• AW139 Type Rating with minimum PIC hours; Night VFR rating and NVIS; SAR/EMS exposure preferred.
• CASA Class 1 Medical and ASIC; RAAF SAR course to Captain standard.

Responsibilities

• Operate AW139 as Captain or Copilot under CHC SAR contracts.
• Ensure safety, situational awareness and airworthiness in offshore SAR missions.
• Maintain compliance with CASA and CHC procedures; participate in training and simulators.

Education

ATPL (H)

IR-C-ME(H)

3,000 flying hours (H)

2,000 flying hours PIC (H)

1,200 flying hours multi engine (H)

Current AW139 Type Rating

Night VFR rating

Low Level rating with Winch Endorsement

RAAF SAR Command course

CASA Class 1 Medical

ASIC

NVIS rating

Previous SAR/EMS experience

Job description

AW139 SAR Pilot in Nowra, New South Wales | Careers at Nowra

Company: CHC
Posted: Friday, 21 November 2025

Description

Posted Date: 23 hours ago (11/21/2025 11:56 AM)
Requisition ID: 2025-7025
# of Openings: 1
Category: Flight Operations

CHC provides unmatched helicopter services that enable our customers to reach beyond – to work in remote and challenging destinations that limit others – and come home safely. We are dedicated to our purpose of getting our customers where they need to be, when they need to be there, anywhere in the world – safely and reliably. All you have to do is get on board!

At CHC, we pride ourselves on our values and culture:
Accountability: Take pride and ownership of our actions and results.
Collaboration: Working together with transparency and trust to drive continuous improvement.
Care: Creating a safe and sustainable environment for all.
Integrity: Doing what’s right and fostering a culture of respect.
Excellence: Prioritizing quality services and setting industry standards.

Role Summary

Fixed Base – Nowra, NSW

Reach Beyond with CHC Helicopters (Australia)

At CHC Helicopters Australia, we deliver safe, reliable, and world-class helicopter services across the offshore energy sector, emergency medical services, and search and rescue.

For more than 75 years, CHC has been trusted to deliver aviation solutions in some of the most remote and challenging environments across the globe. Our dedication to safety, innovation, and operational excellence underpins the critical services we provide to our customers and the communities we serve.

Our people make the difference. With a strong commitment to safety, teamwork, and professionalism, we help our customers and colleagues reach beyond what they thought possible.

All you have to do is get on board.

CHC has an opportunity for suitably qualified and experienced Pilots to be considered for the position of AW139 Pilot – Captain or Copilot for our ADF SAR Contract. This opportunity is permanent in Nowra, NSW with some touring as required by CHC.

Qualifications, Skills & Attributes

CAPTAIN

Suitable applicants will require the following minimum qualifications and experience:

• Valid ATPL (H)
• Valid IR-C-ME(H) with a minimum of 3 renewals
• 3,000 flying hours (H)
• 2,000 flying hours Pilot-In-Command (PIC) (H)
• 1,200 flying hours multi engine command (H)
• Current AW139 Type Rating, with 100 PIC hours on type
• Night VFR rating, with 200 hours night flying
• Low Level rating with Winch Endorsement
• Ability to complete a RAAF SAR Command course to a Captain standard
• CASA Class 1 Medical
• ASIC
• NVIS rating
• Previous SAR/EMS experience

COPILOT

Suitable applicants will require the following minimum qualifications and experience:

• Valid CPL(H)
• 500 total flying hours (H)
• 100 flying hours Pilot-In-Command (PIC) (H)
• 100 flying hours multi engine command (H)
• Night VFR rating
• Helicopter Instrument Rating
• CASA Class 1 Medical
• ASIC
• AW139 Type Rating
• NVIS rating
• Previous SAR/EMS experience

Applicants must have the legal right to work in Australia and meet any clearance requirements relevant to the role.

Diversity & Inclusion

At CHC, we celebrate diversity and welcome applications from Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples, people of all genders, the LGBTI+ community, mature-aged workers, people with disability, and people from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds.

Recruitment Process

We may commence interviews or close applications prior to the advertised closing date if suitable candidates are identified. We therefore encourage applicants to apply as early as possible.

We reserve the right to contact only shortlisted candidates.