Contract AS350/MD500 Aerial Work Pilot – New Zealand

Heli Preflight; Wānaka; Hybrid; NZD 90,000 - 140,000; Part time

Job summary

The Alpine Group, operating Alpine Helicopters from Wanaka and Queenstown, seeks an experienced Senior Pilot for fixed-term or casual work. The role requires strong mountain flying and external load capability, with NZ CPL-H and significant turbine time. AS350/MD500 ratings are preferred.

You will join a well-established operation with diverse aerial services across the South Island. Based in Wanaka and Queenstown, you will align with safety standards and regulatory requirements while supporting

Qualifications

• NZ CPL-H licence required.
• Minimum 1000 hours helicopter time and 500 hours turbine.
• AS350 and MD500 type ratings preferred.
• Mountain flying and external load experience.
• Commitment to safety and regulatory compliance.

Responsibilities

• Perform senior pilot duties across fixed-term and casual operations as required.
• Operate from Wanaka and Queenstown bases with coordination for remote work as needed.
• Maintain high safety standards and compliance with NZCAA Part 135 rules.

Skills

Mountain flying

External load experience

Part 135 operations

Safety standards

Education

NZ CPL-H

1000 hours helicopter time

500 hours turbine time

AS350 MD500 rated

Job description

Company: The Alpine Group
Location: Wanaka, Otago
Type: Contract/Temp
Posted: 8 hours ago

Description

Alpine Helicopters – Senior Pilot Fixed-term or Casual

The Alpine Group Limited is a family-owned business based in Wanaka, operating brands including Alpine Helicopters, Minaret Station, Southern Lakes Heliski.

Alpine Helicopters provides a wide range of aerial services under NZCAA Part 135 certification, in addition to providing intracompany support to our tourism brands. Services include but are not limited to aerial filming, fire suppression, heli-skiing, heli-hunting, lifting, pest control, scenic & charter work. The company also conducts venison recovery operations throughout the year under NZCAA Part 91 privileges.

The company has bases at Wanaka and Queenstown Airports, but also operates remotely throughout the South Island. The current fleet is made up of AS350 B2/B3+ and MD500D models.

Alpine Helicopters currently employs several fulltime pilots and lists the services of contract pilots seasonally throughout the year. The business has full time engineering, administrative, and operational support staff.

The Position

We are seeking an experienced and capable Senior Pilot to join the company in a fixed term capacity to perform as many of the existing operations as possible.

The Pilot must have:

• A NZ CPL-H preferably with a minimum 1000-hours helicopter time and 500-hours turbine time and preferably be AS350 and MD500 rated
• Mountain flying and external load experience
• Sound understanding of Part 135 operations
• Commitment to maintaining high safety and compliance standards
• Affinity for clean helicopters and tidy hangars

This is both a Wanaka and Queenstown based role with the start date to be negotiated with the successful applicant. Option for fixed term or casual contract.

Applications close 5pm, Friday 20th November 2026, unless filled prior.