Helicopter Line Pilot - Seasonal

Wanaka Helicopter Group; Queenstown; On-site; NZD 70,000 - 100,000; Full time

Job summary

Wanaka Helicopter Group – Queenstown, South Island is seeking an experienced Pilot for the Backcountry Helicopters team. The role is a full-time seasonal position based at Makarora, running from mid-October to mid-May and offering work on hunts, fisheries, hikes and tourism flights in spectacular terrain.

Join a small, dedicated crew and operate under CAA Part 91, 135. Youll need PIC hours, turbine experience, and a positive team mindset as aviation evolves with the business.

Qualifications

• CAA NZ CPL(H) licensure required.
• Minimum 1,500 PIC hours rotary experience.
• Minimum 500 hours turbine experience.
• Class 1 NZ medical certificate.
• New Zealand citizen or permanent resident.
• Full drivers license.
• Snow, glacier and longline experience.
• Dangerous Goods Licence.

Responsibilities

• Safe, professional operation of scenic and commercial flights across hunting, fishing, hiking, DOC, biodiversity and tourism work.
• Planning and conducting flights, and completing thorough pre-flight checks.
• Operating within CAA Part 91, 135 regulations.
• Maintaining a high standard of aircraft cleanliness and managing your role equipment.
• Understanding and complying with Company manuals, policies and procedures, and the Civil Aviation Act and rules.
• Supporting management with base and external audit processes as required.
• Actively practising and promoting our safety policy and safety management system.
• Coordinating maintenance requirements with the Base Pilot Manager and wider Management team.
• Building strong relationships with the team, clients and students, and representing the company with professionalism.
• Staying current through ongoing professional development as aviation and the business evolve.

Skills

Planning

Organising

Communication

Education

CAA NZ CPL(H) license

Tools

AS350 B2

MD500 rating

Job description

Wanaka Helicopter Group – Queenstown, South Island

Seasonal Helicopter Line Pilot | Backcountry Helicopters

Makarora | Full-Time Seasonal (Mid-October to Mid-May)

The Role

Backcountry Helicopters is looking for an experienced Pilot to join our small, tight-knit team at the doorstep of Mt Aspiring National Park and South Westland. Based out of Makarora; a 45 minute drive from Wānaka, and supported by our parent company, Wanaka Helicopters Group, this is a role with real variety; hunting, fishing and hiking transfers into some of the most remote and spectacular terrain in the country, commercial work with DOC and other biodiversity groups, and tourism flying including our Heli Siberia Adventure, a heli-hike-jet boat day trip.

If you want a season where every day looks a little different and you're flying above rugged wilderness rather than the same circuit, this is the role for you.

Roster: Full-time with at least one weekend day required

Base: Makarora (vehicle provided for the commute from Wanaka or Hawea if required)

Season: Mid October through to mid May

What You'll Be Doing

Safe, professional operation of scenic and commercial flights across hunting, fishing, hiking, DOC, biodiversity and tourism work

Planning and conducting flights, and completing thorough pre-flight checks

Operating within CAA Part 91, 135 regulations

Maintaining a high standard of aircraft cleanliness and managing your role equipment

Understanding and complying with Company manuals, policies and procedures, and the Civil Aviation Act and rules

Supporting management with base and external audit processes as required

Actively practising and promoting our safety policy and safety management system

Coordinating maintenance requirements with the Base Pilot Manager and wider Management team

Building strong relationships with the team, clients and students, and representing the company with professionalism

Staying current through ongoing professional development as aviation and the business evolve

This role may evolve with the needs of the business, and any changes to duties will be discussed with you first.

What You'll Need

CAA NZ CPL(H)

Minimum 1,500 PIC hours rotary experience

Minimum 500 hours turbine experience

Class 1 NZ medical certificate

New Zealand citizen or permanent resident

Full driver's licence

A great attitude and genuine team player mindset

AS350 B2, MD500 rating and experience

Snow, glacier and longline experience

Dangerous Goods Licence

Who We're Looking For

A collaborative, proactive team player who thrives in a small-base environment

Strong planning, organising and communication skills across multiple platforms

A positive, solutions-focused attitude

Adaptable, with the ability to reprioritise as operational demands change

Comfortable with computers and IT systems

Applications close 2 October 2026, unless filled prior.