Helicopter Night Captain

Transnet Company; Richards Bay; On-site; ZAR 900,000 - 1,200,000; Full time

Job summary

Transnet NPA seeks a Helicopter Night Captain to command aircraft in day and night operations, ensuring safety of crew and passengers in accordance with TNPA procedures and SACAA regulations.

The role demands high levels of skill, judgment, and accountability, with responsibilities spanning flight planning, risk management, and command leadership in challenging marine aviation operations.

Qualifications

• Holds a current ATPL-H with Night Rating.
• Instrument rating and winching rating are mandatory.
• Minimum 5 years aviation experience with rotorcraft.
• Significant turbine and multi-engine helicopter exposure.
• Knowledge of TNPA marine pilot services is advantageous.
• Valid driver's license code 08 and travel as required.

Responsibilities

• Command aircraft for day and night operations following TNPA SOPs.
• Ensure safety and management of crew and passengers onboard.
• Operate under SACAA regulations and maintain situational awareness.
• Perform in-flight risk assessment and control critical scenarios.
• Maintain compliance with aviation rules and public safety standards.
• Be liable as Pilot in Command and document decisions as required.

Skills

ATPL-H Night

Instrument Rating

Winching Rating

Total flight hours 2200

Turbine hours 1200

Multi-engine hours 700

A109 hours 250

Experience 5 years

TNPA knowledge

Driver’s license 08

Job description

Helicopter Night Captain

Job Details

• Operating Division: Transnet NPA
• Employee Group: Permanent
• Department: HO,NGQ,CHM, Aviation
• Location: Richards Bay
• Reporting To: Pilot
• Grade: AH5
• Reference: req5921

The closing date is on 12/10/2026. It is the responsibility of the applicant to ensure that HR has received the application before the closing date of the advertisement.

Position Purpose

The Helicopter Night Captain is the Commander of the aircraft for both Day and Night operations and takes ultimate responsibility for the safety and management of the flight crew and passengers on board the aircraft as per TNPA procedures as well as the SACAA Civil Aviation Regulations and Technical Standards, including but not limited to, Parts 91.02.7 and 91.02.8.

Position Outputs

• Due to the increased risk levels associated with operating at night, theHelicopter Night Captain must display advanced skill levels regardingFlying ability and judgemental capabilities.Marine pilot transfers at night can be extremely hazardous and the Night Captain must possess the ability to safey control all situations as they develop.
• Ability by Night to execute a safe hoist with minimal buffer margins, without external visual references and horizon to assist with maintaining the stability of the helicopter, to move the helicopter’s main and tail rotor disc to within danger close proximity of obstacles, on moving vessels with constantly changing references, all the while constantly monitoring for unforseen risk and hazards, monitoring aircraft instruments, maintaining the height, position and stability of the helicopter over the selected point, in adverse and constantly changing sea conditions, wind and swell, whilst listening to and receiving commands for movement of the helicopter from the hoist operator during daylight, lowlight, night time conditions, marginal weather and high stress environment. Failure to carry out any of the above safely every time would result in catastophic failiure, inicident or accident with imminent loss of life and equipment.
• Conduct day and night helicopter flights under all-weather conditions inaccordance with TNPA standard operating procedures and aeronauticalpublications.
• Maintain high standards of flight safety, as well as safetransfer of marine pilots onto vessels under all-weather and sea conditions.
• Ability to navigate the helicopter in cloud, rain or Instrument meteorogical conditions with sole reference to instruments if the helicopter was flown in adverse weather conditions and inadvertently entered cloud or IMC conditions,as well as land the helicopter safely without damage topassengers, crew, the aircraft and equipment during Night, daylight as well as marginal weather conditions.
• Manage a multi-crew cockpit with the ability to manage an inflightemergency as well as to land the helicopter safely without any damage topassengers, crew, aircraft and equipment during low levels of light as wellas marginal weather conditions.
• Compliance with standard and recommended practices as well asperformance levels required to meet national certification criteria.
• Night Captain is Personaly and legally liable as Pilot in Command
• Responsible for safe execution of all of the above, to prevent any accident and incident.
• Any accident or incident arising in the execution of their duties will pose a Risk to Transnets AOC, ATO and operational Air Service licences, Reputational damage to Transnet SOC, Risk of Litigation and legal costs, damages being recovered and sought by Shipping companies, agents or individuals.
• Execution of skills transfer plan.
• Responsible to answer in the court of law if the helicopter was involved in an incident or an accident and explain the reasons behind decisionsmade as well as to take accountability for decisions made.
• Responsible for the safety and management of the crew and passengerson board the aircraft as per SACAA CARs 91.02.7, 91.02.8. Regulations as well as TNPA SOP’s.

Qualifications and Experience

• Qualifications, Experience & Inherent Job RequirementsHold a current ATPL-H.Night Rating.
• Instrument Rating.
• Winching Rating.
• 2200 hours total flight time.
• 1200 hours on turbine helicopters.
• 700 hours on multi- engine helicopters.
• 250 hours on A109 helicopters.
• Minimum of 5 years experience.
• Operational knowledge of thefunctions of TNPA marine pilotservices will be an added advantage.
• Standard Job RequirementsDriver’s license code 08Travel as required and approved

Competencies

• Competencies RequiredDecision Making.
• Multi-tasking.
• Good helicopter flying skills.
• Team work.
• KnowledgeAviation rules and safety guidelines.
• Helicopter operation procedures &systems.
• Public safety & securityTransportations systems &procedures.
• Customer service.
• English language proficiency.
• Radio telephony proficiency.
• Mathematical applications.
• Electronic systems.
• Navigation data processing.
• Flight planning & execution.
• Skills RequiredGood communication.
• Time management.
• Judgement & decision making.
• Operational control.
• Crew resource management (CRM).
• Active listening.
• Assertiveness.
• Accuracy.
• Social consciousness.
• Diversity management.

Equity Statement

Preference will be given to suitably qualified Applicants who are members of the designated groups in line with the Employment Equity Plan and Targets of the Organisation/Operating Division.

Disclaimer

If you have not heard from Transnet within 90 days, please consider your application as unsuccessful.

Transnet, its employees or representatives never ask for a fee from job seekers. Any such requests are fraudulent. Please report any suspicious activities in this regard to the Transnet anti-fraud line on 0800 003 056 or email [e-mail]