Job Purpose
This position delivers critical aerial support to safeguard the Kgalagadi ecosystem. This role executes low-level conservation surveillance, anti-poaching patrol monitoring, wildlife telemetry tracking, and vital logistical supply missions. When unassigned to flight duties, the incumbent integrates directly into ground operations to support park logistics, infrastructure maintenance, and administrative frameworks.
Core Roles & Responsibilities
Flight Operations & Eco-SurveillanceMission Execution: Conduct low-level aerial surveillance, anti-poaching patrols, wildlife censuses, and ecological tracking missions as directed by ground leadership.Logistical Support: Execute passenger transport, emergency support missions and remote station resupply flights.Safety & Command: Assume ultimate responsibility for Pilot-in-Command (PIC) decision-making, ensuring absolute safety of the aircraft, crew, and passengers.Cross-Border Awareness: Maintain strict adherence to international border protocols unique to the Kgalagadi Transfrontier Park shared environment. Fleet Maintenance, Airworthiness & Airside ManagementAirworthiness Compliance: Ensure continuous airworthiness of the assigned aircraft in strict alignment with manufacturer manuals, company SOPs and civil aviation regulatory standards.Engineering Liaison: Execute daily pre-/post-flight inspections and assist certified Aircraft Maintenance Engineers (AMEs / APs) during scheduled service intervals.Rotax Powerplant Care: Perform routine line maintenance (as approved by the applicable regulations and manufacturer specifications), fluid checks, and diagnostic troubleshooting on Rotax powerplants.Asset Care & Housekeeping: Manage and maintain airstrips, helipads, hangars, specialized tools, and spare part inventories.Fuel Security: Oversee aviation fuel stock control, perform regular quality/contamination testing, and execute safe refuelling protocols. Flight Administration & Regulatory ComplianceLogbook Maintenance: Update aircraft flight folios, personal pilot logbooks, and internal digital flight tracking spreadsheets immediately post-flight.Regulatory Liaison: Assist with local Civil Aviation Authority documentation and compliance aspects to maintain valid aircraft registration, radio station licences, and seasonal permits.Incident Reporting: Document and report any operational hazards, technical defects, incidents, hazards and/or near-misses immediately to the AP Head of Aviation. Auxiliary Ground Support OperationsIntegrated Logistics: Assist ground teams with supply chain management, procurement, and asset transport during non-flight periods.Technical & IT Support: Provide hands-on assistance with base infrastructure maintenance, basic IT troubleshooting, and communications network upkeep.Capacity Building: Conduct basic aviation safety briefings and ground-crew training for park rangers and field staff.Key Relationships
Internal: AP Head of Aviation, Park Manager, Project Manager, Field Operations Manager, Law Enforcement Manager, Human Resources Manager.External: Civil Aviation Authority of Botswana (CAAB), South African Civil Aviation Authority (SACAA) (for cross-border coordination), and in-house and contracted maintenance service providers.Education, Experience & Skills
Technical Aviation Requirements
Licensing: Valid Commercial Pilot License (CPL) or higher issued/validated by the applicable Civil Aviation Authority.Type Ratings: Current, valid rating and proven proficiency on Savannah STOL aircraft.Experience: Minimum of 700 hours Pilot-in-Command (PIC) total flight time.Flight Conditions: Valid and current Instrument Rating (IR).Medical: Valid, current Class 1 Aviation Medical Certificate.Technical Aptitude: Demonstrated mechanical experience with Rotax 912.Wilderness & Behavioural CompetenciesBush Proficiency: Proven experience in short field take-off and landing (STOL) techniques, and unimproved dirt/sand strip operations.Climatic Adaptability: Experience managing high-density altitude environments, severe thermal turbulence, and desert dust/sand induction hazards.Isolation Resilience: Proven willingness to live and operate independently in a highly remote arid environment with minimal infrastructure.Language & Teamwork: Professional fluency in spoken and written English. Ability to blend seamlessly into multicultural conservation teams.Ethics: Deep, demonstrable passion for wildlife conservation coupled with uncompromised personal integrity.Metrics of Success
Exemplary Safety Record: Zero preventable incidents, regulatory breaches, or aircraft damage over the contract term.Maximum Fleet Availability: High aircraft uptime driven by meticulous preventive maintenance, clean hangar tracking, and proactive parts management.Data & Reporting Excellence: 100% accurate, up-to-date flight logs, fuel reconciliations, and incident records.Operational Integration: Active, high-utility contribution to ground-based logistics, camp mechanics, and camp administration when not flying.
