Helicopter Night Captain

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, the Helicopter Night Captain must display advanced skill levels regarding Flying ability and judgemental capabilities.

Marine pilot transfers at night can be extremely hazardous and the Night Captain must possess the ability to safety 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 in accordance with TNPA standard operating procedures and aeronautical publications. Maintain high standards of flight safety, as well as safe transfer 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 to passengers, 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 inflight emergency as well as to land the helicopter safely without any damage to passengers, crew, aircraft and equipment during low levels of light as wellas marginal weather conditions.

Compliance with standard and recommended practices as well as performance 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 decisions made as well as to take accountability for decisions made.
5 Responsible for the safety and management of the crew and passengers on board the aircraft as per SACAA CARs 91.02.7, 91.02.8. Regulations as well as TNPA SOP’s.

• Hold a current ATPL-H.
• Night Rating.
• Instrument Rating.
• Winching Rating.
• 2200 hours…