Fixed Wing Pilot – Remote Operations, Surveillance & Logistics

Fixed Wing Pilot – Remote Operations, Surveillance & Logistics

African Parks Network Zakouma, Siniaka Minia, Aouk Keita Et Rnce, Chad

Contract Posted 30 September 2026

Job Details

Division Zakouma National Park

Business Unit Operations

Minimum experience Mid-Senior

Company primary industry Aviation and Aerospace

Job functional area Operations

Job Description

TERMS OF REFERENCE

FIXED WING PILOT – CHAD

Remote Operations, Surveillance & Logistics

Organisation: African Parks Network - Chad

Location / Duty Station: Republic of Chad – including Zakouma National Park, Siniaka-Minia National Park, Aouk Project and Ennedi Cultural Reserve, as operationally required

Department: Aviation

Position: Fixed Wing Pilot – Remote Operations, Surveillance & Logistics

Reports To: Chief Pilot – Chad, Aviation Supervisor and Park managers

Employment Type: Full-time / Fixed-term

Contract Duration: 2-Year Fixed Term

Probationary Period: 6 months

Rotation: Proposed 90 days on / 30 days off – subject to confirmation, operational requirements, employment conditions and fatigue-management requirements

Expected Start Date: 01 Septembre 2026

Remuneration: To be confirmed in accordance with the African Parks salary structure, flying experience, regional benchmarks and applicable aircraft/type ratings

The Pilot is responsible for the safe, professional and efficient operation of African Parks aircraft in support of conservation, wildlife protection, park management and logistical operations in the Republic of Chad.

The position delivers aerial support to safeguard and support African Parks’ parks and projects in Chad, including low-level conservation surveillance, law-enforcement patrol monitoring, wildlife surveys and telemetry tracking, ecological and environmental monitoring, emergency response and logistical missions.

The successful candidate must be experienced, safety-conscious and comfortable operating in remote environments, from short, unpaved, unimproved and/or unprepared airstrips, and under challenging environmental conditions.

When not assigned to flight duties, the Pilot will integrate directly into ground operations, contributing to park logistics, infrastructure maintenance, technical/IT support, capacity building and administrative activities, within their competence and subject to aviation priorities and fatigue-management requirements.

2. Core Role & Key Responsibilities

2.1 Flight Operations & Conservation Support

• Mission Execution: Conduct safe and efficient flight operations, including low-level aerial surveillance, law-enforcement patrol monitoring, wildlife surveys, aerial counts, ecological tracking and wildlife telemetry missions, in accordance with applicable civil aviation regulations, African Parks Aviation SOPs, aircraft limitations and approved procedures.
• Conservation & Environmental Support: Support aerial reconnaissance, environmental monitoring, conservation research and other authorised conservation activities as directed by ground leadership.
• Logistical & Emergency Support: Execute passenger transport, emergency response and support missions, remote-station resupply, movement of personnel, equipment and supplies, park logistics, aircraft positioning and ferry flights as required.
• Remote & Bush Operations: Operate safely from short, unpaved, unimproved and/or remote airstrips where authorised, taking into account weather, runway conditions, aircraft performance, fuel status, weight and balance, operating limitations and other operational risks.
• Pre- & Post-Flight Responsibilities: Complete thorough pre- and post-flight inspections and maintain accurate flight folios, journey logs, personal pilot logbooks, mission reports and all other required operational documentation.
• Safety & Command: Assume full responsibility for Pilot-in-Command (PIC) decision-making and exercise sound aeronautical judgement, ensuring the safety of the aircraft, crew and passengers, with aviation safety taking precedence over operational or organisational pressure.

2.2 Fleet Maintenance, Airworthiness & Airside Management

• Airworthiness 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 applicable regulations and manufacturer specifications), fluid checks and diagnostic troubleshooting on Rotax powerplants.
• Asset Care & Housekeeping: Manage and maintain airstrips, helipads, hangars, specialised tools and spare-part inventories.
• Fuel Security: Oversee aviation fuel stock control, perform regular quality/contamination testing and execute safe refuelling protocols.

2.3 Flight Administration & Regulatory Compliance

• Logbook & Documentation Maintenance: Update aircraft flight folios, personal pilot logbooks and internal digital flight-operations tracking systems immediately post-flight.
• Regulatory Liaison: Assist with local Civil Aviation Authority documentation and compliance matters to maintain valid aircraft registration, radio station licences and seasonal permits.
• Incident Reporting: Document and report any operational hazards, technical defects, incidents and/or near-misses immediately through the approved Safety and Risk Management (SMS) systems.

3. Key Relationships

• Internal: Chief Pilot – Chad, Aviation Supervisor, Park Managers, Field Operations Managers, AP Head of Aviation, maintenance personnel and conservation/ground teams.
• External: Chad Civil Aviation Authority, South African Civil Aviation Authority (SACAA) for relevant cross-border coordination, and in-house/contracted maintenance service providers.

4. Essential Technical & Professional Requirements

• Licensing: Valid Commercial Pilot Licence (CPL) or higher, issued/validated by the applicable Civil Aviation Authority.
• Type Ratings: Current, valid rating and proven proficiency on ICP Savannah and Cessna 182 aircraft.
• Experience: Minimum of 700 hours 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 engines.
• Wilderness & Behavioural Competencies: Demonstrated bush, remote-area and/or conservation aviation experience.
• Bush 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 environment with minimal infrastructure and support.
• Language & Teamwork: Professional fluency in spoken and written English. Ability to blend seamlessly into multicultural conservation teams. Fluency in French will be an asset.
• Ethics: Deep, demonstrable