Casual Airborne Survey Pilots Africa

Casual Airborne Survey Pilots – Africa

Employment type: Casual / Project-based
Location: Various project locations across Africa
Department: Flight Operations
Reporting to: Chief Pilot

Xcalibur is seeking experienced Casual Airborne Survey Pilots to support geophysical survey projects across Africa.

The successful candidates will be responsible for aircraft positioning and conducting low-level airborne geophysical survey operations. This position requires pilots who can operate safely and professionally in remote locations, adapt to changing project conditions and work effectively during extended field rotations.

Key responsibilities

The Casual Airborne Survey Pilot will:

• Safely operate company aircraft during positioning, mobilisation and geophysical survey flights.


• Assume responsibility for the safety of the aircraft, its occupants and any property carried during flight operations.


• Conduct low-level survey operations in accordance with applicable aviation regulations, company procedures and project requirements.


• Comply with the company’s Flight Operations Manual, standard operating procedures and aircraft checklists.


• Maintain familiarity with all relevant aviation regulations, notices, procedures and operational requirements.


• Complete flight planning, navigation and operational risk assessments.


• Contribute to project safety plans and risk assessments.


• Manage fatigue and maintain the required level of alertness throughout field rotations.


• Ensure that all required aircraft documents, manuals, licences and records remain valid and are available during flight operations.


• Submit accurate flight, duty and training records within the required timeframes.


• Provide operational and safety guidance to junior flight-operations personnel when required.


• Report incidents, near misses, hazards and safety concerns promptly.


• Promote a positive health, safety and environmental culture.


• Represent the company professionally when interacting with clients, authorities, local communities and project teams.

Minimum requirements

Applicants must have:

• A valid Commercial Pilot Licence appropriate for the aircraft type and registration to be operated.


• A minimum of 1,500 hours’ total flight time.


• At least five years’ aviation experience.


• A minimum of two years’ geophysical or airborne survey experience. (Prefered)


• A valid aviation medical certificate issued by an authorised aviation medical examiner.


• Strong navigational and flight-planning capabilities.


• A sound understanding of aviation safety, fatigue management and operational risk.


• The ability to remain calm and make sound decisions under pressure.


• Strong verbal and written communication skills.


• The ability and willingness to undertake extended field rotations in remote locations across Africa.


• A valid passport and the ability to obtain the necessary visas, permits and regulatory approvals for deployment.

Preferred experience

The following will be advantageous:

• Turbine-engine experience.


• Previous international or African survey experience.


• Low-level aerial survey experience.


• Experience operating from remote or limited-support airfields.


• Experience working in multicultural and multidisciplinary project teams.


• Previous experience mentoring or supporting less-experienced pilots.

Key competencies

We are looking for pilots who demonstrate:

• A strong commitment to aviation safety.


• Sound judgement and disciplined decision-making.


• Resilience and the ability to perform consistently under pressure.


• Strong teamwork and interpersonal skills.


• Intercultural awareness and adaptability.


• Professional conduct and personal accountability.


• A results-focused and client-orientated approach.


• The ability to manage conflict professionally and constructively.

Working arrangements

This is a casual, project-based position. Assignments will depend on operational requirements and project availability. Successful candidates must be comfortable with variable deployment periods, extended field rotations and operations in remote or challenging environments.