Air Force - Helicopter Loadmaster

As an RNZAF Helicopter Loadmaster, you are a key member of No. 3 Squadron’s helicopter capability. No. 3 Squadron operates a modern helicopter fleet, comprising five Agusta 109 light utility helicopters and eight NATO Helicopter Industries NH90 medium lift helicopters. Once qualified, you can expect to be employed across a wide range of missions in support of the New Zealand Defence Force, and a host of government and non-government agencies within New Zealand and overseas.

About the role

As an RNZAF Helicopter Loadmaster, you are a key member of No. 3 Squadron’s helicopter crew. Your office is an advanced and agile aircraft designed to operate in a range of extreme environments all over the world. Your aircraft is capable of carrying passengers and freight, where it will be your responsibility to manage them in the cabin. You will also be responsible for operating the door guns, rescue hoist, and managing underslung loads.

The types of tasks your crew will be involved in are wide-ranging. You’ll work alongside the pilots to ensure the mission is completed safely and effectively, whether it’s delivering troops into combat or delivering aid within New Zealand or to villages in the South Pacific. Your squadron supports all Services of the NZDF, our allied militaries, as well as the NZ Police and other government agencies.

Tasks are often time-critical in their execution, so you will be trained to quickly analyze the situation, determine a course of action, and communicate it effectively to help achieve the mission.

Requirements

The following are the basic requirements for this role :

• Must be 18 years old by the time you graduate from the recruit course.

There may be a return of service period for this trade. Please contact our 0800 number or talk to your Candidate Experience Facilitator for more information.

Job on base

The majority of your time will be spent on flying missions, but you will spend some time on base preparing for missions or carrying out training activities to enhance your trade knowledge and your core military skills (weapons drills, first aid, and survival evasion, resistance, and escape techniques).

As a Helicopter Loadmaster, you are required to maintain your technical knowledge of the aircraft and the way it is operated. You will also work on projects and conduct secondary duties required to keep the Squadron running effectively. You will be based at RNZAF Base Ohakea, which is near Bulls in the central North Island. There is time for exercise and sports to maintain your fitness.

Job on deployment

If No. 3 Squadron is deployed overseas, you will perform your duties within your crew and use all the skills you develop at home in training to carry out your responsibilities in different environmental and more intense conditions.

You and your crew will contribute towards the overall NZDF mission, using our helicopters to their full capability – from tactical transport operations such as delivering combat troops to the battlefield, or resupplying them with rations and ammunition; to non-tactical operations such as delivering food or aid to disaster zones, or evacuating sick or injured people.

Training and benefits

Recruit Course (12 weeks) Location : RNZAF base Woodbourne. The aim of this course is to induct aviators into the RNZAF and develop the necessary values, knowledge, and military skills to enable them to fulfill their military responsibilities.

Earn a competitive salary while training or learning your trade, along with additional allowances for time spent in the field, at sea, overseas, or deployed on operations.

In addition to salary and allowances, other benefits of joining the New Zealand Defence Force include :

Careers in the Air Force are well-rewarded, as well as being diverse and exciting. As you become more experienced and move up through the ranks, gaining additional skills and qualifications, you will see your salary rise accordingly.

Under training : $68,860. Future potential earnings : $98,000.

Am I fit enough?

If you want to be part of the NZ Defence Force, you need to be medically and physically fit for military duties worldwide.

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