Our Aircraft-Western Operations
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RFDS currently operates a fleet of Pilatus PC12 and Beechcraft SuperKingair B200 aircraft. Both aircraft are fitted out to provide a medical intensive care capability for patients. Each aircraft is capable of transporting two stretcher patients at a time together with a doctor, flight nurse and either a sitting patient or a patient escort. The aircraft cabins are pressurized which enables the aircraft to cruise above much of the weather without the need for oxygen. It also enables the aircraft cabin to be maintained at a sea level pressure if the patient’s condition cannot tolerate pressure changes.
The aircraft are also equipped with weather radar, enhanced ground proximity warning and collision alerting systems and satphone communications to enable us to operate safely in almost all weather conditions.
Both aircraft are fitted with a large cargo door to facilitate stretcher patient loading.
Typical performance data
| PC12 |
B200 | Hawker 800XP2 |
Cruise Altitudes | 16,000 to 28,000 feet | 16,000 to 28,000 feet | 21,000 to 41,000 feet |
Cruise Speed: | 245 knots | 265 kts | 440 kts |
Range | 900 nautical miles | 750 nautical miles | 2,600 nautical miles |
Aircraft Callsigns
PC12 | B200 |
VH-KWO | |
VH-MWO | VH- CWO |
VH-NWO | VH- IWO |
VH-VWO | VH- LWO |
VH-YWO | VH- HWO |
VH-ZWO |
|
VH-OWA | |
VH-OWB | |
VH-OWP | |
VH-OWR | |
VH-OWQ | |
Two aircraft are usually based at each of the 5 RFDS Bases in WA.
Our pilots are endorsed to fly both aircraft types.
Operational communications with our aircraft in flight are via our own aeronautical VHF repeater network during most of the cruise phase and backed up by satphone when outside of VHF coverage.