Every day across rural and remote NSW, the pilots of the Royal Flying Doctor Service (RFDS) demonstrate extraordinary skill and dedication as they support the delivery of life-saving and critical care to Australia’s most remote communities.
When most people think of the role of a pilot, scheduled flights between major airports on sealed runways easily come to mind. But for RFDS pilots, every day brings unpredictable missions to remote locations where lives hang in the balance, and their training reflects these extraordinary demands.
The spotlight on RFDS pilots has been heightened recently, thanks to a generous $1.2 million donation from visionary supporters, Alan and Lynne Rydge, specifically dedicated to funding pilot recruitment and training programs. With RFDS South Eastern Section now around 50% self-funded, this generous donation is an essential driver in enabling the RFDS South Eastern Section deliver impact in the communities that need it most.
“Our pilots are trained to commercial aviation standards, but what sets them apart is their expertise in navigating and landing in remote locations, remote and dirt, unsealed airstrips and often in challenging conditions,” explains Mark Davey, Executive General Manager Aviation and Operations.
"The nature of our work means no day is ever planned," Mark explains. "Our pilots might start their shift preparing for a routine clinic run, then suddenly find themselves responding to a critical emergency hundreds of kilometres away on a remote airstrip they've never seen before."
“The precision and quick decision-making of our pilots is literally a matter of life and death when an injury or illness sees someone needing our support.”
While the role of a pilot is generally responsible for aircraft operation, RFDS pilots also undergo comprehensive training that extends far beyond flying skills. They’re trained to work as integral members of the medical team, supporting emergency retrievals on the ground, something that most pilots would never experience.
“Our pilots don’t just fly the aircraft; they’re trained to assist our medical teams during emergency retrievals, and we invest in training our crews to work as a cohesive unit. At our Dubbo Base, we have a dedicated aircraft fuselage where pilots and medical teams practice emergency retrievals together, perfecting the communication and teamwork essential for life-saving missions.”
RFDS’s commitment to aviation excellence is evident in the comprehensive pilot training program, which includes human factors training that sharpens decision-making under pressure, emergency procedures training to respond in critical situations, and pilot-approved maintenance training for aircraft safety.
Additionally, each pilot also completes an annual session in RFDS’s own Level 6 high-fidelity flight simulator at the RFDS Base in Dubbo, and one annual session in a Level D full motion simulator that matches airline-level training, on top of their annual check in an actual aircraft to review normal operating procedures.
“Our supporters understand that behind every emergency response, every inter-hospital transfer, and every fly-in clinic is a pilot whose advanced skills can mean the difference between life and death for someone in need. The generous investment we received earlier this year reflects a deep appreciation for how our excellence in aviation serves our purpose of bringing safe and accessible healthcare to the outback,” says Mark.
Alongside continuous development for their existing team, the RFDS also maintains a robust pilot recruitment, induction and training program, typically welcoming approximately three new pilots each quarter, in response to service growth and natural attrition.
This commitment to aviation excellence is fundamental to the RFDS’s ability to deliver the promise of providing accessible and reliable healthcare to even the most isolated communities across NSW, and the organisation seeks pilots who thrive in dynamic environments and are passionate about making a real difference in rural and remote communities.
"We're looking for pilots who want more than just a flying job," Mark says. "Our pilots become part of a mission that brings hope and care to some of Australia's most isolated communities. It's challenging, rewarding, and genuinely life-changing work."
For more information about career opportunities with RFDS South Eastern Section, visit our Careers page.
