Meet the new B360

The Beechcraft King Air 360CHW turboprop aircraft will revolutionise aeromedical care in Australia, allowing the RFDS (Queensland Section) to fly further and faster. The first of our seven new King Air aircraft will be operational in November 2022, with more aircraft touching down in coming months.

The aircraft features technology advances that are designed to improve performance and efficiency, as well as enhancements to patient comfort. The B360 informs a major part of the Flying Doctor's 10-year aircraft replacement strategy to ensure the organisation remains future fit and that regional, rural and remote Queenslanders receive the best aeromedical healthcare available.

    Flying further and faster, our new aircraft is here

    RFDS Queensland B360

    The best aeromedical care in Australia

    The B360 will see advancements for both RFDS staff and patients, including: 

    Flying further and faster

    The Beechcraft King Air 360 has the capability to allow the RFDS to fly further and faster.

    Cockpit upgrades

    Autothrottle automatically manages engine power from the take-off roll, through the climb, cruise, descent, go-around and landing phases of flight. This enhancement reduces pilot workload and supports them to prevent over-speed or under-speed, over-temp and over-torque conditions.

    New digital pressurisation controller

    The new digital pressurisation controller automatically schedules cabin pressurisation during both climb and descent, reducing pilot workload and increasing patient comfort.

      Rugged landing gear

      The high floatation landing gear with lower pressure tires permits access to aerodromes with lower pavement strengths and unpaved runways.

      Enhancements to patient comfort

        Lower cabin altitude enables flight nurses to better cater to patient's medical needs. 

          Be one of the first to look inside the cabin

          Graphic: rfds rainbow

          An all-new, innovative cabin design

          The B360 back-of-cabin has been completely customised and modified to create a design that best suits the needs of the RFDS (Queensland Section).

          It has been designed and fitted at HeliMods on the Sunshine Coast.

          RFDS B360 Inside
          RFDS B360 Inside
          RFDS Queensland B360

          Meet our staff

          Graphic: rfds pilot

          “This aircraft incorporates the latest technology and has a superior payload and range profile over the existing fleet. It is the first B360 in country and also the first to be Australian registered.”

          Shane Lawrey - Head of Flying Operations

          Graphic: Maree Cummins

          "Every inch of the new aircraft will be designed to ensure flight nurses can provide the finest care to all patients."  

          Maree Cummins - Nurse Manager - Aeromedical Training and Clinical Training

          See the B360's journey from Wichita, USA to Queensland 

          B360 at textron

          Built by Textron in Wichita

          En route to Australia via the snow

          En route to Australia via the snow

          B360 passing the Nile River in Egypt

          B360 passing the Nile River in Egypt

          Touch down in Brisbane

          Touch down in Brisbane

          Back-of-cabin development at Helimods

          Back-of-cabin development at Helimods

          B360 Inside Modifications

          B360 fit out complete

          Latest News

          Graphic: B360 arrival rfds Brisbane

          RFDS to fly faster and further with Australia’s first B360 aircraft

          30 Dec 2021

          A new $16 million aircraft, the first of its kind to touchdown on Australian shores, has been acquired by the Royal Flying Doctor Service (Queensland Section).

          More details

          Graphic: Beechcraft King Air 360

          Pilots ready for take off in new B360

          23 Dec 2021

          The Beechcraft King Air 360 set to revolutionise aeromedical care in Queensland. The aircraft will reduce pilot workload and make flying in outback Queensland a whole lot easier.

          More details

          Graphic: Jacinta Jones flight nurse RFDS

          Aircraft innovation to benefit flight nurses

          24 Dec 2021

          The aircraft will pave the way for aeromedical care in Australia and provide RFDS flight nurses the capacity to fly further and faster to patients.

          More details

          Graphic: King Air B360 on the tarmac

          New aircraft to bolster RFDS fleet

          11 Feb 2021

          The aeromedical capabilities of the Royal Flying Doctor Service (Queensland Section) (RFDS) are set to be bolstered through the acquisition of four new Beechcraft King Air 360CHW turboprop aircraft.

          More details

          Watch the Flying Doctor in action