The Royal Flying Doctor Service SA/NT (RFDS SA/NT) has committed $60 million to the purchase of five new ‘flying intensive care units’ – the first of which arrived in Australia this week – as part of the Flying Doctor’s largest aircraft upgrade program in over a decade.
The aircraft is the first aeromedical-fit version of the next-generation PC-12 ‘PRO’ in the world, which features step-change advancements in operational performance, aviation safety and environmental credentials.
The five medically-equipped PC-12 PRO aircraft will arrive from Switzerland throughout the calendar year – at a total investment of $60 million – to then deliver life-saving retrieval services to the remote communities of South Australia and the Northern Territory.
The landmark aircraft upgrade program has been made possible through funding from the Australian Government and the RFDS’s generous community of corporate partners, donors, volunteer fundraisers and bequestors.
RFDS SA/NT Chief Executive Tony Vaughan ASM said the arrival of the aircraft reinforces the organisation’s mission to deliver world-class aeromedical care to people living, working and travelling in rural and remote Australia.
“This is a proud and historic moment for the RFDS SA/NT, those we serve and those who support us. The introduction of the PC-12 PRO affirms our commitment to innovation, safety and realisation of public value for communities and governments alike,” Mr Vaughan said.
“After extensive evaluation, RFDS SA/NT has again selected the PC-12 as its preferred aviation platform for the demanding performance requirements – and social obligations – of 24/7 aeromedical operations.
“The PC-12 has an outstanding safety record, and a proven history of reliability operating in the diverse and challenging environments we deliver services, from the tropics in the Top End to southern Australia.
“With the latest avionics suite and improved battery technology, the new PC-12 PRO is lighter than its predecessor, further enhancing operational flexibility. This weight saving will enable increased patient capacity and/or additional fuel carriage – a critical advantage when operating across the vast and remote regions served by the RFDS.
“The PC-12 PRO’s advanced technology, improved safety features and enhanced aeromedical capability will directly benefit our patients, crews, health partners and the communities who rely on us every day.
It continues our fleet reliability and our ability to respond quickly, safely and efficiently.
Tony Vaughan ASM, RFDS
Key benefits of the PC-12 PRO include:
- Safety Autoland System: Designed to autonomously control and land the aircraft in an emergency, without pilot.
- Autothrottle system: Fully automatic Electronic Propeller and Engine Control System and digital thrust to maintain desired airspeed, reduce pilot workload, boost fuel efficiency, deliver smoother flights and protect against engine overload.
- Smart Glide: Assists the pilot in managing an engine power loss scenario by automating glide tasks and locating a suitable airport.
- Improved stall protection: Upgraded systems to warn and protect against aerodynamic stalls.
- Advanced cockpit: High-resolution touchscreens, synthetic vision technology and improved exterior visibility to give pilots greater situational awareness and safer decision-making – especially at night, in poor weather or on remote airstrips.
- Lower emissions: Reduced CO2 output and compatibility with Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF) supports greener operations without compromising performance.
- Streamlined maintenance: The aircraft operates under a modern maintenance plan with intervals extended to 600-hour checks versus 300-hour checks of previous models – meaning less time in the hangar and more time flying.
- Short and rough-field capable: Like current PC-12 models, it requires just 758 metres of runway and operates on grass, gravel and dirt.
The aircraft joins an RFDS SA/NT fleet of 26 turbo-prop and jet aircraft situated across Alice Springs, Darwin, Adelaide and Port Augusta that help enable teams, collectively, to airlift more than 10,500 South Australians and Territorians every year.
This first aircraft was ferried in a cross-continental journey from Switzerland to Australia by RFDS SA/NT Alice Springs-based Pilot, Michael Jarman.
The aircraft was welcomed upon arrival this week at the RFDS Alice Springs and Adelaide Bases.
Learn more about the Flying Doctor.
