Pilatus hands over first PC-24 air ambulance
The very first PC-24 with medevac interior has been handed over to the Royal Flying Doctor Service of Australia (RFDS Western Operations).
The very first PC-24 with medevac interior has been handed over to the Royal Flying Doctor Service of Australia (RFDS Western Operations). Pilatus presented the key to PC-24 serial number 105 to RFDS CEO Rebecca Tomkinson on 26 November 2018 in Stans. Configured for patient transport, this PC-24 was especially developed to meet the particular needs of the RFDS and has been equipped for medevac missions all over Australia.
Tomkinson commented at the handover: “The RFDS Western Operations is proud to be introducing with Pilatus the first Rio Tinto Lifeflight PC-24 into service in Australia. The innovative aeromedical interior is the first of its kind in the world – a game changer for patient outcomes and improving healthcare to regional and remote Australians.”
Oscar J Schwenk, Chairman of Pilatus, added: “The PC-24 will become the emergency ward in the sky and will almost half the time for long-haul critical patient scenarios. I am positive that the PC-24 will ideally supplement the existing fleet of PC-12s of the RFDS. The PC-24 will enable the RFDS to enhance the outstanding service that they provide to the Australian people.”
The interior was installed under a supplemental type certificate procedure in partnership with Aerolite AG, a Swiss company specialising in aircraft medical interiors. The RFDS Western Operations is the first organisation to use the Super Versatile Jet as a medevac aircraft. The RFDS Central Operations will follow next year.