RFDS WA welcomes first PC-12 PRO aircraft

The Royal Flying Doctor Service (RFDS) in Western Australia has welcomed a new Pilatus PC-12 PRO aircraft to its Jandakot base, the first of its kind to join the RFDS WA fleet.

Funded by Gina Rinehart AO through the Rinehart Medical Foundation and Hancock Iron Ore, the aircraft forms part of RFDS WA’s wider fleet modernization program, which will progressively replace eight aging PC-12 aircraft with next-generation PC-12 PROs by 2030.

RFDS WA CEO Judith Barker ASM said: “This aircraft gives us greater range, reliability, and capability… when someone is critically unwell or injured, every minute matters. This aircraft helps ensure help can arrive sooner, and patients can be transported faster to the care they need.”

Rinehart also commented: “The work of the Flying Doctor undoubtedly saves countless lives… for the many families in remote areas, this service is essential.”

RFDS WA aircraft fly around 6,000,000km annually and support more than 7,500 air medical retrievals each year. The PC-12 fleet operates from gravel air strips and remote runways, enabling access to isolated communities. Training for pilots and medical crews will now begin ahead of entry into service later this year.

The RFDS recently announced that work was underway on the redevelopment of its base at Launceston Airport, in the state of Tasmania.