The Central Operations section of Australia's Royal Flying Doctor Service (RFDS) has exercised a launch customer option to secure one medically-equipped Pilatus PC-24 for delivery in 2017/18. It also has an option on a second of the in-development light business jets, for delivery in 2018/19.
The first will serve both South Australia and the Northern Territory; when the second is delivered, one will be based in Alice Springs and the other in Adelaide.
The PC-24 will almost halve the current flying time of long-haul patient evacuations and will be capable of carrying three stretchered patients and clinical staff to any capital city in the country without refuelling, the RFDS says.
Central Operations currently operates an all-PC-12 fleet. In 2013/14, Central Operations flew 5.47 million km (3.4 million miles), completing 15,646 landings at 176 locations, transporting 8,924 patients and conducting 3,359 remote primary health clinics. The RFDS conducts an average of 24 aeromedical flights through Central and South Australia every day.
Western Operations signed a fleet sales contract with Pilatus for the PC-24 at last year’s European Business Aviation Convention and Exhibition, committing to three and one option, with deliveries starting in 2017.
The PC-24 appeals to the RFDS as it offers the versatility of a turboprop with the cabin size and performance of a medium-light jet. It is suitable for operation from dirt airstrips with dual main wheels landing gear, and has an anti-skid braking system and an optimised wing for short field performance. It also has a large, rear cargo door and is designed for single pilot operation.
Pilatus recently displayed a full-scale mock-up of the PC-24 at the Australian International Air Show at Avalon Airport, Victoria. The airframer is preparing the $9 million twinjet for its maiden flight in May, leading to certification and service entry in 2017.
Source: Flight International
