Aviation

RFDS (Western Operations) operates a fleet of eleven aircraft in WA to meet the remote area patient evacuation and inter-hospital transfer demands.   Each year the fleet flies approximately 15,000 flying hours covering more than 5 million kilometres.   

We also utilise air charter operator aircraft to provide a further 2,000 flying hours to transport medical staff to locations where RFDS provides a clinic service.

The tasking of the aircraft and crew is managed through our Operations Centre at Jandakot Airport in Perth.  The centre also coordinates the repositioning of aircraft to Jandakot for maintenance, and pilot training requirements.

The safety of our aviation operations is critically important.  

There are a number of hazards such as propellors that can cause serious injury to passengers and personnel assisting with patient loading.   RFDS (Western Operations) crew members will ensure that personnel and vehicles operating in the vicinity of our aircraft follow our safety guidleines.

RFDS (Western Operations) is not able to respond to a patient evacuation request if there is not an airstrip in the patient’s vicinity that we can safely use.   We rely on community groups, pastoralists and organisations operating in rural and remote areas to construct and maintain airstrips.  We currently hold information on more than 600 airstrips in WA, many of which are used on a regular basis and  others that exist purely for medical visits. Guidance material and phone advice is available if needed. 

Last Updated: 31/08/2007