The Royal Flying Doctor Service (RFDS) plays a crucial role in providing emergency medical and primary health care services to remote or rural areas of Australia. Covering an expansive area of 7.69 million square kilometers, the RFDS operates around the clock, offering services such as patient transfers, mobile dental services, telehealth consultations, and fly-in/fly-out clinics.
According to RFDS data, in 2023 alone, there were 345,136 total contacts with 32,949 patients transported by aeromedical aircraft. The fleet covered a distance equivalent to 34 trips to the moon and back.
The RFDS fleet consists of 81 aircraft including models like the Pilatus PC-12 and PC-24. Recently acquired Airbus EC-145 helicopters mark their first foray into helicopter-based aeromedical services in Western Australia. "The new Pilatus PC-24 were purchased through donations and will halve the flying time over long distances," stated an RFDS representative.