The Royal Flying Doctor Service of Australia (RFDS Western Operations) has taken delivery of the first PC-24 with a medevac interior. Pilatus presented the key to RFDS CEO Rebecca Tomkinson on 26 November in Stans, Switzerland. The order was first announced in March 2015 with options for a second aircraft.

Configured for patient transport, the RFDS PC-24 has been equipped for medevac missions all over Australia. RFDS Central Operations will follow next year.

Tomkinson states: “We are proud to introduce the first Rio Tinto Lifeflight PC-24 into service here. 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.”

Pilatus chairman Oscar J Schwenk adds: “The PC-24 will become the emergency ward in the sky and will almost halve 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 it provides to the Australian people.

“I would like to express my most sincere thanks to RFDS for its trust and I am extremely proud that it is the first operator in the world to fly the PC-24 for medevac.”

The interior of the PC-24 was installed under an STC procedure in partnership with Aerolite, a Swiss company specialising in aircraft medical interiors. Its spacious pressurised cabin can accommodate medical equipment and beds for three patients, with additional seats for medical personnel. Depending on the type of mission, the cabin is designed to allow fast, flexible modification. A large cargo door and bespoke electric stretcher loading device facilitate safe, ultra-easy loading and unloading of patients. The cargo door comes as a standard fit from the factory.

Individual oxygen, vacuum and power systems ensure multi-parameter patient monitoring and support, while additional security is provided in the form of a second and separate power system for the cabin and dedicated communication systems for the medical crew, ensuring uninterrupted medical assistance.

In continuous operation since 1928, the RFDS is one of the world's largest aeromedical organisations. It provides comprehensive basic medical assistance across Australia plus a 24-hour emergency service. The RFDS currently owns a fleet of more than 35 PC-12s. The organisation will celebrate its 90th anniversary with the entry into service of the PC-24, which will be used alongside the PC-12 fleet to fly patients over longer distances.