The Queensland section of Australian aeromedical operator Royal Flying Doctor Service (RFDS) has selected FlightAware as a solution for its operationally demanding flight tracking needs.

While the FlightAware platform is utilised by all RFDS operations across Australia, the Queensland section is investing in the full suite of capabilities and is now an active FlightAware Global Platinum, FlightAware GlobalBeacon and FlightAware AeroAPI customer. Global Platinum offers 100 per cent global flight tracking coverage and includes Aireon's space-based satellite ADS-B technology to accurately track RFDS aircraft from take off to touchdown in the most remote locations they serve. GlobalBeacon is a first in kind industry leading satellite-based ADS-B from Aireon and FlightAware for minute-by-minute position updates that exceed modern safety standards.

FlightAware's Global Beacon web-based alerting dashboard combines Aireon space-based ADS-B position data with FlightAware's technology and worldwide flight database to provide real-time 4D aircraft positions and customisable alerts for immediate notification of aircraft in distress. It's a true turn-key solution complementing existing tools and systems to provide the RFDS operators the peace of mind their fleet is always monitored, even in the most remote locations.

Founded in 1928 by the Reverend John Flynn, the RFDS assists over 387,000 people each year, or one person every 90 seconds, and operates a fleet of 79 aircraft including helicopters, turboprops and jets.

The RFDS (Queensland Section) is one of six federated sections and covers over a quarter of Australia. It has found that FlightAware's AeroAPI has been a game-changer for its operation, facilitating data tracking integrations into its operational systems and displays, significantly improving its situational awareness of crews and fleet assets, and allowing dispatchers to see aircraft power-ons, surface movements, take offs and landings in real-time.

Data analytics and integrations manager Nick Warwick says: “FlightAware's team support has been exceptional. We provide some unique use cases for the FlightAware platform, including multiple diversions, constantly changing flight plans and operations in very remote areas. The team has been very keen to learn about our organisation, what we do and how they help us to provide that mantle of safety to our crews operating in the remotest parts of Australia. FlightAware's Global Platinum tracking service, combining Aireon satellite-based ADS-B and terrestrial ADS-B networks, means we can accurately track our aircraft to the ground in the most remote locations we serve. Updates occur every 30 seconds no matter where the aircraft is.”

Warwick adds: “The game-changer for us is FlightAware's AeroAPI data service. We obtain automatic notification of key flight events and comprehensive flight history details for every flight. We've integrated this flight tracking data into our operational systems and display this with other relevant information to our tasking officers, greatly improving situational awareness of our crews and fleet.”

Leigh Aynsley, RFDS (Queensland Section) manager operations control centre says: “From an operations perspective, we are seeing benefits such as the ability of our tasking dashboards to interrogate FlightAware via AeroAPI, thus ensuring that our OCC always has visibility of up-to-date ETAs and critical information. We also appreciate being able to customise reports that help monitor and manage contract KPIs which is extremely beneficial.”

FlightAware president Matt Davis says: “We're honoured to be working with such an esteemed organisation as Australia's RFDS (Queensland Section) that performs day-in and day-out critical flight care to people in need. FlightAware looks forward to continuing optimising its operations with AeroAPI and enhancing its remote flight safety through our Global Platinum and Global Beacon tracking solutions.”

FlightAware is expanding its AeroAPI alerting capabilities for both the types of alerts that can be configured and with considerable flexibility in how alerts are configured. In addition to its standard arrival and departure alerts that include diversion and cancellation alerts, users will be able to individually configure for all OUT, OFF, ON and IN events. It will soon add FlightAware Foresight predictions to alerts.

FlightAware recently added the ability to obtain flight history for an individual flight ident or registration number and is growing that functionality by adding features to obtain all flight history for an airport or operator on a given day in history. This will open the gate for a variety of informative and useful post-operational analysis.