The Royal Flying Doctor Service (Queensland Section) (RFDS) has purchased two of the specialised cargo aircraft from Hawker Pacific.

The King Air 350C Heavy Weight model offers an array of valuable features, particularly for aeromedical missions including a uniquely built-in airstair and cargo door and offers an increased payload of 1,400 pounds. The large cargo door is beneficial for the RFDS aeromedical activities, as it will allow improved access for the loading and unloading of patients as well as medical equipment required to be on board.

The first of two King Air 350C Heavy Weight aircraft will arrive on Australian soil in April 2015 and will undergo a comprehensive medical fit-out before being incorporated into the RFDS’s existing aviation fleet.

King Air 350C | Photo courtesy Beechcraft Augsburg, Germany.

The RFDS aims to utilise these new aircraft to provide a combination of life saving aeromedical emergency retrieval services and inter-hospital patient trans across its network of regional bases, which stretch up the Queensland coast from Brisbane to Cairns and out west to locations such as Mount Isa and Charleville.

Nick Jones, Hawker Pacific’s Vice President, Aircraft Sales, said: “The long range and significantly enhanced payload capability of the King Air 350C will provide the RFDS flexibility within their aeromedical missions that are unique and very well-suited, considering the vast distances and remote airfields their operation necessitates.

“Additionally, the King Air 350C will allow the RFDS to fly direct from Cairns to Brisbane without having to refuel - providing a higher level of comfort for their patients and producing significant time savings for the RFDS team.”

The RFDS is one of the largest and most comprehensive aeromedical organisations in the world. Using the latest aviation, medical and communications technology, it delivers extensive primary health care and 24-hour emergency medical services to those who live, work and travel throughout Australia.

Nino Di Marco, Chief Executive Officer, RFDS (Queensland Section) is eagerly awaiting the introduction of the two new King Air 350s explaining that “the enhanced payload capability of 1,400 pounds will enable us to better fulfil our patient transport obligations in what is a dynamic and ever changing aero-medical environment.

“The new additions to our fleet of Beechcraft aircraft will be immensely beneficial to our patients both in terms of their comfort and the timeliness of our operations. The increased flying distance of the King Air 350s will provide our flight operations team with more flexible transport options, and provide long-term cost savings, which are extremely important to us as a not-for-profit organisation.”

The King Air 350C is part of the world’s best-selling business turboprop series - the Beechcraft King Air. The King Air 350 series also includes the King Air 350i - the world’s most technologically advanced twin-engine turboprop - and the King Air 350iER (Extended Range) often used for special missions applications.

Hawker Pacific is an authorised distributor of Beechcraft aircraft throughout Australia and New Zealand.