...yeah yeah Jabba relax Wally's here
Seen this machine b4, well recently anyway.
Would be great to have a few of these scattered over the countryside but can't see it happening anytime soon sadly.
COST & not just for the airframe either. Introducing a new type is fraught with all sorts of hassles especially when it's modified from day one for EMS work.
Cost of spares, manpower avail to maintain such a new machine, training etc. I kinda doubt that the machine would be used SP in RFDS Ops as it's a whole new training regime going from a slow basic prop job to a jet & having two crew would be in some ways more practical for all sorts of reasons (safer & extra pair of hands) the added costs of training x2 for every airframe is another set of $$$, something that the RFDS is constantly seeking.
This particular airframe looks good on paper but fill it up with EMS stuff, 2 pilots, Dr, Nurse maybe another specialist & patient & their quoted range is mythical at best. Note they say in their spiel to get the quoted range means VFR reserves, LRC, the latter means extra time almost negating the whole reason why you use a fast jet in the first place. Doesn't matter how fast & how far any plane goes it's never enough at times.
The 'Pig' (Piaggio) although much faster than the PC12 or the B200 would be very impracticable also for EMS work here. Another new type into the country with all the associated headaches that brings. The canard sticking out the front would be a hazard out there on some country dirt strip at night with an ambulance approaching the plane from pretty much any angle slamming into that canard (due it being totally alienated to what ambo's are used to) & instantly making the new machine a cubby house for the local school!1:-)
They use the B200 & the dare I say it the dangerous
PC12 for one very good reason, COST, they are known, predictable & well proven covering most of the tasks at hand which is about as much as anyone can ask of any plane as ALL planes have some limitations, new types such as the PC24 & Piaggio mean lots of $$$$ & in a cash strapped world especially down under nobody has the foresight or $$$, so dream on good buddies
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Wmk2