Northern Territory Aeromed Contract
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NT Remote MedEvacs
Thank you for letting me comment. I am NOT a pilot.
I am a user of medical air service from a remote locality in NT, and previously in remote Queensland. Given my age and chronic health problems, it is possible that I will again need this service.
Reading through all of these posts, I'm wondering if the government is dealing with this in a patient-friendly manner. ?? Should we start to panic, with the apparently dollar-driven tendering 'system', that seems not to take into account the reason for the service -- us, the patients at the end of a very long string.
I will keep watching how you professionals see it, hoping to gain some calm out of it all.
regardz ..
I am a user of medical air service from a remote locality in NT, and previously in remote Queensland. Given my age and chronic health problems, it is possible that I will again need this service.
Reading through all of these posts, I'm wondering if the government is dealing with this in a patient-friendly manner. ?? Should we start to panic, with the apparently dollar-driven tendering 'system', that seems not to take into account the reason for the service -- us, the patients at the end of a very long string.
I will keep watching how you professionals see it, hoping to gain some calm out of it all.
regardz ..
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jaymz,
You must forgive professional (and many non-professional) pilots on here who often let their cynicism run away with them.
There are only a few operators who are capable of meeting the tender requirements with any chance of actually being able to provide the service. The boys and girls who fly for those operators are capable and professional in their operations. They have to be because the nature of aeromedical flying in the NT can be very demanding.
The NT government on the other hand is a worry. They (both major parties) have shown a distressing tendency to play politics with the service. However, the professionalism of the operators overrides the tendency of the government to drive the service downwards.
In short, if the government can get its act together and award a contract to an operator capable of providing the service, you will get a professional service from the pilot and medical crew on the aircraft.
You must forgive professional (and many non-professional) pilots on here who often let their cynicism run away with them.
There are only a few operators who are capable of meeting the tender requirements with any chance of actually being able to provide the service. The boys and girls who fly for those operators are capable and professional in their operations. They have to be because the nature of aeromedical flying in the NT can be very demanding.
The NT government on the other hand is a worry. They (both major parties) have shown a distressing tendency to play politics with the service. However, the professionalism of the operators overrides the tendency of the government to drive the service downwards.
In short, if the government can get its act together and award a contract to an operator capable of providing the service, you will get a professional service from the pilot and medical crew on the aircraft.
Last edited by PLovett; 18th Feb 2010 at 10:06.
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Anonymousbluesky
just to be clear, pearl will be operating there fleet of B200 till (at least)January 2011
PLovett take a bow.
Well said mate, but while I agree with the sentiment of your post, I also think it is true that (ah, be diplomatic now CR...) - if the current contractor promised certain "things" with a price attached, and then could not provide said "things", then they are not entirely blameless...
I honestly believe that the provision of a good service to the people of the NT hinges on the NT Government coming to terms with what such a service actually costs. Others have already said that, but I'm saying it again.
That's interesting, and a surprising statement to make, considering it went out for retender EARLY because supposedly the changes required to the existing contract arrangement were so great, that proper process required a whole new tender process... Something aint right about that.
And I have to agree with DD, the statement by Anonomousbluesky is very different to everything I've heard so far. But I guess we'll see...
CR.
Well said mate, but while I agree with the sentiment of your post, I also think it is true that (ah, be diplomatic now CR...) - if the current contractor promised certain "things" with a price attached, and then could not provide said "things", then they are not entirely blameless...
I honestly believe that the provision of a good service to the people of the NT hinges on the NT Government coming to terms with what such a service actually costs. Others have already said that, but I'm saying it again.
the NT Health minister Kon Vatskalis has been heard in many interviews claiming that pearl aviation will not be Keeping the contract....
And I have to agree with DD, the statement by Anonomousbluesky is very different to everything I've heard so far. But I guess we'll see...
CR.
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This "interim contract" is intriguing. It appears that it has definitely been awarded to Careflight. How did they manage to "win" this contract?
It appears that there were none of the usual contract formalities (e.g call for tenders, specifications, closing date). Did anybody else bid for it? How was it decided that Careflight should be the winner?
Why have an interim contract anyway? That just seems like unnecessary complication and expense - given that the final contract may go to a different bidder entirely.
And what about the six month timeframe that the winning bidder has to acquire and fit out a fleet of aircraft - and employ pilots, nurses and doctors?
Six months!
It appears that there were none of the usual contract formalities (e.g call for tenders, specifications, closing date). Did anybody else bid for it? How was it decided that Careflight should be the winner?
Why have an interim contract anyway? That just seems like unnecessary complication and expense - given that the final contract may go to a different bidder entirely.
And what about the six month timeframe that the winning bidder has to acquire and fit out a fleet of aircraft - and employ pilots, nurses and doctors?
Six months!
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FGD - if you're thinking that 6 months lead in time for the new contractor is a bit short, what about the now only 130 days before Careflight picks up the reins?
A number of airline companies have succesfully run aeromedical contracts in Australia and have used it as a training ground for there pilots.
1. East-West operated the NSW Air Ambulance contract,
2. Skywest Aviation operated both the NSW Air Ambulance and Northern Territory Aero Medical Contract,
3. Sunstate(Mildura) operated the Victorian Air Ambulance contract,
4. Airnorth operated the NTAMS contract for a couple of years in the mid 1980's,
5. TAA provided pilots for the NTAMS contract up until the early 1980's,
6. Ansett NT Airwork did likewise during the 1980's,
7. TAA also had the flying surgeon run in western QLD for many years.
So one could assume Airnorth would be putting in a competitive tender. A couple of years in a turboprop on the contract then into the rhs seat of the ERJ-170?
1. East-West operated the NSW Air Ambulance contract,
2. Skywest Aviation operated both the NSW Air Ambulance and Northern Territory Aero Medical Contract,
3. Sunstate(Mildura) operated the Victorian Air Ambulance contract,
4. Airnorth operated the NTAMS contract for a couple of years in the mid 1980's,
5. TAA provided pilots for the NTAMS contract up until the early 1980's,
6. Ansett NT Airwork did likewise during the 1980's,
7. TAA also had the flying surgeon run in western QLD for many years.
So one could assume Airnorth would be putting in a competitive tender. A couple of years in a turboprop on the contract then into the rhs seat of the ERJ-170?
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Stationair8
Not saying that won't happen although I would be interested in what initial experience A/North would want and depending on that is it easier just going straight to a major with the required experience?
Not saying that won't happen although I would be interested in what initial experience A/North would want and depending on that is it easier just going straight to a major with the required experience?
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S8, you are presuming that those who do the aeromed will also want to fly airline. I know people who would avoid flying for that kind of outfit as they have chosen aeromed over airline by choice. Of course there are also others who have done the reverse. Each to their own! 
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word on the street is that the pearl guys have been given (unconfirmed or definate) notice. aus jet doing the intrim with care flight, the old aus jet hangar has just been made vacant, hmm. please stay is what i have heard, but why you may be out of a job soon with no loyalty bonus/pay from said company.
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ernie,
It has been some time since I was in Darwin so please excuse my ignorance. By "aus jet", do you mean the company that used to operate out of Darwin from the "haunted hangar" and who ceased in Darwin in 2008?
If it is that company, are they bringing in staff to undertake the contract because if so, all the corporate knowledge that the Pearl boys and girls have is just about to go walking out the door. Sheesh, that would be another example of the wheel having to be re-invented.
One would hope that if the Pearl aviators are to be laid off then "aus jet" or whomever takes on the contract would seek to employ them. They have built up a wealth of knowledge on flying in the NT under difficult and extremely challenging conditions.
It has been some time since I was in Darwin so please excuse my ignorance. By "aus jet", do you mean the company that used to operate out of Darwin from the "haunted hangar" and who ceased in Darwin in 2008?
If it is that company, are they bringing in staff to undertake the contract because if so, all the corporate knowledge that the Pearl boys and girls have is just about to go walking out the door. Sheesh, that would be another example of the wheel having to be re-invented.
One would hope that if the Pearl aviators are to be laid off then "aus jet" or whomever takes on the contract would seek to employ them. They have built up a wealth of knowledge on flying in the NT under difficult and extremely challenging conditions.
Sprucegoose
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I would be very surprised if all the Pearl pilots were not offered positions with whoever takes over the contract. I'm sure the detrmining factor (of how many choose to stay on) will be what salary is on offer with the new incumbent!
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i asked the same question, apparently there was an aus jet nt and they went bust and there is aus jet australia (so to speak) and it is this company that have been awarded the intrim tender. and i should probably point out that they are only doing it until the sucessful tenderer is chosen and set up in the nt