Tassie Aeromedical Contract
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All seems very quiet on the chopper contract atm, think the gov has a few other issues on their hands atm... Or maybe just maybe it might be announced when the fixed wing contract is announced. Maybe CareFlight to run both perhaps.......
Good luck to the boys at the RFDS, hope it goes your way!
Good luck to the boys at the RFDS, hope it goes your way!
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Interesting development, maybe Pel-Air have woken up that aero medical isn't as good as they thought.
TASMANIA'S Royal Flying Doctor Service is awaiting news on its future, as a commercial airline that intended to compete for its aero-medical contract announced it had pulled out. The successful tenderer for the state's air ambulance service is due to be announced by the state government within days, but the Royal Flying Doctor Service has not been told whether its deal will be renewed.
When tenders were called in July, Regional Express subsidiary Pel-Air confirmed it would compete against the RFDS, having already won the Ambulance Victoria contract.
But a spokeswoman said yesterday that it ultimately decided not to submit a tender.
The RFDS has run the service from Launceston Airport since 1997 and its $28 million contract expires in January.
The state government decided to go to tender in March, arguing the need to ensure value for taxpayers' money.
Foundation RFDS member and past Tasmanian president Lindsay Millar said he doubted another operator could provide a better service.
"As for the price, a commercial operator is tendering to make a profit, and where does the profit go? Into their pocket," he said.
"Since 1997 we have contributed $8.2 million to the Tasmanian health system."
The tender process means that even if the RFDS is successful, it would be ineligible for Commonwealth grants and could not use donor funds.
It would also lose the right to display its logo, with a government spokesman confirming the new aircraft bought as part of the contract will carry Ambulance Tasmania livery.
"This was also a requirement under the previous tender but it was waived during negotiations as the aircraft being supplied already carried livery," he said. Mr Millar said winning the contract would not only secure the use of the aircraft, but a $600,000 aviation training simulator. "Without the tender we'd still have our clinic services, the rural women's GP program and our medical scholarships, but the aviation side is the major part."
When tenders were called in July, Regional Express subsidiary Pel-Air confirmed it would compete against the RFDS, having already won the Ambulance Victoria contract.
But a spokeswoman said yesterday that it ultimately decided not to submit a tender.
The RFDS has run the service from Launceston Airport since 1997 and its $28 million contract expires in January.
The state government decided to go to tender in March, arguing the need to ensure value for taxpayers' money.
Foundation RFDS member and past Tasmanian president Lindsay Millar said he doubted another operator could provide a better service.
"As for the price, a commercial operator is tendering to make a profit, and where does the profit go? Into their pocket," he said.
"Since 1997 we have contributed $8.2 million to the Tasmanian health system."
The tender process means that even if the RFDS is successful, it would be ineligible for Commonwealth grants and could not use donor funds.
It would also lose the right to display its logo, with a government spokesman confirming the new aircraft bought as part of the contract will carry Ambulance Tasmania livery.
"This was also a requirement under the previous tender but it was waived during negotiations as the aircraft being supplied already carried livery," he said. Mr Millar said winning the contract would not only secure the use of the aircraft, but a $600,000 aviation training simulator. "Without the tender we'd still have our clinic services, the rural women's GP program and our medical scholarships, but the aviation side is the major part."
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:Like all useless arsehole politicians shackled to the missapprehention that running a tender will get better "value for money" this contract would have gone to the lowest **** bidder. Underpaid pilots, crap support, and **** service. RFDS like many other service providers over the years have done a good job through a common dedication to provide a service. Bring in some a.hole contractor and the heart and sould goes out of the whole program. Perhaps the reason Pelair has pulled out is because it's pilots are leaving en-mass, and can't service current contracts as a result. because they treat people like crap. Ask anyone leaving Pelair and the answer is the same. 
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Having observed the change over of the contract first hand I would say Pelair has a hell of a lot to learn re single pilot Aero med ops despite them spruiking of their experience in the Aeromed industry.
The Dog
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There is a helicopter in Tassie for aeromed! Excuse me for my ignorance. It makes sense except it must only be available a few months of the year. 5 months out due weather/ice, 5 months out due maintenance!!
The police helicopter is provided by a commercial operator under a contract which is also awaiting a tender announcement for the continuation of the service which includes police work, search & rescue, evacuation and aeromedical. The company that currently has this contract has also tendered for the fixed-wing aeromedical work.
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The 'Police Helicopter' operated by RotorLift has been operating on a monthly basis for quite a time since the contract expired - maybe 18 months? This current operator has now been given a new 12 month contract until a decision is actually made ...
Welcome to Tasmania - have a nice yesterday.
Welcome to Tasmania - have a nice yesterday.
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Under Dog
"Having observed the change over of the contract first hand I would say Pelair has a hell of a lot to learn re single pilot Aero med ops despite them spruiking of their experience in the Aeromed industry."
Now Now, you can't have had much to do with PelRex,
it's actually Aeromed has a lot to learn on how it should be done from them!!!
Now Now, you can't have had much to do with PelRex,
it's actually Aeromed has a lot to learn on how it should be done from them!!!
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One could only say, the Tasmanian Labor Government is a bunch of morons, hell bent on ruining a once good state to live in.
One wonders if "credit cards" were provided by those wishing to tender for the contract.
By losing the RFDS logo and the ongoing Federal Government grants, it proves that the Health Minister would not have a clue how to run an effective air ambulance service.
The financial state of Tasmania is much as the Federal state, proving the point that Labor governments have no idea how to manage money.
One wonders if "credit cards" were provided by those wishing to tender for the contract.
By losing the RFDS logo and the ongoing Federal Government grants, it proves that the Health Minister would not have a clue how to run an effective air ambulance service.
The financial state of Tasmania is much as the Federal state, proving the point that Labor governments have no idea how to manage money.
Perhaps the operating cost of the Boeing C-17 Globemaster are a bit too high, and the consultants and government officials are now looking at the Cessna Skycatcher?
Makes you wonder if Pel-Air will refrain from bidding for other aeromedical contracts when they come up, after pulling out of this one and the difficulty they are rumoured to be having with their Victorian contract.
morno
morno
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Or if they will pull out of one(s) they already have?
If a suitable replacement can be found of course...
If a suitable replacement can be found of course...
