Pilatus PC24
Thank you Morno (and others) I can see the case for using Flash, Shiny Jets for inter-hospital transfers due to time critical patients, crew re-location inconvenience (for want of a better word) and etc. I hadn't considered all that inter-hospital transfers involved.
However, still struggling to see the case for using FSJ for clinic runs.
Morno says - Primary health care - same as the care you'd receive at a normal doctors clinic. However, the services of these are expanding. There's also Allied Health services (physio, mental health, etc.).
B190 says - Central Ops has charter on its AOC, and only uses Specific approved aircraft (pax configured PC12s) on the charters.
So we have a PC12 - previously used for interhospital transfers / medivacs and now reconfigured to commuter seating (as described in the Annual Report) - funded by the Government / sponsors / fundraisers, carrying non-RFDS personnel (I believed Allied Health personnel are not RFDS employees but, as always, willing to be corrected) on a standard charter to a remote community to provide non-urgent medical treatment. Why does this work have to be done by the RFDS in a PC12 ( / King Air / eventually, possibly, PC24)?
In the figures I quoted on charter vs block hours, I do not believe that the charter hours represent all the clinic work available - however, as I am learning all the time, I am willing to be corrected.
FGD135 -
I applaud the RFDS for going to mining companies / corporations etc to fund their new jet. In today's world I believe that is SOP. However, you point out that the government funding is for operational expenses - I am extremely surprised that replacing aircraft doesn't count as an operational expense. In the charter organisations I've worked for, both aircraft replacement and maintenance have counted as operational expenses and needed to be factored into the running costs of the aircraft. Why is this not the case at the RFDS?
Compressor stall -
I am grateful that those with the knowledge on here are taking the time to answer my questions.
However, still struggling to see the case for using FSJ for clinic runs.
Morno says - Primary health care - same as the care you'd receive at a normal doctors clinic. However, the services of these are expanding. There's also Allied Health services (physio, mental health, etc.).
B190 says - Central Ops has charter on its AOC, and only uses Specific approved aircraft (pax configured PC12s) on the charters.
So we have a PC12 - previously used for interhospital transfers / medivacs and now reconfigured to commuter seating (as described in the Annual Report) - funded by the Government / sponsors / fundraisers, carrying non-RFDS personnel (I believed Allied Health personnel are not RFDS employees but, as always, willing to be corrected) on a standard charter to a remote community to provide non-urgent medical treatment. Why does this work have to be done by the RFDS in a PC12 ( / King Air / eventually, possibly, PC24)?
In the figures I quoted on charter vs block hours, I do not believe that the charter hours represent all the clinic work available - however, as I am learning all the time, I am willing to be corrected.
FGD135 -
I applaud the RFDS for going to mining companies / corporations etc to fund their new jet. In today's world I believe that is SOP. However, you point out that the government funding is for operational expenses - I am extremely surprised that replacing aircraft doesn't count as an operational expense. In the charter organisations I've worked for, both aircraft replacement and maintenance have counted as operational expenses and needed to be factored into the running costs of the aircraft. Why is this not the case at the RFDS?
Compressor stall -
I am grateful that those with the knowledge on here are taking the time to answer my questions.
Thank you Morno (and others) I can see the case for using Flash, Shiny Jets for inter-hospital transfers due to time critical patients, crew re-location inconvenience (for want of a better word) and etc. I hadn't considered all that inter-hospital transfers involved.
However, still struggling to see the case for using FSJ for clinic runs.
carrying non-RFDS personnel (I believed Allied Health personnel are not RFDS employees but, as always, willing to be corrected)
. RFDS is a large provider of Allied Health Services in many states around the country now. You can find information about these services on their website.In days past, a lot of the Clinic runs were done by charter companies. However, there were many more benefits to using their own aircraft and pilots. I'm not going to detail these because I can't.
It'd be safe to say that they've done more than just their homework on the jet/high speed platform subject. It's just been a case of finding the right machine for the job. Afterall, it'd be irresponsible of them to splurge on a nice jet that was only half suitable for the job. Now that the PC-24 has come along, maybe it ticks all the boxes.
morno
It was being talked about when I was there 10 years ago, but the right jet hadn't been found then.
outnabout
Why do you believe that a Fast Shiny Jet would be used for clinic runs?
outnabout
However, still struggling to see the case for using FSJ for clinic runs.
Seasonally Adjusted
However, still struggling to see the case for using FSJ for clinic runs.
QLD and Central Section use their own aircraft for Clinics, Westops don't.
Westops have ordered the PC24, QLD and Central Section haven't.
"I see", said the blind man, "So therefore the FSJ is going to used for clinic runs in the west!"
A classic syllogistic fallacy - an affirmative conclusion based on a negative premis.
A classic syllogistic fallacy - an affirmative conclusion based on a negative premis.
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If you can fly a Kingair/PC12 you can fly one of these things but I am sure some expert will get in there and make it more complicated than the space shuttle.
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It's great the 'Ruffdus' are being proactive about jets but lets not get ahead of ourselves here my dear fellow aviators:-) It's still Approx 3 yrs away & a lot can change in that time frame besides the jet is still to meet it's design specs (having not even left the ground as yet), am sure all deposits will have a 'get-out' clause just in case it's a lemon.
Wmk2
Wmk2
Sprucegoose
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Love looking back at old threads, it'll be interesting to look at this one again in 2017! 
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Sprucegoose
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Well not 2017, but 2019 and the PC-24 is up and running in two States. It'd be great to hear from those flying to see if it has actually lived up to expectations re performance.
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