Royal Flying Doctor Service
 

To the pilot and flight nurse on RFDS Queensland King Air 200 VH-FDO this evening (Sunday, around 9.30 pm) my very sincere thanks and appreciation for your professionalism, compassion and care.

The service the RFDS aircrew provide to rural communities is a credit to Australia and a credit to the dedication of staff and management of the service for more than 80 years. We are uniquely blessed for the service they provide.

Thanks guys. I'm truly, truly thankful!!

This morning the PM announced a $150 million funding boost for the RFDS.

One of the Government's better fiscal decisions!! :ok:

I happened to park alongside an RFDS B200 (YBTL based, I think) at a NQ country aerodrome a couple of weeks ago and noticed that it did not appear to have the door mod that most of the RFDS B200 fleet have.

Just curious. Anyone know why this is?

Dr:cool:

Absent Cargo Door
 

Sure do mate,

The older B200's have a very narrow air stair door, hence the E.O. fo rthe cargo door, which was normally done by Hawker Pacific. THe newer model B200's with Proline 21's have a wider air stair door and stretchers can be loaded adequately using this door, hence eliminating the expensive mod

Cheers

j3

The old 200C cargo door mod is expensive and very heavy.

A new (patient) loading system was devised to work with the standard airstair thus eliminating the need for the cargo door.

All 200's have the same size airstair as far as i am aware.



200

Wife's car, hence the ride with the RFDS:

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v3...1604-02-01.jpg

2003 Holden Commodore, rolled six times, now owned by the insurance company!

She should be out of hospital in a week or so. Guess I need to learn to iron and cook! :{

The hospital, Ambos and RDFS crew were nothing short of absolutely magnificent!!! Couldn't find a more caring bunch of people!

Jeeezz Tailwheel, that photo must send shivers down your spine. How lucky your wife is to be relatively (only 1 week in hospital) ok. I don't know you both, but give her my best wishes.

Ps. Ironing aint that hard. You'll enjoy your own cooking more and replace the car with a Ford :} :} :E :ok:

Goodness me Tailwheel, looks like she was lucky to get out of that one alive. Were you in it aswell? Hope all make a full recovery.

best wishes

200

Nope. I have more sense than to ride with The Cook! :}

But this thread isn't about a car accident.

Its about acknowledging the wonderful, caring and compassionate job carried out by the RFDS and their crews. :ok: :ok:

Jesus mate :eek:

glad the Mrs is ok. Hope she has a quick recovery.

Agreed, the RFDS crews are tops...

Looks like the work of Al Kida!

Hope Mrs Tailwheel makes a speedi recovery!

Yasser:suspect:

The Right Hon the PM and $150,000,000.00
 

Finally the RFDS gets the funding it has needed (not wanted) for many years. Me thinks the timing is a bit sus. Me smells the air and me smells something in it. Yep smells like a lurking election.
Nonetheless the RFDS finally gets the full recognition and support it has needed for some time now. This truly patriotic and dedicated organization is one of Australias greatest "Silent Achievers"
I only hope this gesture on the part of the Feds is not a once only, as aircraft like terms between elections have a definite life.

Re The RFDS 'GRANT'.....
 

T'would be very nice indeedy if just SOME of that grant was to be for the dedicated 'DRIVERS' (and Nurses) who go out at times,
to the most underdeveloped strips,
in the most remote areas,
at the most uncivilised hours,
in the most appalling weather,
for the most humanitarian of reasons........

Oh Yeah!!:ok: :ok:

MRS tailwheel
 

Wishing you a speedy recovery

Cabbie:ok:

Geez thats lucky !!!

PS well said Griffo, really well said mate.

Who cares it's election funding. By my calculations, 150 megabucks is 0.015% of the 15 billion budget surplus (assuming 1 billion = 1 and 12 zeros?)

Spread over six states and territories that's only 25 megabucks per state and territory. My guess a new, fully equipped King Air must be around Aus$ 6 million, then they need fuel, maintenance, aircrew wages, ground staff etc.

No doubt the $150 million will be a great help. But considering the vast area they cover with their very essential humanitarian services, I doubt you'll see any new Mercs or Jags in the RFDS staff car park!

Tailwheel - best wishes to your wife for a speedy recovery.

But the government will certainly be using the american billion (short scale billion) - a one followed by nine zeroes. That way they can say Fifteen Billion, which sounds more impressive than fifteen-thousand million. Fifteen Short Billions is 0.015 of a long billion - not as impressive to publicise:}

Well, at least it brings the percentage to a more respectable 1% of the Budget surplus. And nine tenths of sweet FA of the total Australian Budget.

But it's not some generous, benevolent act by those we elect to serve us.

It's nothing more, and probably quite a bit less than the people of rural Australia deserve and are entitled to receive!

BTW, here's another photo showing the escape hatch!

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v3...1604-00-01.jpg

Show these photos to your teenage kids. They may just save another life!

Am I correct in saying that the QLD Section is the only one with the brand new King Air's with the Proline 21 avionics??

Where did FDO come from tail wheel? I think that's the replacement aircraft they send around QLD when others are out for maintenance. And about due for retirement too!

morno

And Ive just acquired myself a 2003 Commodore for my big trip Up North...

:uhoh:

Election propaganda or not, theres still a nice windfall for the RFDS.

I dont suppose anyone's interested in a PPRUNE team for the Great Australian Air Race in 2010 (raising a half million each for the RFDS and Angel Flight)??

I see GM seem to have gone the way of Fix Or Replace Daily and appear to be using plastic fuel tanks now.

Good thinking that, one less piece that has to be cleaned up after a fire.