Victorian Air Ambulance Tender
 

Vic Air Ambulance contract tender has been put out to tender, a ten year contract with a possible two year extension and a start date of the 1st Jan 2024.

Pelair would have to be odds on favourite to retain the contract, but no doubt Careflight, Skytraders, RFDS and Wingaway will be burning the midnight oil and sharpening their pencils over the next few months.

With no more B200's in production, it will Beech 360's, PC-24 or Citations.

Pelair has obtained a couple of B350's for its NSW air ambulance contract, probably have more on order or perhaps have options for more to fill demand over time.
I've seen the RFDS PC-24 go into Essendon twice over the past few weeks, so they are clearly a contender.
Without seeing the tender request, I'd put money on Pelair with their existing B200's, which would then be phased out mid contract to B350's presumably...?

Believe it or not, I don't think the RFDS will be going for it. They know they will be priced out. They were not even close with NSW last year.

Spektrum I have to agree with you, the 'rufdus' won't be able to compete. These are Govt contracts, they couldn't care less who wins it as long as it's the cheapest!

Question....;
Seeing as that Vic is not 'that' terribly large, does it have to be a twin?
There are plenty of single turbines that could do the job with 'minimal' time differences surely?
PC-12 ?
ML - Mildura approx 268nm.........ETI differences..??

Just curious is all.......Cheers.....

That’s exactly what I thought, a well managed PC-12 operation would be more than adequate in my opinion.

How many commercially operated PC-12s have come to grief due to engine problems in Australia?

PC-12 has proved it’s success in Australia.

it's a Govt contract and all contracts have conditions/requirements. There will be a requirement for twin, turbine pressurised, the B200/300/350 is the natural choice.

True.

There are still a lot of dinosaurs influencing govt departments, and government pen-pushers are too stupid to look at things like accident statistics.

Obviously the Victorian Government are getting rubbish advice from their advisors.

Time to get professional advice from industry experts who know what they are talking about!

Actually The Govt put together these contract with the assistance of other influences & it ain't from industry 'experts' either, trust me I know! -)

I say no more!

Best not to.

Flying a PC12 around in predominately VFR conditions is one thing however as we all know Victoria gets alot of real IMC, I think the PC 12 enthusiasts would have a tougher time convincing a contractor that a single engine is just as safe. Turn backs with a 400' cloud base and light drizzle would have to be considered to be alot riskier than just climbing away on one engine to the MSA. Similarly if the departure aerodrome is fogged in is the PC12 going to depart? Meanwhile the Twin Turbine/Jet has departed as they don't need a return to land consideration.

In conversation with an EMS pilot he was extremely happy to discard his PC-12 job flying at night in the outback to go to a King Air. Possible engine failure at night over the outback was his worry. Even the King Air operation he went to proved there was a reason for the second engine, brand new King Air (new engines 1,000 hours), one engine swallowed a stator vane with dire results in the climb shortly after take off.

B200’s aren’t in production, but B250’s are. And given Victoria is not that big, the extra weight and fuel burn of the B250 wouldn’t be a problem I would imagine.

In the hour or two I have in the old Beech truck I was very comfy knowing that I had a spare donk as insurance -) As much as the PC12 is very capable I wouldn't fly one commercially even though I had the chance to then progress on to the PC24 I took a different path each to their own. -)

The S.E. Section of the Ruffdus operate only multi engined aero Med machines and for good reasons, just ask the paramedics union! -)

Thanx Neville,
Sounds good for Vic ops.
Cheers

Pelair has bought a few B350's from RFDS for NSW contract. Heading to the paint shop this year for new livery.

RFDS Qld is purchasing some Be360's. Jets are off the table....

RFDS has been using the PC-12 for a while, can anyone share information or some thoughts on the economic comparisons between the PC-12 and Beech?