RickInOz

Time for the fourth post in this series on my work for the RAH Mediflight Retrieval Service. This one will cover the organisation and conduct of fixed wing missions.

We go by plane if we have to go much further than 200km. At this range it becomes quicker than going by helicopter especially if there is no helipad at the referring hospital. Most towns have an airstrip and some of the bigger rural centres have fully functional airports. We have two options available to us – RFDS or private jet.

RFDS:

Since operating aircraft is very expensive we don’t have planes of our own, but typically use an RFDS plane. These are Pilatus PC-12 single propeller aircraft that were designed for mountain rescue in the Alps. They are extremely robust and have an operating range of over 1000km as a round trip. We have an ongoing contract with the RFDS and can call them out any time. Usually they can get us off the ground in about 30 minutes. The planes have been converted for medical use including large oxygen cylinders, stretcher mounts, power points for our equipment and a built-in defibrillator.

Once we have decided to go by RFDS we call them and put the crew on standby. Then we have to organise a taxi to take us to the airport to meet the plane. The clock to take-off usually starts ticking the moment we make the call and it can take up to half an hour to get to the airport in rush hour, so we often have to leave straightaway.

At the airport we meet the pilot and flight nurse who help us put our packs on the plane.

We have to be escorted to the plane as you aren’t allowed “air-side” without a security pass. Once on board we go through a quick safety check, then strap in before take-off. From time to time the pilots will allow us to sit up front in the co-pilot’s seat which gives a great view of the countryside and airports as we land.

Usually the flights are pretty smooth but recently, with the changing season, it has been a bit breezy. As a result the plane can get very bouncy in the turbulence but I have been assured that there is no need to worry as they are designed with higher tolerances than most commercial jets.

Once at the destination we unload and need some transport to the hospital. Often this will mean we have an ambulance turn up, take us to the hospital and wait until we are ready to go. If one is not available we simply cram our gear into a taxi instead.

Private Jet:

For referring centres further than 700km (i.e: anywhere in the Northern Territories) we will take a jet instead. The RFDS plane could do the distance with a refuelling stop but it isn’t that fast and is more prone to turbulence. The jet on the other hand flies as high and fast as a commercial jet so is usually a lot quicker and smoother for long-distance travel. We currently have a contract with JetCity and use their Lear jets. These are primarily set up for business clients, but on request they will take out seats and change the configuration for medical purposes.

Now while it may sound very glamorous in reality going by Lear is not that much fun. The journey legs can often be long, around 4 hours, which is a long time to be stuck in the same seat. There is little headroom and no toilet. All-in-all these are not jobs we look for, and so far I have avoided having to do one. This means of course that I have no pictures to show of the Lear. As and when I do get to go on it, I’ll share some.