The Royal Flying Doctor Service (RFDS) is proud to announce its iconic red-belly lifesaving aircraft will be representing in the City of Perth sky show event in support of the Australia Day celebrations this weekend.
One of the RFDS’ two Rio Tinto LifeFlight PC-24 jets ‘Kimberley’ will be making two laps around the Swan River at approximately 4.45pm on Sunday, participating alongside the Royal Australian Air Force, Department of Fire and Emergency Services and Police aerial fleet.
A world-first for aero medical service, the Rio Tinto LifeFlight PC-24 jet serves as the state’s emergency ward in the sky – carrying three stretchered patients at a time and flying at speeds of more than 700 kilometres an hour, as high as 45,000 feet.
Making their mark across Western Australia skies since January 21 last year, the RFDS’ two Rio Tinto LifeFlight PC-24 jets have already travelled more than one million kilometres to reach more than 1,000 patients located far and wide across the state.
In Western Australia, the RFDS provides a ‘mantle of safety’ across more than 2.5 million square kilometres and employs a mixed fleet of 16 PC-12 turboprop aircraft and two Rio Tinto LifeFlight PC-24 jets.
RFDS Western Operations CEO Rebecca Tomkinson said she was extremely proud to represent alongside the state’s emergency services network at the Australia Day sky show event.
“The Royal Flying Doctor Service is the quintessential Australian service, here as we always have been to help a mate when they need us the most,” Ms Tomkinson said.
“We are always at the ready to respond with our fleet of aircraft and team of highly trained pilots, doctors, flight nurses and operational staff.
“This Australia Day long weekend, as you travel up north or venture down south with your friends or family, know that we are there for you 24 hours a day, seven days a week.
“On behalf of our crews and patients across the state, we thank you for your continued support of our essential service and wish you all a safe and happy Australia Day long weekend.”
If you spot our iconic RFDS red-belly in the skies this Sunday, don’t forget to share your photos and videos with us. Tag us on Facebook and Instagram and hashtag #rfdswa #flyingdoctor #AusDay2020
To help keep the Flying Doctor in the air, visit: https://rfds-wa.giveeasy.org/donate
