Page 46 - World Airnews Magazine March 2021

AIRCRAFT

A SPECIAL MISSIONS KING AIR 360

currently operates 20 aircraft across eight “Our highly trained and skilled aviation

operational bases located at Brisbane, staff are looking forward to experiencing

he Royal Flying Doctor Service in Cairns, Townsville, Rockhampton, Bund- the technology advances offered with the

TQueensland, Australia has agreed aberg, Charleville, Mount Isa and Roma. B360, including improved performance and

to purchase four Beechcraft King Air The King Air, the most popular twin-tur- efficiency, ultimately improving runway

360CHW turboprop aircraft, with an option boprop model in Australia, provides unri- access. I am sure our medical crews and

to purchase two more. valled performance in terms of operational patients will also enjoy the enhanced flying

The new aircraft will add to their fleet of cost, speed and runway access throughout experience.” Q

Beechcraft King Air aircraft and deliveries Queensland. Textron Aviation supports

are expected to begin this year and contin- nearly 200 King Air aircraft in a variety of

ue through 2023. configurations throughout Australia. About the Beechcraft
The Beechcraft King Air 360 is designed “The King Air is the world leader in

and manufactured by Textron Aviation. twin-turboprop special missions because King Air 360CHW

“By providing a wide range of essential of the aircraft’s unmatched capabilities and

healthcare services to regional, rural and reliability,” added Gibbs. The King Air 360CHW aircraft is a ver-

remote communities, the mission scope of “Continuing to be a trusted supplier for sion of the King Air 360 twin-engine

the RFDS requires 24-hours-a-day, seven- emergency services in Australia is a testa- turboprop aircraft configured with

days-a-week operational availability for the ment to the King Air’s performance when an optional cargo door and heavy

vast territory of the state of Queensland,” every minute matters.” weight operations package, resulting

said Bob Gibbs, vice president, special RFDS chief executive officer Queensland in enhanced mission flexibility. Two

missions sales. section Meredith Staib said it was vital Pratt & Whitney Canada PT6A-60A or

The six Beechcraft King Air turboprops, that the service remained ‘future fit’ as it optional factory installed PT6A-67A

configured for multi-stretcher air ambu- neared 100 years of operation. turboprop engines with Hartzell

lance operations, will be equipped with “The Beechcraft King Air 360 aircraft four blade propellers power the

a factory installed aft cargo door, heavy forms a key part of our 10-year aircraft King Air 360CHW aircraft, and a

weight operations package and Pratt and replacement strategy, which will ensure fully integrated Collins Aerospace

Whitney PT6A-67A engines for additional we can continue to deliver world-class Pro Line Fusion digital avionics suite
performance capabilities. aeromedical retrievals and healthcare to provides pilot(s) with state-of-the-art

With its corporate office located within regional, rural and remote Australians,” she touchscreen controls.

the Brisbane Airport precinct, the RFDS said.
World Airnews | March 2021
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