Perth’s Resources Technology Showcase 2019 Public Exhibition: Take flight in the Royal Flying Doctor Service’s PC-12 aircraft simulator

Every day the Royal Flying Doctor Service provides in-flight medical care to about 24 West Australians.

And next week the aeromedical leader will open the door to the workhorse of its 18-strong fleet and invite members of the public on board.

The RFDS will display the life-size, fully equipped PC-12 aircraft simulator at the Resources Technology Showcase exhibition, a two-day conference and exhibition on how technology is shaping the workforces of tomorrow.

Operational staff — including doctors, nurses and pilots — will share their on-the-job experiences and guide visitors through state-of-the-art aero medical equipment.

RTS2019: Everything to see and do at the free Resources Technology Showcase exhibition

RFDS Western operations chief executive Rebecca Tomkinson said the replica environment provided an excellent opportunity to experience the confined workspace RFDS staff had to work in, often under very challenging conditions.

“The Flying Doctor is the service you don’t want to use, but are always relieved and thankful when we are there when you need us the most – so unless you are a patient, you won’t have any idea of what’s inside our aircraft,” she said.

“A lot of people are quite surprised at the confined workspace.”

The RFDS Western operations fleet is based between Jandakot, Kalgoorlie, Meekatharra, Port Hedland and Broome and consists of 16 PC-12 turboprop aircraft and two Rio Tinto LifeFlight PC-24 jet aircraft.

Ms Tomkinson said the fleet responded to a diverse range of medical needs and challenges.

“This is the most remote health jurisdiction in the world and staff have to be highly trained to react to a range of unpredictable responses,” she said.

Last financial year there were 8682 retrievals in WA, and in 2018 the RFDS recovered 215 patients directly from mine sites.

The purpose-built aero medical aircraft simulator is identical to that of the Pilatus PC-12 turboprop aircraft and serves as an essential training tool for RFDS clinical teams.

Climb inside the simulator at Resources Technology Showcase between 9am and 6pm on November 27-28 at the Perth Convention and Exhibition Centre.

Visit rtsperth.com for more details or go to the exhibition’s Facebook events page.