Queensland aeromedical charity LifeFlight yesterday officially opened a new maintenance centre at Archerfield Airport in Brisbane.
The LifeFlight Clive Berghofer Maintenance Centre spans 5000 sqm and is the largest hangar complex ever built at Archerfield Airport, replacing the organisations current facility, which was built in the 1940s.
Features of the new centre include four large bays to house LifeFlight's AW139 aircraft and Challenger 604 jets with seven-tonne access doors, three cranes, offices, kitchens and showers for more than 30 staff.
The centre is named in honour of LifeFlight supporter and philanthropist Clive Berghofer, who funded a training helicopter for the LifeFlight, and has invested $7 million in the organisation since 2007.
LifeFlight will lease the purpose-built facility from Archerfield Airport Corporation.
LifeFlight Australia Chief Operating Officer Lee Schofield, said the new facility was a key part of the organisation’s growth.
“Every LifeFlight aircraft is rotated through the maintenance facility for major inspections as well as work that cannot be performed at other bases, making the LifeFlight Clive Berghofer Maintenance Centre the epicentre of our maintenance operation,” he said.
“Our helicopter crews completed more than 3300 missions in FY24. That means a lot of maintenance is required to ensure the choppers are at peak operability so they’re ready to go wherever and whenever needed.
“Fortunately, our engineering team has an outstanding reputation and their work ensures every LifeFlight helicopter and jet is safe and ready for flight, no matter the time or place.”
Previously, LifeFlight's Archerfield base could accommodate only four helicopters, whereas the new centre can handle nine helicopters and one jet.
LifeFlight estimated its engineers complete an average of 41,000 hours of scheduled and unscheduled maintenance on both helicopters and jets each year.
LifeFlight currently operates 19 helicopters and four jets, servicing a 10-year contract with Queensland Health among other aeromedical and SAR operations.