The Queensland section of the Royal Flying Doctor Service (RFDS) will build a special facility in Bundaberg to house a King Air 350/360 simulator, it was announced late last week
The facility, to be sited next to the RFDS base in Bundaberg, will be funded with $15 million in government grants and $3 million from QCoal Foundation. It will house aTRU Sim full-motion simulator, which will be the first of its kind based outside the USA.
RFDS QLD CEO Meredith Staib said the faciliy would be used for training and currency for the service's pilots.
“The B360 aircraft will be introduced into our fleet this year, and the new facility will support the ongoing training of our highly-skilled pilots and pilots from right across Australia and Asia,” she said.
“Today’s announcement is an extension of our long-standing partnership with QCoal Foundation and further evidence of their commitment to supporting health outcomes for regional Queensland and beyond.
"With $15 million in support from the Australian Government already committed to the facility, under the Hinkler Regional Deal and administered through the Community Development Grants Programme, this additional funding will help secure the future of this essential project for Queensland and Australia.”
RFDS QLD signed an agreement to buy four new King Air 360s in February last year to complement their existing fleet of 20 aircraft. Two aircraft were scheduled to enter service early this year with the second pair to come on line around the end of 2022.