Queensland Government rescue helicopter fleet sets global record surpassing 30,000 operational flight hours

• QGAir has become the first Emergency Medical Services helicopter operator in Australia to surpass 30,000 operational flight hours.
• QGAir was the first Emergency Medical Services helicopter operator in Australia and currently operates the highest time conducting Emergency Medical Services operations globally.
• During the 2023 Cairns floods, QGAir was responsible for carrying out aeromedical transfers in Cooktown, in addition to search and rescue welfare checks at several properties, ensuring the safety of Queenslanders affected by the floods.
• Three QGAir helicopters are due for replacement in the next three years and scoping work for the new helicopters has now commenced.

Queensland Government Air (QGAir) has become the first emergency medical services helicopter operater in Australia to exceed 30,000 operational flight hours.

During the 2023 Cairns floods, QGAir was responsible for carrying out aeromedical transfers in Cooktown, in addition to search and rescue welfare checks at several properties, ensuring the safety of Queenslanders affected by the floods.

In response to this natural disaster, the QGAir Rotary Wing became the first operator in Australia of a AW139 Emergency Medical Services (EMS) helicopter to surpass 30,000 operational flight hours.

As a result of this dedicated service, QGAir is regarded as a global leader and with the highest time of Emergency Medical Services operations in the world.

To mark this achievement, a celebration was held at the Archerfield Hangar with the Archerfield operational and engineering teams being presented with a commemorative print.

Operating within the Aviation Capability Group (ACG) of the Queensland Police Service, QGAir’s fleet serves as a vital asset in frontline aeromedical, search and rescue, law enforcement and government capabilities throughout Queensland. 

QGAir’s fleet of five helicopters are based across Archerfield, Cairns and Townsville and provide more than 3,000 flight hours per annum and an average 2,000 patient rescues and transfers each year.

Quotes attributable to Minister Mark Ryan:

“Today we are here to celebrate the outstanding efforts of the QGAir team within the Aviation Capability Group of the Queensland Police Servicefor reaching a tremendous milestone of 30,000 flight hours,” Minister Mark Ryan said.

“In response to the devastating Cairns floods last year, the QGAir’s swift response meant they were able to conduct aeromedical transfers as well as search and rescue welfare checks, ensuring the safety of our Queensland community members.

“It is an honourable achievement that valued capability within the Queensland Police Service is the global leader for operating the highest time of Emergency Medical Services operations.”

Quotes attributable to Acting Chief Superintendent David French:

“This fantastic achievement recognises the efforts of the Queensland Government Air (QGAir) rescue helicopter exceeding a record breaking 30,000 operational flight hours,” Acting Chief Superintendent David French said.

“The QGAir fleet operates the highest operating time conducting Emergency Medical Services operations in Australia, speaking volumes of the value this service provides to Queenslanders.

“Today, we recognise the outstanding efforts of the highly trained personnel, including our pilots, aircrew officers, rescue crew officers, engineers, safety specialists and aviation operations specialists.

“This milestone is testament to all of your ongoing hard work and dedication to assisting Queenslanders during challenging situations.”

Explainer:

• Rotary Wing operations has a permanent staffing establishment of 58 and is supported by an engineering and airworthiness staffing establishment of 32 permanent positions spread across QGAir’s three bases.
• QGAir Rotary Wing is centrally tasked through Queensland Health’s Aeromedical Retrieval and Disaster Management Branch as part of Queensland’s Emergency Helicopter Network.
• QGAir was the first Emergency Medical Services (EMS) AW139 operator in Australia and currently operates the highest time AW139 conducting EMS operations in the world.

Media contacts 

Minister Ryan’s Office: Ph: (07) 3035 8300

Police Media: Ph: (07) 3015 2444