Happy Anniversary Royal Flying Doctors

The Royal Flying Doctor Service is one of the largest and most comprehensive aeromedical organisations in the world, providing extensive primary health care and 24-hour emergency service to people over an area of 7.69 million square kilometres.

On the 15th May 1928, John Flynn's dream became a reality with the opening of the Australian Inland Mission Aerial Medical Service in Cloncurry, Queensland (later to be renamed the Royal Flying Doctor Service). On the 17th May the very first Flying Doctor service took off from Cloncurry. The aircraft, a de Havilland DH.50 was a single engine, timber and fabric bi-plane named 'Victory' (leased from Qantas for two shillings per mile flown). It was operated by the "Aerial Medical Service". This was the beginning - of the world's first aero medical service. This aircraft was replaced in 1934 by a DH.83 Fox Moth. Along with the pilot the aircraft had with him the very first Flying Doctors, Dr Kenyon St Vincent Welch. Now 92 years later the Royal Flying Doctor Service of Australia have the world-first aero medical service jet aircraft also named 'Victory'. In its inaugural year, the RFDS treated 225 patients. Today, the RFDS helps over 1000 people every day, delivered through a network of aircraft, road vehicles and telehealth services across Australia. The Royal Flying Doctor Service of Australia (RFDS, informally known as The Flying Doctor) is one of the largest and most comprehensive aeromedical organisations in the world. It provides emergency and primary health care services for those living in rural, remote and regional areas of Australia. It is a non-profit organisation which provides health care to people who cannot access a hospital or general practice due to the vast distances of the Outback.

 RFDS PILATAS PC 12 / 47E VH-FVE (CN 1221)

The RFDS is made up of seven legal entities – RFDS of Australia, Central Operations, Queensland Section, South Eastern Section, Tasmania, Victoria and Western Operations. The RFDS operates in a federated structure and each of the seven entities has its own Board and Management. Each entity operates independently, both financially and operationally. The Flying Doctor operates from numerous bases, health services and other facilities across Australia.

RFDS Bases are operated by:

• Central Operations – with bases at Adelaide Airport, Alice Springs Airport and Port Augusta Airport, and health services at Andamooka, Marla and Marree.
• South Eastern Section – Broken Hill New South Wales; Dubbo New South Wales; Launceston Tasmania; Essendon Airport; and Sydney Airport and Bankstown Airport in Sydney.
• Victoria Operations - bases across the state, including Richmond, Maffra, Essendon Airport; Mildura and Wangaratta. The Victorian Section office is in Richmond, an inner eastern suburb of Melbourne.
• Queensland Section – Brisbane Airport, Bundaberg Airport, Cairns International Airport, Roma Airport, Charleville, Longreach, Mount Isa, Rockhampton and Townsville Airport
• Western Operations – Broome, Kalgoorlie, Meekatharra, Perth's Jandakot Airport, and Port Hedland. The Rio Tinto LifeFlight jet is located at Perth Airport.

RFDS PILATUS PC 12 /45 VH-FDE (CN 332)

The Royal Flying Doctor Service is one of the largest and most comprehensive aeromedical organisations in the world, providing extensive primary health care and 24-hour emergency service to people over an area of 7.69 million square kilometres.

Their Mission - To provide excellence in aeromedical and primary health care across Australia.

As a not-for-profit aeromedical organisation, they rely on your help and generosity to keep the Flying Doctor flying. Donations can be made here.. https://www.flyingdoctor.org.au/support-us/