Major sponsor pulls support from North West Queensland helicopter
Source: 612 ABC Brisbane, 13-May-13
The future of North West Queensland’s rescue helicopter is in jeopardy after a major sponsor pulled its support. (See Full Story)
BMA backs CQ’s rescue services with $330,000 donation
Source: The Bulletin, 10-Apr-13
RACQ CQ Rescue and the RACQ Capricorn Helicopter Rescue may be used to lending a helping hand, and now they’ve had the favour returned with BMA contributing $330,000 over three years to these organisations (see full story).
Australian Helicopters wins two Queensland EMS contracts
Source: Australian Helicopters, 19-Mar-13
Australian Helicopters has been selected as the new helicopter provider to support both Central Queensland Helicopter Rescue Service (CQRS), based in Mackay, and Capricorn Helicopter Rescue Service (CHRS), based in Rockhampton, to assist with emergency response on behalf of Queensland Health. The services will transition over in July 2013 from incumbent operators at both the [...]
Funding boost for Queensland’s EMS operations
Source: Queensland Government, 03-Jan-13
Increased funding for community-based emergency helicopter operators has been granted as the Newman Government considers plans for lasting change in their financial support. A new funding model for these essential services is detailed in the Summary Report of the Review of Aeromedical Helicopter Services in Queensland – November 2012, released for consultation by Health Minister [...]
Queensland Police running 3 month Bo105 trial
Source: Queensland Police, 23-Sep-12
In mid August, the Queensland Police Service commenced a 13 week contract with Westpac Lifesaver Helicopter Rescue Service. As a result, the police chopper is now a BO105 EC Super 5, ex-German police helicopter with an excellent reputation and history. It is a twin-engine gas turbine, equipped with state-of- the-art navigation and surveillance equipment including: [...]
Australia – Rockhampton hospital seeks helipad
Source: Morning Bulletin, 04-Jun-12
MEMBER for Rockhampton Bill Byrne spoke yesterday in the Queensland Parliament about the pressing need for an emergency helicopter landing area at the city’s hospital. (see full story)
EMQ Helicopter Rescue Brisbane gets new home
Source: Queensland Government, 08-May-12
The Emergency Management Queensland (EMQ) Helicopter Rescue service will receive a boost to its frontline operational capabilities including faster response times with today’s opening of its new $1.6 million hangar at Archerfield Airport. Community Safety Minister, Jack Dempsey said the new hangar, which connects to the existing hangar at Archerfield by a taxiway, will provide [...]
Gold Coast police helicopter now state-funded and permanent
Source: Queensland Government, 23-Apr-12
Ed: Background to this press release is that Queensland has recently gone through elections, and the incoming administration have fulfilled a manifesto pledge by taking this action Police Minister Jack Dempsey has secured South East Queensland’s police helicopter. The Gold Coast-based police helicopter, which was originally funded by the Gold Coast City Council, will now [...]
Queensland Police rely on TV helicopter footage in chase
Source: Brisbane Times, 13-Apr-12
At some stages of the chase, officers in the central police communications centre were forced to rely on footage of the chase being broadcast live via media helicopters in order to relay the location of stolen cars to police on the ground. (see full story). Short on proper equipment to do the job, perhaps?
Politician commits to full-time Queensland Police helicopter, subject to election
Source: Queensland Labor, 27-Feb-12
A new Labor Government will invest $7.5 million over the next three years to provide a permanent police helicopter for the Gold Coast. Premier Anna Bligh said the trial of a police helicopter currently underway on the coast had proven the use of the aircraft was beneficial to fighting crime in the area. “In July [...]
EMQ Helicopter Rescue gets Au$10M sponsorship
29-Nov-11
Rio Tinto’s sponsorship of $1M a year over the next 10 years will be in addition to what the State Government provides. EMQ are looking at using the first year of the Rio Tinto funds to increase the fuel capacity (and thus range) of their three AW139s. (see full story) Photos reproduced with prior permission [...]
Queensland Police select operator for trial
Source: Gold Coast City Council, 10-Oct-11
A new police eye in the sky has taken a major step forward after the successful tender for a six month police helicopter trial was announced today. Gold Coast Mayor Ron Clarke said Heliwest would operate a single gas turbine Bell R206 Longranger that would provide police with aerial surveillance capabilities. “Today’s announcement represents a [...]
Yellow Porsche highlights need for Queensland Police helicopter
Source: Courier Mail, 13-Sep-11
A high-speed car chase that allegedly saw a stolen yellow Porsche Boxster hit speeds of more than 150km/h underlines the need for a police helicopter for the Gold Coast, police say. See full story and video
Sunshine Coast Airport moves helipads to reduce complaints
Source: HeliHub.com, 09-Sep-11
Sunshine Coast Airport in Ausralia’s state of Queensland is preparing to create new helipads to move the noise signature of rotary wing movements away from the east side of the airport, thus reducing the environmental impact on residential neighbours in the Pacific Paradise and Mudjimba areas. Major Projects Councillor Debbie Blumel said that the installation [...]
Fatal AS350 crash in Queensland
Source: HeliHub.com, 08-Sep-11
The ATSB has begun investigation AO-2011-110 following the crash of AS350B VH-RDU earlier today. The helicopter was being operated by Cairns based Heli Charters on a task linked to a communications tower on Double Mountain, near Shoalwater Bay in Queensland. Police reported that two of the three occupants died in the crash, with the third [...]
Gold Coast City Council commit to six month police helicopter trial
26-Jul-11
The Gold Coast City Council voted unanimously to commit $500,000 to a six-month police helicopter trial. The State Government and Queensland Police Service also announced 50 uniformed officers would be brought in from other police regions for a one-month blitz on criminal and anti-social behaviour.
Helicopter deployment problems raised at Queensland flood inquiry
Source: ABC, 26-May-11
The commission has heard many communities struggled to access helicopters during the flood crisis. Dr Mark Elcock, a senior officer with the state’s emergency helicopter network, said there should be an ‘overarching’ group, which knows where all helicopters are and can deploy them more appropriately.
Queensland stops paramedics riding in single-engine helicopters
17-Mar-11
The current government guidelines for priority responding aircraft stipulate that a twin engine helicopter is needed in order for an intensive care paramedic to travel to a medical emergency.
K-Max constructs 120 ft tower in rain-soaked Queensland
Source: Kaman, 17-Jan-11
QUEENSLAND, Australia, January 17, 2011 – A Kaman K-MAX® Aerial Truck flown by Skywork Helicopters, a leading provider of helicopter services in New Zealand and Australia, recently lifted six sections of a 120-ft electrical power transmission tower perfectly into place, enabling construction workers to bolt the sections together and complete the entire tower assembly in [...]
Queensland’s Heli Charters Australia buys fixed wing operator
Source: Heli Charters Australia, 24-Nov-10
Heli Charters Australia, North Queensland’s largest helicopter operator, has purchased the fixed wing operation known as Weipa Air, expanding the current fleet of 12 helicopters to include 4 fixed wing twin-engine, air conditioned Aero Commanders. Managing Director, Steve Spinaze says “having bases already in Cairns, Weipa, Normanton and Horn Island, means the expansion into fixed [...]
Helicopter rescue team has no helicopter
Source: Courier Mail, 01-Nov-10
Health Minister Paul Lucas has ruled out new funding for the North Queensland Helicopter Rescue Service, leaving them without a helicopter
Becker Helicopters wins innovation award
Source: Sunshine Coast Daily, 25-Oct-10
Becker Helicopters are flying high after winning the award for innovation at the 21st annual Premier of Queensland’s Export Awards. The awards recognise the contribution that exporters make to the state’s economy.
RAAF Amberley Aviation Heritage Centre acquires UH-1
Source: Queensland Times, 20-Oct-10
Iroquois helicopter A2-771 was delivered by truck to the RAAF Amberley Aviation Heritage Centre yesterday.
Cairns Helicopter School adds second R22
Source: Cairns Post, 11-Aug-10
Cairns Helicopter School has bought another aircraft to cater for an increase in aspiring pilots undergoing training.
Rescue helicopter control move to Queensland Health ‘worrying’
Source: ABC, 23-Jul-10
Queensland Opposition emergency services spokesman Ted Malone says responsibility was shifted from the Emergency Services Department to Queensland Health on July 1, without the operators being told.
North West Queensland community vows to get emergeny helicopter reinstated
Source: FarmOnline, 06-Jul-10
The community is rallying to raise funds to re-establish the Mt Isa-based, North Queensland Helicopter Rescue Service, particularly after the Government’s decision to help fund a helicopter rescue service for Toowoomba, but not for their more isolated area.
State of Queensland to bankroll RACQ CareFlight
Source: The Chronicle, 09-Jun-10
The State Government has committed Aus$1.64M per year in the Budget, which means the service will be able to run full-time instead of just weekends and school holidays.
Capricorn Helicopter Rescue Service upgrades to S76
Source: Morning Bulletin, 12-May-10
CHRS executive officer Kay Becker said the new helicopter was very exciting and rewarding for all the staff. “We’re servicing areas we’ve never been to before,” she said.
Delta D2 diesel helicopter should complete testing in 2-3 months
08-May-10
Delta Helicopters is using Federal Government funding for its plan to develop the world’s first diesel engine helicopter
Emergency flight unable to land after selfish drivers park on helipad
Source: Queensland Times, 09-Apr-10
AS thousands of Easter Monday Funday visitors jostled for a good car park, a small percentage opted to ditch the roadside in favour of a nice spot on the grass near the city’s helipad.
NQ Rescue joins Queensland EMS network
01-Mar-10
NQ Rescue has secured approval from the Queensland government to be included in the state’s aeromedical retrieval network to provide medical and rescue services to the state’s greater northwest.
RACQ-CQ Rescue takes delivery of second Bell 412
Source: Daily Mercury, 21-Jan-10
RACQ-CQ Rescue welcomed a new team member yesterday – a second Bell 412 helicopter. The helicopter, which landed at its new base at 2.30pm, will replace the single-engine SA360 Dauphin that has been with the service since April, 2004.
Queensland to spend Au$4.6M on remote helipad
Source: Sydney Morning Herald, 30-Dec-09
Medical services for Torres Strait island communities will receive a boost, with the Queensland government to spend $4.6 million on a helipad at Thursday Island.
No go for Ingham Hospital helipad
Source: North Queensland Register, 09-Dec-09
Member for Hinchinbrook, Andrew Cripps, has demanded answers from Health Minister Paul Lucas after concerns were raised the helipad at the Ingham Hospital still does not meet design specifications and Queensland Health will not let helicopters land on it.
Surf Life Saving Queensland adds EC135
Source: Sunshine Coast Daily, 10-Nov-09
SUNSHINE Coast beaches will be safer this summer thanks to Surf Life Saving Queensland’s newest piece of equipment – a twin engine helicopter. The EC135 chopper’s keys were handed over to SLSQ by Queensland emergency services minister Neil Roberts.
Queensland Government embarassment after new EMS AW139s delivered with search light on wrong side
Source: Courier Mail, 02-Jun-09
