Bell 412 - RACQ CareFlight
RACQ CareFlight's Bell 412 is a twin-turbine, single-main rotor, medium-lift helicopter designed to carry up to 15 people, including one or two pilots.
Up to 13 passenger seats may be fitted to the rear cabin, but in normal RACQ CareFlight operations, we limit it to three seats (for the medical staff), thus leaving room for two stretchers.
The RACQ CareFlight helicopter is also fitted with a winch for rescues and a hook for external load carriage, including fire-fighting buckets.
Four crew operate the helicopter: a pilot, who flies it and navigates to the site of the incident; a crewman, who coordinates the RACQ CareFlight response; and a doctor and paramedic who provide specialist medical care to the patient.
RACQ CareFlight celebrates its 21st birthday in 2002. Since starting operations in 1981, the free community medical and rescue helicopter service has conducted more than 10,000 missions throughout southern QLD and northern NSW. With an annual operating budget of $3 million, 60% of funding comes directly from the community, 20% from sponsors and 20% from the State Government and local Councils.
Photograph taken by Mark Ogden.