The Sunshine Coast region today welcomed a new LifeFlight AW139 helicopter.
Heralding a new era for the Sunshine Coast aeromedical service, it is one of seven AW139s joining LifeFlight across the state, which boasts one of the largest fleets of the rescue helicopter in Australia.
The aircraft was manufactured by Italy-based Leonardo and assembled by the engineering team at the LifeFlight Clive Berghofer Maintenance Centre at Archerfield Airport.
Its arrival follows LifeFlight announcing a $250 million partnership with Leonardo, including new aircraft, and significant investment into state-of-the-art training and engineering facilities in Queensland.
Construction is also underway on a new $18.5 million Sunshine Coast base, which will accommodate two AW139 helicopters and one Challenger 604 jet and is close to three times the size of the current hangar.
On Saturday, LifeFlight raised a record $292,095 for the Sunshine Coast base fitout at a glitzy gala attended by 500 guests at the Novotel Sunshine Coast Convention Centre.
The Sunshine Coast aeromedical crew helped 569 people in 2024, including paragliders, skydivers, water skiers and boaties.
LifeFlight Chief Executive Officer Ashley van de Velde OAM, said the Sunshine Coast is where it all began for the not for profit.
“The AW139 is ideal for these emergencies as they can travel further and faster, responding swiftly when we are tasked,” Mr van de Velde said.
“Demand on the Sunshine Coast base continues to increase year on year which is why we’re investing in the best aeromedical helicopters to serve the region where LifeFlight first took to the skies back in 1979.”
LifeFlight Head of Flying Operations Jeremy Ovens, said the new AW139Â provided a boost to the Sunshine Coast region amid record numbers of people helped in region.
“Because of its location, the Sunshine Coast crew is called out to a wide variety of missions over land and sea,” Mr Ovens said.
“In 2024 we helped 101 people in the wake of motor vehicle crashes, 72 people with cardiac problems, 10 people injured by animals, and five people found following search and rescues.
“Our teams launched the AW139 simulator at LifeFlight and trained pilots to use the aircraft, so we know how capable it is particularly with winch rescues or search and rescue operations.”
The AW139 is the most advanced aeromedical rescue helicopter in the world, with a maximum cruise speed of 305 kph and a range of 895km.
The aircraft are perfectly suited to search and rescue missions in Australia, whether out to sea, in the outback or winching in mountainous terrain.
