LifeFlight Australia’s capability to deliver its rotary and fixed wing aeromedical services with a flawless safety record is underpinned by our own engineering department – one of the most advanced operations in Australia.
Our LifeFlight Air Ambulance and RACQ LifeFlight Rescue divisions operate a fleet of four Air Ambulance jets and nine rotary-wing assets – including state-of-the-art Leonardo AW139 aircraft. Operating this fleet of aircraft requires the support of a dedicated team of engineering and airworthiness professionals. The LifeFlight engineering team is approved and equipped to perform all levels of repair and maintenance on AW139, BK117 and B412 helicopters, as well Challenger 604 fixed-wing jets.
Our fixed and rotary-wing engineering department is one of the most skilled operations in the country, performing significant maintenance activities, fleet management tasks and major aircraft inspections. The management and maintenance activities are comprehensive, including provision of skilled engineering staff, to support and maintain a fleet of fixed and rotary-wing assets. We specialise in complex air ambulance, medical retrieval, search and rescue, police and firefighting operations.
Our engineering team’s expertise and Brisbane-based facilities are also available to external fleet operators. We offer tailored and industry specific solutions for large-scale clients. Our proven LifeFlight systems and experienced team provide bespoke maintenance strategies that reduce the overall cost of ownership, while increasing your asset capabilities and ensuring your critical assets are operational when you need them.
Engineering and maintenance
LifeFlight Australia’s capability to deliver fixed and rotary-wing aeromedical services with a flawless safety record is underpinned by our own engineering department; one of the most capable and reputable operations in Australia.
The team has delivered on several fronts in the past financial year, taking our level of aeromedical care to new heights.
The RACQ LifeFlight Rescue community helicopter fleet spends an average of more than 4,000 mission hours providing aeromedical care every year. For every hour our community helicopters fly, five hours of meticulous maintenance are undertaken at our Archerfield engineering base.
The LifeFlight engineering team are licensed and equipped to perform scheduled and repair maintenance on AW139, BK117 and BH412 helicopters, as well as Challenger fixed-wing jets. Our engineering team’s expertise and Brisbane-based facilities are also available to external fleet operators.
Our airworthiness management solution
We have the capability and experience to deliver an industry leading aircraft management solution that is underpinned by LifeFlight’s flawless safety record. Our fleet management and maintenance activities are one of the most advanced operations in Australia.
LifeFlight has developed an approved Maintenance Management Plan which, in part, includes:
- A manufacturer-supported scheduled maintenance program.
- A daily inspection program, which can be conducted by a licensed engineer or, in cases of extended deployment, a pilot.
- An Operator Minimum Equipment List (OMEL) that provides specific relief from regulatory compliances.
Victoria Police Air Wing AW139 Solution
The State Government of Victoria has selected LifeFlight to meet the requirements of the Victoria Police Aviation Capability Program (ACP), following the decision to acquire three AW139 helicopters for their air wing. The ACP contract is being delivered by LifeFlight and our commercial partner, Fox Aircraft Services, via StarFlight Victoria – a special-purpose company established to provide the contracted services.
Under the ACP contract, we will provide Victoria Police with a mission system that meets 99 percent of their stated desirable and highly desirable mission system requirements. In addition to the three aircraft, the system includes a 6,000 litre fourwheel-drive fuel truck – specifically configured to meet Victoria Police’s unique requirements. LifeFlight will also provide aircraft operations, engineering, maintenance and other support services to support the ACP mission system. This is just one example of our in-house expertise being utilised in a bespoke maintenance solution, to meet the needs of an external client.
Quality and safety
Some notable aspects of LifeFlight’s approach to safety include:
LifeFlight’s Safety Management System (SMS)
Introduced over a decade ago, LifeFlight’s SMS builds on and surpasses the requirements of both the International Civil Aviation Organisation and the Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA). It meets all Surat Gas Aeromedical Service (SGAS) auditing and compliance requirements as established by Queensland’s CSG-LNG operators Arrow Energy, Origin, QGC and Santos.
LifeFlight’s organisation-wide approach to quality and safety
LifeFlight applies a systematic approach to all risk disciplines: aviation safety, workplace health and safety, security, environment, and business resilience. This system is continually improving through LifeFlight’s learnings and collaborations.
LifeFlight’s use of BowtieXP
LifeFlight uses this next-generation risk-assessment tool to ensure our SMS is rooted in sound risk assessment methodology.
LifeFlight’s accreditation under ISO 9001:2015
This accreditation assures that LifeFlight’s systems are audited and maintained to a high standard. They are underpinned by a number of quality management principles: client focus, the motivation and implication of top management, the process approach, and continual improvement.
LifeFlight’s compliance with IOGP standards
LifeFlight’s services meet or exceed what is required by the IOGP standards.
LifeFlight’s Flight Data Monitoring (FDM) systems
LifeFlight’s FDM systems collect data on how aircraft are being flown. LifeFlight reviews this data and adjusts operating procedures to be more efficient and safe. In this way, LifeFlight’s approach to flying is continually improving.
LifeFlight’s Health and Usage Monitoring Systems (HUMS)
HUMS gives LifeFlight visibility over the health of aircraft. With this information, LifeFlight can proactively identify and respond to hardware degradation. The ultimate result is improved safety and reduced downtime.
LifeFlight is a founding member of the Aviation Safety Network
LifeFlight actively participates in the network and its continuing education program.
Our certifications
ISO 9001:2015 Quality Assured, certificate number QEC12856
Holder of fixed-wing Air Operators Certificate
Fixed wing AOC#: CASA.TAAOC.0110
Holder of rotary-wing Air Operators Certificate
Rotary wing #S1223513
Certificate of Approval as an accredited maintenance facility
CASA CAR30 AMO, C223513 (fixed and rotary wing)
CASA Part 145 AMO, CASA.145.042, (fixed and rotary wing)
Civil Aviation Safety Authority Part 142 Flying School
Foundation member of the Australian Safety Network Registered
Training Organisation #2762
Registered Training Organisation (RTO): 2762
Accredited teaching facility for:
- Australasian College for Emergency Medicine
- Australian and New Zealand College of Anaesthetists
- College of Intensive Care Medicine
Queensland Government
All of our doctors and flight nurses meet Queensland Health clinical standard for practice in pre-hospital and retrieval medicine.
We are located at:
Hangar 6, Grenier Drive, Archerfield QLD 4108.
Contact LifeFlight's engineering and maintenance department