Aceing It

From its new purpose-built Aeromedical Crewing Excellence (ACE) Training Centre at Bankstown Airport, Toll Helicopters is using high fidelity simulation and virtual reality training devices to best prepare its crews and NSW Ambulance paramedics and doctors to save lives across southern NSW and the ACT for the next decade and beyond.

On January 10, in partnership with NSW Ambulance, Toll Helicopters began its 10-year plus a five-year renewal option contract for the provision of aeromedical helicopter rescue and retrieval services, taking over from incumbent operator CHC Helicopter.

Under the new contract, which is part of the NSW government’s $151.2 million state-wide helicopter retrieval network, the state has been divided into two zones with Toll Helicopters using eight identicallyconfigured and modified Leonardo AW139 long-nose versions from four bases in Sydney/Bankstown, Wollongong, Orange and Canberra to cover the Southern Zone demarcation on a 10-minutes notice to launch by day and 20-minutes notice at night.