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WA Police has added its first Pilatus PC-24 business jet for aerial response operations.
The twin-engine plane, which the Western Australia Government says is the only aircraft of its type operated by an Australian law enforcement agency, will be used for rapid response to emergencies in regional WA, including critical incidents, major investigations, and natural disasters.
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“The PC-24 is a genuine game changer for WA Police. Its ability to access remote airstrips across Western Australia, operate with a single pilot and rapidly deploy specialist teams means we can respond faster and more effectively wherever we’re needed,” said WA Police Commissioner Col Blanch.
“In a State as large and diverse as ours, every minute counts. This aircraft will significantly cut travel times, allowing our officers to spend less time in transit and more time protecting communities, supporting emergency operations, and delivering frontline policing to Western Australians, wherever they may be in the State.”
With an eight-passenger capacity, the PC-24 has a range of approximately 3,700 kilometres and is capable of single-pilot operations.
“Selected for its reliability and ability to land on short sealed and unsealed runways, the PC-24 can access many regional and remote airstrips beyond the reach of conventional jets, allowing personnel and equipment to be deployed directly to locations that are otherwise inaccessible or impractical to reach via commercial air services,” the state government said in a press release.
“Capable of flying higher, faster, and further than existing Air Wing aircraft, the PC-24 can reduce travel times to some regional locations by up to 50 per cent. For example, flights between Perth and Kununurra can be completed in approximately three hours.
“Fitted with a large aft cargo door, the Pilatus PC-24 allows specialist equipment, operational resources, and emergency supplies to be transported quickly and efficiently when required.”
WA Police Minister Reece Whitby said the state government is “committed to ensuring Western Australia is a safe place to live while also boosting emergency response capability”.
“Western Australia is the world’s largest single police jurisdiction, and time is critical when it comes to responding to emergencies across the State,” he said.
“I’m so proud to deliver this new aircraft for the community and Police which will be significant for the regions.
“Slashing travel times to some regional locations by up to 50 per cent will allow our Police Force to deploy officers on the ground faster to ensure any community facing an emergency the protection they deserve.”
The aircraft is expected to enter service in coming weeks.
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