RAC rescue helicopter celebrates 15 years of saving lives

Since August 2003, the RAC Rescue helicopters have flown to 6,169 missions, been in the air for 7,422 hours of flight time and travelled the distance of 32 laps around the world. 

 Providing lifesaving support, the RAC Rescue helicopters can be airborne within 15 minutes of receiving a call, with 78-percent of missions in the last 15 years being in regional WA. 

More than 75-percent of all missions are to attend motor vehicle and motorcycle crashes.

For the 2017 financial year the RAC Rescue helicopters were called out to 214 missions in the northern Wheatbelt and 79 missions in the southern Wheatbelt.

RAC Rescue Pilot Andy Greenall has been working with the rescue helicopters since their inception 15-years ago.

“Over the years I have been out in the Wheatbelt many times, as far as Merredin,” he said. 

“Car accidents have generally been the majority of the cases out in the Wheatbelt, with a few farming accidents thrown in there. 

“We do regional hospital transfers as well.”

RAC Executive General Manager Advocacy and Members, Patrick Walker, said RAC was proud to have sponsored the lifesaving initiative since its inception.

“RAC exists to benefit our members and the broader community and sponsoring the rescue helicopters is one way we’re able to give back to WA and help make a difference,” Mr Walker said.

“The safety of WA families sits at the very heart of what we stand for as an organisation and we are incredibly proud to support such a vital part of Western Australia’s emergency response network.”

RAC Rescue operates helicopters from Perth and Bunbury, boasting an operating range of 200km from each base and covering 95 percent of Western Australia.

To commemorate the 15 year anniversary, the RAC will presented honourary pins to past and present engineers, pilots, air crew and critical care paramedics, in recognition of their lifesaving accomplishments.