Steve Mogridge was driving on a lonely stretch of the Goldfields Highway when he instantly lost all feeling in the left side of his body. The 66 year old suddenly couldn’t move while behind the wheel of a manual car, travelling at 110 kilometres per hour.
“I was at least 50 kilometres away from Leonora Hospital, and I somehow had to keep driving. What choice did I have? If I had stopped, I certainly wasn’t going to get the help I needed,” he said.
Steve recognised that he was having a stroke. When he arrived at the hospital, he had to let the car stall to a stop in the carpark. He managed to drag himself to the front doors, where he was able to wave down a nurse inside to come over and assist him.
Shortly after, the Kalgoorlie resident was being flown to Perth by the Royal Flying Doctor Service for treatment.
“It happened so fast. My job that day was going to be to driving a bus full of staff from the Jaguar Mine to Leonora Airport – instead I was at the Airport, being loaded onto a RFDS plane!” Steve said.
“The crew from Meekatharra were so cool, calm and collected. The pilot assured me they were going to make my flight as comfortable as possible.”
Steve spent two weeks recovering in the stroke unit at Fiona Stanley Hospital, and had a stent inserted in his carotid artery.
After three months off, Steve is now back at work as a bus driver and says apart from a bit of instability on his left side, he’s feeling like himself again.
He says knowing the RFDS is there gives peace of mind to those living in regional areas.
“After my stroke, there was no MRI machine (at Leonora Hospital,) no adequate medication available and no neurologists on hand. The only option was to get to all of this help as soon as possible, it wasn’t coming to me,” Steve said.
“My only alternative to being flown to Perth was to be transferred by ambulance to Kalgoorlie and then driven to Perth. That adds up to more than 9 hours of travel time plus any stops along the way.
“Instead, less than one and a half hours after leaving Leonora Hospital, I was being positioned in a MRI machine at a hospital in Perth. The RFDS saved vital time, which ultimately saved my life.”
he Flying Doctor has embarked on a new era of healthcare accessibility, launching the RFDS Electronic Health Record (EHR) to further enhance patient care.
Designed by the RFDS to be compatible with every state and territory health system, the Electronic Health Record allows doctors, nurses and paramedics to share critical medical information in real-time – regardless of whether the patient is in the air and on the ground.
From a laptop or mobile device, RFDS crews can now digitally record a patient’s vital health stats during flight and share the data live with the awaiting receiving team on the ground, meaning life-saving decisions can be made even before the aircraft wheels touch down.
Critically, the EHR works even when offline, making it ideal for emergency health care in the middle of the Australian outback or 10,000 feet above sea level.
RFDS EHR Clinical Lead Dr Mardi Steere said the new technology served as an “extra pair of hands” for a doctor or nurse providing sole care in the back of an aircraft.
“When every second counts, the right information at the right time saves lives,” Dr Steere said.
“The EHR has a live dashboard showing real-time trends and inbuilt safety alerts around allergies and early signs of deterioration as well as guidelines around patient risk factors and medication dosages.
“Before the EHR, crews were committing all of this information on paper, which took more time and was more likely to have errors or be difficult to read.
“Now, our crews can spend more time with the patient rather than with paperwork, building upon the high quality standard of care the RFDS provides.”
Photo: RFDS Executive General Manager, Medical & Retrieval Services, Dr Mardi Steere with Flight Nurse, Jodie Hunter.
RFDS EHR Digital Lead Ryan Klose said the technology was developed using a world-class management platform from global provider Oracle.
“We approached Oracle in the first instance to tap into their data expertise currently used in the defence, banking and elite sport industries,” Mr Klose said.
“The way we are using the technology – in the rural health setting – is truly groundbreaking.
“Take the split-second decision-making of a motor-racing team with the layers of data protection behind every transaction you make at your local ATM. Then apply that to a medical emergency.
“Whether it’s being used in the back of an aircraft or in the back of a road ambulance, the EHR needs to provide information that is accurate and stays private.
“The RFDS employs leaders in their field that truly understand the complexities of working in remote settings and in this project, data experts worked side-by-side with clinicians to come up with a solution tailor-made for the outback environment and for the patients we will help.”
Photo: RFDS SA/NT Chief Information Officer, Ryan Klose.
The RFDS is currently undertaking a staged rollout – SA, NT and NSW are live and Queensland is set to adopt the EHR in coming weeks.
Seed funding for the EHR project was generously provided by Mrs Rinehart and the Rinehart Medical Foundation.
When Tony’s vehicle rolled off the Eyre Highway in one of the most remote areas of the country, he was trapped in his car clinging to life – needing the RFDS to land on the road to airlift him to safety.
After visiting family in Perth in late March, Tony Hudson set off on his way home to South Australia across the Nullarbor Plain.
It was a road trip the 53-year-old motorist had done “thousands of times”.
But on this journey, a large grey kangaroo leapt from the scrub. The roo clashed with the side of the car. The rest was a blur.
“The kangaroo came out of nowhere and I lost control – apparently the car rolled 50 metres,” he said.
Barely conscious, bones shattered and bleeding from the head, Tony was trapped. He tried to use his phone – but being so remote, there was no reception.
Using his CB radio, he managed to get hold of a truck driver, who called 000.
Graphic: RFDS Dr Edward James
“We received a 000 call and got some early information there was a single person high-speed car rollover.
“We quickly assembled a team with a critical care doctor, flight nurse and pilot, and started locating the closest airstrip so we could get to the patient as soon as possible.
“We prepared for every scenario, packing a range of equipment including our ventilator, blood supplies, spinal boards, extraction equipment, vac mats and medications.”
– RFDS Rural Generalist Consultant, Dr Edward James
Meanwhile, medical and emergency services crews came from near and far – nurses and Department of Fire and Emergency Services team members from the nearest town, Eucla, as well as paramedics from a nearby mine site.
Their expert care and immediate support was essential in extracting Tony safely from his car while the RFDS was on its way.
As the first responders came together, the RFDS team identified the accident location and discovered the closest airstrip was the road itself. Chadwick Airstrip is a designated 1,200-metre emergency highway landing strip on the Eyre Highway — one of just two such landing strips in South Australia.
Police and emergency services secured the highway, temporarily blocking traffic at both ends to allow the RFDS team from Port Augusta to land. For RFDS Pilot Matt Wedge, it was his first time landing an aircraft on a road.
Graphic: RFDS Nullarbor Retrieval
“At the RFDS, it’s always ‘go, go go’ – so this was just another challenge.
“After going through all the logistics of a road landing and ensuring the highway was ready to be secured, we had a discussion in the air with the crew about what needed to be done on arrival. You know generally what the doctor’s plan of action is and what they need, so I always just try and help out by making the journey as smooth and quick as possible.”
– RFDS Pilot, Matt Wedge
On arrival at the highway roadstrip, the local ambulance crew drove the RFDS team from the aircraft to the accident site, just 10 minutes away.
The RFDS team immediately identified that Tony had multiple life-threatening injuries. This included likely spinal injuries, a pneumothorax (collapsed lung) and an obvious head injury. Roadside surgery was going to be the only way to give Tony a fighting chance at survival.
Graphic: RFDS Nullarbor Retrieval
“When we got to the scene, the car was only a couple of metres from where the patient was laying. He was in a ditch covered in blood and dirt just off the road – his personal possessions scattered everywhere.
“Our main concern was that he was struggling to breathe – he had some air in his chest that wasn’t in his lungs, so we needed to do a chest drain.
“A chest drain involves making a hole in the side of the patient’s chest, and you need it to be as sterile as possible. Trying to do that on the ground, surrounded by scrub and dirt with cars driving past at high speeds is not ideal.”
– RFDS Retrieval Rural Generalist Consultant, Dr Jess Martyn
The RFDS team, with the help of the first responders, transferred Tony from the ground onto a stretcher so they could carry out the procedures in the ambulance.
In addition to the chest procedures, Tony was then anaesthetised and intubated so a ventilator could take over his breathing during the three-hour journey to Adelaide.
Graphic: RFDS Flight Nurse Shannyn Fitzgerald
“We were fighting the sunset as we needed to get into the air before nightfall.
“I really don’t think the outcome would’ve been as positive if the first responders weren’t there and we didn’t arrive when we did.
“The first responders were fantastic, and really gave that initial care so everything RFDS Flight Nurse, was ready for when we arrived.”
– RFDS Flight Nurse, Shannyn Fitzgerald
On arrival at the Royal Adelaide Hospital, CT scans revealed the full extent of Tony’s injuries. Tony had multiple neck and thoracic spine fractures, significant rib fractures, a collapsed lung, injuries to his abdominal organs, as well as a concussion.
While initially expecting to be home in April, Tony finally walked through his front door in mid-June this year. He had endured three weeks in intensive care, an additional three weeks in general surgery, and almost a month in rehabilitation hospital. During this time, Tony’s partner, Trish, travelled between Kadina and Adelaide daily to be by his side throughout his recovery.
“Coming home was overwhelming. Managing to give Trish a hug and a kiss, and seeing my dog who I hadn’t seen in months – he was all over me like anything,” he said.
“Even though I’m still recovering, I feel like I’ve won the lotto.”
Tony was in utter disbelief when he eventually heard about the specifics of the roadside surgery and what was carried out to save his life.
“The first time I remembered anything was when I was in the ICU about a week and a half after the accident.
“If it wasn’t for the RFDS, I’d be dead right now. Hearing about the nurses and doctors basically operating on me on the road with all the dirt, dust, cars going by at high speeds, I can’t believe that.
“This was out in the middle of nowhere and people came from everywhere to help. It wasn’t one or two people, it was a whole group. I thank every single one of them – I can’t put it into words.”
Royal Flying Doctor Service (RFDS) staff recently attend the CBH Regional Member Sundowner in Esperance, to accept a cheque of $100,000 from WA grain growers.
Developed by CBH in conjunction with Main Roads WA, the Harvest Mass Management Scheme (HMMS) seeks to reduce the instances of overloaded grain trucks. During harvest, growers can forfeit grain from overloaded trucks, which is then sold and the resulting funds provided to WA charities.
Since the program began in 2012, more than $2.1 million has been donated to charities active in rural communities.
This year, $550,000 was generated from the HMMS, and RFDS WA was one of nine organisations to receive a donation.
Head of Nursing Paul Ingram was presented with the cheque by CBH chair Simon Stead.
“Attending my first Regional Member Sundowner was a real honour, and we are so grateful for the support of CBH through this very unique scheme,” Mr Ingram said.
General Manager of Community Relations Rebecca Maddern says CBH is a valued corporate partner of RFDS WA, with support dating back 17 years.
“CBH plays a crucial role in representing Wheatbelt farmers and other residents, and the organisation’s support allows RFDS to continue to provide aeromedical services to these communities,” Ms Maddern said.
“In the past year, RFDS WA transferred 810 patients in the Wheatbelt region.”
Three aspiring licensed aircraft maintenance engineers are the latest to receive a scholarship from the Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA).
Ella Watson from Western Australia and Queensland’s Spencer Holmes and Joshua Kilgour will all receive up to $5,000 each to help them achieve their Civil Aviation Safety Regulation (CASR) Part 66 engineer licence.
CASA Chief Executive Officer and Director of Aviation Safety Pip Spence says that high quality aircraft maintenance engineers are critical for the future of a safe and vibrant aviation industry.
‘All 3 recipients have demonstrated an obvious commitment to aviation safety and it’s evident that they’re in this career for the long haul,’ Ms Spence says.
‘I’d like to congratulate Ella, Spencer and Joshua for all the work they have done within the industry so far and wish them all the best for their future careers in aircraft maintenance engineering.
‘We received almost 90 applications in this scholarship round and the standard once again exceeded the evaluation panel’s expectations.
‘It was also encouraging to see such a wide range of candidates, from those working for major commercial operations through to others employed in smaller organisations across regional Australia.
‘We know there’s a shortage of licensed aircraft engineers not just here, but across the globe, and this scholarship program is one way we can show support for the aviation industry now and into the future.
‘This is the third year we’ve run the program and we’ll be offering it again in 2024, so I hope all aspiring aircraft maintenance engineers consider submitting an application when that round opens.’
The scholarship program focuses on applicants who have already started their structured training towards a licence outcome, or aircraft maintenance engineers who have not gone through a structured training program but are currently working in the industry gaining experience.
It also assists those who have demonstrated an interest in aviation maintenance, made progress through their own initiative, demonstrated aptitude for the role, and made a positive contribution to the safety culture of their profession or organisation.
When aeromodeller Andrew Herzfeld set out to build a replica Rio Tinto Life-Flight PC-24 jet, he dreamed of using it to fundraise for RFDS WA.
Incredibly, its first unveiling attracted so much attention online, it caught the eye of one of America’s most prolific philanthropists, film and TV producer Tyler Perry. He was so impressed by the model aircraft that he donated $38,000 to RFDS.
Perry is a keen aeromodeller with his own mini airfield at his estate in Atlanta, Georgia. He is also working on building a replica PC-24. Their shared passion means the pair have become fast friends.
“It’s absolutely surreal, I would never have dreamed so much interest would come from this,” Andrew said.
Built with plans supplied by Pilatus, Andrew’s model is built to one third of the scale of the original with astounding detail. It features full flight function, navigational lighting and LED screens in the cockpit. During his three year labour of love, RFDS WA gave him access to the Jandakot hangar to take photographs and measurements of the original jet, and supplied paint to create an exact match.
Andrew is planning to take the 70 kilogram model to field days and expos across WA to keep raising funds for RFDS.
“A friend was involved in an incident on the Nullarbor and was airlifted to Perth by RFDS, so I wanted to find a way to give back.”
Building the replica was an outlet for Andrew during a battle with bladder and kidney cancer.
“Having this passion project to work on kept me going through the difficult days of my treatment,” he said.
You can see more photos of the jet at Hertzy’s Hangar on Facebook.
After landing in Darwin and Cairns N732WP is presently in Toowoomba Australia undergoing maintenance prior to its next big flight, journeying across the Pacific to home to Cedar Rapids!
ONE ENGINE, TWO PILOTS AND A 2:1 DONATION GATE FOUNDATION MATCH
Peter Teahen and John Ockenfels are raising awareness for polio eradication by piloting a single engine aircraft all the way around the globe! 100% of your contribution will be donated to the Rotary Foundation Polio Plus Program.
Peter and John departed from Cedar Rapids, Iowa May 5, 2023 in a Cessna T210M (single engine) airplane. Along the way, they will encourage support of ending polio forever throughout the world.
Both Peter and John are pilots, Rotarians, and members of the International Fellowship of Flying Rotarians (“IFFR”). Polio eradication has been a primary focus of Rotary for over 35 years and continues to be a major initiative. While the end of polio may be near, no child anywhere is safe until every child has been vaccinated.
Thanks to the generosity of the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, each dollar you donate to the Rotary Foundation Polio Plus Program is matched 2:1!
The pilots, Peter Teahen and John Ockenfels are covering the entire cost of the flight as well as taking time away from their careers and lives to help end polio. They have been friends for years through their shared passion for aviation and are also cousins through marriage!
Though both Peter and John have myriad hours of flight experience, this will be their first trip around the entire globe. Amazingly, only 700 pilots have ever flown around the world and fewer than 300 of those people are alive today.
This trip puts John and Peter in unique and incredible company. Upon considering the idea of this daunting endeavour, Peter light-heartedly says that he thought, “One of the things I hadn’t done yet was fly around the world!”.
Both Peter and John agreed that polio eradication would be the benefactor of their flight. Polio eradication has been a primary focus of Rotary for over 35 years and continues to be a major initiative. While the end of polio may be near, no child anywhere is safe until every child has been vaccinated. Ending polio is only a flight away! Peter and John will be piloting this 1977 Cessna T210M single engine airplane around the world. They will be flying more than 25,000 miles and this will take up to three months to complete. This includes a 14–16 hour flight from Hawaii to California which will be near the end of the trip.
In the time prior to take-off, Peter is working to get as many flight hours in as possible, in between the time the Cessna is undergoing maintenance and the seats being removed to make room for an additional fuel bladder. As of this writing, Peter has just under 20 hours of flight time on the Cessna. This is where John’s expertise comes in – John owned an identical Cessna just like the T210M and has 28 YEARS and over 2,500 hours of flight time on it.
THE AIRCRAFT: The 1977 Cessna Turbo Centurion model T210M is registered as N732WP. The Centurion is a single engine, high wing retractable landing gear, and all metal airplane. Dual flight controls are provided as standard equipment. It has seating for up to six occupants and a one-hundred-pound luggage compartment.
AIRFRAME: With the exception of the steel engine mount, the landing gear, miscellaneous steel parts, the cowling, and the lightweight plastic extremities (tip of wings, tail fin and stabilator), the basic airframe is of aluminum alloy.
The fuselage is a riveted aluminum structure. There are doors on both the right and left side of the cockpit and an aft cargo door on the left side.
Each wing contains a fuel tank holding 45 gallons. The standard fuel capacity of the Centurion is 90 gallons, of which 89 are usable. The fuel is Avgas 100 LL. The typical fuel burn of 17 gallons per hour allows for a 4.5 hour flight with a 45 minute reserve. N732WP has been modified with tip tanks on each wing with will provide an additional 33 gallons of available gas in the wings. A 165-gallon capacity “TurtlePac” fuel bladder has been installed specifically for the flight and brings total fuel capacity to 281 gallons or approximately 19 hours of flight time.
MEASUREMENTS: Wingtip to Wingtip: 40 feet Nose to Tail: 28 feet Overall Height: 9 feet
ENGINE: The Teledyne Continental TSIO-520R is turbocharged, direct drive air cooled, horizontally opposed, fuel injected, six-cylinder engine with 520 cu. in. displacement. The engine has a maximum power of 310 rated BHP at 36.5 inches Hg and 2700 RPM. The maximum continuous power is rated at 285 BHP at 35 inches Hg and 2600 RPM. The constant speed three blade propeller is manufactured by McCauley.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM: The 24-volt electrical system includes a 24 volt battery for starting and to back up alternator output. Electrical power is supplied by a 60 ampere alternator, and a 30 ampere back up alternator.
CABIN FEATURES: For ease of entry and exit and for pilot and passenger comfort, the front seats are adjustable fore and aft. All seats recline and have armrests & headrests.
AIRPLANE FACTS: Plane Built: 1977 in Wichita, Kansas Manufacturer: Cessna Corporation Model: Turbo Centurion T210M Engine: Single Engine Manufacturer: Teledyne Continental Rated Horsepower: 310 horsepower. Engine Type: 6-Cylinder, Air Cooled Fuel: AVGAS 100LL Fuel Capacity: 90 gallons Usable fuel: 89 gallons Fuel Range Capacity: 5 hours plus 45 minute reserve Maximum Takeoff Weight (lbs.): 4000 Speed (avg): 165 knots/190mph Fuel Burn (avg): 14.5 gallons per hour (Lean Of Peak)
ADDITIONAL NOTES: Approximately 40% of our fuel will be hand pumped from 55-gallon drums. Fuel Drums will be shipped via rail, truck, and ship to the needed location.
Royal Flying Doctor Service and Generous Donors Bring Healthcare to Every Corner of Australia
The Royal Flying Doctor Service (RFDS) is delighted to announce the return of its Oceans to Outback fitness challenge, reinforcing its commitment to providing accessible and reliable healthcare to all Australians, regardless of their location. This ongoing initiative is made possible by the generous support of our donors and partners, whose compassion and dedication fuel our mission to make a meaningful difference in the lives of those in need.
Living in a country as vast and diverse as Australia presents unique challenges, especially for residents of rural and remote areas. Access to prompt medical attention can be limited, and in emergencies, every second counts. It is during these critical moments that the RFDS aims to bridge the gap between patients and medical care, ensuring that vital health services reach even the most far-flung regions.
At the heart of our commitment lies the impact our services have on individuals and families. Andrew, a resident from rural South Australia, shared his heartfelt appreciation, stating, “If it wasn’t for the Royal Flying Doctor Service and their generous donors, I wouldn’t be here today.” These words serve as a poignant reminder of the profound impact our organization has on the lives of countless Australians.
Thanks to the enduring support of donors like you, the RFDS has been able to expand its reach and enhance its response times. Through the Oceans to Outback program, our dedicated teams are equipped to travel further and faster, overcoming geographical challenges to deliver essential primary healthcare services to every corner of the country.
From bustling urban centers to the most isolated outback communities, our aircraft are equipped to be mobile clinics, staffed with skilled medical professionals who are ready to provide expert care. This commitment to inclusivity ensures that no one is left without access to healthcare, no matter how remote their location may be.
In a display of unwavering humility, we recognize that our work is not about grand gestures or headlines; it is about the people we serve. Our collective impact extends beyond statistics and numbers; it is felt in the lives of each person who receives the care and compassion they need during moments of vulnerability.
As we celebrate the return of the Oceans to Outback program, we acknowledge that this journey would not be possible without the incredible generosity of our donors and the dedication of our passionate team members. Together, we stand united in our mission to make a lasting difference in the lives of Australians in need.
With profound gratitude, we invite you to join us in this ongoing endeavor. Your continued support ensures that the RFDS can remain at the forefront of emergency medical care, providing hope and healing to those who need it most.
As we embark on another chapter of Oceans to Outback, we humbly embrace the responsibility of serving our communities and strive to make a difference, one flight at a time. Together, let us continue to bring essential healthcare to every corner of this great land, and create a brighter and healthier future for all Australians.
We’re doing something a little different with our Safety Promotion sponsorship program.
From today, we’ve refreshed the program so sponsorship opportunities are now available throughout the year, rather than the previous twice yearly offering.
Applicants can now plan further in advance, and they’re not bound to a deadline.
Applications are then reviewed in November, February and May.
The program provides a great opportunity for us to support organisations, flying clubs or individuals who are raising awareness of aviation safety in line with our safety promotion activities and priorities.
We sponsor activities with a specific focus on improving safety outcomes such as conferences, workshops, seminars, and other educational initiatives.
In most cases, sponsorship takes the form of financial support but could also include goods or services, such as information materials, communication collateral, or we could provide CASA staff to speak at a conference or event.
On the 21st May ‘23 I practiced a few engine failures after take-off, flapless circuits, glide approaches and consolidated the general technique that is operating in the circuit area. My instructor was very impressed and assessed me as ‘solo standard’ in the C172. So, my next lesson, booked in for the 3rd of June, will be a check ride followed by a circuit solo (dependent on the weather of course). Through the week I used some of my savings to purchase my own aviation headset. I am amazed at how good the noise reduction technology is and the difference it makes in the cockpit.
On 5th July ‘23 I flew solo in the 172 for the first time after only 7.9 hours in the aircraft. My instructor was very impressed with my flying and I had compliments over the radio from the tower operator as well as other pilots on the frequency on my landing. They only let me do one solo circuit on the day due to heavy traffic and we were approaching the end of our allocated circuit time. I went back today and flew solo again for approximately 30 minutes. There was a constant 12 knot headwind and gusting to a maximum of a 9 knot crosswind. My instructor still sent me solo and he said if it were any other student, he would have pulled the plug (due to the conditions), and he fact that he let me go nonetheless should be taken as a huge compliment. The landings weren’t as great this time around, but a safe landing is a good landing.
I have flown 9.2 hours with Flightscope aviation on the Brian Condon Memorial Flying Scholarship and I have thoroughly enjoyed every single second in the air. I can see how much I have improved since beginning there. Unfortunately, it appears I will only be able to have one, possibly two more lessons on the funding from the scholarship. However, I will be turning 18 in less than a month and I have already asked my relatives for a bit of money which I will then use to push me over the line to my RPL. I am very excited and can’t wait to have my licence.
Monday is the first day back at school going into term 3. I am expecting this term to be very intense focusing on the final pieces of content and revision for the external exams that are quickly approaching. Flying has been a fantastic escape from this. It‘s been refreshing to get up in the air every weekend or two and forget about calculus and chemistry momentarily and focus on flying instead.
I have attached some photos and a presentation from my recent lessons.
