Bundaberg regional council to gift land to RFDS for flight simulator

A $6 million per year injection into the Bundaberg economy is one step closer after a key council vote which ensures a Southern Hemisphere first has a new home here.

A block of land worth $405,000 will be gifted to the Royal Flying Doctor Service after the motion was moved by council.

In the ordinary council meeting on Tuesday, councillors voted unanimously to gift a block on Aviation Crescent to the RFDS which will be the home of a new flight training simulator.

Deputy Mayor Bill Trevor was unable to vote on the matter due to a conflict of interest.

The donation means the new pilot training centre will be built beside the aeromedical base next to the Bundaberg Airport.

The flight simulator is expected to inject about $6 million into the Bundaberg economy each year, with an estimated $20 million to be injected during the construction phase alone.

The RFDS recently moved to using Beechcraft King Air 360 aircraft.

The Beechcraft King Air 200 and 350 aircraft the service currently use are no longer manufactured.

As a result, there’s a need for a new flight simulator and the closest for that type of plane is located in Florida in the USA.

The simulator will be the first of its kind in the southern hemisphere.

Bundaberg Mayor Jack Dempsey said the facility would add to the repertoire of training available for emergency personnel at the Bundaberg Airport.

Royal Flying Doctor Service (Queensland Section) Chief Executive Officer Meredith Staib thanked the Bundaberg Regional Council for its generous contribution.

“The gift of land valued at $405,000 enables the RFDS to secure the land adjoining our Bundaberg Base, which was opened in April 2020,” she said.

“The new flight simulator will train our pilots and aircrew to be proficient in the Beechcraft King Air 360s, which have become the aircraft of choice for the Service.

“The new flight simulator will also be the first of its kind in the southern hemisphere.”

Ms Staib said the Commonwealth Government last year committed $15 million towards the facility through the Hinkler Regional Deal.

“Now, due to Council’s continued support of the RFDS, we can take the next step in securing land for the simulator,” she said.

“We hope to commence construction early next year and open the facility early 2023.”