WA Police Air Wing adds Pilatus PC-24 business jet

By Andrew Curran.

The Western Australia Police Force Air Wing has taken delivery of a Pilatus PC-24 business jet, which Police Commissioner Col Blanch says is the most advanced police aircraft in Australia and will allow police to rapidly deploy resources across the nation's largest state.

"We have the largest police jurisdiction on the planet," said Police Minister Reece Whitby. "It's important that the police have an aircraft that can get them to all parts of the state at a moment's notice."

The brand-new business jet, registered as VH-WPF (msn 630), is registered to the State of Western Australia, represented by the Commissioner of Police. The aircraft is leased through Pilatus Aircraft Australia Pty Ltd. It can carry eight passengers and up to one tonne of cargo and has a range of around 3,700 kilometres.

PC-24 enable improved police response for remote communities

The aircraft will be used to respond to criminal incidents, search and rescue operations, accidents and natural disasters. It has been acquired by the state government under a five-year lease valued at AUD22.3 million (USD15.8 million).

"The communities that live in the far reaches of the state deserve and quite rightly expect the capabilities of the Western Australia Police Force that are largely based in the Perth metropolitan area," Blanch said.

"(The PC-24's) 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."

An upgrade to the Air Wing's existing fleet

The jet is one of several aircraft operated by the Western Australia Police Force Air Wing. According to Civil Aviation Safety Authority data, the Air Wing also operates three Pilatus PC-12s, one Cessna 208 Caravan and one Airbus H145 D-3 helicopter.

Blanch said the PC-24 can fly non-stop from Perth to Kununurra, approximately 2,200 kilometres to the north, in about three hours. Previous Air Wing aircraft took around six hours to make the same journey.

"When we do law enforcement from the sky, we are able to make our ground units safer," Blanch said. "We can provide better situational awareness."

Following final commissioning, the aircraft is expected to enter operational service in the coming weeks.

Photo: WA Police.
Contact the writer: andrew@aerosouthpacific.com