Key Facts
| Current Title: |
| Sunshine Coast Helicopter Rescue Service |
| English Title: |
| Sunshine Coast Helicopter Rescue Service |
| Abbreviation: |
| SCHRS |
| First Established: |
| ? |
| ICAO Code: |
| (None) |
| Country: |
| Australia |
| Status: |
| Merged |
History
Narrative Summary
Sunshine Coast Helicopter Rescue Service (SCHRS) was incorporated in November 1979 and began flying operations the following month. Initially based at the Big Cow at Yandina, Queensland, in 1983 the helicopter moved to the Sunshine Coast Airport. A second helicopter was obtained in 1985, and a third in 1997. In 1998 the original helicopter was deployed to Bundaberg on a 3-year trial basis. The trial was a success and the Bundaberg base made permanent. In July 2013 the service merged with the similar CareFlight operation further down the coast.
Key Dates
| 21 November 1979 | Sunshine Coast Helicopter Rescue Service (SCHRS) incorporated. | |
| 15 December 1979 | SCHRS starts flying. | |
| 1983 | Base moved to Sunshine Coast Airport. | |
| 1985 | Second helicopter obtained. | |
| March 1998 | Start of trial period for a Bundaberg-based helicopter. | |
| 1998 | Service renamed Energex Community Rescue Helicopter. | |
| July 2001 | Bundaberg helicopter made permanent. | |
| 2006 | New base facilities opened. | |
| 2009 | Service renamed AGL Action Rescue Helicopter. | |
| July 2013 | SCHRS merges with CareFlight. |
Current Status
The SCHRS merged with Careflight in 2013, and is no longer a separate organisation.
Future Plans
Not applicable.
Markings
Special Markings
The SCHRS helicopters have changes colour schemes a number of times, thanks to changes in sponsorship. In the Energex period they had an overall white scheme with a blue and green marking based on the Energex logo, and ‘energex Community Rescue’ titles on the fuselage sides. In the AGL period they had an overall white scheme with areas of blue and red on the fuselage, with AGL ACTION RESCUE titles on the cabin doors.
Aircraft Serial Numbers
The helicopters carried Australian civil aircraft registrations, e.g. BK117 VH-BKV.
Unit/Base Codes
Coding system not used.
Aircraft
Aircraft Designations
None – Manufacturers designations used
Current Aircraft Inventory
Not applicable.
All-Time Aircraft Used List
| Aircraft Type | Quantity | Service Entry | Out of Service | Origin |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bell 206 JetRanger | 1 | 1979 | 2001 | USA |
| Bell 206L LongRanger | 1 | 1985 | 2013 | USA |
| MBB BK117B | 1 | 1997 | 2013 | Japan |
| MBB BK117C | 1 | ? | 2013 | Germany |
Aircraft NOT Used
No false reports known.
Aircraft Losses and Incidents
None known.
Organisation
Main Headquarters
Sunshine Coast Helicopter Rescue Service, Sunshine Coast Airport, Marcoola, Queensland.
Organisational Structure
No subordinate units.
Current Unit Assignments
No subordinate units.
Historical Unit Assignments
Historical Unit Assignments 2013
All-Time Flying Units List
Not applicable.
Air Bases
Current Air Bases
The helicopters were based at Sunshine Coast Airport (Marcoola) and Bundaberg.
All-Time Air Bases Used List
To be added.
More Information
Books
None known.
Magazines
To be added
Websites
wikipedia: Energex Rescue Helicopter
NERGEX boosts sponsorship to rescue helicopter service
CQ Plane Spotting
Sunshine Coast Helicopter Rescue Service
Sunshine Coast Helicopter Rescue Service