Royal Flying Doctor Service pilots from across Australia and Asia will soon be heading to Bundaberg for their flight training.

Federal Member for Hinkler Keith Pitt joined with Royal Flying Doctor Service Queensland chief executive officer Meredith Staib today for the sod turning on the Aviation Training Facility.

“It’s fantastic to be here today to see work start on this facility. As part of the Hinkler Regional Deal, the Coalition Government invested $15 million in this project to add another string to the bow of the local economy.

“RFDS pilots from across Australia will come here to train on the Beechcraft King Air 360s flight simulator and they’ll all need somewhere to sleep, eat and shop, which will give a boost to the region.

“I’m pleased to see another Hinkler Regional Deal coming to fruition and look forward to the additional jobs it will bring during construction and once its operational.”

Ms Staib said today’s sod was an important milestone for the Flying Doctors.

“I’m incredibly excited to see work commence on our new Aviation Training Facility which will help support the ongoing training of our highly skilled pilots, as well as pilots from across Australia and Asia,” she said.

“This purpose-built facility will play a vital role as we head towards 100 years of the Flying Doctor, with innovative aviation and training technology on our doorstep helping to ensure the continuity of world-class training for our pilots and crew – allowing them to continue to provide the finest care to patients right across Queensland.”

QCoal Foundation announced in March 2022 it would commit $3 million to the flight training facility.

The Hinkler Regional Deal saw an investment of $172 million from the then Coalition Government for transformational projects across the Hinkler electorate.

A number of regional deal projects have been completed including an upgrade to Hervey Bay Airport and overtaking lanes on the Isis Highway. The Fraser Coast Hospice and Hinkler AgTech Initiative are open, and work is underway on the Boundary Road extension in Hervey Bay and the multi-use conveyor at the Port of Bundaberg.