Cooma–Polo_Flat_Airport

Cooma–Polo Flat Airport

Cooma–Polo Flat Airport

Airport in Polo Flat, New South Wales

Cooma–Polo Flat Airport (ICAO: YPFT) is an unlicensed airfield located in Polo Flat, an industrial area of Cooma, New South Wales, Australia. The airfield is used primarily for recreational flying. Polo Flat is at a lower elevation than the nearby Cooma–Snowy Mountains Airport and is less prone to closure during bad weather and fog.[2]

Quick Facts Summary, Airport type ...

History

Polo Flat airfield was established by 1921, when the aviation pioneer Charles Kingsford Smith arrived at the landing ground on a barnstorming visit to the region.[3] In the 1950s and 60s, the airfield was further developed to service the Snowy Mountains Scheme and the original hangars and terminal building are still in use today.[4]

In 1998, the 57 ha (140 acres) site was sold by the Snowy Mountains Hydro-electric Authority for private use. In 2001, the facilities were adapted by the new owners to provide facilities for training pilots with disabilities through the "Wheelies with Wings" charity organisation.[4] In 2003 a flying school, Snowy Aviation Academy, was established at the site.[5]

Current operations

Polo Flat airport is currently closed to fixed wing aircraft.

Accidents and incidents

  • On 20 May 1976, a Pilatus PC-6 Turbo Porter aircraft, registration VH-SMB owned by the Snowy Mountains Hydroelectric Authority struck a radio tower and crashed on approach to Polo Flat, killing all four on board.[6]

See also

References

  1. [1]
    YPFT – Polo Flat (PDF). AIP En Route Supplement from Airservices Australia, effective 21 March 2024
  2. [2]
    Parliament of New South Wales Legislative Assembly, 2002, Third Session of the Fifty-Second Parliament – Questions and Answers Archived 10 April 2012 at the Wayback Machine
  3. [3]
    "Weekly Bulletin – The Rotary Club of Cooma Inc" (PDF). Archived from the original (PDF) on 3 February 2016. Retrieved 26 May 2012.
  4. [4]
    High Flyers – People with disabilities take to the air
  5. [5]
    "Cooma a Centre for Recreational Flying" (PDF). Archived from the original (PDF) on 20 March 2012. Retrieved 26 May 2012.
  6. [6]
    Pilatus PC/6B1 Series H2 'Porter' VH-SMB, Polo Flat, New South Wales, 20 May 1976
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