Cooma–Polo Flat Airport
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. 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.
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. In 2003 a flying school, Snowy Aviation Academy, was established at the site.
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.
See also
References
- ^ YPFT – Polo Flat (PDF). AIP En Route Supplement from Airservices Australia, effective 13 June 2024
- ^ 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
- ^ "Weekly Bulletin – The Rotary Club of Cooma Inc" (PDF). Archived from the original (PDF) on 3 February 2016. Retrieved 26 May 2012.
- ^ High Flyers – People with disabilities take to the air
- ^ "Cooma a Centre for Recreational Flying" (PDF). Archived from the original (PDF) on 20 March 2012. Retrieved 26 May 2012.
- ^ Pilatus PC/6B1 Series H2 'Porter' VH-SMB, Polo Flat, New South Wales, 20 May 1976
