Medical flights into and out of Mallacoota are now in limbo after it was discovered the certification on the airfield has lapsed.
East Gippsland Shire is responsible for the airport’s certification and it was by chance that a pilot discovered it was no longer valid after attempting to land at the airport last week for a mercy pilot.
Mount Beauty pilot, John Hillard, was flying into Mallacoota recently after a request by Angel Flight to fly a man, in his 70s, for a regular medical appointment in Canberra.
“As I proceeded to fly in I was amazed, when I checked the NOTAMS, that the two instrument approaches at Mallacoota had recently been withdrawn due to the airport no longer being certified,” he said.