Neha Patil (Editor)

Cooma–Polo Flat Airport

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Airport type
  
Public

Elevation AMSL
  
2,701 ft / 823 m

Serves
  
Cooma, New South Wales

12/30
  
663

Cooma–Polo Flat Airport

Owner
  
Cooma Polo Flat Holdings Pty Ltd

Location
  
Polo Flat, New South Wales

Address
  
Polo Flat NSW 2630, Australia

Similar
  
Snowy Mountains Airport, Cromwell House, Snowy Monaro Regional, Alkira Motel, Cooma Country Club Mot

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.

Contents

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 and the Snowy Aviation Academy constitute an approved Recreational Aviation Australia flight training facility. It offers training and aircraft hire as well as secure hangarage for private aircraft and a friendly community of aviation enthusiasts.

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 three on board.
  • References

    Cooma–Polo Flat Airport Wikipedia