High drama in the air

RFDS comes to rescue of unwell Cessna pilot

AUDIO recordings have captured the moment air traffic controllers and a Royal Flying Doctor Service pilot came to the rescue of another pilot, who is believed to have suffered a medical issue while flying from Cairns to Redcliffe.

The pilot, in a Cessna 208, was meant to land at Redcliffe airport but was spotted by air traffic control after he failed to land.

A Royal Flying Doctor Service pilot approached the plane trying to ascertain if the pilot was OK.

Recordings reveal the pilot was at first unresponsive to visual signals and attempts at radio communication. Eventually he comes through.

It is clear from the recordings he is groggy and slurring his words.

Despite this the pilot tells an air traffic controller he is “feeling fine” and wants to proceed back to Redcliffe Airport. After a bit of discussion air traffic control convince him to land at the much closer Gold Coast Airport.

“You have been off radio for quite a while and you don’t sound that great to us on the radio at the moment so we would really prefer if you were to land at the Gold Coast now, especially given your remaining fuel,” the traffic controller says.

“We need you to land at an aerodrome with emergency services just as a precaution and Gold Coast is the closest.”

The RFDS pilot follows the plane until it lands safely.

A Royal Flying Doctor Service spokesman said: “We were more than happy to assist on this occasion and delighted that the aircraft was able to land safely.”

A RAAF Wedgetail was also on standby to escort the aircraft if needed.

WE WERE MORE THAN HAPPY TO ASSIST ON THIS OCCASION AND DELIGHTED THAT THE AIRCRAFT WAS ABLE TO LAND SAFELY RFDS SPOKESMAN