Dunny paper rescue beacon

FLAMING toilet paper has guided a Royal Flying Doctor Service pilot to a safe landing in North Queensland.

The concept of having rows of burning rolls of loo paper may seem odd to some but the technique has been used to light country airstrips for years.

On Sunday night the Royal Flying Doctor Service ( RFDS) was called to the Saxby Round - Up – an annual campdraft, rodeo and gymkhana event about 180km north of Julia Creek.

An injured man was picked up about 9.30pm. Because there was no formal lighting system at the remote airstrip, two rows of flaming toilet rolls lit the way for the RFDS pilot.

Flaming toilet rolls are often used as effective lighting to guide aircraft in on remote airstrips.

The toilet rolls are often soaked in kerosene and placed in coffee tins lining the airstrip.

RFDS Queensland head of flying operations Shane Lawrey said the service conducted about half of its operations at night and while a lot of aerodromes were serviced with appropriate lighting and illuminated windsocks, occasionally people requiring assistance were not close enough to these well- established airstrips.

“In these circumstances, carefully considered improvisations are made in communication with the RFDS in order to sufficiently, and safely, light the airstrip,” he said.

“This may involve soaking toilet rolls in kerosene, and placing them inside used coffee or food tins, and using them to outline the airstrip.

“Fortunately we have extremely talented, world- class pilots at the RFDS who can navigate these tough landing conditions. However we strongly encourage aerodrome operators and landholders to upgrade their facilitates at every opportunity to assist the RFDS in providing the 24/ 7 aeromedical mantle of safety to regional and remote people of Australia.”

The man was flown to Townsville Hospital in a serious condition.