Missing pilot didn't make contact during Bass Strait flight, search authority says
Concerns were raised about 5pm on Saturday when the plane, with the man in his 70s and woman in her 60s on board, failed to arrive in Central Western NSW.
The aircraft was headed to Hillston Airport, west of Condobolin, via Leongatha.
The Australian Maritime Safety Authority (AMSA) is coordinating a search in Bass Strait and northern Tasmania with police for the couple and their plane.
In a statement, AMSA said the search was ongoing throughout the day on Sunday until "last light" and resumed at 8am on Monday.
George Town-based flight instructor Eugene Reid said flights across Bass Strait were required to make contact with air authorities.
"You have to do scheduled reporting," he said.
"On leaving the coast, they should have called up air services."
An AMSA spokesperson said the pilot had made no contact with authorities, but it was not clear if the plane disappeared before such contact was required.
AMSA is urging anyone in George Town or travelling Bass Strait to "keep a sharp lookout for any signs of a light aircraft or its occupants, and if safe to do so, render assistance".
It said four aircraft, including AMSA's Challenger jet, the Tasmania Police helicopter and two planes, as well as water craft, were involved in the search today and were focusing on an area in Bass Strait and northern Tasmania.
Neither they, nor Tasmania Police, have yet released details about the make and model of the plane, or the identities of the couple on board.
At a press conference on Sunday, Tasmania Police's Nicholas Clark said the experienced pilot was flying a "bright green" plane he purchased "three to four months ago".
Mr Reid said it was not a legal requirement for small planes to have automatic satellite tracking devices installed.
"You can take off in an aircraft and fly across Bass Strait, making your radio calls and the only thing you have to carry is an EPIRB [emergency beacon] like they have on a boat," Mr Reid said.
"[That] sets off an emergency signal to a satellite if anything goes wrong.
He also said the George Town Airport does not necessarily have a record of the pilot's plans.
The Civil Aviation Safety Authority has been approached for further comment about the legal requirements of pilots of private planes.
Anyone with information is urged to contact the AMSA response Centre on 02 6279 5700.
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