The Royal Flying Doctor Service of Australia (RFDS) uses specially approved sections of outback highways as emergency airstrips when conventional runways are unavailable or too far from a medical retrieval location.
Roadside signs marked “RFDS Emergency Airstrip” identify road sections that can be temporarily used for aircraft operations. These stretches are selected for their long, straight and relatively smooth surfaces, allowing aircraft to safely land and take off when required.
Recently, a highway near Birdsville, Queensland, was transformed into a temporary landing strip during a night medical retrieval operation. The operation highlights the unique challenges of providing emergency medical services across Australia’s vast and remote outback.