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 has been used to light country airstrips for years.

Last night the Royal Flying Doctor Service (RFDS) was called to the Saxby Round — Up (an annual camp draft, rodeo and gymkhana event) about 180km north of Julia Creek.

The man was picked up about 9.30pm. And because there was no formal lighting system at the remote airstrip, two rows of flaming toilet rolls lit the way for a safe landing.

In the absence of runway lighting, 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 served with appropriate lighting and illuminated windsocks, occasionally people requiring assistance were not within proximity 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 land holders 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 transported man was flown to Townsville Hospital in a serious condition.