Police say a helicopter has spotted debris in the ocean off the Gold Coast as emergency services continue their search for a Soviet-era Yak 52 plane that went missing on Wednesday afternoon near South Stradbroke Island.

Key points: The head of Southport Flying Club said the plane's pilot was "very experienced"

The head of Southport Flying Club said the plane's pilot was "very experienced" The search is underway near South Stradbroke Island

The search is underway near South Stradbroke Island The same model plane crashed between North and South Stradbroke islands in 2008

It is the same model plane that crashed in a similar location in 2008, claiming two lives.

The Australian Maritime Safety Authority (AMSA) confirmed on Wednesday afternoon it had started a search and rescue response for the missing aircraft in the vicinity of South Stradbroke Island.

AMSA is working with local authorities to determine if the debris is that of the missing plane.

"AMSA can confirm a coastline search party, arranged with the assistance of Queensland Police, located debris on the coast of South Stradbroke Island at approximately 5:30pm," the authority said in a statement.

"Air Traffic Control contacted AMSA at about 1:15pm to report that the missing plane with two people on board had failed to return after departing Southport airfield on a 30-minute scenic flight at 10:00am," AMSA said earlier.

"AMSA is currently sourcing aerial assets to conduct a search along the aircraft's most likely route."

Southport Airport is actually located in Coombabah, north of Southport, and is home to the Southport Flying Club.

Southport Flying Club president Neil Aitkenhead said the pilot of the Yak 52 was a regular at the airstrip and "very experienced".

"It's always bad news to hear and until we know more, there's not a lot we can do," he said.

Mr Aitkenhead said the conditions had been "perfect" for flying and the aircraft was "very reliable, solid and Russian-built".

The Yak 52 is a Soviet-era training aircraft often used for aerobatics and scenic flights.

There has been no contact with the missing aircraft since it was reported missing.

In April 2008, Brisbane pilot Barry Hempel and a passenger died when Hempel crashed his Yak 52 near Jumpinpin Bar, between North and South Stradbroke islands.