A trainee pilot has made a courageous landing on two wheels at a small airport in Victoria's north after he lost a wheel during take off.

The 21-year-old pilot was forced to circle above Mangalore Airport, near Nagambie, in an effort to burn enough fuel to attempt the landing.

The aircraft made an emergency landing at Mangalore Airport. Credit:Mark Jesser

An airport spokesman said earlier that pilots had successfully landed on two wheels before but that it was very difficult to do so. Normally pilots would have three wheels when landing a light plane.

Emergency crews, including a fire truck, were on standby at the airport about 120 kilometres north of Melbourne.