At about 1200 (AEDT) a single engine aircraft with one person on board took off from Katoomba airfield.
At about 1715 (AEDT) an acquaintance of the pilot contacted AMSA Search and Rescue to report that the aircraft had failed to return to Katoomba.
The pilot is believed to have been conducting circuits in the area surrounding Katoomba airfield.
AMSA has tasked two helicopters, Ambulance RESCUE 23 and POLAIR 25 from Bankstown, and AMSA’s Essendon based Dornier 328 search and rescue aircraft.
The aircraft have been searching in the vicinity of Katoomba.
Helicopter RESCUE 23 will undertake a further search in the Katoomba area this evening using Night Vision systems.
Search efforts will expand tomorrow morning, if the overdue aircraft is not located tonight.
More details will be released once available.