Air AP / Australian Corporate Jet Centres Bombardier BD-700-1A10 Global 6000 Bizjet VH-AP7 Calls into Proserpine (Whitsunday Coast) Airport - Plus More!

On Saturday 17 January, nice Air AP / Australian Corporate Jet Centres Bombardier BD-700-1A10 Global 6000 bizjet VH-AP7 arrived into Proserpine (Whitsunday Coast) Airport from the Sunshine Coast. It then departed to Melbourne (Essendon).

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While Equipment Holding (WA) / Aeronautics and Technology Holdings P/L (NSW) Cessna 501 Citation I/SP VH-XJI arrived into Hamilton Island Airport from Cessnock.  It then departed to Archerfield and back to Cessnock.

As mentioned previously, this aircraft was previously registered N501AF.

And McDermott Aviation Group / Machjet International Cessna 525A CitationJet CJ2 bizjet VH-SUY as "Machflight 41" visited Hamilton Island Airport from the Sunshine Coast.

Photo taken by Ryan Hothersall  ©

Careflight (NT) Hawker Beechcraft B200 King Air VH-ZCN as "Careflight 27" Pops into Longreach Airport - Plus More!

On Friday 16 January, Careflight (NT) Hawker Beechcraft B200 King Air VH-ZCN as "Careflight 27" popped into Longreach Airport from Toowoomba before then departing to Mount Isa and Darwin.  It looked like it flew down from Darwin last week.

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And After arriving at Mackay Airport from Gympie the previous day, Emerald Coaches (Emerald) Piper PA-46-350P Malibu Mirage VH-ZMM departed there to Emerald Airport.  It then flew back to Mackay Airport before then flying down to Clermont Aerodrome where it looked to stay for the night.  

Finally, also on Friday 16 January, a pair of Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) Boeing B737-7ES / E-7A Wedgetail Airborne Early Warning & Control (AEW&C) aircraft were noted completing airwork at a couple of Central Queensland Airports.

A30-003 as "Mitchel 06" flew up from RAAF Base Williamtown to complete a missed approach at Mackay Airport before then completing another down at RAAF Base Amberley before then heading back to Williamtown.

And at about the same time, A30-006 as "Wedgetail 07" flew up from Williamtown to complete a missed approach at Hervey Bay (Fraser Coast) Airport before then completing more and then landing at Amberley.  It later returned to Williamtown.

Photo taken by Jonathan Williams  ©

QantasLink (National Jet Systems) Airbus A220-300 VH-X4G First Visit of Type to Rockhampton Airport BUT on a Diversion from Hamilton Island Airport - Plus More!

On Thursday 15 January, poor weather over the Whitsundays saw QantasLink (National Jet Systems) Airbus A220-300 VH-X4G operating as QLK1592 from Brisbane to Hamilton Island Airport unable to land at Hamo and divert into Rockhampton Airport.

This is the first time that am Airbus A220 has landed at Rockhampton Airport.

After taking on fuel, the A220 was unable to continue to Hamilton Island and instead re-positioned back to Brisbane as QLK7801. 

And a little later, Virgin Australia Boeing B737-800 VH-YIQ as VOZ1283 from Sydney to Hamilton Island Airport was also unable to land up there and also diverted into Rockhampton Airport.

VH-YIQ departed Rocky and was able to land at Hamilton Island Airport before it then returned down to Sydney as VOZ1282.

Meanwhile, also on Thursday 15 January, Homada Pty Ltd Cessna 560XL Citation XLS bizjet VH-XCU flew up from Melbourne (Moorabbin) and Melbourne (Essendon) to Hamilton Island Airport.

UPDATE!  On Friday 16 January, VH-XCU departed Hamilton Island Airport and returned to Essendon and then Moorabbin.

Pilatus Australia (South Australia) Pilatus PC-24 Super Versatile Jet VH-DMS looked to depart Hamilton Island Airport for Mackay Airport and then down to Cessnock.

Late in the day, Avcair LearJet 60 bizjet VH-AVL visited Mackay Airport from Brisbane.

While FlyPelican (Pelican Airlines) British Aerospace BAe Jetstream 3206 (Jetstream 32) turboprop aircraft VH-ACV completed the Fly-in Fly-out (FIFO) charter flight into Emerald Airport from Archerfield and Toowoomba-Wellcamp.  It also completed a similar flight late on Wednesday 14 January.

And LifeFlight Agusta Westland AW139 helicopter VH-XIA flying as "Rescue 599" departed Mackay Airport for Gladstone Airport and Archerfield.  It had flown up last Saturday 10 January.

Photo taken by 'AC'  ©

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese Calls into Clermont Aerodrome on RAAF Alenia C-27J Spartan A34-005 "Envoy 05" - Plus More!

On Thursday 15 January, Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) Alenia C-27J Spartan transport aircraft A34-005 as "Envoy 05" arrived into Clermont Aerodrome from RAAF Base Amberley.

It brought the Prime Minister Anthony Albanese to town to inspect the clean-up efforts following the massive flooding event which hit Clermont on Monday 12 January.

Engagements complete, A34-005 "Envoy 05" departed Clermont Aerodrome for Brisbane before later returning to Amberley.

Of interest, 'Albo' and entourage earlier touched down at RAAF Base Amberley from Sydney on board RAAF Dassault Falcon 7X bizjet A56-003 "Envoy 99".

Meanwhile, also calling into Clermont Aerodrome, also on Thursday 15 January was RAAF Beech B300 Super King Air A32-675 as "Envoy 01" which landed from Canberra.

It later departed back to Canberra.

The Super King Air appeared to bring Kristy McBain MP -  Minister for Emergency Management - to Clermont to also participate in the Prime Minister's engagements.

Finally, also on Thursday 15 January, Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) Boeing B737-7ES / E-7A Wedgetail Airborne Early Warning & Control (AEW&C) aircraft A30-002 as "Mitchell 04" flew up from RAAF Base Williamtown to complete a missed approach at Rockhampton Airport before then returning to Williamtown.

A great day!

Multiquip Poultry / Navair Flight Operations Embraer EMB-500 Phenom 100EV Bizjet VH-MQX "Navair 131" Calls into Moranbah - Plus More!

On Wednesday 14 January, Multiquip Poultry / Navair Flight Operations Embraer EMB-500 Phenom 100EV bizjet VH-MQX as "Navair 131" visited Moranbah Airport from Bankstown.

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And Careflight (NSW) Raytheon / Beech 400XT Nextant bizjet VH-OVS as "Careflight 46" landed at Longreach Airport from Newcastle (Williamtown) and then departed to Darwin.  It is due to head overseas to Bali later.

Photo taken by Neil Richardson  ©

Queensland Premier David Crisafulli Calls into Clermont Aerodrome on Crockett Aviation Group Beech B200 King Air VH-FAQ "Navair 173" - Plus More!

On Tuesday 13 January, Crockett Aviation Group Beech B200 King Air VH-FAQ as "Navair 173" landed at Clermont from Archerfield and Brisbane and this afternoon departed back to these places.

It brought the Queensland Premier David Crisafulli to town to inspect the clean-up efforts following the massive flooding event that hit Clermont on Monday 12 January.

Meanwhile, also on Tuesday 13 January, several helicopters were noted and spotted flying around the skies of Clermont and other parts of the region which are also experiencing flood emergencies in the after-math of Ex Tropical Cyclone Koji passing through Central Queensland.

Nautilus Aviation Bell Helicopter Textron Canada 412EP helicopter VH-ZVP, which landed at Mackay Airport from Townsville yesterday as "Helitak 421", flew out from there and landed at Clermont Hospital.  

Later, it hopped to Clermont Aerodrome to refuel before then departing back to Mackay Airport.

Dwyer Aviation (Tude's Choppers) Services Bell Helicopter Textron 407 VH-XFN continued to fly around the Clermont area and seemed to be based at the Bush Heli Services facility on the outskirts of the Clermont township.

UPDATE!  On Wednesday 14 January, VH-XFN was noted flying out of Emerald Airport to local mine sites.

While Bush Heli Services Bell Helicopter Textron 407 VH-PUM also flew around the Clermont area.

GB Helicopters Guimbal Cabri G2 VH-8GB looked to head North around parts of the Suttor River and Belyando River.

Elsewhere, Heli Qld Airbus Helicopters EC 130 T2 VH-WJY flew up from Toowoomba to Roma Airport and then Barcaldine Airport and Emerald Airport.  

Brisbane-based Helibras AS350B2 Esquilo VH-EQP followed a similar flight path, arriving into Emerald Airport from Toowoomba via Roma Airport.

UPDATE!  It appears that VH-WJY and VH-EQP are both currently based out of the Calibre Aviation (Central Queensland Aviation) facility just the South of the Emerald township and they looked to be completing flights to and from local mine sites.

Executive Helicopters Eurocopter AS 350 B3 Squirrel helicopter VH-YQK also arrived into Emerald Airport but from Archerfield via (possibly) Monto Aerodrome.

UPDATE!  On Wednesday 14 January, VH-YQK was also noted flying to local mine sites from and back to Emerald Airport.

Heliservices Queensland (Innisfail) Bell Helicopter Textron 206L-3 VH-HHU also arrived into Emerald Airport from Roma Airport.  It is reportedly due to continue North to Clermont.

While Nautilus Aviation Bell Helicopter Textron 212 helicopter VH-T53 was spotted at Barcaldine Airport.  It arrived from Longreach Airport and was due to depart but low cloud prevented this.

And Executive Helicopters Eurocopter AS 350 B3 Squirrel helicopter VH-DTS flew out of Mackay Airport and headed West before then flying up to the Whitsundays region.

Plus Townsville-based Forster Helicopters Bell Helicopter Textron 407 helicopter VH-DMF was also noted flying around Mackay.

Finally, also on Tuesday 13 January, Vee H Aviation (Link Airways) Beech B200GT Super King Air 250 VH-VEW visited Clermont Aerodrome from Brisbane.

Henadeck (New South Wales) Cessna 525 Citation CJ1 bizjet VH-YNE flew up to Hamilton Island Airport from the Gold Coast.  It had flown down from Hamo to the Goldie at the end of last week.

And the Central Queensland Helicopter Rescue Service (CQ Rescue) / CQ Aeromedical Leonardo AW139 helicopter VH-XQ8 flew down from Mackay Airport to Gladstone Airport and Archerfield.

Jetstar Airways Airbus A321-251NX(LR) (A321neo) VH-OYD First 'Official' Visit into CQ at Proserpine (Whitsunday Coast) Airport

On Tuesday 13 January, Jetstar Airways Airbus A321-251NX(LR) (A321neo) VH-OYD made its first 'official' visit into Central Queensland at Proserpine (Whitsunday Coast) Airport. It operated as JST840/1 from and back to Sydney.

It has previously visited CQ at Rockhampton Airport on a diversion from Brisbane in November 2024.

VH-OYD was delivered into Melbourne (Tullamarine) from Hamburg, Germany in December 2023 and entered service later in that month.

File photo taken by Tony Haynes  ©

Major Flooding in Central Queensland - Including in my Home Town of Clermont - Means Multiple Helicopter Movements into Local Airports - Plus More!

On Monday 12 January, the remnants of ex-Tropical Cyclone Koji have dumped massive rainfall and produced destructive winds across the Whitsundays, Mackay region and into the Central Highlands - including where I am based at Clermont.  Consequently, several helicopters and fixed wing aircraft have been noted flying around these places in support roles.

Townsville-based Forster Helicopters Bell Helicopter Textron 407 helicopter VH-DMF around Mackay.

Nautilus Aviation Bell Helicopter Textron Canada 412EP helicopter VH-ZVP flew down from Cairns and Townsville to Mackay Airport.

Nautilus Aviation Bell Helicopter Textron 212 VH-T53 was noted arriving into Longreach Airport.

And around Clermont was Bush Helicopters / Qld Helicopters Bell 407 VH-PUM and GB Helicopters Guimbal Cabri G2 VH-8GB which were both involved with airlift stranded residents on outlying properties.

Nautilus Aviation Bell 407 VH-VPE brought swift water rescue personnel from Mackay Airport.

And Dwyer Aviation Services Bell 407 helicopter VH-XFN also popped in.

Meanwhile, also on Monday 12 January, Western Downs Civil (Chinchilla) Raytheon B200 King Air VH-85H as "Navair 173" flew down from Bowen Aerodrome (pictured) to Mackay Airport.  It had flown up to Bowen Aerodrome from Brisbane the previous day.

After some the ground, VH-85H "Navair 173" departed Mackay Airport and returned to Brisbane. It is rumoured to have brought the Queensland Premier David Crisafulli to town.

Finally, also on Monday 12 January, Executjet Australia Bombardier CL-600-2B16 Challenger 604 bizjet VH-L2B arrived into Hamilton Island Airport from Sydney and then departed to the Shellharbour Airport at Wollongong.

Pilatus Australia (South Australia) Pilatus PC-24 Super Versatile Jet VH-DMS flew back up to Hamilton Island Airport from Toowoomba before then hopping down to Mackay Airport and then back to Hamo.  It had originally flown up from the Gold Coast over the weekend.

UPDATE!  On Wednesday 14 January, VH-DMS completed another hop to Mackay Airport and back to Hamilton Island Airport.

And Avcair LearJet 60 bizjet VH-AVL made a late visit to Longreach Airport from Brisbane.

Photo taken by James Kirk  ©

Henadeck (New South Wales) Cessna 525 Citation CJ1 bizjet VH-YNE at Hamilton Island Airport - Plus More!

On Saturday 10 January, Henadeck (New South Wales) Cessna 525 Citation CJ1 bizjet VH-YNE departed Hamilton Island Airport for the Gold Coast.  It appears to have arrived last Sunday 4 January from Bankstown - and we missed it!

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Homada Pty Ltd Cessna 560XL Citation XLS bizjet VH-XCU flew up from Melbourne (Moorabbin) to Hamilton Island Airport before then flying down to Melbourne (Essendon) and back to Moorabbin.

Pilatus Australia (South Australia) Pilatus PC-24 Super Versatile Jet VH-DMS flew up from Cessnock to Hamilton Island Airport before then flying down to Toowoomba.

Mandalay Two P/L Raytheon B300 Super King Air VH-SCQ arrived into Rockhampton Airport from Toowoomba and then departed to Archerfield and then back to Toowoomba.

It looked like VH-SCQ also visited Roma Airport last week too! 

And LifeFlight Agusta Westland AW139 helicopter VH-XIA flying as "Rescue 599" flew up from Archerfield to Bundaberg Airport, Rockhampton Airport and then Mackay Airport before it later continued on to Townsville.

We presume it is on stand-by should it be needed to assist with any rescues or the clean-up following the landfall of Tropical Cyclone Koji which has formed in North Queensland waters.

There has also been some flight disruptions and cancellations around the Whitsundays Airport with at least virgin Australia cancelling flights into Proserpine, Hamilton Island and Mackay Airports, while Townsville Airport has closed as of 1600hrs in Saturday afternoon.

Photo taken by Jayden Laing  ©

Queensland Police Service (Airwing) / Queensland Government (State of Queensland) Beech B300C Super King Air 350 VH-8PF Spotted at Mackay Airport - Plus More!

On Friday 9 January, Queensland Police Service (Airwing) / Queensland Government (State of Queensland) Beech B300C Super King Air 350 VH-8PF was spotted visiting Mackay Airport from Mount Isa.

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And fellow Police Super King Air VH-8PD was noted visiting Rockhampton Airport from Cairns.

Meanwhile, also on Friday 9 January, the locally-based Embraer EMB-550 Legacy 500 bizjet N142GZ was photographed also arriving back into Mackay Airport from the Gold Coast after it flew down there earlier in the week.

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And Mitchell Water Cessna 525 Citation M2 bizjet VH-WMY flew up from Melbourne (Moorabbin) to the Whitsunday Airport at Shute Harbour.  It then flew down to Gold Coast, Sunshine Coast, Ararat and Melbourne (Essendon) and then Moorabbin. 

Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) Alenia C-27J Spartan transport aircraft A34-005 as "Wallaby 21" flew up from RAAF Base Amberley to complete airwork at Hervey Bay (Fraser Coast) Airport before it then returned to Amberley.