Search for Trans-Pacific Rower Stranded in Seas Whipped up by Cyclone Alfred Brings AMSA Challenger 604 VH-XNF "Rescue 550" to Rockhampton Airport Plus ADF Support

Across the weekend, a search was launched for Lithuanian national Aurimas Mockus who is in a row-boat, some 740km off the coast of Mackay.  He was attempting to cross the ocean between San Diego and Brisbane, but reportedly ran into trouble on Friday night in massive seas being whipped up Tropical Cyclone Alfred.

Consequently, on Saturday 1 March, Australian Maritime Safety Authority (AMSA) (Cobham SAR Services Pty Ltd) Bombardier CL-600-2B16 Challenger 604 bizjet VH-XNF as "Rescue 550" flew up from Melbourne (Essendon) to Rockhampton Airport before embarking on a near-6-hour search mission.  It then landed back at Rockhampton Airport and departed back to Essendon on Sunday 2 March.

UPDATE!  VH-XNF "Resue 550" returned to the region, again landing at Rockhampton Airport, in the wee small hours of Monday 3 March as the rescue looked to take place.

Also landing at Rockhampton Airport, also on Sunday 2 March, was fellow AMSA Bombardier CL-600-2B16 Challenger 604 bizjet VH-XNC as "Rescue 440" which flew down from Cairns and also patrolled the search area.  It later returned to Cairns but looks to be due to return to Rockhampton Airport on Monday 3 March.

Finally, during the evening on Saturday 1 March, Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) Boeing P-8A Poseidon Maritime Surveillance Aircraft A47-009 as "Rescue 251" flew up from RAAF Base Edinburgh to the search area before it then landed at Townsville - after an 8+ hour flight.

It looked to return to Edinburgh on Sunday 2 March.

Finally, the Royal Australian Navy (RAN) amphibious Bay Class Landing Ship Dock (LSD) ship HMAS Choules has set sail from Brisbane to the search area in an effort to rescue the stranded the rower.

UPDATE!  On Monday 3 March, sailors from HMAS Choules completed the rescue!  Good news!

Photo taken by Tony Haynes  ©

Additional Images from Defence...

Asia Pacific Airlines (PNG) (Cobham Aviation) Dash-8-100 P2-NAX Passes Through Longreach Airport - Plus More!

On Saturday 1 March, Papua New Guinea based Asia Pacific Airlines Dash-8-100 P2-NAX was noted passing through Longreach Airport. It arrived from Cairns and later departed to Adelaide (pictured) where it appears to be going for planned maintenance.

Asia Pacific Airlines is based in Tabubil, Papua New Guinea. It is a subsidiary of Cobham Aviation and the Dash-8's arrival into Adelaide is presumably to undergo maintenance.

Asia Pacific Airlines operates a fleet of three Dash-8-100 aircraft on domestic services, as well as flights to Cairns on behalf of Ok Tedi Mining Limited of which P2-NAX wears the colours and titles.

Meanwhile, also on Saturday 1 March, there was a pair of Rugby League sports charter flights into the region.  QantasLink (Alliance Airlines) Embraer E-190 jet VH-UZK flew down from Townsville to Rockhampton Airport as QFA6281 before returning to Townsville as QFA2693.  It later returned to Rockhampton Airport as QF2692 before then heading back to Townsville as QFA6282.

And Alliance Airlines Fokker F-100 jet VH-UQW flew from Cairns to Mackay Airport and back to Cairns as UTY3381/2 before later flying back to Mackay Airport and then back to Cairns as UTY3383/4.

Photo taken by Tony Haynes  ©

Aerotech Aircraft Holdings (Aerotech Helicopters) Pickering Aviation (Sikorsky) UH-60A Black Hawk helicopter VH-UHS "Helitack 513" Arrives into Bundabreg Airport - Plus More!

On Friday 28 February, Aerotech Aircraft Holdings (Aerotech Helicopters) Pickering Aviation (Sikorsky) UH-60A Black Hawk helicopter VH-UHS "Helitack 513" was noted landing at Bundaberg Airport.  It looked to fly up from Adelaide (Parafield), Mildura, Griffith, Dubbo, Moree and Toowoomba.

It has since been reported that the Black Hawk has arrived into Queensland in preparation for relief efforts following the expected landfall of Tropical Cyclone Alfred which is presently off the Queensland coast.

While the Queensland Government (State of Queensland) Beech B300C Super King Air 350 VH-8PH arrived into Rockhampton Airport from Cairns and then departed to Brisbane. 

And a fan-favourite with Piper PA-30 Twin Comanche B VH-SEX arriving into Rockhampton Airport from Pittsworth and Toowoomba.  It later returned to Pittsworth.

Finally, also on Friday 28 February, a pair of Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) Boeing C-17A Globemaster III transport aircraft were noted flying together in the region at low level while on a flight out of and back to RAAF Base Amberley.  

They were noted to be A41-208 and A41-210 and flew as "Charger" up from Amberley to North-East of Mackay at flight levels before they then turned inland to descend to low level and then flew down to West of Rockhampton before climbing back to flight levels and returning to Amberley.

Photo taken by Neil Richardson  ©

McDermott Aviation Group Bell 214ST Helicopter N726HT Pops into CQ Airports - Plus More!

On Thursday 27 February, lovely big McDermott Aviation Group Bell 214ST Helicopter N726HT was  noted arriving into Rockhampton Airport from Noosa.  It then departed to Mackay Airport before later returning to Rockhampton Airport and then heading back to the Sunshine Coast area.

While Link Airways (Corporate Air / Vee H Aviation) Metro 23 turboprop VH-VET visited Rockhampton Airport from Brisbane.

And Jampair P/L (Navair Flight Operations) Embraer EMB-505 Phenom 300E bizjet VH-NSQ as "Navair 131" landed at Emerald Airport from Armidale and later departed to Bankstown.

Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) Boeing B737-7ES / E-7A Wedgetail A30-004 "Wedgetail 12" Completes Airwork at Hervey Bay (Fraser Coast) Airport - Plus More!

On Thursday 27 February, Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) Boeing B737-7ES / E-7A Wedgetail Airborne Early Warning & Control (AEW&C) aircraft A30-004 as "Wedgetail 12" was noted completing airwork, including a missed approach, at Hervey Bay (Fraser Coast) Airport.

File photo

It looked to flew up from RAAF Base Williamtown via a missed approach at Coffs Harbour before then flying back to Williamtown.

Meanwhile, also on Thursday 27 February, the two Australian Army Eurocopter (ARH) Tiger Armed Reconnaissance Helicopters A38-007 and A38-008 that flew North a week or-so prior, returned to Rockhampton Airport from Townsville again as "Marlin 11". They then departed to the Oakey Army Aviation Centre.

And Australian Army (Helicorp) Leonardo S.P.A. Helicopters (Agusta) AW139 helicopter VH-YBF was spotted at Rockhampton Airport while ferrying South from Townsville to the Oakey Army Aviation Centre.

It was heard to be flying as "Warhorse 1".

Sincere thanks to local photographer Steve V for allowing us to share these great photos!

Photos taken by Scott Harris and Steve Vit  ©

Re-Registered XPJet / Australian Corporate Jet Centres Raytheon Hawker 800XP Bizjet VH-OTK Arrives into Rockhampton Airport - Plus More!

On Wednesday 26 February, re-registered XPJet / Australian Corporate Jet Centres Raytheon Hawker 800XP bizjet VH-OTK was spotted arriving into Rockhampton Airport from Melbourne (Essendon).

The Hawker looked to be re-registered at the start of the month and previous operated for the (Singapore) Seletar Jet Charter out of Singapore.

UPDATE!  On Thursday 27 February, VH-OTK departed Rockhampton Airport and returned to Essendon.  

While Falconair (NSW) Dassault 900 Falcon Mystere bizjet VH-CAD flew into Hamilton Island Airport from Bankstown.

UPDATE!  On Saturday 1 March, VH-CAD departed Hamo and flew to Sydney and then back to Bankstown.

And Darwin-based Lloyd Aviation Jet Charter Dassault Falcon 900 bizjet VH-PPD departed Hamilton Island Airport for Sydney.  It had arrived from Ayres Rock over the weekend.

Meanwhile, also on Wednesday 26 February, Rural Funds Management (A.C.T.) Pilatus PC-12/47E VH-STE arrived into Rockhampton Airport from Bundaberg Airport.  It later returned to Bundy before flying down to Canberra.

Flight One (Services) Beech B200 King Air VH-FON flew up from Archerfield to Bundaberg Airport and then down to Toowoomba and back to Archerfield.

And Seair Pacific / Istlecote Cessna 208 Caravan VH-LMD flew up from Hervey Bay (Fraser Coast) Airport to Middlemount Aerodrome before later flying down to Maryborough Airport and back to Hervey Bay Airport.

Finally, also on Wednesday 26 February, Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) Boeing B737-7ES / E-7A Wedgetail Airborne Early Warning & Control (AEW&C) aircraft A30-004 as "Mitchel 06" flew up to the Whitsunday area at flight level while on a flight from and back to RAAF Base Williamtown.

Photo taken by Steve Vit  ©

Red Diamond Aviation (Sydney) American Registered Cirrus G2+ Vision Jet N806PM Arrives into Hamilton Island Airport - UPDATED!! - Plus More!

On Tuesday 25 February, a nice visitor to the region with fairly recently registered (November 2024) Cirrus G2+ Vision Jet N806PM arriving into Hamilton Island Airport from what seems to be its Bankstown base.

The smart little Cirrus corporate jet was placed in the American Aircraft Register in November 2024 with the registration holder being Red Daimond Aviation in Sydney.  It looked to be delivered to Bankstown Aerodrome in late January.

Of interest, N806PM looked to make its first visit to CQ on Sunday 26 January when it visited Charleville Airport, arriving from the Sunshine Coast and departing to Adelaide.

UPDATE!  On Friday 28 February, N806PM departed Hamilton Island Airport for Cairns.

UPDATE!  Photo added of N806PM still parked at Cairns in early March!!

Meanwhile, also on Tuesday 25 February, Austrek Aviation Beech B200 King Air VH-ZMW visited Rockhampton Airport yet again from Toowoomba.

The Queensland Government Airwing (State of Queensland) Raytheon B300 Super King Air VH-SGQ flew into Rockhampton Airport from Brisbane and then departing to Townsville.  It flew back to Brisbane later in the day.  VH-SGQ flew South from Townsville to Brisbane via Rocky the previous day.

And Rural Funds Management (A.C.T.) Pilatus PC-12/47E VH-STE flew up from Canberra to Bundaberg Airport and then Emerald Airport before returning to Bundy later in the day.

Finally, on Monday 24 February, Bowenville based (operated by Real Time Aviation - Brisbane) Cessna 525 CitationJet CJ1+ bizjet VH-JSZ flew out from Archerfield to Dalby then up to Clermont Aerodrome and Natal Downs.

RDO Equipment Co. Pilatus PC-12/47 VH-WPH visited Emerald Airport from its Toowoomba base.

Kelsall P/L (Aeronautics and Technology Holdings) Pilatus PC-12/45 VH-PID visited Rockhampton Airport from Toowoomba.

And the Queensland Government (QGAir) Rescue (State of Queensland) Agusta AW139 helicopter VH-ESZ landed at Rockhampton Airport from Archerfield then departed to Townsville.

Photo taken by Jonathan Williams  ©

Australian Army Boeing CH-47F Chinook Helicopter A15-312 "Madcow 362" Spotted at Mackay Airport on Rescue Mission for Army Tiger ARH Helicopter at Clairview

On Sunday 23 February, Australian Army Boeing CH-47F 'Foxtrot' Chinook helicopter A15-312 as "Madcow 362" flew down from Townsville to Clairview between Rockhampton and Mackay.  

It is believed that it flew down the coast at low level and landed at Clairview to assist with getting a stranded Australian Army Eurocopter (ARH) Tiger Armed Reconnaissance Helicopter A38-007 "Marlin 11" back in the air after a forced landed on Friday 21 February.  The Tiger was one of two that flew North on Friday from the Oakey Army Aviation Centre to Rockhampton Airport and then Townsville.

Later, A15-302 "Madcow 362" flew into Mackay Airport where it was photographed above.  It later departed back down to Clairview before later flying back to Townsville in company with the Tiger A38-007 "Marlin 11" which also headed up to Townsville.

Meanwhile, also on Sunday 23 February, Darwin-based Lloyd Aviation Jet Charter Dassault Falcon 900 bizjet VH-PPD flew into Hamilton Island Airport from Ayres Rock.  It had flown there from Melbourne (Essendon) a couple days prior

UPDATE!  On Wednesday 26 February, VH-PPD departed Hamo for Sydney.

Vee H Aviation (Link Airways) Beech B200GT Super King Air 250 VH-VEW flew up from Brisbane to the Newlands Coal Mine site and then down to Rockhampton Airport and back to Brisbane. 

UPDATE!  On Monday 24 February, VH-VEW landed at Clermont Aerodrome from Brisbane before then heading to the Newlands Coal Mine site and then down to Moree. 

Finally, on Saturday 22 February, Alliance Airlines Fokker F-100 VH-XWO completed a sports charter flight from Cairns to Rockhampton Airport and then back as UTY3381/2.

And Skytrans Airlines Cessna 208 Caravan VH-XDU as 'SKP591' passed through Rockhampton Airport while flying down from Cairns to Redcliffe.

A Pair of Australian Army Tiger ARH Helicopters Pass Through Rockhampton Airport Heading North - But One Makes Forced Landing near Clairview

On Friday 21 February, a pair of Australian Army Eurocopter (ARH) Tiger Armed Reconnaissance Helicopters were spotted passing through Rockhampton Airport. They were identified as A38-008 and A38-007 and looked to arrive from the Oakey Army Aviation Centre.

Both Tigers later departed heading to Townsville, but it seems only A38-008 made it with A38-007 seemingly making a forced landed around the Clairview area, mid-way between Rockhampton and Mackay.

Of interest, the two Tigers were heard to be using the radio callsign of "Marlin" ("Marlin 11/12") which of reportedly of the Australian Army's 162 Reconnaissance Squadron, which forms part of the Army’s 1st Aviation Regiment (1 AVN) based at Robertson Barracks in Darwin.

Sincere thanks to local photographer Steve V for allowing us to share these great photos!

All photos taken by Steve Vit  ©

Air Link (Dubbo) Cessna 510 Citation Mustang Bizjet VH-SEQ Calls into Rockhampton Airport - Plus More!

On Friday 21 February, Air Link (Dubbo) Cessna 510 Citation Mustang bizjet VH-SEQ visited Rockhampton Airport from Archerfield and the Sunshine Coast.

File photo

Mitchell Water Cessna 525 Citation M2 bizjet VH-WMY flew up from Melbourne (Moorabbin) and Ararat to Mackay Airport before it then continued up to Townsville.  VH-WMY then flew back to Moorabbin.

Of interest, VH-WMY has also visited Chinchilla Aerodrome and Roma Airport over the last couple of days.

And LifeFlight (Aeromed) Canadair CL-600-2B16 Challenger 604 bizjet VH-OFC "Ambulance 634" flew up from Brisbane to Rockhampton Airport and Emerald Airport before returning to Rocky and then Brisbane.

UPDATE!  On Saturday 22 February, VH-OFC "Ambulance 634" visited Mackay Airport from Brisbane.

Photo taken by Ryan Hothersall  ©