RAAF Boeing B737-7ES / E-7A Wedgetail A30-003 "Mitchel 01" Completes a Missed Approach at Hervey Bay (Fraser Coast) Airport

On Monday 10 February, Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) Boeing B737-7ES / E-7A Wedgetail Airborne Early Warning & Control (AEW&C) aircraft A30-003 was noted completing a missed approach at Hervey Bay (Fraser Coast) Airport.

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A30-003 was flying as "Mitchel 01" and looked to visit Hervey Bay Airport from RAAF Base Williamtown near Newcastle in New South Wales.

Photo taken by David Geck  ©

A Third Republic of Singapore Air Force (RSAF) Boeing CH-47F 'Foxtrot' Chinook Helicopter Passes Through Rockhampton Airport Heading to Townsville

On Friday 7 February, a third Republic of Singapore Air Force (RSAF) Boeing CH-47F 'Foxtrot' Chinook helicopter '88165' was noted passing through Rockhampton Airport as "Concorde", looking to head up to Townsville to provide further assistance with the flood relief efforts in North Queensland.

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As with the other Chinooks, it arrived into Rockhampton Airport from the Oakey Army Aviation Centre before later heading to Townsville.

UPDATE!  On Saturday 8 February, RSAF Chinook '88165' again as "Concorde" was photographed flying back into Rockhampton Airport from Townsville and before it then continued back to Oakey.  The other two RSAF Chinooks remain in Townsville.

As we've mentioned previously, the RSAF Chinooks are flown by the RSAF's 127 Helicopter Squadron which is based at the Sembawang Air Base (SBAB) in Singapore, with a detachment at Oakey.

The squadron goes by the motto of "Strength, Courage, Swiftness", the motto is supported by the squadron motif, a white horse in full battle armour.  

The Chinook '88165' also features an attractive commemorative tail livery to celebrate the 25th year of the Republic of Singapore Air Force (RSAF) Oakey detachment in 2023.

Photos taken by Steve Vit  ©

Eagle One Aviation (Navair Flight Operations) Cessna 525B CitiationJet CJ3+ Bizjet VH-X8X "Navair 143" Pops into Hamilton Island Airport - Plus More!

On Friday 7 February, Eagle One Aviation (Navair Flight Operations) Cessna 525B CitiationJet CJ3+ bizjet VH-X8X as "Navair 143" flew up from Bankstown to Hamilton Island Airport.  It then flew down to the Gold Coast and back to Bankstown. 

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While Stroud Aviation and Transportation (Boonah) / Navair Flight Operations Cessna 510 Citation Mustang bizjet VH-SHI visited Rockhampton Airport from Archerfield.

And LifeFlight (Aeromed) Canadair CL-600-2B16 Challenger 604 bizjet VH-OFC "Ambulance 634" flew out to Longreach Airport from Brisbane before then landing at Emerald Airport and heading back to Brisbane.

Of interest, VH-OFC "Ambulance 634" has had a busy couple of days late this week, visiting Rockhampton Airport and Mackay Airport twice.

Fellow LifeFlight Challenger 604 VH-OFB "Ambulance 624" seems to be presently based at Townsville and called into Proserpine (Whitsunday Coast) Airport and Mackay Airport earlier in the week.  As did LifeFlight Challenger 604 "Ambulance 614" which also visited Prosie and Mackay Airports but from Brisbane.

And LifeFlight (Aeromed) Bombardier Challenger 604 bizjet VH-URR "Ambulance 604" has returned from a stint in Singapore and visited Barcaldine Airport on Tuesday 4 February from Brisbane.

UPDATE!  On Saturday 8 February, VH-OFC "Ambulance 634" again visited Rockhampton and Mackay Airports while on a flight out of and back to Brisbane.

Meanwhile, also on Friday 7 February, there was a swap of Queensland Government (QGAir) Rescue (State of Queensland) Agusta AW139 helicopters with VH-EZJ arriving into Rockhampton Airport from Archerfield and then departing to Mackay Airport and Townsville.  While Leonardo S.P.A. Helicopter AW139 helicopter VH-EGK flew into Rockhampton Airport from Townsville and then departed to Archerfield.

Townsville based Cleveland Bay Aviation seemed to take delivery of Piper PA-31-350 Navajo Chieftain VH-XMC after it flew up from Mackay Airport.  The former Victoria based aircraft looked to arrive into Mackay Airport from Adelaide via Traralgon in September last year having looking like it was grounded in Adelaide since early 2023.

Austrek Aviation Beech B200 King Air VH-ZMW visited Rockhampton Airport from Toowoomba.

And several visitors to the Labona Station Airstrip within Adani Australia's (Bravus Mining & Resources) Carmichael Coal Mine site included a single Skytrans Dash-8 flight from each of Townsville and Rockhampton Airports - plus Seair Pacific (Istlecote) Cessna 208 Caravan VH-TFB from Hervey Bay (Fraser Coast) Airport and then to Cairns - and a pair of Machjet (Machjet International) Beech B200C King Air turboprops VH-ZPY as "Machflight 11" and VH-PUY as "Machflight 73" both from and back to Cairns.

It seems that there were no flights in and out of Labona on Thursday 6 February most likely due to inclement weather.

Finally, also on Friday 7 February, Vee H Aviation (Link Airways) Beech B200GT Super King Air 250 VH-VEW flew from Emerald Airport to Clermont Aerodrome and then to Brisbane.  On Thursday 6 February, and after diverting into Emerald Airport the previous day from Mackay Airport, VH-VEW did the same, flying from Emerald Airport to Clermont Aerodrome and then to Brisbane before it then flew back to Emerald Airport.

And Link Airways (Corporate Air / Vee H Aviation) Cessna 441 Conquest VH-VEH as "Survey 23" completing some aerial survey work in the area, flying out of and back to Emerald Airport.  It had arrived into Emerald Airport from Goulburn via Biloela / Thangool Airport on Thursday.

UPDATE!  On Thursday 13 February, job done, VH-VEH "Survey 23" departed Emerald Airport and returned to Goulburn.

RDO Equipment Co. Pilatus PC-12/47 VH-WPH Pops into Emerald Airport - Plus More!

On Wednesday 5 February, RDO Equipment Co. Pilatus PC-12/47 VH-WPH visited Emerald Airport from its Toowoomba base.

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As mentioned previously, VH-WPH is no stranger to Central Queensland and is unique now that it has been fitted with a 7-bladed propeller which will reportedly generate less cabin noise and provide increased performance allowing for operations into shorter airfields.

Plus AERgO Asset Management Beech B200 King Air VH-XGV as 'Navair 179' flew up from Archerfield to Gladstone Airport before continuing to Rockhampton Airport and then Mackay Airport.

UPDATE!  On Thursday 6 February, VH-XGV "Navair 179" departed Mackay Airport for Townsville and Cairns.

While on Tuesday 4 February, AirMed Australia Cessna 510 Citation Mustang Bizjet VH-PWX as "AirMed 974" landed at Bundaberg Airport from Dubbo and Tamworth.  It then departed to Coffs Harbour.

And DeGunst Transport P/L Textron (Cessna) 208 Caravan VH-NPZ flew up from Bundaberg Airport to Mackay Airport and back.

Photo taken by Trevor Hardsman  ©

New QantasLink Dash--Q400 Next Gen VH-84B (ex C-GENM) First Revenue Flight into CQ at Longreach Airport

On Tuesday 4 February, recently delivered QantasLink Dash-8-Q400 VH-84B completed its first ever revenue flight, and it happened to be into CQ, with it touching down at Barcaldine Airport and then Longreach Airport from Brisbane as QLK2546.

It then departed Longreach Airport and returned to Brisbane as QLK2547.

The second-hand Dash-8-Q400 is the second of 12 (or 14) aircraft that the Qantas Group has purchased from Canadian operator WestJet Encore.  VH-84B previously operated as C-GENM and operated with the airline from August 2013 until August 2024.

The Dash-8 arrived into Australia via Darwin and then Brisbane on Sunday 8 December, still wearing its Canadian registration marking of C-GENM, completing a massive delivery flight from Canada - Eastbound via Europe and Asia. 

It was promptly placed on the Australian Aircraft Register and also given the name 'Winton'.

UPDATE!  On Wednesday 5 February, VH-84B returned back to Longreach Airport from and back to Brisbane as QFA2544/2547.

Photos taken by Gareth Ruhe and Bill Wong  ©

UPDATED! A Pair of The Republic of Singapore Air Force (RSAF) Boeing CH-47F 'Foxtrot' Chinook Helicopters Pops into Rockhampton Airport Heading to Townsville

Late on Tuesday 4 February, the Republic of Singapore Air Force (RSAF) Boeing CH-47F 'Foxtrot' Chinook helicopter '88168' was spotted arriving into Rockhampton Airport as "Celtic" after flying up from the Oakey Army Aviation Centre.

It looked to be staying at Rocky for the night and it is speculated that it will continue up to Townsivlle to assist with clean-up efforts after the heavy rains and flooding in those parts in the North Queensland.

UPDATE!  On Wednesday 5 February, after some speculation, a second RSAF CH-47F Chinook helicopter touched down at Rockhampton Airport with '88166' also flying up from Oakey but as "Cyclops".

Always great to see the RSAF Chinook helicopters in town.  They are flown by the RSAF's 127 Helicopter Squadron which is based at the Sembawang Air Base (SBAB) in Singapore, however as mentioned, with a detachment at Oakey.

The squadron goes by the motto of "Strength, Courage, Swiftness", the motto is supported by the squadron motif, a white horse in full battle armour.

Photo taken by John Lee  ©

Australian Army (Helicorp) Leonardo (Agusta) AW139 Helicopters VH-YBF & VH-YBG Both Call Into Rockhampton Airport - Plus More!

On Monday 3 February, a pair of Australian Army (Helicorp) Leonardo (Agusta) AW139 helicopters were noted passing through Rockhampton Airport.

They were identified as VH-YBF, flying as "Finch 85" and VH-YBG as "Finch 23".

Both helicopters arrived from the Oakey Army Aviation Centre and then later departed to Mackay Airport where they looked to stay for the night.

UPDATE!  On Tuesday 4 February, VH-YBG "Finch 23" then VH-YBF "Finch 85" both departed Mackay Airport for Townsville. Later, VH-YBG returned South to Mackay Airport as "Warhorse 203" and then flew back to Townsville again.  While VH-YBF operated North of Townsville as "Warhorse 85". 

Meanwhile, also on Monday 3 February, Harris Aviation Charters / Aero-Star Aviation (SA) Beech B300 Super King Air 350 VH-8HA flew up from Toowoomba to Mount Isa and later flew down to Rockhampton Airport.

Vee H Aviation (Link Airways) Beech B200GT Super King Air 250 VH-VEW flew up from Brisbane to Clermont Aerodrome. During the afternoon it departed for Collinsville Aerodrome but could not land due to weather and diverted to Mackay Airport.

UPDATE!  On Wednesday 5 February, VH-VEW departed Mackay Airport bound for Oaky Creek Coal Mine site but again due to weather had to divert, this time to Emerald Airport.

Machjet (Machjet International) Beech B200C King Air VH-PUY as "Machflight 73" arrived into Rockhampton Airport from Cairns and then departed to Karumba.  

And Central Queensland Helicopter Rescue Service (CQ Rescue) / CQ Aeromedical Leonardo AW139 helicopter VH-XQ9 flew from Mackay Airport as "Rescue 402" to Proserpine Hospital and then Townsville.

Finally, on a quiet Sunday 2 February, Brisbane-based Crockett Aviation Group Beech B200 King Air VH-FAQ as "Navair 173" visited Hamilton Island from Archerfield.

Sincere thanks to local plane spotter Scott H for taking the time to capture and send through these great photos!

All photos taken by Scott Harris  ©

Coulson Aviation Sikorsky S-61 Helicopter C-FXEC Spotted at CQ Airports Heading North

On Saturday 1 February, the big Coulson Aviation Sikorsky S-61 Helicopter C-FXEC was photographed at a couple of Central Queensland Airports as it looked to head up to North Queensland where massive rainfall totals continue to accumulate.

C-FXEC flew up from the Sunshine Coast to Rockhampton Airport and then to my local Clermont Aerodrome.

After parking up for a little while, it then departed to the North-West.

C-FXEC had flown up form Bankstown to the Sunshine Coast via Coffs Harbour the previous day.

UPDATE!  On Sunday 2 February, C-FXEC was spotted soon after arriving into Cairns where it then seemed to be parked up in preparation for upcoming flights.

Of interest, C-FXEC has been part of the National Aerial Firefighting Centre (NAFC) fleet based at Bankstown Airport in Sydney.  The NAFC provides a cooperative national arrangement for the provision of aerial firefighting resources for combating bushfires and other natural disasters.

UPDATE!  On Wednesday 12 February, C-FXEC departed Townsville and returned South to New South Wales via Clermont Aerodrome and Roma Airport.

Photos taken by Steve Vit and Jonathan Williams  ©

Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) Boeing B737-7ES / E-7A Wedgetail A30-006 "Wedgetail 14" Completes Airwork at Rockhampton Airport - Plus More!

On Friday 31 January, Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) Boeing B737-7ES / E-7A Wedgetail Airborne Early Warning & Control (AEW&C) aircraft A30-006 was noted completing airwork at Rockhampton Airport.

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It looked to fly up from RAAF Base Williamtown to complete airwork including a missed approach at Rockhampton Airport. It then flew back down to Williamtown.

A30-006 was heard to be flying as "Wedgetail 13".

Meanwhile, also on Friday 31 January, Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) Boeing C-17A Globemaster III A41-210 as "Stallion 46" flew up from RAAF Base Amberley to a position South of Emerald where it descended to low level and flew up past Emerald and Clermont before then climbing back up to 13000ft.  It then flew down to Rockhampton Airport where it completed a missed approach and then returned to Amberley.

Finally, also on Friday 31 January, Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) Alenia C-27J Spartan transport aircraft A34-002 as "Kaos 01" flew up from Amberley and completed airwork and then landed at Bundaberg Airport. It then took off and completed more airwork before then returning to Amberley.

Photo taken by Scott Harris  ©

Brand New Pilatus Australia (SA) Pilatus PC-24 Super Versatile Jet VH-DMS Pops into Mackay Airport - Plus More!

On Thursday 30 January, brand new Pilatus Australia (South Australia) Pilatus PC-24 Super Versatile Jet VH-DMS was noted visiting Mackay Airport from Cessnock.

As shown, the sleek new PC-24 bizjet only arrived into Australia from overseas via Darwin two weeks ago and is pictured above arriving into Adelaide on delivery to its new operator.

While re-registered and AAA Aircraft / Flight Options (Australia) Cessna 550 Citation II VH-VDF visited Bundaberg Airport from the Sunshine Coast. 

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It was re-registered in July last year and was re-painted at Flinders Aviation at Redcliffe in November last year.

And South Australian-based Agusta AW119 MKII helicopter VH-CGW flew up from Wagga Wagga via a few stops to Roma Airport and then Emerald Airport. It later departed Emerald Airport for the North and was last noted around the Whitsundays area. VH-CGW had flown up from Melbourne (Moorabbin) the previous day.

Photo taken by Tony Haynes  ©