And RAAF Boeing B737-7DF(BBJ) A36-002 "Envoy 71" Pops into Bundaberg and Hamilton Island Airports

Also on Tuesday 31 January, Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) Boeing B737-7DF(BBJ) A36-002 was photographed at Bundaberg Airport soon after touching down from Canberra and Coffs Harbour as "Envoy 71".

After a short time on the ground, the BBJ departed North and then landed at Hamilton Island Airport.

A36-002 "Envoy 71" then made a surprising return all the way back down to Canberra.

Photo taken by Hayden Matthew Alexander  ©

RAAF E-7A Wedgetail A30-006 "Mitchel 06" Missed Approach at Rockhampton Airport - Plus RAAF C-17A Globemaster III A41-209 Back Again!

On Tuesday 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 a missed approach at Rockhampton Airport.

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It looked to fly up from and then later return to RAAF Base Williamtown.  

A30-006 was heard to be using the radio callsign "Mitchel 06".

Of interest, A30-006 is a rare visitor to the region, having spent much of 2021 and all of 2022 based at RAAF Base Tindal in the Northern Territory.  

As mentioned previously, six Wedgetails are flown by the RAAF's No. 2 Squadron out of RAAF Base Williamtown, along a detachment also in the Northern Territory.

Meanwhile, also on Tuesday 31 January, RAAF Boeing C-17A Globemaster III transport aircraft A41-209 as "Stallion 34" was back in the region.  It flew down from Townsville to a complete a missed approach at Proserpine (Whitsunday Coast) Airport before then landing at Rockhampton Airport.

The C-17 was parked on Taxiway Juliette again for a crew change before it departed to RAAF Base Amberley. 

As posted below, A41-209 "Stallion 34" also called into Rockhampton Airport and completed airwork at Mackay Airport while flying up from Amberley to Townsville on Monday 30 January.

Photo taken by Graham Aspinall  ©

Australia's Newest Airline Takes to the Skies as Bonza Airline Lands at Proserpine (Whitsunday Coast) Airport - Boeing B737-8 MAX VH-UIK BNZ777/8

A historic day on Tuesday 31 January as Bonza Airline took the skies for its first ever commercial passenger flight, becoming the first new carrier to launch in Australia in 16 years.

Boeing B737-8 MAX VH-UIK - named 'Bazza' - touched down at the Proserpine (Whitsunday Coast) Airport as 'BNZ777' a little behind schedule from the Sunshine Coast, also after completing a short scenic flight over Airlie Beach and Whitsundays.

After a day of festivities for invited guests, VH-UIK returned to the Sunny Coast late in the day from Prosie but as 'BNZ778'.

Bonza will fly three Sunshine Coast to Proserpine (Whitsunday Coast) Airport services per week.  This is the first of 27 new domestic routes to 17 destinations set to roll out in coming months - 26 of which are not currently serviced by any other airlines.

Bonza's long-delayed launch comes after receiving regulatory approval by the Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA) on Thursday 12 January.  Presently, flights to 12 destinations across 15 routes are available to book through their app or through registered travel agents.

Bonza has three B737-8 MAX aircraft in its fleet all based at the Sunshine Coast - VH-UJT - named 'Shazza' - and VH-UIK - named 'Bazza' - and VH-UJK - named 'Sheila'.  It also becomes the first local carrier to operate the B737-8 MAX in Australia.

Easternwell Group (Avcair) Beech B200 King Air VH-EWG Pops into CQ Airports - Plus More!

On Monday 30 January, Easternwell Group (Avcair) Beech B200 King Air VH-EWG flew up to Rockhampton Airport from Toowoomba.  It then flew across to the Labona Station Airstrip within Adani Australia's (Bravus Mining & Resources) Carmichael Coal Mine site.

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VH-EWG then flew back down to Toowoomba.

While also visiting Rockhampton Airport, also from Toowoomba, was Austrek Aviation Beech B200 Super King Air VH-ZGD.  It then looked to complete a flight out to Labona and back to Rockhampton Airport before returning to Labona and then flying back to Toowoomba.

Brisbane-based Crockett Aviation Group Beech B200 King Air VH-FAQ also visited the Labona Station Airstrip within Adani Australia's (Bravus Mining & Resources) Carmichael Coal Mine site but from Archerfield and the Sunshine Coast.

Hinterland Aviation Cessna 208 Caravans VH-HLL (from Rockhampton Airport) and VH-LZK, VH-TFQ and VH-JES (all from Townsville) also visited Labona during the day.

And Skytrans Airlines Dash-8-100 VH-QQC arrived into Rockhampton Airport from Cairns and Proserpine (Whitsunday Coast) Airport as SKP85/780 before then flying to Labona and back to Rockhampton Airport as SKP771/2.  Fellow Skytrans Dash-8-100 VH-QQG flew to Labona from Townsville and back.

Meanwhile, also on Monday 30 January, the Queensland Police Service (Airwing) (State of Queensland) Raytheon B1900D VH-PSK visited Rockhampton Airport from Cairns.

And Hawker Beechcraft G58 Baron VH-EZD flew out of Hamilton Island Airport and back to its Monto Aerodrome base.  It flew up to Hamilton Island Airport last Wednesday 25 January.

Finally, also on Monday 30 January, Cessna 510 Citation Mustang bizjet VH-PAC was again noted visiting Hervey Bay (Fraser Coast) Airport.  It looked to arrive from and then later depart back to the Sunshine Coast where it seems to be currently based.

Photo taken by Lloyd Fox  ©

A Double Treat of RAAF Heavy Transport Aircraft at Rockhampton Airport on Monday - C-17 Globemaster A41-209 & KC-30A MRTT A39-005

Late morning on Monday 30 January, a pair of Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) heavy transport aircraft were photographed as they approached Rockhampton Airport, with one landing for a short while and other completing a missed approach.

First, RAAF Boeing C-17A Globemaster III transport aircraft A41-209 as "Stallion 34" arrived into Rockhampton Airport from RAAF Base Amberley via airwork at Charleville Airport.

It parked on Taxiway Juliette for a crew change before then departing to Townsville via a missed approach at Mackay Airport.

Then RAAF Airbus A330-200 / KC-30A Multi Role Tanker Transport (MRTT) A39-005 as "Dragon 41" also flew up to Rockhampton Airport from Amberley.

It was heard to be preparing to land but with the C-17 already on the ground, the crew decided to instead complete a missed approach and continue on to the Sunshine Coast where it completed more airwork.  The KC-30A then returned to Amberley.

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

Photos taken by John Lee and Scott Harris  ©

Careflight Beech B200 King Air VH-ZSU "Careflight 23" Pops into Mackay Airport from Bankstown - Plus More Over the Weekend!

On Sunday 29 January, Careflight Ltd. Beech B200 King Air VH-ZSU "Careflight 23" was noted visiting Mackay Airport.  It looked to arrive from and then later depart back to Bankstown, near Sydney.

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Careflight operates medical evacuation and patient transport services out of Bankstown Airport as well as a long-established based up in Darwin in the Northern Territory.

Meanwhile, also on Sunday 29 January, Jetstream Aviation (Emprja P/L) Cessna 550 Citation II VH-VDF arrived into Proserpine (Whitsunday Coast) Airport from its Sunshine Coast base.

And Aero Professional Services Piper PA-46-310P Malibu VH-BGK looked to visit Bowen Aerodrome from its Emerald (Denison Downs) base.

Finally, on Saturday 28 January, LifeFlight (Aeromed) Canadair CL-600-2B16 Challenger 604 bizjet VH-OFB "Ambulance 624" flew down from Townsville and Cairns to Mackay Airport before it then departed to Brisbane.

Graham Aviation (Cairns) Cessna 510 Citation Mustang bizjet VH-FMZ was noted arriving into Hamilton Island from its Mareeba base via Cairns. It seems to be becoming a regime weekend visitor with it also visiting last weekend as posted below.  After some time in the ground, VH-FMZ returned North to Cairns and then back to Mareeba.

And Clermont-based (but Mackay-registered) Mooney M20J VH-NWF departed Clermont Aerodrome before dawn for Maitland in New South Wales.  It then flew back up to Mackay Airport.

UPDATE!  Early on Monday 30 January, VH-NWF flew back to Clermont Aerodrome from Mackay Airport.

Photo taken by Simon Coates  ©️

Recently Registered Cessna 510 Citation Mustang Bizjet VH-PAC Spotted at Hervey Bay (Fraser Coast) Airport - Plus More!

On Friday 27 January, recently registered Cessna 510 Citation Mustang bizjet VH-PAC was spotted visiting Hervey Bay (Fraser Coast) Airport.  It looked to arrive from and then later depart back to the Sunshine Coast where it seems to be currently based.

Of interest, the Victorian-registered Citation Mustang is 100th off the production line and looked to previously operate in Thailand as HS-IOO.

Meanwhile, also on Friday 27 January, Cessna 208B Grand Caravan VH-RTC departed Rockhampton Airport for Red Rock Station near Comet - where it is based. It then continued down to Archerfield.

UPDATE!  On Saturday 28 January, VH-RTC returned to Red Rock Station and then Rockhampton Airport.

The Queensland Police Service (Airwing) (State of Queensland) Raytheon B1900D VH-PSK arrived into Rockhampton Airport from Cairns and Townsville before later departing to Brisbane.  It then returned North and called back into Rockhampton Airport before departing direct to Cairns.

Bunderra Cattle Co Piper PA-46-350P Malibu Mirage VH-KNV departed Rockhampton Airport for Boulia and then Alice Springs.

UPDATE!  On Saturday 28 January, VH-KNV departed Alice Spring and returned to Rockhampton Airport.

And New South Wales-based Beech 58 Baron VH-JML visited Bundaberg Airport, flying up from and later back to its Lismore base.

All photos taken by Alex Eecen  ©

Local Embraer EMB-550 Legacy 500 Bizjet N142GZ Back in The Air out of Mackay Airport - Plus More!

On Thursday 26 January, the locally-based Embraer EMB-550 Legacy 500 bizjet N142GZ was back in the air, noted departing Mackay Airport for Sydney.

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Meanwhile, also on Thursday 26 January, Brisbane-based Crockett Aviation Group Beech B200 King Air VH-FAQ visited the Labona Station Airstrip within Adani Australia's (Bravus Mining & Resources) Carmichael Coal Mine site from Archerfield and the Sunshine Coast.

While Royal Victorian Aero Club Cessna 172S VH-LSP flew up from Hervey Bay (Fraser Coast) Airport to Rockhampton Airport and then Proserpine (Whitsunday Coast) Airport.  It looks like VH-LSP has spent the last week and-a-half flying up through Victoria and New South Wales after taking off from Melbourne (Moorabbin).

Brisbane-based Hewitt Cattle Australia P/L SOCATA TBM 700 VH-PGA visited Moura Aerodrome from Archerfield.

And ZephAir Australia Piper PA-34-220T Seneca VH-YSI flew from Mackay Airport to Redcliffe where it then completed a local aerial survey flight before then flying up to Gayndah Aerodrome for the night.  VH-YSI had flown into Mackay Airport from Cairns earlier in the week.

Finally, late on Wednesday 25 January, Pionair Australia Embraer E190-E2 (ERJ-190-300 STD) VH-IKJ was noted visited Rockhampton Airport from Brisbane as "Skyforce 9078/9".

Photo taken by 'AC'  ©️

Air Link (Dubbo) Cessna 510 Citation Mustang Bizjet VH-SEQ Calls into Hervey Bay (Fraser Coast) Airport - Plus More!

On Wednesday 25 January, Air Link (Dubbo) Cessna 510 Citation Mustang bizjet VH-SEQ landed at Hervey Bay (Fraser Coast) Airport from Sydney before then departing to Archerfield.  VH-SEQ did the reverse of this flight at the end of last week.

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While recently registered Cessna 510 Citation Mustang bizjet VH-PAC visited Maryborough Airport from the Sunshine Coast.

Meanwhile, also on Wednesday 25 January, a gaggle of light General Aviation (GA) Aircraft were also noted visiting Maryborough Airport.

Amateur-built Lancair 360 VH-DBW visited from Archerfield.  Beech 58 Baron VH-JCJ visited from its Toowoomba base.  Gold Coast-based Cessna 182Q arrived from Southport.  A.M.T. Helicopters Cessna 172R visited from its Caboolture base.

UPDATE!  On Thursday 26 January, VH-DBW visited Maryborough Airport from Archerfield.

Brisbane-based Avcair Cessna 425 Conquest 1 VH-BSM had a busy day of flying out of Archerfield and heading up to Miles, Springsure and Emerald Airport before returning to Archerfield over that same route.

Mackay-based Piper PA-34-200T VH-COP returned to Mackay Airport from Barcaldine Airport.  It had arrived the previous day.  

Brisbane-based SOCATA TB-20 Trinidad VH-IPF departed Cloncurry Airport for Barcaldine Airport and then Archerfield.  It looked to fly up to Cloncurry Airport at the start of the week.

Aerometrex Vulcanair (Partenavia) VH-EPX flew out Gladstone Airport to complete aerial survey work out near Blackwater before then landing at Rockhampton Airport.

UPDATE!  On Thursday 26 January, VH-EPX departed Rockhampton Airport for the Sunshine Coast and Toowoomba.

The Queensland Police Service (Airwing) (State of Queensland) Raytheon B1900D VH-PSK arrived into Rockhampton Airport from Cairns before later returning there but via Townsville. 

Flight One (Services) Cirrus SR22 VH-FOJ flew into Rockhampton Airport from Archerfield.

UPDATE!  On Friday 27 January, VH-FOJ returned to Archerfield from Rockhampton Airport.

Brisbane-based Piper PA-34-220T Seneca III VH-YSA flew into Rockhampton Airport from Adelaide (Parafield), Windorah and Cairns.  It then departed to Archerfield.  It had flown down to Parafield the previous day.

Hawker Beechcraft G58 Baron VH-EZD flew up from its Monto Aerodrome base to Hamilton Island Airport.

And Graham Aviation's re-registered Cessna T206H Float Plane VH-FNB (ex VH-PXT) looked to arrive into Hamilton Island Airport from Cairns.  It then flew up to Mareeba and back to Cairns.

Finally, also on Wednesday 25 January, Hinterland Aviation Cessna 208 Caravan VH-LZK was noted again operating a flight from Townsville to the Labona Station Airstrip within Adani Australia's (Bravus Mining & Resources) Carmichael Coal Mine site and then onward to Mackay Airport.  It then returned to Labona and Townsville.

Photo taken by Brodie Lawson  ©️

Mitchell Water Cessna 525 Citation M2 Bizjet VH-WMY Spotted at the Whitsunday Airport at Shute Harbour - Plus More!

On Tuesday 24 January, Mitchell Water Cessna 525 Citation M2 bizjet VH-WMY was spotted visiting the Whitsunday Airport at Shute Harbour once again.

The becoming frequent visitor this time arrived from Melbourne (Moorabbin) and West Wyalong and later departed to Melbourne (Essendon) and then back to Moorabbin.

While over on Hamilton Island Airport, Brisbane-based Adome P/L Cessna 525 CitationJet M2 bizjet VH-YWS departed there to Archerfield.  It had arrived from there on Sunday 22 January.

And MacKellar Mining Equipment Pty Ltd (Revesco Aviation) Cessna 680 Citation Sovereign bizjet VH-MMC was noted visiting the Labona Station Airstrip within Adani Australia's (Bravus Mining & Resources) Carmichael Coal Mine site.  It looked to arrive from and then later depart back to its Sunshine Coast base.

Meanwhile, also on Tuesday 24 January, the Queensland Police Service (Airwing) (State of Queensland) Raytheon B1900D VH-PSK arrived into Rockhampton Airport from Brisbane after it had earlier flown all the way down there from Cairns and Townsville.  VH-PSK then continued further North back to Townsville and then Cairns.

Ballina-based PA-24-260 Commanche popped into Rockhampton Airport, arriving from Archerfield and then departing to Watts Bridge. 

Tamworth-based Beechcraft G58 Baron VH-NRJ flew up from Hervey Bay (Fraser Coast) Airport to Mackay Airport and then Proserpine (Whitsunday Coast) Airport.  It had flown up to Hervey Bay Airport from Tamworth via Caboolture the previous day.

UPDATE!  On Wednesday 25 January, VH-NRJ departed Proserpine Airport for Tamworth.

ZephAir Australia - Aircraft Charters Piper PA-31 Navajo VH-AYT departed Mackay Airport for Townsville.  It had flown down at the end of last week.

Auscott P/L Beechcraft B200GT King Air VH-NMW was noted visiting Bundaberg Airport from its Toowoomba base via Archerfield.

Flanagan Aviation (New South Wales) Beech 95-B55 Baron VH-EUZ visited Bundaberg Airport from its Lismore base.

While of the often-weekly Fly-in Fly-out (FIFO) charter flights, DeGunst Transport P/L Textron (Cessna) 208 Caravan VH-NPZ flew up to Mackay Airport from its Bundaberg Airport base.  It then flew across to Nebo Aerodrome and then back to Bundaberg Airport.

Seair Pacific / Istlecote Cessna 208 Caravan VH-TQW visited the Wanella Station Airstrip near Coppabella, arriving from Hervey Bay (Fraser Coast) Airport and Maryborough Airport.  It then flew back down to the Fraser Coast, arriving directly into Hervey Bay Airport.

Brescon (Toowoomba) Beech B200 King Air VH-XDW arrived into my local Clermont Aerodrome from Toowoomba-Wellcamp.  It is due to return to Wellcamp early on Wednesday 25 January.

Hinterland Aviation Cessna 208 Caravan VH-TFQ completed the run from Townsville and Mackay Airport to Labona before then returning to Mackay Airport and back to Townsville.

And Babcock Mission Critical Services Australasia Agusta AB412 (Bell 412) VH-LSV, which flew South from Horn Island to Adelaide during the middle part of December, and then has been operating as "Rescue 55" around Adelaide, arrived into Rockhampton Airport from a two-day trip from Adelaide tracking via Mildura, Griffith and Dubbo on the first day, and then Moree, Toowoomba (pictured) and Bundaberg Airport today. 

UPDATE!  On Wednesday 25 January, VH-LSV departed Rockhampton Airport for Mackay Airport, Townsville and Cairns.

UPDATE!  On Thursday 26 January, VH-LSV continued from Cairns to Cooktown, Coen and Horn Island.

Finally, late on Monday 23 January, Alliance Airlines Fokker F-70 VH-JFB popped into Rockhampton Airport as UTY555 from Horn Island and Cairns before it later departed to Brisbane again as UTY555.  It is assumed that this is the school kids charter marking the start of the 2023 school year.

Photos taken by Lee Holloway and Garry Wilkinson  ©