A Quick Plane Spotting Trip to Bundaberg Airport on Sunday

Rockhampton-based plane spotter, 'IAD' ventured to Bundaberg on Sunday 19 May, and of course, popped into Bundaberg Airport for a look around!

First look at the photos show the terminal area to be still the same as when we visited in January this year, however, there is now prominent Virgin Australia signage given that the airline now services Bundaberg daily with Virgin Australia Regional Airlines-operated ATR 72 turbo-prop aircraft

During his quick look around Bundaberg Airport, 'IAD' photographed the ever-present lovely old Beech E18-S VH-CIJ.

Another locally-based aircraft in the form Cessna 310K VH-CKB was also spotted parked on the General Aviation apron.

Also photographed by 'IAD' - and much to his delight - was the Bundaberg-based AGL Action Helicopter Rescue Service Kawasaki BK117 B-2 helicopter VH-BKV.

Other medical evacuation services at Bundaberg include a Royal Flying Doctor Service (RFDS) hangar.  'IAD' photographed RFDS Hawker Beechcraft B200 King Air VH-FDI parked in front of the hangar as it waited between missions.

Later on Sunday 19 May, 'IAD' spotted Virgin Australia Regional Airlines ATR 72-600 VH-FVP as it operated Virgin's scheduled VOZ1701/1702 return service from and back to Brisbane.

And lastly, QantasLink Dash-8-Q400 was photographed by 'IAD' as it prepared for, and then departed Bundaberg for Brisbane, operating the scheduled QLK2321 service.

Sincere thanks to 'IAD' for sending through these great photos from the Rum city.  

All photos taken by ‘IAD’  ©

Virgin Australia Embraer E-190 VH-ZPQ And More at Gladstone Airport on Sunday

Local plane spotter Michael F enjoyed a great hour or so at Gladstone Airport on Sunday 19 May, capturing a nice mix of commercial jet aircraft plus a couple of helicopters.

The star arrival was Virgin Australia Embraer E-190 VH-ZPQ which touched down late morning as VOZ1711.

As VH-ZPQ taxiied to its parking gate, the Gladstone-based Careflight Rescue Bell 412EP helicopter VH-XCY was captured by Michael as it departed for parts unknown.

Michael also captured some lovely images of Robinson R-44 VH-DQA of Forster Helicopters in Charters Towers as it arrived from parts unknown.

Later, Michael captured the arrival of QantasLink (Cobham Aviation) Boeing B717-200 VH-NXJ as it touched down from Brisbane as QJE1712.

By this time, VH-ZPQ taxiied out for departure back to Brisbane as VOZ1714.

Lastly, Eurocopter EC135-T1 VH-ZGI was captured departing Gladstone on Sunday 19 May.  The chopper travels all over the Central Queensland coast being noted at Mackay and Rockhampton at other various times.  

VH-ZGI wears Marine Safety Queensland titles and predominantly used for pilot transfers to and from ships in various harbours and ports.

Sincere thanks to Michael F for sending through his photos of his very enjoyable spotting session on Sunday - and thanks for his patience during his technological difficulties during the afternoon!

All photos taken by Michael Fleetwood  ©

Some Spectacular Night Time Plane Spotting Photos by Jamie C at Gladstone Airport

Over recent weeks, we've posted a couple of nice photos that local plane spotter Jamie C has taken after dark at Gladstone Airport.  

In this post, we feature some of Jamie's photos he took on a recent evening at Gladstone Airport starting with an overview of the Airport as a QantasLink (Cobham Aviation) Boeing B717-200 taxis to its parking bay after landed, while the Careflight Bell 412EP VH-XCY prepares to depart on a local flight.

Later, a pair of QantasLink Dash-8-Q400s - VH-QOD and VH-QOT - were captured by Jamie as they departed Gladstone Airport for Brisbane.

Some great photos by Jamie C - we sincerely thank Jamie C for continuing to support the CQ Plane Spotting Blog and sending through his absolutely fantastic photos!  

Jamie has recently launched a Facebook page aptly named "The Control Tower" as his vantage point for capturing most of his spectacular images is similar to a control tower overlooking Gladstone Airport - Click on this link to visit and 'like' Jamie's page!

All photos taken by Jamie C  ©

Some Fantastic Helicopter Action Captured at Gladstone Airport - Including an Army Blackhawk

The helicopter action at Gladstone Airport started early on Saturday 18 May with Australian Helicopters Bell 412EP VH-VAU captured by local plane spotter Jamie C as it departed North for Mackay and Townsville.

The big Bell chopper is decked out in an air ambulance configuration and wears titles and the logo of the Victorian Ambulance Service.  It arrived in Gladstone late on Friday 17 May from the Sunshine Coast, and as mentioned departed Gladstone towards the North.

Shortly after the departure of VH-VAU, Australian Army Sikorsky S-70A-9 Blackhawk A25-212 arrived into Gladstone Airport from the North.

After taking on fuel, the Blackhawk departed Gladstone for the South.

Jamie C also sends through a couple of photos of new locally-based Careflight Bell 412EP chopper VH-XCY conducting training exercises in the pouring rain at Gladstone Airport during this past week. 

Some great images from Central Queensland's premier aviation photographer - and we are very lucky to have him as a continuing supporter of the Central Queensland Plane Spotting Blog.

All photos taken by Jamie C  ©

Corporate Air / Vee H Aviation SAAB 340B VH-VEP at Gladstone Airport

Popping into a wet Gladstone Airport on Thursday 16 May was Corporate Air / Vee H Aviation SAAB 340B VH-VEP.

The exact movements of VH-VEP are unclear, however, it is though that this aircraft is based at Brisbane Airport.

The aircraft is one of three new SAAB 340s that Corporate Air / Vee H Aviation have acquired for their closed charter and Fly-in Fly-out (FIFO) charter operations.

Sincere thanks to Jamie C for sending through these great photos of a great aircraft movement in Central Queensland!

All photos taken by Jamie C  ©