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

On Monday 20 January, a pair of Australian Army (Helicorp) Leonardo (Agusta) AW139 helicopters were noted passing through Rockhampton Airport.

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They were identified as VH-YQJ, flying as "Warhorse 203" and VH-YBG as "Wombat".

Both helicopters arrived from Townsville and then later departed to the Oakey Army Aviation Centre.

Meanwhile, also on Monday 20 January, Robindale Group / Air Link Cessna 510 Citation Mustang bizjet VH-CMK flew up from Orange to the Sunshine Coast and then Bundaberg Airport. Later, it flew across to Emerald Airport.

Homada Pty Ltd Cessna 560XL Citation XLS bizjet VH-XCU flew into Hamilton Island Airport from Melbourne (Moorabbin). It later departed to Melbourne (Essendon). VH-XCU also visited Hamo last Monday 13 January.

While re-registered Gippsland GA-8 Airvan VH-88N arrived into Proserpine (Whitsunday Coast) Airport from Latrobe Valley via Dubbo and Saint George.

Vee H Aviation (Link Airways) Beech B200GT Super King Air 250 VH-VEW flew up from Brisbane to the Oaky Creek Mine site and the Clermont Aerodrome before returning to Brisbane.

Seair Pacific / Istlecote Textron Aviation (Cessna) 208B Caravan VH-TLH flew up from Hervey Bay (Fraser Coast) Airport, Maryborough Airport and Rockhampton Airport to Middlemount Aerodrome.  It then flew back to Rockhampton Airport and then Hervey Bay Airport.

And late last week, Perri Air / South Burnett Air Services Quest Kodiak 100 VH-8FV looked to fly up from its Dalby base to land at the Central Highlands Aerial Services (CHAS) facility just North of Emerald.  It then looked to spend the weekend flying from there to places like Barcaldine, Longreach and Blackall Airports before returning to Dalby on Monday 20 January.

Photo taken by Scott Harris  ©

VistaJet Bombardier BD-700-2A12 Global 7500 Bizjet 9H-VIK Pops into Hamilton Island Airport - Plus More!

On Saturday 18 January, VistaJet Bombardier BD-700-2A12 Global 7500 bizjet 9H-VIK as 'VJT712' / "Vistajet 712" flew into Hamilton Island Airport from Washington, Denver, Honolulu and Cairns where it cleared Australian Border Force requirements.

After a short time on the ground 9H-VIK departed Hamo and returned to Cairns for parking (as shown).

The locally-based Embraer EMB-550 Legacy 500 bizjet N142GZ returned to its Mackay Airport base from Brisbane after flying down last weekend.

While a nice little corporate we haven't seen for a little while in the form of Avcair (Avgunn) LearJet 60 bizjet VH-ILJ was noted flying down from Longreach Airport to Brisbane. It had arrived from Mount Isa the previous day as shown.

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It seems that VH-ILJ has spent a lot of recent times flying from Brisbane to various destinations in Asia and the Middle East.

Also noted visiting Longreach Airport also on Saturday 18 January was Machjet (Machjet International) Cessna 525A Citation CJ2 bizjet VH-ZIY as "Machflight 41".  It arrived from the Sunshine Coast and later returned there but via Brisbane.

And LifeFlight (Aeromed) Canadair CL-600-2B16 Challenger 604 bizjet VH-OFA "Ambulance 614" flew up from Brisbane to Longreach Airport.  It then flew to Cairns and then down to Proserpine (Whitsunday Coast) Airport and Mackay Airport before it then returned to Brisbane.

It was a busy week for VH-OFA which also visited Rockhampton and Gladstone Airports during the latter part of the week.

Plus LifeFlight (Aeromed) Canadair CL-600-2B16 Challenger 604 bizjet VH-OFB "Ambulance 624" has completed two big overseas trips in the last week or so but managed to visit both Rockhampton and Mackay Airports on Wednesday 15 January.

Meanwhile, also on Saturday 18 January, Kennedy Aviation / Kennedy Air-Ag Air Tractor AT-802A 'Fire Boss' water bombing aircraft VH-XAJ as "Bomber 455" arrived into Longreach Airport from Gunnedah and departed to Mount Isa to assist with a bushfire emergency.

It joined VH-AWU which arrived into Mount Isa on Thursday 16 January, flying up from Toowoomba via Roma Airport and Longreach Airport.

Photo taken by Jonathan Willimas ©

Virgin Australia (ex REX Airlines) Boeing B737-8FE(WL) VH-REX (ex VH-VUU) Makes First Visit to CQ at Proserpine (Whitsunday Coast) Airport

On Saturday 18 January, there was an interesting 'first visit' into Central Queensland with Virgin Australia Airlines Boeing B737-8FE(WL) VH-REX calling into Proserpine (Whitsunday Coast) Airport from and back to Brisbane as VOZ1117/8.

But technically, it isn't the first visit by this particular airframe - MSN 36609 / LN 3232.

The 14.8-year-old airframe was originally flown by Virgin Blue / Virgin Australia from 2010 to 2020 with the registration marking of VH-VUU.

In 2020, it was initially stored at Melbourne (Tullamarine) before being stored at Jakarta in Indonesia.  The aircraft was then re-registered as VH-REX and re-painted into full Regional Express (REX) Airlines livery with it being delivered and entering service in February 2021.

When REX's jet operations collapsed in 2024, VH-REX was withdrawn from service and again stored at Tullamarine before being again moved to Jakarta.  In November 2024, VH-REX returned to Tullamarine before then being re-painted back into full Virgin Australia Airlines livery at Wagga Wagga.

VH-REX entered service with Virgin Australia on Tuesday 24 December.

Of interest, VH-REX is the first of two former Virgin Australia and REX Airlines aircraft to re-enter service with Virgin with Boeing B737-800 VH-RQP also starting flying with Virgin on earlier this month after also arriving back from Jakarta in December and then also being re-painted at Wagga Wagga.

Photos taken by Ryan Hothersall, Bernie Proctor and Robert Myers  ©

Jet Travel Australia Pilatus PC-24 Bizjet VH-8TP Calls into Whitsundays Airports - Plus More!

On Monday 13 January, Jet Travel Australia Pilatus PC-24 Bizjet VH-8TP flew up from Bankstown to Proserpine (Whitsunday Coast) Airport. It then flew across to Hamilton Island Airport and later completed a local flight.

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At the time of writing, it seems that VH-8TP is spending at least the night at Hamo.

UPDATE!  On Tuesday 14 January, VH-8TP appeared to complete a pair of local flights out of and back to Hamilton Island Airport with it noted flying around nearby Hayman Island.

UPDATE!  On Wednesday 15 January, VH-8TP departed Hamilton Island Airport and returned to Proserpine Airport before then flying back down to Bankstown.

While Homada Pty Ltd Cessna 560XL Citation XLS bizjet VH-XCU flew up from Melbourne (Moorabbin) and Melbourne (Essendon) also to Hamilton Island Airport. It then departed back directly to Moorabbin.

And McDermott Aviation Group / Machjet International Cessna 525A CitationJet CJ2 bizjet VH-SUY as "Machflight 06" arrived into Moranbah Airport from the Sunshine Coast.  It then departed to Toowoomba-Wellcamp and then back to the Sunny Coast.

Finally, on Sunday 12 January, the locally-based Embraer EMB-550 Legacy 500 bizjet N142GZ departed Mackay Airport for Brisbane.

Photo taken by Tony Haynes  ©

Yet Another Busy Week for the LifeFlight (Aeromed) Canadair Challenger 604 Bizjets - VH-OFA - VH-OFB - VH-OFC - All at CQ Airports - Plus More!

On Sunday 12 January, LifeFlight (Aeromed) Canadair CL-600-2B16 Challenger 604 bizjet VH-OFC "Ambulance 634" flew down to Rockhampton Airport from Townsville and soon after departed back to there.

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It marked another busy week for the LifeFlight Challenger bizjets with VH-OFC "Ambulance 634" visiting Mackay Airport on Wednesday 8 January.

While LifeFlight (Aeromed) Canadair CL-600-2B16 Challenger 604 bizjet VH-OFB "Ambulance 624" visited Bundaberg, Mackay and Rockhampton Airports last weekend an into the start of the week.

And LifeFlight (Aeromed) Canadair CL-600-2B16 Challenger 604 bizjet VH-OFA "Ambulance 614" visited Rockhampton, Bundaberg and Hervey Bay (Fraser Coast) Airports.

Finally, also on Sunday 12 January, the aircraft used for the skydiving out of Lakeside Airpark was swapped over with Cessna 208B Supervan 900 Skydiving Aircraft VH-XLF departing to Bankstown and Sydney Skydivers Pacific Aerospace PAC 750XL VH-XLC arriving from Caloundra.

Of interest, on Saturday 11 January, Cessna 208 Caravan VH-DZZ, which is operated by the Skydive the Beach Group, flew back up to the Whitsunday Airport at Shute Harbour from the Shellharbour Airport at Woolongong.  It had flown down there in December.

UPDATE!  Australia Skydive Cessna 208 Caravan VH-DZQ departed Shute Harbour for Tully on Monday 13 January.

Photo taken by Steve Vit  ©

Virgin Australia (ex REX Airlines) Boeing B737-8FE(WL) VH-RQP (ex VH-BZG) Makes First Visit to CQ at Proserpine (Whitsunday Coast) Airport - Plus More!

On Friday 10 January, there was an interesting 'first visit' into Central Queensland with Virgin Australia Airlines Boeing B737-8FE(WL) VH-RQP calling into Proserpine (Whitsunday Coast) Airport from and back to Brisbane as VOZ1117/8.

But technically, it isn't the first visit by this particular airframe - MSN 37822 / LN 3355.

The 14.5-year-old airframe was originally flown by Virgin Blue / Virgin Australia from 2010 to 2020 with the registration marking of VH-BZG.

In 2020, it was initially stored at Melbourne (Tullamarine) before being stored at Jakarta in Indonesia.  The aircraft was then re-registered as VH-RQP and re-painted into full Regional Express (REX) Airlines livery with it being delivered and entering service in March 2021.

When REX's jet operations collapsed in 2024, VH-RQP was withdrawn from service and again stored at Tullamarine before being again moved to Jakarta.  In December 2024, VH-RQP returned to Tullamarine before then being re-painted back into full Virgin Australia Airlines livery at Wagga Wagga.

VH-RQP entered service with Virgin Australia on Saturday 4 January.

Of interest, VH-RQP is the second of two former Virgin Australia and REX Airlines aircraft to re-enter service with Virgin with Boeing B737-800 VH-REX starting flying with Virgin on Christmas Eve after also arriving back from Jakarta in late November and then also being re-painted at Wagga Wagga.

Meanwhile, also on Friday 10 January, Kirkhope Aviation (of Melbourne) Beech B200 King Air VH-ZOK landed at Mackay Airport after flying up from Melbourne (Moorabbin).

UPDATE!  On Saturday 11 January, VH-ZOK departed Mackay Airport for Hamilton Island Airport before then returning to Moorabbin but via Bourke.  

After operating the Whitsundays on tourist flights since arriving in November 2024, Commando Skydivers (Victoria) GippsAero GA8-TC320 Airvan VH-SXK flew down from Proserpine (Whitsunday Coast) Airport to Morwell (Latrobe Valley) via Goondiwindi and Temora.  It since looks like it has taken up parachuting operations back at Latrobe Valley.

And Hughes Aviation (Hughes Pastoral Group) (Gympie) Pilatus PC-12/47E NGX VH-8HP has had another busy week flying around the region departing Tierawoomba at the start of the week and landing back there today after visiting such places as Mackay Airport, Tumbar Station, Lake Nash and Mount Isa.

Photos taken by Jonathan Williams, Bernie Proctor and Robert Myers  ©

Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) Airbus A330-203 / KC-30A (MRTT) A39-004 "Dragon 21" Spotted Completing a Missed Approach at Rockhampton Airport

On Friday 10 January, Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) Airbus A330-200 / KC-30A Multi Role Tanker Transport (MRTT) A39-004 was spotted as it completed a missed approach at Rockhampton Airport.

The MRTT had originally departed from RAAF Base Amberley and flew all the way up to Townsville where it landed for a short time.  A39-004 then flew back South via the airwork at Rockhampton Airport and then onwards back to Amberley.

A39-004 was heard to be using the radio callsign of "Dragon 21".

Of interest, fellow RAAF KC-30A MRTT A39-005 as "Dragon 20" was also in the air at the same time, also flying out of Amberley but all the way up to Cairns.  It then returned directly to Amberley.

Sincere thanks to local plane spotter Scott H who was at the right place at the right time to capture these great photos!

All photos taken by Scott Harris  ©️

Parker Aviation Ventures (Sydney) / Air Link (Dubbo) Embraer EMB-500 Phenom Bizjet VH-PNM

On Thursday 9 January, Parker Aviation Ventures (Sydney) / Air Link (Dubbo) Embraer EMB-500 Phenom bizjet VH-PNM arrived into Rockhampton Airport from Archerfield and Port Macquarie. It later departed back to Archerfield.

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McDermott Aviation Group / Machjet International Cessna 525C CitationJet CJ4 bizjet VH-PIY as "Machflight 41" visited Rockhampton Airport from the Sunshine Coast and Archerfield. 

Air Gold Coast Cessna 525A CitationJet CJ2 bizjet VH-ZDM visited Hamilton Island Airport from the Gold Coast 

While the locally-based Embraer EMB-550 Legacy 500 bizjet N142GZ departed Mackay Airport for Brisbane before returning to the Sugar City later in the day.

And FKG Air (Redjet Aviation) Hawker Beechcraft B200GT VH-FKB visited my local Clermont Aerodrome from Toowoomba.

Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) Alenia C-27J Spartan Transport Aircraft A34-001 "Wallaby 25" Spotted at Hervey Bay (Fraser Coast) Airport

On Thursday 9 January, Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) Alenia C-27J Spartan transport aircraft A34-001 was spotted visiting Hervey Bay (Fraser Coast) Airport.

It was flying as "Wallaby 25" and flew up from RAAF Base Amberley to complete airwork at Bundaberg Airport then to land at Hervey Bay Airport.  A bit later it departed to complete airwork at Kingaroy Aerodrome and then return to Amberley.

Later A34-001, now as "Wallaby 24", was noted completing airwork at Miles Airport while on another flight out of and back to Amberley.

Photo taken by Garth Coad  ©

New Pacific Helicopters (PNG) Airbus Helicopters H125 Helicopter P2-PHU Pops into CQ Airports Heading North - Plus More!

On Wednesday 8 January, Pacific Helicopters (PNG) new Airbus Helicopters H125 helicopter P2-PHU was noted flying North via a couple of Central Queensland Airports while on delivery to Papua New Guinea (PNG).

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It departed from the Sunshine Coast and then called into Rockhampton Airport before then finishing the day at the Whitsunday Airport at Shute Harbour.

UPDATE!  On Thursday 9 January, P2-PHU departed the Whitsunday Airport at Shute Harbour and continued it delivery flight North, finishing the day near the tip of Cape York.

Meanwhile, also on Wednesday 8 January, Gulf Coast Aviation Cessna 510 Citation Mustang bizjet VH-KXM looked to fly up from Tamworth to Longreach Airport before then continuing up to Vanrook Station near Normanton.

UPDATE!  On Thursday 9 January, VH-KXM looked to fly down from Vanrook Station to Emerald Airport and then flying to the Gold Coast and back to Tamworth.

And NSW based EADS SOCATA TBM 700 VH-8NX landed at Longreach Airport from Bankstown and a bit later departed to Roma Airport and then back to Bankstown.