Friday Morning Spottings From Gladstone Airport

We awoke early to watch some of the early morning action at Gladstone Airport on Friday 7 September, and we weren't disappointed, particularly with the action on the General Aviation apron!  Kicking off the morning was arrival of General Aviation Maintenance (GAM) AeroCommander 500-S VH-YJM from Thangool / Biloela Airport.

Photo taken by Jamie C

We were also lucky enough to be invited to have a closer look the Shrike, which was being prepared for its day of rest at Gladstone, before departing later in the evening to Rockhampton and then back to Thangool.

While on the GA Apron, we also noted some interesting light aircraft that were passing through Gladstone from the South-East corner of Queensland, bound for Mackay and Hamilton Island.  These aircraft were part of a 'group' that were heading North and included:  Beech A36 VH-RMM, Voyager Aviation Cessna 182 VH-NDP, Cessna 182 VH-TRE and The Redcliffe Aero Club's Cessna 172 VH-RAQ

One other light aircraft that was spotted was Cirrus SR22 VH-YDM which was seemingly visiting the industrial city from Brisbane.

Locally-based Australian Helicopters Aerospatiale AS.350BA VH-HQO was also noted.

And, Royal Flying Doctor Service (RFDS) Hawker Beechcraft B200C King Air VH-FDI was noted departing to Rockhampton as "FlyDoc 467".

Meanwhile, commercial movements during the early morning on Friday 7 September included Virgin Australia (Skywest Airlines) ATR 72-500 VH-FVX which arrived from and later departed back to Brisbane.

And finally, QantasLink Dash-8-Q400 VH-QOI was seen departing to the North as QLK2300.  VH-QOI still wears its bright 'Destination Tamworth' - Tamworth Country Music Festival colours.

What a great morning!