Corporate Aviation Bell 429 Helicopter VH-EQP - And More - at Gladstone Airport This Week

Corporate Aviation Bell 429 VH-EQP has returned to Gladstone Airport twice this week as it ventured North from its Gold Coast base and then back.

I managed to meet the pilot of VH-EQP at the Australian International Airshow at Avalon Airport earlier this month, and he commented that Gladstone Airport is a popular location to take on fuel as it ventures up and down the Queensland coast.

On Wednesday 20 March, VH-EQP departed Southport for Gladstone, before eventually heading for Proserpine / Whitsunday Coast Airport.  It then departed Proserpine for Gladstone and Southport to complete a big day's flying!

File photo

Also noted at Gladstone Airport this week has been CromAir Cessna 414 VH-CBT which flew from Bundaberg to Monto to Thangool / Biloela and then onto Gladstone Airport on Tuesday 19 March.  It later departed back to Monto and then Bundaberg.

Also on Tuesday 19 March, Henty Aviation Cessna 425 VH-BSM was spotted by Jamie C on the ground at Gladstone Airport after arriving from Archerfield.

Some other light aircraft noted at Gladstone Airport - particularly over the weekend - included a Rolleston-based Cessna 310, a familiar classic Cessna 150, and two visitors from Bundaberg.  On Sunday 17 March, Cessna 150 VH-DNY and Piper PA-24-260 VH-AZK were spotted at Gladstone Airport reportedly visiting the Gladstone Aero Club gathering on Sunday morning.  They both later departed back to their Bundaberg home.  

Cessna 150 VH-DNY at Bundaberg Airport (File photo)

Old Station (at Raglan) Cessna 150 VH-RWM was also noted, as was Cessna 310 VH-XBB which is registered in Rolleston.  Local Cessna 172 VH-RLJ and local Cessna 182 VH-CLZ were also both noted flying around Gladstone Airport on Sunday 17 March.

Lastly, it should be noted that there have been several Royal Flying Doctor Service (RFDS) B200 King Air aircraft to touch down at Gladstone Airport over the last few days.  VH-FDW ("FlyDoc 447"), VH-FDM ("FlyDoc 478"), VH-FDI ("FlyDoc 467"), VH-FDT ("FlyDoc 436"), and VH-FDA ("FlyDoc 401") have all noted at Gladstone Airport at various times from Saturday 16 March to Wednesday 20 March.

RFDS Hawker Beechcraft B200 King Air VH-FDI (File photo)

What a busy week!