Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) Beech B350 Super King Airs Around CQ Airports Monday

Following a period out of the air, there were at least three Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) Beech B350 Super King Air turboprops noted flying around various parts of Central Queensland on Monday 22 August.

A32-437 at the Exercise Pitch Black 2016 open day at Darwin Airport

Early in the day A32-346 - flying as "Torch 41" - completed a missed approach at Mackay Airport while flying from Townsville to RAAF Base Amberley.

It was closely followed by A32-372 - flying as "Torch 42" which also flew from Townsville to Amberley by it flew directly not flying via a CQ Airport.

Later on Monday 22 August, A32-437 - flying as "Dingo 10" - was noted completed a missed approach at my local Clermont Aerodrome after flying South from Townsville.  It then flew towards Blackall, but reported extreme icing conditions saw it then fly direct to Longreach Airport where it landed.  After a period of time on the ground at Longreach, A32-437 then returned to Townsville.

UPDATE!  On Tuesday 23 August, A32-437 was again in the air as "Dingo 10" and was noted completing airwork at both Moranbah and Proserpine / Whitsunday Coast Airports while flying from and back to Townsvillle.

The RAAF Super King Air fleet have been progressively returning to service after the type was temporarily suspended from flying in late June due to a chemical contamination concern.  A Department of Defence statement said that “as measurement techniques and test equipment continually improve routine maintenance had detected strontium chromate inside the aircraft’s environmental control system".