A Few Big Helicopters Position at and through Central Queensland Airport in Preparation for TC Owen Aftermath

Over the course of Thursday 13 December and Friday 14 December, several large utility and heavy-lift helicopters have been noted and spotted positioning to and through Central Queensland Airports, presumably in preparation to assist in the aftermath of Tropical Cyclone Owen which is expected to hit remote parts of Far North Queensland in the coming days.

On Thursday 13 December, Touchdown Helicopters (Wollongong) OAS Parts (Bell) UH-1H Iroquois VH-OXI as "Helitack 229" and Stirling Helicopters Eurocopter AS.350B2 Squirrel VH-AGL were noted departing Rockhampton Airport together heading North.

VH-AGL was photographed above at Mackay Airport early on Friday 14 December.

Also photographed alongside the Squirrel at Mackay Airport on Friday 14 December was McDermott Aviation / Heli-Lift Australia Bell 214B-1 Big Lifter Helicopter P2-MSA "Helitack 412".

It had also flown North via Rockhampton Airport late on the Thursday.

While noted arriving into Gladstone Airport also on Friday 14 December was fellow McDermott Aviation / Heli-Lift Australia Helicopters Bell Textron Helicopter 214B-1 Big Lifter helicopter VH-SEK.

Finally, also on Friday 14 December, Calibre Aviation (Webb Helicopters) Williams UH-1H "Huey" VH-UEE "Helitack 422" and Aerial Agriculture (Heli Fleet) of Armidale Bell 206L-3 LongRanger III VH-ONR were both also noted arriving into Rockhampton Airport.

Of interest, VH-ONR looked to be previously operated by Roma-based M.I. Helicopters.

All photos taken by 'JM'  ©