Friday, July 31, 2020

Execujet Australia Bombardier Global 6000 Bizjet VH-YAI - Plus Gulfstream Aerospace G-V-SP (G550) Bizjet N360LF - Both Visit Hamilton Island Airport

On Friday 31 July, Execujet Australia Bombardier BD-700-1A10 Global 6000 bizjet VH-YAI was noted arriving into Hamilton Island Airport.  It looked to touch down from Sydney.

File photo

The sleek Global 6000 bizjet didn't remain long though, noted soon after returning South back to Sydney.

Meanwhile, also on Friday 31 July, American-registered but Australian-based Gulfstream Aerospace G-V-SP (G550) bizjet N360LF was noted arriving into Hamilton Island Airport from Sydney.  This is the sleek Gulfstream's second visit to Hamo in the space of just over a week.

Like it's last visit and at the time of writing, N360LF, which appears to be normally based at Sydney, appears to be spending at least the night parked on Hamo.

Also on Friday 31 July, locally-based Embraer EMB-550 Legacy 500 bizjet N142GZ was noted returning 'home' to Mackay Airport from Sydney.  It appears that N142GZ has been in Sydney since the start of last week - see Blog post below.

Finally, a couple of light General Aviation (GA) aircraft noted around CQ Airports also on Friday 31 July included Austrek Aviation Beech B200 King Air VH-ZMW which visited Rockhampton Airport from its Toowoomba base, returning via Archerfield.  While Orange-based PA-24-250 Comanche VH-TMW visited Rockhampton Airport from Moree.

Photo taken by Lloyd Fox  ©

And Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) Boeing C-17A Globemaster III A41-207 Spotted Completing Touch-and-Go's at Bundaberg Airport

Also on Friday 31 July, Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) Boeing C-17A Globemaster III A41-207 was spotted and noted completing three touch-and-go approaches at Bundaberg Airport.  It was heard to be flying as "Stallion 11".




The C-17 initially departed from RAAF Base Amberley and headed off the coast of Brisbane before flying up and completing the airwork at Bundy.  A41-207 then returned to Amberley.

Photos and video taken by Dan B and Isaac S  ©

Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) Boeing B737-7ES / E-7A Wedgetail A30-003 Completes Missed Approach at Rockhampton Airport

On Friday 31 July, Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) Boeing B737-7ES / E-7A Wedgetail Airborne Early Warning & Control (AEW&C) aircraft A30-003 was spotted completing a missed approach and low overshoot at Rockhampton Airport.






It appears that the Wedgetail flew up from RAAF Base Williamtown at Newcastle via a missed approach at the Sunshine Coast.  After completing the airwork, A30-003 departed Rockhampton Airport and returned directly to Williamtown.

Of interest, A30-003 was heard to be using the radio callsign of "Mitchel 05".

Sincere thanks to local photographer Steve V and local plane spotter Kayanne H for allowing us to share these great photos!

Photos taken by Steve Vit and Kayanne Hardsman  ©

Thursday, July 30, 2020

And Local Israel Aircraft Industries (IAI) 1124A Westwind II Bizjet VH-IER Out and About from Maryborough Airport

Late on Wednesday 29 July, locally-based Israel Aircraft Industries (IAI) 1124A Westwind II bizjet VH-IER was noted departing its Maryborough Airport base heading to Brisbane.

VH-IER returns to Maryborough Airport following recent crew training  (File photo)

Reports suggest that the med-evac equipped bizjet was contracted to provide a medical evacution flight overseas but this appears to have not come to fruition.  On Thursday 30 July, VH-IER returned to Maryborough Airport from Brisbane.

Photo taken by David Geck  ©

Greensill Aviation Cessna 550 Citation Bravo Bizjet VH-CCJ Out and About From Bundaberg Airport Again!

Continuing a busy week or so of flying, on Thursday 30 July, the locally-based Greensill Aviation Cessna 550 Citation Bravo bizjet VH-CCJ was noted flying out and about from Bundaberg Airport.

File photo

The sleek little Citation was noted departing Bundy for Brisbane and returning home later in the day.

VH-CCJ looks to have spent most of the last nine days or so in the air after it originally returned to Bundaberg Airport in the middle of July from what looked like a maintenance layover at Adelaide Airport.

Meanwhile, also at Bundaberg Airport but last Sunday 26 July, brand new Cirrus SR22T N931DW looked to visit from the Sunshine Coast.  The smart little Cirrus has only just been delivered into Australia, arriving via the Gold Coast on Monday 20 July.

Photo taken by Samuel Felgate  ©

LifeFlight (Aeromed) Canadair Challenger 604 Bizjet VH-OFC "Ambulance 634" Spotted at Rockhampton Airport - Pops into CQ Airports

On Thursday 30 July, LifeFlight (Aeromed) recently acquired Canadair CL-600-2B16 Challenger 604 bizjet VH-OFC "Ambulance 634" was spotted visiting Rockhampton Airport.  It arrived from Townsville and later flew West to Longreach Airport.


After a short time on the ground, VH-OFC "Ambulance 634" departed Longreach Airport for Barcaldine Airport and then Brisbane.

Then, also on Thursday 30 July, VH-OFC "Ambulance 634" was noted visiting Mackay Airport, arriving from Brisbane and later departing to Townsville.

Meanwhile, also on Thursday 30 July, Corporate Aircraft Charter (South Australia) Cessna 550 Citation II bizjet VH-ZLE was noted visiting Proserpine (Whitsunday Coast) Airport.  It arrived from and later departed back to Brisbane.

Photo taken by Steve Vit  ©️

Wednesday, July 29, 2020

Mackellar Mining Equipment / Flight Options (Australia) Cessna 560 Citation Ultra Bizjet VH-MMC Back at CQ Airports - Plus More!

For the second time this week, on Wednesday 29 July, Mackellar Mining Equipment / Flight Options (Australia) Cessna 560 Citation Ultra bizjet VH-MMC was noted visiting some Central Queensland Airports.  It arrived into Rockhampton Airport from the Sunshine Coast before it later flew across to Emerald Airport for its second visit for the week.

File photo

At the time of writing, VH-MMC appears to be spending at least night at Emerald Airport.

UPDATE!  On Thursday 30 July, VH-MMC was noted departing Emerald Airport for the Sunshine Coast.

Meanwhile, also on Wednesday 29 July, Seair Pacific / Istelcote De Havilland DHC-6-100 Twin Otter VH-BVS was back in CQ operating the weekly Fly-in Fly-out (FIFO) closed charter flight from the Gold Coast and Brisbane to Rockhampton Airport then up to Collinsville Aerodrome and Townsville.  VH-BVS later returned South over the same route.

And fellow Seair Cessna 208 Caravan VH-TQW was also noted arriving into Rockhampton Airport for Hervey Bay (Fraser Coast) Airport, also on Wednesday 29 July.

UPDATE!  On Thursday 30 July, VH-TQW departed Rocky for Wanella Station near Coppabella.  It then flew down to Maryborough and Hervey Bay Airports.

An interesting visitor noted also visiting Hervey Bay (Fraser Coasr) Airport, also on Wednesday 29 July, was Machjet (Machjet International) Beech B200 King Air VH-PUY.  It arrived from and later departed back to its Sunshine Coast base.

VH-PUY is believed to be ex-P2-LNJ which was also owned and operated by Machjet.

Another familiar visitor in the form of Air Gold Coast Beech 58 Baron VH-YDC made its weekly visit to Rockhampton Airport also on Wednesday 29 July.  As usual, it arrived from Townsville and later departed to Archerfield and the Gold Coast.  It had flown North the previous day.

While up at Mackay Airport, also on Wednesday 29 July, BPW Aviation / Airspeed Aviation of Scone, New South Wales, Cessna 404 Titan VH-SKV and Cessna 441 Conquest II VH-EQU both visited from Tamworth via Brisbane.  These pair of Cessnas seem to be becoming regular weekly visitors.

Finally, a couple of other light General Aviation (GA) visitors to the Labona Station Airstrip within Adani Australia's Carmichael Coal Mine site included Brisbane-based Piper PA-31-350 VH-RPV which landed there from Archerfield before later departing to Emerald Airport and back to Archerfield on Wednesday 29 July.

While Brescon (Toowoomba) Beech B200 King Air VH-WXN flew into Labona from Toowoomba-Wellcamp also on Wednesday 29 July.  It was due to return direct to Wellcamp early on Thursday 30 July.

And on Tuesday 28 July, Redjet Aviation Piper PA-31 Navajo VH-PJU visited Labona, flying in from and back to its Toowoomba base via Emerald Airport.

New Avcair Embraer 500 Phenom 100EV Bizjet VH-NJR Spotted at Maryborough Airport

On Wednesday 29 July, brand new Avcair Embraer 500 Phenom 100EV bizjet VH-NJR was spotted at Maryborough Airport. The sleek black coloured bizjet was making its first visit to Central Queensland and was believed to be completing a trial flight out of and back to Brisbane.





VH-NJR was delivered to the Brisbane-based Avcair at Brisbane Airport in early July after it completed a ferry flight from Florida in the USA via Alaska and Asia. It also ferried via Darwin and Mount Isa while enroute to Brisbane.

UPDATE!  It appears that on Thursday 30 July, VH-NJR completed another flight into Maryborough Airport again flying from and back to Brisbane.

The registration marking is also familiar with Australian airliner spotters with VH-NJR being worn for a long time by a National Jet Systems / Cobham Aviation Services British Aerospace BAe 146-100 aircraft.

VH-NJR in 2018  (File photo)

It first was registered in 1992 and was withdrawn from use and broken up in June 2019.

Sincere thanks to David G for capturing and sending through these great photos from Maryborough!

Photos taken by David Geck  ©

Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) Alenia C-27J Spartan Transport Aircraft A34-006 "Wallaby 24" Missed Approach at Longreach Airport

On Wednesday 29 July, Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) Alenia C-27J Spartan transport aircraft A34-006 was noted completing a missed approach at Longreach Airport.

File photo

The Spartan was flying as "Wallaby 24" and appeared to fly down from Far North Queensland where it has been operating over the last few days.  It then departed towards RAAF Base Amberley.

Defence Image...

Tuesday, July 28, 2020

LifeFlight (Aeromed) Canadair Challenger 604 Bizjet VH-OFB "Ambulance 624" Calls into Mackay Airport

On Tuesday 28 July, LifeFlight (Aeromed) Canadair CL-600-2B16 Challenger 604 bizjet VH-OFB "Ambulance 624" was noted visiting Mackay Airport.  It arrived from Brisbane.

File photo

After around an hour time on the ground, the Challenger 604 departed Mackay Airport for Cairns and Townsville before eventually returning to Brisbane.

Photo taken by Michael Malick  ©️

Queensland Government Airwing (State of Queensland) Raytheon Hawker 850XP Bizjet VH-SGY Arrives into Proserpine (Whitsunday Coast) Airport - UPDATED!

On Tuesday 28 July, the Queensland Government Airwing (State of Queensland) Raytheon Hawker 850XP bizjet VH-SGY was noted arriving into Proserpine (Whitsunday Coast) Airport.

File photo

It touched down from Brisbane.

At the time of writing, it appears that VH-SGY is remaining at Prosie for at least the night.

UPDATE!  On Wednesday 29 July, VH-SGY departed Proserpine (Whitsunday Coast) Airport for Bundaberg Airport.  It then returned to Brisbane.

Meanwhile, also in the Whitsundays, but on Saturday 25 July, the often visiting American-registered Eclipse EA500 bizjet N257AK was noted arriving into the Whitsunday Airport at Shute Harbour from Archerfield,

UPDATE!  On Thursday 30 July, N257AK departed Shute Harbour and returned to Archerfield.

Photo taken by Steve Vit  ©

Three Cessna Citation Bizjets - VH-ZLE, VH-CCJ, VH-MMC - All Touch Down at Emerald Airport - Plus More!

On Tuesday 28 July, a trio of Cessna Citation bizjets were noted visiting Emerald Airport - and other CQ Airports - during what seems to be a busy day of flying.

Late on Monday 27 July, Corporate Aircraft Charter (South Australia) Cessna 550 Citation II bizjet VH-ZLE departed Brisbane for Longreach Airport.  It then popped into Blackall Airport.  From there, now in the wee small hours of Tuesday 28 July, VH-ZLE then flew across to Rockhampton Airport before it then flew back to Emerald Airport.  VH-ZLE then returned to Brisbane.

File photo

A little later in the morning also on Tuesday 28 July, Greensill Aviation Cessna 550 Citation Bravo bizjet VH-CCJ was noted visiting Emerald Airport from its Bundaberg Airport base.  It returned to the Rum City later in the day.

While also on Tuesday 28 July, Mackellar Mining Equipment / Flight Options (Australia) Cessna 560 Citation Ultra bizjet VH-MMC arrived into Emerald Airport from the Sunshine Coast via Biloela / Thangool Airport.  It later returned to the Sunny Coast.

UPDATE!  VH-MMC returned to Emerald Airport - along with visiting Rockhampton Airport - on Wednesday 29 July - see Blog post above!

Meanwhile, also on Tuesday 28 July, after arriving into Hamilton Island Airport from Sydney late last week, American-registered but Australian-based Gulfstream Aerospace G-V-SP (G550) bizjet N360LF was noted departing Hamo and returning to Sydney.

Finally, slightly smaller and noted visiting Rockhampton Airport, but on Monday 27 July, was the Queensland Police Service (Airwing) (State of Queensland) Cessna 208 Caravan VH-PSQ.  It arrived from the North and departed to Brisbane.  While Austrek Aviation Beech B200 King Air VH-WXO made its usual visit to Rockhampton Airport, arriving from Toowoomba and Archerfield before later departing direct to Toowoomba.

And down at Bundaberg Airport, Albury-based Pilatus PC-12/47E VH-FMM was noted visiting from the Gold Coast and Brisbane-based Piper PA-31 Navajo VH-DEQ was noted visiting from Archerfield but both on Monday 27 July.  

Photo taken by Lloyd Fox  ©

FlyPelican (Pelican Airlines) BAe J32 VH-OTQ Pops into Rockhampton Airport – Plus More!

On Tuesday 28 July, a nice surprise visitor to Central Queensland in the form of FlyPelican (Pelican Airlines) British Aerospace BAe Jetstream 3206 (Jetstream 32) turboprop aircraft VH-OTQ which was photographed arriving into Rockhampton Airport from Newcastle (Williamtown) as PE999.


After taking on fuel, VH-OTQ was then noted departing Rockhampton Airport for Julia Creek and Hughenden before it later returned to Rocky as PE998/9.

At the time of writing, it appears that VH-OTQ was spending at least the night at Rockhampton Airport.

Of interest, Fly Pelican (Pelican Airlines) is an Australian regional airline based at Newcastle in New South Wales.  The airline was formed in 2015 by former staff and using former aircraft of Aeropelican Air Services which was also based at Newcastle and was formed in 1968.  The airline was also associated with Ansett Australia Airlines.

Meanwhile, another closed charter flight photographed as at Rockhampton Airport also on Tuesday 28 July was the weekly visit by a Regional Express (REX) SAAB 340B.  This week, VH-ZLQ was spotted as it arrived from Brisbane and then later departed to Richmond as RXA9882/9282.  VH-ZLQ later returned to Brisbane but as RXA9883.


While also on Tuesday 28 July, fellow REX SAAB 340B VH-ZRI called into Emerald Airport, flying from and back to Brisbane as PFY9272/3 before it then flew from Brisbane to Richmond and back, again via Emerald Airport but as PFY9280/9881.

All photos taken by Steve Vit  ©️

Monday, July 27, 2020

Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) Alenia C-27J Spartan Transport Aircraft A34-008 "Kaos 32" Completes Airwork Around Fraser Coast Airports - Spotted at Bundaberg Airport

During the afternoon on Monday 27 July, Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) Alenia C-27J Spartan transport aircraft A34-008 was noted completing airwork in different parts around the Wide Bay and Fraser Coast regions of Central Queensland.  It was also spotted completing its airwork at Bundaberg Airport.





A34-008 was flying as "Wallaby 63" and looked to come up from RAAF Base Amberley. It completed airwork at Bundaberg (as shown), Hervey Bay and Maryborough before it then returned to Amberley.

Photos and videos taken by Peter Sajko  ©

Queensland Government Airwing Raytheon Hawker 850XP Bizjet VH-SGY at Longreach Airport

During the afternoon on Monday 27 July, the Queensland Government Airwing (State of Queensland) Raytheon Hawker 850XP bizjet VH-SGY was noted visiting Longreach Airport.  It touched down from Brisbane.

File photo

After a few hours on the ground, VH-SGY departed Longreach Airport and returned to the capital, arriving just before midnight.

Meanwhile, also on Monday 27 July, Great Western Aviation Beech B200 King Air VH-XGV was noted departing Longreach Airport for the Sunshine Coast and Brisbane.  It had arrived from there on Sunday 26 July.

Photo taken by 'AC'  ©

Saturday, July 25, 2020

Corporate Aircraft Charter (SA) Cessna 550 Citation II Bizjet VH-ZLE Late Visit to Proserpine (Whitsunday Coast) Airport

During the evening on Friday 24 July, Corporate Aircraft Charter (South Australia) Cessna 550 Citation II bizjet VH-ZLE was noted visiting Proserpine (Whitsunday Coast) Airport.  It looked to arrive from Brisbane.

File photo

After around an hour on the ground, VH-ZLE departed Proserpine Airport for the Gold Coast before later returning to its Brisbane base.

Photo taken by Lloyd Fox  ©

One of Two Qantas / QantasLink (Cobham Aviation) Boeing B717-200 VH-NXQ Spotted in New 'Silver-Roo' Colours Back in Service After Storage

During this past week, QantasLink (Cobham Aviation-operated) Boeing B717-200 VH-NXQ was photographed below at Brisbane Airport, back in service after a period of time in storage, and looking resplendent in the new Qantas / QantasLink 'Silver-Roo' colour scheme.


VH-NXQ underwent planned maintenance at Singapore (Seletar) Airport during the early part of May this year and it appears that while it was there, it was re-painted into the new Qantas / QantasLink colour scheme.  VH-NXQ arrived into Brisbane from Seletar and Port Hedland in Western Australia in late May, and was soon then placed into storage at Brisbane Airport.

VH-NXQ prepares to depart Adelaide Airport for Seletar  (File photo)

VH-NXQ is now the ninth of the fleet of Cobham Aviation-operated Boeing B717-200 regional jets to wear the new and updated Qantas livery and kangaroo logo, which was introduced to coincide with the introduction the Boeing B787 Dreamliner into service with the airline in 2017.

It also appears that the previously un-named VH-NXQ has now been named 'Port Campbell National Park'.

The tenth Boeing B717-200 VH-YQU has also re-entered service with QantasLink this week after also being in storage at Brisbane after it returned from maintenance and re-painting earlier in the month also at Seletar.

Of interest, VH-NXQ has had an interesting history to the present day.  The Boeing B717-231 (c/n 55097-5095) was originally ordered new in 2001 by Trans World Airlines (TWA) in the USA and entered the US Aircraft Register as N430TW in December 2001.  It didn't appear to enter service with airline and was eventually stored at Victorville, California.

The B717 was soon cancelled from the US Aircraft Register and entered the Australian Aircraft Register as VH-VQK in April 2002, being leased to Qantas for operation by QantasLink but with Impulse Airlines as the registered operator.  VH-VQK eventually arrived into Australia at Newcastle (Williamtown) in May 2002.

VH-VQK was leased to Jetstar Airways as the registered operator in May 2004 and operated for the Qantas low-cost carrier until April 2006.

VH-VQK approaches Adelaide Airport in mid-2005  (File photo)

The B717-200 was also re-registered VH-YQK in November 2005.

After being withdrawn from service, VH-YQK was stored at Brisbane and then Tamworth.

VH-YQK stored at Brisbane in mid-2006  (File photo)

After National Jet Systems (now Cobham Aviation Services) was awarded the contract to operate services for QantasLink, the B717 was re-registered VH-NXQ in September 2007 and soon after, it was re-painted and then ferried to Perth to commence operations in Western Australia.

In March 2009, National Jet Systems was re-branded as Cobham Aviation Services Australia and VH-NXQ continues to operate services for QantasLink by Cobham Aviation.  This contract will reportedly run until 2026.

Finally, it appears that fellow QantasLink (Cobham Aviation) Boeing B717-200 VH-YQV has ferried overseas to Singapore's Seletar Airport for planned maintenance and I assume, re-painting.

Photos taken by 'JM', Tony Haynes, Ryan Hothersall and Simon Coates  ©

Friday, July 24, 2020

Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) Airbus A330-203 / KC-30A (MRTT) A39-004 "Dragon 66" Missed Approach at Rockhampton Airport

On Friday 24 July, Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) Airbus A330-200 / KC-30A Multi Role Tanker Transport (MRTT) A39-004 was back in Central Queensland and was noted completing a missed approach at Rockhampton Airport.

File photo

A39-004 originally departed RAAF Base Amberley and flew up to Townsville for a missed approach before it then landed for a short time at Cairns.  It then returned South to Amberley via the missed approach at Rockhampton Airport.

A39-004 was heard to be flying as "Dragon 66".

Meanwhile earlier in the week, on Wednesday 22 July, RAAF Alenia C-27J Spartan transport aircraft A34-005 as "Wallaby 52" was noted completing airwork around both Roma and Bundaberg Airports while on a flight out of and back to Amberley.

While finally, on Monday 20 July, RAAF Boeing C-17A Globemaster III A41-212 as "Stallion 62" was noted at high levels completing a flight out of and back to Amberley, flying via overhead Rockhampton, Emerald and Roma Airports.

Photo taken by Scott Harris  ©️

Greensill Aviation Cessna 550 Citation Bravo Bizjet VH-CCJ Out and About From Bundaberg Airport - UPDATED!

Over the course of this week, the locally-based Greensill Aviation Cessna 550 Citation Bravo bizjet VH-CCJ was noted flying out and about from Bundaberg Airport.

File photo

The sleek little Citation has had a busy week, departing Bundaberg Airport for Sydney on Tuesday 21 July before it flew into Brisbane on Wednesday 22 July.  VH-CCJ then flew from Brisbane to Townsville on Thursday 23 July before today, on Friday 24 July, it flew from Townsville back to Brisbane before calling into Bundaberg Airport for a short time.  VH-CCJ then ended the day back in Brisbane.

UPDATE!  On Sunday 26 July, VH-CCJ few from Brisbane to Bundaberg Airport and back to Brisbane.

UPDATE!  On Monday 27 July, VH-CCJ had a busy day, flying from Brisbane to Sydney before it flew North to the Sunshine Coast and home to Bundaberg Airport.

As mentioned below, VH-CCJ had only just returned to the Rum City on Tuesday 14 July from the Adelaide in South Australia, where it appeared to have been parked since the start of June.

Photo taken by Samuel Felgate  ©

Clive Palmer's Mineralogy Company Bombardier Global Express XRS Bizjet VH-UPH Pops into Mackay Airport - Plus More!

Early on Friday 24 July, Clive Palmer's Mineralogy Company's registered Bombardier BD-700-1A10 Global Express XRS bizjet VH-UPH was noted arriving into Mackay Airport.  It looked to arrive from the Gold Coast.

VH-UPH at Brisbane Airport recently  (File photo)

VH-UPH then departed Mackay Airport for Townsville before it later returned to the Gold Coast.

VH-UPH was registered to Mineralogy in January this year and was previous operated by Victoria-based UP Aviation.

Meanwhile, also on Friday 24 July, a couple of smaller light General Aviation (GA) aircraft and a helicopter to be noted visiting Rockhampton Airport included Austrek Aviation Beech B200 King Air VH-WXO.  It made its second visit for the week, this time arriving directly from Toowoomba before later returning there via Archerfield.

The Queensland Police Service (Airwing) (State of Queensland) Raytheon B1900D VH-PSK visited Rockhampton Airport during a busy day of flying out of and back to Cairns.

While New South Wales based Mooney M20J VH-PLQ popped into Rockhampton Airport from the North before later departing to Toowoomba.  And Heli Qld Airbus helicopters EC 130 T2 VH-WJY also arrived into Rocky from the North but departed to its Toowoomba base.

Photo taken by Lloyd Fox  ©

Alliance Airlines Fokker F-70 VH-QQW Pops into Gladstone Airport on Charter - Plus Updates on Scheduled Services to Gladstone and Bundaberg Airports

Interesting to note that on Friday 24 July, Alliance Airlines Fokker F-70 VH-QQW was noted visiting Gladstone Airport during what appears to have been a closed charter flight up to Far North Queensland and back.

File photo

During the morning, VH-QQW flew up from Brisbane to Weipa as UTY7232 before then flying directly to Gladstone Airport but as UTY7233.  A little later, returned to Brisbane.

Photo taken by Michael Fleetwood  ©

Capricorn Helicopter Rescue Crash Victims Remembered Today


The five victims of Queensland's worst helicopter crash will be remembered today on the anniversary of the tragedy.

In the early hours of Monday 24 July 2000, Capricorn Helicopter Rescue Service (CHRS) Bell 206 VH-FFI was operating a rescue flight, taking a sick five-year-old boy to hospital. The helicopter crashed in darkness and heavy fog, in a field near Marlborough in Central Queensland. The boy, his mum, and three crew lost their lives in the crash.

The CHRS chopper had flown to pick up the five-year-old boy with breathing problems from a remote property northwest of Rockhampton.

In 2003, an inquest found low fuel was to blame for the crash and heavy fog had been a significant factor.

File photo taken by Steve Vit  ©

Pictured above is one of the Capricorn Helicopter Rescue Service's current choppers - Babcock Mission Critical Services Australasia operated Bell 412 VH-LSY - returning to the Service's Rockhampton Airport base as "Rescue 300".

Fellow Babcock Bell 412EP helicopter VH-EPR also operates out of Rockhampton Airport and has been a long-term part of the CHRS fleet as the usual "Rescue 300".

Thursday, July 23, 2020

American Registered Gulfstream Aerospace G-V-SP (G550) Bizjet N360LF Arrives into Hamilton Island Airport

During the late afternoon on Thursday 23 July, American-registered but Australian-based Gulfstream Aerospace G-V-SP (G550) bizjet N360LF was noted arriving into Hamilton Island Airport from Sydney.

N360LF departs Sydney Airport on a previous visit  (File photo)

At the time of writing, N360LF, which appears to be normally based at Sydney, appears to be spending at least the night parked on Hamo.

UPDATE!  On Tuesday 28 July, it appears that N360LF departed Hamilton Island Airport and returned to Sydney.

Meanwhile, after arriving during last weekend, the often visiting American-registered Eclipse EA500 bizjet N257AK was noted departing the Whitsunday Airport at Shute Harbour for Archerfield, also on Thursday 23 July.

Photo taken by Grahame Hutchison  ©

Mackellar Mining Equipment / Flight Options (Australia) Cessna 560 Citation Ultra Bizjet VH-MMC at Clermont Aerodrome - Plus More!

Early on Thursday 23 July, I was lucky enough to photograph Mackellar Mining Equipment / Flight Options (Australia) Cessna 560 Citation Ultra bizjet VH-MMC arriving into my local Clermont Aerodrome.




The sleek Citation bizjet flew up from its Sunshine Coast base and needed a couple of attempts at landing due to the low cloud hanging around Clermont.

After staying for most the day, VH-MMC returned to the Sunny Coast during the later part of the afternoon.

Meanwhile, also photographed by me at my local Clermont Aerodrome, also on Thursday 23 July, was Hinterland Aviation Cessna 208 Caravan VH-TFS.  It arrived direct from Rockhampton Airport as HND310 and collected the passengers off VH-MMC to transport them up to the Labona Station Airstrip within Adani Australia's Carmichael Coal Mine site.  It soon departed up there as HND3101 before later returning to Clermont Aerodrome from Labona but as HND331.



VH-TFS then returned to Rockhampton Airport also during the after but as HND3311.

Of interest, also on Thursday 23 July, fellow Hinterland Aviation Cessna 208 Caravan VH-CVN was noted operating the Townsville to Labona Airstrip flights.

Meanwhile, on Wednesday 22 July, aside from the regular Hinterland Aviation Fly-in Fly-out (FIFO) charter flights into Labona Airstrip from both Rockhampton and Townsville Airports, there was a trio of other light General Aviation (GA) aircraft to be noted calling in.

Redjet Aviation Piper PA-31 Navajo VH-PJU flew into Labona from Toowoomba before it then flew down to Emerald Airport and returned to its Toowoomba base.  While Brisbane-based Piper PA-31-350 VH-RPV was noted arriving into Labona from Archerfield before it too departed to Emerald Airport before returning to its Archerfield base.

And Brescon (Toowoomba) Beech B200 King Air VH-XDW flew into Labona from Toowoomba-Wellcamp and Emerald Airport before returning direct to Wellcamp early on Thursday 23 July.

While noted visiting Mount Coolon Airstrip, also on a closed FIFO charter, but on Tuesday 21 July, was McDermott Aviation Group / Machjet International Raytheon B200 King Air VH-NSN.  Fellow Machjet Super King Air VH-ZSY looked to complete the flight in the previous week.

Finally, it's worth noting that on Wednesday 22 July, Seair Pacific / Istelcote De Havilland DHC-6-100 Twin Otter VH-BVS was back in CQ operating the weekly Fly-in Fly-out (FIFO) closed charter flight from the Gold Coast and Brisbane to Rockhampton Airport then up to Collinsville Aerodrome and Townsville.  VH-BVS later returned South over the same route.

While at Mackay Airport, also on Wednesday 22 July, BPW Aviation / Airspeed Aviation of Scone, New South Wales, Cessna 404 Titan VH-SKV and Cessna 441 Conquest II VH-EQU both visited from Tamworth via Brisbane.  These pair of Cessnas seem to be becoming regular weekly visitors.

Wednesday, July 22, 2020

The Final Qantas Airways Boeing B747-400(ER) VH-OEJ Departs Australian Shores for the Final Time!

On Wednesday 22 July, the sixth and final Qantas Airways Boeing B747-400(ER) registered VH-OEJ made a much publicised and highly emotional departure from Australian shores for good marking the end of an almost 50 year association between Qantas and the 4-engine Boeing 'jumbo jet'.


Named 'Wunala', VH-OEJ departed Sydney as QFA7474 from Runway 16Right, looped around to fly over Runway 07 before heading out to Maroubra, north along the coast to Bondi, looping into Sydney Harbour via the Heads and out to Gladesville Bridge before looping around again to exit the Harbour in the opposite direction.





























It then headed south to south to overfly the HARS Museum and B747-400 VH-OJA at the Albion Park Regional Airport.

VH-OEJ then headed out over the Pacific Ocean and drew a 'Flying Kangaroo' off the coast before setting course to the USA.


VH-OEJ had also completed a fitting swansong the previous week with 'farewell jumbo joy flights' operating from Sydney, Brisbane and Canberra - as pictured below.





At just over 17 years old, VH-OEJ was delivered to Qantas in August 2003 wearing the distinctive traditional Aboriginal 'Wunala Dreaming' livery.  It was the second Qantas B747-400 to carry the 'Wunala Dreaming' livery after VH-OJB.




Like the other Qantas B747-400ER jumbo jets, VH-OEJ is powered by General Electric (GE) CF6 engines.

In January 2012, VH-OEJ was re-painted into the 'New Roo' Qantas livery and took up the name 'Wunala' with a black kangaroo directly under the name at the front of the aircraft.




VH-OEJ also wore 'Proudly Supporting the Socceroos' titles in 2014/2015.





And '2016 Olympic Games' in 2016.




Central Queensland plane spotters sadly never had the pleasure of photographing VH-OEJ.

It is sad to see the jumbo jet era all but over in Australia.

UPDATE!  On Saturday 25 July, VH-OEJ continued from Los Angeles to Mojave Desert in the United States of America again as QFA7474.

Photos taken by Dominic O' Donnell, Simon Coates, Tony Haynes and Lloyd Fox  ©