Royal Flying Doctor Service (RFDS) Raytheon B200 King Air VH-VQD "FlyDoc 491" (ex VH-FDW) Spotted at Rockhampton Airport

On Thursday 2 December, local plane spotter Trevor H ventured out to Rockhampton Airport and was lucky enough photograph recently re-registered Royal Flying Doctor Service (RFDS) Raytheon B200 King Air VH-VQD "FlyDoc 491".

VH-VQD "FlyDoc 491" started flying out of the RFDS Brisbane base in early November and is in fact former VH-FDW "FlyDoc 447" with the aircraft re-registered to 'free-up' the marking for one of the new RFDS Textron Aviation (Beechcraft) Super King Air 360CHW turboprop aircraft which are due for delivery later in the year.

It is now the second RFDS King Air to be re-registered this year with VH-FDR becoming VH-VJU "FlyDoc 445" in June.

The RFDS plan take delivery of the first two KA360 aircraft late 2021 with the aim of commissioning the aircraft in early 2022. They will receive a further two aircraft late 2022 and have an option to purchase an additional two more KA360 aircraft.

Meanwhile, Trevor also managed to photograph RFDS Hawker Beechcraft B200 King Air VH-FDS "FlyDoc425" looking resplendent in its new livery - our first look at it since a re-paint in November and December 2020!

It is now the fourth RFDS King Air to be re-painted following VH-FDG, VH-FDZ and VH-FDM.

All photos taken by Trevor Hardsman  ©