Saturday, December 30, 2023

Jet Aviation Flight Services (USA) Gulfstream Aerospace GVI (G650ER) Bizjet N650HA Arrives into Hamilton Island Airport - Plus More!

On Saturday 30 December, the sleek looking Jet Aviation Flight Services (USA) Gulfstream Aerospace GVI (G650ER) bizjet N650HA was noted arriving into Hamilton Island Airport.


It flew up from Sydney and the Ballina / Byron Bay Gateway Airport, and was heard to be using the flight number and callsign of 'JS91'.

N560HA had arrived into Sydney from overseas a couple of days earlier - as pictured above.

UPDATE!  On Monday 1 January, N650HA departed Hamilton Island Airport and returned to Sydney but as 'JS72'.

Meanwhile, also on Saturday 30 December, Homada Pty Ltd Cessna 560XL Citation XLS bizjet VH-XCU also flew into Hamilton Island Airport but from Melbourne (Moorabbin) and Melbourne (Essendon). It then departed back to Moorabbin.

Bowenville (near Toowoomba) based Cessna 525 CitationJet CJ1+ bizjet VH-JSZ visited Rockhampton Airport from Archerfield.

Eagle One Aviation (Navair Flight Operations) Cessna 525B CitiationJet CJ3+ bizjet VH-X8X diverted into Hervey Bay (Fraser Coast) Airport after flying up from Bankstown and being unable to land at the Sunshine Coast. It then departed Hervey Bay Airport for Melbourne (Avalon).

Finally, also on Saturday 30 December, Cirrus SR22 VH-8MK departed Hamilton Island Airport for the Gatton Airpark. It had arrived the previous day.

Emerald Air Surveys P/L (Western Australia) Diamond DA42NG Twin Star VH-PXT arrived into the Whitsunday Airport at Shute Harbour after flying all the way across from Jandakot, Kalgoorlie, Ceduna and Broken Hill.

And Cessna 182s VH-RYZ and VH-COF were noted operating the parachuting flights out of Lakeside Airpark around the Laguna Quays Resort.

Sincere thanks to Sydney-based specialist aviation photographer Grahame Hutchison for allowing us to share this great photo!

Do check out more of Grahame's fantastic images on his well-known Sydney Airport based website http://www.16right.com/

Photo taken by Grahame Hutchison  ©

A Couple of Diversions into Rockhampton Airport including Jetstar Australia Airbus A321neo VH-OFY First Ever Landing in CQ!! – Plus More!

On Saturday 30 December, some inclement weather in the South-East corner of Queensland saw a couple of nice diversions into Rockhampton Airport.

Perhaps the nicest was the first ever visit into Central Queensland by a Jetstar Airways Airbus A321-251NX (A321neo).  VH-OFY was operating as JST794 from Melbourne (Tullamarine) to the Sunshine Coast but flew up to land at Rockhampton Airport.



After taking on fuel, VH-OFY departed to the Sunshine Coast again as JST794.

Of interest, Jetstar Airways is taking delivery of as many as 18 brand new Airbus A321neo aircraft with 232 seats.  They presently operate up and down the Queensland Coast but sadly, not currently to any CQ destinations.

Meanwhile, the other diversion into Rockhampton Airport, also on Saturday 30 December, was Virgin Australia Boeing B737-800 VH-YQM as VOZ1035 which also flew up from Tullamarine and was also unable to land at the Sunshine Coast.

After it also took on fuel, it too flew down to the Sunshine Coast.

Finally, it's worth mentioning that there was a third diversion from the Sunshine Coast, also on Saturday 30 December, with Eagle One Aviation (Navair Flight Operations) Cessna 525B CitiationJet CJ3+ bizjet VH-X8X diverted into Hervey Bay (Fraser Coast) Airport after flying up from Bankstown.  It then departed Hervey Bay Airport for Melbourne (Avalon).

Photos taken by 'AC'  ©

Monday, November 6, 2023

Brisbane-based Adome P/L Cessna 525 CitationJet M2 Bizjet VH-YWS Pops into Bundaberg Airport - Plus More!

On Monday 6 November, Brisbane-based Adome P/L Cessna 525 CitationJet M2 bizjet VH-YWS was noted arriving into Bundaberg Airport from Archerfield, Brisbane and Dalby.

File photo

UPDATE!  On Tuesday 7 November, VH-YWS departed Bundaberg Airport for Townsville.

Of interest, VH-YWS visited Roma Airport last Thursday 2 November from Archerfield (we missed it!).

UPDATE!  As of Thursday 9 November, VH-YWS was re-registered with Air Link (Dubbo) now the registered operator of the aircraft.

Navair Flight Operations Embraer EMB-500 Phenom 100 bizjet VH-LXZ visited Mackay Airport from Bankstown and Cessnock.

LifeFlight (Aeromed) Bombardier Challenger 604 bizjet VH-URR "Ambulance 604" visited Rockhampton Airport from Brisbane.

And Skytrans Airlines Dahs-8-100 VH-QQF flew down from Cairns to Proserpine (Whitsunday Coast) Airport as SKP85 before then continuing to Rockhampton Airport as SKP524 where it will operate the flights to Labona and back.

Finally, after dark on Monday 6 November, Australian Army (Helicorp) Leonardo S.P.A. Helicopters (Agusta) AW139 helicopter VH-YBF as "Warhorse 236" was noted visiting Proserine Airport, the Whitsunday Airport at Shute Harbour and then Mackay Airport, while on a flight out of and back to Townsville.

Photo taken by David Geck  ©

Sunday, November 5, 2023

Vanguard Aviation Cessna 525 CitationJet1 Bizjet VH-DAA Calls into CQ Airports - Plus More!

On Sunday 5 November, Vanguard Aviation Cessna 525 CitationJet1 bizjet VH-DAA was noted visiting a couple Central Queensland Airports.  It arrived into Rockhampton Airport from the Gold Coast and Archerfield and then later departed to Proserpine (Whitsunday Coast) Airport.

File photo

VH-DAA later returned to Archerfield.

Hughes Aviation (Hughes Pastoral Group) (Gympie) Pilatus PC-12//47E NGX VH-8HP flew up to Mackay Airport from Armidale and Keeroongooloo. 

Sydney-registered Cessna 208 Grand Caravan Skydiving Aircraft VH-XFB was noted flying up the Queensland coast, arriving into Lakeside Airpark at Bloomsbury, near Proserpine, to take up parachuting operations in association with the nearby Laguna Quays Resort.  It looked to fly up from Caloundra.

VH-XFB seems to be a replacement for Sydney-based Cessna 208 Caravan VH-FYC ferried down from the Lakeside Airpark to Caloundra.

Crown Cattle P/L Textron Aviation (Cessna) 208 VH-MGC arrived into Longreach Airport from Townsville.

And Brisbane-based SOCATA TB-20 Trinidad VH-IPF departed Cloncurry Airport for Barcaldine Airport and then Archerfield.

Photo taken by Jonathan Williams  ©

Australian Army Boeing CH-47F 'Foxtrot' Chinook Helicopters A15-303 & A15-308 Noted and Spotted at CQ Airports

On Sunday 5 November, the visiting pair of Australian Army Boeing CH-47F 'Foxtrot' Chinook helicopters - A15-308 as "Chainsaw 11" and A15-303 as "Chainsaw 12" have again been noted and spotted around both Rockhampton and Gladstone Airports.


A15-308 "Chainsaw 11" was spotted at Gladstone Airport.  It later departed to Townsville.







While A15-303 "Chainsaw 12" departed Rockhampton Airport for Mackay Airport and then Townsville.

Photos taken by Emily C  ©

Saturday, November 4, 2023

The Loss of Agair Logistics P/L Gulfstream American Corporation 695A Jetprop Commander 1000 VH-HPY "Birddog 370" Near Mount Isa

Sadly, on Saturday 4 November, Agair Logistics P/L Gulfstream American Corporation 695A Jetprop Commander 1000 VH-HPY "Birddog 370" crashed between Cloncurry and Mount Isa.

Photo taken by Gavin Merten   ©

The aircraft was out on a bushfire-related flight out of Toowoomba and was uncontactable before vanishing from radar between Cloncurry and Mount Isa.

Air Traffic Control (ATC) reportedly tried for over an hour to contact the aircraft and as it got up past the Winton area, ATC had some other aircraft call "oxygen, oxygen, oxygen - descend to 10000 feet" over the radio as a warning. 

An aircraft up near Normanton got through to VH-HPY and got them on to the area frequency and the pilot of VH-HPY said they were 'ops normal' and told ATC what frequency they had been on.  The pilot also described the GPS point they were going to work at and what they were doing there. 

ATC cleared them to there at 28000 feet but a little bit later the aircraft dropped altitude and started heading North-East to East and was again uncontactable. 

RFDS King Air VH-VJU "Flydoc445" was diverted towards Cloncurry and eventually found a crash site.

The Mount Isa based LifeFlight rescue helicopter VH-EHQ "Rescue 400" also headed out to look.  They eventually landed on the site of a large fire. Ground crews were on-site as well. 

AMSA Challenger VH-XNE "Rescue 330" was also noted circling the area too.

Our thoughts and prayers go to all those affected by this terrible tragedy.

Former Whitsunday Tiger Moth Adventures DH-82A Tiger Moth VH-BOJ Passes Through CQ Airports Heading to New Owner - Plus More!

On Saturday 4 November, the now former Whitsunday Tiger Moth Adventures DH-82A Tiger Moth VH-BOJ was photographed as it prepared for departure from Rockhampton Airport on a delivery flight down to new owners in the South East corner of the state.


The iconic yellow Tiger Moth departed the Whitsunday Airport at Shute Harbour on Friday 3 November for Mackay Airport and then Rocky.  From Rockhampton Airport, VH-BOJ headed to Gladstone Airport and Bundaberg Airport and then ports further South.

Sad to see it go...

Meanwhile, also ferrying through CQ, also on Saturday 4 November, was Embraer EMB-110P1 Bandeirante VH-EQB.  It looked to call into Charleville Airport from Goulburn before continuing up to Cairns.

UPDATE!  Information suggests that VH-EQB was de-registered at the start of February 2024.

Finally, also on Saturday 4 November, Australian Corporate Jet Centres' operated Embraer EMB-135BJ Legacy bizjet VH-VLT called into Hamilton Island Airport from Brisbane.  It later departed to the Gold Coast and then Melbourne (Essendon).

Photo taken by Travis Whiting  ©

Friday, November 3, 2023

A Pair Australian Army Boeing CH-47F 'Foxtrot' Chinook Helicopters A15-303 & A15-308 Arrive into Rockhampton Airport - Plus More!

On Friday 3 November, a pair of Australian Army Boeing CH-47F 'Foxtrot' Chinook helicopters were noted arriving into Rockhampton Airport possibly from Townsville via Mackay Airport.


They appear to be A15-308 as "Chainsaw 11" and A15-303 as "Chainsaw 12" and are reportedly still on the ground at Rockhampton Airport.

Meanwhile, also on Friday 3 November, Australian Army Aviation operated (Tillair Services / Omni Aviation Services) Cessna 208B Caravan VH-POV as "Waler 22" landed at Longreach Airport from the Oakey Army Aviation Centre before it then departed to Mount Isa.

Parry's Aviation (NSW) Cirrus SR22 VH-8TC Pops into My Local Clermont Aerodrome - Plus More!

On Friday 3 November, nice sleek little Parry's Aviation (NSW) Cirrus SR22 VH-8TC popped into my local Clermont Aerodrome.  It arrived from Cairns and then departed to Sunshine Coast.


Meanwhile, also on Friday 3 November, Comet-registered Cessna 208B Grand Caravan VH-RTC was photographed departing Rockhampton Airport for Red Rock Station (where it is registered to), Dalby and up to Hedlow Airfield.


Hinterland Aviation Cessna 208 Caravan VH-JES was also spotted parked in the General Aviation parking area of Rockhampton Airport.


As was Southern Airlines Rockwell 690A Turbo Commander VH-SOU.


While the Queensland Police Service (Airwing) (State of Queensland) Raytheon B1900D VH-PSK arrived into Rockhampton Airport from Cairns and Townsville and then departed to Brisbane.

South Australian-based Piper PA-46R-350T Malibu Matrix VH-ZXJ landed at Longreach Airport from Aldinga (South Australia) and then departed to Cairns

And Aero Logistics / Bayswater Road Aerial Surveys Cessna 441 VH-LEM continues to complete aerial survey work out of Emerald Airport.

Photos taken by Mike Didsbury and Trevor Hardsman  ©

JetBlue Airways (USA) / Alliance Airlines Embraer ERJ-190AR (ERJ-190-100 IGW) N183JB Arrives into Rockhampton Airport

A great arrival into Rockhampton Airport on Friday 3 November as now former JetBlue Airways (USA) / Alliance Airlines Embraer ERJ-190AR (ERJ-190-100 IGW) N183JB touched down at the end of a delivery flight as 'SXI2371' / "Southern Cross 2371".








It arrived from Brisbane having started its delivery flight at Georgia in the USA, and flying via Oakland, Honolulu, Marshall Islands & Brisbane.


N183JB is the first of 30 former JetBlue Airways E-190s that Alliance will take delivery of with reports suggesting that some will enter service with the airline, while others will be used as a source of spare parts to maintain their growing E-190 fleet.  The rest are due to be delivered up to January 2026.

There are mixed reports that N183JB will now either undergo maintenance prior to entering service, or be used as a source of spare parts for the remainder of the Alliance fleet of E-190 jets, or be scrapped at Rockhampton Airport.

We shall wait and see!

Meanwhile, also spotted still at the Alliance Airlines hangar at Rockhampton Airport, also on Friday 3 November, was Fokker F-70 jet VH-KBX which arrived in August and has been placed in long-term storage.


Sincere thanks to the local plane spotters for taking the time to capture and send through these great photos!

Photos taken by 'IAD', Trevor Hardsman and Don Williams  ©

Thursday, November 2, 2023

Australian Corporate Jet Centres' Embraer EMB-135BJ Legacy Bizjet VH-VLT Pops into Moranbah Airport - Plus More!

On Thursday 2 November, Australian Corporate Jet Centres' operated Embraer EMB-135BJ Legacy bizjet VH-VLT arrived into Moranbah Airport from Adelaide.  It later departed to Brisbane.

File photo

Edwards Coaches Cessna 650 Citation VII bizjet VH-LYM visited Bundaberg Airport from its Armidale base.

And MacKellar Mining Equipment Pty Ltd (Revesco Aviation) Cessna 680 Citation Sovereign bizjet VH-MMC departed Emerald Airport for the Sunshine Coast. It had arrived from there the previous day.

Meanwhile, also on Thursday 2 November, one aircraft we haven't seen for a little while in the form of American Registered but Australian based Pilatus PC-12/47E N81DW visited my local Clermont Aerodrome from the Sunshine Coast.

Link Airways (Corporate Air / Vee H Aviation) Cessna 441 Conquest VH-VEJ flew up from Newcastle (Williamtown) to Oaky Creek Mine Site before it then hopped to Emerald Airport. 

UPDATE!  On Friday 3 November, VH-VEJ departed Emerald Airport to Oaky Creek and then Newcastle and then to Goulburn. 

Rural Funds Management (A.C.T.) Pilatus PC-12/47E VH-STE departed Rockhampton Airport for Emerald Airport and then another small place - it sounded like Kyroo.  It then returned Rockhampton Airport.  VH-STE had arrived at the start of the week.

UPDATE!  On Friday 3 November, VH-STE departed Rockhampton Airport to Bundaberg Airport and then Toowoomba

Hughes Aviation (Hughes Pastoral Group) (Gympie) Pilatus PC-12//47E NGX VH-8HP flew down from Mackay Airport to Emerald Airport and then Caldervale Station. 

Georgina Pastoral Co (Gympie) Beech 58 Baron VH-MCB arrived into Rockhampton Airport from Mount Isa. 

And Armada Aviation (of Ringwood in Victoria) Pilatus PC-12 VH-NWI flew from the Whitsunday Airport at Shute Harbour to Cairns.  It later flew down from Lizard Island to Charleville Airport and then further South.  It appeared to arrive late last week after flying down from Far North Queensland.

Photo taken by Tony Haynes  ©

Wednesday, November 1, 2023

Eagle One Aviation (Navair Flight Operations) Cessna 525B CitiationJet CJ3+ Bizjet VH-X8X "Navair 131" Pops into Proserpine (Whitsunday Coast) Airport - Plus More!

On Wednesday 1 November, Eagle One Aviation (Navair Flight Operations) Cessna 525B CitiationJet CJ3+ bizjet VH-X8X as "Navair 131" made a late visit into Proserpine (Whitsunday Coast) Airport.  It arrived from Bankstown and looked to depart to Ingham.  It looked to be planned to fly back to Bathurst and then Bankstown on Thursday 2 November.

File photo

Balmoral Air Dassault Falcon 2000LX bizjet VH-WIO visited Hamilton Island Airport from Bankstown.

The locally-based Embraer EMB-550 Legacy 500 bizjet N142GZ departed Mackay Airport for Sydney.

UPDATE!  On Friday 3 November, N142GZ returned to Mackay Airport from Sydney.

And Air Alsie Dassault Falcon 7X bizjet D-ACFL as 'MMD6515' / "Mermaid 6515" departed Hamilton Island Airport for Brisbane carrying Sir Paul McCartney.




As mentioned below, it had arrived on Sunday 29 October.

UPDATE!  On Thursday 2 November, Falcon 7X D-ACFL as "Mermaid 6515" flew back to Hamilton Island Airport from Brisbane.

UPDATE!  On Saturday 4 November, D-ACFL departed Hamo for the Gold Coast.

Meanwhile, also on Wednesday 1 November, Seair Pacific (Istlecote) Cessna 208 Caravan VH-LYI flew up from Hervey Bay (Fraser Coast) Airport to the Labona Station Airstrip within Adani Australia's (Bravus Mining & Resources) Carmichael Coal Mine site.  It then completed two more flights between there and Rockhampton Airport before returning to Hervey Bay Airport.

After arriving the previous day, fellow Seair Pacific / Istlecote Cessna 208 Caravan VH-TQI flew two flights to Labona and back from Rockhampton Airport.

Austrek Aviation Beech B200 Super King Air VH-ZGD landed at Moura Aerodrome from Toowoomba then returned to there. 

Skytrans Airlines Dash-8-100 VH-QQC which had arrived into Rockhampton Airport at the start of the week for the Labona flights, departed to Townsville as SKP584.   Fellow Skytrans Dash-8-100 VH-QQG had departed to Cairns on Sunday as SKP526. 

AirServices Australia / Pearl Aviation Hawker Beechcraft B300 Super King Air VH-FIY as "Auscal 3" departed Rockhampton Airport to complete local VOR calibration before it then flew to Brisbane.  VH-FIY "Auscal 3" had arrived the previous day all the way from Darwin via Mount Isa.

Machjet (Machjet International) Hawker Beechcraft B200 King Air VH-ZSY as Machflight 73 arrived into Rockhampton Airport from Cairns and Labona and then departed back to Labona. 

General Aviation Maintenance (GAM) Aero Commander 500-S VH-UJU operated aerial survey flights out of Hervey Bay (Fraser Coast) Airport.

After operating in Far North Queensland for some time, Link Airways (Corporate Air / Vee H Aviation) Cessna 441 Conquest VH-VEH popped into Longreach Airport from Horn Island and later departed to Goulburn.  Fellow Link Airways Cessna 441 Conquest VH-VEY departed Emerald Airport for Oaky Creek and Brisbane.

And LifeFlight Rescue Bell 412EP VH-XCK "Rescue 522" landed on the Rockhampton Base Hospital pad after flying up from Bundaberg Hospital.  It then departed to Gladstone Airport and Bundaberg Airport. 

Finally, also on Wednesday 1 November, the new Alliance Airlines hangar was officially opened at Rockhampton Airport.

Alliance Airlines Fokker F-100 VH-UQB as UTY552 flew up and parked at the hangar - as did AAA Aircraft / Flight Options (Australia) Cessna 550 Citation Bravo bizjet VH-CCJ which arrived from the Sunshine Coast.

Later, VH-UQB departed back to Brisbane but as UTY553 and VH-CCJ returned to the Sunny Coast.

And the Queensland Government Airwing (State of Queensland) Raytheon B300 Super King Air VH-SGQ visited Rockhampton Airport from Brisbane.

Photos taken by Tony Haynes and Wayne Bass  ©

Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) Dassault Falcon 7X Bizjet A56-002 "Envoy 34" Arrives into Longreach Airport - UPDATED!

On Wednesday 1 November, Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) Dassault Falcon 7X bizjet A56-002 looked to touch down at Longreach Airport after flying all the way up from Canberra.


It was heard to be using the radio callsign of "Envoy 34".

UPDATE!  On Thursday 2 November, A56-002 "Envoy 34" departed Longreach Airport for Toowoomba-Wellcamp (as shown) and Brisbane.  It was reported that it carried the Governor-General, His Excellency, the Honourable David Hurley, with his wife Linda.

Photo taken by Garry Wilkinson  ©

Tuesday, October 31, 2023

Pratt Aviation Bombardier BD-700-1A10 Global Express Bizjet VH-FGJ Pops into Bundaberg Airport - Plus More!

On Tuesday 31 October, Pratt Aviation Bombardier BD-700-1A10 Global Express VH-FGJ was spotted visiting Bundaberg Airport.  It looked to arrive from Griffith and then later depart to Melbourne (Essendon).


While Robindale Group / Air Link Cessna 510 Citation Mustang bizjet VH-CMK arrived into Mackay Airport from Orange and the Sunshine Coast and Orange.  It is due to return to those places on Wednesday 1 November. 

And Bowenville (near Toowoomba) based Cessna 525 CitationJet CJ1+ bizjet VH-JSZ arrived into Rockhampton Airport from Archerfield and Proserpine (Whitsunday Coast) Airport and then departed back to Archerfield. 

Meawhile. also on Tuesday 31 December, WDC Equipment and Contracting Raytheon 58 Baron VH-EZR arrived into Gladstone Airport from Archerfield and Toowoomba.  It later departed back to those places and then Chinchilla Aerodrome.


Link Airways (Corporate Air / Vee H Aviation) Cessna 441 Conquest VH-VEY landed at Emerald Airport from Brisbane and Oaky Creek Mine Site. 

And Hughes Aviation (Hughes Pastoral Group) (Gympie) Pilatus PC-12//47E NGX VH-8HP arrived into Mackay Airport from the North-East.

UPDATE!  On Wednesday 1 November, VH-8HP departed Mackay Airport for Archerfield.

Finally, also on Tuesday 31 October, Australian Maritime Safety Authority (AMSA) (Cobham SAR Services Pty Ltd) Bombardier CL-600-2B16 Challenger 604 bizjet VH-XNF as "Rescue 550" flew up from Melbourne (Essendon) to operate with LifeFlight Rescue Bell 412EP VH-XCK as "Rescue 522" on some search operations North-East of Bundaberg.  The Challenger then landed at Bundy and later departed back to Essendon.

VH-XCK "Rescue 522" then flew to the Bundaberg Hospital. 

Photos taken by 'AC' and Swavek Topolski  ©

Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) Boeing C-17A Globemaster III A41-208 "Stallion 75" Missed Approach at Hailton Island Airport - Plus More!

On Tuesday 31 October, Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) Boeing C-17A Globemaster III transport aircraft A41-208 was noted completing a missed approach at Hamilton Island Airport.

File photo

It departed RAAF Base Amberley and flew directly up to Hamo where it completed the missed approach. It then returned to Amberley.

Of interest, A41-208 was heard to be using the flight number and radio callsign of "Stallion 75".

Meanwhile, also on Tuesday 31 October, Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) Alenia C-27J Spartan transport aircraft A34-008 as "Wallaby 25" was noted completing airwork at Wondai Aerodrome while on a flight out of and back to RAAF Base Amberley.

Photo taken by Steve Vit  ©

Monday, October 30, 2023

McDermott Aviation Group / Machjet International Cessna 525A CitationJet CJ2 Bizjet VH-SUY "Machflight 41" Also Pops into Bundaberg Airport - Plus More!

On Monday 30 October, McDermott Aviation Group / Machjet International Cessna 525A CitationJet CJ2 bizjet VH-SUY as "Machflight 41" flew into Bundaberg Airport from the Sunshine Coast and Brisbane. 

https://www.facebook.com/machjetinternational

It later returned directly to the Sunny Coast.

Meanwhile, also on Monday 30 October, Seair Pacific (Istlecote) Cessna 208 Caravan VH-LYI arrived into Rockhampton Airport from Hervey Bay (Fraser Coast) and Maryborough Airports before it then departed to Middlemount Aerodrome.  VH-LYI then returned to Hervey Bay Airport.

FKG Air (Redjet Aviation) Hawker Beechcraft B200GT VH-FKB arrived into Rockhampton Airport from Toowoomba. 

Stirling Helicopters Piper PA-23-250 Aztec VH-EQD arrived into Rockhampton Airport from Archerfield and then departed to Miles Airport. 

Rural Funds Management (A.C.T.) Pilatus PC-12/47E VH-STE flew up from Canberra to land at Emerald Airport.  It then flew across to Rockhampton Airport.

DeGunst Transport P/L Textron (Cessna) 208 Caravan VH-NPZ arrived into Rockhampton Airport from Innisfail and then departed to Bundaberg Airport. 

Gold Coast-based Diamond DA 40 NG VH-FZI arrived into Rockhampton Airport from the Whitsunday Airport at Shute Harbour. 

UPDATE!  On Tuesday 31 October, VH-FZI departed Rockhampton Airport for Archerfield.

The two Nautilus Aviation Bell Textron 407GXi helicopters VH-JIW and VH-JUF that flew down from Cairns to Southport together late last week, returned back up Cairns from there, again flying via Gladstone, Mackay and Townsville Airports.

Finally, also on Monday 30 October, yet more bushfires in the region saw Bundaberg Airport come alive again with aerial firefighting aircraft and helicopters including:  

Agair Logistics P/L Air Tractor AT-802A 'Fire Boss' water bombing aircraft VH-YRY as "Bomber 350" and VH-SQS as "Bomber 356".

Kennedy Aviation / Kennedy Air-Ag Air Tractor AT-802A 'Fire Boss' water bombing aircraft VH-XAV as "Bomber 266".

Aerotech Aircraft Holdings (Aerotech Helicopters) Pickering Aviation (Sikorsky) UH-60A Black Hawk helicopter VH-UHR as "Helitack 516".

Agair Logistics P/L Gulfstream Aerospace (Aero Commander) 695-A JetProp 1000 VH-LMC as "Birddog 125".

Canadian-based Conair Aerial Firefighting Dash-8-Q400MR C-FFQE as "Bomber 141" flew South and operated out of Toowoomba-Wellcamp.

Forest Air Helicopters (NSW) Bell 212 helicopter VH-JWV as "Helitak 365"

Stirling Helicopters Aerospatiale AS 350 B2 Squirrel VH-LBT as "Firebird 421".

And Avalon Aviation (Executive Helicopters) Eurocopter EC130B4 VH-EHY as "Firebird 404".

UPDATE!  On Tuesday 31 October, a second Kennedy Aviation / Kennedy Air-Ag Air Tractor AT-802A 'Fire Boss' water bombing aircraft VH-XAJ "Bomber 455" joined in.

UPDATE!  On Wednesday 1 November, McDermott Aviation Bell 214B Big-lifter Helicopter N1601L as "Helitak 339" joined in.

Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) Boeing B737-7DT(BBJ) A36-001 "Envoy 90" Arrives into at Bundaberg Airport - Plus More

On Monday 30 October, Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) Boeing B737-7DT(BBJ) A36-001 was photographed soon after arriving into Bundaberg Airport.  It was heard to be flying as "Envoy 90" and looked to fly up directly from Canberra.


At the time of writing, it appears to be staying for at least the night.

UPDATE!  On Tuesday 31 October, A36-001 "Envoy 90" departed Bundaberg Airport and returned to Canberra.

Meanwhile, also on Monday 30 October, Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) Alenia C-27J Spartan transport aircraft A34-002 as "Kaos 61" operated out of RAAF Base Amberley on a flight around the scenic rim.  It did a similar flight the previous week.

UPDATE!  It's worth nothing that on Tuesday 31 October, fellow C-27J Spartan A34-005 as "Kaos 62" did a similar flight including some airwork at Miles Airport.

Photo taken by 'AC'  ©

Sunday, October 29, 2023

German Registered Air Alsie Dassault Falcon 7X Bizjet D-ACFL Brings Sir Paul McCartney to Hamilton Island Airport - Plus More!

A massive celebrity arrival into Hamilton Island Airport on Sunday 29 October with Sir Paul McCartney arriving from Sydney on board his chartered German registered Air Alsie Dassault Falcon 7X bizjet D-ACFL which arrived from Sydney as 'MMD6515' / "Mermaid 6515".



He is in Australia for a series of concerts and it is assumed that Sir Paul has come to the Whitsundays for a bit of rest and relaxation.

UPDATE!  On Wednesday 1 November, D-ACFL departed Hamo for Brisbane where Sir Paul McCartney is due to perform.

Meanwhile, also on Sunday 29 October, Brisbane-based Hewitt Cattle Australia P/L SOCATA TBM 700 VH-PGA flew into Longreach Airports from Archerfield.  It then looked to continue further West to Alice Springs.

Brisbane-based Piper PA-31-350 VH-RPV visited Mackay Airport from Archerfield.

And Skytrans Airlines Dash-8-100 VH-QQG departed Rockhampton Airport for Cairns as SKP526.

Finally, on Saturday 28 October, after arriving earlier in the week, Gulf Aircraft Cessna 680 Citation Sovereign bizjet VH-PYN departed Mackay Airport for Proserpine (Whitsunday Coast) Airport and then Brisbane.

It had arrived from Brisbane and the Gold Coast to Prosperine and Mackay Airports on Wednesday 25 October.

And Southern Airlines Rockwell 690A Turbo Commander VH-SOU operated an aerial survey flight out of Rockhampton Airport down to Gladstone and then out to the West and then back to Rockhampton Airport.

Sincere thanks to Sydney-based specialist aviation photographer Grahame Hutchison for allowing us to share this great photo!

Do check out more of Grahame's fantastic images on his well-known Sydney Airport based website http://www.16right.com/

Photos taken by Grahame Hutchison and 'AC'  ©

Friday, October 27, 2023

LifeFlight (Aeromed) Canadair Challenger 604 Bizjet VH-OFA "Ambulance 614" Calls into a Couple of CQ Airports - Plus More!

On Friday 27 October, LifeFlight (Aeromed) Canadair CL-600-2B16 Challenger 604 bizjet VH-OFA "Ambulance 614" flew up from Brisbane to Rockhampton Airport.  It then continued out to Longreach Airport.

File photo

VH-OFA "Ambulance 614" then appeared to fly out to Mount Isa and then back to Brisbane. 

Meanwhile, also on Friday 27 October, the Queensland Police Service (Airwing) (State of Queensland) Raytheon B1900D VH-PSK arrived into Rockhampton Airport from Brisbane and then departed to Townsville and Cairns.

General Aviation Maintenance (GAM) Aero Commander 500-S VH-UJU looked to visit Rockhampton Airport from Archerfield.

While New South Wales based Piper PA-30 Commanche VH-HPR landed at Emerald Airport from Maitland and then departed to Cairns. 

And Forest Air Helicopters (NSW) Bell 212 helicopter VH-JWV as "Helitak 365" arrived into Rockhampton Airport from Hedlow Airfield and then departed towards Gladstone. 

Finally, late on Thursday 26 October, Hinterland Aviation completed a swap of aircraft operating Fly-in Fly-out (FIFO) charter flights out of Rockhampton Airport with Cessna 208 Caravan VH-LZK departing to the Labona Station Airstrip within Adani Australia's (Bravus Mining & Resources) Carmichael Coal Mine site as HND3350 and then Townsville as HND2251.  While fellow Cessna 208 Caravan VH-JES flew down to Labona from Townsville as HND2250 and then across to Rockhampton Airport as HND3351.

UPDATE!  This was the last time we saw VH-LZK in CQ in its current livery with it re-painted into the blue and whit livery of Hinterland Aviation at Redcliffe over the Christmas / New Year's period.

Photo taken by Ryan Hothersall  ©

The Republic of Singapore Air Force (RSAF) Airbus A330-MRTT '765' and Lockheed C-130H Hercules '731' Back at Rockhampton Airport - Final Exercise Wallaby 2023 Movements!

On Thursday 26 October, a pair of The Republic of Singapore Air Force (RSAF) transport aircraft were both at Rockhampton Airport in what must be the final movements after the end of The Singapore Armed Forces Exercise Wallaby 2023 (XWB23).


RSAF Airbus A330-243 Multi Role Tanker Transport (A330-MRTT) aircraft '765' arrived from Singapore via Cairns as "SAF8347".

UPDATE!  On Friday 27 October, the A330-MRTT departed Rockhampton Airport and returned to Cairns and then Singapore.

And RSAF Lockheed C-130H Hercules transport aircraft '731' departed Rockhampton Airport for Darwin as "SAF6354".

It appeared to have arrived into Rocky from Singapore and Darwin on Wednesday 25 October.

All done and dusted for Exercise Wallaby 2023!

Photo taken by 'IAD'  ©

Thursday, October 26, 2023

National Jet Express (ex Cobham) Dash-8-Q400 Next Gen VH-IYP Starts Fly-in Fly-out (FIFO) Charter Flights into Rockhampton Airport - Plus More!

Continuing a big week for Fly-in Fly-out (FIFO) into Central Queensland, on Thursday 26 October, National Jet Express (formerly Cobham) Dash-8-Q400 Next Gen VH-IYP completed the first ever visit by the airline on a FIFO charter flight into Rockhampton Airport from Brisbane as JTE392.








After some time on the ground, VH-IYP returned to Brisbane but as JTE393.

As mentioned below, there are now two NJE Dash-8-Q400 Next Gen aircraft - VH-IYP and VH-IYK - operating out of Brisbane on closed FIFO charter flights to Moranbah Airport (week-daily), Emerald Airport (Tuesdays) and now Rocky.

Meanwhile, also on Thursday 26 October, LifeFlight (Aeromed) Bombardier Challenger 604 bizjet VH-URR "Ambulance 604" flew down from Townsville Airport to Emerald and then Rockhampton Airports.  It then returned to Townsville.

Fellow LifeFlight (Aeromed) Canadair CL-600-2B16 Challenger 604 bizjet VH-OFA "Ambulance 614" also looked to visit Emerald Airport but from Brisbane.

While Navair Flight Operations Embraer EMB-500 Phenom 100 bizjet VH-LXZ as "Navair 131" visited Mackay Airport from Bankstown and Cessnock.

Rural Funds Management (A.C.T.) Pilatus PC-12/47E VH-STE looked to fly across from Natal Downs to Rockhampton Airport.  It seems to have flown up from its Canberra base the previous day.

UPDATE!  On Friday 27 October, VH-STE departed Rockhampton Airport and returned to Canberra.

And a pair of Nautilus Aviation Bell Textron 407GXi helicopters VH-JIW and VH-JUF flew down from Cairns to Southport together, flying via Townsville, Mackay and Gladstone Airports.

Finally, on a quiet Wednesday 25 October,  MacKellar Mining Equipment Pty Ltd (Revesco Aviation) Cessna 680 Citation Sovereign bizjet VH-MMC visited Hamilton Island Airport from the Sunshine Coast.

And Multiquip Poultry / Navair Flight Operations Embraer EMB-500 Phenom 100EV bizjet VH-MQX as "Navair 169" was also noted arriving into Hamilton Island Airport but from Bankstown and the Shellharbour Airport.

UPDATE!  On Sunday 29 October, VH-MQX "Navair 169" returned to the Shellharbour Airport and Bankstown from Hamo.

Sincere thanks to local plane spotter John L for taking the time to capture and send through these great photos of a great first-time visitor to Rocky!

All photos taken by John Lee  ©