Arcturus Group P/L / Flight Options (Australia) Dassault Falcon 2000EX Bizjet VH-EWB Spotted at Bundaberg Airport - Plus More!

On Friday 29 November, Arcturus Group P/L / Flight Options (Australia) Dassault Falcon 2000EX bizjet VH-EWB arrived into Bundaberg Airport from Sydney.

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

UPDATE!  On Sunday 1 December, VH-EWB departed Bundaberg Airport and returned to Sydney.

While also popping into Bundaberg Airport was Turbo Jet Holdings / 360 Aero Space (Melbourne) Lear Jet 45 bizjet VH-LJX.  It arrived from Melbourne (Essendon) and then departed to Hamilton Island Airport.

UPDATE!  On Tuesday 3 December, VH-LJX departed Hamiton Island Airport and returned to Bundaberg Airport and then Essendon.

Burbank Homes / Business Aviation Solutions Raytheon Hawker 850XP bizjet VH-BMW also arrived into Hamilton Island Airport but from Melbourne (Essendon).

UPDATE!  On Tuesday 3 December, VH-BMW departed Hamiton Island Airport and returned to Essendon.

ADD Aviation Services / CML No.1 P/L Raytheon Hawker 800XP bizjet VH-OFJ also flew into Hamilton Island Airport from Melbourne (Essendon) via Brisbane.

UPDATE!  On Sunday 1 December, VH-OFJ Departed Hamilton Island Airport for the Gold Coast.

McDermott Aviation Group / Machjet International Cessna 525C CitationJet CJ4 bizjet VH-PIY as "Machflight 41" flew up from the Sunshine Coast and Brisbane to Moranbah Airport.  It then flew back to the Sunny Coast.

Meanwhile, also on Friday 29 November, Link Airways (Corporate Air / Vee H Aviation) Cessna 441 Conquest VH-VEH flew up from Brisbane to the Oaky Creek Coal Mine site and Clermont Aerodrome before returning to Brisbane.

Queensland Government (State of Queensland) Beech B300 Super King Air 350i aircraft VH-8TT arrived into Rockhampton Airport from the South then departed to complete several hours of airwork to the South of Rocky.

Kelsall P/L (Aeronautics and Technology Holdings) Pilatus PC-12/45 VH-PID visited Rockhampton Airport from Toowoomba.

And one aircraft we haven't mentioned for a little while in the form of DeGunst Transport P/L Textron (Cessna) 208 Caravan VH-NPZ flew up from Bundaberg Airport to Hamilton Island Airport.  It still operates general and Fly-in Fly-out (FIFO) charter flights around the region, including its still going weekly flight from Bundaberg Airport to Nebo Aerodrome via either Rockhampton Airport or Mackay Airport.

UPDATE!  On Sunday 1 December, VH-NPZ departed Hamilton Island Airport for Gladstone Airport and then back to Bundaberg Airport.

Photos taken by Dave Mooney  ©

Air Link (Dubbo) Cessna 510 Citation Mustang Bizjet VH-SEQ Pops into Moranbah Airport - Plus More!

On Thursday 28 November, Air Link (Dubbo) Cessna 510 Citation Mustang bizjet VH-SEQ visited Moranbah Airport from Archerfield.

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While the locally-based Embraer EMB-550 Legacy 500 bizjet N142GZ departed Mackay Airport for Melbourne (Essendon).

Rural Funds Management (A.C.T.) Pilatus PC-12/47E VH-STE departed Rockhampton Airport for Dubbo and Canberra.  As mentioned below, it had flown up from these places on Tuesday 26 November to Emerald Airport before flying across to Rocky yesterday.

Sunshine Coast-based Cessna 172 VH-HAX arrived into Rockhampton Airport from Caloundra and then departed to Townsville. 

Flylink Aviation College Diamond DA 40 VH-EUU visited Gladstone Airport from Archerfield.

And Link Airways (Corporate Air / Vee H Aviation) Cessna 441 Conquest VH-VEH visited the Oaky Creek Mine site from Brisbane. 

Photo taken by Ryan Hothersall  ©

RAAF Boeing B737-7ES / E-7A Wedgetail Airborne Early Warning & Control (AEW&C) Aircraft A30-005 "Wedgetail 13" Missed Approach at Hervey Bay (Fraser Coast) Airport

On Thursday 28 November, Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) Boeing B737-7ES / E-7A Wedgetail Airborne Early Warning & Control (AEW&C) aircraft A30-005 was noted completing airwork at Hervey Bay (Fraser Coast) Airport.

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It was flying as "Wedgetail 13" and looked to fly up from RAAF Williamtown to complete the airwork which included a couple of circuits and missed approaches. It then departed back to Williamtown.

Colourful Babcock Mission Critical Services Australasia Leonardo AW139 Helicopter VH-8HD Spotted at Rockhampton Airport - Plus More!

On Wednesday 27 November, Babcock Mission Critical Services Australasia Leonardo AW139 helicopter VH-8HD was spotted departing Rockhampton Airport for Archerfield.  It had arrived late yesterday from Cairns and Townsville.  The colourful rescue helicopter is one of two operated out of Horn Island by Babcock along with VH-8HB. 

While Heli Holdings P/L / Stirling Helicopters Eurocopter AS 350 B3 Squirrel VH-XBO was also spotted departing Rockhampton Airport on a local flight.

And the new Queensland Police Service / Surf Life Saving Queensland (SLSQ) Eurocopter EC135 P2+ helicopter VH-NVF was photographed at Hervey Bay (Fraser Coast) Airport. 

Meanwhile, also on Wednesday 27 November, Comet-registered Cessna 208B Grand Caravan VH-RTC flew down from Hedlow Airfield to Consuelo and later returned to Hedlow. 

RDO Equipment Co. Pilatus PC-12/47 VH-WPH visited Emerald Airport from Toowoomba. 

Poolhurst Aviation Air Charter Services Pilatus PC-12/47E VH-PDE landed at Planet Downs from Archerfield and later returned back to there. 

And Pilatus PC-12/47E VH-VLQ of Ipswich-based Airborne P/L (Palm Lake Works) visited Bundaberg Airport from the Gold Coast.

Finally, also on Wednesday 27 November, Brenzil Dassault Aviation Falcon 7X bizjet VH-CRW visited Hamilton Island Airport from Brisbane.

LifeFlight (Aeromed) Canadair CL-600-2B16 Challenger 604 bizjet VH-OFA "Ambulance 614" arrived into Rockhampton Airport from Brisbane and then departed to Mount Isa and Cairns. 

Victorian-based but American-registered Embraer EMB-505 Phenom 300 N227SL arrived into Rockhampton Airport from Townsville and then later departed to Archerfield. 

And Bombardier CL-600-2B16 Challenger 605 N605JL which had flew up to Hamilton Island Airport from Sunshine Coast this morning, flew down to the Gold Coast and back to Sunshine Coast.

Photos taken by John Lee and James Hackett  ©

Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) Dassault Falcon 7X Bizjet A56-001 "Envoy 61" Pops into Longreach Airport

On Wednesday 27 November, Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) Dassault Falcon 7X bizjet A56-001 was spotted arriving into Longreach Airport.

The 34 VIP Squadron Falcon 7X was flying as "Envoy 61" and arrived from and later departed back to its Canberra base.

Photo taken by Drew Mackay  ©

Exercise Wallaby 2024 - Republic of Singapore Air Force (RSAF) Lockheed C-130H Hercules Transport Aircraft '735' at Rockhampton Airport

Late on Tuesday 26 November, The Republic of Singapore Air Force (RSAF) Lockheed C-130H Hercules transport aircraft '735' was noted arriving into Rockhampton Airport after flying down from Darwin as 'SAF9412'.

On Wednesday 27 November, '735' was spotted departing Rockhampton Airport for Darwin again as 'SAF9412'.

But due to an aircraft break down, the RSAF Herc '735' returned to Rockhampton Airport again from Darwin but this time as 'SAF9411'.

It is believed that fellow RSAF C-130H Hercules '732' as 'SAF9411' arrived into Darwin from Singapore in formation with '735' as 'SAF9412' however '732' appears to have broken down in Darwin hence why '735' is making two visits to Rockhampton Airport.

UPDATE!  On Thursday 28 November, The RSAF C-130H Hercules '735' departed Rockhampton Airport once again for Darwin, again as 'SAF9411'.

This seems to be the final military movements associated with the Singapore Armed Forces Exercise Wallaby 2024 (XWB24) with all the RSAF Boeing CH-47F Chinook helicopters returning to Oakey and the remaining Boeing AH-64D Apache helicopters and Airbus H225M Medium Lift Helicopters all being wrapped up in protective covering ready for shipping back to Singapore.  

Their departure date from Rockhampton Airport by road is not known at this stage.

Of interest, the Hercs are part of six C-130H aircraft which are flown by the RSAF's 122 Squadron 'Condors' based at the Paya Lebar Air Base (PLAB) in Singapore.

The squadron goes by the motto of "Dependable".

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

All photos taken by John Lee  ©

Navair Flight Operations Embraer EMB-500 Phenom 100 Bizjet VH-HQK Spotted at Rockhampton Airport Again! - Plus More!

On Tuesday 26 November, Navair Flight Operations Embraer EMB-500 Phenom 100 bizjet VH-HQK was spotted arriving into Rockhampton Airport from Dubbo.  The (becoming) frequent visitor looked to be staying for at least the night.

UPDATE!  On Wednesday 27 November, VH-HQK departed Rockhampton Airport and returned to Dubbo.

While Bowenville based (operated by Real Time Aviation - Brisbane) Cessna 525 CitationJet CJ1+ bizjet VH-JSZ flew into Clermont Aerodrome from Natal Downs.  It then continued down to Toowoomba-Wellcamp.

And MacKellar Mining Equipment Pty Ltd (Revesco Aviation) Cessna 680 Citation Sovereign bizjet VH-MMC flew up from the Sunshine Coast and landed at the Labona Station Airstrip within Adani Australia's (Bravus Mining & Resources) Carmichael Coal Mine site.  It then flew down to Emerald Airport before later returning to Labona and back to the Sunny Coast.

Meanwhile, also on Tuesday 26 November, Hughes Aviation (Hughes Pastoral Group) (Gympie) Pilatus PC-12/47E NGX VH-8HP flew up to Mackay Airport from Archerfield. 

UPDATE!  On Wednesday 27 November, VH-8HP flew South-West from Mackay Airport to Tumbar Station and then East back to Archerfield. 

Central Highlands Aerial Services (CHAS) SOCATA TBM 700 VH-FYN was noted departing their private airstrip North of Emerald township for Redcliffe.

UPDATE!  On Wednesday 27 November, VH-FYN flew back to its private airstrip near Emerald from Redcliffe.

Brisbane-based Piper PA-31 Navajo VH-DEP visited my local Clermont Aerodrome from Archerfield returning via Emerald Airport.

Rural Funds Management (A.C.T.) Pilatus PC-12/47E VH-STE landed at Emerald Airport from Canberra and Dubbo. 

UPDATE!  On Wednesday 27 November, VH-STE departed Emerald Airport to near Consuelo then to a place near Rockhampton.  Late in the afternoon it hopped to Rockhampton Airport.  It is planned to return to Dubbo and Canberra on Thursday 28 November.

While the Queensland Government (QGAir) Rescue (State of Queensland) Agusta AW139 helicopter VH-ESZ arrived into Rockhampton Airport from Townsville and then departed to Archerfield. 

Link Airways (Corporate Air / Vee H Aviation) SAAB 340B+ turboprop VH-VEC arrived into Rockhampton Airport from Brisbane. 

UPDATE!  On Wednesday 27 November, VH-VEC was photographed as it departed Rockhampton Airport for Townsville and then Horn Island.  It then flew back to Brisbane.

And Skytrans Airlines Dash-8-100 VH-QQI was photographed as it operated their Fly-in Fly-out (FIFO) charter flights between Rockhampton Airport and the Labona Station Airstrip within Adani Australia's (Bravus Mining & Resources) Carmichael Coal Mine site.

We can only assume one of the bigger Dash-8-300s is in for maintenance.

Finally, also on Tuesday 26 November, the resident Canadian-based Conair Aerial Firefighting Dash-8-Q400MR C-FFQE departed Bundaberg Airport for good following its fifth deployment to Queensland where it was contracted to be the State's own heavy water bomber for the recently completed bushfire season.

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It looked to fly down as "Fireguard 541" to Melbourne (Avalon) Airport in Victoria.  It is to be reportedly based at Avalon Airport now for the Victorian bushfire season which coincides with the Queensland wet season.  It will take up a new radio callsign of "Bomber 390".

The Dash-8-Q402MR, C-FFQE (msn 4325), arrived into Bundaberg Airport at the start of September from Avalon after being stored there since February. 

UPDATE!  It's worth noting that on Wednesday 27 November, fellow Conair Aerial Firefighting Dash-8-Q400MR C-FFQF as "Fireguard 391" arrived into Brisbane and then Avalon after ferrying all the way over from Abbotsford in Canada.   It looks to be joining C-FFQE at Avalon for the Victorian bushfire season as "Bomber 391".

Also of interest, on Monday 25 November, Agair Logistics P/L Gulfstream Aerospace (Aero Commander) 695-A JetProp 1000 VH-LMC "Birddog 125" departed Bundaberg Airport also for Avalon. 

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Busy!

Photos taken by Steve Vit, John Lee, Lloyd Fox and Graham Aspinall  ©

Whitsunday Air Services (Tasmanian Seaplanes) De Havilland DHC-2 Beaver Float Plane VH-OHD Arrives into the Whitsundays - Plus More!

On Monday 25 November, Tasmanian Seaplanes owned and operated since last Monday by Whitsunday Air Services, De Havilland DHC-2 Beaver float plane VH-OHD arrived into Rockhampton Airport from the Gold Coast and Hervey Bay (Fraser Coast) Airports.  It then departed to Mackay Airport. It had flown north to Gold Coast over the weekend. 

https://www.instagram.com/hamiltonislandair/

It is possibly heading up to replace fellow Whitsunday Air Services Viking Air Limited (De Havilland) DHC-2 MK I Beaver VH-OHU which crashed in the Whitsundays late in October.

Meanwhile, also on Monday 25 November, Kelsall P/L (Aeronautics and Technology Holdings) Pilatus PC-12/45 VH-PID arrived into Rockhampton Airport from Toowoomba.

UPDATE!  On Tuesday 26 November, VH-PID departed Rockhampton Airport for Barcaldine Airport.  It then departed to the South East and eventually returned to Toowoomba.

Link Airways (Corporate Air / Vee H Aviation) Cessna 441 Conquest VH-VEH visited my local Clermont Aerodrome from Brisbane.  It later flew up from Brisbane to the Newlands Coal Mine site and then across to Mackay Airport and back to Brisbane.

Seair Pacific / Istlecote Textron Aviation (Cessna) 208B Caravan VH-TLH flew up from Hervey Bay (Fraser Coast) Airport and Maryborough Airport to Middlemount Aerodrome.  It then flew to Rockhampton Airport and back to Hervey Bay Airport.

Southern Air Beech 1900C VH-VSO completed its weekly Fly-in Fly-out (FIFO) charter flight into Moranbah Airport from Toowoomba-Wellcamp.

Queensland Government (QGAir) Rescue (State of Queensland) Agusta AW139 helicopter VH-ESH arrived into Rockhampton Airport from Archerfield and then departed to Townsville. 

Timberline Helicopters (USA) Sikorsky UH-60A Black Hawk helicopter N274TH as "Helitak 290" was once again noted landing at private property at Kabra, near Rockhampton.  It is returning South from a deployment to Far North Queensland and arrived from Mareeba and Bowen Aerodromes. 

Elite Aviation Group (Elite Helicopters) Aerospatiale (Now Airbus Helicopters) AS350 B2 VH-XCO as "Firebird 415" arrived into Rockhampton Airport from Mackay Airport and then departed to Gayndah Aerodrome. 

And LifeFlight (Aeromed) Canadair CL-600-2B16 Challenger 604 bizjet VH-OFA "Ambulance 614" flew up from Brisbane to Hervey Bay (Fraser Coast) Airport before continuing to Cairns.  It then flew to Townsville and then down to Mackay Airport before returning to Brisbane.

Graham Aviation (Cairns) Cessna 510 Citation Mustang Bizjet VH-FMZ Pops into Hamilton Island Airport - Plus More!

On Sunday 24 November, Graham Aviation (Cairns) Cessna 510 Citation Mustang bizjet VH-FMZ looked to visit Hamilton Island Airport from Cairns.

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LifeFlight (Aeromed) Canadair CL-600-2B16 Challenger 604 bizjet VH-OFA "Ambulance 614" visited Gladstone Airport from Brisbane.

While private 1962-build Cessna 185A VH-AGF was noted flying around Barcaldine Airport.

And Helicopter Resources (Tasmania) Eurocopter AS.350B3 Squirrel helicopter VH-UUH flew down from Mackay Airport to Emerald Airport and further South. It seems to be returning to Tasmania after operating out of Mackay Airport for much of this year.

Deer Jet (China) Gulfstream Aerospace G-V-SP (G550) Bizjet B-8255 Arrives into Hamilton Island Airport - Plus More!

On Saturday 23 November, Deer Jet (China) Gulfstream Aerospace G-V-SP (G550) bizjet B-8255 flew down from Cairns to Hamilton Island Airport. It had flown up from Sydney midway through last week and was supposed to land at Hamo but diverted to Cairns due to poor weather in the Whitsundays.

B-8255 at Brisbane a couple of years ago  (File photo)

UPDATE! On Monday 25 November, B-8255 departed Hamilton Island Airport and returned to Cairns before then departing for overseas.

Meanwhile, also on Saturday 23 November, LifeFlight (Aeromed) Canadair CL-600-2B16 Challenger 604 bizjet VH-OFB "Ambulance 624" was spotted at Hervey (Fraser Coast) Airport.

It flew down from Townsville and Cairns and then departed to Brisbane. It later returned North.

Kennedy Aviation / Kennedy Air-Ag Air Tractor AT-802A 'Fire Boss' water bombing aircraft VH-XAT as "Bomber 288" and VH-XAJ as "Bomber 455" landed at Emerald Airport from Townsville and then departed to Watts Bridge.

And Georgina Pastoral Co. of Gympie Cessna U206G VH-TOC arrived into Clermont Aerodrome from Miranda Downs.

UPDATE!  On Sunday 24 November, VH-TOC departed Clermont Aerodrome for the West.

Photos taken by Lloyd Fox and Garth Coad  ©

Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) Boeing B737-8 MAX BBJ A62-002 as “Envoy 47” Calls into CQ Airports - Plus More!

On Saturday 23 November, Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) Boeing B737-8 MAX BBJ A62-002 as "Envoy 47" flew up from Canberra and Coffs Harbour to Bundaberg and later departed to Hamilton Island Airport via overhead Emerald.  It then continued to Townsville via a missed approach at Cairns. 

UPDATE!  On Sunday 24 November, RAAF B737 A62-002 "Envoy 47" arrived into Rockhampton Airport from Townsville via a missed approach at Proserpine (Whitsunday Coast) Airport. A bit later it departed to Gold Coast and then Canberra via a missed approach at Tamworth.

Meanwhile, also on Saturday 23 November, CHC Helicopters Australia / Lloyd Helicopters Agusta AW139 helicopter VH-RQY as "Choppa 42" landed at Emerald Airport after flying up from RAAF Base Amberley.  It then departed to Townsville where it will be no doubt supporting upcoming RAAF fast jet Exercises Crimson Dawn and High Sierra which are about to get underway.

And late on Saturday 23 November, a pair of Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) Alenia C-27J Spartan transport aircraft were noted and spotted completing airwork and landing at Bundaberg Airport.  They were identified as A34-006 as "Kaos 72" and A34-008 as "Kaos 74".

Both Spartans looked to fly up from RAAF Base Amberley and complete airwork before landing at Bundaberg Airport for some time.  They both then returned to Amberley.  Nice!

Photos taken by Scott Grieve and Hayden Alexander  ©

Nioa Aviation (Avcair) Embraer EMB505 Phenom 300 Bizjet VH-NJR Calls into Maryborough Airport - Plus More!

On Friday 22 November, new Nioa Aviation (Avcair) Embraer EMB505 Phenom 300 bizjet VH-NJR was noted visiting Maryborough Airport.

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It looked to arrive from and then later return to Brisbane.

While during the morning, Machjet (Machjet International) Cessna 525 Citation CJ1 bizjet VH-SIY as "Machflight 421" flew up from Sunshine Coast to Mackay Airport and then down to Brisbane. This afternoon, it reversed the flight. 

Air Link (Dubbo) Cessna 510 Citation Mustang bizjet VH-SEQ visited Blackall Airport from Archerfield.

Link Airways (Corporate Air / Vee H Aviation) Cessna 441 Conquest VH-VEH flew up from Brisbane to the Oaky Creek Coal Mine site and then Emerald Airport before later reversing the flight.

And Wrightsair (SA) Cessna 208B Caravan VH-DJG flew from Longreach Airport to the Whitsunday Airport at Shute Harbour.  

Into the next week, it was noted completing tourist charter flights out of the Whitsunday Airport at Shute Harbour.

Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) Lockheed C-130J-30 Hercules Transport Aircraft A97-467 Completes Late Airwork at CQ Airports as "Trojan 51"

Late on Thursday 21 November, Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) Lockheed C-130J-30 Hercules transport aircraft A97-467 as "Trojan 51" was noted completing a flight up from RAAF Base Richmond in New South Wales to Townsville via some airwork at some airports including a couple in Central Queensland.

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After departed Richmond, it completed airwork at Dubbo and Moree before possibly landing at RAAF Base Amberle.  It then continued up to Townsville via missed approaches at both Rockhampton and Mackay Airports.

Nice!

Photo taken by Scott Harris  ©

Vanguard Aviation (Machjet International) Cessna 525 CitationJet1 bizjet VH-DAA "Machflight 74" Calls into Hamilton Island Airport - Plus More!

On Thursday 21 November, recently re-registered (operator) Vanguard Aviation (Machjet International) Cessna 525 CitationJet1 bizjet VH-DAA as "Machflight 74" was noted departing Hamilton Island Airport for Sydney and the Ballina / Byron Bay Gateway Airport.

https://www.facebook.com/machjetinternational

It looked to have arrived into Hamo from the Sunshine Coast at the start of the week.

And Mitchell Water Cessna 525 Citation M2 bizjet VH-WMY flew up from Melbourne (Moorabbin), Melbourne (Essendon) and Ararat to Roma Airport and then to Proserpine (Whitsunday Coast) Airport.  It then flew down to Mackay Airport where it appears to be staying.

UPDATE!  On Monday 25 November, VH-WMY finally departed Mackay Airport for the Whitsunday Airport at Shute Harbour before flying down to Roma Airport and then back to Ararat and Moorabbin.

Meanwhile, also on Thursday 21 November, FKG Air (Redjet Aviation) Hawker Beechcraft B200GT VH-FKB visited Emerald Airport from Toowoomba.

Link Airways (Corporate Air / Vee H Aviation) Cessna 441 Conquest VH-VEH visited Clermont Aerodrome from Brisbane.

Comet-registered Cessna 208B Grand Caravan VH-RTC departed Hedlow Airfield for Redrock Station (Comet) and then further to the West. 

Auscott P/L Beechcraft B200GT King Air VH-NMW flew down from Cairns and Townsville to Mackay Airport and then Rockhampton Airport before flying down to Brisbane and Toowoomba.  It had flown up to Cairns from Toowoomba yesterday.

Re-registered Townsville Airlines Raytheon B1900D VH-PSK visited Rockhampton Airport from Cairns and Townsville. 

Queensland Government (State of Queensland) Beech B300C Super King Air 350 VH-8PE visited Rockhampton Airport from Cairns.

Re-registered Metro Holdings / Air Link Beech B200 King Air VH-XDW flew from Archerfield and Brisbane to Townsville before flying down to Rockhampton Airport and then back to Brisbane and Archerfield.

Metro Holdings Australia (Air Link - Dubbo) Cessna 525A CitationJet2 Bizjet VH-EJT Pops into Hamilton Island Airport - Plus More!

On Wednesday 20 November, Metro Holdings Australia (Air Link - Dubbo) Cessna 525A CitationJet2 bizjet VH-EJT arrived into Hamilton Island Airport from Archerfield and later departed to Bourke and then Melbourne (Essendon). 

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While Robindale Group / Air Link Cessna 510 Citation Mustang bizjet VH-CMK departed Emerald Airport for Bundaberg Airport and then the Sunshine Coast and Orange.  It had arrived two days earlier from those places.

And Deer Jet (China) Gulfstream Aerospace G-V-SP (G550) bizjet B-8255 was due to arrive into Hamilton Island Airport from Sydney but was unable to land due to bad weather and instead diverted up to Cairns.

UPDATE!  On Saturday 23 November, B-8255 flew down from Cairns to land at Hamilton Island Airport.

Meanwhile, also on Wednesday 20 November, Norair P/L Beech A36 Bonanza VH-PIZ visited Rockhampton Airport from its Townsville base. 

Beech 95-B55 Baron VH-MYM departed Rockhampton Airport for Gayndah Aerodrome yesterday afternoon and then this morning arrived back into Rocky before later departing once again back to its Gayndah Aerodrome base.

Austrek Aviation Beech B200 Super King Air VH-ZGD visited Moura Aerodrome from Toowoomba. 

NSW-based CJ Aerospace Raytheon B200 King Air VH-EEL landed at Longreach Airport from Toowoomba and then departed to Mount Isa and Borroloola.  It later reversed this flight.  

Austrek Aviation Beech B200 King Air VH-ZMW flew up from Toowoomba to Winton and then back to Emerald Airport and then back to Toowoomba. 

And Sunshine Coast-based Cessna 210 VH-ORR visited Dysart Aerodrome from its Caloundra base. 

Finally, also on Wednesday 20 November, the Bundaberg Airport based Conair Aerial Firefighting Dash-8-Q400MR C-FFQE "Bomber 141" and Agair Logistics P/L Gulfstream Aerospace (AeroCommander) 695-A JetProp 1000 VH-LMC "Birddog 125" both departed Bundy for Townsville.

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UPDATE!  On Thursday 21 November, both C-FFQE "Bomber 141" and VH-LMC "Birddog 125" returned to Bundaberg Airport from Townsville.

Photos taken by Tony Haynes and Graham Aspinall  ©

Hinterland Aviation Beech B200 King Air VH-HLJ Spotted on a FIFO Charter Flight at Mackay Airport - Plus More!

On Tuesday 19 November, Hinterland Aviation Beech B200 King Air VH-HLJ was spotted at Mackay Airport.  It looked to be operating a Fly-in Fly-out (FIFO) charter flight to the Labona Station Airstrip within Adani Australia's (Bravus Mining & Resources) Carmichael Coal Mine site and back.

VH-HLJ had flown down from Cairns as HND455 before completing the charter as HND2291/2 before later returning to Cairns as HND455.

It also appears that VH-HLJ operated the same flight last week, so it seems that weekly flights (on a Tuesday) by Hinterland between Mackay Airport and Labona are operating again.

While Hughes Aviation (Hughes Pastoral Group) (Gympie) Pilatus PC-12/47E NGX VH-8HP flew from Mackay Airport to Blackall Airport and then to Keeroongooloo, Archerfield and Tamworth.  During the afternoon it returned to Keeroongooloo. 

BPW Aviation / Airspeed Aviation Cessna 441 Conquest II VH-EQU flew up from Tamworth and Archerfield to Hervey Bay (Fraser Coast) Airport.  It then continued to Bundaberg Airport and then to Rockhampton Airport.

UPDATE!  Over the remainder of the week, VH-EQU departed Rockhampton Airport to Mackay Airport and then Townsville and Cairns before it then flew down to Innisfail, Gladstone Airport and Maryborough Airport, then Lismore, Grafton, Archerfield and back to Tamworth.

Gold Coast-based Hawker Beechcraft B300 Super King Air VH-OXF was noted flying into Charters Towers Aerodrome from Brisbane and the Sunshine Coast.

UPDATE!  On Saturday 23 November, VH-OXF departed the Towers and returned to the Sunny Coast and Brisbane.

And the Queensland Government B300 Super King Air VH-8PD arrived into Rockhampton Airport from Cairns and Townsville before then returning directly to Cairns.

Meanwhile, also on Tuesday 19 November, private Embraer EMB-135BJ Legacy 600 bizjet T7-JCI departed Proserpine (Whitsunday Coast) Airport for the Gold Coast.  It had arrived on the weekend - see Blog post below for a photo!

Machjet (Machjet International) Cessna 525 Citation CJ1 bizjet VH-SIY as "Machflight 121" flew up from the Sunshine Coast to Maryborough Airport.

MacKellar Mining Equipment Pty Ltd (Revesco Aviation) Cessna 680 Citation Sovereign bizjet VH-MMC flew up from the Sunshine Coast to Emerald Airport before then continuing to the Labona Station Airstrip within Adani Australia's (Bravus Mining & Resources) Carmichael Coal Mine site.  It then flew up to Hamilton Island Airport and back to Labona before returning to Emerald Airport and back to the Sunshine Coast.

Finally, also on Tuesday 19 November, Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) Alenia C-27J Spartan transport aircraft A34-008 as "Wallaby 71" flew up the Fraser Coast from RAAF Base Amberley.  It then completed airwork at Bundaberg Airport before returning to Amberley.

Photo taken by 'AC'  ©

Navair Flight Operations Embraer EMB-500 Phenom 100 Bizjet VH-HQK Spotted at Rockhampton Airport - Plus More!

On Monday 18 November, Navair Flight Operations Embraer EMB-500 Phenom 100 bizjet VH-HQK arrived into Rockhampton Airport from Archerfield and was then photographed departing for Cairns.

While Victorian-based but American-registered Embraer EMB-505 Phenom 300 N227SL visited Rockhampton Airport from Archerfield.

And Robindale Group / Air Link Cessna 510 Citation Mustang bizjet VH-CMK flew up from Orange to the Sunshine Coast and then Bundaberg Airport. Later, it flew across to Emerald Airport.

UPDATE!  On Wednesday 20 November, VH-CMK departed Emerald Airport and returned to Bundaberg Airport and then the Sunshine Coast and Orange.

Meanwhile, also on Monday 18 November, Kelsall P/L (Aeronautics and Technology Holdings) Pilatus PC-12/45 VH-PID arrived into Rockhampton Airport from Toowoomba.

UPDATE!  On Thursday 21 November, VH-PID departed Rockhampton Airport and returned to Toowoomba.

SFC Farming (of Goondiwindi) Raytheon B200 King Air VH-TXT departed Hamilton Island Airport to Mundine.  It looked to have arrived on Friday 15 November.

Link Airways (Corporate Air / Vee H Aviation) Cessna 441 Conquest VH-VEJ flew up from Brisbane to Oaky Creek Mine site and then Clermont Aerodrome before returning to Brisbane.

Hughes Aviation (Hughes Pastoral Group) (Gympie) Pilatus PC-12/47E NGX VH-8HP returned to Mackay Airport from Murray Downs via Mount Isa and then Clermont Aerodrome.  It had flown out there over the reverse route the previous day.

Finally, it's worth noting on a quiet Sunday 17 November, that Sydneyean Air (Sydney) Piper PA-31-350 VH-JVD flew down from Townsville to Mackay Airport and then Hamilton Island Airport before returning to Townsvile - where it appears to be based.

Photos taken by Steve Vit and Trevor Hardsman  ©

QantasLink Dash-8-Q400 VH-QON 'Dasher-8' in Special Christmas Colour Scheme First Flight into CQ at Bundaberg Airport

Breaking cover on Monday 18 November and immediately calling into Central Queensland was QantasLink Dash-8-Q400 VH-QON which has had special Christmas themed stickers added. It completed the QLK2322/3 service from Brisbane to Bundaberg Airport and back.

VH-QON then sadly headed South and finished the day at the Canberra.

VH-QON has been dubbed 'Dasher-8' and is designed to bring festive flair to passengers during the month of December.

A Qantas Boeing B737-800 dubbed 'Roo-dolph' will also feature special Christmas stickers - VH-VZX. Frequency Flyers travelling on either aircraft will receive double Qantas Points!

A Qantas Freight Airbus A321PF freighter aircraft will also be decorated with ‘Santa’s Freight’ livery is also set to transport thousands of presents and festive fare across the country in the coming weeks.

Photo taken by 'AC'  ©