Some Plane Spotting Photos from Mackay Airport Early This Week - Including a Pair of Australian Army MRH-90 Helicopters

While in Mackay for work over the latter part of last week and then again early this week, I (of course) ventured to Mackay Airport to have a look!  Much to my surprise - and delight - on Monday 26 August I spotted a pair of Australian Army marked NH Industries MRH-90 Multi-Role Helicopters - A40-012 and A40-018.

As I posted to Facebook and Twitter, I spotted them arriving from the North about mid-morning, and fortunately, as I took lunch, they were still both parked at Mackay Airport.

Earlier on Monday 26 August, I captured the departure of Virgin Australia Boeing B737-800 VH-YIG from Mackay back to Brisbane as VOZ604.

Shortly after, Jetstar Airways Airbus A320 VH-VGA arrived at Mackay from Brisbane as JST882.

Meanwhile, on Friday 23 August, before I flew out to Brisbane for the weekend, I spotted a couple of early morning movements at Mackay Airport, including Virgin Australia B737-800 VH-VUA which was planned to operated the early VOZ600 departure.  This flight ended up being cancelled, and VH-VUA departed later on Friday as VOZ608.

As shown, and mentioned previously on the Blog, VH-VUA - which still wears the 'old' Virgin Blue colours and titles - currently wears a white nose cone, and has recently had its South Sydney Rabbitohs Rugby League team titles removed.

Departing early on Friday 23 August was Alliance Airlines Fokker F-100 VH-FWH, which was photographed back-tracking Mackay's Runway 14 prior to departure to Brisbane as UTY2511 - a flight operated on behalf of QantasLink.

A little later, the early morning arrivals touched down at Mackay Airport, in the form of QantasLink (Cobham Aviation) Boeing B717-200 VH-NXI, arriving from Brisbane as QJE1760.

And shortly after, Virgin Australia B737-800 VH-VOM also touched down from Brisbane but as VOZ601.  VH-VOM then turned around and took me to Brisbane as VOZ604.

Lastly, on Western General Aviation (GA) parking area, I finally photographed the new Central Queensland Rescue (CQ Rescue) Helicopter service Bell 412EP VH-CQJ sitting in the sun outside theit hangar.

As mentioned previously, VH-CQJ is operated by Australian Helicopters for CQ Rescue.

Nearby was locally-based Cessna 525 Citation CJ2 bizjet VH-ZGP - I think looking rather sharp in the early morning sun!

And finally, a quick photo of Pel-Air Aviation SAAB 340 Freighter VH-KDB parked on the Northern end of the Mackay Airport apron.  It had earlier arrived from Rockhampton and Brisbane as PFY7116.

One of three Pel-Air SAAB Freighters - VH-KDB, VH-KDK and VH-EKT - operate into Mackay and Rockhampton on behalf of Qantas Freight - the company formally known as Australian Air Express.  As shown below, the 're-branding' of the Mackay facilities to depict the new Qantas Freight name has been completed!

A couple of great days in Mackay!  Such a pity my time at Mackay Airport was so brief...  If there are any plane spotters or aviation enthusiasts in Mackay who would like to share any images or news that they have from Mackay Airport, please don't hesitate to contact us here at the Central Queensland Plane Spotting Blog - we would love to hear from you!!

CQ Plane Spotting Historic Spot – British Aerospace (BAe) 146 / Avro RJ Aircraft at Central Queensland Airports

Qantas Airlink BAe 146-200 VH-NJU at Hamilton Island

  

The British Aerospace 146 (also BAe 146) is a regional airliner that was manufactured in the United Kingdom by British Aerospace, later part of BAE Systems. Production ran from 1983 until 2002.  Manufacture of an improved version known as the Avro RJ began in 1992. A further-improved version with new engines, the Avro RJX, was announced in 1997, but only two prototypes and one production aircraft were built before production ceased in 2001. With 387 aircraft produced, the BAe 146 / Avro RJ is the most successful British civil jet programme.

The BAe 146 / Avro RJ is a high-wing cantilever monoplane with a T-tail. It has four turbofan engines mounted on pylons underneath the wings, and has retractable tricycle landing gear. The aircraft has very quiet operation, and has been marketed under the name "Whisperjet". It sees wide usage at small city-based airports. In its primary role it serves as a regional jet, short-haul airliner or regional airliner.

The BAe 146 came in -100, -200 and -300 models. The equivalent Avro RJ versions are designated RJ70, RJ85, and RJ100. The freight-carrying version carries the designation "QT" (Quiet Trader), a convertible passenger-or-freight model is designated as "QC" (Quick Change). A "gravel kit" can be fitted to aircraft to enable operations from rough, unprepared airstrips.

In Australia, the BAe 146 / Arvo RJ has been / is operated by:  Ansett Airlines, Ansett Air Freight, Ansett W.A., Australian Air Express, Australian Airlink, Cobham Aviation, East-West Airlines, National Jet Systems, Norfolk Jet Express, Qantas Airlink, QantasLink, TNT, and Vincent Aviation.

The first BAe 146 to grace Australian skies was VH-JJP – a BAe 146-200A – c/n E2037. VH-JJP was initially operated by Ansett W.A. (West Australia) and predominately operated out of Perth.  Its first revenue service was Perth - Kalgoorlie - Perth as MV352/353 on 28 June 1985.

Ansett W.A. BAe 146-200A VH-JJP at Mangalore in 1986

Through the late 1980’s and into the early 1990’s Ansett W.A. operated seven BAe 146-200 aircraft – VH-JJP, VH-JJQ, VH-JJS, VH-JJT, VH-JJW, VH-JJX, and ZK-NZA (later VH-JJU).  These aircraft were transferred to the Ansett Australia mainline fleet when Ansett W. A. operations were merged with Ansett in July 1993, where they joined a pair of BAe 146-200QT freight aircraft – VH-JJY and VH-JJZ – which were flown for Ansett Air Freight (later Ansett Australia Cargo).

Ansett BAe 146-200A VH-JJP at Brisbane in 2000

Ansett Air Freight BAe 146-200QT VH-JJY at Brisbane in 1998

Re-branded Ansett Australia Cargo BAe 146-200QT VH-JJY at Brisbane in  2001

These little freighters were often noted of a night time passing through Rockhampton and Mackay Airports as they ferried cargo up and down the Queensland coast.

East West Airlines was regarded as Australia’s first “third” carrier, in an era dominated by the ‘big two’ Australian airlines – Ansett and Trans Australia Airlines (TAA) / Australian Airlines.  East-West primarily flew Fokker F-27 turboprop and F-28 jet aircraft but would eventually operate the larger BAe 146-300 and even Boeing 737-300 aircraft for passenger operations.  East-West competed vigorously with the major airlines on inter-capital routes. The Australian aviation industry was highly regulated at the time under the Two Airlines Policy, which prevented East-West from flying directly between major capital cities, so they instead offered services between major cities via regional centres, including Central Queensland. Routes included Sydney to Brisbane via Newcastle and Coolangatta, or Brisbane to Cairns via Mackay.

East West BAe 146-300 VH-EWJ (in Hamilton Island colours) at Melbourne in 1995

In mid-July 1987, East-West was eventually sold to a company set up by Ansett's owners.  East West continued to operate as a separate entity until June 1993 when its operations were fully merged into Ansett.  Most of its fleet of BAe 146-300 aircraft – VH-EWI, VH-EWJ, VH-EWL, VH-EWM, VH-EWR, and VH-EWS – were transferred to Ansett Australia who would go on to use these aircraft to fly mostly regional sectors from Brisbane to Rockhampton, Mackay, Proserpine / Whitsunday Coast, and Hamilton Island. 

Ansett BAe 146-300 VH-EWS at Brisbane in 1999

In the early 1990’s Australian Airlines (now Qantas Airways) and National Jet Systems (now Cobham Aviation) formed regional subsidiary airlines for operations in regional Western Australia and on East coast.  Airlink (operated by National Jet for Australian Airlines) and Southern Australia Airlines (operated by Australian Airlines) were both were operators of the BAe 146.  National Jet commenced BAe 146 operation for Australian Airlink on 2 August 1991 with BAe 146-100 VH-NJC operating the first Australian Airlink revenue service from Brisbane to Mackay as TN218.

Australian Airlink BAe 146-100 VH-NJR at Proserpine /  Whitsunday Coast in 1992

Over the subsequent years, Airlink branded BAe 146 aircraft were also seen at all major Central Queensland coastal airport – Rockhampton, Mackay, Proserpine / Whitsunday Coast, and Hamilton Island.

Up until the early 2000’s some 21 BAe 146 aircraft – 100, 200, and 300 types – were operated by National Jet for Australian and later Qantas Airlink.  Two of these aircraft – BAe 146-200s VH-YAE and VH-YAF were also transferred to the Southern Australia fleet for operations throughout New South Wales, Victoria, and Tasmania.  Also during this time, National Jet operated BAe 146 aircraft on lease to Norfolk Jet Express (VH-NJD and VH-NJY) – for services between the Australian East Coast and Norfolk Island - and Air Niugini (VH-NJW).

Qantas Airlink BAe 146-200 VH-NJG at Brisbane in 1997

Qantas Southern Australia Airlines BAe 146-200 VH-YAE at Sydney in 2000

Norfolk Jet Express BAe 146-100 VH-NJD at Brisbane in 1997

Air Niugini BAe 146-100 VH-NJW at Brisbane

In 2001, Southern Australia Airlines, Airlink, as well as Sunstate Airlines, Eastern Australia Airlines and Impulse Airlines were all rebranded as QantasLink, though each entity retained a certain amount of independence.

QantasLink BAe 146-200 VH-NJQ at Rockhampton in 2002

QantasLink BAe 146-200 VH-NJJ at Brisbane in 2003

All the QantasLink BAe 146 aircraft were subsequently transferred to National Jet Systems, but continued to operate under the QantasLink banner.  Slowly, as National Jet acquired larger Boeing B717-200 aircraft for operations for QantasLink, by the mid 2000’s the BAe 146 aircraft were transferred to National Jet’s Western Australia charter operations.

Cobham BAe 146-300 VH-NJP at Perth in 2011

In March 2009, National Jet Systems was renamed to Cobham Aviation and these hard working BAe 146 / Avro RJ aircraft still fly throughout Western Australia and South Australia on Cobham’s extensive FIFO charter network.

Cobham BAe 146-100 VH-NJC at Perth in 2011

Cobham BAe 146-300 VH-NJQ at Perth in 2011

National Jet Systems / Cobham Aviation also operates four dedicated BAe freight aircraft for Australian Air Express – Bae 146-100QT VH-NJV and BAe 146-300QT’s VH-NJF, VH-NJM and VH-NJZ.

Australian Air Express BAe 146-300QT VH-NJM at Brisbane in  2000

Australian Air Express BAe 146-100QT VH-NJV at Brisbane in 2009

Cobham BAe 146-300QT VH-NJZ at Adelaide in 2012

There has been talk in that Australian Air Express will soon utilise a BAe 146 freighter on its nightly cargo run from Mackay - Rockhampton - Brisbane however this is yet to eventuate.

QantasLink / Cobham Aviation Radio Callsign and Code Change

Eagle-eyed and eagle-eared enthusiasts would have noted that on Monday 21 January QantasLink's regional partner Cobham Aviation has made a change to their radio callsigns and flight codes.  Cobham Aviation operates Boeing B717-200 aircraft on behalf of QantasLink in Central Queensland, as well in regional areas of Western Australia.

These aircraft had previously flown using their aircraft registration as their call sign.  From today, the Cobham Aviation B717-200 fleet will fly under the "Q-Jet" callsign, with the flight code of 'QJE'.

Incidentally, in Western Australia, Cobham Aviation also operates a fleet of British Aerospace (BAe) 146 / Avro RJ70/100 aircraft.  These aircraft will reportedly now fly under the "JetEX" callsign, using 'JTE' as their flight code.

Finally, Cobham Aviation also operates the four Australian Air Express (AAE) BAe 146F (Freighters).  It is as yet confirmed if the AAE 146's will also gain a code or not.

Australian Air Express British Aerospace (BAe) 146 Freighters to Central Queensland (??)

We have received some information about a possible imminent equipment change on the week-nightly Australian Air Express flights between Mackay and Brisbane, via Rockhampton.

These flights are currently operated by Pel-Air SAAB 340 Freighters - as shown below with VH-EKT at Rockhampton Airport recently.

Word is, that these flights may be replaced by British Aerospace (BAe) 146-series jet freighter aircraft.

We shall wait and see!

UPDATE!  As of the end of 2012, no BAe 146s have operated these evening freight flights yet!

Photo taken by 'IAD'  ©

Final Malaysia Airlines Charters at Rockhampton Airport - Arrive from Kuala Lumpur - Depart to Singapore

Rockhampton spotter 'IAD' ventured to Rockhampton Airport on Monday 15 October to not only test out his new camera, but capture some images of the visiting Malaysia Airlines Airbus A330-300 that was set to arrive that night from Kuala Lumpur.

Although when he arrived, 'IAD' found Pel-Air SAAB 340A Freighter VH-EKT parked on Gate 6!  It had earlier arrived from Mackay, operating a freight flight on behalf of Australian Air Express (AAE).  Fortunately, the SAAB soon started up and departed for Brisbane.

Eventually, Malaysia Airlines A330 9M-MKA touched down at Rockhampton as MH8713.  As mentioned, the flight touched down from Kuala Lumpur, and ferried into Rockhampton seemingly empty.

After taking a full load of passengers, 9M-MKA departed to Singapore direct as MH8793.

Later that night on Monday 15 October, another Malaysia Airlines A330 in the form of 9M-MKE also touched down at Rockhampton Airport direct from Kuala Lumpur, this time as MH8717.  It later departed also direct to Singapore this time as MH8790.

There were suspicions that these were the last of the current 'wave' of charters that touch down in association with the Singapore Armed Forces Military Exercise Wallaby, however, there was one more arrival tonight on Tuesday 16 October, with 9M-MKE touching down in Rockhampton from (presumably) Kuala Lumpur and again later departing direct to Singapore.

Military Exercise Talisman Sabre 2011 - Thursday's Highlights at Rockhampton Airport

Another spectacular day's spotting at Rockhampton Airport on Thursday 7 July.


One of the highlights was the lunchtime arrival of a World Airways (USA) McDonnell Douglas MD-11(ER) from Hawaii as WOA8511. The aircraft is registered N277WA and was operating a troop charter.



After its arrival on Rockhampton's Runway 33, it was forced to taxi to the end of the Runway and back-track to taxi to its parking position at the Southern end of the Rockhampton Airport terminal apron.


Another real beauty to call into Rockhampton Airport today was a United Stated Navy (USN) Boeing C-40A (B737-7AF) Combi aircraft. The aircraft has the serial 166694 (Tail Code 6694) of the VR-59 Unit, and arrived and departed as "Convoy 7922".




In the late evening, Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) Lockheed C-130H Hercules transport aircraft, A97-009, returned to Rockhampton briefly, departing to the South as "Trojan 08".

The only other military movements noted were of a couple of Australian Army helicopters.

Sikorsky S70A-9 Blackhawk helicopter, A25-105, popped in for a visit before departing to the North (as shown).


Eurocopter (ARH) Tiger Helicopter, A38-015, flew a training sortie around Rockhampton in the evening, using the callsign "Marlin 91".


A couple of cargo movements that were caught early in the day at Rockhampton Airport on Thursday 7 July included..

Toll Aviation Fairchild Metro VH-UZA operating as TFX110 to Emerald.


General Aviation Maintenance (GAM) Aerocommander 500-S VH-YJL operating to Thangool.


Earlier in the day, Pel-Air SAAB 340A Freighter, VH-KDB, passed through Rockhampton on its cargo service on behalf of Australian Air Express from Brisbane and to Mackay.