Air Charter CQ / Australia by Seaplane De Havilland Canada DHC-2 Beaver Mk1 Float Plane VH-IDO Returns to Gladstone Airport from Maintenance at Mackay Airport

On Wednesday 5 June, locally-based Air Charter CQ / Australia by Seaplane De Havilland Canada DHC-2 Beaver Mk1 Float Plane VH-IDO returned to its Gladstone Airport base on a flight from Mackay Airport following a period of maintenance.  It is pictured on the Mackay Airport Easter General Avation (GA) Apron earlier in the week.

VH-IDO had flown North in April, but not before a dramatic diversion to Rockhampton Airport with only "minimum fuel" after encountering less than favourable weather and head-winds during its first attempt to get to Mackay Airport - see Blog post HERE.

Meanwhile, there's also been a nice small selection of interesting GA aircraft and helicopters that have also noted visiting Gladstone Airport over the last couple of days including the Heli-Aust Whitsundays Eurocopter EC135 P2+ helicopter VH-XUV.  It flew South from the Hay Point Coal Export Loading Point (South of Mackay) to Gladstone Airport direct after dark on Tuesday 4 June.

It appears to be operating the regular marine pilot transfer flights out of Gladstone Airport to the Harbour in place of sister-ship Airbus Helicopters EC135 P3 (CPDS) VH-ZGP.

UPDATE!  VH-XUV didn't stay in the area long and returned to Mackay Airport from Gladstone Airport during the afternoon on Sunday 9 June.

While another helicopter in the form of Queensland Government (QGAir) Rescue (State of Queensland) Agusta AW139 helicopter VH-ESZ flew into Gladstone Airport after dark also on Tuesday 4 June as "Rescue 500" from Archerfield.  It looked to complete a medical evacuation flight then to the Royal Brisbane Hospital.

Finally, over the weekend, on Sunday 2 June, Seair Pacific (Istlecote) Cessna 208 Caravan VH-LMZ was photographed resting at Gladstone Airport after it looked to arrive from Lady Elliott Island a little earlier in the day.

VH-LMZ returned to the Lady Elliot Island on Monday 3 June.

Photos taken by 'JM' and Anthony Groenintwoud  ©

Local Embraer EMB-550 Legacy 500 Bizjet N142GZ Also Spotted at Mackay Airport - Plus More!

Also on Saturday 27 April, the locally-based Embraer EMB-550 Legacy 500 bizjet N142GZ was photographed as it departed Mackay Airport on the short hop down to Rockhampton Airport.

After spending most of the day on the ground, N142GZ returned to Mackay Airport from Rockhampton Airport during the later part of the afternoon.

Meanwhile, also flying into Mackay Airport from Rockhampton Airport also on Saturday 27 April was the Air Charter CQ / Australia by Seaplane De Havilland Canada DHC-2 Beaver Mk1 Float Plane VH-IDO.  As mentioned below, it diverted into Rockhampton Airport on Wednesday 24 April due to weather and low fuel while trying to flying from its Gladstone Airport base to Mackay Airport.

Finally, it's worth mentioning that also visiting Mackay Airport but on Friday 26 April was the Queensland Police Service (Airwing) (State of Queensland) Cessna 560 Citation Ultra bizjet VH-PSU.  It was also noted visiting Rockhampton Airport twice during a busy day of flying.

Sincere thanks once again to local plane spotter 'JM' for taking the time to capture and send through these great photos from Mackay Airport!

All photos taken by 'JM'  ©

Air Charter CQ / Australia by Seaplane De Havilland Canada DHC-2 Beaver Mk1 Float Plane VH-IDO Diverts into Rockhampton Airport due Weather at Mackay

Early on Wednesday 24 April, locally-based Air Charter CQ / Australia by Seaplane De Havilland Canada DHC-2 Beaver Mk1 Float Plane VH-IDO departed its Gladstone Airport base on a flight to Mackay Airport.  However, due to poor weather in Mackay - including rain and low cloud - the Beaver Float Plane was forced to divert to Rockhampton Airport.

After making a landing at Rocky reportedly with "minimum fuel", VH-IDO remained parked on the Rockhampton Airport General Aviation (GA) apron for the remainder of the day.

Of interest, another light GA aircraft also diverted away from Mackay Airport due to the weather with Royal Flying Doctor Service (RFDS) Raytheon B200 King Air VH-FDR "FlyDoc 414" departing Rockhampton Airport and later returning to Rocky!

Meanwhile, also spotted on the Rockhampton Airport GA Apron also on Wednesday 24 April was The Redcliffe Aero Club's Cessna 310R VH-ULF which later departed to Georgetown.

Cloncurry-based Piper PA-34-200T VH-COP which arrived at Rocky from there last Friday 18 April and remains parked.  Along with Gayndah-based Beech 95-B55 VH-MYM which seems to alternate between there and Rocky.

While noted passing through Rockhampton Airport twice this week was Heli-Aust Whitsundays Eurocopter EC135 P2+ helicopter VH-XUV.  It flew South from its Mackay Airport base to Gladstone Airport via Rockhampton Airport on Tuesday 23 April, and returned to Mackay Airport over the same route on Wednesday 24 April.

Finally, to the West, noted visiting Emerald Airport also on Wednesday 24 April was Armidale Fire and Safety Piper PA-31-350 VH-ASD which arrived from Cairns and departed home to Armidale.  It flew North to Cairns over the same route last Wednesday 17 April.

While further out West at Longreach Airport also on Wednesday 17 April, Easternwell Group Raytheon B200 King Air VH-EWG was noted departing to Toowoomba.  While as many as three Soar Aviation (Melbourne) BRM Aero Bristell NG-5 ultralight aircraft were noted passing through Longreach Airport.  However, only VH-YUW and VH-YVF were noted arriving from Mount Isa and departing to Roma Airport - although they looked to return to Longreach Airport due to weather.

Photos taken by Paul Tyler and Trevor Hardsman  ©

Gladstone Airport Information and Plane Spotting Locations - UPDATED!!

Updated January 2019.

Gladstone is a rapidly growing industrial city on the Central Queensland coast. The airport caters primarily for business and leisure travellers and freight activities associated with the region's developed and emerging industrial complexes. The Airport is located on Aerodrome Road, approximately 5km from the city centre and is well catered for by taxi and charter bus services.

Scheduled passenger services to Gladstone Airport are operated by Qantas (QantasLink) and Virgin Australia / Alliance Airlines.  QantasLink flights are mostly operated by Dash-8-Q300 and Dash-8-Q400 turbo-prop aircraft with the occasional Cobham Aviation-operated Boeing B717-200 jet aircraft.

Virgin Australia services are operated by Alliance Airlines Fokker F-70 and F-100 jet aircraft.  Alliance Airlines took over operating some services for Virgin Australia into Gladstone in 2017.

There is the occasional Virgin Australia Boeing B737 jet service to Gladstone Airport when loads dictate.

All scheduled flights operating at Gladstone Airport are currently from and to Brisbane.

Gladstone also occasional sees larger aircraft operating closed charter flights such as Skytraders Pty Ltd Airbus A319-115(LR) VH-VHD "Snowbird 1" as shown below.

The main Gladstone Airport terminal is on the Southern side of the Airport itself and underwent major expansion in 2011, along with some associated runway and taxiway works.  The Airport terminal was extensively overhauled with a new departure lounge and seating added, as well as the introduction of passenger security screening facilities.  A 'Coffee Club' restaurant has also opened in this section beyond the security check-point.

The Gladstone Airport Terminal is also effectively in two sections with the upper section featuring the check-in counters, car rental service desks, some general seating including a kiosk/bar, as well as the baggage collection carousel.

There are good views from the terminal over the entire Airport parking apron, and further to the main Runway 10/28 - although these are through glass.

Outside the terminal and to the East, the Long-term parking lot has great views over this end of the Airport parking apron.  Local plane spotters have been known to frequent this area to capture some great photos - particularly during the morning - but also capture some atmospheric night photos of visiting aircraft staying overnight.

Venturing back past the terminal and continuing further West, spotters will head towards the General Aviation (GA) Area featuring the recently opened Royal Flying Doctor Service (RFDS) crew rest area and hangar.  There are great views through the fence over the often very busy GA Apron containing local aircraft along with numerous visiting aircraft calling in to the industrial city.

Air Charter CQ / Australia by Seaplane flys passengers to the nearby Heron Island from their small terminal building and their Found Aircraft Canada Bush Hawk XP VH-OOB and De Havilland Canada DHC-2 Beaver Mk1 VH-IDO are prominent on the GA Apron.

Continuing further West, starting to get away from the main Airport area, Aerodrome Road winds its way up a hill, past some locally owned aircraft hangars, and the raised aspect of this part overlooking Gladstone Airport allows spotters to capture some great images of aircraft on the close Taxiway and further to the Runway.  

Relatively unobstructed views over the Airport parking apron can also be had in this area.

Other General Aviation operations take place on the Northern side of Gladstone Airport - along Callemondah Drive - where Heli-Aust Whitsundays (Gladstone Helicopters) completes several flights each day on marine pilot transfers to Gladstone Harbour.

Local aircraft maintenance provider, Aerotor, also has its facilities on this side of the Airport.  There are usually helicopters parked on the nearby aprons, along with various light aircraft which are often parked on nearby parking aprons.

Plane spotting and photography is possible on this Northern side of Gladstone Airport, with the morning being the best time around this side for photos as the sun will largely behind you.  

For a full view of Gladstone Airport and its main Runway 10/28, you can stand on the side of the Dawson Highway and nearby streets, although parking on these roads is limited or prohibited.

Moreover, please be advised that there are several parking restrictions around local streets and in parts of the Airport complex.

I find Gladstone is a pretty easy place to capture most aircraft movements.

File photos taken by Col B, Anthony Schulz, Michael Fleetwood and Jamie & Tash  ©

Corporate Aviation Bell 429 Global Ranger Helicopter VH-EQP Spotted at Gladstone Airport - Plus More!

On Monday 1 October, Corporate Aviation Bell 429 Global Ranger helicopter VH-EQP was photographed by local plane spotter Anthony S as it passed through Gladstone Airport, heading home to Southport after spending a few days at Hamilton Island.

As mentioned below, VH-EQP had ventured North to Hamilton Island Airport from Southport, via Gladstone Airport, last Wednesday 26 September.

Meanwhile, also at Gladstone Airport, also on Monday 1 October, Anthony photographed Alliance Airlines Fokker F-70 VH-JFE as it departed to Brisbane operating on behalf of Virgin Australia as VOZ2904.

And locally-based Air Charter CQ / Australia by Seaplane Found Aircraft Canada Bush Hawk XP VH-OOB was also photographed as it returned to Gladstone Airport from a local flight.

Some great photos and a good time was had by Anthony!  We thank him sincerely for taking the time to capture and share with us his photos!

All photos taken by Anthony Schulz  ©