Other Helicopters and Light GA Aircraft to Visit Rockhampton Airport over the Weekend

Interesting to note several civil helicopters popped into Rockhampton Airport on Sunday 27 May.

Nautilus Aviation Bell Helicopters Textron 505 Jetranger X helicopter VH-VSB was spotted arriving into Rockhampton Airport the Sunshine Coast and Bundaberg Airport. 

As mentioned below, VH-VSB spent the weekend on the Sunshine Coast at The Novotel Twin Waters Resort which is where the biennial Rotortech Conference and Exposition - the premier industry event for the helicopter community in Australia, New Zealand and the region - was held over the weekend.

After taking on fuel, VH-VSB departed to Mackay Airport and further North.

Also calling into Rockhampton Airport was a pair of Whitsunday Air Services choppers in the form of Robinson R44 II VH-BCJ and only recently registered Airbus Helicopters EC 130 T2 VH-HRL.

And Careflight Kawasaki BK117 B-2 rescue helicopter VH-BIF also called into Rockhampton Airport on Sunday 27 May but from Coffs Harbour (New South Wales) via the Sunshine Coast.  It then departed to Mackay Airport and Cairns.  VH-BIF was heard to be using the radio callsign of "Careflight 4".

Doug Cliff / https://flightaware.com/

Reports suggest that VH-BIF "Careflight 4" is on its way to Darwin.

Also spotted at Rockhampton Airport on Sunday 27 May was new Archerfield-based SOCATA TBM 700 N700BK.

It appeared to arrive into Rocky from the South late on Friday 25 May.  It appears to be still parked.

Finally, late morning on Saturday 26 May, the visiting 1935 Stinson Reliant SR-8C VH-UXL was noted departing Rockhampton Airport for Caloundra on the Sunshine Coast.

And while not calling into Rockhampton Airport at all, it was worth noting that on Saturday 26 May, Air Queensland Piper PA-31-350 Navajo Chieftain VH-XLB headed North from its Redcliffe base to Cairns via brief stops and / or airwork at Bundaberg and Mackay Airports.  On Sunday 27 May, VH-XLB returned to Redcliffe from Cairns, again via Mackay and Bundaberg.

Photos taken by Don Williams  ©

Skydiving Pacific Aerospace PAC750XL VH-ZVM at Bundaberg Airport - And More!

During the afternoon on Thursday 12 April, Port Macquarie (New South Wales) registered Pacific Aerospace PAC750XL VH-ZVM was noted arriving into Bundaberg Airport from Caloundra on the Sunshine Coast. 

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VH-ZVM is pictured above at Caloundra in late 2017 where it has been operating as a skydiving platform.

VH-ZVM was due to continue to Mackay Airport and Innisfail but looked to remain overnight at Bundy and eventually departed Bundaberg Airport late morning on Friday 13 April.

Meanwhile, a couple of other interesting light General Aviation (GA) and other aircraft have also been noted visiting Bundaberg and other Fraser Coast Airports in recent days.

Air Queensland's Partenavia P.68B VH-IYF was also noted visiting several CQ Airports including Bundaberg, Gladstone and Mackay at various times every day this week.  It completed multiple flights out of and back to its Redcliffe base.

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Of interest, also on Friday 13 April, Air Queensland's Piper PA-31-350 Navajo Chieftain VH-XLB departed Bundaberg Airport for Redcliffe after being hangared at Bundy undergoing planned maintenance since late March.

Bontrail (Strahman Farms) Cessna 208 Caravan VH-SJJ was noted visiting Bundaberg Airport from and back to its Toowoomba base on Thursday 12 April.  It returned to Bundy on Friday 13 April from Toowoomba and later departed to Mundubberra and Moree in New South Wales.

Finally, on Wednesday 11 April, the Queensland Government Airwing (State of Queensland) Raytheon B300 Super King Air VH-SGQ was noted flying into Maryborough and then Bundaberg Airports while on a flight from and back to Brisbane.

Photos taken by Simon Coates and Col B  ©

Cessna 525A CitationJet2 Bizjet VH-MOR Calls into Central Queensland Airports - Plus More!

On Wednesday 28 February, Brisbane-based Cessna 525A CitationJet2 bizjet VH-MOR was back in CQ, noted arriving into Biloela / Thangool Airport from its Archerfield base.  It then flew to Moura Aerodrome before later heading to Gladstone Airport.  After an hour on the ground, VH-MOR returned to Moura before heading to Elliot Aerodrome in the Northern Territory.

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Also on Wednesday 28 February, Professional Jet Aviation Cessna 525 Citation CJ1 bizjet VH-CDG returned South to the Archerfield from Cairns via Mackay Airport and the Sunshine Coast.  It had flown North to Townsville via Bundaberg Airport on Monday 26 February - see Blog post below.

Also back in CQ on Wednesday 28 February was Mackellar Mining Equipment / Flight Options (Australia) Cessna 560 Citation Ultra VH-MMC, which touched down at Emerald Airport from its Sunshine Coast base.  At the time of writing, it was due to return to the Sunny Coast via Biloela / Thangool Airport on Thursday 1 March.

Also at Emerald Airport, as mentioned on our Facebook page, American registered Bombardier BD-700-1A10 Global 6000 bizjet N60XC touched down in the wee small hours of Tuesday 27 February from Seoul (Gimpo) International Airport via Townsville.

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It remains parked at Emerald Airport.

On the lighter side of corporate and other interesting General Aviation (GA) movements on Wednesday 28 February, Wolff Aviation Hawker Beechcraft C90GTi VH-VWG visited Rockhampton Airport from its Toowoomba base.

Lawrence Aviation (of New South Wales) Cessna 414A VH-DRN was noted visiting Emerald Airport while flying from Bankstown and Maitland to Cairns.  It was due to return to Bankstown from Cairns but flying via Roma Airport on Thursday 1 March.

Finally, Air Queensland Piper PA-31-350 Navajo Chieftain VH-XLB was back in CQ on Wednesday 28 February having a big day of flying which saw it fly from its Redcliffe base to Emerald Airport and then onto Cairns via missed approaches at Clermont and Innisfail Aerodromes.

UPDATE!  On Thursday 1 March, VH-XLB returned South to Redcliffe from Cairns via a missed approach at Clermont Aerodrome and then a landing at Emerald Airport.  It then departed to Redcliffe via missed approaches at Rockhampton, Gladstone, Bundaberg, Maryborough and Sunshine Coast Airports.

Photo taken by Greg Weir  ©

More Adventures for Air Queensland Piper PA-31-350 Navajo Cheiftan VH-XLB!

Over the early part of this week, it appeared that Air Queensland Piper PA-31-350 Navajo Chieftain VH-XLB may have completed a series of training flights, which included several landings and airwork at several Central Queensland Airports.  VH-XLB has been noted completing a big 'adventure' like this once before earlier in the year!

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On Monday 27 November, VH-XLB looked to depart its Redcliffe base on a return flight to Bundaberg Airport.

Then on Tuesday 28 November, VH-XLB departed Redcliffe for Gladstone, Mackay and Townsville Airports before finishing the day at Cairns.

After remaining parked overnight at Cairns, on Wednesday 29 November, VH-XLB departed initially towards Hughenden before continuing to Longreach Airport.  From Longreach, VH-XLB then flew to Roma Airport before it then later returned to Redcliffe.

What an adventure!

We've mentioned previously that Air Queensland is a Redcliffe based Flying Training and Air Charter company that operates a variety of RA-Aus and VH- registered single and twin-engine aircraft including (but not limited too) Sling, Tecnam, Jabiru, Cessna and Piper aircraft.  Air Queensland also operates from Caloundra, and more recently, in conjunction with the Bundaberg Aero Club, is now providing flying training (including RA-Aus) and private aircraft hire at Bundaberg Airport.

Our Blog post:  http://cqplanespotting.blogspot.com/2016/12/air-queensland-commences-flying.html

For additional information, the Air Queensland website can be found at:  http://www.airqueensland.com.au/

A Couple of Lighties Also Spotted at Gladstone Airport Over the Weekend

While he was at Gladstone Airport on Saturday 17 June, local plane spotter Michael F captured a couple of photos of two of the many visiting and locally-based light General Aviation (GA) aircraft to pop in and out of the port city over the weekend.

Royal Flying Doctor Service (RFDS) Hawker Beechcraft B200 VH-FDM "FlyDoc478" was spotted parked waiting for its next mission.  It had earlier arrived from Biloela / Thangool Airport and later departed to Bundaberg Airport where it seems to be currently based.

Old Station (at Raglan) based Cessna 182D VH-RDQ was also spotted as it arrived into Gladstone Airport.

Meanwhile, also noted visiting Gladstone Airport also on Saturday 17 June was Air Queensland Piper PA-31-350 Navajo Chieftain VH-XLB which visited from its Redcliffe base.

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UPDATE!  On Monday 19 June, VH-XLB was back in CQ flying into Mackay Airport from Redcliffe.  It later departed to Cairns.

UPDATE!  On Tuesday 20 June, VH-XLB returned to Redcliffe from Cairns, this time calling into Gladstone Airport.

Finally, Brisbane-based Partenavia P.68B VH-IYF was also noted visiting Gladstone Airport on Saturday 17 June also arriving from its Redcliffe base and later departing to Townsville.  

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Then on Sunday 18 June, it returned to Gladstone Airport while returning to Redcliffe from Townsville.

Sincere thanks to Michael for taking the time to capture and send through these great photos!

All photos taken by Michael Fleetwood  ©

MWP Racing Bombardier CL-600-2A12 Challenger 601 Bizjet VH-MXK Pops into Rockhampton Airport

On Monday 22 May, the smart little MWP Racing Bombardier CL-600-2A12 Challenger 601 bizjet VH-MXK was spotted visiting Rockhampton Airport.  It is pictured arriving from the Gold Coast.

After a short while on the ground, VH-MXK departed to Melbourne (Essendon) Airport.

Meanwhile, a couple of interesting light General Aviation (GA) aircraft were also spotted visiting Rockhampton Airport on Monday 22 May.  Cessna 208 Caravan VH-DJG popped in from Dalby.  It was also noted visiting Rocky on Saturday 20 May and twice more during last week.

Pekal Aviation of Boggabilla (NSW) Partenavia P.68B VH-JQM visited Rockhampton Airport from Goondiwindi.

And locally-based Atlass-Aerometrex (Atlass Aviation) Vulcanair (Partenavia) P.68C VH-KBO arrived from the Sunshine Coast.

Finally, over the course of Sunday 21 May and Monday 22 May, it appeared that Air Queensland Piper PA-31-350 Navajo Chieftain VH-XLB may have been completed a series of training flights, which included several landings and airwork at several Central Queensland Airports.

On Sunday, VH-XLB departed its Redcliffe base for Cairns, flying via Maryborough, Bundaberg, Gladstone, Rockhampton, Mackay, Hamilton Island and Townsville Airports.  After remaining parked overnight at Cairns, on Monday, VH-XLB departed Cairns and returned to Redcliffe flying via Mackay, Rockhampton, Gladstone, Bundaberg and Maryborough Airports.

What an adventure!

All photos taken by Kayanne Hardsman  ©

The Adventures of Air Queensland Piper PA-31-350 Navajo Cheiftan VH-XLB!

Over the early part of this week, it appeared that Air Queensland Piper PA-31-350 Navajo Chieftain VH-XLB may have completed a series of training flights, which included several landings and airwork at several Central Queensland Airports.

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On Sunday 29 January, VH-XLB departed its Redcliffe base for Cairns, flying via Maryborough, Gladstone, Mackay, Bowen and Townsville Airports.

After remaining parked overnight at Cairns, on Monday 30 January, VH-XLB completed a local flight, before later departing again to Mackay Airport.

Then on Tuesday 31 January, VH-XLB departed Mackay Airport and was noted at Gladstone Airport where it took on fuel.  VH-XLB then returned to Redlciffe.

What an adventure!

We've mentioned previously that Air Queensland is a Redcliffe based Flying Training and Air Charter company that operates a variety of RA-Aus and VH- registered single and twin-engine aircraft including (but not limited too) Sling, Tecnam, Jabiru, Cessna and Piper aircraft.  Air Queensland also operates from Caloundra, and more recently, in conjunction with the Bundaberg Aero Club, is now providing flying training (including RA-Aus) and private aircraft hire at Bundaberg Airport.

Our Blog post:  http://cqplanespotting.blogspot.com/2016/12/air-queensland-commences-flying.html

For additional information, the Air Queensland website can be found at:  http://www.airqueensland.com.au/

Air Queensland Commences Flying Training and Private Aircraft Hire at Bundaberg Airport

With the recent closure of the Hinkler Flying School, and flying training no longer provided by the Bundaberg Aero Club, flying training school and charter company Air Queensland has decided to expand their operations based at Redcliffe and Caloundra Aerodromes to include Bundaberg in an effort to provide local student pilots, and licensed pilots, an avenue to continue flying at the rum city.

Air Queensland, in conjunction with the Bundaberg Aero Club, is now providing flying training (including RA-Aus) and private aircraft hire at Bundaberg Airport.

They also intend to enhance current operations at Bundaberg Airport early in the new year, including moving into the Bundaberg Aero Club building, and relocating additional aircraft to the city.

While finer detail is still being determined, and more information will be released in due time, it is expected that Air Queensland will provide the 'flying' element, and that they Bundaberg Aero Club manage the 'social' aspect of the joint venture.

Of interest, Air Queensland operates a variety of RA-Aus and VH registered single and twin-engine aircraft including (but not limited too) Sling, Jabiru, Cessna, Piper and Tecnam aircraft.  In this post is featured Tecnam P.92 24-8228 which is currently based at Bundaberg Airport to provide flight training.

To learn more about Air Queensland visit their website at:  http://www.airqueensland.com.au/ or you can email:  sales@airqueensland.com.au

Additionally, more information about flying training and private aircraft hire at Bundaberg Airport can be obtained by contacting Trevor Fisch on (07) 4156 1075 or by email at: trevorfisch@bigpond.com

Thanks to local plane spotter and budding aviator Micah S for sending through these details and photos featured in this post.

We would like to wish all parties involved the very best for their plans in 2017!

All photos taken by Micah S  ©

Alliance Airlines Fokker F-70 VH-JFE Charter into Gladstone Airport Wednesday - Plus More!

On Wednesday 9 November, it appears that Alliance Airlines Fokker F-70 VH-JFE operated a closed charter flight to Gladstone Airport.

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It operated as UTY3360/3361 from and back to Brisbane.

Meanwhile, also noted to have visited Gladstone Airport on Wednesday 9 November were
BPW Aviation of Scone, New South Wales, Cessna 441 VH-EQU and the familiar sight of Air Queensland Piper PA-31-350 VH-XLB which visited once again from its Redcliffe base.

Early on Tuesday 8 November, Virgin Australia Embraer E-190 VH-ZPI was photographed operating into Gladstone Airport on the VOZ1707/1710 scheduled service from and back to Brisbane.

On Monday 7 November, Hawker Beechcraft G58 Baron VH-EZD called into Gladstone Airport from Hamilton Island - via a diversion to Rockhampton Airport - before later departing to its Monto base.

Finally last Friday 4 November, Shadforth's Plant Hire Raytheon (Beech) C90A (C90B King Air) VH-JEO visited Gladstone Airport from Maryborough Airport after it earlier arrived from its Sunshine Coast base.

Photos taken by Col and 'Mick'  ©

Alliance Airlines Fokker F-100 VH-XWO Calls into Gladstone Airport on Friday for Virgin Australia - Plus a Few Lighties!

On Friday 4 November, Alliance Airlines Fokker F-100 VH-XWO was noted visiting Gladstone Airport, operating as VOZ1713/1718 from and back to Brisbane on behalf of Virgin Australia.

It appears that Virgin cancelled yet another flight in and out of Gladstone Airport on Friday with reports suggesting the late-morning VOZ1711/1714 did not operate.

Meanwhile, a few nice light General Aviation (GA) aircraft have recently been spotted visiting Gladstone Airport.

Last Friday 28 October, Rockhampton-based Atlass Aviation Vulcanair (Partenavia) P.68C VH-CFT was spotted parked near the GA apron.

Also visiting Gladstone last Friday was very neatly presented 1962-build Piper PA-28-160 Cherokee VH-SHL.

On Sunday 30 October, Air Queensland Piper PA-31-350 VH-XLB had a busy day of flying out of and back to its Redcliffe base. It called into Gladstone Airport - along with Maryborough, Bundaberg and Brisbane.

On Tuesday 1 November, Brisbane-based Partenavia P.68B VH-IYF was spotted visiting Gladstone Airport from Redcliffe.

And finally on Friday 4 November, Shadforth's Plant Hire Raytheon (Beech) C90A (C90B King Air) VH-JEO was noted visiting Gladstone Airport from Maryborough, while Hawker Beechcraft G58 Baron VH-EZD called into Gladstone Airport while on a flight from its Monto base to Hamilton Island Airport.

UPDATE!  Even though this post has already been published, early on Saturday 5 November, Victorian-based Amateur-built Mustang II VH-HBM was spotted resting on the Gladstone Airport GA Apron.

It appears that the smart little aircraft had arrived on Friday 4 November.

Photos taken by Robert Frola and 'Mick'  ©

Regional Express (REX) SAAB 340B VH-ZLH Calls into Bundaberg Airport on Pel Air Charter

An interesting movement into Bundaberg Airport on Friday 14 October with Regional Express (REX) SAAB 340B VH-ZLH touching down as PFY9284 on what looked to be a closed charter flight from Brisbane.  The flight number suggests that the SAAB 340 was operating for Pel Air.

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After around 30 minutes on the ground, VH-ZLH returned to Brisbane as PFY9885.

Also on Friday 14 October, the Queensland Police Service (Airwing) Raytheon B1900D VH-PSK also called into Bundaberg Airport - amongst other places.  It flew into Bundy from Mackay and departed to Brisbane.

While on Thursday 13 October, Air Queensland Piper PA-31-350 VH-XLB made a quick visit from Redcliffe.

A Few Light GA Aircraft Call into Longreach Airport incl Record-breaking Around-the-World Pilot Lachie Smart in his Cirrus SR22 VH-IBC

As we've been reporting on our Facebook page, 18-year-old Lachlan Smart is in the final stages of a record-breaking solo around-the-world flight in Cirrus SR22 VH-IBC.  On Tuesday 23 August, Lachie piloted VH-IBC into Longreach Airport from Darwin.

He is expected to complete media and other commitments including a meet-and-greet at the Qantas Founders Museum at Longreach on Wednesday 24 August before departing to Bundaberg Airport on Thursday 25 August.

Lachie is expected to touch down in the rum city in VH-IBC at around 12.00pm on Thursday.  He will be giving a presentation of his world record breaking flight at the Hinkler Hall of Aviation in Bundaberg on Friday 26 August at 3.30pm.

Lachie will then head 'home' to the Sunshine Coast early on Saturday 27 August, completing his record-breaking solo circumnavigation of the globe.

Lachie will be 18 years, 7 months and 21 days when he touches down back at the Sunny Coast.  While the record is key to this journey, it was never the motivation for Smart to pack his life into a single engine plane to fly across vast masses of water, stopping in 24 locations and 15 countries along the way.

Read more about this remarkable young man at:  http://www.wingsaroundtheworld.com.au/

Meanwhile, several light General Aviation (GA) aircraft have also called into Longreach Airport over the last couple of days including Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) Beech B350 Super King Air A32-670 which touched down on Tuesday 23 August from Canberra as "Consort 89".  It looked to depart to Townsville later in the evening before returning to Longreach on Wednesday 24 August from Winton and then later departing to Charleville and points towards the South-East.

A couple of other Super King Air turboprops in the form of AirServices Australia / Pearl Aviation Hawker Beechcraft B300 VH-FIY and Queensland Government (State of Queensland) Raytheon B300 VH-SGQ also called into Longreach Airport on Tuesday 23 August.

VH-FIY arrived from Brisbane and later departed to Tennant Creek, while VH-SGQ arrived from Toowoomba and stayed for the night.  It departed to Brisbane on Wednesday 24 August.

Also visiting Longreach Airport on Wednesday 24 August were New South Wales based Beech 58 Baron VH-JML which arrived from Charleville, while New South Wales-based Rockwell 685 Commander VH-NJT departed Longreach for Blackall, Charleville, Dubbo and Bankstown.  VH-NJT looked to arrive at Longreach Airport on Monday 22 August.

Seen on the ground at Longreach Airport on Tuesday 23 August was Corporate Air / Vee H Aviation SAAB 340B VH-VEM, while Air Queensland Piper PA-31-350 VH-XLB was also noted visiting Longreach Airport on Tuesday 23 August.  It arrived from Mareeba and later departed to Roma and its Redcliffe base.

Of interest, VH-XLB is pictured above at Gladstone Airport on Sunday 21 August.  It had earlier arrived from Redcliffe and departed to Mackay and Townsville.

On Monday 22 August, Georgetown-based Piper PA-46-500TP Malibu VH-TPM arrived into Longreach Airport from Maungindi.  It later departed to Burketown and Groote Eylandt (Northern Territory).  And locally-based Air Central West Beech 58 Baron VH-TNR departed Longreach Airport for Kingaroy and Roma.

Finally, on Sunday 21 August, and for the second Sunday in-a-row, Hawker Beechcraft C90GTi King Air VH-JJU called into Longreach Airport while flying from Brisbane to its Cloncurry home.

Photos taken by 'AC' and Michael Fleetwood  ©

Yulgibar Pastoral Company Cessna 560 Citation Encore Bizjet VH-YUL Pops into Rockhampton Airport - And More!

On Saturday 13 August, Cessna 560 Citation Encore bizjet VH-YUL of the Yulgibar Pastoral Company (of Montmorency, Victoria) called into Rockhampton Airport from Baryulgil in Northern New South Wales.

VH-YUL at Rockhampton Airport in July  (File photo)

After a few hours on the ground, VH-YUL departed back to Baryulgil.

A couple of interesting light General Aviation (GA) visitors to Rockhampton Airport on Saturday 13 August included Austrek Aviation Cessna 310R VH-DZX which flew in from Toowoomba and Kingaroy and returned that way later.  While Longreach-based Piper PA-32-300 VH-HGR arrived from Gympie,

Meanwhile, on Friday 12 August, Air Queensland Piper PA-31-350 VH-XLB flew North from its Redcliffe base and completed airwork at Bundaberg and Rockhampton Airports.  And later on Friday 12 August, Aerorescue (AMSA - Australian Maritime Safety Authority) / Aero Pearl Dornier 328-100 VH-PPJ "Rescue 471" flew up from its Brisbane base to participate in a search for a missing boat off the Capricorn Coast.  It then called into Rockhampton Airport for fuel before returning to the search and then eventually Brisbane.

Photo taken by Kayanne Hardsman  ©

Cessna Citation Bizjet VH-MMC Calls into Emerald Airport - Plus Some Corporate Turbo-prop PC-12s at Barcaldine and Longreach Airports

On Wednesday 22 June, Mackellar Mining Equipment / Flight Options (Australia) Cessna 560 Citation Ultra bizjet VH-MMC called into Emerald Airport once again from its Sunshine Coast base.  Unlike previous visits, it returned to the Sunny Coast later in the day.

Meanwhile, further west out at Barcaldine and Longreach Airports, there has been a few interesting light General Aviation (GA) aircraft to call in.

As mentioned below, the Queensland Government (State of Queensland) Raytheon B300 Super King Air VH-SGQ called into Longreach on Wednesday 22 June from Mount Isa.  On Thursday 23 June, it departed for Barcaldine Airport and looked to be spending the night with a flight to Winton scheduled for early on Friday 24 June.

Scheduled to arrive at Barcaldine Airport on Friday 24 June is Pilatus PC- 12/47E VH-FMM.  It is due to fly from Albury to Melbourne (Avalon) before flying North to Barcaldine.

Back at Longreach Airport, Armada Aviation (of Ringwood in Victoria) Pilatus PC-12 VH-NWI arrived from Charleville and Greenvale on Thursday 23 June.  It later departed to Melbourne (Essendon).

Donald Withers / http://flightaware.com/

It had flown North from Essendon on Wednesday 22 June and spent the night at Charleville.

Also visiting from Charleville on Thursday 23 June was Scone (New South Wales) based Beech A36 Bonanza VH-DQM.

On Monday 20 June, Brisbane-based Pilatus PC-12/47E VH-AAD arrived into Longreach Airport from Archerfield and later departed to Canobie Airport and Mount Isa.

Finally, last Wednesday 15 June we overlooked the arrival into Longreach Airport of Air Queensland Piper PA-31-350 VH-XLB from Redcliffe.  It departed to Bundaberg Airport on Friday 17 June.

Cessna 560 Citation Ultra Bizjet VH-MMC Back at Emerald Airport - Plus a Few Lighties Around Both Emerald and Longreach Airports

It's been a busy week around both Emerald and Longreach Airports with a nice variety of light General Aviation (GA) aircraft visiting, plus a familiar bizjet.

On Tuesday 17 May, Mackellar Mining Equipment / Flight Options (Australia) Cessna 560 Citation Ultra bizjet VH-MMC called into Emerald Airport once again from its Sunshine Coast base.  This is its second visit in a fortnight.

At the time of writing, VH-MMC has departed Emerald Airport for the Sunshine Coast late on Thursday 19 May.

Meanwhile, the 'invasion' of interesting lighties into Emerald Airport started last Thursday 12 May with Brisbane-based Piper PA-32R-301T VH-PDY visiting from Archerfield.  On Friday 13 May, I spotted Flight One (Services) Cirrus SR22 VH-VGG parked while make one of its usual Friday visits from Archerfield as well as the smart looking Melbourne VIP Charter Pilatus PC-12/47E VH-PIU which looked to be making a series of flights to properties and remote airstrips all over outback Queensland - it has also visited Longreach Airport - see below!

Also visiting Emerald Airport on Friday 13 May was Piper PA-PA-23-250 Aztec VH-EQD which was returning South to Archerfield from a trip to the Far North of Queensland.

On Saturday 14 May, Air Link Cessna 310R VH-BWQ was believed to have called into Emerald Airport from Townsville.  It departed to its Dubbo base in New South Wales.

On Sunday 15 May, Brisbane-based Cirrus SR22 VH-YJX called in from Archerfield and later departed to Cooktown.

This week, on Tuesday 17 May, Brisbane-based Pilatus PC-12/47E VH-AAD arrived from Dalby.  After overnighting, it departed to Surat on Wednesday 18 May.  And on Thursday 19 May, Columbia LC41-550FG VH-LCW arrived from Mackay.

It's also worth mentioning that out at Longreach Airport there has equally been an interesting variety of light GA visitors starting last Friday 13 May with (former?) West Wing Aviation-operated Cessna 208 VH-TQB positioning to Adelaide (where it is owned) from Cairns via Longreach and Broken Hill.

VH-TQB at Adelaide Airport  (Photo taken by Tony Haynes  ©)

Also on Friday 13 May, Dick Lang's Dessert-Air Safaris' Beech B200 VH-ODI was noted making yet another visit, this time arriving from Birdsville, while the Queensland Government (State of Queensland) Raytheon B300 Super King Air VH-SGQ arrived at Longreach Airport from Brisbane.  After staying for the night, VH-SGQ departed back to Brisbane but via Kingaroy.

On Saturday 14 May, Air Queensland Piper PA-31-350 VH-XLB arrived at Longreach Airport from Archerfield.  It returned there the next day.  Also visiting Longreach Airport on Saturday 14 May was Beech A36 Bonanza VH-BZY, flying from and back its Julia Creek base.  It then returned to Longreach Airport from Julia Creek on Sunday 15 May before continuing to Emerald and then Biloela / Thangool Airport on Monday 16 May.

This week, the Melbourne VIP Charter Pilatus PC-12/47E VH-PIU called in from Devoncourt on Tuesday 17 May before later departing to Archerfield. Also, Toowoomba-based Beech B200 King Air VH-DYN called into Longreach from Archerfield on Thursday 19 May.  It later departed to Mount Isa.