A Pair of Australian Army CH-47F Chinook Helicopters A15-307 "Salty 47" & A15-306 "Easy 328" Spotted at Mackay Airport - Plus More!

On Tuesday 7 July, a pair of Australian Army Boeing CH-47F Chinook helicopters were spotted at Mackay Airport.  They appear to have flown down from Townsville via completing air work individually in the Whitsundays – at Proserpine (Whitsunday Coast) Airport and Hamilton Island Airport – before continuing down to Mackay Airport.

The two Chinooks from the Army’s 5th Aviation Regiment based at Townsville, where identified as A15-307 which flew as "Salty 47" and A15-306 as "Easy 328".

After some time on the ground, both Chinooks departed for Townsville with A15-307 "Salty 47" again completing air work at Hamilton Island Airport.

Meanwhile, also on Tuesday 7 July, Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) Airbus A330-200 / KC-30A Multi Role Tanker Transport (MRTT) A39-003 as "Dragon 25" arrived into Rockhampton Airport from RAAF Base Amberley and parked on taxiway Juliet. A bit later it departed to the North and completed a missed approach at Townsville before then returning to Amberley.

Finally, on the civilian side of movements, also on Tuesday 7 July, McDermott Aviation Group / Machjet International Cessna 525C CitationJet CJ4 bizjet VH-PIY as "Machflight 41" flew up from the Sunshine Coast to Hamilton Island Airport before then flying across to Ayers Rock. It later returned to the Sunshine Coast.

Poolhurst Aviation Air Charter Services new Pilatus PC-24 jet VH-VTF flew up from Archerfield to Hamilton Island Airport before then flying down to Adelaide.

Port Macquarie Helicopters / Graham Aviation (Cairns) Cessna 510 Citation Mustang bizjet VH-8DD departed Hamilton Island Airport for the Sunshine Coast. It had arrived on Saturday 4 July from Port Macquarie and Rockhampton Airport.

Mabena P/L (Wagga Air Centre) Pilatus PC-12/47E NGX VH-A8K as "Wagga Air 669" appeared to fly South from a property near Dysart.  It had earlier flown up from Archerfield and also from Wagga Wagga the previous day.

UPDATE!  On Wednesday 8 July VH-A8L 'WA669' was again noted flying in the region ultimately arriving into Longreach Airport.  Then on Thursday 9 July, it departed Longreach Airport for Isisford, Wrotham Park and then Cairns.

Photos taken by Graham Kevin Jackson  ©

THREE Australian Army Airbus Helicopters H135 'Juno' Training Helicopters Arrive into Rockhampton Airport - Plus More!

Late on Thursday 28 May, three Australian Army Airbus Helicopters H135 'Juno' training helicopters were noted arriving into Rockhampton Airport as "Jackal" after flying up from the Oakey Army Aviation Centre.  They have been identified as N52-101, N52-102 and N52-103 and were parked up for the night.

Then on Friday 29 May, the three H135 helicopters again as "Jackal" flew out of Rockhampton Airport to The Glen Airfield within the Shoalwater Bay Training Area (SWBTA) and back to Rocky.  

They later all returned down to Oakey - N52-101 was noted on radar flying as "Warhorse 27".

Meanwhile, also on Friday 29 May, Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) Boeing B737-8 MAX BBJ A62-001 as "Envoy 89" flew up from Canberra to land at Coffs Harbour and Bundaberg Airport before it then returned to Canberra via a missed approach at Tamworth. 

RAAF Beech B350 Super King Air A32-675 as "Hudson 25", which landed at Hervey Bay (Fraser Coast) Airport from RAAF Base East Sale late yesterday, departed back to East Sale.

Finally, also on Friday 29 May, Australian Country Choice Properties / Aero Corporate Charters P/L (Brisbane) Cessna 525B CitationJet CJ3 bizjet VH-ACC departed Hamilton Island Airport for Archerfield.  It appears to have arrived into Hamo from Archerfield via Brisbane at the start of the week.

GBJ Nominees (Navair Flight Operations) Textron (Cessna) 510 Citation Mustang bizjet VH-IEQ as "Navair 161" looked to arrive into Emerald Airport from Bankstown.  It then departed to Cairns.

And Cairns-based Air Tour Australia Beech B200 King Air VH-LOA visited Hamilton Island Airport from Cairns.

Photos taken by Darren Massie  ©

Australian Army Airbus Helicopters H135 'Juno' Training Helicopters N52-103 "Warhorse 29" & N52-101 "Jackal 11" Both Call into Hervey Bay (Fraser Coast) Airport - Plus More!

On Friday 1 May, a pair of Australian Army Airbus Helicopters H135 'Juno' training helicopters were noted visiting Hervey Bay (Fraser Coast) Airport.  They were identified as N52-103 as "Warhorse 29" and N52-101 as "Jackal 11" and looked to fly up from Enoggera Army Barracks.  

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N52-103 "Warhorse 29" later flew to the Oakey Army Aviation Centre while N52-101 "Jackal 11" returned to Enoggerra.

And Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) Boeing B737-7ES / E-7A Wedgetail Airborne Early Warning & Control (AEW&C) aircraft A30-006 as "Mitchel 12" complete airwork also at Hervey Bay (Fraser Coast) Airport while on a flight out of and back to RAAF Base Williamtown.

Meanwhile, also on Friday 1 May, Gulf Aircraft Cessna 680 Citation Sovereign bizjet VH-PYN arrived into Emerald Airport from the North-West before later departing to Brisbane. It had started its day at Melbourne (Essendon).

And it seems that the aircraft used for the skydiving out of Lakeside Airpark was swapped over with Sydney Skydivers Pacific Aerospace PAC 750XL VH-XLC noted operating and then departing to Caloundra while the usual Cessna 208B Supervan 900 Skydiving Aircraft VH-XLF returned to Lakeside Airpark late in the day from Bankstown via Wilton.

Finally, on a quiet Thursday 30 April, Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) Beech B350 Super King Air A32-651 as "Hudson 01" flew down from Cairns to complete a missed approach at Hamilton Island Airport and then land at Longreach Airport.  It then departed to the South.  The Super King Air had flown across from Alice Springs to Cairns the previous day.

And Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) Airbus A330-203 / KC-30A Multi Role Tanker Transport (MRTT) A39-006 as "Dragon 40" was noted completing a missed approach at Rockhampton Airport.  Like all other flights this week, it arrived from RAAF Base Amberley and then departed to Brisbane Airport.

Two Australian Army UH-60M Black Hawk Helicopters - A60-006 & A60-009 as "Valkyrie" Return South via CQ Airports After Exercises in Townsville - Plus More!

On Monday 23 March, the two Australian Army UH-60M Black Hawk Helicopters that deployed to Townsville a couple of weeks ago, were noted flying back South to the Oakey Army Aviation Centre from there via Mackay, Rockhampton and Bundaberg Airports.  They were identified as A60-006 and A60-009 and were heard flying together as "Valkyrie".

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The two UH-60M Black Hawk helicopters from the 16th Aviation Brigade were in Townsville to participate in Exercise Valkyrie Crawl at Townsville Field Training Area.  This training saw infantry soldiers integrate with the Black Hawk helicopters to conduct familiarisation training which enables them to support future operations.

Meanwhile, also on Monday 23 March, Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) Dassault Falcon 7X bizjet A56-003 as "Envoy 83" flew up from Canberra to complete a missed approach at Longreach Airport before then flying back to Canberra.

And RAAF Lockheed C-130J-30 Hercules transport aircraft A97-448 as "Trojan 74" visited Williamson Airfield within the Shoalwater Bay Training Area (SWBTA) from RAAF Base Richmond.

Two Australian Army UH-60M Black Hawk Helicopters - A60-006 & A60-009 as "Valkyrie" Call into CQ Airports Heading North - Plus More!

On Tuesday 10 March, two Australian Army UH-60M Black Hawk Helicopters were noted flying North from the Oakey Army Aviation Centre to Townsville via Bundaberg, Rockhampton and Mackay Airports.  They were identified as A60-006 and A60-009 and were heard flying together as "Valkyrie".

They were photographed above as they arrived into Townsville where they are believed to be staying for a week with reports they will fly back South again via CQ next week some time.

Meanwhile, also on Tuesday 10 March, Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) Boeing B737-8 MAX BBJ A62-001 as "Envoy 44" landed at Bundaberg Airport from Canberra and Coffs Harbour and a bit later departed back South, calling into Albury before returning to Canberra.

Sincere thanks to local plane spotters Graham A and Gillian T for allowing us to share these great photos from Townsville and from Bundaberg today!

Photos taken by Graham Aspinall and Gillian Tulk  ©️

McDermott Aviation Group / Machjet International Cessna 525C CitationJet CJ4 Bizjet VH-PIY "Machflight 41" Pops into Gladstone Airport - Plus More!

On Wednesday 11 February, McDermott Aviation Group / Machjet International Cessna 525C CitationJet CJ4 bizjet VH-PIY as "Machflight 41" visited Gladstone Airport from the Sunshine Coast via Archerfield.

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Auriga Assets / Heli-Aust Whitsundays Airbus EC135P3H helicopter VH-ZFD flew down from Mackay Airport to Gladstone Airport.  Sistership, Eurocopter EC135 P2 helicopter VH-ZGZ departed Gladstone Airport to the Sunshine Coast, Toowoomba, Port Macquarie and Dyke Point (Newcastle). 

Of interest, Auriga Assets / Heli-Aust Whitsundays Eurocopter EC135 P2+ helicopter VH-XUV continues to operate out of Gladstone Airport.

Meanwhile, also on Wednesday 11 February, Seair Pacific (Istlecote) Cessna 208B Grand Caravan EX VH-LYI flew into Middlemount Aerodrome from Hervey Bay (Fraser Coast) Airport before then flying down to Maryborough Airport and then back to Hervey Bay Airport.

Central Highlands Aerial Services (CHAS) Air Tractors VH-FZV and VH-JQW were noted operating out of my local Clermont Aerodrome on aerial spraying of some local farmland.  They looked to fly up from and then later return to their landing site just to the North of Emerald township.

UPDATE!  On Thursday 12 February, both VH-FZV and VH-JQW again completed aerial spraying operations out of Clermont Aerodrome.

Finally, also on Wednesday 11 February, Australian Army new Airbus Helicopters H135 'Juno' training helicopter N52-103 as "Warhorse 35" flew up from the Oakey Army Aviation Centre to complete airwork at the Sunshine Coast and then the Wide Bay Training Area before then landing at Hervey Bay (Fraser Coast) Airport.  It then departed back to Oakey as "Warhorse 31". 

And late on Wednesday evening, Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) Boeing B737-7ES / E-7A Wedgetail Airborne Early Warning & Control (AEW&C) aircraft A30-003 "Wedgetail 01" completed a missed approach at Rockhampton Airport.  It flew up from RAAF Base Williamtown via a missed approach at the Sunshine Coast before later returning from Rocky to Williamtown.

Photo taken by 'AC'  ©

United States Air Force (USAF) Dornier C-146A (Dornier 328-120) 11-3097 "Cata 202" Spotted at Rockhampton Airport - Plus More!

On Thursday 4 December, United States Air Force (USAF) Dornier C-146A (Dornier 328-110) 'Wolfhound' wearing the serial number of 11-3097 was spotted visiting Rockhampton Airport.  

It was heard to be using the radio callsign of "Cata 202" and looked to touch down from Brisbane.

A short time later, the Dornier departed Rockhampton Airport for Cairns.

Of interest, the C-146A Wolfhound looks to be flown by the 524th Special Operations Squadron (524th SOS), located at Duke Field, Florida.  It is one of four flying squadrons within the 492nd Special Operations Wing. 

The squadron flies the C-146A Wolfhound in order to provide agile intra-theatre mobility support for special operations forces worldwide.

Meanwhile, also on Thursday 4 December, Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) Boeing B737-8 MAX BBJ A62-001 as  "Envoy 18" landed at Bundaberg Airport from Canberra and Coffs Harbour and a bit later departed to Hamilton Island Airport and then Cairns.

UPDATE!  On Friday 5 December, RAAF B737 A62-001 as Envoy 18 arrived into Rockhampton Airport from Cairns then departed to the Gold Coast.

While Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) Boeing C-17A Globemaster III A41-207 as "Stallion 20" flew up from RAAF Base Amberley to complete a missed approach Rockhampton Airport before it then flew back to complete a few more and then land at Amberley.

And Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) Boeing B737-7ES / E-7A Wedgetail Airborne Early Warning & Control (AEW&C) aircraft A30-002 as "Wedgetail 11" flew up from RAAF Base Williamtown to complete a missed approach at Gladstone Airport.  It then flew down to land at Amberley before eventually heading back to Williamtown.

Finally, also on Thursday 4 December,  Helicorp (Australian Army) Leonardo S.P.A. Helicopters (Agusta) AW139 helicopter VH-YQJ as "Rescue 901" flew down from Mount Isa to Longreach Airport, Roma Airport and the Oakey Army Aviation Centre this afternoon.

Sincere thanks to local plane spotter and photographer Scott H and Steve V for allowing us to share these great photos of a great visitor to Rocky!

Photos taken by Scott Harris and Steve Vit  ©

Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) Boeing B737-7ES / E-7A Wedgetail A30-005 "Mitchel 07" Noted Completing Airwork at Rockhampton Airport - Plus More!

On Wednesday 22 October, Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) Boeing B737-7ES / E-7A Wedgetail Airborne Early Warning & Control (AEW&C) aircraft A30-005 as "Mitchel 07" flew up from RAAF Base Williamtown to complete a low overshoot Rockhampton Airport before then flying back to Williamtown.

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Also this week, Australian Army new Airbus Helicopters H135 'Juno' training helicopters have been noted flying out of the Oakey Army Aviation Centre heading North and landing occasionally at Kingaroy Aerodrome including N52-105 as "Warhorse 31".

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We have also noticed N52-103 as "Juno 75" and N52-102 as "Juno 76".

The Australian Army has a fleet of five H135 'Juno' training helicopters which were re-assembly at HMAS Albatross. The helicopters were re-assembled by Boeing Defence Australia before being relocated to the Army Aviation Training Centre in Oakey to support essential training for Army aircrew. The addition of these five helicopters will address a critical requirement to meet the training and proficiency needs of Army’s aircrew while the UH-60M Black Hawk is introduced.

Finally, an unknown Australian Army Boeing CH-47F Chinook helicopter as "Brahman 379" was seen flying down near Bowen while on a flight out of and back to Townsville.

Photo taken by Michael Malick  ©

Honeybee Air (Sydney) Cirrus SF50-G2 Vision Jet Arivee Xi VH-TEA at the Whitsunday Airport at Shute Harbour - Plus More!

On Tuesday 7 October, Honeybee Air (Sydney) Cirrus SF50-G2 Vision Jet Arivee Xi VH-TEA flew up from Bankstown and Lismore to the Whitsunday Airport at Shute Harbour before it then flew back down to Bankstown. 

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VH-TEA also visited Shute Harbour last week when it was photographed above.

Burbank Homes / Business Aviation Solutions Raytheon Hawker 850XP bizjet VH-BMW visited Hamilton Island Airport once again from Melbourne (Tullamarine).

Skydive the Beach Group Cessna 208 Caravan VH-DZZ flew down from the Whitsunday Airport at Shute Harbour to Tyagarah.  It looked to swap with Experience Company (Skydive the Beach Group) Cessna 208B Supervan 900 VH-LVN which had flown up to Shute Harbour from Shellharbour Airport via Emerald Airport on Monday 6 October.

Vee H Aviation (Link Airways) Beech B200GT Super King Air 250 VH-VEW flew up to Clermont Aerodrome from Brisbane before then heading out to Mount Isa.

UPDATE!  On Wednesday 8 October, VH-VEW flew from Mount Isa to Townsville and then Brisbane.  On Thursday 9 October, VH-VEW completed one of its usual trips to Clermont Aerodrome from and back to Brisbane.

Finally, also on Tuesday 7 October, Australian Army Boeing CH-47F 'Foxtrot' Chinook helicopter A15-313 as "Pegasus 88" was noted flying around the Whitsundays region, completing approaches at Bowen Aerodrome and Hamilton Island Airport while on a flight out of and back to Townsville.

And Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) Alenia C-27J Spartan transport aircraft A34-009 as "Wallaby 37" flew up from RAAF Base Amberley to around Monto before heading across to complete a touch and go at Bundaberg Airport.  It then flew at low level over to Fraser Island and then down the Queensland coast back to Amberley.

Photo taken by Lee Holloway  ©

Helicorp (Australian Army) Leonardo S.P.A. Helicopters (Agusta) AW139 helicopters VH-YQJ & VH-YQC Pass Through Longreach Airport - Plus More!

On Saturday 4 October, Helicorp (Australian Army) Leonardo S.P.A. Helicopters (Agusta) AW139 helicopter VH-YQJ as "Rescue 901" was spotted at Longreach Airport.

It looked to fly up from the Oakey Army Aviation Centre  to Longreach Airport before continuing to Mount Isa.

UPDATE!  On Sunday 5 October, VH-YQJ "Rescue 901" continued from Mount Isa to Mcarthur River Mine, RAAF Base Tindal and then Robertson Barracks.

UPDATE!  On Sunday 5 October, fellow Helicorp (Australian Army) Leonardo S.P.A. Helicopters (Agusta) AW139 helicopter VH-YQC as "Rescue 902" flew down from Mount Isa to Longreach Airport and then Roma Airport before landing at Oakey.  It had flown down from Robertson to Mount Isa on Saturday.

Meanwhile, also on Saturday 4 October, Business Aviation Solutions Bombardier BD-700-1A10 Global Express XRS bizjet VH-8MJ flew back into Hamilton Island Airport from Nadi, Fiji and Townsville. It flown out that way on Monday 29 September.

UPDATE!  On Wednesday 8 October, VH-8MJ departed Hamilton Island Airport for Sydney.

Finally, it's worth nothing that on Friday 3 October, Emerald Coaches (Emerald) Piper PA-46-350P Malibu Mirage VH-ZMM had a busy day of flying, visiting Longreach and Mackay Airports both arriving from and then departing back to its Emerald Airport base. It also visited Bowen Aerodrome in the days prior.

All photos taken by Liam Sellick  ©

Royal New Zealand Air Force (RNZAF) NH Industries NH90 Helicopter NZ3306 Out and Back at Rockhampton Airport - Plus More!

On Tuesday 29 July, Royal New Zealand Air Force (RNZAF) NH Industries NH90 helicopter NZ3306 departed Rockhampton Airport for Brisbane.  It was heard to use the radio callsign of "Warrior 06".

UPDATE!  On Wednesday 30 July, the RNZAF NH90 helicopter NZ3306 "Warrior 06" returned to Rockhampton Airport from Brisbane but it called into Gladstone Airport for fuel.  The NH90 then continued up to Townsville.  It was photographed above and below at Gladstone Airport.

Meanwhile, also on Tuesday 29 July, CHC Helicopters Australia / Lloyd Helicopters Agusta AW139 helicopter VH-RQY as "Choppa 42" departed Rockhampton Airport for Longreach Airport before then flying down to Roma Airport and RAAF Base Amberley.

And Helicorp (Australian Army) Leonardo S.P.A. Helicopters (Agusta) AW139 helicopter VH-YQC as "Rescue 902" came from the Shoalwater Bay Training Area (SWBTA) and flew a few training approaches at Rockhampton Airport before it then returned to the Bay.

Finally, late on Tuesday 29 July, a pair of Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) Alenia C-27J Spartan transport aircraft A34-002 "Wallaby 70" and A34-008 "Wallaby 75" completed airwork around Taroom while on a flight out of and back to RAAF Base Amberley.

Sincere thanks to Gladstone plane spotters Jamie C and Glenn L for taking the time to capture and send through these great photos!

Photos taken by Jamie C and Glenn Lloyd  ©

Exercise Talisman Sabre 2025 - A Busy Saturday at Rockhampton Airport including Multiple USAF C-17 Globemaster Transports Visiting

On Saturday 19 July, Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) Alenia C-27J Spartan transport aircraft A34-004 as "Valour 11" arrived into Rockhampton Airport from RAAF Base Amberley then flew out to the North East over water and back.  It then returned to Amberley.

Air Affairs (Australia) LearJet 35A VH-SLD as 'AJAX14' arrived into Rockhampton Airport from Kununurra. 

While Royal Australian Navy (RAN) Sikorsky MH-60R Seahawk 'Romeo' naval combat helicopter N48-002 (Code 902) as "Poseidon 02" was photographed arriving into Rockhampton Airport from its ship.

Australian Army Boeing CH-47F Chinook helicopter A15-305 as "Stockman" departed to Townsville. 

RAAF Rescue Agusta AW139 helicopter VH-RQW as CHOP21 arrived into Rockhampton Airport from Townsville and then departed to the Gold Coast and Ballina. 

Finally, late on Saturday 19 July, United States Air Force (USAF) Boeing C-17A Globemaster III 09-9206 flew into Rockhampton Airport from Darwin.

It later departed to Cairns.

Also noted at Rockhampton Airport was USAF C-17 09-9208 as 'LAVA93'.

USAF C-17 05-5150 as Lava 91 flew down from Darwin to Amberley.  It may have also possibly visited Rockhampton Airport after dark.

And USAF C17 05-5146 as 'LAVA97' flew East from Townsville and at low-level around the Whitsundays.

Photo taken by Darren Massie and Steve Vit  ©

Exercise Talisman Sabre 2025 - Flight of SIX Australian Army and RNZAF Helicopters as "Chainsaw Combined" Arrives at Rockhampton Airport - Plus More!

On Friday 18 July, a massive flight of SIX military helicopters flying as "Chainsaw Combined" were photographed making a spectacular arrival into Rockhampton Airport from Townsville.

They were identified as Royal New Zealand Air Force (RNZAF) NH Industries NH90 helicopters NZ3306, NZ3303 & NZ3307.

Plus Australian Army Boeing CH-47F Chinook helicopters A15-301, A15-306 & A15-310.

All six helicopters parked on the crossing Runway 04/22 at Rockhampton Airport.

While Astra Aerospace / Air Affairs (Australia) Learjet 35A bizjet VH-LRH as "Blackjack 11" completed a flight out of and back to Rockhampton Airport.

A third Air Affairs (Australia) Learjet 35A VH-LRX also arrived into Rockhampton Airport from HMAS Albatross at Nowra as 'AJAX19'.

Two Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) British Aerospace (BAe) Hawk 127 jets - A27-01 and A27-23 - completed only one afternoon sortie out of and back to Rockhampton Airport as "Puma".

The two Royal Canadian Air Force (RCAF) Lockheed CC-130J Super Hercules (C-130J-30) transport aircraft wearing serials 130617 and 130606 flew down from Townsville as 'CNUK61FLT' / "Canook 61 Flt" into the Shoalwater Bay Training Area before later returning North.

Finally, United States Air Force (USAF) Boeing C-17A Globemaster III 05-5146 as 'SHAKA11' was noted on radar climbing out of the Middlemount area.  It is believed to be based at RAAF Base Amberley along with a few other USAF C-17s which are also based there and at other places like Cairns, Townsville and Darwin.

Photos taken by Steve Vit and Scott Harris  ©