Brisbane-based Teys Australia Cessna 525 Citation CJ2 Bizjet VH-TEY Back at Rockhampton Airport - Plus More!

On Tuesday 5 April, Brisbane-based Teys Australia Cessna 525 Citation CJ2 bizjet VH-TEY was noted back at Rockhampton Airport, this time it arrived from Archerfield and Biloela / Thangool Airports.

VH-TEY at Rockhampton Airport on the weekend  (File photo)

At the time of writing, it appears that VH-TEY is staying at Rocky for at least the night.

As shown above, VH-TEY was at Rockhampton Airport only just over the weekend gone.

UPDATE!  On Wednesday 6 April, VH-TEY departed Rockhampton Airport for Archerfield.

While up at Hamilton Island Airport, American registered Bombardier BD-700-1A11 Global 5000 bizjet N2QE was noted passing through once again.  It arrived from Cairns (where it is pictured) and then departed to Sydney.

File photo

Meanwhile, also on Tuesday 5 April, McDermott Aviation / Heli-Lift Australia Eurocopter AS365N3 Dauphin helicopter N365JA was noted departing Rockhampton Airport for the Shoalwater Bay Training Area (SWBTA).  It then returned to Rockhampton Airport before completing another flight to the Bay and back.  N365JA then departed to the Sunshine Coast.

It is assumed that N365JA arrived into Rockhampton Airport the previous day.

While Flight Training Adelaide (FTA) / Qantas Group Pilot Academy Diamond DA-40 Star training aircraft VH-DIV was noted flying up to Rockhampton Airport from its Toowoomba-Wellcamp base and Bundaberg Airports.  It then returned to Wellcamp.

Link Airways (Corporate Air / Vee H Aviation) Cessna 441 Conquest VH-VEY flew into Oaky Creek from Brisbane and Newcastle (Williamtown) before then flying down to Emerald Airport and back to Brisbane.

And DeGunst Transport P/L Textron (Cessna) 208 Caravan VH-NPZ visited Nebo Aerodrome from its Bundaberg Airport base.

Finally, also on Tuesday 5 April, Australian Maritime Safety Authority (AMSA) (Cobham SAR Services Pty Ltd) Bombardier CL-600-2B16 Challenger 604 bizjet VH-XNC was noted completing an Australian Border Force patrol flight that was out of and back to Cairns, at low levels off the Central Queensland coast as "Borderforce 117".

And Machjet (Machjet International) Cessna 525 Citation CJ1 bizjet VH-SIY was noted flying North out of Mackay Airport.  It's exact movements are not fully known.

Photos taken by John Lee and Jonathan Williams  ©

Australian Border Force (ABF) Cobham Aviation-operated Dash-8-200 VH-ZZB "Borderforce 22" at Rockhampton Airport

On Saturday 19 March, Surveillance Australia / Australian Border Force (ABF) Cobham Aviation-operated Dash-8-200 VH-ZZB was spotted parked at Rockhampton Airport.  It had arrived late on Friday 18 March after completing a patrol originally out of Cairns.

After spending the night parked, it completed another surveillance sortie out of Rocky on Saturday where it ultimately landed back at Rockhampton Airport.

VH-ZZB was again heard to be using its 'usual' radio callsign of "Borderforce 22".

UPDATE!  After spending the night again parked, on Sunday 20 March, VH-ZZB "Borderforce 22" then departed Rockhampton Airport for another patrol where it ultimately returned back to Cairns.

Photo taken by Trevor Hardsman  ©

Toowoomba-based Beech 58 Baron VH-CLE Pops into Rockhampton and Dingo Airports - Plus More!

On Thursday 30 September, Toowoomba-based Beech 58 Baron VH-CLE flew up from Gympie and landed at Rockhampton Airport for a short time.  It then few West to the Dingo Airstrip (Dingo Roadhouse) before then flying back to Rockhampton Airport.  VH-CLE then flew back to Dingo and then back to Gympie.

File photo

Of interest, VH-CLE looked to fly across to Gympie from its Tara base (near Toowoomba) the previous day.

Meanwhile, also on Thursday 30 September, Redcliffe-based Aeromot AMT-200S Super Ximango VH-XNO flew from Roma to Blackall Airports and then up to Burketown.

Up at Hamilton Island Airport, also on Thursday 30 September, re-registered WFL Aviation (Jet Assist) of Victoria Cessna 550 Citation II Bravo bizjet VH-HVM departed to the Gold Coast.  It had arrived from there on Monday 27 September.

Brisbane-based Adome P/L (Brisbane) Cessna 525 CitationJet M2 bizjet VH-YWS arrived at Hamilton Island Airport from Archerfield.

UPDATE!  On Monday 4 October, VH-YWS departed Hamo and returned to Archerfield.

While Machjet (Machjet International) Cessna 525 Citation CJ1 bizjet VH-SIY looked to returned to Hamo yet again, this time arriving from the Sunshine Coast and Brisbane.  It returned to direct to the Sunny Coast.

Ipswich-based Airborne P/L (Palm Lake Works) Pilatus PC-12/47E VH-PLE visited from the its Gold Coast base.  

And Brisbane-based FIFO Jet P/L Beech B200 King Air VH-FAQ arrived from Archerfield.

UPDATE!  On Saturday 2 October, VH-FAQ departed Hamilton Island Airport and returned to Archerfield.

Air Australia International (of Jandakot, Western Australia) Piper PA-31 Navajo VH-CYY departed Proserpine (Whitsunday Coast) Airport for Moranbah, Ayr, Bowen and Mackay Airports.  It then flew up to the Whitsunday Airport at Shute Harbour (pictured below) where it is reportedly to take up operations with the locally-based Fly Australia Airlines (Charter). 

And Brescon (Toowoomba) Beech B200 VH-WXN visited the Labona Station Airstrip within Adani Australia's (Bravus Mining & Resources) Carmichael Coal Mine site from Toowoomba-Wellcamp Airport completing its weekly visit.

Finally, also on Thursday 30 September, as it has done quite a bit over the last few days, Australian Maritime Safety Authority (AMSA) (Cobham SAR Services Pty Ltd) Bombardier CL-600-2B16 Challenger 604 bizjet VH-XNC operated an Australian Border Force surveillance and compliance flight out of and back to Cairns Airport.  It flew down to abeam Mackay before then heading back North, all at very low level.  VH-XNC was heard to use the flight number and callsign of "Borderforce 01".

Photos taken by 'JM' and Lee Holloway  ©

Australian Border Force (ABF) Cobham Aviation-operated Dash-8-200 VH-ZZP "Borderforce 112" Calls into Rockhampton Airport

During the late afternoon on Saturday 7 August, Surveillance Australia / Australian Border Force (ABF) Cobham Aviation-operated Dash-8-200 VH-ZZP was noted arriving into Rockhampton Airport at the completion of a surveillance sortie from Cairns.

File photo

After spending the night parked, early on Sunday 8 August, VH-ZZP departed Rockhampton Airport and completed another surveillance sortie where it ultimately landed back at Cairns.

VH-ZZP was again heard to be using its 'usual' radio callsign of "Borderforce 112".

The Australian Border Force Dash-8 aircraft aren't seen in Central Queensland regularly, so it has been great to see them again operating out of Rockhampton Airport on off-shore sorties.

Photo taken by Micah S  ©

Australian Border Force (ABF) Cobham Aviation-operated Dash-8-200 VH-ZZB "Borderforce 22" at Rockhampton Airport

On Sunday 4 July, Surveillance Australia / Australian Border Force (ABF) Cobham Aviation-operated Dash-8-200 VH-ZZB was spotted departing out of Rockhampton Airport.

It had arrived on Saturday 3 July completing a patrol originally out of Cairns.

After spending the night parked, it completed another surveillance sortie out of Rocky where it ultimately landed back at Cairns.

VH-ZZB was again heard to be using its 'usual' radio callsign of "Borderforce 22".

Photo taken by Steve Vit  ©

Australian Border Force (ABF) Cobham Aviation-operated Dash-8-200 VH-ZZB "Borderforce 22" at Rockhampton Airport

On Sunday 6 June, Surveillance Australia / Australian Border Force (ABF) Cobham Aviation-operated Dash-8-200 VH-ZZB was noted operating out of Rockhampton Airport.

File photo

It had arrived on Saturday 5 June completing a patrol originally out of Cairns.

After spending the night parked, it completed another surveillance sortie out of Rocky where it ultimately landed back at Cairns.

VH-ZZB was again heard to be using its 'usual' radio callsign of "Borderforce 22".

Photo taken by 'IAD'  ©

Australian Border Force (ABF) Cobham Aviation-operated Dash-8-200 VH-ZZB "Borderforce 22" at Rockhampton Airport

On Sunday 16 May, Surveillance Australia / Australian Border Force (ABF) Cobham Aviation-operated Dash-8-200 VH-ZZB was noted operating out of Rockhampton Airport.

File photo

It had arrived on Saturday 15 May after completing a patrol originally out of Cairns.

After spending the night parked, it completed another surveillance sortie out of Rocky where it ultimately landed back at Cairns. 

VH-ZZB was again heard to be using its 'usual' radio callsign of "Borderforce 22".

Photo taken by 'IAD'  ©

Australian Border Force (ABF) Cobham Aviation-operated Dash-8-200 VH-ZZP Calls into Rockhampton Airport

During the late afternoon on Saturday 6 February, Surveillance Australia / Australian Border Force (ABF) Cobham Aviation-operated Dash-8-200 VH-ZZP was noted arriving into Rockhampton Airport at the completion of a surveillance sortie from Cairns.

File photo

It was heard to be using its usual radio callsign of "Borderforce 112".

VH-ZZP was due to depart Rockhampton Airport early on Sunday 7 February but reports suggest that it suffered a technical problem and delayed its departure until Monday 8 February.

UPDATE!  Indeed early on Monday 8 February, VH-ZZP "Borderforce 112" departed Rockhampton Airport on another surveillance sortie back to Cairns.

The Australian Border Force Dash-8 aircraft haven't been seen in Central Queensland for some time so it has been great to see them again operating out of Rockhampton Airport on off-shore sorties.

Photo taken by Micah S  ©

Australian Border Force (ABF) Cobham Aviation-operated Dash-8-200 VH-ZZC Spotted at Rockhampton Airport

Early on Tuesday 26 January, Surveillance Australia / Australian Border Force (ABF) Cobham Aviation-operated Dash-8-200 VH-ZZC was photographed as it departed on a surveillance sortie out of Rockhampton Airport. It was heard to be using its usual radio callsign of "Borderforce 33".

VH-ZZC looked to arrive into Rockhampton Airport after completing another sortie during the previous day, Monday 25 January.

The Australian Border Force Dash-8 aircraft haven't been seen in Central Queensland for some time so it has been great to see them again operating out of Rockhampton Airport on off-shore sorties.

Photo taken by Steve Vit  ©

Australian Border Force (ABF) Cobham Aviation-operated Dash-8-200 VH-ZZB Spotted at Bundaberg Airport

On Saturday 26 September, Surveillance Australia / Australian Border Force (ABF) Cobham Aviation-operated Dash-8-200 VH-ZZB was photographed parked up at Bundaberg Airport.

Australian Border Force Dash-8 aircraft haven't been seen in Central Queensland for some time and it was noted that VH-ZZB as "Borderforce 22" looked to first arrive into Bundy on Friday 25 September after completing a sortie off the Queensland coast.

It appears that VH-ZZB also completed sorties later on Saturday and again on Sunday 27 September.

UPDATE!  On Monday 28 September, VH-ZZB was noted departing Bundaberg Airport as "Borderforce 22" and eventually landing up at Cairns at the completion of another sortie.

Sincere thanks local plane spotter Peter S for taking the time to capture and send through this great photo!

Photo taken by Peter Sajko  ©

Australian Border Force (ABF) Cobham Aviation-operated Dash-8-200 VH-ZZC Spotted at Rockhampton Airport

On Monday 29 June, Surveillance Australia / Australian Border Force (ABF) Cobham Aviation-operated Dash-8-200 VH-ZZC was photographed as it departed on a surveillance sortie out of Rockhampton Airport.  It was heard to be using its usual radio callsign of "Borderforce 33".

As mentioned below, VH-ZZC looked to first arrive into Rockhampton Airport over the weekend and looked to complete a sortie also on Sunday 28 June.

UPDATE!  It appears that VH-ZZC "Borderforce 33" departed Rockhampton Airport on Tuesday 30 June and eventually landed at Cairns.

The Australian Border Force Dash-8 aircraft haven't been seen in Central Queensland for some time so it has been great to see them again operating out of Rockhampton Airport on off-shore sorties.

Sincere thanks local plane spotter Michael M for taking the time to capture and send through this great photo!

All photos taken by Michael Malick  ©

Australian Maritime Safety Authority (AMSA) (Cobham SAR Services Pty Ltd) Bombardier Challenger 604 Bizjet VH-XND "Rescue 660" Pops into Rockhampton Airport

A search and rescue mission in the region on Saturday 27 June saw Australian Maritime Safety Authority (AMSA) (Cobham SAR Services Pty Ltd) Bombardier CL-600-2B16 Challenger 604 bizjet VH-XND pop into Rockhampton Airport for a short time during the late afternoon.  It was noted flying as "Rescue 660" and had come down from Cairns to coordinate the search which appeared to be off the coast South of Gladstone.

After refuelling, VH-XND "Rescue 660" is pictured departing Rockhampton Airport for the search zone.  It eventually returned to Cairns.

Of interest, three helicopters that were noted also participating in the search and rescue mission included LifeFlight Rescue Bell 412EP VH-XCY as "Rescue 522" and a pair of McDermott Aviation / Heli-Lift Australia Aerospatiale / Eurocopter AS365 Dauphin helicopters N38MD and N365JL.  All three choppers looked to stage out of Bundaberg Airport.

UPDATE!  VH-XND "Rescue 660" was back on the search on Tuesday 30 June, along with VH-XCY "Rescue 522".

Finally, also on Saturday 27 June, it appeared that Surveillance Australia / Australian Border Force (ABF) Cobham Aviation-operated Dash-8-200 VH-ZZC "Borderforce 33" was inbound to Rockhampton Airport at the completion of a sortie.

UPDATE!  VH-ZZC was noted parked at Rockhampton Airport late on Sunday 28 June.

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

All photos taken by Michael Malick  ©

Australian Border Force (ABF) Cobham Aviation-operated Dash-8-200 VH-ZZB "Borderforce 22" Back at Rockhampton Airport

On Monday 6 April, Surveillance Australia / Australian Border Force (ABF) Cobham Aviation-operated Dash-8-200 VH-ZZB was noted operating out of Rockhampton Airport.

File photo

It had arrived late on Sunday 5 April and after spending the night parked, it completed a surveillance sortie out of and back to Rockhampton Airport.  VH-ZZB was again heard to be using its 'usual' radio callsign of "Borderforce 22".

UPDATE!  VH-ZZB "Borderforce 22" departed Rockhampton Airport on Wednesday 7 April and was noted completing a sortie up in Torres Strait.  It was noted operating back out of Rockhampton Airport on Thursday 8 April.

Photo taken by 'IAD'  ©

Australian Maritime Safety Authority (AMSA) (Cobham SAR Services Pty Ltd) Bombardier Challenger 604 Bizjet VH-XND Pops into Rockhampton Airport

A search and rescue mission in the region late on Saturday 1 February saw Australian Maritime Safety Authority (AMSA) (Cobham SAR Services Pty Ltd) Bombardier CL-600-2B16 Challenger 604 bizjet VH-XND pop into Rockhampton Airport for a short time.  It was noted flying as "Rescue 660" and had come up from Melbourne (Essendon) to coordinate the search which appeared to be off the coast between Rockhampton and Gladstone.

File photo

After presumably refuelling, VH-XND "Rescue 660" departed Rockhampton Airport and was noted heading back to Essendon.

Of interest, fixed wing aircraft and helicopters noted participating in the search and rescue mission included Austrek Aviation Beech B200 Super King Air VH-ZGD from Toowoomba, Machjet (Machjet International) new Hawker Beechcraft B200 King Air VH-ZSY from the Sunshine Coast, Queensland Government (QGAir) Rescue (State of Queensland) Agusta AW139 helicopter VH-EZJ as "Rescue 500" from Archerfield and Bundy,  General Aviation Maintenance (GAM) AeroCommander 500-S VH-YJJ from Brisbane and Surveillance Australia / Australian Border Force (ABF) Cobham Aviation-operated Dash-8-200 VH-ZZC "Borderforce 33" from Cairns.

Photo taken by Kayanne Hardsman  ©

Australian Border Force (ABF) Cobham Aviation-operated Dash-8-200 VH-ZZB Spotted at Rockhampton Airport

On Thursday 19 December, Surveillance Australia / Australian Border Force (ABF) Cobham Aviation-operated Dash-8-200 VH-ZZB was photographed parked on the Northern Hardstand at Rockhampton Airport.

The Australian Border Force Dash-8 aircraft haven't been seen in Central Queensland for some time and it is interesting to note that in recent days, two three of their aircraft have been noted operating out of Rockhampton Airport on off-shore sorties.

It is believed that fellow Australian Border Force Dash-8-200 VH-ZZC first arrived into Rockhampton Airport last Thursday 12 December and operated from Rocky the next day and over the weekend.  It was heard to be using its 'usual' radio callsign of "Borderforce 33" as well as other possibly 'covert' radio callsigns.

It appears that VH-ZZB arrived into Rockhampton Airport on Wednesday 18 December as "Borderforce 22" and has also been noted using other radio callsigns.

UPDATE!  On Saturday 21 December, VH-ZZB was noted departing Rockhampton Airport as "Borderforce 22" and not 10 minutes later, fellow Australian Border Force Dash-8-200 VH-ZZJ arrived into Rockhampton Airport as "Borderforce 88".  It has since completed two sorties from Rocky over the weekend.

Sincere thanks local plane spotter 'IAD' for taking the time to capture and send through this great photo!

Photo taken by 'IAD'  ©

The Search for Missing Boat Crewman Brings AMSA Challenger 604 Bizjet VH-XNF "Rescue 550" to Rockhampton Airport from Essendon

Early on Sunday 6 May, a crew member was reported missing from a charter fishing boat in waters off the Capricorn Coast.  The crewman was from the Gladstone-based 23-metre 'MV Night Crossing'.  The ensuing search on Sunday covered a massive area around Swain Reefs, about 200 kilometres north-east of Yeppoon.

Four fixed-wing aircraft were reported to be involved in the search including Australian Maritime Safety Authority (AMSA) (Cobham SAR Services Pty Ltd) Bombardier CL-600-2B16 Challenger 604 bizjet VH-XNF "Rescue 550" which flew all the way up from its Melbourne (Essendon) base.

VH-XNF was photographed by local plane spotter 'IAD' as it called into Rockhampton Airport to take on fuel before it later re-joined the search.

VH-XNF landed again at Rockhampton Airport in the late afternoon before it was later noted returning to Essendon.

UPDATE!  We've also been advised that SG Aviation (of Victoria) Bombardier BD-700-1A10 Global Express XRS bizjet VH-SGA, which as reported above, also visited Rockhampton Airport on Sunday 5 May, flew a replacement crew into Rocky for VH-XNF from Melbourne (Tullamarine).  It later returned South and was noted heading towards Melbourne (Essendon).

Another aircraft reported to be involved with the search was Surveillance Australia / Australian Border Force (ABF) Cobham Aviation-operated Dash-8-315Q MPA VH-ZZG "Borderforce 66".  It was heard to later depart the search area and land at Mackay Airport.

Finally, a pair of Beech King Air aircraft were also involved with the search.  McDermott Aviation Group / Machjet International Raytheon B200 King Air VH-NSN initially arrived into Rockhampton Airport from Cairns before departing to the search area.  It later returned to Cairns.  While Royal Flying Doctor Service (RFDS) Hawker Beechcraft B200 VH-FDM "FlyDoc 478" was also heard departing Rockhampton Airport for the search area.

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

All photos taken by 'IAD'  ©

Skytraders Pty Ltd Airbus A319-115(LR) VH-VHD "Snowbird 1" Departs Gladstone Airport back to Melbourne

As expected, during the late morning on Monday 5 March, Skytraders Pty Ltd Airbus A319-115(LR) VH-VHD "Snowbird 1" departed Gladstone Airport destined for Melbourne (Tullamarine) Airport.  The photos below show the smart little A319 being prepared for its departure.

As posted below, it arrived from there on Sunday 4 March.

It's unclear about the reason for VH-VHD's visit, however as we've posted, Skytaders is the provider of specialist air services to the Australian Federal Government. They operate charters to Antarctica and provide transport for refugees / illegal immigrants around Australia and parts of the Pacific.  The Skytraders website can be found at:  http://skytraders.com.au/

All photos taken by Col B  ©

Skytraders Pty Ltd Airbus A319-115(LR) VH-VHD "Snowbird 1" Arrives into Gladstone Airport

On Sunday 4 March, Skytraders Pty Ltd Airbus A319-115(LR) VH-VHD "Snowbird 1" touched down at Gladstone Airport. It arrived from Melbourne (Tullamarine) Airport.

VH-VHD was promptly re-fuelled and then closed up for the night.  There is word around that it will depart Gladstone Airport on Monday 5 March.

Skytaders is the provider of specialist air services to the Australian Federal Government. They operate charters to Antarctica and provide transport for refugees / illegal immigrants around Australia and parts of the Pacific.  Sytraders operates a pair of Airbus A319 jets - VH-VHD and VH-VCJ - along with a pair of Casa 212-400 turboprops - VH-VHA and VH-VHB.  The Skytraders website can be found at:  http://skytraders.com.au/

Sincere thanks to local plane spotter Anthony S for taking the time to capture and share with us these great photos!

All photos taken by Anthony Schulz  ©

Surveillance Australia / Australian Border Force (ABF) Cobham Aviation-operated Dash-8-315Q MPA VH-ZZG "Borderforce 66" Spotted at Rockhampton Airport

On Thursday 2 November, Surveillance Australia / Australian Border Force (ABF) Cobham Aviation-operated Dash-8-315Q MPA VH-ZZG was spotted parked on the Northern end of the parking apron at Rockhampton Airport.

VH-ZZG has been noted operating in and out of Rockhampton Airport during the week.  It has been heard to be using its 'usual' radio callsign of "Borderforce 66".

Information suggests that the ABF Dash-8 aircraft are returning to Rocky now that all the recent military exercises have been completed which limited the available parking at Rockhampton Airport.  During this time, various ABF Dash-8's have been noted operating from Bundaberg Airport.

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

All photos taken by Kayanne Hardsman  ©

Skytraders Pty Ltd Airbus A319-115(LR) VH-VHD "Snowbird 1" Pops into Gladstone Airport

Late on Wednesday 12 April, Skytraders Pty Ltd Airbus A319-115(LR) VH-VHD "Snowbird 1" touched down at Gladstone Airport. It arrived from Melbourne (Tullamarine) Airport.

It is assumed that the smart little Airbus was in town to process and transport the detained crew members of a Vietnamese fishing boat that were brought ashore earlier in the day after being spotted fishing illegally near Saumarez Reef off Gladstone last week during an Australian Border Force (ABF) surveillance flight.

VH-VHD was loaded and later departed to Darwin.

Of interest, the Skytraders A319 VH-VHD operated a similar flight into Gladstone Airport in early December 2016 - see Blog post HERE.

Skytaders is the provider of specialist air services to the Australian Federal Government. They operate charters to Antarctica and provide transport for refugees / illegal immigrants around Australia and parts of the Pacific.  The Skytraders website can be found at:  http://skytraders.com.au/

It was a busy night at Gladstone Airport on Wednesday 12 April with an Alliance Airlines Fokker F-100 jet and LifeFlight LearJet 45 also touching down - stay tuned for more!

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

All photos taken by Michael Fleetwood  ©