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  ©

Nexus Airlines (Aviair) Dash-8-Q400 VH-8XC Starts FIFO Charter Flights to Moranbah Airport - Plus More!

On Tuesday 2 June, Western Australia based Nexus Airlines (Aviair) Dash-8-Q400 VH-8XC started a new Fly-in Fly-out (FIFO) charter flights run between Brisbane and Moranbah Airport - as pictured below.

It flew up and back as CT865/6 and is due to return to Moranbah Airport again early on Wednesday 3 June as CT861/2 - as pictured below.

Of interest, VH-8XC flew across from Perth to Brisbane via Ayers Rock over the weekend as CT602 - as pictured below.

Nexus Airlines is an Australian regional airline based in Kununurra, Western Australia. A subsidiary of the HMC Group, it commenced operations in July 2023 and operates in Western Australia and formerly the Northern Territory.  This is its first foray outside of WA.

Meanwhile, also on Tuesday 2 June, Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) Boeing B737-8 MAX BBJ A62-002 as "Envoy 05" arrived into Rockhampton Airport from RAAF Base Amberley on a reported training flight and a bit later, it departed to Canberra.

Photos taken by 'AC' and Dylan Hardie  ©

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  ©

General Aviation Maintenance (GAM) / Team Global Express Raytheon 1900D Freighter VH-YJD Spotted at Emerald Airport - Plus More!

On Thursday 28 May, General Aviation Maintenance (GAM) / Team Global Express Raytheon 1900D Freighter VH-YJD was spotted completing testing at Emerald Airport.

It had earlier flown in from Brisbane via Biloela / Thangool Airport and then later departed back to Brisbane.

It also seems that VH-YJD completed a test flight to Maryborough Airport from and back to Brisbane on Wednesday 27 May.

This is the first time we have seen the 'new' but second-hand Beech 1900D Freight aircraft that GAM are going to take delivery primarily for Queensland operations for Team Global Express.  VH-YJD (UE-254) was previously N254GL of Alpine Air Express in the USA and was flown over to Melbourne (Essendon) where it was placed on the Australian Aircraft Register late last month.

Meanwhile, also on Thursday 28 May, Royal Flying Doctor Service of Australia (RFDS) Central Operations Pilatus PC-24 Jet VH-FMP as "Flydoc 802" visited Rockhampton Airport from Alice Springs.

New South Wales Rural Fire Service / Coulson Aviation (Australia) Cessna 560 Citation VH-VJO as "Firescan 201" landed at Gladstone Airport from Brisbane and then departed to complete airwork to the North-East of Gladstone before then heading South to the Sunshine Coast.  It was also noted at Hervey Bay (Fraser Coast) Airport the previous day.

And McDermott Aviation Group / Machjet International Cessna 525C CitationJet CJ4 bizjet VH-PIY as "Machflight 06" flew into Hamilton Island Airport from the Sunshine Coast and Brisbane.  It then returned directly to the Sunny Coast.

Finally, also on Thursday 28 May, Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) Boeing C-17A Globemaster III A41-213 as "Stallion 64" flew up from RAAF Base Amberley to complete a missed approach at Hamilton Island Airport and then Mackay Airport before it then flew back to Amberley. 

Photo taken by 'AC'  ©

New South Wales Rural Fire Service / Coulson Aviation (Australia) Cessna 560 Citation VH-VJO as "Firescan 201" at CQ Airports - Plus More!

On Tuesday 26 May, New South Wales Rural Fire Service / Coulson Aviation (Australia) Cessna 560 Citation VH-VJO as "Firescan 201" was noted flying up from the Sunshine Coast to complete airwork and then land at Gladstone Airport.  It then continued to Bundaberg Airport and the later back down South.

File photo

While McDermott Aviation Group / Machjet International Cessna 525A CitationJet CJ2 bizjet VH-SUY as "Machflight 41" flew up from the Sunshine Coast to Mackay Airport and then down to Brisbane.

And an unknown Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) Boeing B737-7ES / E-7A Wedgetail Airborne Early Warning & Control (AEW&C) aircraft flying as "Mitchell 06" flew up from RAAF Base Williamtown to complete a missed approach each at the Sunshine Coast and Rockhampton Airport before then completing another at Tamworth and then flying back to Williamtown.

Plus late on Monday 25 May, RAAF Alenia C-27J Spartan transport aircraft A34 010 as "Wallaby 03" completed airwork around Taroom and other parts while on a flight out of and back to RAAF Base Amberley.

Photo taken by Jonathan Williams  ©

Virgin Australia Boeing B737-8MAX VH-8VH First Visit into CQ at Mackay Airport

On Monday 25 May, Virgin Australia Boeing B737-8MAX VH-8VH was noted making its first visit into Central Queensland at Mackay Airport. It arrived as VOZ621 from to Brisbane. At the time of writing, it is due to return to Brisbane early on Tuesday 26 May as VOZ600.

File photo

VH-8VH was delivered into Brisbane from the USA in on Saturday 9 May this year and entered service five days later. 

The aircraft was named 'Port Noarlunga' and is the 16th B737-8MAX delivered to Virgin Australia.

Of interest, on Friday 22 May, Virgin Australia B737-8MAX VH-8VI arrived into Brisbane Airport in a striking retro livery celebrating the airlines 150th B737 since it started as Virgin Blue in August 2000.  It entered service today on Monday 25 May and we await its first visit into CQ!

Nice!

Photos taken by Tony Haynes and Lloyd Fox  ©

Virgin Australia Boeing B737-800 VH-YFY Makes First Visit to CQ in Toy Story 5 Movie Livery at Mackay Airport - Plus More!

On Saturday 23 May, Virgin Australia Boeing B737-800 VH-YFY made its first visit into Central Queensland after recently returning from planning maintenance in Singapore and having a special livery livery applied to promote the upcoming Toy Story 5 movie.

It is pictured departing Brisbane and then touched down at Mackay Airport on the scheduled VOZ605/608 service from and then back to Brisbane.

Meanwhile, also on Saturday 23 May, Alliance Airlines Fokker F-70 VH-QQW visited Longreach Airport from Brisbane as UTY6420/1 for the Outback Opera.

And Jampair P/L (Navair Flight Operations) Embraer EMB-505 Phenom 300E bizjet VH-NSQ as "Navair 131" arrived into Bundaberg Airport from Bansktown.  It is due to return to Bankstown on Sunday 24 May.

Photos taken by Gareth Ruhe and Liam Sellick  ©

Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) B737 / E-7A Wedgetail A30-004 "Wedgetail 36" Completes Airwork at Gladstone Airport - Plus More!

On Friday 22 May, Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) Boeing B737-7ES / E-7A Wedgetail Airborne Early Warning & Control (AEW&C) aircraft A30-004 as "Wedgetail 36" flew up from RAAF Base Amberley to complete a few missed approaches at Gladstone Airport before it then returned to Williamtown. 

File photo

About the same time, fellow E-7A Wedgetail A30-006 as "Wedgetail 34" also flew up from Williamtown to complete a missed approach at Rockhampton Airport but due to traffic (?) was turned away while still at flight levels.  It continued on and u-turned over Rockhampton and flew down to RAAF Base Amberley for airwork before it then returned to Williamtown. 

While RAAF Alenia C-27J Spartan transport aircraft A34 010 as "Wallaby 72" was following the Wedgetail into Rockhampton but was also turned away and they decided to do a steep descent into Gladstone Airport where it completed four missed approaches there and then flew low level to Bundaberg Airport for another approach before it then returned to Amberley. 

Meanwhile, also on Friday 22 May, North Queensland Warbirds 1969-built Beech H18 VH-MBU hopped from Winton to Longreach Airport.  It had arrived there from Cairns the previous day.

UPDATE!  On Sunday 24 May, VH-MBU departed Longreach Airport for Cairns.

And an unmanned helicopter, G-138, was noted operating with a NOTAM near Thangool.

Avcair LearJet 60 Bizjet VH-AVL Pops into Emerald and Rockhampton Airports on a Medevac Flight - Plus More!

On Thursday 21 May, Avcair LearJet 60 bizjet VH-AVL visited Emerald and Rockhampton Airports while on a flight out of and back to Brisbane.  (We may stop reporting on this regular medical evacuation visitor...)

File photo

McDermott Aviation Group / Machjet International Cessna 525C CitationJet CJ4 bizjet VH-PIY as "Machflight 421" flew down from Hamilton Island Airport to Mackay Airport and then the Sunshine Coast.  It had arrived into Hamo from Cairns the previous day.  

UPDATE!  On Sunday 24 May, VH-PIY 'Machflight 41' departed Mackay Airport for Brisbane.

McDermott Aviation Group / Machjet International Beech B200 King Air VH-ZPY as "Machflight 121/73" visited Hamo from Cairns.

Air Gold Coast Cessna 525A CitationJet CJ2 bizjet VH-ZDM arrived into Mackay Airport from the Gold Coast and later depart to Townsville.

And NSW based Little Wings Beech 58 Baron VH-LW4 visited Emerald Airport from Archerfield.

Meanwhile, also on Thursday 21 May, Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) Boeing B737-7ES / E-7A Wedgetail Airborne Early Warning & Control (AEW&C) aircraft A30-005 as "Mitchell 27" flew up from RAAF Base Williamtown to a complete a missed approach at Emerald Airport before then returning back to Williamtown. 

RAAF Boeing C-17A Globemaster III A41-207 as "Stallion 56" flew up from Amberley to complete a missed approach each at Emerald Airport, Rockhampton Airport and then the Sunshine Coast before returning back to Amberley. 

And RAAF Alenia C-27J Spartan transport aircraft A34-010 as "Wallaby 77" completed airwork around Miles and Tara Airports while on a flight out of and back to Amberley.

Finally, on Wednesday 20 May, RAAF Boeing C-17A Globemaster III A41-210 as "Aussie 574" flew up from Amberley to complete a missed approach each at Emerald Airport, Rocky Airport and Mackay Airport before then landing at  Townsville.  It then departed to Malaysia on Thursday 21 May.

Photo taken by Lloyd Fox  ©

Navair Flight Operations P/L New Pilatus PC-24 Bizjet VH-DMS Calls into Mackay Airport - Plus More!

On Tuesday 19 May, Navair Flight Operations P/L new Pilatus PC-24 bizjet VH-DMS flew up from Cessnock to Mackay Airport before then heading across to Alice Springs and Perth. 

Robindale Group / Air Link Cessna 510 Citation Mustang bizjet VH-CMK landed at Emerald Airport from Bundaberg Airport.  It had earlier flown up once again from Orange and the Sunshine Coast.

UPDATE!  On Thursday 21 May, VH-CMK departed Emerald Airport for Bundaberg Airport and then the Sunshine Coast and Orange.  

Stroud Aviation and Transportation (Boonah) / Navair Flight Operations Cessna 510 Citation Mustang bizjet VH-SHI as "Navair 173" visited Bundaberg Airport from Archerfield.

Queensland Government (QGAir) Rescue (State of Queensland) Leonardo S.P.A. Helicopter (Agusta) AW139 helicopter VH-EGF landed at Clermont Aerodrome from Townsville then departed to Biloela / Thangool Airport and Archerfield. 

UPDATE!  On Wednesday 20 May,  fellow QGAir AW139 helicopter VH-ESH arrived into Rockhampton Airport from Archerfield and then departed to Townsville.

Finally, also on Tuesday 19 May, Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) Boeing B737-7ES / E-7A Wedgetail Airborne Early Warning & Control (AEW&C) aircraft A30-001 as "Mitchell 13" flew up from RAAF Base Williamtown to complete a missed approach at Bundaberg Airport before returning to Williamtown.

At the same time, fellow E-7A A30-004 as "Wedgetail 10" flew up to complete a missed approach at the Sunshine Coast and then Rockhampton Airport before then returning to Williamtown.

Then later, E-7A A30-006 as "Wedgetail 14" also flew up to complete a missed approach at both the Sunshine Coast and Rockhampton Airport before also returning to Williamtown. 

And late this afternoon, Boeing C-17A Globemaster III transport aircraft A41-209 as "Stallion 54" flew down from Townsville to complete a missed approach at Rockhampton Airport before then continuing to RAAF Base Amberley.

Photo taken by Tony Haynes  ©

Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) Boeing B737-7ES / E-7A Wedgetail A30-004 "Wedgetail 24" Completes Airwork at Hervey Bay (Fraser Coast) Airport - Plus More!

On Friday 15 May, Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) Boeing B737-7ES / E-7A Wedgetail Airborne Early Warning & Control (AEW&C) aircraft A30-004 as "Wedgetail 24" was noted completing a missed approach at Hervey Bay (Fraser Coast) Airport.  

File photo

It flew up from RAAF Base Williamtown and then returned there via more airwork at Tamworth.

A pair of RAAF Alenia C-27J Spartan transport aircraft were also noted flying around the region.  A34-003 as "Wallaby 55" flew up from RAAF Base Amberley to near Biggenden then went low level to complete an approach at Bundaberg Airport and then one at Gladstone Airport before it then returned to Amberley. 

While A34-006 as "Wallaby 63" flew East from Amberley to offshore of Brisbane before then flying low-level up the coast to the northern tip of Fraser Island where it then climbed to flight levels and flew up to complete a missed approach at Rockhampton Airport before then heading back to Amberley.

And on the civilian scene, McDermott Aviation Group / Machjet International Cessna 525C CitationJet CJ4 bizjet VH-PIY as "Machflight 421" was noted visiting Mackay Airport from Archerfield.  

Ven Air P/L Beech B300 Super King Air VH-EWQ arrived into Mackay Airport from Cairns.

Meanwhile, on Thursday 14 May, Robindale Group / Air Link Cessna 510 Citation Mustang bizjet VH-CMK flew up from Orange to the Sunshine Coast and then Bundaberg and Emerald Airports.  It then returned to Bundaberg Airport and then the Sunshine Coast.

And possibly for the first time, Bayswater Road Aerial Surveys Reims F406 VH-LA6 landed at Emerald Airport from Archerfield.

Finally, on Wednesday 13 May, Alenia C-27J Spartan A34-006 as "Wallaby 51" flew up from Amberley to a missed approach each at Hervey Bay, Bundaberg and Gladstone Airports before then heading back to Amberley. 

And GBJ Nominees (Navair Flight Operations) Textron (Cessna) 510 Citation Mustang bizjet VH-IEQ as "Navair 161" flew up to Hamilton Island Airport from Bankstown before returning there via Moree.

Photo taken by 'IAD'  ©

Re-registered Mabena P/L (Wagga Air Centre) Pilatus PC-12/47E NGX VH-A8K (ex N81DW) at Charleville Airport - Plus More!

On Thursday 7 May, re-registered Mabena P/L (Wagga Air Centre) Pilatus PC-12/47E NGX VH-A8K as "Wagga Air 669" flew up from Charleville Airport to Davenport Downs and late this afternoon is flying to Mount Isa.

File photo

Of interest, VH-A8K (cn 2090) was formally registered N81DW and was placed on the Australian Aircraft Register in early September 2025.  It is pictured above in October 2025 at Wagga.

There's a 'new' Pilatus PC-12/47G PRO N81DW (cn 3008) in Australia.

While Bowenville based (operated by Real Time Aviation - Brisbane) Cessna 525 CitationJet CJ1+ bizjet VH-JSZ flew up from Archerfield and Dalby to Clermont Aerodrome and Natal Downs.

UPDATE!  On Friday 8 May, VH-JSZ flew down from Natal Downs to Clermont Aerodrome and back to Dalby and Archerfield.  

Air Gold Coast Cessna 525A CitationJet CJ2 bizjet VH-ZDM flew into Hamilton Island Airport from Ballina.  It later departed to the Gold Coast.

And Corporate Air / Vee H Aviation Cessna 441 Conquest II VH-VEY visited Clermont Aerodrome from Brisbane.

Finally, late on Thursday 7 May, Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) Boeing B737-7ES / E-7A Wedgetail Airborne Early Warning & Control (AEW&C) aircraft A30-004 as "Wedgetail 30" and A30-005 as "Wedgetail 32" were both noted completing a missed approach at Rockhampton Airport

Photo taken by Robert Myers  ©

Eagle One Aviation (Navair Flight Operations) Cessna 525B CitiationJet CJ3+ Bizjet VH-X8X as "Navair 151" at CQ Airports - Plus More!

On Wednesday 6 May, Eagle One Aviation (Navair Flight Operations) Cessna 525B CitiationJet CJ3+ bizjet VH-X8X as "Navair 151" flew down from Mackay Airport to Bankstown.

https://www.facebook.com/flindersaviation

The sleek Citation bizjet - which has just undergone a major repaint - see photo above - flew up from Bankstown on Tuesday 5 May to Moranbah Airport and then Mackay Airport.

Jampair P/L (Navair Flight Operations) Embraer EMB-505 Phenom 300E bizjet VH-NSQ as "Navair 131" flew up from Bankstown and Cessnock to Hamilton Island Airport before returning to Bankstown.

Linfox Express Charter / Air National Australia Bombardier BD-700-1A10 Global 6500 bizjet VH-LEF departed Hamilton Island Airport for the Sunshine Coast and Melbourne (Essendon).  It appears to have flown up from Essendon at the start of the week.

While Wrightsair / Wave Air (Whitsunday Tiger Moth Adventures) Cessna 208B Caravan VH-NGS flew down from the Whitsunday Airport at Shute Harbour to Roma Airport and then Gunnedah and Wollongong (Shellharbour).

Meanwhile, also on Wednesday 6 May, Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) Boeing C-17A Globemaster III transport aircraft A41-206 as "Stallion 31" flew up from RAAF Base Amberley to a planned hold at Rockhampton Airport where it then completed a missed approach before then returning to Amberley.  

Late this afternoon RAAF Boeing B737-7ES / E-7A Wedgetail Airborne Early Warning & Control (AEW&C) aircraft  A30-004 as "Wedgetail 13" flew up from RAAF Base Williamtown to complete a missed approach at the Sunshine Coast and then one at Rockhampton Airport before then returning South.

Two RAAF Boeing B737-7ES / E-7A Wedgetails A30-006 & A30-004 Complete Airwork at CQ Airports - Plus More!

On Monday 4 May, Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) Boeing B737-7ES / E-7A Wedgetail Airborne Early Warning & Control (AEW&C) aircraft A30-006 as "Wedgetail 02" flew up from RAAF Base Williamtown to complete a missed approach at Rockhampton Airport before returning South.

File photo

Later, A30-006 now as "Wedgetail 23" returned to the region, flying back up from Williamtown and completing a missed approach at Hervey Bay (Fraser Coast) Airport before returning once again to Williamtown.

Meanwhile, fellow Wedgetail A30-004 as "Wedgetail 03" flew up to complete a missed approach at Hamilton Island Airport before returning South again.

Finally, also on Monday 4 May, Execujet Australia Bombardier BD-700-1A10 Global 6000 bizjet VH-LEP flew up to Hamilton Island Airport from Melbourne (Essendon).

And USA-registered Quest Kodiak 100 N248QK was noted flying from Alice Springs into Charleville Airport.

Photo taken by Peter Sajko  ©

Virgin Australia Boeing B737-8MAX VH-8VG First Visit into CQ at Mackay Airport

On Thursday 30 April, Virgin Australia Boeing B737-8MAX VH-8VG was noted making its first visit into Central Queensland at Mackay Airport. It operated as VOZ613/6 from and back to Brisbane.

VH-8VG was delivered into Brisbane from the USA at the start of  March and entered service soon after arriving. The aircraft was named 'Peregian Beach' and is the 15th B737-8MAX delivered to Virgin Australia.

Nice!

File photo taken by Tony Haynes  ©

Qantas Airways Boeing B737-800 VH-XZR (ex 9V-MGL) First Visit to CQ at Mackay Airport

On Monday 27 April, Qantas Airways Boeing B737-800 VH-XZR was noted making its first visit into Central Queensland after it was acquired by the airline from Singapore Airlines (SilkAir).

VH-XZR made its first visit to CQ operating into Mackay Airport on the QFA984/5 service from and back to Brisbane.

As mentioned, the B737-800 was previously operated by SilkAir (now merged with Singapore Airlines) as 9V-MGL and was  registered to and delivered to Qantas Airways at Alice Springs in October 2025.  

In early March this year, VH-XZR was ferried across from Alice Springs to Brisbane before it then entered service at the start of April.  As shown, it currently wears an all white livery.

UPDATE!  In late May, VH-XZR was re-painted in Townsville into the standard 'silver roo' Qantas Airways livery.  It was also given the name 'Tathra'.  VH-XZR looked to make its first visit into CQ at Mackay Airport once again as QFA984/5 wearing this new livery on Monday 25 May.

It was announced mid-last year that Qantas was to acquire four additional Boeing B737-800 aircraft from to expand capacity as delivery delays impact its new Airbus A321XLR order. The leased jets were previously operated by Singapore Airlines (SilkAir) and would be planned to enter service by the end of 2025.

They are reported to be 9V-MGK (to become VH-XZQ), 9V-MGL (VH-XZR), 9V-MGM (VH-XZS) and 9V-MGN (VH-XZT).

Each will be painted into the Qantas Airways livery and have 'new' interiors fitted prior to them entering service.

File photo taken by Lloyd Fox  ©

Virgin Australia Boeing B737-8MAX VH-8VB First Visit into CQ at Mackay Airport

On Saturday 25 April, Virgin Australia Boeing B737-8MAX VH-8VB was finally noted making its first visit into Central Queensland at Mackay Airport.  It arrived as VOZ613 from to Brisbane.  At the time of writing, it is due to return to Brisbane early on Sunday 26 April as VOZ600.

VH-8VB was delivered into Brisbane from the USA in mid-September last year and entered service soon after arriving.  It seems to have spent the majority of its time operating out of Perth in Western Australia.

The aircraft was named 'Tamar River' and is the 13th B737-8MAX delivered to Virgin Australia.

Nice!

File photo taken by Tony Haynes  ©

Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) Boeing B737-8 MAX BBJ A62-002 "Envoy 66" Calls into Gladstone Airport - Plus More!

On Thursday 23 April, Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) Boeing B737-8 MAX BBJ A62-002 as Envoy 66 flew into Gladstone Airport from Townsville.  It then departed to RAAF Base Amberley.

File photo

It appeared to have flown up to Townsville from Canberra via Amberley the previous day.

Fellow RAAF Beech Super King Air A32-021 as "Hudson 07" flew up from RAAF Base East Sale and Orange to Proserpine (Whitsunday Coast) Airport before it then flew down to Hervey Bay (Fraser Coast) Airport.

UPDATE!  On Friday 24 April, A32-021 "Hudson 07" departed Hervey Bay Airport and flew to RAAF Base Amberley and then back to East Sale.

Meanwhile, also on Thursday 23 April, Microflite (Moorabbin) Airbus Helicopters MBB-BK117 D-3 helicopter VH-8JJ landed at Longreach Airport from Melbourne (Moorabbin), Griffith and Charleville Airports.

UPDATE!  On Friday 24 April, the BK117 VH-8JJ departed Longreach Airport for Charters Towers Aerodrome and then Cairns.

Vee H Aviation (Link Airways) Beech B200GT Super King Air 250 VH-VEW visited Clermont Aerodrome once again on the triangle run between Brisbane and the Oaky Creek Mine Site.  It also visited as per usual on Monday 20 April.

Also on Monday 20 April, NQ Goldfields Beech 58 Baron VH-SNZ visited Clermont Aerodrome from Charters Towers Aerodrome again.

Then on Tuesday 21 April, Consolidated Pastoral Company P/L Cessna 421C Golden Eagle VH-UTC was noted visiting Middlemount Aerodrome and Longreach Airport before continuing up to Mount Isa and Darwin.

Angel Flight Cessna 402C VH-AF3 flew into Longreach Airport from Jundah before continuing to Townsville.  It had flown down also via Longreach Airport the previous day.

And Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) Boeing C-17A Globemaster III A41-209 as "Stallion 57" flew up from RAAF Base Amberley to complete a missed approach at Rockhampton Airport before it then back to Amberley.

Photo taken by Michael Mc  ©

Photos of Qantas Airways Boeing B737-800 VH-VXT 'QFA705' Emergency Landing at Rockhampton Airport - Fellow B737-800 VH-VZW Sent as Rescue Plane

Late on Saturday 18 April, Qantas Airways Boeing B737-800 VH-VXT as QFA705' was on its way from Cairns to Melbourne (Tullamarine) where near Alpha it declared an emergency and diverted to Rockhampton Airport.

Later, fellow Qantas Airways Boeing B737-800 VH-VZW flew up to Rockhampton Airport from Brisbane as QFA6116 before it then departed back to Brisbane but as QFA1005.

At the time of writing, VH-VXT remains parked at Rockhampton Airport.

UPDATE!  Late morning on Sunday 19 April, VH-VXT as QFA6117 departed Rockhampton Airport to Brisbane.

Photos taken by John Lee  ©

Nioa Aviation (Avcair) Embraer EMB-505 Phenom 300 Bizjet VH-NJR Spotted at Maryborough Airport - Plus More!

On Friday 17 April, Nioa Aviation (Avcair) Embraer EMB-505 Phenom 300 bizjet VH-NJR was photographed on the ground at Maryborough Airport. 

While Careflight (NT) Hawker Beechcraft B200 King Air VH-ZCN as "Careflight 27" landed at Longreach Airport from Toowoomba before it then departed to Mount Isa and Darwin.

LifeFlight (Aeromed) Bombardier Challenger 604 bizjet VH-URR "Ambulance 604" landed at Mackay Airport from Townsville and then departed to Brisbane.  It and sister-ships are still making mutiple visits to CQ Airports each week.

And National Jet Express Dash-8-Q400 Next Gen VH-IYJ flew into Rockhampton Airport from Brisbane as 'JTE452'.

UPDATE!  On Saturday 18 April, VH-IYJ as 'JTE444' departed Rockhampton Airport for Townsville and is due back later in the night.  Looks like another Rugby League football charter flight.

Finally, on a quiet Thursday 16 April, Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) Boeing B737-7ES / E-7A Wedgetail Airborne Early Warning & Control (AEW&C) aircraft A30-006 as "Wedgetail 04" was noted completing a missed approach at Rockhampton Airport.  It flew up from RAAF Base Williamtown via a missed approach at the Gold Coast before then returning direct to Williamtown.

Photo taken by Josh Matica  ©