Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) ANZAC Day 2023 Flypast Details for Central Queensland next Tuesday

With ANZAC Day on next Tuesday 25 April, the Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) has released details of planned flypasts during Queensland commemorations - including some Central Queensland locations. 

Details from the RAAF flypasts for Anzac Day for Australia webpage  (https://www.airforce.gov.au/news-and-events/events/raaf-flypasts-anzac-day) indicate a single F/A-18F Super Hornet aircraft from Number 1 Squadron based at RAAF Base Amberley will conduct a flypast of ANZAC Day commemoration activities on Tuesday 25 April around Queensland, including in the Fraser Coast region as shown:

Meanwhile, a single RAAF Alenia C-27J Spartan transport aircraft from Number 35 Squadron at RAAF Base Amberley is expected to flypast at locations in the Southern part Queensland including some locations in CQ like Miles.

Sadly, the 'usual' sight of a RAAF C-17A Globemaster transport aircraft from Number 36 Squadron at RAAF Base Amberley is not occurring this year.

ANZAC Day is a time to reflect on the contribution made by past and present service personnel who have displayed great courage, discipline and self-sacrifice in choosing a life of service to their country.

The RAAF 'Flying Operations' also reminds everyone that "All Air Force flypasts can be cancelled or changed subject to weather, operational requirements or other aviation considerations. For public safety, drones must not be operated in the vicinity of flypasts."

Photos taken by John Van Den Bosch and James Saunders  ©

Australian Army (Helicorp) Leonardo S.P.A. Helicopters (Agusta) AW139 Helicopter VH-YBG Ferries North via Gladstone and Hamilton Island Airports

On Tuesday 27 July, Australian Army marked Leonardo S.P.A. Helicopters (Agusta) AW139 Helicopter VH-YBG was noted passing through some Central Queensland Airports while heading North to its new home at Townsville.

After flying up from Bankstown to Oakey the previous day, VH-YBG was noted departing the Oakey Army Aviation Centre for (possibly) Childers and then Gladstone Airports.  It then appeared to continue up to Hamilton Island Airport and then Townsville.

VH-YBG is registered to Helicorp (Toll Group) and is the second of three AW139 helicopters that have been leased to the Australian Army's 5th Aviation Regiment based at Townsville. They have been provided to the Army to provide a similar capability to the NH Industries MRH-90 so pilots can keep up their hours.

The Australian Army's MRH-90 helicopters have suffered years of poor serviceability due to various technical issues so AW139 helicopters are a 'stop gap' measure.

There are reports though that the AW139 could ultimately be used by the Australian Army as a general utility helicopter.

UPDATE!  It appears that VH-YBG started flying for the Australian Army at Townsville the next day on Wednesday 28 July with it completing a local flight. It was seen and heard to be using the flight number and radio callsign of 'MGIC237' / "Magic 237".

Of interest, and as reported below, the first AW139 helicopter, VH-YBF, was noted ferrying out of Townsville for Melbourne (Essendon) via Mackay and Gladstone Airports - plus more - about a fortnight ago after it had originally arrived in Townsville at the end of April.

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A Trio of Beech King Air Turboprops Pop into Clermont Aerodrome - Plus More Other GA Aircraft at Other CQ Airports

It was a busy day all round on Tuesday 13 October, with multiple corporate and other bizjet and light General Aviation (GA) aircraft and helicopters all noted visiting various Central Queensland Airports.

File photo

At my local Clermont Aerodrome, three Beech King Air turboprop aircraft were noted calling in on various flights.  SFC Farming Raytheon B200 King Air VH-TXT visited from its Goondiwindi base, Great Western Aviation Beech B200 VH-XGV made its weekly visit from Brisbane, and FKG Air (Redjet Aviation) Hawker Beechcraft B200GT VH-FKB arrived from Toowoomba and departed to Charters Towers Aerodrome.  It later returned to Toowoomba.

Meanwhile, at Rockhampton Airport, also on Tuesday 13 October, Gulf Aircraft Textron Aviation (Cessna) 208 Caravan VH-PYO arrived from Donors Hill (south of Normanton) and appeared to stay.  While Raytheon A36 Bonanza VH-YGM departed to Childers and Bundaberg Airports before heading North-West to Hughenden.  It had arrived from its Orange base in New South Wales on Monday 12 October.

UPDATE!  On Friday 16 October, VH-PYO departed Rockhampton Airport and returned to Donors Hill.

UPDATE!  On Wednesday 14 October, VH-YGM returned to Rockhampton Airport from Hughenden via Emerald Airport.

Air Gold Coast Beech 58 Baron VH-YDC arrived from the Gold Coast and Archerfield and later departed to Townsville.

UPDATE!  On Wednesday 14 October, it returned to Rockhampton Airport, arriving from and then returning to Townsville.

Privately operated Piper PA-31 Navajo VH-AYT visited from Townsville and Privately operated Rockwell Commander 114 VH-WMM arrived from Redcliffe.  

Finally, also on Tuesday 13 October, Seair Pacific / Istlecote Cessna 208 Caravan VH-LYT originally departed Maryborough Airport for Biloela / Thangool and Middlemount Airports before it called into Rocky and then Lady Elliot Island Airport.

Of interest, fellow Seair Pacific / Istlecote Textron Aviation (Cessna) 208B Caravan VH-TLH was noted arriving into Longreach Airport from Birdsville.  It looked to arrive from Charleville Airport the previous day and was due to continue to Gladstone Airport on Wednesday 14 October.

Photo taken by 'JM'  ©

Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) ANZAC Day 2019 Flypast Details for Central Queensland Thursday

With ANZAC Day on tomorrow, Thursday 25 April, the Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) has released details of planned flypasts during Queensland commemorations - including some Central Queensland locations.

Details from the RAAF 'Flying Operations' website for Queensland only (https://www.airforce.gov.au/operations/flying-operations/) indicate a single F/A-18F Super Hornet aircraft from Number 1 Squadron based at RAAF Base Amberley will conduct a flypast of Anzac Day commemoration activities on Thursday 25 April around Queensland, including in the Fraser Coast region at:

South Kolan – 10:23 am
Burnett Heads – 10:25 am
Fraser Island – 10:35 am

Meanwhile, a RAAF C-17A Globemaster transport aircraft from Number 36 Squadron at RAAF Base Amberley is expected to flypast at several locations including:

Maryborough – 9:42 am
Woodgate – 9:47 am
Childers – 9:54 am
Toogoom – 9:59 am
Elliot Heads – 10:05 am
Bundaberg – 10:07 am
Moore Park Beach – 10:10 am
Agnes Water – 10:19 am
Monto – 10:33 am
Gladstone – 10:53 am
Mount Larcom – 10:59 am
Theodore – 11:19 am
Cracow – 11:25 am
Chinchilla – 11:46 am

And finally, a single RAAF Alenia C-27J Spartan transport aircraft from Number 35 Squadron at RAAF Base Amberley is expected to flypast at locations in North Queensland including some in CQ at:

Moranbah – 9:55 am
Clermont – 10:20 am
Barcaldine – 11:00 am

Further information on aircraft type, location and timings for flypasts across Australia can be found on the map at the link below (if having issues, open in Chrome):  http://bit.ly/AnzacFlypastMap

The RAAF 'Flying Operations' also reminds everyone that "All Air Force flypasts can be cancelled or changed subject to weather, operational requirements or other aviation considerations. For public safety, drones must not be operated in the vicinity of flypasts."

Photos taken by Rowena Baumgart, Michael Fleetwood and Russell Prothero  © 

Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) ANZAC Day 2018 Flypast Details for Central Queensland Wednesday

With ANZAC Day on tomorrow, Wednesday 25 April, the Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) has released details of planned flypasts during Queensland commemorations - including some Central Queensland locations.

Details from the RAAF 'Flying Operations' website (https://www.airforce.gov.au/operations/flying-operations) indicate a single F/A-18F Super Hornet aircraft from Number 1 Squadron based at RAAF Base Amberley will conduct a flypast of Anzac Day commemoration activities on Wednesday 25 April around Queensland, including in Central Queensland at:
Gin Gin - 10:40 am
South Kolan - 10:43 am
Bundaberg - 10:45 am
Bargara - 10:46 am
Elliot Heads - 10:50 am
Woodgate Beach - 10:52 am
Childers - 10:56 am
Hervey Bay - 11:05 am
Chinchilla - 12:00pm

Meanwhile, a pair of RAAF C-17A Globemaster transport aircraft from Number 36 Squadron at RAAF Base Amberley are expected to flypast at Proserpine 10:00am.  They will then break and a single RAAF C-17A Globemaster is expected to flypast at:
Agnes Water - 10:19am
Gladstone - 10:36am
Calliope - 10:40am
Rockhampton - 10:44am
Cracow - 11:05am
Theodore - 11:13am
Airlie Beach - 11:15am

And finally, a single RAAF Beech B350 Super King Air aircraft from Number 38 Squadron at RAAF Base Townsville is expected to flypast at Charters Towers at 9:00am

Further information on aircraft type, location and timings for flypasts across Australia can be found in the map at the link below (if having issues, open in Chrome):  https://www.google.com/maps/

 The RAAF 'Flying Operations' also advises everyone that "Please note that flypasts have been allocated based on available resources, and are subject to operational and weather considerations. All activities and times are subject to variation."

Photos taken by Rowena Baumgart and Daniel Bishop  © 

Toowoomba-based Careflight Bell 412 VH-XCN Makes Surprise Visit to Maryborough Airport

Making a surprise visit to Maryborough Airport on Tuesday 6 January was Careflight Queensland Bell 412 VH-XCN.

Aaron Coghill / http://www.flickr.com/

The rescue helicopter called in from its base at Toowoomba Airport.  It was later seen departing to Nambour Hospital.  It was heard to use the radio callsign of "Rescue 588".

Meanwhile, the recently re-branded Careflight / Sunshine Coast Helicopter Rescue Service (SCHRS) Kawasaki BK117 B-2 helicopter VH-EHQ was tasked from its Bundaberg base to retrieve a Childers man who was attacked by a crocodile at a wildlife park on Sunday 4 January.

Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) Balloon and Crew Continue their Journey Down to the Fraser Coast and Wide Bay

After gracing the skies of Maryborough, Gladstone and Rockhampton, the Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) Balloon and crew have continued their journey around Central Queensland, travelling South to tour parts of the Fraser Coast and Wide Bay region during their Capricornia 2014 tour.

Travelling South through Bundaberg, inland to Childers, and finally onto Hervey Bay, the RAAF Balloon crew met hundreds of local school students, teachers and parents, some of which have enjoyed the unique experience of a "loon walk" inside the envelope of the RAAF's venerable retired balloon – VH-FAN.  

It was a great way for them to experience the magic and mystery of flight.

Photos from the RAAF Balloon (Air Force Balloon) Facebook page (https://www.facebook.com/RAAF.Balloon) and copyrighted to the Commonwealth of Australia, Department of Defence  ©