Helicorp Bell Helicopter Textron 412EP VH-LWF Spotted at Gladstone Airport Ferrying North - Plus More!

On Friday 19 December, Helicorp Bell Helicopter Textron 412EP VH-LWF was spotted passing through Gladstone Airport while looking to be on a ferry flight up to Far North Queensland and possibly further.

The Toll liveried helicopter arrived from its 'base' at the Oakey Army Aviation Centre and then departed to Proserpine (Whitsunday Coast) Airport and then Cairns.

UPDATE!  In early February 2026, the Bell 412EP helicopter emerged from the hangar at Cairns now wearing the Papua New Guinea registration marking of P2-HCH.

Meanwhile, also on Friday 19 December, recently delivered ADD Aviation Services (Victoria) Gulfstream G-IV-X G350 bizjet VH-TG4 flew up from Gold Coast to Proserpine (Whitsunday Coast) Airport and then down to Mackay Airport.  Later, it hopped back to Proserpine Airport and then returned to the Gold Coast.

VH-TG4 was registered and then delivered into Melbourne (Tullamarine) in late November.  It is photographed above at Wagga Wagga.

While re-registered Poolhurst Aviation Air Charter Services Pilatus PC-24 jet VH-VIF flew up from Melbourne (Essendon) to Hamilton Island Airport before then flying down to Archerfield. 

This is the first time that VH-VIF has visited with its new registration marking, changing at the end of October from VH-VTF.

Linfox Global Charter / Air National Australia Bombardier BD-700-1A10 Global 6000 bizjet VH-LEP flew up to Hamilton Island Airport from Melbourne (Avalon) and the Gold Coast.  It then flew across to Proserpine (Whitsunday Coast) Airport for parking.

UPDATE!  On Tuesday 23 December, VH-LEP hopped back from Proserpine Airport to Hamilton Island Airport before then flying down to Melbourne (Avalon).

And Mitchell Water Cessna 525 Citation M2 bizjet VH-WMY completed a late visit to Proserpine (Whitsunday Coast) Airport.  It flew up from Melbourne (Moorabbin), Melbourne (Essendon), Ararat and Tamworth before later departing to the Gold Coast.

Finally, also on Friday 19 December, Queensland Police Service (Airwing) / Queensland Government (State of Queensland) Beech B300 Super King Air 350i aircraft VH-8PD visited Rockhampton Airport from Mount Isa.

While Townsville Airlines Cessna 208B Grand Caravan VH-NXU completed the East Air flight EA1/2 run to Hamilton Island Airport from and back to Cairns.

And former QantasLink Dash-8-Q300 VH-TQE landed at Alice Springs from Tamworth.  It is reported to be the final Dash-8-Q300 to fly into Alice Springs from Tamworth for (temporary) storage.  As we have posted, some of them have ferried via Charleville Airport (and also Birdsville).

Photos taken by Jamie C and Robert Myers  ©

Re-Registered SHM Aviation Textron Aviation (Cessna) 525B CitationJet CJ3 Bizjet VH-TCS Calls into Bundaberg Airport - Plus More!

On Wednesday 10 December, re-registered SHM Aviation (Gold Coast) Textron Aviation (Cessna) 525B CitationJet CJ3 Bizjet VH-TCS was noted visiting Bundaberg Airport from Archerfield.

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VH-TCS was re-registered to SHM Aviation of Robina on the Gold Coast in late October after previously being operated out of Canberra.

UPDATE!  VH-TCS returned to Bundy on Friday 12 December again visiting from Archerfield.

Meanwhile, also on Wednesday 10 December, Townsville Airlines (Flightech Air Logistics) Cessna 402C Utiliner/Businessliner VH-UCM visited Hamilton Island Airport from Cairns on the scheduled EA1/2 flight service for East Air.

UPDATE!  VH-UCM operated the same flight into Hamo also on Friday 12 December.

While former QantasLink Dash-8-Q300 VH-SBT ferried up to Alice Springs from Tamworth via Charleville Airport.

And CHC Helicopters Australia / Lloyd Helicopters Agusta AW139 helicopter VH-RQY as "Choppa 41" flew down from Townsville to Mackay and Gladstone Airports before continuing to RAAF Base Amberley.

Finally, on a quiet Tuesday 9 December, Air Gold Coast Cessna 525A CitationJet CJ2 bizjet VH-ZDM landed at Biloela / Thangool Airport from the Gold Coast and Newcastle (Williamtown) before it then departed back to the Gold Coast.

Elite Aero P/L Cessna 510 Citation Mustang Bizjet VH-ACH "Navair 151" Pops into Rolleston Aerodrome - Plus More!

On Monday 8 December, Elite Aero P/L Cessna 510 Citation Mustang bizjet VH-ACH as "Navair 151" was noted arriving into Rolleston Aerodrome from Bankstown.

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It later returned there, flying via Roma Airport.

VH-ACH also visited the region last week - see Blog post below!

Meanwhile, also on Monday 8 December, Bowenville based (operated by Real Time Aviation - Brisbane) Cessna 525 CitationJet CJ1+ bizjet VH-JSZ was back at my local Clermont Aerodrome again, flying up yet again from Archerfield and Dalby. It then continued up to Natal Downs before returning back down to Dalby and Archerfield.

UPDATE!  On Tuesday 9 December, VH-JSZ flew up from Archerfield and Dalby to the Whitsunday Airport at Shute Harbour. It later returned back down to Dalby and Archerfield.

And Townsville Airlines Cessna 208B Grand Caravan VH-OUS looked to operate the EA1/2 flight into Hamilton Island Airport from and back to Cairns.

Photo taken by Tony Haynes  ©

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

On Friday 5 December, Nioa Aviation (Avcair) Embraer EMB-505 Phenom 300 bizjet VH-NJR was spotted visiting Bundaberg Airport from Brisbane.

https://www.facebook.com/Bundaberg.Aviation.Fuel

It also seems to have visited Bundaberg Airport also from Brisbane earlier in the week on Tuesday 2 December.

And Jampair P/L (Navair Flight Operations) Embraer EMB-505 Phenom 300E bizjet VH-NSQ as "Navair 131" arrived into Proserpine (Whitsunday Coast) Airport from Bankstown.

UPDATE!  On Saturday 6 December, VH-NSQ "Navair 131" departed Prosie and returned to Bankstown.

Meanwhile, also on Friday 5 December, Townsville Airlines Cessna 208B Grand Caravan VH-NXU completed the East Air flight EA1/2 run to Hamilton Island Airport from and back to Cairns.

Air Link Beech B200 King Air VH-ZOS visited Rockhampton Airport from Brisbane.

New Cirrus SR22 N12AU flew up to Mackay Airport from the Gold Coast and Archerfield. It was then on display at the Mackay Aero Club.

UPDATE!  On Saturday 6 December, the Cirrus SR22 N12AU flew down from Mackay Airport to Caloundra.

And a fan-favourite with Piper PA-30 Twin Comanche B VH-SEX arrived into Rockhampton Airport from Toowoomba.

Finally, also on Friday 5 December, Hevilift Aviation (Papua New Guinea) recently registered Bell 412EP P2-DFC arrived into Rockhampton Airport from Redcliffe and then departed to Proserpine (Whitsunday Coast) Airport and then Cairns.

Photo taken by James Lake  ©

It seems that the helicopter is on delivery to PNG and was formerly on the Australian Aircraft Register as VH-LWI.

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UPDATE!  Indeed on Saturday 6 December, P2-DFC was photographed (above) as it continued further North out of Cairns.

And over the last couple of days, Heli-Central (Emerald) Aerospatiale AS.350B2 Squirrel VH-ZHM as "Firebird 260" has been operating out of Rockhampton Airport to assist with fighting a few fires in the area.

Nice!

Brisbane-based Teys Australia Cessna 525 Citation CJ2 bizjet VH-TEY Calls into CQ Airports - Plus More!

On Tuesday 2 December, Brisbane-based Teys Australia Cessna 525 Citation CJ2 bizjet VH-TEY, which arrived into Rockhampton Airport late yesterday from Archerfield and then Biloela / Thangool Airport, departed Rocky to Kingaroy and then back to Archerfield.

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And Pilatus Australia (South Australia) Pilatus PC-24 Super Versatile Jet VH-DMS flew up from Cessnock to Rockhampton Airport and then Mackay Airport.

UPDATE!  On Thursday 4 December, VH-DMS departed Mackay Airport and returned to Cessnock.

Meanwhile, also on Tuesday 2 December, Rural Funds Management (A.C.T.) Pilatus PC-12/47E VH-STE arrived into Rockhampton Airport from Canberra.

UPDATE!  On Wednesday 3 December, PC-12 VH-STE departed Rockhampton Airport to Springsure and then Emerald Airports before returning then back to Springsure Aerodrome. It then departed there to Sydney and Canberra.

Townsville Airlines Cessna 208B Grand Caravan VH-OUS looked to operate the EA1/2 flight into Hamilton Island Airport from and back to Cairns.

And Central Queensland Helicopter Rescue Service (CQ Rescue) / CQ Aeromedical Leonardo AW139 helicopter VH-XQ7 flew up from Archerfield to Bundaberg Airport and then Mackay Airport.

Photo taken by Graham Aspinall  ©

XPJet / Australian Corporate Jet Centres Raytheon Hawker 800XP Bizjet VH-OTK Arrives into Hamilton Island Airport - Plus More!

On Friday 14 November, XPJet / Australian Corporate Jet Centres Raytheon Hawker 800XP bizjet VH-OTK was noted arriving into Hamilton Island Airport from Melbourne (Essendon).

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UPDATE!  On Sunday 16 November, VH-OTK departed Hamilton Island Airport and returned to Essendon.

And Business Aviation Solutions Bombardier CL-600-2B16 Challenger 604 bizjet VH-JII flew up from Sydney and the Gold Coast to Hamilton Island Airport before then hopping down to Proserpine (Whitsunday Coast) Airport for parking.

UPDATE!  On Monday 17 November, VH-JII flew back from Prosie to Hamo and then departed back to Sydney and then Adelaide.

Meanwhile, also on Friday 14 November, Townsville Airlines (Flightech Air Logistics) Cessna 402C Utiliner/Businessliner VH-UCM visited Hamilton Island Airport from Cairns on the scheduled EA1/2 flight service for East Air.

SFC Farming (of Goondiwindi) Raytheon B200 King Air VH-TXT also flew into Hamilton Island Airport but from its Mundine base.

UPDATE!  On Monday 17 November, VH-TXT departed Hamilton Island Airport and returned to Mundine.

And Aerlink ATR72-500 VH-FVY as AL511 popped into Mackay Airport from Brisbane for fuel before then continuing to Horn Island as AL510.

Photo taken by Tony Haynes  ©

East Air Starts Flights into Hamilton Island Airport from Cairns with Beech 1900D VH-JYA

On Monday 3 November, East Air commenced flights between Cairns and Hamilton island Airport with Beech 1900D VH-JYA completing inaugural EA1/2 flights.

VH-JYA at Hamilton Island Airport.

The twice weekly flights will again link the two Queensland holiday destinations for the first time since pre-COVID.

East Air is currently operating Monday and Thursday services, with Sunday flights set to commence in February. One way fares start at $235.

Of interest East Air is a virtual brand of its parent company, Townsville Airlines, which is a well known charter flight operator in North Queensland. Its fleet consists two Beech 1900Ds, three Cessna 208B Caravans, two Cessna 402Cs, one Beech B200 King Air, and six AeroCommander 500-S. Townsville Airlines also uses the brand name of Weipa Air.

VH-JYA departs Cairns for Hamilton Island.

They also have future plans to add larger Dash-8 turboprop aircraft into their fleet.

We wish them all the very best!

Photos taken by Kellie Leonard and James Nancarrow  ©