FlyPelican (Pelican Airlines) BAe Jetstream 32 VH-OTD Spotted at Gladstone Airport – Plus More!

On Thursday 6 July, an interesting visitor to the region, presumably on a closed charter flight, was FlyPelican (Pelican Airlines) BAe Jetstream 32 VH-OTD.  It was spotted at Gladstone Airport visiting from Narrabri and Brisbane as PE998.

After returning to Brisbane, VH-OTD continued to Newcastle (Williamtown).

Meanwhile, also on Thursday 6 July, Austrek Aviation Beech B200 Super King Air VH-ZGD flew up from Toowoomba to Injune Aerodrome and then down to Port Macquarie then up to Emerald Airport and then back to Toowoomba. 

Brisbane-based Crockett Aviation Group Beech B200 King Air VH-FAQ flew into the Labona Station Airstrip within Adani Australia's (Bravus Mining & Resources) Carmichael Coal Mine site from Archerfield before then returning there but via the Sunshine Coast.

Flight One (Services) Raytheon B300 Super King Air VH-UVH flew up from Archerfield and the Sunshine Coast to Labona before returning to Archerfield direct.

The Queensland Government Airwing (State of Queensland) Raytheon B300 Super King Air VH-SGQ landed at Longreach Airport from Mount Isa and then departed to Gladstone Airport before continuing to Brisbane but via a missed approach at Gayndah. Aerodrome 

Property Maintenance Australia P/L Pilatus PC-12/47E VH-WJA arrived into Rockhampton Airport from Dubbo.  It is planned to return there on Friday 7 July.

Pilatus PC-12/45 VH-PID of Kelsall P/L (Aeronautics and Technology Holdings) looked to land at Emu Park Aerodrome from its Toowoomba base before then continuing to North towards Cairns.

UPDATE!  On Friday 7 July, VH-PID flew down from Townsville way to land at Emerald Airport before continuing to Canberra and then returning to Toowoomba.

VH-TFB

Dalydine P/L (Pilatus Australia) Pilatus PC-12/47E VH-PDE visited 'Planet Downs' from Archerfield.

UPDATE!  Today, on Thursday 6 July, VH-PDE was 'officially' re-registered to Poolhurst Aviation Air Charter Services.

Hawker Beechcraft G58 Baron VH-EZD was noted flying down from Hamilton Island Airport to its Monto Aerodrome base.  It seems to have flown up there last Wednesday 28 June.

NSW based Piper PA-28-140 Cherokee VH-RSG landed at Longreach Airport from Toowoomba and Roma Airports.  It looked to have flown up from Kempsey last Tuesday 27 June.

UPDATE!  On Friday 7 July, VH-RSG continue to Cloncurry, Borroloola and Emkaytee in the Northern Territory.

And Seair Pacific (Istlecote) Cessna 208 Caravan VH-TFB flew up from Hervey Bay (Fraser Coast) Airport to Middlemount Aerodrome before flying back down to Maryborough and Hervey Bay Airports.

Finally, also on Thursday 6 July, Jetstream Aviation (Emprja P/L) Cessna 550 Citation II bizjet VH-VDF flew up from the Sunshine Coast to Proserpine (Whitsunday Coast) Airport and then Townsville.

UPDATE!  On Monday 10 July, VH-VDF returned to Proserpine Airport from Townsville before continuing back to the Sunny Coast.

AirMed Australia Cessna 510 Citation Mustang bizjet VH-NEQ as "AirMed 923" was back in the region again, arriving into Rockhampton Airport from Archerfield.  It then departed to Townsville before returning to Archerfield.

McDermott Aviation Group / Machjet International Cessna 525C CitationJet CJ4 bizjet VH-PIY as 'MC38' visited Bundaberg Airport from the Sunshine Coast and Brisbane.

All photos taken by Emily C  ©

Poolhurst Aviation Air Charter Services Pilatus PC-12/47E VH-UJM Calls into Hamilton Island Airport - Plus More!

On Saturday 7 January, Poolhurst Aviation Air Charter Services Pilatus PC-12/47E VH-UJM was noted visiting Hamilton Island Airport.  It arrived from and later departed back to Archerfield - but returning via (near) Rolleston.

File photo

Shortstop Jet Charter Dassault Falcon 900C bizjet VH-OAA also arrived into Hamilton Island Airport but from Melbourne (Essendon) and Hobart.

And Avcair (Avgunn) LearJet 60 bizjet VH-ILJ visited Mackay Airport from Brisbane.

Meanwhile, also on Saturday 7 January, Edwards Coaches Cessna 441 Conquest II VH-OXY flew down from Cairns to Archerfield then returned North to Rockhampton Airport.  It then departed to Sunshine Coast and Armidale.  VH-OXY looked to fly up from its Armidale base to Archerfield and Cairns the previous day.

Re-registered Kelsall P/L (Aeronautics and Technology Holdings) Pilatus PC-12/45 VH-PID looked to fly up from Toowoomba to land at Emu Park Airstrip. It then departed to Mackay Airport before making a late return to Toowoomba.

Victoria based Cessna 310I VH-UPZ landed at Emerald Airport from Townsville.  It then continued South.  VH-UPZ had flown North via Emerald Airport earlier in the week.

And Koolardie Aviation (Townsville) Bell Helicopter Textron B206 VH-BAM landed at Gladstone Airport from Redcliffe before it then departed to Mackay Airport and then Townsville.

Photo taken by Tony Haynes  ©️

Also on Friday - AirMed Australia Cessna 510 Citation Mustang Bizjet VH-PWX Calls into Hervey Bay (Fraser Coast) Airport - Plus More!

Also on Friday 29 July, AirMed Australia Cessna 510 Citation Mustang bizjet VH-PWX as "AirMed 212" was noted visiting Hervey Bay (Fraser Coast) Airport.  It looked to arrive from its Bankstown base via the Gold Coast and Archerfield.

https://www.facebook.com/AirmedAus

VH-PWX then departed to Bankstown.

While often visiting American-registered Eclipse EA500 bizjet N257AK visited the Whitsunday Airport at Shute Harbour from Archerfield.  We haven't seen it for a little while!

Meanwhile, also on Friday 29 July, Telford Aviation (Brisbane) Beech A36 Bonanza VH-MPT flew from Blackall Airport to Hughenden and Julia Creek before flying down to Archerfield late after dark.

ZephAir Australia - Aircraft Charters Piper PA-31 Navajo VH-AYT visited Hamilton Island Airport from its Townsville base.  It also appears to have popped into Mackay Airport on Wednesday 27 July during a busy day of flying between Townsville and the Gold Coast.

Graham Aviation's re-registered Cessna T206H Float Plane VH-FNB (ex VH-PXT) looked to arrive into Hamilton Island Airport from Cairns.

UPDATE!  On Monday 1 August, VH-FNB looked to return to Cairns from Hamo.

And Dino Air (Interair) Piper PA-31 Navajo VH-XGL continues to operate aerial survey flights out of and back to Hervey Bay (Fraser Coast) Airport.

Finally, it's worth noting that on a quiet Thursday 28 July, Victoria-based Cessna 182s VH-EUP, VH-NPE and VH-BXW departed the Emu Park Airstrip for Rolleston Aerodrome.  They looked to arrive into Emu Park Airstrip from Hervey Bay (Fraser Coast) Airport last weekend.

Surf Life Saving Queensland Eurocopter EC-135P-2 Helicopter VH-NVG 'Tropic Chopper Tour' CQ Coast - Spotted at Bundaberg Airport

A nice surprise on Wednesday 2 June with the normally Caloundra-based Surf Life Saving Queensland Eurocopter EC-135P-2 helicopter VH-NVG arriving into Bundaberg North Primary School from there on the first stop of their 'Tropic Chopper Tour' up and Queensland coast.

VH-NVG was spotted as it continued over to Bundaberg Airport and then North toward Rockhampton before heading over to Emu Park Primary School.

VH-NVG then flew back to land at Rockhampton Airport.  It also appears to be spending the night parked at Rocky.

UPDATE!  On Thursday 3 June, VH-NVG departed Rockhampton Airport and continued up the coast and made stops at Mackay Christian College and Jezzine Barracks Parade Ground in Townsville where it was open for the public - as shown below.

UPDATE!  On Friday 4 June, VH-NVG continued up to Cairns from Townsville, making a stop at St. Andrews Catholic College.

UPDATE!  On Monday 7 June, VH-NVG returned 'home' to Caloundra from Cairns, flying via Townsville, Mackay and Gladstone Airports.

Sincere thanks to Dan B from Dan Beck Photography for allowing us to share these great photos from Bundaberg!

Photos taken by Dan B and 'Shinpow16'  ©

Cessna Citation Bizjets VH-YWS & VH-XCU Call into Hamilton Island Airport - Plus More!

On Friday 3 May, a couple of nice Cessna Citation bizjets were noted arriving into what is now a busy Hamilton Island Airport.

During the afternoon, perhaps the first visit to Central Queensland by Brisbane-based Cessna 525 CitationJet M2 VH-YWS.  It arrived from Archerfield base.

VH-YWS arriving into Adelaide Airport earlier in the year  (File photo)

While earlier in the day, the familiar sight of Homada Pty Ltd Cessna 560XL Citation XLS bizjet VH-XCU was noted arriving into Hamilton Island Airport from Melbourne (Moorabbin) via Melbourne (Essendon).

At the time of writing, both bizjets remain parked at Hamo, along with the Chinese-registered Bombardier BD-700-1A10 Global 6000 bizjet B-8197 which arrived at Hamilton Island Airport on Wednesday 1 May.

After arriving from Sydney earlier in the day,  MKAir7X Dassault Falcon 7X bizjet M-GMKM departed back there late on Thursday 2 May.

Finally, a trio of Sydney-based light General Aviation (GA) aircraft to be noted visiting Hamilton Island Airport also on Friday 3 May included Sydney-based Beech 35-C33 Bonanza VH-FJF and Cessna 182 VH-MJB.  While Basair Australia Cessna 206 VH-BXZ also looked to be flying as a part of the group as they all arrived from Emu Park and Rockhampton Airports and later departed to Cairns.

Photo taken by Ryan Hothersall  ©

And Three Visiting Bizjets Depart Hamilton Island Airport - Citations VH-FCS & VH-MMC and Gulfstream VI N720LF

Also up at Hamilton Island Airport on Monday 1 October, the three visiting Australian-based corporate bizjets were all noted leaving and heading there separate ways after all arriving late last week.

Australian Corporate Jet Centres / Fox Aviation Citation I/SP bizjet VH-FCS departed to the Ballina/Byron Gateway Airport in northern New South Wales and the Melbourne (Essendon).

File photo

It had arrived from Melbourne (Moorabbin) via Essendon on Thursday 27 September.

Mackellar Mining Equipment / Flight Options (Australia) Cessna 560 Citation Ultra bizjet VH-MMC departed to the Sunshine Coast.

It too arrived on Thursday 27 September and arrived from the Sunny Coast.

And American-registered but Australian-based Gulfstream Aerospace G-VI (G650ER) bizjet N720LF returned down to Sydney.

It had arrived from there very late also on Thursday 27 September.

Meanwhile, as well as the corporate bizjets to visit Hamo, there have been some light General Aviation (GA) aircraft - and a helicopter - to be noted calling into Hamilton Island Airport over the last few days.

As reported below, Corporate Aviation Bell 429 Global Ranger helicopter VH-EQP departed Hamo also on Monday 1 October after arriving last Wednesday 26 September.

Royal Victorian Aero Club Piper PA-28-181 VH-MRX was noted arriving from Innisfail on Sunday 30 September and departed to Emu Park on Monday 1 October.  It appears to be on a tour through Central and Northern Australia and could now be heading home to its Melbourne (Moorabbin) base in Victoria.

Hawker Beechcraft G58 Baron VH-EZD was noted arriving into Hamilton Island Airport from its Monto base also on Friday 28 September.  It returned there also on Monday 1 October.

Finally, it appears that Brisbane-based Cessna 525A CitationJet2 bizjet VH-MOR is still parked at Hamo after arriving there from Archerfield via Rockhamption Airport last Monday 24 September.

Photo taken by Robert Myers  ©

RAAF B737/E-7A Wedgetail A30-001 Missed Approach at Rockhampton and Mackay Airports - Plus Other RAAF Movements Around CQ

On Tuesday 5 June, Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) Boeing B737-7ES / E-7A Wedgetail Airborne Early Warning & Control (AEW&C) aircraft A30-001 was photographed by local plane spotter Kayanne H soon after it had completed a missed approach at Rockhampton Airport.

The Wedgetail, flying as "Mitchell 03" flew up from the South and completed a missed approach at the Gold Coast while on the way to Rocky.  After completing its airwork around Rockhampton Airport, A30-001 flew North and was then spotted completing multiple missed approaches at Mackay Airport.

After completing its airwork at Mackay Airport, it is believed that the Wedgetail then continued for a landing at Townsville.

Meanwhile, the Wedgetail wasn't the only RAAF aircraft to be noted flying around parts of CQ.  Earlier on Tuesday 5 June, a pair RAAF Canadair CL-600-2B16 Challenger 604 bizjets A37-001 "Wisdom 93" and A37-003 "Regent 94" of the VIP 34 Squadron in Canberra were noted visiting Blackall and Charleville Airports.  It appeared that A37-001 "Wisdom 93" later departed Charleville Airport for Brisbane.

Local news reports showed that Australian Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull was in town.

Over the last couple of days, RAAF Beech B350 Super King Air A32-339 has had a couple of busy days, noted completing airwork around different parts of CQ.  After flying up from RAAF Base East Sale in Victoria to the Sunshine Coast on Sunday 3 June, on Monday 4 June, A32-339, which has been flying as "Torch 36", flew from the Sunshine Coast direct to Townsville before later being heard to depart Hamilton Island Airport for the Fraser Coast where it descended and flew low level from Hervey Bay back to the Sunny coast.

Then on Tuesday 5 June, A32-339 "Torch 36" again departed the Sunshine Coast and was heard to complete a missed approach at Gladstone Airport before it continued further North and flew low-level around Emu Park and Capricorn Coast.  It then completed a very low-level circuit of Great Keppel Island before then heading to Townsville.  A32-339 has since returned once again to the Sunshine Coast.

Finally, the RAAF' Exercise High Sierra has kicked off in Townsville, and on Tuesday 5 June, more participants were noted flying through CQ destined for the North Queensland capital.  Two flights of two RAAF British Aerospace (BAe) Hawk 127 jets were heard flying as "Cougar 11" and "Cougar 91".  While in the early evening, three Dassault-Dornier Alpha Jet A aircraft were also heard to fly into Townsville flying in formation as "Goshawk".

Alpha Jet C-GLTO at Townsville Airport last year  (File photo)

Since March 2017, Air Affairs Australia Pty Ltd (Air Affairs) teamed with Discovery Air Defence Services Inc. (DA Defence), a wholly-owned subsidiary of Discovery Air Inc., to deliver a Fast Jet Adversary Air capability under Air Affairs’ existing Jet Air Support contract commencing in latter part of 2017.   The three fully crewed and maintained Alpha Jets - wearing Canadian registrations C-GITA, C-GJTA and C-GLTO - are based at RAAF Base Williamtown and provide 'Red Air' for RAAF training, Joint Terminal Attack Controller (JTAC) training for the Australian Army and anti-surface training for the Royal Australian Navy.  Operations, maintenance and logistics for Alpha Jets in Williamtown and at Albatross Aviation Technology Park (AATP) Nowra will be supported by an integrated Air Affairs and DA Defence team.

Photos taken by Kayanne Hardsman and Leroy  ©

AirServices Australia (Pearl Aviation) Super King Air VH-FIY Lands at Gladstone Airport on One Engine then Sister-ship VH-FIZ Arrives to Complete Navaid Calibration Work

As reported on our Facebook page, on Friday 29 September, AirServices Australia / Pearl Aviation Hawker Beechcraft B300 Super King Air VH-FIY "Auscal 03" was flying from Brisbane to Gladstone Airport when it experienced engine failure on its left (port) side.

VH-FIY after arriving at Gladstone Airport on Friday

The pilot on board the twin turboprop declared a “PAN” over the radio and elected to continue to Gladstone Airport on one engine. A short time later VH-FIY made a safe landing at Gladstone Airport.

I presume that VH-FIY was heading to Gladstone to complete one of its regular calibration flights of the Gladstone Airport Instrument Landing System (ILS) and other navigational aids (navaids).

Although it seemed that with the aircraft now grounded, fellow AirServices Australia / Pearl Aviation Hawker Beechcraft B300 Super King Air VH-FIZ "Auscal 04" was also noted arriving into Gladstone Airport also from Brisbane a little later on Friday 29 September.

On Saturday 30 September, VH-FIZ indeed completed an almost four-hour long sortie on what was clearly navaid calibration.

Job done, on Sunday 1 October, VH-FIZ departed Gladstone Airport for Townsville, but on the way, it was noted completing further navaid calibration at Rockhampton Airport.

VH-FIY and VH-FIZ are two of three Beech King Air aircraft that Aero Pearl operates for AirServices Australia to calibrate the Instrument Landing System (ILS) and other navigational aids (navaids) at airports around Australia and in South-East Asia.

UPDATE!  On Wednesday 4 October, VH-FIY departed Gladstone Airport for Sydney.

Photo taken by Terry Purcell  ©

Ex Talisman Saber 2017 - Great Photos as RAAF Search and Rescue Sikorsky S-76A Helicopter VH-LAI Departs Rockhampton Airport to Emu Park as "Choppa 22"

This is our first of several posts from a spectacular day of military helicopter action around Rockhampton in association with joint Military Exercise Talisman Saber 2017 (TS17) on Thursday 20 July.  Local plane spotters Kayanne H and Daniel B were both on hand as Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) Search and Rescue Sikorsky S-76A helicopter VH-LAI initially departed Rockhampton Airport for Emu Park as "Choppa 22".

It later returned back to Rocky, again taking up its parking spot beside Rocky's Cross Runway 04/22.

VH-LAI is owned by Lloyd Helicopters and operated by CHC Helicopters Australia, and is one of a number of choppers used for RAAF Search and Rescue jobs.

Sincere thanks to local plane spotters Kayanne H and Daniel B for taking the time to capture and send through some awesome photos of some spectacular helicopter action around Rockhampton!  Stay tuned for many more!

Photos taken by Kayanne Hardsman and Daniel Bishop  ©

A Trio of Royal Australian Navy (RAN) MRH-90 Multi-Role Helicopters Pop into CQ Airports on Flood Relief Duties - Look to be Staying at Gladstone Airport

On Sunday 2 April, Royal Australian Navy (RAN) NH Industries MRH-90 Multi-Role Helicopter A40-026 was spotted calling into the Whitsunday Airport at Shute Harbour.

Later, it was believed to have called into Rockhampton Airport briefly before it was then heard to depart towards Emu Park.  A40-026 then later still arrived at Gladstone Airport.  It was heard to be using the radio callsign of "Poseidon 26".

A little later still on Sunday 2 April, a pair of Royal Australian Navy (RAN) NH Industries MRH-90 Multi-Role Helicopters were then heard to be flying together as "Poseidon Black".  These two helicopters then also arrived at Gladstone Airport were they were identified as A40-006 and A40-016.

A40-026 then completed a local flight before returning to Gladstone Airport where it re-joined A40-006 and A40-016 with all three MRH-90s being parked on the Gladstone Airport apron.  It appears that they are on stand-by to fly North to Rockhampton to assist during the pending flooding crisis expected to hit the beef capital later this week.

Of interest, three RAN MRH-90s appear to have deployed from HMAS Choules (L100) which presently provides the Australian Defence Force (ADF) with an amphibious platform capability able to provide rapid maritime humanitarian assistance and disaster relief, and Non-Combatant Evacuation Operation (NEO) response.

Defence Image

HMAS Choules was noted last week being loaded in Brisbane and is now in the Coral Sea off the North Queensland coast where it has provided assistance during 'Operation Queensland Assist' in the aftermath of Tropical Cyclone Debbie.

Meanwhile, also arriving into the Whitsunday Airport at Shute Harbour early on Sunday 2 April was Australian Army NH Industries MRH-90 Multi-Role Helicopter A40-036 which was captured on video arriving from the North as "Destrier 36".

You can certainly see from the video how much damage has occurred to the once lush rainforests in the Whitsundays region - most trees have been stripped bear of foliage - as if a bushfire has passed through.

Sincere thanks to local plane spotter Michael F who captured these great photos as Gladstone Airport.  And thanks to the Whitsunday Airport at Shute Harbour for allowing us to share their great video!

Photos and video taken by Michael Fleetwood and the Whitsunday Airport at Shute Harbour  ©

Cessna 208B Caravan VH-DJG Arrives into Rockhampton Airport

On Friday 9 December, privately operated Cessna 208 Caravan VH-DJG arrived into Rockhampton Airport from Archerfield.

This was the second visit to the beef capital for the Cessna Caravan this week which is a frequent visitor to the CQ region.  It was spotted departing Rockhampton Airport on Tuesday 6 December for Archerfield after earlier arriving from Townsville and Natal Downs - a cattle station located approximately 110kms south of Charters Towers.

Meanwhile, also spotted visiting Rockhampton Airport during a busy day of flying on Tuesday 6 December was Brisbane-based Cirrus SR22 VH-YYS.

It was noted either landing or completing airwork at the Sunshine Coast, Hervey Bay, Gladstone, Emu Park, Rockhampton and Gayndah while on a flight from and back to Archerfield.

All photos taken by Kayanne Hardsman  ©