North Queensland Warbirds 1969-built Beech H18 VH-MBU Spotted at Emerald Airport - Plus More!

On Sunday 29 March, North Queensland Warbirds 1969-built Beech H18 VH-MBU was spotted at Emerald Airport.  It had arrived from Port MacQuarrie.

UPDATE!  On Monday 30 March, VH-MBU departed Emerald Airport for Mareeba.

And Pilatus Australia (South Australia) Pilatus PC-24 Super Versatile Jet VH-DMS departed Hervey Bay (Fraser Coast) Airport for Toowoomba and Cessnock.  It appears to have arrived from those places on Friday 27 March.

Meanwhile, on Saturday 28 March, Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) Alenia C-27J Spartan transport aircraft A34-007 as "Aussie 495" flew up from RAAF Base Amberley to complete a missed approach at Emerald Airport before it then continued on to Townsville.

Whitsunday Helicopter Group / Heli-Aust Whitsundays (Mackay) Eurocopter EC135 P2 helicopter VH-ZGZ departed Gladstone Airport to Toowoomba, Armidale and Dyke Point/Newcastle.

And during the evening, Skytrans Dash-8-200B VH-TQX as "Skytrans 552" arrived into Rockhampton Airport from Cairns and then departed to Sydney.

Of interest, Skytrans, which took the SmartLynx brand in July last year to bring it into alignment with other airlines in the Avia Solutions Group, has recently brought back its former branding following the collapse of SmartLynx Latvia at the end of November.

Finally, also on Saturday 28 March, Jetstar Airways Airbus A320-200 VH-YXW departed Australia for good.  It departed Darwin for Senai International Airport (Johor Bahru) in Malaysia as "Southern Cross 2611". 

It is reportedly due to continue to Toulouse in France via Gaya (India) and Tashkent (Uzbekistan).

Of interest, VH-YXW made its final visit to Central Queensland on last visit on Wednesday 28 January as JST832/3 into Proserpine (Whitsunday Coast) Airport from and back to Melbourne (Tullamarine).

VH-YXW then ferried from Tulla to Singapore the next day on Thursday 29 January before returning to Melbourne at the start of March and the next day, ferrying to Alice Springs for storage.

Photo taken by 'AC'  ©

Pacific Helicopters (PNG) Eurocopter AS350B3 Squirrel Helicopter P2-PHQ Passes Through CQ Airports - Plus More!

On Wednesday 18 February, Pacific Helicopters (Papua New Guinea) Eurocopter AS350B3 Squirrel helicopter P2-PHQ was noted passing trough a couple of Central Queensland Airports while looking to ferry down to the Sunshine Coast.

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After spending the last two days flying down from Port Moresby to the Whitsunday Airport at Shute Harbour, on Wednesday P2-PHQ flew down from there to Rockhampton Airport and then to the Sunshine Coast.

Meanwhile, also on Wednesday 18 February,  McDermott Aviation Group / Machjet International Cessna 525A CitationJet CJ2 bizjet VH-SUY as "Machflight 421" visited Rockhampton Airport from the Sunshine Coast.

Goldie Motorsport SOCATA TBM-850 VH-TBM arrived into Longreach Airport from the Gold Coast before then departing to Alice Springs and Jandakot.

And ZephAir Australia - Aircraft Charters Piper PA-31 Navajo VH-AYT as 'ZD220' visited Clermont Aerodrome from Townsville.

Finally, a couple more visitors to my local Clermont Aerodrome but on Tuesday 17 February, included Atherton Creek Air Charters (Mareeba) Piper PA-24-260 Commanche VH-SMJ which visited from Mareeba. 

And the regular visitor in the form of Archer Aviation Service Cirrus SR22 VH-JCK visited once again from Archerfield.

And Avcair LearJet 60 bizjet VH-AVL flew up from Brisbane to Mackay Airport then down to Rockhampton Airport and back to Brisbane.

Of interest, on Wednesday 18 February, VH-AVL again flew up to Mackay Airport from Brisbane before then flying down to Rockhampton Airport.  It then flew up to Cairns before returning to Brisbane.

McDermott Aviation Group / Machjet International Cessna 525C CitationJet CJ4 Bizjet VH-PIY "Machflight 41" Pops into Gladstone Airport - Plus More!

On Wednesday 11 February, McDermott Aviation Group / Machjet International Cessna 525C CitationJet CJ4 bizjet VH-PIY as "Machflight 41" visited Gladstone Airport from the Sunshine Coast via Archerfield.

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Auriga Assets / Heli-Aust Whitsundays Airbus EC135P3H helicopter VH-ZFD flew down from Mackay Airport to Gladstone Airport.  Sistership, Eurocopter EC135 P2 helicopter VH-ZGZ departed Gladstone Airport to the Sunshine Coast, Toowoomba, Port Macquarie and Dyke Point (Newcastle). 

Of interest, Auriga Assets / Heli-Aust Whitsundays Eurocopter EC135 P2+ helicopter VH-XUV continues to operate out of Gladstone Airport.

Meanwhile, also on Wednesday 11 February, Seair Pacific (Istlecote) Cessna 208B Grand Caravan EX VH-LYI flew into Middlemount Aerodrome from Hervey Bay (Fraser Coast) Airport before then flying down to Maryborough Airport and then back to Hervey Bay Airport.

Central Highlands Aerial Services (CHAS) Air Tractors VH-FZV and VH-JQW were noted operating out of my local Clermont Aerodrome on aerial spraying of some local farmland.  They looked to fly up from and then later return to their landing site just to the North of Emerald township.

UPDATE!  On Thursday 12 February, both VH-FZV and VH-JQW again completed aerial spraying operations out of Clermont Aerodrome.

Finally, also on Wednesday 11 February, Australian Army new Airbus Helicopters H135 'Juno' training helicopter N52-103 as "Warhorse 35" flew up from the Oakey Army Aviation Centre to complete airwork at the Sunshine Coast and then the Wide Bay Training Area before then landing at Hervey Bay (Fraser Coast) Airport.  It then departed back to Oakey as "Warhorse 31". 

And late on Wednesday evening, Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) Boeing B737-7ES / E-7A Wedgetail Airborne Early Warning & Control (AEW&C) aircraft A30-003 "Wedgetail 01" completed a missed approach at Rockhampton Airport.  It flew up from RAAF Base Williamtown via a missed approach at the Sunshine Coast before later returning from Rocky to Williamtown.

Photo taken by 'AC'  ©

Queensland Premier David Crisafulli Calls into Clermont Aerodrome on Crockett Aviation Group Beech B200 King Air VH-FAQ "Navair 173" - Plus More!

On Tuesday 13 January, Crockett Aviation Group Beech B200 King Air VH-FAQ as "Navair 173" landed at Clermont from Archerfield and Brisbane and this afternoon departed back to these places.

It brought the Queensland Premier David Crisafulli to town to inspect the clean-up efforts following the massive flooding event that hit Clermont on Monday 12 January.

Meanwhile, also on Tuesday 13 January, several helicopters were noted and spotted flying around the skies of Clermont and other parts of the region which are also experiencing flood emergencies in the after-math of Ex Tropical Cyclone Koji passing through Central Queensland.

Nautilus Aviation Bell Helicopter Textron Canada 412EP helicopter VH-ZVP, which landed at Mackay Airport from Townsville yesterday as "Helitak 421", flew out from there and landed at Clermont Hospital.  

Later, it hopped to Clermont Aerodrome to refuel before then departing back to Mackay Airport.

Dwyer Aviation (Tude's Choppers) Services Bell Helicopter Textron 407 VH-XFN continued to fly around the Clermont area and seemed to be based at the Bush Heli Services facility on the outskirts of the Clermont township.

UPDATE!  On Wednesday 14 January, VH-XFN was noted flying out of Emerald Airport to local mine sites.

While Bush Heli Services Bell Helicopter Textron 407 VH-PUM also flew around the Clermont area.

GB Helicopters Guimbal Cabri G2 VH-8GB looked to head North around parts of the Suttor River and Belyando River.

Elsewhere, Heli Qld Airbus Helicopters EC 130 T2 VH-WJY flew up from Toowoomba to Roma Airport and then Barcaldine Airport and Emerald Airport.  

Brisbane-based Helibras AS350B2 Esquilo VH-EQP followed a similar flight path, arriving into Emerald Airport from Toowoomba via Roma Airport.

UPDATE!  It appears that VH-WJY and VH-EQP are both currently based out of the Calibre Aviation (Central Queensland Aviation) facility just the South of the Emerald township and they looked to be completing flights to and from local mine sites.

Executive Helicopters Eurocopter AS 350 B3 Squirrel helicopter VH-YQK also arrived into Emerald Airport but from Archerfield via (possibly) Monto Aerodrome.

UPDATE!  On Wednesday 14 January, VH-YQK was also noted flying to local mine sites from and back to Emerald Airport.

Heliservices Queensland (Innisfail) Bell Helicopter Textron 206L-3 VH-HHU also arrived into Emerald Airport from Roma Airport.  It is reportedly due to continue North to Clermont.

While Nautilus Aviation Bell Helicopter Textron 212 helicopter VH-T53 was spotted at Barcaldine Airport.  It arrived from Longreach Airport and was due to depart but low cloud prevented this.

And Executive Helicopters Eurocopter AS 350 B3 Squirrel helicopter VH-DTS flew out of Mackay Airport and headed West before then flying up to the Whitsundays region.

Plus Townsville-based Forster Helicopters Bell Helicopter Textron 407 helicopter VH-DMF was also noted flying around Mackay.

Finally, also on Tuesday 13 January, Vee H Aviation (Link Airways) Beech B200GT Super King Air 250 VH-VEW visited Clermont Aerodrome from Brisbane.

Henadeck (New South Wales) Cessna 525 Citation CJ1 bizjet VH-YNE flew up to Hamilton Island Airport from the Gold Coast.  It had flown down from Hamo to the Goldie at the end of last week.

And the Central Queensland Helicopter Rescue Service (CQ Rescue) / CQ Aeromedical Leonardo AW139 helicopter VH-XQ8 flew down from Mackay Airport to Gladstone Airport and Archerfield.

USA Registered Eurocopter EC 135 P2+ Helicopter N608W Arrives into Gladstone Airport - Plus More!

On Thursday 9 October, a nice arrival in the form of USA Registered Eurocopter EC 135 P2+ helicopter N608W landed at Gladstone Airport.  It looked to fly down from the Motor Yacht 'Pursuit' via the Whitsunday Airport at Shute Harbour and Mackay Airport.

UPDATE!  On Friday 10 October, after staying for the night parked at Gladstone Airport, N608W was spotted below still parked before it later departed there and flew down to the Sunshine Coast.

Meanwhile, also on Thursday 9 October, Gold Coast-based Cessna T337G VH-ZEO departed the Whitsunday Airport at Shute Harbour for its Southport base via Gayndah Aerodrome.  It had flown up to Shute direct from Southport on Sunday 5 October.

Helibiz (Heli Lift) Agusta AW119 MkII Koala helicopter VH-A26 returned to the Whitsunday Airport at Shute Harbour from a trip up to Cairns.

And Curley Equipment P/L Textron (Cessna) 208B Grand Caravan EX VH-CUY also arrived into Shute Harbour Airport from its Cloncurry base.

Finally, also on Thursday 9 October, Bowenville based (operated by Real Time Aviation - Brisbane) Cessna 525 CitationJet CJ1+ bizjet VH-JSZ  arrived from Archerfield then departed to Cloncurry Airport.

UPDATE!  On Friday 10 October, VH-JSZ returned to Rockhampton Airport from Cloncurry Airport before continuing to Dalby and Archerfield.

Photos taken by Lee Holloway and Ranga Rayner  ©

Royal Flying Doctor Service (RFDS) - South-Eastern Section - Textron B300C Super King Air VH-MQK "FlyDoc 229" Arrives into Rockhampton Airport - Plus More!

On Tuesday 2 September, Royal Flying Doctor Service (RFDS) - South-Eastern Section - Textron B300C Super King Air VH-MQK as "FlyDoc 229" was noted arriving into Rockhampton Airport from Melbourne (Essendon).

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UPDATE!  On Wednesday 3 September, VH-MQK but as "Ambulance 793" departed Rockhampton Airport for Dubbo and then Melbourne (Essendon).

While Tasmania based Cirrus SR22 VH-WEE flew down from Cairns and Hamilton Island Airport and then Bundaberg Airport - seemingly still heading home from a trip to Darwin.

And Executive Helicopters Eurocopter EC130B4 VH-EHY as "Firebird 404" flew up from Bundaberg Airport to over the Berserkers fire area.  It then landed at Rockhampton Airport to refuel before then returning to Bundy.

Meanwhile, also on Tuesday 2 September, SG Aviation Australia / Business Aviation Solutions Gulfstream G-VI (G650ER) bizjet VH-SGA was noted departing Hamilton Island Airport for Melbourne (Essendon).  It appears to have arrived into Hamo from there on Sunday 31 August.

And now-Queensland based American-registered Embraer EMB-505 Phenom 300 N227SL arrived into Rockhampton Airport from Archerfield and later departed to Townsville.  It later returned to Archerfield.

It seems N227SL is now based at Archerfield.  The former Victoria based Phenom has been 'replaced' by another American-registered Embraer 505 Phenom 300E bizjet N227SJ.

Finally, also on Tuesday 2 September, Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) Boeing B737-7ES / E-7A Wedgetail Airborne Early Warning & Control (AEW&C) aircraft A30-004 as "Wedgetail 17" was noted completing airwork, including a missed approach, at Hervey Bay (Fraser Coast) Airport.  It looked to fly up from and then return to RAAF Base Williamtown.

Photo taken by Ryan Hothersall  ©

NZ Aero (New Zealand) Pacific Aerospace PAC 750XL ZK-EPO Calls into CQ Airports - Spotted at Gladstone Airport - Plus More!

On Monday 18 August, New Zealand based NZ Aero Pacific Aerospace PAC 750XL ZK-EPO was noted departing Rockhampton Airport for Townsville. It had arrived yesterday after flying up from Bundaberg Airport to Gladstone Airport where it was photographed by local plane spotter Jamie C arriving and taxiing for parking.

ZK-EPO had flown up from the Sunshine Coast to Hervey Bay (Fraser Coast) Airport and Bundaberg Airport at the start of the weekend.

Meanwhile, also on Monday 18 August, Seair Pacific / Istlecote Textron Aviation (Cessna) 208B Caravan VH-TLH flew up from Hervey Bay (Fraser Coast) Airport and Maryborough Airport to Middlemount Aerodrome before then flying down to Rockhampton Airport and then back to Hervey Bay Airport. 

Machjet (Machjet International) Hawker Beechcraft B200 King Air VH-ZSY as "Machflight 242" arrived into Rockhampton Airport from Cairns and Mount Isa before then returning to Cairns. 

Airwing Services (NSW) Eurcopter AS.350B3 VH-WOK departed Rockhampton Airport for Proserpine (Whitsunday Coast) Airport.  It had arrived from the South over the weekend.

Magspec Airborne Surveys (Magspec Aivation) Cessna U206G VH-SOP was noted flying around Mackay.

Edwards Coaches Cessna 441 Conquest II VH-OXY called into Emerald Airport from Armidale.  It then continued further North.

And Burbank Homes / Business Aviation Solutions Raytheon Hawker 850XP bizjet VH-BMW visited Hamilton Island Airport from Melbourne (Tullamarine).

All photos taken by Jamie C  ©

McDermott Aviation Group / Machjet International Cessna 525C CitationJet CJ4 Bizjet VH-PIY "Machflight 41" Pops into Rockhampton Airport - Plus More!

On Saturday 5 July, McDermott Aviation Group / Machjet International Cessna 525C CitationJet CJ4 bizjet VH-PIY "Machflight 41" arrived into Rockhampton Airport from Townsville and later departed to Brisbane. 

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Careflight (NSW) Raytheon / Beech 400XT Nextant bizjet VH-OVS as "Careflight 46", which landed at Mackay Airport late yesterday from Newcastle, flew down from there to Sydney. 

Victoria Based USA Registered Embraer 505 Phenom 300E bizjet N227SJ landed at Longreach Airport from Warrnambool then departed to Cooktown. 

Brenzil Dassault Aviation Falcon 7X bizjet VH-CRW visited Hamilton Island Airport from Brisbane.

While National Jet Express Dash-8-Q400 Next Gen VH-8QB as "Jetex 441" arrived into Rockhampton Airport from Brisbane and then departed to Cairns and Horn Island as "Jetex 442" on a school holiday charter.  Later it returned to Cairns as "Jetex 444".

Jayrow Helicopters Eurocopter EC120 VH-BGB landed at Gladstone Airport from Mackay Airport.

And after arriving the previous day, Cirrus SR22 N64RU departed Longreach Airport for Darwin. 

Photo taken by Tony Haynes  ©

NQ Heli-Worx (Meridan Helicopters) Eurocopter EC135 T1 Helicopter VH-MXW "Energy 404" Calls into CQ Airports - Plus More!

On Tuesday 13 May, sleek looking NQ Heli-Worx (Meridian Helicopters) Eurocopter EC135 T1 helicopter VH-MXW as "Energy 404" looked to fly down from Emerald Airport to Biloela / Thangool Airport and then Archerfield.

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It appears to have flown down to Emerald Airport the previous day from Townsville via Mackay and Clermont Airports.

Meanwhile, also on Tuesday 13 May, Seair Pacific / Istlecote Cessna 208B Grand Caravan EX VH-MIF arrived into Rockhampton Airport from Hervey Bay (Fraser Coast) and Maryborough Airports before then flying to Middlemount Aerodrome and back to Rocky. 

UPDATE!  On Wednesday 14 May, VH-MIF departed Rockhampton Airport and flew to the Labona Station Airstrip within Adani Australia's (Bravus Mining & Resources) Carmichael Coal Mine site and back to Rocky before then flying down to Gladstone Airport and then Hervey Bay Airport. 

During the afternoon, Air Link (Dubbo) Beech B200 King Air VH-ISS and Cleveland Bay Aviation Piper PA-31-350 Navajo Chieftain VH-XMC both flew down from Townsville to Rockhampton Airport before then flying out to Labona.

RDO Equipment Co. Pilatus PC-12/47 VH-WPH landed at Emerald Airport from Toowoomba and this afternoon departed to Archerfield. 

UPDATES!  On Thursday 15 May, VH-WPH visited Bundaberg Airport from Toowoomba.  Then on Friday 16 May, VH-WPH flew up from Toowoomba to Bundaberg Airport and then Emerald Airport before then flying back to Toowoomba.

While Air Gold Coast Cessna 525 Citation CJ1 bizjet VH-CDG visited Clermont Aerodrome from Archerfield via Dalby.  Of interest, it appears to be being utilized by those that usually fly in Bowenville based (operated by Real Time Aviation - Brisbane) Cessna 525 CitationJet CJ1+ bizjet VH-JSZ which seems to be grounded at Mount Isa since last month.

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

Local Embraer EMB-550 Legacy 500 Bizjet N142GZ Back in The Air out of Mackay Airport - Plus More!

On Thursday 8 May, the locally-based Embraer EMB-550 Legacy 500 bizjet N142GZ was back in the air, noted departing Mackay Airport for Brisbane.  It later flew back to Mackay Airport.

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While Queensland Government (QGAir) Rescue (State of Queensland) Leonardo S.P.A. Helicopter (Agusta) AW139 helicopter VH-EGK ferried North from Archerfield to Townsville via Rockhampton Airport.

Finally, also on Thursday 8 May, what appeared to be a Heli-Biz helicopter safari departed the Whitsunday Airport at Shute Harbour for Charters Towers Aerodrome and points further to the North West.

Helicopters participating looked to include:

- Victoria-based Robinson R44s VH-NIK and VH-XUN and Robinson R66s VH-LHG, VH-IGP and VH-AD6.

- New South Wales-based Robinson R44s VH-KNK and VH-JGO and Robinson R66s VH-VVY and VH-E9S.

- Queensland-based Robinson R44 VH-8BT and Robinson R66 VH-CSG.

- Eurocopter EC120 VH-KHR was also part of the group.

Photo taken by Dan B  ©

Various Civil Helicopters Depart Rockhampton Airport - And Other CQ Places - To Arrive at the Sunshine Coast to form the 'Energex Aviation Crew' to Assist with TC Alfred Clean-up - Plus More!

On Saturday 8 March, a heap of different helicopters departed Rockhampton Airport (mostly) and other parts all heading South to the Sunshine Coast.  It is reported they are forming the 'Energex Aviation Crew' to assist with the relief efforts following Tropical Cyclone Alfred.

Forster Helicopters (Townsville) Airbus Helicopters AS 350 B3 VH-KFT

Executive Helicopters Eurocopter AS 350 B3 Squirrel helicopters VH-YQK and VH-DTS.

Omni Executive (Canberra) Eurocopter AS 350 B3 Squirrel helicopter VH-AB3.

Stirling Helicopters Aerospatiale / Eurocopter AS.350 B2 Squirrel helicopters VH-LBT and VH-LGG.

APA Helicopters Eurocopter AS350B3 VH-83Q.

Rotorco Eurocopter AS 350 B3 Squirrel helicopter VH-LDH.

Cloncurry Mustering Services Robinson R66 VH-8C4. 

All of these helicopters flew down from Rockhampton Airport via either Hervey Bay (Fraser Coast) Airport or Bundaberg Airport before continuing to the Sunshine Coast.

Bush Heli-Services Bell 407 VH-8BU flew down from Clermont to Hervey Bay (Fraser Coast) Airport and then the Sunshine Coast.

 
Meanwhile, also on Saturday 8 March, QantasLink (Alliance Airlines) Embraer E-190 VH-UZK flew down from Cairns to Mackay Airport and then Rockhampton Airport as QFA1793 before it then departed to Townsville as QFA1790.

Alliance Airlines Fokker F-70 VH-NUU as UTY9820 arrived into Rockhampton Airport from Brisbane.

And Skytrans Airlines Dash-8-100 VH-QQI popped into Hervey Bay (Fraser Coast) Airport, arriving from Townsville and departing to Cairns as SKP902/3.

Photos taken by Alan Macdonald and James Hackett  ©

American-Registered Pilatus PC-12/47E (NG) N175NG Pops into Rockhampton Airport - Plus More!

On Tuesday 4 March, American-registered but seemingly Australian-based Pilatus PC-12/47E (NG) N175NG popped into Rockhampton Airport.

It was spotted arriving from Archerfield before it then departed to Julia Creek.

UPDATE!  On Wednesday 5 March, N175NG arrived back into Rockhampton Airport from Julia Creek and then departed to Archerfield. 

Meanwhile, also on Tuesday 4 March, Bowenville based (operated by Real Time Aviation - Brisbane) Cessna 525 CitationJet CJ1+ bizjet VH-JSZ visited Rockhampton Airport from Archerfield.  It also looked to visit Natal Downs from Archerfield via Dalby on Monday 3 March.

Little Wings (NSW) Beech 58 Baron VH-VSA arrived into Rockhampton Airport from Archerfield before later returning there but via Gladstone Airport.

And LifeFlight Agusta A109SP helicopter VH-XNR arrived into Bundaberg Airport from Archerfield.

Plus NQ Heli Worx Eurocopter EC135 T2 helicopter VH-MVY arrived into Rockhampton Airport from the North and then departed to Bundaberg Airport and further South.

Finally, also on Tuesday 4 March, some light General Aviation (GA) aircraft and helicopters began re-positioning away from the South-East corner of the state to seek shelter away from the impending arrival of Tropical Cyclone Alfred.

Executive Helicopters Eurocopter AS 350 B3 Squirrel helicopters VH-YQK and then VH-DTS both arrived into Rockhampton Airport from Archerfield.

And Omni Executive (Canberra) Eurocopter AS 350 B3 Squirrel helicopter VH-AB3 also arrived into Rockhampton Airport from Archerfield.

All photos taken by Steve Vit  ©

Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) Boeing B737-7ES / E-7A Wedgetail A30-004 "Wedgetail 12" Completes Airwork at Hervey Bay (Fraser Coast) Airport - Plus More!

On Thursday 27 February, Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) Boeing B737-7ES / E-7A Wedgetail Airborne Early Warning & Control (AEW&C) aircraft A30-004 as "Wedgetail 12" was noted completing airwork, including a missed approach, at Hervey Bay (Fraser Coast) Airport.

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It looked to flew up from RAAF Base Williamtown via a missed approach at Coffs Harbour before then flying back to Williamtown.

Meanwhile, also on Thursday 27 February, the two Australian Army Eurocopter (ARH) Tiger Armed Reconnaissance Helicopters A38-007 and A38-008 that flew North a week or-so prior, returned to Rockhampton Airport from Townsville again as "Marlin 11". They then departed to the Oakey Army Aviation Centre.

And Australian Army (Helicorp) Leonardo S.P.A. Helicopters (Agusta) AW139 helicopter VH-YBF was spotted at Rockhampton Airport while ferrying South from Townsville to the Oakey Army Aviation Centre.

It was heard to be flying as "Warhorse 1".

Sincere thanks to local photographer Steve V for allowing us to share these great photos!

Photos taken by Scott Harris and Steve Vit  ©

Australian Army Boeing CH-47F Chinook Helicopter A15-312 "Madcow 362" Spotted at Mackay Airport on Rescue Mission for Army Tiger ARH Helicopter at Clairview

On Sunday 23 February, Australian Army Boeing CH-47F 'Foxtrot' Chinook helicopter A15-312 as "Madcow 362" flew down from Townsville to Clairview between Rockhampton and Mackay.  

It is believed that it flew down the coast at low level and landed at Clairview to assist with getting a stranded Australian Army Eurocopter (ARH) Tiger Armed Reconnaissance Helicopter A38-007 "Marlin 11" back in the air after a forced landed on Friday 21 February.  The Tiger was one of two that flew North on Friday from the Oakey Army Aviation Centre to Rockhampton Airport and then Townsville.

Later, A15-302 "Madcow 362" flew into Mackay Airport where it was photographed above.  It later departed back down to Clairview before later flying back to Townsville in company with the Tiger A38-007 "Marlin 11" which also headed up to Townsville.

Meanwhile, also on Sunday 23 February, Darwin-based Lloyd Aviation Jet Charter Dassault Falcon 900 bizjet VH-PPD flew into Hamilton Island Airport from Ayres Rock.  It had flown there from Melbourne (Essendon) a couple days prior

UPDATE!  On Wednesday 26 February, VH-PPD departed Hamo for Sydney.

Vee H Aviation (Link Airways) Beech B200GT Super King Air 250 VH-VEW flew up from Brisbane to the Newlands Coal Mine site and then down to Rockhampton Airport and back to Brisbane. 

UPDATE!  On Monday 24 February, VH-VEW landed at Clermont Aerodrome from Brisbane before then heading to the Newlands Coal Mine site and then down to Moree. 

Finally, on Saturday 22 February, Alliance Airlines Fokker F-100 VH-XWO completed a sports charter flight from Cairns to Rockhampton Airport and then back as UTY3381/2.

And Skytrans Airlines Cessna 208 Caravan VH-XDU as 'SKP591' passed through Rockhampton Airport while flying down from Cairns to Redcliffe.

A Pair of Australian Army Tiger ARH Helicopters Pass Through Rockhampton Airport Heading North - But One Makes Forced Landing near Clairview

On Friday 21 February, a pair of Australian Army Eurocopter (ARH) Tiger Armed Reconnaissance Helicopters were spotted passing through Rockhampton Airport. They were identified as A38-008 and A38-007 and looked to arrive from the Oakey Army Aviation Centre.

Both Tigers later departed heading to Townsville, but it seems only A38-008 made it with A38-007 seemingly making a forced landed around the Clairview area, mid-way between Rockhampton and Mackay.

Of interest, the two Tigers were heard to be using the radio callsign of "Marlin" ("Marlin 11/12") which of reportedly of the Australian Army's 162 Reconnaissance Squadron, which forms part of the Army’s 1st Aviation Regiment (1 AVN) based at Robertson Barracks in Darwin.

Sincere thanks to local photographer Steve V for allowing us to share these great photos!

All photos taken by Steve Vit  ©

Air Gold Coast Cessna 525A CitationJet CJ2 bizjet VH-ZDM Pops into Hamilton Island Airport - Plus More!

On Wednesday 12 February, Air Gold Coast Cessna 525A CitationJet CJ2 bizjet VH-ZDM visited Hamilton Island Airport from the Gold Coast.

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Parker Aviation Ventures (Sydney) / Air Link (Dubbo) Embraer EMB-500 Phenom bizjet VH-PNM flew up from Archerfield and Brisbane to Hamilton Island Airport before later returning directly to Archerfield.

Australian Maritime Safety Authority (AMSA) (Cobham SAR Services Pty Ltd) Bombardier CL-600-2B16 Challenger 604 bizjet VH-XNC as "Rescue 440" flew down from Cairns to complete some aerial surveillance / search work South of Roma.  It then landed at Emerald Airport to refuel before returning to Cairns.

UPDATE!  On Thursday 13 February, VH-XNC "Rescue 440" flew back down to the search area near Roma and completed more airwork while on a flight out of and back to Cairns.

Meanwhile, also on Wednesday 12 February. Poolhurst Aviation Air Charter Services Pilatus PC-12/47E VH-PDE, which had landed at Planet Downs yesterday, departed there back to Archerfield.

Hughes Aviation (Hughes Pastoral Group) (Gympie) Pilatus PC-12/47E NGX VH-8HP, which flew down from Keeroongooloo to Warwick and Toowoomba the previous day, flew out of Toowoomba to Warwick, Caldervale Station, Keeroongooloo and Tumbah Station this morning, continued on to Emerald Airport and then Tierawoomba.

Hinterland Aviation Beech B200 King Air VH-HLJ visited Rockhampton Airport from Cairns as HND455.

And APA Helicopters Eurocopter AS350B3 VH-83Q arrived into Rockhampton Airport from the South and parked at Stirling Helicopters.

Photo taken by Brodie Lawson  ©

DeGunst Transport P/L Textron (Cessna) 208 Caravan VH-NPZ Calls into Great Keppel Island - Plus More!

On Tuesday 24 December, DeGunst Transport P/L Textron (Cessna) 208 Caravan VH-NPZ flew up from Bundaberg Airport and landed on Great Keppel Island.  A bit later, it departed to Mackay Airport then back to Bundaberg Airport.

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Hughes Aviation Pilatus PC-12/47E VH-8HP hopped from Tierawoomba to Mackay Airport and this afternoon flew down to Bundaberg Airport then back to Mackay Airport.

While Julia Creek based Cessna U206G VH-WXJ was noted departing Mackay Airport for the West.

And Skyhook Helicopters (NSW) Eurocopter EC130B4 helicopter VH-VRD was noted departing Mackay Airport for the South.

Photo taken by Liam Richardson  ©