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.

File photo

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!

'New' Aerlink ATR 42-500 VH-FVZ Completes Training Flight into some CQ Airports - A First Visit!

On Friday 28 April, a 'new' airframe for a 'new' operator in the form of Aerlink (ex Hevilift) ATR 42-500 VH-FVZ was noted visiting some Central Queensland Airports on what appears to have been a training flight.

The ATR departed Brisbane as HT490 for Toowoomba-Wellcamp (where it was photographed above) before then continuing to Roma, Longreach and Emerald Airports as HT491.  VH-FVZ then flew to Rockhampton Airport as HT492 before returning to Brisbane as HT494.

Of interest, VH-FVZ was delivered to Hevilift (Aerlink) in Cairns in early December 2022 as N844AV as shown.  

It had previously operated for TAME (TAME EP Linea Aerea del Ecuador) and TAME Xpress as HC-CLT.

https://www.flickr.com/photos/aeroprints/

Finally, as mentioned previously, during 2022, the Brisbane-based Hevilift Australia (Fixed Wing Division) was reported to have re-branded as Aerlink. However, it wasn’t until mid-January 2023 that Hevilift official ceased operations and Aerlink commenced operations with the fleet of ATR 42 and ATR 72 turboprop aircraft transferring over.

Photos taken by Garry Wilkinson and Jonathan Williams  ©

Hevilift Australia Re-Brands as Aerlink – New and Painted ATR 72 VH-FVY Calls into Moranbah Airport on FIFO Duties

During 2022, Brisbane-based Hevilift Australia (fixed Wing Division) was reported to have re-branded as Aerlink. However, it wasn’t until mid-January 2023 that Hevilift official ceased operations and Aerlink commenced operations with the fleet of ATR 42 and ATR 72 turboprop aircraft transferring over.

And the first aircraft operating in Aerlink colours has started flying into Central Queensland with ATR 72-500 VH-FVY commencing Fly-in Fly-out (FIFO) operations from Brisbane to and back from Moranbah Airport on Tuesday 7 March as HT725/6.

VH-FVY was ferried into Brisbane from Subang, Malaysia via Port Hedland in mid-January as 2-LUDO. It previously operated for Malaysia Airline’s low-cost subsidiary Firefly as 9M-FYE.  It was then registered at VH-FVY and ferried to Cairns where it was re-painted.

VH-FVY joins four other ATR 72 aircraft - some of which were previously operated by Virgin Australia (Virgin Australia Regional Airlines [VARA] / Skywest Airlines) – VH-FVH, FVI (ex OY-CLU/VH-YWV), VH-FVL and VH-FVM, plus three ATR 42 aircraft VH FVZ (ex HC-CLT/N844AV), VH-YWX (ex P2-AVV) and VH-YWU which is former Toll Freight VH-TOQ and was photographed at Cairns Airport recently as shown below.

Of interest, former Hevilift Australia ATR 42 aircraft VH-TOX – which was also previously operated by Toll Freight Aviation – and VH-YWH are in long term storage with a recent photo of VH-YWH at Cairns Airport showing the aircraft being used as a source of spare parts.

Photos taken by Lloyd Fox and Jonathan Williams  ©

Hevilift Australia (Fixed Wing Division) ATR 72-500 VH-FVI Calls into Rockhampton Airport - Plus More!

Late on Friday 25 November, Hevilift Australia (Fixed Wing Division) ATR 72-500 VH-FVI was noted arriving into Rockhampton Airport from Horn Island as HT710.  It had earlier flown up to there from Townsville.

File photo

Then on Saturday 26 November, VH-FVI departed Rockhampton Airport and returned to Horn Island but as HT718.  It then flew down to Brisbane as HT719.  

This appears to be a school charter, ferrying students home for the school holidays. 

Meanwhile, also on Saturday 26 November, Metro Holdings Australia / Air Link (Dubbo) Piper PA-31-350 VH-IGK flew up from Archerfield to land at the Whitsunday Airport at Shute Harbour.

UPDATE!  On Sunday 27 November, VH-IGK departed the Whitsunday Airport at Shute Harbour and returned to Archerfield.

It is believed it ferried up engineers to start preparing Cessna 510 Citation Mustang VH-FNI which has been acquired by Air Link and which has remained in a hangar at the Whitsunday Airport at Shute Harbour since its 'incident' in April this year.

Elsewhere in the region, Brisbane-based Avcair Cessna 425 Conquest 1 VH-BSM arrived into Longreach Airport from its Archerfield base.  It has also visited Charleville and Miles Airports over the last week.

UPDATE!  On Sunday 27 November, VH-BSM departed Longreach Airport and returned to Archerfield.

Southern Airlines Cessna 441 VH-YFD was again noted completing aerial survey work out of Emerald Airport.

Aerometrex Vulcanair (Partenavia) VH-EPX completed a local aerial survey flight out of and back to Rockhampton Airport.

Liddle's Air Service Partenavia P.68C VH-PNW completed an aerial survey flight out of Hervey Bay (Fraser Coast) Airport up to Bundaberg Airport.  It then flew down to Caloundra via more survey work.

Flight Training Adelaide (FTA) / Qantas Group Pilot Academy Diamond DA-40 Star training aircraft VH-YTU and VH-YTW both flew up from Toowoomba-Wellcamp to land at Hervey Bay (Fraser Coast) Airport.  They both then departed to Wondai and then back to Wellcamp.

Australian Flight Operations (Canberra) Pilatus PC-12/47E VH-YQJ was noted calling into Bundaberg Airport after it flew up from the Shellharbour Airport at Woolongong.  It also has been known to complete 'anonymous' aerial survey flights.

While also calling into Bundaberg Airport was Airflite / Commonwealth of Australia (Cadets Branch - Air Force) Diamond DA 40 NG Star VH-UEL as "Astra 221" flying from and back to RAAF Base Amberley. 

Brisbane-based Hewitt Cattle Australia P/L SOCATA TBM 700 VH-PGA made an early departure from Moura Aerodrome to Archerfield before then continuing to Narrandera, Griffith and Mudgee.

ZephAir Australia Piper PA-34-220T Seneca VH-YSI once again looked to arrive into Proserpine (Whitsunday Coast) Airport from Townsville. It then completed a local flight before returning to its Townsville base.

Cessna 208B Supervan 900 Skydiving Aircraft VH-XLF arrived into Roma Airport from Wilton before then departing to the Lakeside Airpark where it seems to have commenced 'operations'.

And Townsville-based NQ Heli-Worx (Meridan Helicopters) Aerospatiale AS350 B2 Squirrel helicopter VH-MHE as "Energy 401" took off from Parkhurst (Rockhampton) and completed powerline inspections around the Rockhampton area. 

Photo taken by John Lee  ©

Hevilift Australia (Fixed Wing Division) ATR 72-500 VH-FVI Calls into Bundaberg Airport - Plus More!

On Sunday 7 August, Hevilift Australia (Fixed Wing Division) ATR 72-500 VH-FVI was spotted visiting Bundaberg Airport on a closed sports charter flight.  It arrived from Townsville as HT773 and appears to have brought the North Queensland Cowboys Rugby League team to town for a game.

VH-FVI is due to return to Townsville later but as HT774.

Hevilift ATR 72 FVI as Hevilift 773 landed at Bundaberg from Townsville. It is due to depart later.

Also noted visiting Bundaberg Airport, also on Sunday 7 August, was RDO Equipment Co. (ex Vanderfield) Pilatus PC-12/47 VH-WPH.  It arrived from Toowoomba via Inverell, Archerfield and Gympie.

While Far North Queensland-based Piper PA-46-350P VH-NYP departed Chinchilla Aerodrome for Townsville.  It had arrived on Thursday 4 August.

Auslink Aviation / Aircrew Training and Support Diamond DA 42 NG VH-XHN visited Maryborough Airport from its Archerfield base via Kingaroy.

And Austrek Aviation Beech B200 Super King Air VH-ZGD called into Longreach Airport from Toowoomba and Archerfield.  It then departed to Mount Isa before later returning to Toowoomba.

Meanwhile, also on Sunday 7 August, several light General Aviation (GA) aircraft were noted and spotted visiting the Whitsunday Airport at Shute Harbour - including members of the Sydney Social Flying Group while on their Cape York Air Safari.

New South Wales-based Cessna 182R Skylane VH-NVB 

Booroobil Pastoral Company Piper PA-28-181 Archer III VH-NLC 

Victoria-based Beech A36 Bonanza VH-BBA 

Bankstown Flying School Cessna 172M Skyhawk II VH-JZJ

Also Caboolture-based Piper PA-32-300 Cherokee VH-SVI, A.C.T.-based Cessna 172N Skyhawk VH-NYK and West Wing Aviation / Helicopters Townsville Beech 58 Baron VH-ABP were also noted visiting.

And after arriving several days earlier, Australia Skydive Cessna 208 Caravan VH-YMV was also photographed resting on the Shute Harbour apron.

Finally, also up in the Whitsundays, also on Sunday 8 August, Jampair P/L (Navair Flight Operations) Embraer EMB-505 Phenom 300E bizjet VH-NSQ was noted flying down from Townsville to Bankstown before then flying back up to Proserpine (Whitsunday Coast) Airport.  It then flew down to Mackay Airport and stayed.

UPDATE!  On Wednesday 10 August, VH-NSQ departed Mackay Airport and flew back up to Proserpine (Whitsunday Coast) Airport before then departing back to Bankstown. 

And Pionair Australia British Aerospace BAe-146-200 VH-SYO was noted arriving into Hamilton Island Airport from Cairns and Horn Island as SFZ9062/611 as what appears to be a closed tourist charter flight continues and returns to the region.

As mentioned below, it passed through Longreach Airport last week.

UPDATE!  On Tuesday 9 August, VH-SYO departed Hamilton Island Airport for Brisbane, Sydney and Bankstown.

Photos taken by Dan B and Lee Holloway  ©️

Hevilift Australia ATR 72-500 VH-FVL Calls into Roma Airport - Plus More!

On Saturday 23 July, Hevilift Australia ATR 72-500 VH-FVL was noted arriving into Roma Airport as HT701/2.  At the time of writing, it appears to be staying for at least the night.

File photo

UPDATE!  On Sunday 24 July, VH-FVL departed Roma Airport and returned to the Gold Coast and then Brisbane as HT709/10.

Another closed charter flight into the region, also on Saturday 23 July, looked to be completed by Alliance Airlines Fokker F-70 VH-NKQ which was noted completing a day-trip into Longreach Airport from and back to Brisbane as UTY6482/3.

Meanwhile, also on Saturday 23 July, Avcair (Avgunn) LearJet 60 bizjet VH-ILJ completed a pre-dawn visit to Rockhampton Airport from Brisbane.

And re-registered Arcturus Group P/L / Flight Options (Australia) Dassault Falcon 2000EX bizjet VH-EWB arrived into Hervey Bay (Fraser Coast) Airport from Sydney.

UPDATE!  On Monday 25 July, VH-EWB departed Hervey Bay Airport and returned to Sydney.

Finally, also on Saturday 23 July, there were numerous light General Aviation (GA) visitors to the region.

New South Wales-based Piper PA-46-500TP Malibu Meridian VH-WME called into Emerald Airport, arriving from the Gold Coast and departing to Sweers Island.

UPDATE!  On Wednesday 27 July, VH-WME called back into Emerald Airport, arriving from Normanton and departing to the Gold Coast.

RDO Equipment Co. (ex Vanderfield) Cessna 182 VH-JQC flew from Emerald Airport to the North and then back.  It seems to be currently based at Emerald Airport.

Beech A36 Bonanza VH-ILG flew from Mackay Airport to Gympie having flown in from there the previous day.

Cairns-based Hawker Beechcraft G36 Bonanza VH-IAG flew South from the Whitsunday Airport at Shute Harbour to Gladstone Airport and the Ballina / Byron Bay Gateway Airport.

ZephAir Australia Piper PA-34-220T Seneca VH-YSI flew up from Gladstone Airport to Biloela / Thangool Airport before then continuing to Mackay Airport.

And Eastern Air Link (Eastern Air Services) Piper PA-31-350 Chieftain VH-NMP departed Longreach Airport for Roma Airport and then Archerfield.  It looks to be on a closed tourist charter flight, having departed its Port Macquarie base for Archerfield around a week ago.

UPDATE!  On Sunday 24 July, VH-NMP departed Archerfield and returned to Port Macquarie.

Photo taken by Dan B  ©

Hevilift Australia (Fixed Wing Division) ATR 72-500 VH-FVI Calls into Rockhampton Airport - Plus More!

On Saturday 11 June, Hevilift Australia (Fixed Wing Division) ATR 72-500 VH-FVI was noted visiting Rockhampton Airport presumably on a closed sports charter flight.  

File photo

It arrived from and then later returned back to Townsville as HT701/2.

While departing Rockhampton Airport, also on Saturday 11 June, was Skyline Aviation Group Beech B200 King Air VH-NGL.  It had arrived from its Lake Macquarie base on Thursday 9 June and departed to Cairns on Saturday.

UPDATE!  On Sunday 12 June, VH-NGL departed Cairns for the USA, eventually arriving into Newton-City-County Airport on Thursday 16 June (USA time).

And Piper PA-46-350P Malibu Mirage VH-KNV departed its Rockhampton Airport base for the Sunshine Coast, Emerald and Mount Isa Airports before continuing up to the North-West corner of the State.

UPDATE!  On Sunday 12 June, VH-KNV returned South, calling into Quilpie and Rolleston Airports before then returning to Rockhampton Airport.

Meanwhile, also on Saturday 11 June, Brisbane-based Avcair Cessna 425 Conquest 1 VH-BSM flew into Longreach Airport from Archerfield.  At the time of writing, it is due to return there on Sunday 12 June.

And Brisbane-based Bishopp Aviation SOCATA TBM-700 VH-VSV visited Mackay Airport from Archerfield.

Finally, also on Saturday 11 June, two Flight Training Adelaide (FTA) / Qantas Group Pilot Academy Diamond DA-40 Star training aircraft VH-YTB and VH-YTK were noted visiting both Gladstone and Hervey Bay (Fraser Coast) Airports while on a busy day of flying out of and back to their Toowoomba-Wellcamp base.

BRM Aero Bristell NG-5 VH-YUV passed through Gladstone Airport while flying from its Gold Coast base to the Whitsunday Airport at Shute Harbour.

And Victoria-based Cirrus SR22 VH-SDA also passed through Gladstone Airport while heading from the Gold Coast to Mackay Airport.

Photo taken by John Lee  ©

Skytrans Dash-8 VH-QQC and Hevilift ATR 72 VH-FVI Both Spotted at Rockhampton Airport on Sports Charter Flights from Cairns

Also on Saturday 7 May, a nice pair of turboprop visitors were spotted at Rockhampton Airport, with both believed to be operating sports charters for both Far North Queensland-based Rugby League and Basketball teams.

Skytrans Airlines Dash-8-100 VH-QQC arrived from Cairns as SKP953 and looked to be staying for the night.

UPDATE!  On Sunday 8 May, VH-QQC departed Rockhampton Airport for Mackay Airport before then later returning to Cairns as SKP954/5.

While Hevilift Australia (Fixed Wing Division) ATR 72-500 VH-FVI arrived also from Townville and then Cairns but as HT712/3.  

It later returned to Cairns as HT714 before then returning to Townsville as HT762.

Sincere thanks to local plane spotter John L for taking the time to capture and send through these great photos!

All photos taken by John Lee  ©️

Hevilift Australia (Fixed Wing Division) (ex Toll) ATR 42-320F VH-TOQ Pops into Mackay Airport

An interesting visitor to Mackay Airport on Monday 18 April was Hevilift Australia (Fixed Wing Division) (ex Toll Freight Aviation) ATR 42-320F Freighter VH-TOQ.

File photo

It is unclear as to why the ATR visited, but it arrived into Mackay Airport from Brisbane as HT402 before continuing up to Townsville and then Cairns as HT404/6.  VH-TOQ then returned to Brisbane but as HT403.

VH-TOQ has of late, completed week-nightly freight flights between Brisbane, Bankstown and Melbourne (Tullamarine).  It operated under the 'Toll Freight' radio callsign but is owned and operated by Hevilift Australia.

Hevilift also operates fellow ATR 42-320F Freighter VH-YWX with it currently flying up and down the Queensland coast each weekday between Brisbane and Townsville.

File photo

Sadly, another ATR 42-320F Freighter VH-TOX remains parked at Brisbane and has flown since February.

Photos taken by Brodie Lawson and Lloyd Fox  ©

Air Charter Services / Flight Options (Australia) Embraer EMB-505 Phenom 300 Bizjet VH-VKX Calls into Proserpine (Whitsunday Coast) Airport - Plus More!

On Sunday 3 April, Air Charter Services / Flight Options (Australia) Embraer EMB-505 Phenom 300 bizjet VH-VKX was noted visiting Proserpine (Whitsunday Coast) Airport.

File photo

It looked to fly up from Brisbane and then depart to Alice Springs before then returning to the Queensland capital.

Meanwhile, also on Sunday 3 April, Graham Aviation (Cairns) Cessna 510 Citation Mustang bizjet VH-FNI looked to visit Hamilton Island Airport from Mareeba and Cairns.

Skytrans Airlines Dash-8-100 VH-QQI also visited Hamilton Island Airport also from Cairns as SKP960/1.  This appears to have been a closed charter flight.

While Hevilift Australia (Fixed Wing Division) ATR 72-500 VH-FVI was noted visiting Mackay Airport presumably on a closed charter flight.  It arrived from Townsville as HT709 and later departed to Cairns as HT710.

Finally, also on Sunday 3 April, four Flight Training Adelaide (FTA) / Qantas Group Pilot Academy Diamond DA-40 Star training aircraft were noted visiting the region after flying up from their Toowoomba-Wellcamp facility.  

VH-EQV, VH-ERE and VH-DIV all flew up from Wellcamp to Hervey Bay (Fraser Coast) and Rockhampton Airports before then returning to Wellcamp.

While VH-YTR flew up from Wellcamp to Hervey Bay and Gladstone Airports before then departing back to Wellcamp.

And Avcair Embraer 500 Phenom 100EV bizjet VH-NJR looked to visit Maryborough Airport from its Brisbane base.

Photo taken by 'AC'  ©

Hevilift Australia ATR 72-500 VH-FVL Makes Emergency Landing at Bundaberg Airport While Enroute from Moranbah Airport to Brisbane

Late on Thursday 20 January, Hevilift Australia ATR 72-500 VH-FVL diverted into Bundaberg Airport while flying a closed Fly-in Fly-out (FIFO) charter flight as HT728 from Moranbah Airport to Brisbane Airport.

It was reported that the diversion was caused by "smoke in the cabin" however, a Hevilift spokesperson said no smoke or fire was observed in the cockpit or cabin.  It was reported on Friday 21 January, that the pilots were alerted to an electrical faulty and detected an electrical odour in the cockpit.

VH-FVL landed at Bundaberg Airport and was greeted by multiple emergency crews.  The four crew members and 19 passengers on board were provided with accommodation after landing.

After engineers inspected the aircraft, it was cleared to fly back to Brisbane and during the afternoon on Friday 21 January, VH-FVL positioned to Brisbane as HT707.

Meanwhile, also on Friday 21 January, it appears that the passengers were transported to Brisbane on board Alliance Airlines Fokker F-70 jet VH-NKU which looked to complete a closed charter flight to Bundaberg Airport from and back to Brisbane as UTY8460/1.

Sincere thanks to Hayden M-A and Dan B from Dan Beck Photography for allowing us to share these great photos!

Photos taken by Hayden Matthew Alexander and Dan B  ©

Hevilift Australia (former Virgin Australia) ATR 72-500 VH-FVL Calls into Moranbah Airport

New year, new aircraft to spot!

On Friday 7 January, Hevilift Australia (Fixed Wing Division) ATR 72-500 VH-FVL was noted visiting Moranbah Airport on one of their week-daily Fly-in Fly-out (FIFO) charter flights from and back to Brisbane as HT721/2.

File photo

VH-FVL had only flown down to Brisbane from Cairns and Townsville the previous day after spending the previous couple of months in Far North Queensland since it entered service with charter airline in October.

The former Virgin Australia ATR 72 had departed Australia in July 2017 for storage at Nelson in New Zealand.  It returned to Australia via Brisbane and then Cairns in early March 2020.  

VH-FVL remained parked at Cairns and was photographed in June 2021 looking slightly worse for wear.

https://www.facebook.com/DanielFollet

VH-FVL was then photographed in late September 2021 (above) soon after being rolled out of the hangar in the full titles and livery of Hevilift Australia.  

It looked to enter service with Hevilift on closed Fly-in Fly-out (FIFO) charter flights between Townsville and Osborne Mine and also Cairns and Mount Gordon Copper Mine.

Photo taken by Jonathan Williams  ©️

Re-registered Hevilift Australia ATR 72-500 VH-FVI (ex VH-YWV) Calls into Moranbah Airport - Plus VH-FVL Officially Starts with Hevilift in Far North Queensland

On Thursday 11 November, Hevilift Australia (Fixed Wing Division) ATR 72-500 VH-FVI was noted arriving into Moranbah Airport on one of their week-daily Fly-in Fly-out (FIFO) charter flights from Brisbane as HT727.

Then on Friday 12 November, VH-FVI returned to Brisbane as HT728 before operating back to Moranbah Airport and back to Brisbane as HT721/2.

Research reveals this ATR 72 to be previously registered as VH-YWV which was operated by Hevilift Australia from mid-2020 after it was delivered to the airline in Brisbane as OY-CLU.  The final flight the ATR 72 took as VH-YWV was on a closed charter flight to and from Birdsville and then Ayres Rock (Yulara) starting at Brisbane and then Rockhampton Airports in early October.

Meanwhile, Hevilift Australia has taken (official) delivery of fellow ATR 72-500 VH-FVL at Cairns.

The former Virgin Australia ATR 72 had departed Australia in July 2017 for storage at Nelson in New Zealand.  It returned to Australia via Brisbane and then Cairns in early March 2020.  

VH-FVL remained parked at Cairns and was photographed in June 2021 looking slightly worse for wear.

https://www.facebook.com/DanielFollet

VH-FVL was then photographed in late September 2021 soon after being rolled out of the hangar in the full titles and livery of Hevilift Australia.  It looked to enter service with Hevilift on closed Fly-in Fly-out (FIFO) charter flights between Townsville and Osborne Mine and also Cairns and Mount Gordon Copper Mine.

File photo

We are yet to see VH-FVL in Central Queensland.

Photos taken by Lloyd Fox and Jonathan Williams  ©️

Hevilift Australia ATR 72-500 VH-YWV Pops into Rockhampton Airport on Closed Charter Flight to the Red Centre!

Friday 8 October, Hevilift Australia (Fixed Wing Division) ATR 72-500 VH-YWV was noted arriving into Rockhampton Airport. It touched down from Townsville as HT715.

File photo

It then departed Rockhampton Airport for Birdsville and then Ayres Rock (Yulara) on what appears to be a closed charter flight, again as HT715.

VH-YWV is expected to return to Rockhampton Airport from Ayres Rock (Yulara) on Sunday 10 October Monday 11 October.

UPDATE!  Late on Monday 11 October, VH-YWV returned to Rockhampton Airport from Ayres Rock (Yulara) and Thargomindah as HT716.  It is expected to return to then depart to Brisbane early on Tuesday 12 October,

Photo taken by Lloyd Fox  ©

Hevilift Australia ATR 72-500 VH-FVM Calls into Rockhampton Airport on NRL Sports Charter

On Saturday 31 July, the South Sydney Rabbitohs National Rugby League team touched down at Rockhampton Airport on board Hevilift Australia (Fixed Wing Division) ATR 72-500 VH-FVM after it flew up from Brisbane and the Gold Coast as HT705.

File photo

However, with strict lockdowns announced for the South-East corner while they were enroute, the NRL decided to cancel the proposed game that was to be held in the beef capital later on Saturday. So VH-FVM was refuelled and promptly departed back to the Gold Coast and then Brisbane but as HT706.

Of interest, the St. George Illawarra Dragons were on the tarmac in Brisbane on board Pionair Australia British Aerospace BAe-146-200 VH-SAZ which was also due to call into Rockhampton Airport, also on Saturday 31 July, but didn’t take off which the Dragons’ players instead returning to their hotel.

Photo taken by Steve Vit  ©️

Hevilift Australia ATR 72-500 VH-FVM Spotted at Rockhampton Airport on Weekend Sports Charter

On Saturday 12 June, Hevilift Australia (Fixed Wing Division) ATR 72-500 VH-FVM was spotted on the ground at Rockhampton Airport.  It had earlier arrived from Brisbane as HT701.

VH-FVM looked to load and then transport the players and officials of the local Central Queensland (CQ) Capras Rugby League team up to Townsville as HT705.

After the Capras were beaten soundly by the Townsville Blackhawks Rugby League team in the Queensland Rugby League (QRL) Intrust Super Cup competition, VH-FVM was due to return to Rockhampton Airport and then Archerfield as HT706/702.

Photo taken by Steve Vit  ©️

New Hevilift Express / Hevilift Australia (Fixed Wing Division) ATR 42-320F VH-YWX Calls into Rockhampton and Mackay Airports

On Monday 29 March, an interesting first-time visitor to Central Queensland in the form of Hevilift Express / Hevilift Australia (Fixed Wing Division) ATR 42-320F Freighter VH-YWX was spotted visiting Rockhampton and Mackay Airports while completing a series of training flights between Brisbane and Cairns.

It initially flew up to Rockhampton Airport from Brisbane as 'HT401' / "Hevilift 401" before then continuing up to Mackay Airport as 'HT402' / "Hevilift 402".

VH-YWX then continued up to Townsville and Cairns. as HT403/4.

VH-YWX was registered to Hevilift Australia (Fixed Wing Division) in November 2020 after previously being registered to Hevilift (Papua New Guinea) as P2-AVV.  The almost 29-year-old ATR has been a long-term resident at Cairns Airport having being stored there since 2014.

Prior to its arrival into Cairns, the ATR was operated by Airlink in Papua New Guinea as P2-ALA and before this, it operated in Algeria with Khalifa Airways as F-OHRO and (British Airways) Cityflyer Express as G-BUEB.

Nice!

Sincere thanks to local plane spotter Steve V for allowing us to share this great photo of a great first-time visitor to Rockhampton Airport!

Photo taken by Steve Vit  ©

Hevilift Australia ATR 72-500 VH-YWV Pops into Mackay Airport

Late on Monday 18 January, Hevilift Australia (Fixed Wing Division) ATR 72-500 VH-YWV was noted arriving into Mackay Airport.  It touched down from Townsville as HT701.

VH-YWV was photographed early on Tuesday 19 January, short before it then returned to Townsville, again as HT701.

Reports suggest that it flew personnel and equipment into Mackay in preparation for the approaching Tropical Cyclone Kimi.

Of interest, this is the first time we've spotted VH-YWV in Central Queensland since it was painted into the Hevilift Australia colours some time during the latter part of 2020.  

As mentioned previously, VH-YWV was registered to Hevilift Australia at the start of April 2020 after it was delivered to the airline in Brisbane registered as OY-CLU to Nordic Aviation Capital in late March.

Photo taken by 'JM'  ©

Queensland Government Airwing Raytheon Hawker 850XP Bizjet VH-SGY Departs Rockhampton Airport - Plus More!

After arriving the previous day, on Thursday 15 October, the Queensland Government Airwing (State of Queensland) Raytheon Hawker 850XP bizjet VH-SGY was noted departing Rockhampton Airport for Brisbane.

File photo

It had arrived from Gladstone Airport the previous day.

Meanwhile, spotted departing Rockhampton Airport, also on Thursday 15 October, was Hevilift Australia (Fixed Wing Division) ATR 72-500 VH-FVM.

It departed to Brisbane as HT706 after arriving from Hervey Bay (Fraser Coast) and Gladstone Airports on Tuesday 13 October.

I suspect it was flying in support of VH-SGY.

While another charter flight visiting Rockhampton Airport, also on Thursday 15 October, was Regional Express (REX) SAAB 340B VH-ZRM.  It arrived from and later departed back to Brisbane flying on behalf of Pel-Air as PFY9880/9331.

Finally, a couple of light General Aviation (GA) visitors noted departing Rockhampton Airport, also on Thursday 15 October, included Raytheon A36 Bonanza VH-YGM which departed to Orange.  While Rockwell Commander 114 VH-WMM departed to Agnes Water.

All photos taken by Steve Vit  ©