Robindale Group / Air Link Cessna 510 Citation Mustang Bizjet VH-CMK Pops into Emerald Airport - Plus More!

On Wednesday 25 March, Robindale Group / Air Link Cessna 510 Citation Mustang bizjet VH-CMK visited Emerald Airport from the Sunshine Coast.  It had flown up from it Orange be the previous day and at the time of writing, it expected to return there on Thursday 26 March.

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While a couple of Pilatus PC-12s visited various places in Central Queensland.

S. Kidman & Co. Pilatus PC-12/47E NGX VH-SKW visited Winton Airport from Archerfield and Dalby.

And Hewitt Agribusiness (Brisbane) Pilatus PC-12/47E VH-8HG arrived into Rockhampton Airport from a property near Moura - possibly Degunnie - before it then departed to Wagga Wagga.  It had arrived into Rocky earlier in the week from Archerfield.

UPDATE!  Over the remainder of the week, VH-8HG flew between Rockhampton Airport and Alpha Aerodrome before continuing out to Longreach Airport and then back to Archerfield.  A busy week!

Meanwhile, also on Wednesday 25 March, R-Mach Aviation Extra EA 300L VH-LXT departed Rockhampton Airport for The Old Station farm.

Seair Pacific / Istlecote Cessna 208B Grand Caravan EX VH-MIF flew up from Hervey Bay (Fraser Coast) Airport to Middlemount Aerodrome and then down to Maryborough Airport and back to Hervey Bay Airport.

And McDermott Aviation Bell 214B-1 BigLifter VH-SZV (ex P2-MBH) landed at Mackay Airport from Townsville.

Photo taken by Ross Huntington  ©

NQ Heli-Worx (Townsville) Embraer EMB-500 Phenom 100 Bizjet VH-8GK at Hamilton Island Airport Multiple Times Over the Weekend! - Plus More!

Across the weekend, on both Saturday 21 February and Sunday 22 February, NQ Heli-Worx (Townsville) Embraer EMB-500 Phenom 100 bizjet VH-8GK was noted completing three flights between Townsville and Hamilton Island Airport.

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UPDATE!  Over the next week (and more) VH-8GK continued to complete daily (or more) runs between Townsville and Hamilton Island Airport.

Meanwhile, also on Saturday 21 February, Graham Aviation (Cairns) Cessna 510 Citation Mustang bizjet VH-FMZ visited Hamilton Island Airport from Mareeba and Cairns.

McDermott Aviation Group / Machjet International Cessna 525A CitationJet CJ2 bizjet VH-SUY as "Machflight 38" completed airwork at Maryborough Airport and Hervey Bay (Fraser Coast) Airport while on a flight out of and back to the Sunshine Coast.

Gold Coast-based Rockwell Commander 114 VH-AYH visited Rockhampton Airport from Archerfield.

Alliance Airlines Fokker F-100 VH-UQC completed a rugby league charter flight to Rockhampton Airport from and back to Brisbane as UTY500/1.

R-Mach Aviation Extra EA 300L VH-LXT arrived back into Rockhampton Airport from the South. It had flown out of Rockhampton Airport to Redcliffe during the week.

And across the last couple of days and into the weekend, Hughes Aviation (Hughes Pastoral Group) (Gympie) Pilatus PC-12/47E NGX VH-8HP flew up from Archerfield to Emerald Airport and then further to Julia Creek, Longreach, Winton and Mount Isa Airports before then heading to Alpurrurulam and Tennant Creek.  It then flew West from Tenant Creek to Inverway then back East to Alpurrurulam and Mount Isa and before flying down from there to Caldervale Station then Archerfield.  It then returned to Caldervale Station. 

UPDATE!  On Monday 23 February,  PC-12 VH-8HP departed Caldervale Station to Emerald Airport and then Tierawoomba where it stayed. 

Finally, also on Sunday 22 February, the Queensland Police Service (Airwing) / Queensland Government (State of Queensland) Beech B300 King Air 350i VH-8TT flew up from Brisbane to survey work around the Rockhampton area before landing Rockhampton Airport for fuel before then departing back to Brisbane. 

And Hewitt Agribusiness (Brisbane) Pilatus PC-12/47E VH-8HG (ex N175NG) landed at Degunnie from Archerfield.

UPDATES!  On Monday 23 February, PC-12 VH-8HG departed Degunnie to Longreach Airport and then Alice Springs.  Over the next few days, it then completed flights between Alice Springs and Roma Airport before then returning to Archerfield from Alice Springs on Friday 27 February.

Photo taken by Tony Haynes  ©

Emma McDonald in R-Mach Aviation Extra EA 300L VH-LXT Flying out of Rockhampton Airport - Plus More!

On Friday 6 February, Emma McDonald in R-Mach Aviation Extra EA 300L VH-LXT flew two flights out of Rockhampton Airport to the Capricorn Coast and back. 

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She also flew one run to there late yesterday afternoon.

UPDATE!  On Saturday 7 February, Emma McDonald again in Extra EA 300L VH-LXT flew several more flights to the coast and back to Rockhampton Airport.  It sounded possibly like she was taking joyflights.

Finally, also on Friday 6 February, and out of the area, but a frquent visitor to the regio in the form of Machjet (Machjet International) Beech B200C King Air VH-PUY which was flying as "Machflight 313" crashed near Normanton Airport, sadly killing the sole pilot, a 32-year-old man from Clifton Beach, Cairns.

Air New Zealand Airbus A320-271N (A320neo) ZK-NHB Surprise Diversion into Rockhampton Airport - Plus More!

On Sunday 23 November, a nice surprise visitor touched down at Rockhampton Airport on a diversion from Brisbane which was experiencing rain storms with Air New Zealand Airbus A320-271N (A320neo) ZK-NHB touching down as ANZ271 from Wellington in New Zealand.

After taking on fuel, ZK-NHB departed Rockhampton Airport for Brisbane again as ANZ271.

Meanwhile, also on Sunday 23 November, Special Mining Services / Flight Options (Australia) Embraer EMB-505 Phenom 300 bizjet VH-87X  visited Hamilton Island Airport from Sydney.

Southern Air Beech 1900 VH-VSO flew down from Cairns to Charters Towers Aerodrome and then to Archerfield.

Emerald-based Cessna 177B VH-UGS was noted flying West of Mackay.

Re-registered Aero Facilities (SA) / Alamah (NSW) EADS SOCATA TBM700 VH-PGA as "Birddog 376" departed Bundaberg Airport for the Gold Coast.

NSW based Amateur Built Lancair IV-P VH-XL7 flew up to Hamilton Island from Port Lincoln.

UPDATE!  On Monday 24 November, VH-XL7 departed Hamo for Murwillumbah.

R-Mach Aviation Extra EA 300L VH-LXT and Cessna 185A Skywagon VH-YME both returned to Rockhampton Airport from The Old Station.  They flew down there the other day.

Brisbane based Cessna A185F Skywagon VH-OZA was also noted at The Old Station.

And sadly, also at The Old Station Farm, Private Van's RV-8 VH-YGY experienced an engine failure shortly after take-off and made an emergency landing in a field and hit a fallen tree and caught fire.

The pilot suffered life-threatening burning injuries and the aircraft was destroyed by the post impact fire.

Finally, on Saturday 22 November, Homada Pty Ltd Cessna 560XL Citation XLS bizjet VH-XCU flew up from Melbourne (Moorabbin) and Sydney to Hamilton Island Airport before later returning to Moorabbin.

Sincere thanks local plane spotters Scott H and Michael M for taking the time to capture and send through these great photos!

Photos taken by Scott Harris and Michael Mallick  ©

Bowenville based (operated by Real Time Aviation - Brisbane) Cessna 525 CitationJet CJ1+ Bizjet VH-JSZ Calls into CQ Airports - Plus More!

On Thursday 20 November, Bowenville based (operated by Real Time Aviation - Brisbane) Cessna 525 CitationJet CJ1+ bizjet VH-JSZ flew up from Archerfield to Clermont Aerodrome and Rockhampton Airport before it then flew back to Archerfield.

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While during the afternoon, R-Mach Aviation Cessna 185A Skywagon VH-YME and R-Mach Extra EA 300L VH-LXT departed Rockhampton Airport in formation to The Old Station as "Gravity Flight".

Finally, also on Thursday 20 November, Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) Boeing B737-7ES / E-7A Wedgetail Airborne Early Warning & Control (AEW&C) aircraft A30-001 as "Wedgetail 31" and A30-006 as "Wedgetail 32" both in turn flew up from RAAF Base Williamtown to Townsville and then flew South and were spotted each completed missed approaches at Hamilton Island Airport before then returning back to Williamtown.

Babcock Mission Critical Services Australasia Bell 412EP Helicopter VH-VAU Spotted Operating for Capricorn Helicopter Rescue Service (CHRS) at Rockhampton Airport - Plus More!

On Saturday 12 July, a couple of nice photos have been shared to us of the Babcock Mission Critical Services Australasia Bell 412EP helicopter VH-VAU now currently operating for the locally-based Capricorn Helicopter Rescue Service (CHRS) out of Rockhampton Airport - complete with titles!  Nice!

As mentioned below, the much-travelled rescue helicopter had been previously working from Horn Island as "Rescue 700" and left there to Rockhampton Airport - via a few stops - back in March.

While during the afternoon, Nautilus Aviation Bell Helicopter Textron 212 water bombing helicopter VH-T53 arrived into Rockhampton Airport from Redcliffe and Bundaberg Airports.

UPDATE!  On Sunday 13 July, VH-T53 departed Rockhampton Airport for Mackay Airport and points further North.  The big Huey helicopter was photographed at Cairns Airport (as above) later in the week.

Meanwhile, also on Saturday 12 July, American-registered but seemingly Australian-based Pilatus PC-12/47E (NG) N175NG landed at Degunnie from Archerfield and Augathella and then departed back to Archerfield.

Emma McDonald in her American registered Edge 540 N540MH departed Rockhampton Airport to Goondiwindi.

A bit later locally-based R-Mach Aviation's Lancair 4 VH-VIE departed Rockhampton Airport also to Goondiwindi before continuing to Lake Macquarie and Leongatha.

While Cirrus (Australia) / Navair Flight Operations Cessna 510 Citation Mustang bizjet VH-NFP landed at Longreach Airport from Dubbo before later departing to Horn Island.

UPDATE!  VH-NFP flew South from Horn Island to Mackay Airport and then Melbourne (Essendon) on Friday 18 July.

And Special Mining Services / Flight Options (Australia) Embraer EMB-505 Phenom 300 bizjet VH-87X flew up from Sydney to Hamilton Island Airport before then flying down to Melbourne (Essendon) and then back to Sydney.

Photos taken by Darren Massie and Jonathan Williams  ©

Navair Flight Operations Embraer EMB-500 Phenom 100 Bizjet VH-HQK Pops into Rockhampton Airport Again! - Plus More!

On Tuesday 11 February, Navair Flight Operations Embraer EMB-500 Phenom 100 bizjet VH-HQK was noted arriving into Rockhampton Airport from Dubbo.  The (becoming) frequent visitor later looked to return back to Dubbo.

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While Stroud Aviation and Transportation (Boonah) / Navair Flight Operations Cessna 510 Citation Mustang bizjet VH-SHI as "Navair 173" arrived into Bundaberg Airport from Archerfield.  It then flew up to Rockhampton Airport.

UPDATE!  On Thursday 13 February, VH-SHI "Navair 173" departed Rockhampton Airport for Toowoomba and Archerfield.

And Air Link (Dubbo) Cessna 510 Citation Mustang bizjet VH-SEQ made a late visit into Moranbah Airport from Archerfield and Brisbane.

Meanwhile, also on Tuesday 11 February, Meandarra Aerial Spraying Ayres S2R-G10 Turbo Thrush VH-NFN arrived into Rockhampton Airport from the South.  It sounded like the locally-based R-Mach Aviation may have hired it for a while. 

Queensland Government (QGAir) Rescue (State of Queensland) Agusta AW139 helicopter VH-ESZ flew down from Townsville to Rockhampton Airport, Bundaberg Airport and then Archerfield. 

And Southern Air Beech 1900C VH-VSO flew up from Devonport to Archerfield then up to Townsville before then completing three return flights from there to Charters Towers Aerodrome.  It then returned to Archerfield late in the afternoon.

Photo taken by Steve Vit  ©

Australian Country Choice Properties (Brisbane) Textron (Cessna) 680A Citation Latitude Bizjet VH-ACC Calls into Proserpine (Whitsunday Coast) Airport - Plus More!

On Friday 22 September, Australian Country Choice Properties / Aero Corporate Charters P/L (Brisbane) Textron (Cessna) 680A Citation Latitude bizjet VH-ACC was photographed at Proserpine (Whitsunday Coast) Airport after it flew up from Archerfield via Warwick.  

During the afternoon, it returned to these places.

UPDATE!  This was the last time we would see the sleek Citation Latitude bizjet in Central Queensland with it cancelled from the Australian Aircraft Register in February 2024 and it being placed on the American Aircraft Register as N680LF.

While Air Charter Services / Flight Options (Australia) Embraer EMB-505 Phenom 300 bizjet VH-VKX arrived into Hamilton Island Airport from Cairns before later departing to Brisbane.  It had earlier flown up to Cairns from the capital.

McDermott Aviation Group / Machjet International Cessna 525A CitationJet CJ2 bizjet VH-SUY as "Machflight 41" flew up to Hamilton Island Airport from the Sunshine Coast.  It then flew down to Brisbane before returning to the Sunny Coast.

And Cirrus Design Corp. SF50 Vision Jet wearing the American registration marking of N616TS was spotted again visiting Gladstone Airport as it returned from Hamilton Island Airport.  It then continued down to Coffs Harbour.

N616TS also passed through Gladstone Airport heading up to Hamo last Thursday 14 September - see Blog post below!

Meanwhile, also on Friday 22 September, Machjet (Machjet International) Beech B200C King Air VH-PUY as "Machflight 121" arrived into Rockhampton Airport from the Labona Station Airstrip within Adani Australia's (Bravus Mining & Resources) Carmichael Coal Mine site before then departing to Cairns.

Gulf Coast Aviation Cessna 206 VH-KQM departed Emerald to Ingham and then Vanrook Station.  It looks to have flown down from Far North Queensland the previous day.

Microflite Pilatus PC-12/47E VH-8MF departed the Whitsunday Airport at Shute Harbour for the Sunshine Coast and Mildura before then flying back up to Shute Harbour.  It had arrived at the start of the week form Melbourne (Moorabbin), Tooradin and the Gold Coast.

Hughes Aviation (Hughes Pastoral Group) (Gympie) Pilatus PC-12/47E NGX VH-8HP flew up from Keeroongooloo to Bundaberg Airport and then Mackay Airport. 

Aerometrex (South Australia) Cessna 421B Golden Eagle VH-ECF flew out of Rockhampton Airport to the West and back on a survey flight.

Airborne Research Australia Diamond HK-36 TTC-ECO Motor Glider VH-EOS looked to depart Middlemount Aerodrome and complete aerial survey work near Moranbah.  VH-EOS looked to originally arrive in the area from Adelaide at the start of the month.

Townsville Airlines Beech 1900D VH-JYA arrived into Rockhampton Airport from Cairns and then departed to Brisbane. Later it arrived back into Rockhampton Airport from Brisbane before then continuing to Townsville and back to Cairns. 

Stirling Helicopters Piper PA-23-250 Aztec VH-EQD arrived into Rockhampton Airport from Archerfield and then departed to Toowoomba and then back to Archerfield. 

While Stirling Helicopters Eurocopter AS.350BA Squirrel VH-WHW "Firebird 421" operated water bombing on a fire in the Berserkers. 

Later, VH-WHW "Firebird 421", was joined by locally-based both R-Mach Aviation Cessna 185A Skywagon VH-YME as "Firespotter 404" and Ayres S2R Turbine Thrush VH-NFF as "Bomber 407", all fighting a bushfire in the Shoalwater Bay Training Area (SWBTA).

Victorian-based Agair Logistics P/L Gulfstream American Corporation 695A Jetprop Commander 1000 VH-HPY as "Birddog 370" flew up from Toowoomba to the fire in the Shoalwater Bay Training Area but halfway up, was re-tasked to the Blackdown Tableland and Carnarvon area before later returning to Toowoomba. 

And Hinterland Aviation completed a swap of aircraft operating Fly-in Fly-out (FIFO) charter flights out of Rockhampton Airport with Cessna 208 Caravan VH-CVN departing to the Labona Station Airstrip within Adani Australia's (Bravus Mining & Resources) Carmichael Coal Mine site as HND3350 and then Townsville as HND2251.  While fellow Cessna 208 Caravan VH-LZK flew down to Labona from Townsville as HND2250 and then across to Rockhampton Airport as HND3351.

Finally, also on Friday 22 September, Alliance Airlines Fokker F-100 VH-XWR as UTY550 arrived into Longreach Airport from Brisbane.  It was pictured at Rockhampton Airport earlier on the Friday and has been adorned with a sticker promoting this weekend's Longreach Horse Races.

UPDATE!  On Sunday 24 September, VH-XWR returned to Brisbane from Longreach Airport as UTY551.

Photo taken by 'AC', Jamie C, John Lee and Steve Vit  ©

The Old Station Fly-in and Heritage Show 2022 at Raglan - Many Photos from a Wonderful Long Weekend!

What a wonderful long weekend!

The Old Station Fly-in and Heritage Show at Raglan was held over the long weekend of Friday 27 May to Sunday 29 May, with 1000's of people from all over the region in attendance over the three days enjoying the sights and sounds as over 200 aircraft and helicopters flew in from all parts of Queensland and interstate! There was also an impressive truck show, some classic cars, and plenty of new and old machinery. Meanwhile, the tractor pulling was extremely popular with big crowds enjoying the action during the weekend!

The entire weekend was hosted by the Creed Family and the Old Station Flying Club. There was support from numerous sponsors and various charity organisations, along with other local flying groups, who not only had their aircraft on display, but also assisted with the ground marshalling, parking all the visiting aircraft and helicopters.

Most aircraft had arrived by Friday with pilots enjoying dinner and entertainment on Friday night.  From early on Saturday, one of biggest crowds seen at the Old Station Farm came to and wandered amongst the visiting aircraft (with even more arrivals!) and enjoyed car and truck displays, market stalls, various machinery and of course, the tractor pulling!

For most of the weekend, the crowd was entertained by some spectacular Warbirds which operated regular aerobatic joyflights out of the Old Station.  

Paul Bennet Airshows had all their 'regular' aircraft in attendance - plus their merchandise truck!

Inverted Downunder / Matt Hall Racing Extra EA-300L VH-IOG and MX Aircraft MXS VH-CQE also operated several aerobatic joyflights during the weekend.

Slightly more sedate was Rockhampton Helicopters Robinson R44 helicopter which also operated joyflights over the Old Station and surrounds.

While McDermott Aviation Group / Machjet International are always great supporters of the Old Station Fly-in and this time they sent three helicopters - new registered Bell Helicopter Textron 214B-1 Biglifter VH-SUF and Aerospatiale / Eurocopter Dauphins N365JA and N366SR.

During the middle of Saturday afternoon, the crowds settled in for a spectacular airshow which featured aerobatic displays by Paul Bennet Airshows and Australia's own Top Gun pilot Matt Hall.

The skies above the Old Station came alive as the airshow started with a four-ship formation featuring Paul Bennet and Gary Graham in Wolf Pitts Pro VH-PVB and 'new' Edge-540 VH-PBU, along with Matt Hall and Emma McDonald in MX Aircraft MXS VH-CQE and Extra EA-300L VH-IOG.  They then performed a missing-man flight in memory of late Old Station Flying Club president Allan 'Kiwi' Andrew who recently passed away.

This was followed by a patriotic parachute drop from Skydive OZ Cessna U206F VH-OZP with the parachutist accompanied on his descent by Paul Bennet himself in his Wolf Pitts Pro VH-PVB.

Matt Hall and Emma McDonald in MX Aircraft MXS VH-CQE and Extra EA-300L VH-IOG then completed a display with Matt Hall later returning to the skies to complete a spectacular solo display.

The Old Station's own Bell 47G-2A-1 helicopter VH-AKN then took to the sky to complete a spirited display.

It was followed by the unmistakable Grumman TBM-3E Avenger Warbird VH-MML.

And then Paul Bennet returned to the skies putting his Amateur-built Wolf Pitts Pro VH-PVB through its paces with a truly spectacular aerobatic display which had the massive crowds buzzing!

Caboolture-based Commonwealth CA-16 Wirraway Mk3 VH-MFW was next up completing several nice flypasts.

The ever popular North American T-28 Trojan VH-TRO then put on a great display featuring several flypasts.

Performance Aero / Flying Fighters Museum (Brisbane) Aero Vodochody L-39C Albatros VH-SIC then completed a spectacular high-speed display.

Rockhampton-based R-Mach Aviation PZL Warszawa-Okecie M-18B Dromader VH-MDR and Ayres S2R Turbine Thrush VH-NFF then put on a great combined handling and then water-bombing and spraying display.

New Zealand Aerospace Industries Ltd CT-4A Airtrainer VH-CTQ then took the skies over Old Station.

And finally, Paul Bennet and Gary Graham in Wolf Pitts Pro VH-PVB and 'new' Edge-540 VH-PBU flew together for the last act of the day. 

In all, a 2-and-a-half hour airshow. 

After the airshow, the people that stayed at the Old Station - including a large amount of on-site campers - were entertained with live music, bonfires and a spectacular fireworks display.

It was a wonderful weekend with most aircraft departing for their home airfields during a cool but clear morning on Sunday.

It should be pointed out that all proceeds from the weekend - from admissions, auctions, food and drink sales, and part of the joyflights - will be given back to all the volunteer associations that assisted with the weekend.  This includes the Capricorn Helicopter Rescue Service (CHRS) and as always, the CHRS (Babcock Mission Critical Services Australasia) Agusta S.P.A. AW139 Helicopter VH-YXR proved again to be a popular visitor on the Saturday after it flew down from Rockhampton Airport as "Rescue 300".

Finally, one other touching tribute to the late Leonie Creed was seen with a lovely gathering area and lookout over the entrance to the farm bearing her name.

We would like to congratulate the Creed Family and the Old Station Flying Club for running yet another very successful weekend! Their hard work and commitment are remarkable and should be heartily congratulated!

Sincere thanks to the local plane spotters for their help in compiling this article!