Volkswagen Air Service (Germany) Dassault Falcon 7X Bizjet D-AGBF Arrives into Hamilton Island Airport - Plus More!

On Tuesday 20 May, Volkswagen Air Service (Germany) Dassault Falcon 7X bizjet D-AGBF arrived into Hamilton Island Airport from Townsville after earlier flying from overseas.

It seems to be spending at least the night!

While Polar Aviation (Melbourne) Bombardier BD-700-1A10 Global Express XRS bizjet VH-T29 popped back into Hamilton Island Airport, arriving from Cairns and departing to Melbourne (Tullamarine).  It had flown North bound on Saturday 17 May - see Blog post below!

And WA based Rutan Long-EZ VH-LDL, which started from Kalgoorlie on the weekend, arrived into Blackall Airport and then Rockhampton Airport.

UPDATE!  On Wednesday 21 May, VH-LDL flew down from Rockhampton Airport to the Old Station Farm.  The Airshow is on there this weekend!!

Finally, also on Tuesday 20 May, Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) Boeing B737-7ES / E-7A Wedgetail Airborne Early Warning & Control (AEW&C) aircraft A30-004 as "Wedgetail 15" was noted completing airwork, including a missed approach at Rockhampton Airport while on a flight up from and back to RAAF Base Williamtown - returning via more airwork at the Sunshine Coast.

Sincere thanks to local plane spotter Graham A for allowing us to share these great photos of Falcon 7X on finals to Townsville.

All photos taken by Graham Aspinall  ©️

Victoria based C Alizzi P/L DAHER SOCATA TBM700N 900 VH-TB9 Calls into the Whitsunday Airport at Shute Harbour - Plus More!

On Friday 27 December, new Victoria based C Alizzi P/L DAHER SOCATA TBM700N 900 VH-TB9 flew up from Ballarat to the Whitsunday Airport at Shute Harbour. 

UPDATE!  With New Year's done, on Thursday 2 January, VH-TB9 departed Shute and returned to Ballarat.

Meanwhile, also on Friday 27 December, Gold Coast based Amateur built Rutan Puffer Cozy VH-OBV flew up from the Gold Coast and Dalby to Gladstone Airport before later returning to the Goldie.

Nice Helicopters incl Helilink (New Zealand) Eurocopter Squirrel ZK-HHX at Rockhampton Airport

A nice visitor to Rockhampton Airport during the afternoon on Friday 19 August was Helilink (of New Zealand) Eurcopter AS-350B-2 Ecureuil Squirrel helicopter ZK-HHX.

ZK-HHX seems to be on a ferry flight North having landed at Rocky from Hervey Bay (Fraser Coast) Airport.  After taking on fuel, ZK-HHX was photographed by local plane spotter 'IAD' as it departed to Mackay Airport where it looked to be staying for the night.

On Saturday 20 August, ZK-HHX continued further North from Mackay to Airport to Townsville, Cairns and then Mareeba.

Also arriving into Rockhampton Airport on Friday 19 August from the South was Australian Border Force (ABF) marked Babcock Mission Critical Services Australasia (ex Australian Helicopters) operated Eurocopter AS.350B3 Squirrel helicopter VH-CWP.  It was photographed by 'IAD' resting quietly adjacent to the Capricorn Helicopter Rescue Service (CHRS) hangar at Rockhampton Airport on Saturday 20 August.

UPDATE!  Early on Sunday 21 August, VH-CWP departed Rockhampton Airport for Mackay where it was spotted below.  Reports suggest that it departed further to the North with its final destination reported to be Horn Island.

During the week 'IAD' also spotted Wagners Aviation Services / Wagners Development Company Agusta Westland AW119 MK2 helicopter VH-WJY which visited Rockhampton Airport on Wednesday 17 August.

VH-WJY arrived from its base at the Brisbane West Wellcamp Airport near Toowoomba and departed a little later for the Whitsunday Airport at Shute Harbour.

Finally, also on Saturday 20 August, an interesting light General Aviation (GA) aircraft in the form of Amateur Built Rutan Long-Ez VH-LEJ which arrived at Rockhampton Airport from its Cairns base.

VH-LEJ is a familiar sight to CQ as it is a frequent visitor to the Old Station Fly-in down the road from Rocky at Raglan.  VH-LEJ looked to be staying for at least the night.

Sincere thanks to 'IAD' for taking the time to capture and send through these great photos of some great visitors to Rockhampton Airport!

Photos taken by 'IAD' and 'AC'  ©

A Couple of Lighties at Gladstone Airport incl ex-RAAF (ARDU) Squirrel Helicopter VH-IDG

A helicopter with an interesting history passed through Gladstone Airport on Friday 8 May and local plane spotters Jamie and Tash were on hand to capture a couple of great photos of this now brightly-coloured chopper.

Tasmanian-based Aerospatiale AS.350BA Squirrel helicopter VH-IDG was captured as it passed through Gladstone.  VH-IDG (c/n 1762) was once a part of the Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) as a part of the Aircraft Research and Development Unit (ARDU).  It wore the military serial number of A22-007.

Its movements on Friday were not known.

There was another interstate visitor at Gladstone Airport on Friday 8 May that was captured by Jamie and Tash in the form of Shepparton (Victoria) Cirrus SR22 VH-YKR.  Again its exact movements are not known.

Finally, locally-based Rutan Long-Ez VH-LEX took to the skies to complete a local flight.

Some great photos from Jamie and Tash in Gladstone, and we thank them sincerely for capturing and for sending through these photos!

Photos taken by Jamie and Tash  ©

A Few Saturday Photos from The Callide Dawson Flying Group (CDFG) 25th Anniversary Fly-in at Biloela / Thangool Airport

What a lovely start to the Fly-in!

The action at the Callide Dawson Flying Group (CDFG) 25th Anniversary Fly-in at Biloela / Thangool Airport was building up Saturday 7 June, with several aircraft touching down under sunny but cloudy skies.

The weekend is being held by the dedicated members of the group, with help from numerous generous sponsors and helpers ensuring that the weekend runs smoothly.  The CDFG hopes to make this an event that caters for all ages with a particular focus on encouraging families to have a day out.

Along with the usual attractions for plane spotters and aviation enthusiasts - including joyflights in Robinson R-44 helicopter VH-MTY and Training Intro Flights (TIFs) - there are also many other general interest items at the Airport like market stalls, jumping castles, kiddie rides, bus tours, camel rides, flight simulator, vintage car displays and much more!  To fill the tummies there are stalls selling pies, hamburgers, drinks, ice cream, popcorn, hot chips, sandwiches and more, plus a dining tent catering for breakfasts, lunches and dinners. Entertainment and a BBQ on the Sunday night.

Over 50 aircraft have touched down so far, with several 'day visitors' departing back to Rockhampton and Gladstone late in the day.  Also present were a pair of aircraft from the Old Station Farm at Raglan, which recently held the very successful heritage shown and fly-in.

Several aircraft have already arrived and are parked on the North-Eastern edge of the Airport.

One other attraction - albeit not aviation related - was the spectacular drive past of the late legendary Australian racing driver Peter Brock's 1993 Bathurst 12-hour Endurance Race winning vehicle - Holden VP SS Castle Hill Commodore '06'.

  

Certainly a lovely day at Biloela / Thangool Airport.  The action at the Fly-in is expected to kick off early on Sunday 8 June, including a memorial flight, along with more arriving aircraft, and another drive-past from the mighty Holden Commodore.  There will also a small break in proceedings to allow for a QantasLink Dash-8 to arrive and depart on RPT duties from Brisbane.

With this fly in the Club hopes to raise funds towards the building of an amenities block for the CDFG as well as the funds being raised for RFDS and Angel Flight.