Kahu NZ Sikorsky EH-60A Black Hawk Helicopter ZK-HKU Spotted at Longreach Airport - Plus More!

On Friday 17 October, Kahu NZ Sikorsky EH-60A Black Hawk helicopter ZK-HKU was spotted passing through Longreach Airport while flying up from Roma to Burketown.  It reportedly left New Zealand on Wednesday, and is off to fight bushfires in Indonesia.

And New Zealand-based Tecnam P2002 Sierra Mk II ZK-EVE which landed at Agnes Water yesterday from Boonah and Southport, departed there to the Whitsunday Airport at Shute Harbour.

UPDATE!  On Sunday 19 October, ZK-EVE departed Shute Harbour for Cooktown.

UPDATE!  Over the weekend on Saturday 25 and Sunday 26 October, ZK-EVE was noted visiting Longreach Airport and then Roma Airport while seemingly returning to Boonah.

Meanwhile, also on Friday 17 October, Stroud Aviation and Transportation (Boonah) / Navair Flight Operations Cessna 510 Citation Mustang bizjet VH-SHI as "Navair 173" arrived in Proserpine (Whitsunday Coast) Airport from Archerfield.  It then departed to Newcastle (Williamtown) before returning to Archerfield.

Australian based but American registered Eclipse Aviation EA550 Very Light jet (VLJ) bizjet N771MT  flew up from Sunshine Coast to the Whitsunday Airport at Shute Harbour.

UPDATE!  On Sunday 19 October, N771MT departed Shute Harbour for Bankstown.

While Narrabri based Betty Freckle Aviation Cessna A185F VH-FIB visited Rockhampton Airport from Warialda.

Cleveland Bay Aviation (Townsville) Piper PA-31 Navajo VH-CYY flew up to Townsville from Bankstown via Roma Airport.  It flew down over the same route the previous day.

Edwards Coaches Cessna 441 Conquest II VH-OXY flew up to Hervey Bay (Fraser Coast) Airport from Armidale before then flying down to Warrnambool and then back to Armidale.

And Aero Logistics / Bayswater Road Aerial Surveys Reims Cessna F406 Caravan II VH-AL3 flew up to Mackay Airport from Archerfield.

Photo taken by Liam Sellick  ©

Tecnam P2006T VH-TE6 on Demonstration Tour of Some CQ Airports - Plus More!

On Friday 11 July, Tecnam P2006T VH-TE6 flew from Mackay Airport to Biloela / Thangool Airport.  

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The Tecnam demonstration aircraft arrived into Mackay Airport from Townsville the previous day - as shown above!

And Comet-registered Cessna 208B Grand Caravan VH-RTC flew out from Hedlow Airfield to Emerald Airport before continuing to Mount Isa and further West.

Meanwhile, also on Friday 11 July, Graham Aviation (Cairns) Cessna 510 Citation Mustang bizjet VH-FMZ flew into Hamilton Island Airport from Mareeba and then departed Hamo and returned North.

Execujet Australia Bombardier CL-600-2B16 Challenger 604 bizjet VH-VSZ flew up to Hamilton Island Airport from Sydney.

Bowenville based (operated by Real Time Aviation - Brisbane) Cessna 525 CitationJet CJ1+ bizjet VH-JSZ flew up from Wagga Wagga to Clermont Aerodrome and then Natal Downs before later flying down to Dalby and Archerfield.

And Re-registered Flight Options (Australia) LearJet 45 bizjet VH-LJX visited Hamilton Island Airport from its new Sunshine Coast base.

Finally, also on Friday 11 July, LifeFlight (Aeromed) Canadair CL-600-2B16 Challenger 604 bizjet VH-OFC "Ambulance 634" flew up from Brisbane to Mackay Airport before continuing to Townsville.

Of interest, over the last couple of weeks, VH-OFC "Ambulance 634" has made also made visits to Hervey Bay, Moranbah, Rockhampton, Longreach and Charleville Airports.

Sistership VH-OFA "Ambulance 614" has also been busy, making multiple visits to Rockhampton and Longreach Airports, plus visiting Hervey Bay, Barcaldine, Mackay, and Cloncurry Airports

And VH-OFB "Ambulance 624" spent much of the last couple of weeks in the hangar only to emerge on Thursday 10 July and complete a visit to Rockhampton Airport from Brisbane.

While VH-URR "Ambulance 604" continues to operate out of Singapore (Seletar).

Bowenville-based Cessna 525 CitationJet CJ1+ Bizjet VH-JSZ Pops into my Local Clermont Aerodrome - Plus More!

On Friday 23 June, I spotted Bowenville (near Toowoomba) based Cessna 525 CitationJet CJ1+ bizjet VH-JSZ at my local Clermont Aerodrome.

It arrived from Natal Downs and later departed to Archerfield.

Avcair (Avgunn) LearJet 60 bizjet VH-ILJ flew into Rockhampton Airport from Brisbane before continuing to Townsville.  It then returned back to the capital.

Balmoral Air Dassault Falcon 2000LX bizjet VH-WIO departed Hamilton Island Airport for Bankstown.  It had arrived the previous day.

And Microflite (Moorabbin) Pilatus PC-12/47E VH-8MF flew up from its Melbourne (Moorabbin) base to Tooradin and then also into Hamilton Island Airport.

UPDATE!  On Saturday 24 June, VH-8MF departed Hamilton Island Airport for Darwin.

Meanwhile, also on Friday 23 June, locally-based (but Mackay-registered) Mooney M20J VH-NWF flew from Clermont Aerodrome to Mackay Airport.

UPDATE!  On Sunday 25 June, VH-NWF returned to Clermont Aerodrome from Mackay Airport.

Brescon (Toowoomba) Beech B200 King Air VH-XDW flew up from Toowoomba-Wellcamp to Emerald Airport before continuing to Cooktown.

Fellow Brescon (Toowoomba) Beech B200 King Air VH-DYN arrived into Rockhampton Airport from Wellcamp before then departing to Thargomindah then back to and Wellcamp.

The Queensland Government Airwing (State of Queensland) Raytheon B300 Super King Air VH-SGQ arrived into Rockhampton Airport from Cairns and Townsville and later departed to Brisbane.  It then returned to Townsville and Cairns.

Hinterland Aviation Beech B200 King Air VH-HLJ looked to fly down from Cairns to the Labona Station Airstrip within Adani Australia's (Bravus Mining & Resources) Carmichael Coal Mine site as HND420 before it then flew across to Rockhampton Airport and back as HND1121/421.  VH-HLJ later returned to Cairns from Labona again as HND1123.

Beech 95-B55 VH-MYM hopped from Gayndah Aerodrome to Moura Aerodrome and then departed to Alpha Aerodrome.  Later, it flew back across to Emerald Airport and back to Gayndah Aerodrome.

New South Wales-based Schofields Flying Club's Piper PA-28 Cherokees VH-ZFN and VH-SFR, along with New South Wales-based Campbell Aviation's Cherokees VH-XCW and VH-XHE flew into Rockhampton Airport from the Sunshine Coast.  They all then departed to Mackay Airport and then the Whitsunday Airport at Shute Harbour.

While seemingly on a demonstration tour, Tecnam P2012 Traveller VH-VNV flew up to Mackay Airport from the Sunshine Coast.

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And Mackay-based Eurocopter AS 350 B3 Squirrel VH-XBO was noted departing Moranbah Airport and heading North.  It seems to have spent recent days operating out of Dalby.

The Adventures of Air Queensland Piper PA-31-350 Navajo Cheiftan VH-XLB!

Over the early part of this week, it appeared that Air Queensland Piper PA-31-350 Navajo Chieftain VH-XLB may have completed a series of training flights, which included several landings and airwork at several Central Queensland Airports.

File photo

On Sunday 29 January, VH-XLB departed its Redcliffe base for Cairns, flying via Maryborough, Gladstone, Mackay, Bowen and Townsville Airports.

After remaining parked overnight at Cairns, on Monday 30 January, VH-XLB completed a local flight, before later departing again to Mackay Airport.

Then on Tuesday 31 January, VH-XLB departed Mackay Airport and was noted at Gladstone Airport where it took on fuel.  VH-XLB then returned to Redlciffe.

What an adventure!

We've mentioned previously that Air Queensland is a Redcliffe based Flying Training and Air Charter company that operates a variety of RA-Aus and VH- registered single and twin-engine aircraft including (but not limited too) Sling, Tecnam, Jabiru, Cessna and Piper aircraft.  Air Queensland also operates from Caloundra, and more recently, in conjunction with the Bundaberg Aero Club, is now providing flying training (including RA-Aus) and private aircraft hire at Bundaberg Airport.

Our Blog post:  http://cqplanespotting.blogspot.com/2016/12/air-queensland-commences-flying.html

For additional information, the Air Queensland website can be found at:  http://www.airqueensland.com.au/

Air Queensland Commences Flying Training and Private Aircraft Hire at Bundaberg Airport

With the recent closure of the Hinkler Flying School, and flying training no longer provided by the Bundaberg Aero Club, flying training school and charter company Air Queensland has decided to expand their operations based at Redcliffe and Caloundra Aerodromes to include Bundaberg in an effort to provide local student pilots, and licensed pilots, an avenue to continue flying at the rum city.

Air Queensland, in conjunction with the Bundaberg Aero Club, is now providing flying training (including RA-Aus) and private aircraft hire at Bundaberg Airport.

They also intend to enhance current operations at Bundaberg Airport early in the new year, including moving into the Bundaberg Aero Club building, and relocating additional aircraft to the city.

While finer detail is still being determined, and more information will be released in due time, it is expected that Air Queensland will provide the 'flying' element, and that they Bundaberg Aero Club manage the 'social' aspect of the joint venture.

Of interest, Air Queensland operates a variety of RA-Aus and VH registered single and twin-engine aircraft including (but not limited too) Sling, Jabiru, Cessna, Piper and Tecnam aircraft.  In this post is featured Tecnam P.92 24-8228 which is currently based at Bundaberg Airport to provide flight training.

To learn more about Air Queensland visit their website at:  http://www.airqueensland.com.au/ or you can email:  sales@airqueensland.com.au

Additionally, more information about flying training and private aircraft hire at Bundaberg Airport can be obtained by contacting Trevor Fisch on (07) 4156 1075 or by email at: trevorfisch@bigpond.com

Thanks to local plane spotter and budding aviator Micah S for sending through these details and photos featured in this post.

We would like to wish all parties involved the very best for their plans in 2017!

All photos taken by Micah S  ©

Cap Rescue / Babcock Mission Critical Services Australasia Bell 412 Helicopters VH-EPR and VH-LSY - Plus Bell 206 VH-FKT - Spotted at Rockhampton Airport

Local plane spotters Kayanne H and Trevor H popped out to Rockhampton Airport on Wednesday 20 July and captured a couple of great photos of Babcock Mission Critical Services Australasia (ex Australian Helicopters) Bell 412 VH-LSY.

It flew South from Mackay Airport on Tuesday 19 July and might be in town to operate in-place of, or alongside, the current Capricorn Helicopter Rescue Service (CHRS) Bell 412EP VH-EPR "Rescue 300".

Meanwhile, an interesting Bell 206L-1 VH-FKT of Roncato Helicopters of Ayr was also spotted departing Rockhampton Airport for the South on Wednesday 20 July.

Of interest, the 1979-built LongRanger II also uses airborne firefighting callsign of "Firebird 419" and has previous wore the American and Venezuelan registration markings of N27766 and YV-376CP.

Finally, a couple of interesting light General Aviation (GA) fixed-wing aircraft have also been noted passing through Rockhampton Airport this week including Western Australia-base Cirrus SR-22 VH-ICE which arrived from Bourke on Monday 18 July.  It departed to Cairns on Tuesday 19 July.

And Tecnam P-2002JF Sierra ultralight 24-7086 also passed through Rockhampton Airport on Tuesday 19 July heading North to Townsville.

Thanks guys!

Photos taken by Trevor Hardsman and Kayanne Hardsman  ©

A Couple of King Airs at Bundaberg Airport on Wednesday - Incl RAAF A32-651 "Envoy 46"

On Wednesday 1 June, Deputy Prime Minister and Federal National Party leader Barnaby Joyce was spotted arriving into Bundaberg Airport on board Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) Beech B350 Super King Air A32-651.  

Local plane spotter Micah S was on hand captured a couple of great photos as the Super King Air was parked and awaited its next flight.  It arrived from Lismore as "Envoy 46".

I personally like the additional 'Dingo Airlines' titles that the Super King Air wears in recognition of its service with the RAAF's No. 38 Squadron based at Townsville.

Eventually, A32-651 departed Bundy for Gympie where it appeared to be staying for the night.

Another King Air visiting Bundaberg Airport on Wednesday 1 June was Great Western Aviation (Brisbane) Beech B200 King Air VH-XGV.  It arrived from Brisbane.

Later, VH-XGV also departed to Gympie so I assume was related to the visit of Mr Joyce(?).

Micah also sends through a couple of photos of a couple of other light General Aviation (GA) visitors to Bundaberg Airport on Wednesday 1 June including Mackay-based Cessna TR182 VH-LXW and Air Queensland (Redcliffe) Tecnam P2008 24-8398.

Finally, on Tuesday 31 May, it's worth noting that General Aviation Maintenance (GAM) Dornier DO 228-202 VH-VJD operated the weekday freight run to the Fraser Coast flying flew from Brisbane to Gayndah via Maryborough and Bundaberg and then back later that evening.  

And Victoria-based Interair / Photomapping Services Cessna 404 VH-TTZ - which has been operating several aerial survey flights over the region of late - departed Bundaberg Airport for Cairns also on Tuesday 31 May.

Sincere thanks to Micah for taking the time to capture and send through these great photos!

All photos taken by Micah S  ©

A Double Treat of Virgin Australia Boeing B737-800 Jets at Gladstone Airport on Monday

The run of Virgin Australia jets calling into Gladstone Airport continued in spectacular fashion on Monday 21 September as a pair of larger Boeing B737-800s called in operating scheduled services from and back to Brisbane.

Virgin Australia B737-800 VH-VUR popped in around the middle of the day operating the VOZ1711/1714 service.

Local plane spotter Anthony S captured some great photos of its arrival and departure.

Then in late afternoon, fellow B737-800 VH-VUA called into Gladstone operating the VOZ1717/1720 service.

Of interest, Virgin Australia Regional Airlines (VARA) ATR 72-500 VH-FVL departed Gladstone on the early VOZ1708 service while ATR 72-500 VH-FVU touched down late in the evening as VOZ1719 - so there are some ATRs still flying!

Meanwhile, also captured by Anthony S calling into Gladstone Airport on Monday 21 September was QantasLink (Cobham Aviation) Boeing B717-200 VH-NXR which touched down as QJE1706.

Also captured was QantasLink Dash-8-Q400 VH-QOX which touched down as QLK2338.

Finally, New Zealand-registered Tecnam P-2006T ZK-TWN was also noted visiting Gladstone Airport on Monday 21 September, seemingly returning to Redcliffe from Cairns where it has been noted operating from for the last week or so.

Thanks to Col and Anthony for taking the time to capture and send through these great photos!

Photos taken by Col and Anthony Schulz  ©

New Zealand Registered Tecnam P-2006T ZK-TWN and Virgin Australia Embraer E-190 Jets at Gladstone Airport This Week

I've been told that New Zealand-registered Tecnam P-2006T ZK-TWN has called into Gladstone Airport at various times over this last week.  The light twin-engine training aircraft - complete with retractable landing gear - has seemingly taken up residence at Redcliffe Aerodrome (where it is photographed below) despite still being registered to its previous operator Bay Flight Aviation in New Zealand.

Simon Coates / http://flightaware.com/

It looks like ZK-TWN is due to fly into Cairns on Saturday 5 September.

Also interesting to note that Virgin Australia operated two additional Embraer E-190 jet services into Gladstone Airport this week - for reasons unknown.

VH-ZPN at Gladstone  (File photo taken by Anthony Schulz  ©)

Starting the week off last Saturday 29 August with VH-ZPB operating the 'weekly' E-190 VOZ1709/1712 service.  Then on Wednesday 2 September VH-ZPN made a surprise visit operating the VOZ1713/1716 scheduled service from and back to Brisbane.  While on Thursday 3 September VH-ZPD operated as VOZ1709/1712.  Finally, on Saturday 5 September, VH-ZPF operated the 'weekly' VOZ1709/1712 flight again from and back to Brisbane.

A Few Other Lighties at Fraser Coast Airports so far This Week

On Wednesday 7 January, Regional Express (REX) SAAB 340B VH-ZRY was noted passing through Maryborough Airport.  As we posted below, the SAAB was carrying Queensland Premier Campbell Newman and his entourage as the Queensland state election campaign started.

This was one of a few interesting movements into the Fraser Coast region over the last couple of days.

VH-PSK at Maryborough  (File photo taken by David Geck  ©)

Also noted visiting Maryborough on Wednesday - and on Monday 5 January as well - was the Queensland Police Service (Airwing) Raytheon B1900D VH-PSK which - as usual - has had a couple of busy days of flying, calling into several other airports in CQ.

Also, Air Gold Coast Beech 76 Duchess VH-ZUA has made a couple of visits, while locally-based Beech A36 Bonanza VH-KEY returned home from Noosa.

VH-KEY at Maryborough  (File photo taken by David Geck  ©)

At Bundaberg Airport on Wednesday 7 January, three aircraft from the Royal Queensland Aero Club (Airline Academy of Australia) visited Bundy - and specifically the Hinkler Hall of Aviation - for the day from their Archerfield base.  Cessna 206 VH-NCR was joined by Tecnam P2006T VH-OWW and Tecnam P2008 Light Sport Aircraft (LSA) VH-IBO, with the three lighties travelling pretty much together.

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Also on Wednesday 7 January, Seair (Istlecote) Pilatus Britten-Norman BN2A-8 Islander VH-MBF called into Bundy from the the Gold Coast and Redcliffe before continuing to Lady Elliot Island.  Brisbane-based Cessna 206 VH-ASJ also called in.

It's also worth mentioning that in Bundaberg, General Aviation Maintenance (GAM) AeroCommander 500-S aircraft VH-UJU has been operating the week-daily freight run through Bundy, Maryborough and Gayndah.

Finally, at Hervey Bay (Fraser Coast) Airport, Mooney M20K VH-YRJ, Cessna 182 VH-KKV, Piper PA-28R-180 Cherokee Arrow VH-JPW  and Cirrus SR20 VH-SRL all called in this week amongst the usual QantasLink and Virgin Australia commercial movements.