Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) Alenia C-27J Spartan A34-002 "Envoy 79"Calls into Longreach Airport - Plus More!

On Tuesday 6 January, Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) Alenia C-27J Spartan A34-002 as "Envoy 79" landed at Longreach Airport from RAAF Base Amberley.

Defence image.

UPDATE!  On Wednesday 7 January, C-27J A34-002 "Envoy 79" departed Longreach Airport for Cloncurry Airport and then later departed to Richmond and later departed to Brisbane. 

While Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) Boeing B737-8 MAX BBJ A62-002 as "Envoy 76" flew up from Canberra to Mount Isa and this afternoon departed there to Sydney.

Finally, also on Tuesday 6 January, the locally-based Embraer EMB-550 Legacy 500 bizjet N142GZ flew down from Mackay Airport to the Gold Coast.

UPDATE!  On Friday 9 January, N142GZ flew back to Mackay Airport from the Goldie.

Avcair LearJet 60 bizjet VH-AVL arrived into Gladstone Airport from Brisbane and then later departed to Cairns and Townsville before returning to the capital.

Graham Aviation (Cairns) Cessna 510 Citation Mustang bizjet VH-FMZ was noted visiting Hamilton Island Airport from Mareeba and Cairns.

Re-registered Hewitt Agribusiness (Brisbane) Pilatus PC-12/47E VH-8HG (ex N175NG) flew up from Archerfield to Julia Creek before later flying down to Longreach Airport and then back to Archerfield.

While DeGunst Transport P/L Textron (Cessna) 208 Caravan VH-NPZ is still completing weekly Fly-in Fly-out (FIFO) charter flights to Nebo Aerodrome from and back to Bundaberg Airport.  It also appears that VH-NPZ visited Rockhampton Airport from Bundy on Monday 5 January.

And also Link Airways (Corporate Air / Vee H Aviation) SAAB 340B+ turboprop aircraft looked to continue FIFO charter flights into Theodore Aerodrome from and back to Brisbane via the Sunshine Coast.  On Tuesday VH-VEB operated the flight.

UPDATE!  On Wednesday 7 January, VH-VEF operated the flight.  And on Thursday 8 January, VH-VEC operated the flight.

Nioa Aviation (Avcair) Embraer EMB-505 Phenom 300 Bizjet VH-NJR Pops into Maryborough Airport - Plus More!

On Wednesday 17 December, Nioa Aviation (Avcair) Embraer EMB-505 Phenom 300 bizjet VH-NJR looked to complete a couple of visits to Maryborough Airport flying between there and Brisbane and also Canberra.

File photo

Robindale Group / Air Link Cessna 510 Citation Mustang bizjet VH-CMK flew up from Orange, Tamworth and Archerfield to Bundaberg Airport before later returning back down over the same route.

Smartlynx Australia (Skytrans) Dash-8-100 VH-QQI as SKP531 arrived into Rockhampton Airport from Cairns and this afternoon fellow Dash-8-100 VH-QQB departed Rockhampton Airport as SKP532 to Cairns.

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

Angel Flight Australia Cessna 414A Chancellor VH-AF4 visited Theodore Aerodrome from Archerfield.

And Aerotech Aircraft Holdings (Aerotech Helicopters) Pickering Aviation (Sikorsky) UH-60L Black Hawk helicopter VH-8UL "Helitak 517", which arrived into Rockhampton Airport from Bundaberg Airport late yesterday, departed back to Bundy.

Link Airways (Corporate Air / Vee H Aviation) SAAB 340B+ VH-VEZ (ex N450XJ, N350AG) First Visit to CQ at Theodore Aerodrome - Plus More!

On Thursday 4 September, a surprise arrival into the region, and making what we believe is its first ever visit, was Link Airways (Corporate Air / Vee H Aviation) SAAB 340B+ turboprop VH-VEZ, which flew up from Brisbane and the Sunshine Coast to land at Theodore Aerodrome on a Fly-in Fly-out (FIFO) closed charter flight.

File photo

It later returned to the Sunshine Coast and Brisbane.

Since the SAAB was delivered to Link Airways, it has primarily been operating on regional Regular Passenger Transport (RPT) routes in New South Wales, Victoria and Tasmania.  The airline also operates some flights on behalf of Virgin Australia Airlines.

Of interest, VH-VEZ previously operated in the USA with Mesaba Airlines for Northwest Airlines and Delta Airlines as N450XJ, but most recently, it flew with Florida-based Silver Airways as N350AG.

It was flown into Australia with that American registration marking in November 2022 and was re-registered and delivered to Link Airways (Corporate Air / Vee H Aviation) as VH-VEZ. It entered service on Monday 20 February 2023 on behalf of Virgin Australia on the link between Canberra and Sydney - which it has operated quite a bit over the years!

VH-VEZ was one of three four most recently acquired SAAB 340s, and as far as we are aware,  two of the other four which were acquired about this time - VH-VEA and VH-VEQ - are still yet to make an appearance in Central Queensland.  VH-VER has been into CQ about two years ago.

Meanwhile, also on Thursday 4 September, Southern Air Beech 1900 VH-VSO arrived into Rockhampton Airport from Cairns and Townsville before it then departed to Brisbane.  It later returned to Cairns. 

And Torres Strait Air (Collville Aviation Services) Britten Norman (Bembridge) BN-2A-27 Islander VH-89M landed at Emerald Airport from the South and then departed to Cairns. 

Finally, also on Thursday 4 September, SG Aviation Australia / Business Aviation Solutions Gulfstream G-VI (G650ER) bizjet VH-SGA looked to visit Hamilton Island Airport once again from Melbourne (Essendon).

Plus on Wednesday 3 September, re-registered Equipment Holding (WA) / Aeronautics and Technology Holdings P/L (NSW) Cessna 501 Citation I/SP VH-XJI made its first visit into the region visiting Emerald Airport from Cessnock.  Research reveals that this Citation was previously registered N501AF and was placed on the Australian Aircraft Register last year.

Southern Air Services Cessna 525 CitationJet CJ1 bizjet VH-APJ landed at Blackall Airport from Dalby.

Henadeck (New South Wales) Cessna 525 Citation CJ1 bizjet VH-YNE arrived into Hamilton Island Airport from Bankstown.

And the locally-based Embraer EMB-550 Legacy 500 bizjet N142GZ was back in the air departing Mackay Airport for Brisbane.

UPDATE!  On Tuesday 9 September, N142GZ returned to Mackay Airport from Brisbane.

Photos taken by Tony Haynes, Brian Kenney, Chris Hall and Brian Gibbens  ©

Homada Pty Ltd Cessna 560XL Citation XLS Bizjet VH-XCU Calls into Hamilton Island Airport - Plus More!

On Sunday 22 June, Homada Pty Ltd Cessna 560XL Citation XLS bizjet VH-XCU flew up from Melbourne (Moorabbin) and Melbourne (Essendon) to Hamilton Island Airport before flying back down to Moorabbin.

File photo

While Armada Aviation (of Ringwood in Victoria) Pilatus PC-12/45 turboprop VH-XAQ flew South from Cooktown to Longreach Airport.  It flew North last weekend.

American-registered but seemingly Australian-based Pilatus PC-12/47E (NG) N175NG which flew West last week, landed at Blackall Airport from Ambilindum and then departed to a property northwest of Theodore before continuing 'home' to Archerfield. 

Western Downs Civil (Chinchilla) Raytheon B200 King Air VH-85H flew down from the Whitsunday Airport at Shute Harbour to Chinchilla Aerodrome. It had flown up from there on Friday 20 June.

Hughes Aviation (Hughes Pastoral Group) (Gympie) Pilatus PC-12/47E NGX VH-8HP which had previously flown to Darwin, flew across from Inverway to Brunette Downs, Mount Isa and Mackay Airport. 

And Tex Onsite (Tex Assets P/L) Aero Commander 500-S VH-TZS was noted arriving into Mackay Airport from Townsville. 

Meanwhile, also on Sunday 22 June, civilian Black Hawk helicopter Sikorsky EH-60A N61AA, which flew up from the Shellharbour Airport at Wollongong to Bourke and Birdsville over the last couple of days, continued up to the North-West today.

And the Stirling Helicopters Sikorsky UH-60L Black Hawk helicopter N137WZ flew to the Shoalwater Bay Training Area (SWBTA) and back to Rockhampton Airport both today and yesterday.

Finally, on Saturday 21 June, Machjet (Machjet International) Beech B200C King Air VH-PUY as "Machflight 55" arrived into Rockhampton Airport from Mount Isa and then departed to Cairns.

S2 Aviation American-registered Cessna 525 Citation M2 bizjet N5LM Pops into Longreach Airport - Plus More! - UPDATED with Photo!

On Tuesday 23 July, S2 Aviation American-registered Cessna 525 Citation M2 bizjet N5LM called into Longreach Airport from Darwin.  It had arrived there from overseas the previous day.

N5LM then departed Longreach Airport for Bankstown. 

UPDATE!  Photo attached from Adelaide Airport - N5LM visited many places between Bankstown, Adelaide and Perth before eventually flying back to Singapore in August.

While McDermott Aviation Group / Machjet International Cessna 525A CitationJet CJ2 bizjet VH-SUY as "Machflight 06" flew into Bundaberg Airport from Cooma before then departing to the Sunshine Coast.  This seems to be the 'return' flight of an opposite flight last week.

Multiquip Poultry / Navair Flight Operations Embraer EMB-500 Phenom 100EV bizjet VH-MQX flew up from Bankstown and Cessnock to Mackay Airport before later returning to those places.

LifeFlight (Aeromed) Canadair CL-600-2B16 Challenger 604 bizjet VH-OFA "Ambulance 614" visited Mackay Airport once again from Brisbane.

Robindale Group / Air Link Cessna 510 Citation Mustang bizjet VH-CMK flew up to Mackay Airport from Orange and the Sunshine Coast. 

UPDATE!  On Wednesday 24 July, VH-CMK departed Mackay Airport for the Sunshine Coast and Orange.

And MacKellar Mining Equipment Pty Ltd (Revesco Aviation) Cessna 680 Citation Sovereign bizjet VH-MMC flew up from the Sunshine Coast and landed at the Labona Station Airstrip within Adani Australia's (Bravus Mining & Resources) Carmichael Coal Mine site.  It then flew down to Emerald Airport before later returning to Labona and back to the Sunny Coast.

Meanwhile, also on Tuesday 23 July, Beech 95-B55 Baron VH-8D8 visited Rolleston Aerodrome from Toowoomba.

Brescon Beech B200 King Air VH-XDW departed Toowoomba-Wellcamp for the Sunshine Coast before flying up to Rolleston Aerodrome and Yellow Bank Junction before returning to the Sunshine Coast and Wellcamp.

Geeair (Lara, Victoria) Pilatus PC-12/47E VH-UJM flew across from Barcaldine Airport to Theodore Aerodrome before then departing to the South-East.

UPDATE!  On Wednesday 24 July, VH-UJM returned to Barcaldine Airport from the Gold Coast.

And Cirrus SR22 VH-PHX and Cirrus SR20 VH-XIQ flew up from Archerfield together. VH-PHX went to my local Clermont Aerodrome and VH-XIQ went to Emerald Airport.  During the afternoon, they flew back together from each place to Archerfield. 

Plus Victoria-based Cirrus SR22 VH-8AC flew down from Mackay Airport to Goondiwindi and Swan Hill. 

Photo taken by Tony Haynes  ©

Rural Funds Management (A.C.T.) (formerly Capital Jet Charter) Pilatus PC-12/47E VH-STE Back at CQ Airports - Plus More!

On Wednesday 31 January, Rural Funds Management (A.C.T.) Pilatus PC-12/47E VH-STE arrived into Bundaberg Airport from Canberra.

File photo

UPDATE!  On Thursday 1 February, VH-STE departed Bundaberg Airport for Rolleston Aerodrome before then flying across to Rockhampton Airport and back to Bundy.

UPDATE!  On Friday 2 February, VH-STE departed Bundaberg Airport for Canberra.

Meanwhile, also on Wednesday 31 January, AERgO Asset Management Beech B200 King Air VH-XGV as "Navair 173" landed at Theodore Aerodrome from Archerfield.  It then departed to Miles Airport and then back to Archerfield. 

Southern Cross University (Coffs Harbour) / Eastern Air Link (Port Macquarie) Cessna 337G VH-AEV arrived into Rockhampton Airport from Coffs Harbour and then departed to Hamilton Island Airport. 

Seair Pacific / Istlecote Textron Aviation (Cessna) 208B Caravan VH-TLH arrived into Rockhampton Airport from Lady Eliot Island and then departed to Middlemount Aerodrome.  It then flew down to Maryborough and Hervey Bay (Fraser Coast) Airports. 

Mackay-based Piper PA-31 Navajo VH-DWX arrived into Rockhampton Airport from Mackay Airport.  

UPDATE!  On Thursday 1 February, VH-DWX departed Rockhampton Airport for Townsville.  It later returned to Rockhampton Airport and then flew back to Mackay Airport.

Finally, late on Tuesday 30 January, it was noted that Skytrans Airlines Dahs-8-300s VH-QQL and VH-QQM did a 'swap' out at the Labona Station Airstrip within Adani Australia's (Bravus Mining & Resources) Carmichael Coal Mine site with VH-QQL flying out there from Rockhampton Airport and VH-QQM flying back into Rockhampton Airport from Labona.

Photo taken by David Geck  ©

Unexpected Emergency Landing at Rockhampton Airport by Brisbane-based Teys Australia Cessna 525 Citation CJ2 Bizjet VH-TEY - Plus More!

On Monday 15 January, Brisbane-based Teys Australia Cessna 525 Citation CJ2 bizjet VH-TEY made an unexpected visit into Rockhampton Airport.

File photo

The sleek little Citation was enroute from Archerfield to Townsville when it was forced to make a rapid descent and land at Rockhampton Airport due to the smell of smoke and the loss of its ESB(?).  

It landed safely and parked on the Northern Apron.  VH-TEY was on the ground for only 40 minutes and then departed to Townsville before later returning to Archerfield.

Meanwhile, also on Monday 15 January, the Queensland Police Service (Airwing) (State of Queensland) Cessna 208 Caravan VH-PSQ arrived into Rockhampton Airport from Brisbane before it then departed to Cairns.

Hughes Aviation (Hughes Pastoral Group) (Gympie) Pilatus PC-12//47E NGX VH-8HP flew down from Tierawoomba, near Nebo, to Archerfield and the Gold Coast.

UPDATE!  On Tuesday 16 January, VH-8HP flew back from the Gold Coast and Archerfield to Mackay Airport.

Air Link Piper PA-31-350 Navajo Chieftan VH-MZI visited Biloela / Thangool Airport from Archerfield.  It later departed Archerfield for Bankstown.

And Link Airways (Corporate Air / Vee H Aviation) Cessna 441 Conquest VH-VEJ visited Emerald Airport from Brisbane.  

Fellow Link Airways Metro 23 turboprop VH-VET visited Rockhampton Airport from Brisbane.

Of interest, Link Airways Metro 23 VH-VEK completed their Regular Passenger Transport (RPT) flight to Biloela / Thangool Airport.  Plus SAAB 340B VH-VEF completed their Fly-in Fly-out (FIFO) closed passenger charter flight from Brisbane to the Sunshine Coast and Theodore Aerodrome and back.  

There is a temporary hold on some Link Airways flights in and out of Bundaberg Airport at the moment.

Finally, also on Monday 15 January, The Redcliffe Aero Club Vulcanair (Partenavia) P.68C VH-VMV completed an aerial survey flight out of Rockhampton Airport before departing to Caloundra.  It had arrived into Rocky on Saturday 13 January and completed some flights on Sunday 14 January.

Photo taken by Graham Aspinall  ©

MacKellar Mining Equipment Pty Ltd (Revesco Aviation) Cessna 680 Citation Sovereign VH-MMC Calls into Mackay Airport - Plus More!

Late on Tuesday 28 November, LifeFlight (Aeromed) Canadair CL-600-2B16 Challenger 604 bizjet VH-OFB "Ambulance 624" arrived into Rockhampton Airport from Brisbane and Emerald Airports and then departed back to Brisbane. 

Meanwhile, on Wednesday 29 November, MacKellar Mining Equipment Pty Ltd (Revesco Aviation) Cessna 680 Citation Sovereign bizjet VH-MMC flew up to Mackay Airport from the Sunshine Coast.

File photo

UPDATE!  On Thursday 30 November, VH-MMC flew down from Mackay Airport to Rockhampton Airport and then back to the Sunshine Coast.

While Brescon (Toowoomba) Beech B200 King Air VH-XDW visited the Labona Station Airstrip within Adani Australia's (Bravus Mining & Resources) Carmichael Coal Mine site from Toowoomba via Archerfield.

Air Link (Dubbo) Beech B200 King Air VH-ISS and AERgO Asset Management Beech B200 King Air VH-XGV as "Navair 173" arrived into Rockhampton Airport from Townsville and then departed to Brisbane.  They had flown North earlier in the day.

Mandalay Two P/L Raytheon B300 Super King Air VH-SCQ visited Theodore Aerodrome from Toowoomba. 

And Australian Army marked (Helicorp) Leonardo S.P.A. Helicopters (Agusta) AW139 helicopter VH-YBG as "Warhorse 207" was noted flying around the Whitsunday Islands while on a flight out of back to Townsville.

Mineralogy Bombardier BD-700-1A10 Global Express 6000 Bizjet VH-VQN Spotted at Bundaberg Airport - Plus More!

On Wednesday 4 October, Clive Palmer's Mineralogy Company's Bombardier BD-700-1A10 Global Express 6000 bizjet VH-VQN landed at Bundaberg Airport from Brisbane and then in the afternoon, it departed back to there. 

Balmoral Air Dassault Falcon 2000LX bizjet VH-WIO arrived into Hamilton Island Airport from Bankstown.

UPDATE!  On Thursday 5 October, VH-WIO flew down from Hamilton Island Airport to Melbourne (Essendon) and then back to Bankstown.

LifeFlight (Aeromed) Canadair CL-600-2B16 Challenger 604 bizjet VH-OFB "Ambulance 624" arrived into Rockhampton Airport from Brisbane and a bit later departed to Townsville.

While Machjet (Machjet International) Cessna 525 Citation CJ1 bizjet VH-SIY as "Machflight 38" landed at Emerald Airport from then Sunshine Coast.  It then hopped to Theodore Aerodrome. This afternoon it hopped back to Emerald Airport and then back to Sunshine Coast. 

Of interest, late on Tuesday 3 October, VH-SIY as "Machflight 41" flew up from the Sunshine Coast to Rockhampton Airport and then Emerald Airport before returning to the Sunshine Coast.

And fellow McDermott Aviation Group / Machjet International Cessna 525A CitationJet CJ2 bizjet VH-SUY as "Machflight 41" flew up to Proserpine (Whitsunday Coast) Airport from and back to Sunshine Coast. 

Meanwhile, also on Wednesday 4 October, Austrek Aviation Cessna 310R VH-DZU landed at Moura Aerodrome from Toowoomba and then later returned to there. 

Brescon (Toowoomba) Beech B200 King Air VH-WXN also landed at Moura Airport but from Toowoomba-Wellcamp before also later returning back to there. 

The Queensland Police Service (Airwing) (State of Queensland) Raytheon B1900D VH-PSK arrived into Rockhampton Airport from Cairns and Townsville and then departed to Brisbane. 

Byron Bay (NSW) based Cessna 170A VH-JBD arrived into Rockhampton Airport from Townsville and Mackay Airports.

UPDATE!  On Thursday 5 October, VH-JBD departed Rockhampton Airport to Baroco. 

While Sydney based Robinson R44 II VH-YEO arrived into Rockhampton Airport from the Whitsunday Airport at Shute Harbour before it then departed to Kingaroy. It had come from the Northern Territory over the last week and a half. 

And Stirling Helicopters Bell Helicopter Textron 206L-1 VH-HKC arrived into Rockhampton Airport from Redcliffe and Bundaberg Airports. 

Finally, also later on Wednesday 4 October, Alliance Airlines Fokker F-70 VH-NKQ as UTY551 arrived into Rockhampton Airport from Horn Island and Cairns. 

Earlier, Alliance Airlines Fokker F-100 VH-XWT had transponder problems and while operating the VOZ611 flight from Brisbane to Mackay Airport, it turned back to Brisbane from a position near Rockhampton.

Photo taken by 'AC'  ©

Link Airways (Corporate Air / Vee H Aviation) SAAB 340B+ VH-VER (ex N331AG) First Visit to CQ at Theodore Aerodrome

On Wednesday 13 September, a surprise arrival into the region, and making its first ever visit, was Link Airways (Corporate Air / Vee H Aviation) SAAB 340B+ turboprop VH-VER, which flew up from Brisbane and the Sunshine Coast to land at Theodore Aerodrome on a Fly-in Fly-out (FIFO) closed charter flight.

VH-VER at Sydney just last weekend

It later returned to the Sunshine Coast and Brisbane and resumed normal operations for the airline by flying from Brisbane down to Tamworth.

Since the SAAB was delivered to Link Airways, it has primarily been operating on regional Regular Passenger Transport (RPT) routes in New South Wales and Victoria.  The airline also operates some flights on behalf of Virgin Australia Airlines.

Of interest, VH-VER previously operated in the USA with Mesaba Airlines for Northwest Airlines and Delta Airlines as N430XJ, but most recently, it flew with Florida-based Silver Airways as N331AG.  It was flown into Australia with that American registration marking in February 2022 and was 'stored' at Goulburn until May 2022 when it was then delivered to Link Airways (Corporate Air / Vee H Aviation) as VH-VER. 

N430XJ in 2017  (File photo)

N331AG in 2020  (File photo)

VH-VER was one of three most recently acquired SAAB 340s, and as far as we are aware, the other two which were acquired about this time - VH-VEA and VH-VEQ - are still yet to make an appearance in Central Queensland.

Of interest, also on Wednesday 13 September, fellow Link Airways SAAB 340B VH-VEC flew into Mackay Airport from Townsville and Horn Island before then flying down to Brisbane.  VH-VEC had flown up to Townsville from Brisbane the previous day.

 

Photos taken by Tom Murray-Smith, Tom Turner and Travis Piatek  ©

Private American Registered IAI Gulfstream G280 Bizjet N308KB Arrived into Hamilton Island Airport - Plus More!

On Saturday 9 September, private American Registered IAI Gulfstream G280 bizjet N308KB arrived into Hamilton Island Airport from Cairns.

File photo

It's exact movements are not fully known, but it is assumed it arrived from overseas earlier in the day.

UPDATE!  On Friday 15 September, N308KB departed Hamilton Island airport for Darwin and Singapore (Seletar).

Also arriving into Hamilton Island Airport, also on Saturday 9 September, was Multiquip Poultry / Navair Flight Operations Embraer EMB-500 Phenom 100EV bizjet VH-MQX.  It arrived from Bankstown as "Navair 188".

UPDATE!  On Wednesday 13 September, VH-MQX "Navair 187" departed Hamo for Bankstown.

And Bowenville (near Toowoomba) based Cessna 525 CitationJet CJ1+ bizjet VH-JSZ arrived into Rockhampton Airport from Archerfield and Sydney before then departing back to Archerfield.

Meanwhile, also on Saturday 9 September, Brisbane-based Hewitt Cattle Australia P/L SOCATA TBM 700 VH-PGA departed Rockhampton Airport for Mareeba before returning later in the day.  It then departed to the Sunshine Coast.  It had arrived the previous day from the Gold Coast.

Southern Airlines Rockwell 690A Turbo Commander VH-SOU, which has been flying out of Rockhampton Airport in recent days and weeks, departed to Theodore, Roma and Archerfield Airports before later flying back up to Bundaberg Airport.

Brisbane-based Piper PA-31-350 VH-RPV departed Longreach Airport for Roma Airport and then Archerfield.  It looked to be completing an outback adventure flight which started from Archerfield on Monday 4 September.

While three Airflite / Commonwealth of Australia (Cadets Branch - Air Force) Diamond DA 40 NG Star aircraft VH-UEL, VH-UEM and VH-UEZ all operated out of and back to Hervey Bay (Fraser Coast) Airport through the day with 'Astra' callsigns.  They had arrived from RAAF Base Amberley via Redcliffe on Friday 8 September.

UPDATE!  On Sunday 10 September, VH-UEM "Astra 205" departed to the Fraser Coast Wings and Wheels at Maryborough Airport.  VH-UEZ "Astra 202" departed back to Amberley.

UPDATE!  On Thursday 14 September, VH-UEL "Astra 230" finally departed to Redcliffe and Amberley.

And joining the three Diamonds was Piper PA-38-112 Tomahawk VH-UAL of the Australian Air Force Cadets (Air Cadets School of Aviation) which also arrived into Hervey Bay Airport on Friday and also completed flights over the weekend.

Photo taken by Garth Coad  ©

Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) Boeing C-17A Globemaster III A41-213 "Stallion 53" Calls into Rockhampton Airport Twice - Plus More!

On Wednesday 29 March, Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) Boeing C-17A Globemaster III A41-213 was spotted on the ground at Rockhampton Airport as it completed two visits during a busy day of flying.

The Globemaster was flying as "Stallion 53" and came up from RAAF Base Amberley to South of Monto where it descended to low level, and then flew low-level and no-communication up past Monto and Theodore and onwards to Rockhampton Airport where it landed and taxied in to park.

The Globemaster was promptly loaded with personnel and equipment, including Bushmaster vehicles and it then departed back to Amberley.

Later in the afternoon, A41-213 "Stallion 53" returned to Rockhampton Airport from Amberley and again was loaded with personnel and equipment before it again departed back to Amberley.

Meanwhile, late on Wednesday 29 March, Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) Alenia C-27J Spartan transport aircraft A34-010 as "Wallaby 55" was noted completing airwork at Wondai while on a flight out of back to RAAF Base Amberley.

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

Photos taken by Scott Harris, Jake Wallace and 'IAD'  ©

Victoria based Cessna 525A CitationJet CJ2 VH-VPM Calls into Proserpine (Whitsunday Coast) Airport - Plus More!

On Thursday 2 March, Victoria based Cessna 525A CitationJet CJ2 VH-VPM was spotted visiting Proserpine (Whitsunday Coast) Airport.

It looked to arrive from and then later depart back to its Melbourne (Essendon) base.

Bowenville (near Toowoomba) based Cessna 525 CitationJet CJ1+ bizjet VH-JSZ flew down from Natal Dwons to my local Clermont Aerodrome and then Dalby and Archerfield.

UPDATE!  On Friday 3 March, VH-JSZ flew up to Chinchilla Aerodrome from from Archerfield and the Sunshine Coast.  It later returned to Chinchilla Aerodrome from and back to Archerfield.

RDO Equipment Co. Pilatus PC-12/47 VH-WPH flew up from Toowoomba and Archerfield to Bundaberg, Gladstone and Emerald Airports.  It then returned to Gladstone Airport and then back to Archerfield and Toowoomba.  It also appears that VH-WPH visited Theodore Aerodrome from Toowoomba the previous day.

And Flight One (Services) Beech B200 King Air VH-FON visited the Labona Station Airstrip within Adani Australia's (Bravus Mining & Resources) Carmichael Coal Mine site from Archerfield and the Sunshine Coast.

Photo taken by 'AC'  ©

Air Charter Services / Flight Options (Australia) Embraer EMB-505 Phenom 300 Bizjet VH-VKX Pops into Theodore Aerodrome - Plus More!

On both Saturday 10 December and Sunday 11 December, Air Charter Services / Flight Options (Australia) Embraer EMB-505 Phenom 300 bizjet VH-VKX was noted visiting Theordore Aerodrome.

File photo

On Saturday, VH-VKX arrived from Brisbane and departed to the Gold Coast.  On Sunday, VH-VKX returned from the Gold Coast and then departed to the Sunshine Coast.

Meanwhile, also on Sunday 11 December, Graham Aviation (Cairns) Cessna 510 Citation Mustang bizjet VH-FMZ visited Hamilton Island Airport from Mareeba and Cairns.

And locally-based Embraer EMB-550 Legacy 500 bizjet N142GZ departed Mackay Airport for the Gold Coast.

UPDATE!  On Monday 12 December, N142GZ returned to Mackay Airport.

Finally, also on Sunday 11 December, recently registered (to 'Red Rock' near Comet) Cessna 208B Grand Caravan VH-RTC flew into Rockhampton Airport from Gladstone Airport after earlier flying across from Tobermorey in the Northern Territory.

BK Hire (Toowoomba) Piper PA-31-350 Navajo VH-TTX looked to fly out from Bundaberg Airport to Hervey Bay (Fraser Coast) Airport and then Toowoomba.  It looked to fly up from Toowoomba on Friday 9 December.

New South Wales-based Cessna 182 VH-RDC departed Rockhampton Airport for Warren.  It looked to arrive from there via Roma Airport on Wednesday 7 December.

Cessna 208B Supervan 900 Skydiving Aircraft VH-XLF looked to depart the Lakeside Airpark for Hervey Bay (Fraser Coast) and Caloundra Airports before continuing further South.  It has been operating out of Lakeside Airpark and the nearby Laguna Quays Resort.

And there was a swap of skydiving aircraft at the Whitsunday Airport at Shute Harbour with Skydive Airlie Beach but Wollongong-registered Cessna 208 Caravan VH-DNK departing for Tully and Australia Skydive Cessna 208 Caravan VH-YMV arriving from Tully.

Photo taken by John Lee  ©

Southern Airlines Beech B200 King Air VH-AMF Visits Moranbah Airport Once Again on Weekly FIFO Run - Plus More!

On Tuesday 29 November, Southern Airlines Beech B200 King Air VH-AMF was noted doing the weekly Fly-in Fly-out (FIFO) charter flight up to Moranbah Airport. It flew up from Latrobe Valley and Bourke to Moranbah Airport before then heading back to Bourke and Latrobe Valley.

Mike Didsbury / https://www.flickr.com/

And DeGunst Transport P/L Textron (Cessna) 208 Caravan VH-NPZ completed its weekly FIFO run from Bundaberg Airport to Nebo Aerodrome and back.

Meanwhile, also on Tuesday 29 November, the Queensland Government Airwing (State of Queensland) Raytheon B300 Super King Air VH-SGQ visited Rockhampton Airport from Mount Isa.

Machjet (Machjet International) Hawker Beechcraft B200 King Air VH-ZSY flew down from Townsville to Rockhampton Airport but due to weather it diverted to Mackay Airport.  Later, it was able to land at Rockhampton Airport from Mackay Airport before it then departed back to Townsville. 

Brisbane-based Avcair Cessna 425 Conquest 1 VH-BSM visited Theodore Aerodrome from Archerfield. 

RDO Equipment Co. Pilatus PC-12/47 VH-WPH visited Hervey Bay (Fraser Coast) Airport from Toowoomba.

And Edwards Coaches Cessna 441 VH-TAZ flew up from Armidale, Bankstown and Wangaratta to Hervey Bay (Fraser Coast) Airport and then Bundaberg Airport before then flying North to Cairns. 

UPDATE!  On Wednesday 30 November, VH-TAZ passed through Gladstone Airport while flying down from Cairns to Armidale.

Finally, also on Tuesday 29 November, MacKellar Mining Equipment Pty Ltd (Revesco Aviation) Cessna 680 Citation Sovereign bizjet VH-MMC was noted visiting the Labona Station Airstrip within Adani Australia's (Bravus Mining & Resources) Carmichael Coal Mine site. It looked to arrive from and then later depart back to its Sunshine Coast base via Emerald Airport.

And Mitchell Water Cessna 525 Citation M2 bizjet VH-WMY visited Miles and Roma Airports while on a busy day of flying out of and back to Melbourne (Moorabbin) Airport.

Navair Flight Operations Embraer EMB-500 Phenom 100 Bizjet VH-LXZ Spotted at Mackay Airport Once Again - Plus More!

On Thursday 6 October, Navair Flight Operations Embraer EMB-500 Phenom 100 bizjet VH-LXZ was spotted visiting Mackay Airport.

The frequent visitor to the Sugar City this time looked to fly up from and then returned back to Bankstown via Maitland and the Gold Coast.

Also departing Mackay Airport, also on Thursday 6 October, was 1957-built Piper PA-22-150 tri-pacer which headed back to Atherton.  It looked to arrive earlier in the week.

While Tasmania-registered Helicopter Resources P/L's Eurocopter AS.350B3 Squirrel helicopter VH-UUG is perhaps heading back to Tassie, departing Mackay Airport for Biloela / Thangool Airport and then ports further South.

Meanwhile, also on Thursday 6 October, Edwards Coaches Cessna 441 Conquest II VH-OXY departed Theodore Aerodrome for Mount Isa and then back to Armidale.  It had departed from there at the start of the week and arrived into Theordore Aerodrome from Nyngan on Wednesday 5 October.

The New South Wales National Parks and Wildlife Textron Aviation (Cessna) 208B Caravan VH-TFV "Park Air 26" continued its adventures around Queensland, departing Mount Isa for Longreach Airport before then continuing across to Rockhampton Airport.

UPDATE!  On Friday 7 October, VH-TFV "Park Air 26" departed Rockhampton Airport for the South.  It appears to have ended up at Birdsville.

While Brisbane-based Crockett Aviation Group Beech B200 King Air VH-FAQ visited the Labona Station Airstrip within Adani Australia's (Bravus Mining & Resources) Carmichael Coal Mine site from Archerfield and the Sunshine Coast.

Aircair Aviation (Aircair Helicopters) Cessna 340A VH-MPQ visited my local Clermont Aerodrome from its Moree base.

And Brisbane-based Piper PA-31-350 VH-RPV called into Emerald Airport while flying up from Rolleston Aerodrome to Hughenden and then Undara - perhaps on a closed tourist charter flight.

Finally, also on Thursday 6 October, Queensland Government (QGAir) Rescue (State of Queensland) Agusta AW139 helicopter VH-ESH headed North from Archerfield to Cairns via Gladstone, Mackay and Townsville Airports at the completion of planned maintenance.

Of interest, fellow QGAir Rescue Agusta AW139 helicopter VH-ESZ has been making frequent medical evacuation flights to Mackay Base Hospital from and back to Townsville Base Hospital and Townsville Airport as "Rescue 521".

And Pionair Australia British Aerospace BAe 146-200QC VH-SAZ was noted arriving in Rockhampton Airport from Horn Island and Cairns as 'SFZ643' / "Skyforce 643".

UPDATE!  On Friday 7 October, VH-SAZ departed Rockhampton Airport for Brisbane.

Photo taken by 'TM'  ©

Divair (Air Link) Cessna 525B CitationJet CJ3 Bizjet VH-NNE Spotted at The Whitsunday Airport at Shute Harbour - Plus More!

On Thursday 22 September, Divair (Air Link) Cessna 525B CitationJet CJ3 bizjet VH-NNE flew up to the Whitsunday Airport at Shute Harbour from Bankstown and Orange.  At the time of writing, it appears to be staying for at least the night. 

UPDATE!  On Wednesday 28 September, VH-NNE departed the Whitsunday Airport at Shute Harbour and returned to Bankstown.

Mitchell Water Cessna 525 Citation M2 bizjet VH-WMY flew up from Melbourne (Moorabbin) to Proserpine (Whitsunday Coast) Airport before flying down to Miles Airport and then back up to Hamilton Island Airport and then Mackay Airport.  VH-WMY is presently flying down to Melbourne (Essendon).

And Special Mining Services / Flight Options (Australia) Embraer EMB-505 Phenom 300E bizjet VH-UYX flew up from Sydney to Hamilton Island Airport and back. 

Meanwhile, also on Thursday 22 September, Brisbane-based Crockett Aviation Group Beech B200 King Air VH-FAQ visited the Labona Station Airstrip within Adani Australia's (Bravus Mining & Resources) Carmichael Coal Mine site from Archerfield and the Sunshine Coast.  This seems to be a weekly flight.

Aerometrex Vulcanair (Partenavia) P.68C VH-CJJ departed Emerald Airport to complete survey work around Newlands Mine before then returning back to Emerald Airport. It looked to then fly another aerial survey flight to the South and then back to Emerald Airport once again. 

Aero Logistics Cessna 404 VH-AZU also completed an aerial survey flight out and back to of Emerald Airport but to around the Blackdown Tablelands and Dysart.

Recently re-registered Onshore Engineering / 360 Aero Space (Victoria) Piper PA-31 Navajo VH-SJD arrived into Rockhampton Airport from Mount Isa.

UPDATE!  On Monday 26 September, VH-SJD departed Rockhampton Airport and returned to Mount Isa.

Brisbane-based Avcair Cessna 425 Conquest 1 VH-BSM visited Theodore Aerodrome from its Archerfield base.

ZephAir Australia - Aircraft Charters Piper PA-31 Navajo VH-AYT flew from Mackay Airport back to its Townsville base.  It had flown down late last week via Proserpine (Whitsunday Coast) Airport.

Brisbane-based Cessna T303 VH-TFA was noted departing Hamilton Island Airport for Mackay Airport.  It had arrived into Hamo from Archerfield late last week.

And Hinterland Aviation swapped over their Cessna 208 Caravans at Labona with VH-MRZ flying in from Rockhampton Airport as HND320 and departing to Townsville as HND221, while VH-TFQ flew down to Labona from Townsville as HND before then flying across to Rockhampton Airport as HND321.  Fellow Hinterland Aviation Cessna 208 Caravan VH-TFS continues to operate out of Rockhampton Airport.

Finally, also on Thursday 22 September, USA registered Robinson R22 helicopter N622TC arrived into Rockhampton Airport from the Yeppoon direction before then departing to Bundaberg Airport.

Photos taken by Lee Holloway  ©

Link Airways (Corporate Air / Vee H Aviation) SAAB 340B+ VH-VEC First Visit to CQ at Theodore Aerodrome

On Monday 12 September, a surprise arrival into the region, and making its first ever visit, was Link Airways (Corporate Air / Vee H Aviation) SAAB 340B+ turboprop VH-VEC, which touched down at Theodore Aerodrome, operating a Fly-in Fly-out (FIFO) charter flight from Brisbane via the Sunshine Coast.

Ev Brown / https://www.flickr.com/

The SAAB is one of several recently delivered aircraft to Link Airways, primarily for operations on regional Regular Passenger Transport (RPT) routes in New South Wales and Victoria.  The airline also operates some flights on behalf of Virgin Australia Airlines.

Of interest, VH-VEC was registered to and delivered to Link Airways (Corporate Air / Vee H Aviation) in Australia in July 2021 with it previously operating with Florida-based Silver Airways in the USA as N433XJ.

N433XJ in 2019  (Ian Grove / https://www.flickr.com/)

VH-VEC was registered at that time to parent company Vee H Aviation along with another SAAB 340B+ VH-VED.

Link Airways (Corporate Air / Vee H Aviation) has also taken delivery of three more SAAB 340Bs earlier in 2022 registered VH-VEA, VH-VEQ and VH-VER.

As far as we are aware, VH-VED, VH-VEA, VH-VEQ and VH-VER have yet to make an appearance in Central Queensland.

Sundown Pastoral Co. New Textron Aviation (Cessna) 680A Citation Latitude Bizjet VH-UCE Pops into Proserpine (Whitsunday Coast) Airport - Plus More!

On Wednesday 31 August, brand new Sundown Pastoral Co. Textron Aviation (Cessna) 680A Citation Latitude bizjet VH-UCE was noted visiting Proserpine (Whitsunday Coast) Airport on what appears to be its first visit to the region.

File photo

It looked to arrive from and later depart back to its Gold Coast base.

VH-UCE was delivered to Sundown Pastoral Co. at the Gold Coast at the start of July and looks to be a replacement aircraft for their Raytheon B300 Super King Air VH-NSI which was exported to New Zealand and re-registered as ZK-APL in April this year.

Sundown Pastoral Co. also looked to previously operate Hawker Beechcraft Hawker 900XP bizjet VH-EVF between 2008 and 2016 with it being exported to the USA and re-registered as N881JC.

Meanwhile, also on Wednesday 31 August, Navair Flight Operations Embraer EMB-500 Phenom 100 bizjet VH-LXZ was noted arriving into Mackay Airport from Bankstown and Maitland.

UPDATE!  On Thursday 1 September, VH-LXZ departed Mackay Airport and returned to Maitland and then Bankstown.

Avcair (Avgunn) LearJet 60 bizjet VH-OLJ visited Hamilton Island Airport from Brisbane.

While Brescon (Toowoomba) Beech B200 King Air VH-XDW visited my local Clermont Aerodrome from Toowoomba-Wellcamp.

Ipswich-based Airborne P/L (Palm Lake Works) Pilatus PC-12/47E VH-VLQ was noted once again visiting Bundaberg Airport from its Gold Coast base.

And re-registered Poolhurst Aviation Air Charter Services Pilatus PC-12/47E VH-UJM looked to depart Rolleston Aerodrome for Archerfield.  It appears to have arrived the previous day.

Finally, also on Wednesday 31 August, Pionair Australia British Aerospace BAe-146-200 VH-SYO was noted departing Longreach Airport for Winton and Mount Isa as 'SFZ607' / "Skyforce 607".  It then flew to Cairns as 'SFZ9057' / "Skyforce 9057".  VH-SYO had arrived into Longreach Airport on Monday 29 August.

And Link Airways (Corporate Air / Vee H Aviation) Metro 23 VH-VET also flew into Longreach Airport, arriving from Boulia and departing to Brisbane.

Fellow Link Airways SAAB 340B VH-VEO flew up from Brisbane to the Sunshine Coast and was heading then to Theodore Aerodrome.  Due to weather however, and after a long hold, it diverted to Biloela / Thangool Airport.  VH-VEO was later able to land at Theodore Aerodrome before then returning to the Sunshine Coast and Brisbane.

Fellow Link Airways Cessna 441 VH-VEJ arrived into the Oaky Creek Mine Site from Brisbane.

UPDATE!  On Thursday 1 September, VH-VEJ departed Oaky Creek for Moree and Newcastle (Williamtown) before then returning to Brisbane.

Photo taken by Brodie Lawson  ©️

Gulf Coast Aviation Cessna 510 Citation Mustang Bizjet VH-KXM at CQ Airports - Plus More!

On Friday 5 August, Gulf Coast Aviation Cessna 510 Citation Mustang bizjet VH-KXM continued its adventures around the region.

File photo

It departed Rockhampton Airport for Monto and then Theodore Aerodromes.  VH-KXM then continued to Emerald Airport before returning to Rockhampton Airport.

UPDATE!  On Saturday 6 August, VH-KXM departed to Stirling Station, Normanton and Cairns.

While Bowenville (near Toowoomba) based Cessna 525 CitationJet CJ1+ bizjet VH-JSZ visited Mackay Airport from Archerfield.

Meanwhile, also on Friday 5 August, Victoria-based  Ted Smith Aerostar 601 VH-IDP flew up from Archerfield to Mackay Airport.

UPDATE!  On Saturday 6 August, VH-IDP departed Mackay Airport for Cairns.

The Queensland Government Airwing (State of Queensland) Raytheon B300 Super King Air VH-SGQ visited Mackay Airport from Brisbane.

Townsville-based Forster Helicopters Bell Helicopter Textron 407 helicopter VH-DMF was noted flying out of and around Mackay Airport.

While ZephAir Australia - Aircraft Charters Piper PA-31 Navajo VH-AYT visited Hamilton Island Airport from its Townsville base.

Beech 95-B55 VH-MYM visited Rockhampton Airport from its Gayndah Aerodrome base.

Victoria-based PA-32R-301 VH-FTO flew from Emerald Airport to Hamilton Island Airport.

Of interest, New South Wales-based Piper PA-28-181 Archer VH-JRP and Tasmania-based Piper PA-28R-200 VH-IGL both flew from Emerald Airport to Hamilton Island Airport on Thursday 4 August.

Ipswich-based Airborne P/L (Palm Lake Works) Pilatus PC-12/47E VH-VLQ was noted once again visiting Bundaberg Airport, this time arriving from the Gold Coast and Caloundra.

UPDATE!  On Saturday 6 August, VH-VLQ returned to Caloundra and the Gold Coast.

And McDermott Aviation / Heli-Lift Australia Aerospatiale 365N2 Dauphin 2 helicopter N366SR visited Bundaberg Airport from its Sunshine Coast base. 

Finally, also on Friday 5 August, Cessna 208B Supervan 900 Skydiving Aircraft VH-XLF departed Innisfail for Roma Airport and then Bankstown.

Photo taken by Russell Prothero  ©