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.

File photo

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  ©

Coulson Aviation (USA) Boeing B737-300 Large Air Tanker ‘Fireliner’ N138CG "Bomber 210" Calls into Bundaberg Airport - Plus More!

On Monday 7 December, the growing bushfire crisis over on Fraser Island saw the arrival into the region and at Bundaberg Airport of Coulson Aviation (USA) Boeing B737-300 Large Air Tanker 'Fireliner' N138CG "Bomber 210".  It arrived directly from RAAF Base Richmond in New South Wales.

N138CG is based at Richmond along with another Coulson Aviation (USA) Boeing B737-300 Large Air Tanker 'Fireliner' N137CG "Bomber 137" with both having been deployed to the New South Wales Rural Fire Service (RFS) for the Australian Summer.

While on the way to Bundy, N138CG looked to descend and fly over a fire near Toowoomba where it dropped some 15000 litres of water onto the fire before being photographed soon after its arrival into Bundaberg Airport for a historic first visit.

Soon after, N138CG "Bomber 210" joined the the resident Conair Dash-8-Q400MR C-FFQE "Bomber 141" in departing to Fraser Island to complete water drops.  They both returned to Bundaberg Airport to re-fuel and re-load on at least one further occasion.

Both aircraft were supported by the Agair Logistics P/L Cessna 525 CitationJet CJ1 bizjet VH-RMB as "Birddog 123".  The smart little Citation had arrived into Bundaberg Airport on Saturday 5 December and looked to replace the fellow Agair Rockwell Turbo Commander 690B VH-LVG "Birddog 273" which departed to Dubbo on Sunday 6 December.

Of interest, N138CG is one of six planned Boeing B737 ‘Fireliner’ air tankers that Coulson Aviation has acquired and will convert.   Each B737-300 aircraft was previously operated by Southwest Airlines in the USA with N138CG entering service with Coulson Aviation and being certified in mid-2019 having previously operating as N608SW from 1995 until it was withdrawn from use in 2017.

Meanwhile, other bushfire fighting aircraft and helicopters spotted and noted operating over the Fraser Island bushfire, also on Monday 7 December, included Ayres Thrush S2R-T660 VH-FNV "Bomber 412" of South Burnett Air Services at Dalby which completing many flights from and back to Bundaberg Airport.

Port Macquarie-based R & M Aviation Air Tractor AT-802A 'Fire Boss' VH-IWU "Bomber 716" was spotted back at Bundaberg Airport to refuel before heading back to the fire zone.

Pay's Air Service Air Tractor AT-802A 'Fire Boss' VH-FBX "Bomber 360" was also noted spending time over Fraser Island before eventually landing back at Bundaberg Airport also for fuel.

And Kennedy Aviation / Kennedy Air-Ag Air Tractor AT-802A 'Fire Boss' water bombing aircraft - VH-XAT "Bomber 288" and VH-XAV "Bomber 266" - also looked to be operating over Fraser Island and out of Bundaberg Airport.  While Kennedy Aviation (Kennedy Air Services) North American Rockwell 500S VH-XAS "Birddog 444" operated between Bundaberg and Childers while on a flight out of and back to Toowoomba.

Finally, of the helicopters noted over Fraser Island, also on Monday 7 December, Emerald-based Heli Central Williams Helicopter Corp (Bell) UH-1H Huey VH-UHH "Helitak 468" and Elite Helicopters (Brisbane) Aerospatiale AS.350BA Squirrel VH-WMW "Firebird 410" looked to continue to operate from and back to Hervey Bay (Fraser Coast) Airport.

Sincere thanks to Dan B from Dan Beck Photography for allowing us to share these great photos!

All photos taken by Dan B  ©

Some Photos of the Fixed Wing Aircraft Fighting the Fraser Island Bushfire at Maryborough Airport

With the massive bushfire continuing to burn on Fraser Island, as many as six fixed wing fire fighting aircraft have been operating out of the nearby Fraser Coast Airports including Maryborough Airport.  And on Friday 4 December, local plane spotter David G was on had to capture some of the action.

Meandarra Aerial Spraying Air Tractor AT-802A VH-SDJ "Bomber 424" (pictured) and VH-LHW "Bomber 428".

R-Mach Aviation Ayres S2R Turbine Thrush VH-NFF "Bomber 407".

UPDATE!  It appears that fellow R-Mach Aviation PZL Warszawa-Okecie M-18B Dromader VH-MDR "Bomber 402" also (re-)joined the bushfire fight, flying into Hervey Bay (Fraser Coast) Airport from Rockhampton Airport on Saturday 5 December.

Ayres Thrush S2R-T660 VH-FNV "Bomber 412" of South Burnett Air Services at Dalby was noted also completing many flights between Maryborough Airport and Fraser Island the previous day as well.

Emerald-based Central Highlands Aerial Services (CHAS) Air Tractor AT-802A VH-JQW "Bomber 271".

It is expected that all fixed wing aircraft will move to be based at Hervey Bay (Fraser Coast) Airport over the weekend as the fight continues to keep the bushfire on Fraser Island from populated areas.

https://www.facebook.com/QldFireandEmergencyServices

While down at Bundaberg Airport, also on Friday 4 December, the resident Conair Dash-8-Q400MR C-FFQE "Bomber 141", along with the Agair Logistics P/L Rockwell Turbo Commander 690B VH-LVG "Birddog 273", were also noted completing flights over to Fraser Island and back.

Finally, a couple of helicopters were also noted operating over Fraser Island included Emerald-based Heli Central Williams Helicopter Corp (Bell) UH-1H Huey VH-UHH "Helitak 468" and Elite Helicopters (Brisbane) Aerospatiale AS.350BA Squirrel VH-WMW "Firebird 410".

While Stirling Helicopters Bell Helicopter Textron Canada 407 VH-IBF "Firebird 423" was heard flying from Rockhampton Airport to Gladstone Airport.  And sistership Eurocopter AS350B3 Squirrel helicopter VH-EUM "Firebird 429" returned to Rockhampton Airport after flying South the previous day.

UPDATE!  On Saturday 5 December, VH-IBF "Firebird 423" returned from Gladstone Airport to Rockhampton Airport.  While Stirlings Eurocopter AS.350BA Squirrel VH-WHW "Firebird 421" looked to depard Rockhampton Airport to the fire zone. 

Sincere Sincere thanks to David G for capturing and sending through these great photos from Maryborough!

Photos taken by David Geck  ©

Avia Aviation (Victoria) Cessna 510 Citation Mustang Bizjet VH-MSU Pops into Emerald Airport - Plus More!

On Wednesday 2 December, Avia Aviation (Victoria) Cessna 510 Citation Mustang bizjet VH-MSU made what appears to be its first visit to Central Queensland, popping into Emerald Airport.

VH-MSU at Adelaide Airport late last month

VH-MSU looked to touch down from Toowoomba after arriving there direct from its Melbourne (Moorabbin) base the previous day. It then departed Emerald Airport for Innisfail.

Meanwhile, also on Wednesday 2 December, the visiting UP Aviation (Victoria) Bombardier BD-700-1A10 Global Express 6000 bizjet VH-UBH was noted departing Rockhampton Airport for Townsville.  It had arrived during the previous afternoon - see Blog post below.

While slightly smaller, but also noted visiting Rockhampton Airport, also on Wednesday 2 December, was Seair Pacific / Istelcote De Havilland DHC-6-100 Twin Otter VH-ZKF which was again noted operating the weekly Fly-in Fly-out (FIFO) closed charter flight from the Gold Coast and Brisbane to Rocky then up to Collinsville Aerodrome and Townsville.  As usual, VH-ZKF later returned South over the same route.

While fellow Seair Pacific / Istlecote Cessna 208 Caravan VH-LYT was noted arriving into Rockhampton Airport from Hervey Bay (Fraser Coast) Airport.  

After spending the day parked, early on Thursday 3 December, VH-LYT is due to depart Rockhampton Airport for Middlemount Aerodrome.  It should then fly back to Maryborough and Hervey Bay Airports.

During the afternoon, also on Wednesday 2 December, the 'resident' Hinterland Aviation Cessna 208 Caravan VH-NDC departed Rockhampton Airport on what looked to be a training flight over the coast and Keppel Islands before returning back to Rockhampton Airport where it was heard to complete several circuits. 

UPDATE!  On Thursday 3 December, the other 'resident' Hinterland Aviation Cessna 208 Caravan VH-CVN departed Rockhampton Airport on a training flight as "Hinterland 815" to Gladstone Airport and back via several circuits at Rocky.

Finally, a couple of more bushfire fighting aircraft and helicopter movements included R-Mach Aviation Ayres S2R Turbine Thrush VH-NFF "Bomber 407" flying from Rockhampton Airport to Bundaberg Airport.  While Stirling Helicopters newly registered Eurocopter AS350B3 Squirrel helicopter VH-EUM arrived into Rockhampton Airport from its Dululu base as "Firebird 429".

UPDATE!  On Thursday 3 December, VH-EUM "Firebird 429" departed Rockhampton Airport for the South.

And Heli Qld Airbus Helicopters EC 130 T2 VH-WJY was noted visiting Rockhampton Airport once again while flying home to its Toowoomba base from the Whitsunday Airport at Shute Harbour.  It had flown North via Rocky at the end of last week.

Photo taken by Tony Haynes  ©

More Bushfire Fighting Aircraft and Helicopters Operate from Rockhampton Airport to Nearby Berserker Ranges

As a bushfire in the Southern corner of Berserker Ranges continued on Friday 27 November, some more fire fighting aircraft and helicopters were noted operating around and out of Rockhampton Airport.

Rockhampton-based Stirling Helicopters Eurocopter AS.350BA Squirrel VH-WHW "Firebird 421" was heard to battle the fire all day taking to the air early in the morning.

https://www.facebook.com/StirlingHelicopters/

UPDATE!  After seemingly returning to Rockhampton Airport the previous day, on Saturday 28 November, VH-WHW "Firebird 421" departed to Gladstone Airport. 

Fellow Stirling Helicopters Bell Helicopter Textron Canada 407 VH-IBF "Firebird 423" was noted arriving into Rockhampton Airport but is believed not to have fought the fire.

Also Rockhampton-based R-Mach Aviation Ayres S2R Turbine Thrush VH-NFF "Bomber 407" operated to the local fire from and back to Rockhampton Airport all throughout the afternoon.

And Kennedy Aviation North American Rockwell 500S VH-XAS as "Birddog 444" arrived to the fire area during the afternoon from Toowoomba and Bundaberg Airports.  After a couple of hours work it left the local area and landed back at Bundaberg Airport.

Australian Country Choice Properties Cessna 560 Citation V Encore Bizjet VH-ACC Pops into Hamilton Island Airport

On Saturday 17 October, Australian Country Choice Properties (Brisbane) Cessna 560 Citation V Encore bizjet VH-ACC was noted visiting Hamilton Island Airport.

File photo

VH-ACC looked to arrive from Archerfield via some low-level airwork reportedly around a wrecked boat North-East of Bundaberg.  VH-ACC later returned to its Archerfield base.

Meanwhile, on the mainland at Bowen Airport, a pair of Emerald-based Aero Professional Ayres S2R Thrush crop spraying aircraft were photographed preparing for an overnight stay late on Friday 16 October.

S2R-G10 VH-NFZ and S2R-H80 VH-NFW arrived from parts unknown earlier in the day.

All photos taken by James Kirk  ©

More Photos of the Various Firefighting Helicopters and Aircraft Currently Based at Central Queensland Airports

As we posted over the weekend, devastating bushfires have flared up around various parts of Central Queensland with the worst perhaps around Yeppoon and the Capricorn Coast region near Rockhampton. Crews are still struggling as the current bushfire emergency gripping parts of Eastern Australia hit locally.

https://www.mcdermottaviation.com/

As mentioned, various fighting helicopters and aircraft were noted operating around various parts of CQ including out of Rockhampton Airport.

More of the fixed wing aircraft were photographed at Rockhampton Airport as they prepared for another day fighting the fires on Monday 11 November.  These included Emerald-based Central Highlands Aerial Services (CHAS) Thrush S2R-T660 aircraft VH-PMD "Bomber 434" and VH-KCS "Bomber 435" which was also joined by their Beech A36 Bonanza VH-FEL.

Locally-based R-Mach Aviation Ayres S2R Turbine Thrush VH-NFF "Bomber 407" and PZL Warszawa-Okecie M-18B Dromader VH-MDR "Bomber 402" continued to operate out of Rockhampton Airport, along with their Cessna 337G Super Skymaster VH-JOE "Birddog 410" which was again completing aerial surveying of the firezone.

Of the helicopters, the Kestrel Aviation-operated Firehawk Helicopter (Brainerd Helicopters) Sikorsky UH-60A Blackhawk helicopter N9FH flying as "Helitak 470" flew out of Rockhampton Airport and continued to operate at Yeppoon.

As did the McDermott Aviation / Heli-Lift Australia Helicopters Bell Textron Helicopter 214B-1 Big Lifter helicopter VH-SEK "Helitak 430" and Aerospatiale AS.355F1 helicopter VH-YUR "Firebird 450".  While the McDermott Aerospatiale 365N2 Dauphin 2 helicopter N366SR which arrived late on Sunday, departed back to the Sunshine Coast during the morning also on Monday 11 November.

Also departing Rockhampton Airport and heading to Maryborough Airport (as shown below) where it will reportedly take up operations was Western Australia-registered Eurocopter AS 350 B3 Squirrel helicopter VH-PKU.

While Elite Helicopters (Brisbane) Aerospatiale AS.350BA Squirrel VH-WMW flying as "Firebird 410" also departed Rockhamptopn Airport and continued to operate around Yeppoon.

And locally-based Stirling Helicopters Bell 206 VH-JAQ, Eurocopter AS.350BA Squirrel VH-WHW "Firebird 423" and Bell Helicopter Textron Canada 407 VH-IBF "Firebird 421" were again noted battling the fires around Yeppoon.

Finally, locally-based Eurocopter AS 350 B3 Squirrel helicopter VH-XBO was noted operating out of Mackay Airport and battling bushfires to the North between Proserpine and Bowen and around the Whitsundays again also on Monday 11 November.

Sincere thanks to the local plane spotters for their help in compiling the information and for allowing us to share these great photos contained in this post.

We offer our thoughts and prayers to those who are affected by this bushfire emergency and sincerely thank those volunteers and other firefighters who are battling these fierce blazes up and down the Eastern Australia coast.

Photos taken by Trevor Hardsman and Kayanne Hardsman  ©