Another Bizjet into Mackay Airport

Adam P in Mackay reports on yet another bizjet visiting Mackay Airport with Gulfstream G-V N36GV registered to Westfield Aviation in Sydney arriving Friday 6 August.

Miner to fund Clermont Aerodrome Revamp

It has been reported today in the media that Coal mining company Rio Tinto will spend more than $4.5 million to improve the runway and buildings at the council-owned Clermont Aerodrome (pictured above on a typically busy morning of FIFO operations). The full report HERE.

Mackay Airport Upgrades Begin

Mackay Airport's $10 million upgrade has commenced with work on the overlay of the main runway reportedly begining this week. The majority of the runway works will take place during the night to avoid disruptions to daytime operations.

Mackay Airport management states that "the project will ensure the ongoing integrity of the runway and its ability to meet the demands of the growing number of aircraft movements at Mackay Airport".

The Airport upgrade will also feature a $2 million remodelling of the terminal, creating space for various new shops, including added cafes and bars along with a souvenir shop and newsagency. The new terminal design (below) also means the central concourse will become part of a much larger departure lounge and the security screening point will be relocated to the front of the central concourse. Additionally, the airport’s observation area will remain a feature of the redeveloped terminal.


The upgrade is the first major upgrade to the airport since the terminal was refurbished in 2004, and is the first major project of the airport’s new owners since they purchased it on a 99-year lease from the State Government. The project is staged to ensure minimal disruption for airport users and it is expected it will be completed by the end of 2010.

Bizjet at Mackay Airport

Adam P in Mackay reports that a Gulfstream G-V-SP (Gulfstream 550) registered N3050 belonging to GC Air LLC (USA) turned up at Mackay Airport late on Tuesday 3 August. It subsequently flew to Brisbane the next evening.

Australian MRH-90 Helicopter at Mackay Airport

Adam P in Mackay reports that an Army/Navy NH Industries MRH-90 Helicopter - possibly A40-010 - has been parked on the Mackay Airport apron all day Monday 3 August. It appears to have broken down.

Aero Vodochody L-39C Albatros VH-VRO at Mackay Airport

The planned Aero Vodochody L-39C Albatross was operating joyflights out of Mackay Airport on Saturday 31 July. The Albatross is registered VH-VRO to Warbird Aviation Australia. It is also photographed waiting for its next customer outside the Mackay Aero Club. A big crowd was present at the Aero Club to see the Albatross fly!


RPT movements that were noted included Jetstar A320 VH-VGV operating JQ887 to Brisbane and QantasLink (Sunstate Airlines) Dash-8-Q300 VH-TQE operating as QF2306 to Townsville.




Also spotted outside maintenance was Australasian Jets PA-31 VH-ZMK and Cessna 206s VH-RIH and VH-IEW. Around the corner, the Australasian Jet ramp was full with their other aircraft that fly to the surrounding islands and other charter around CQ.






At Mackay Helicopters (Aviation Tourism Australia), Bell 222 VH-TOR was being worked on. Their other big Bell 430 VH-HIA was also parked.

Skytrans Dash-8 first visit to Clermont Aerodrome

A busy night at Clermont Aerodrome on Thursday 29 July, with three FIFO arrivals, a FIFO departure, and rescue training for the local auxiliary fire brigade.

Central Airlines (CHAT) Piper PA-31 VH-BCQ (pictured below) flew in from Mackay and overnighted. 
 

Skytrans Airlines Dash-8 VH-QQE, pictured below still wearing the company's old livery, arrived and departed to Brisbane as SKP868/SKP869. 

 
Finally, Skytrans Airlines Dash-8 VH-QQD, wearing PDL TOLL titles and livery, arrived from Brisbane as SKP870 and overnighted.  This aircraft has, until recently, been operating from Darwin, and has been rarely seen in Queensland.  It is pictured on the Clermont Aerodrome apron waiting for its parking spot, and then in its parking spot with VH-QQE departing behind it.






After all the passengers and bags had been removed, the local auxiliary fire brigade had a closer look at both the outside and inside of the plane as a part of their rescue training.

Indian Bombardier 605 Challenger Biz-Jet VT-APL at Mackay Airport

An interesting visitor at Mackay Airport was a Bombardier 605 Challenger with Indian registration VT-APL. It arrived Sunday 25 July and left Monday 26 July, flying onto Brisbane.  It was spotted on Tuesday 27 July.

There may be other biz-jets bound for Mackay this week with the Queensland Mining Expo being held.

Also an L-39 Albatross Jet Fighter is coming to Mackay from Wednesday 28 July for a series of joyflights. Unsure of the rego of the aircraft coming. Pictures hopefully up next week!!

Photo taken by Lloyd Fox  ©

Clermont and Longreach Airport Notables this weekend

CQ Rescue Helicopter Service Bell 412 VH-NSV popped into Clermont Hospital Sunday 25 July on a patient transfer.

Mineralogy owned and operated McDonnell Douglas MD-82 VP-CBI visited Longreach Airport on Saturday 24 July (info courtesy of Lloyd Fox from South East Queensland Aviation News). Mineralogy is Clive Palmer's iron ore exploration and mining company.

Capricorn Helicopter Rescue crash victims remembered

The five victims of Queensland's worst helicopter crash will be remembered on the 10th anniversary of the tragedy.

In the early hours of 24 July 2000, Bell 206 VH-FFI was operating a rescue flight, taking a sick five-year-old boy to hospital. The helicopter crashed in darkness and heavy fog, in a field near Marlborough in central Queensland. The boy, his mum, and three crew lost their lives in the crash.

The Capricorn Helicopter Rescue Service had flown to pick up the five-year-old boy with breathing problems from a remote property northwest of Rockhampton.

The Queensland Ambulance Service will honour the victims at a memorial service in Rockhampton on Saturday.

In 2003, an inquest found low fuel was to blame for the crash and heavy fog had been a significant factor.