Bowenville based (operated by Real Time Aviation - Brisbane) Cessna 525 CitationJet CJ1+ Bizjet VH-JSZ Calls into Mackay Airport - Plus More!

On Saturday 6 December, Bowenville based (operated by Real Time Aviation - Brisbane) Cessna 525 CitationJet CJ1+ bizjet VH-JSZ visited Mackay Airport from Archerfield.

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UPDATE!  On Sunday 7 December, VH-JSZ flew up from Archerfield and Dalby to Clermont Aerodrome.  It then flew across to Mackay Airport again before returning back to Archerfield.

The locally-based Embraer EMB-550 Legacy 500 bizjet N142GZ was back in the air, noted departing its Mackay Airport base for Brisbane and then back.

While NSW based Jungle Air Cirrus SR22T VH-A99 flew down from Mackay Airport to Bankstown.

And Angel Flight Australia Cessna 414A Chancellor VH-AF4 flew up from Archerfield to Longreach Airport then across to Biloela / Thangool Airport and then back to Archerfield.

Nioa Aviation (Avcair) Embraer EMB-505 Phenom 300 Bizjet VH-NJR Spotted at Bundaberg Airport - Plus More!

On Friday 5 December, Nioa Aviation (Avcair) Embraer EMB-505 Phenom 300 bizjet VH-NJR was spotted visiting Bundaberg Airport from Brisbane.

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It also seems to have visited Bundaberg Airport also from Brisbane earlier in the week on Tuesday 2 December.

And Jampair P/L (Navair Flight Operations) Embraer EMB-505 Phenom 300E bizjet VH-NSQ as "Navair 131" arrived into Proserpine (Whitsunday Coast) Airport from Bankstown.

UPDATE!  On Saturday 6 December, VH-NSQ "Navair 131" departed Prosie and returned to Bankstown.

Meanwhile, also on Friday 5 December, Townsville Airlines Cessna 208B Grand Caravan VH-NXU completed the East Air flight EA1/2 run to Hamilton Island Airport from and back to Cairns.

Air Link Beech B200 King Air VH-ZOS visited Rockhampton Airport from Brisbane.

New Cirrus SR22 N12AU flew up to Mackay Airport from the Gold Coast and Archerfield. It was then on display at the Mackay Aero Club.

UPDATE!  On Saturday 6 December, the Cirrus SR22 N12AU flew down from Mackay Airport to Caloundra.

And a fan-favourite with Piper PA-30 Twin Comanche B VH-SEX arrived into Rockhampton Airport from Toowoomba.

Finally, also on Friday 5 December, Hevilift Aviation (Papua New Guinea) recently registered Bell 412EP P2-DFC arrived into Rockhampton Airport from Redcliffe and then departed to Proserpine (Whitsunday Coast) Airport and then Cairns.

Photo taken by James Lake  ©

It seems that the helicopter is on delivery to PNG and was formerly on the Australian Aircraft Register as VH-LWI.

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UPDATE!  Indeed on Saturday 6 December, P2-DFC was photographed (above) as it continued further North out of Cairns.

And over the last couple of days, Heli-Central (Emerald) Aerospatiale AS.350B2 Squirrel VH-ZHM as "Firebird 260" has been operating out of Rockhampton Airport to assist with fighting a few fires in the area.

Nice!

Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) Pilatus PC-21 A54-045 "Tester 33" Noted Around Fraser Island and Possible Airwork at Hervey Bay (Fraser Coast) Airport - Plus More!

On Friday 5 December, Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) Pilatus PC-21 A54-045 as "Tester 33" was noted completing low level operations over Fraser Island and possibly completed a missed approach at Hervey Bay (Fraser Coast) Airport.

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It looked to complete the flight out of and back to RAAF Base Amberley.

Meanwhile, also on Friday 5 December, Royal Australian Navy (RAN) Sikorsky MH-60R Seahawk 'Romeo' naval combat helicopter N48-009 (Code 909) was also noted flying around Fraser Island. It was noted to be flying as "TIGR09".

Photo taken by Tony Haynes  ©

Elite Aero P/L Cessna 510 Citation Mustang Bizjet VH-ACH "Navair 143" Pops into Hamilton Island Airport - Plus More!

On Thursday 4 December, Elite Aero P/L Cessna 510 Citation Mustang bizjet VH-ACH as "Navair 143" visited Hamilton Island Airport from Archerfield.

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And Surveillance Australia (Leidos SAR Services Pty Ltd) Bombardier CL-600-2B16 Challenger 604 bizjet VH-XNC as "Rescue 440" made an overnight visit to Rockhampton Airport very late on Wednesday, flying down from Cairns and then eventually landing and taking on fuel before returning North.

Photo taken by Tony Haynes  ©

United States Air Force (USAF) Dornier C-146A (Dornier 328-120) 11-3097 "Cata 202" Spotted at Rockhampton Airport - Plus More!

On Thursday 4 December, United States Air Force (USAF) Dornier C-146A (Dornier 328-110) 'Wolfhound' wearing the serial number of 11-3097 was spotted visiting Rockhampton Airport.  

It was heard to be using the radio callsign of "Cata 202" and looked to touch down from Brisbane.

A short time later, the Dornier departed Rockhampton Airport for Cairns.

Of interest, the C-146A Wolfhound looks to be flown by the 524th Special Operations Squadron (524th SOS), located at Duke Field, Florida.  It is one of four flying squadrons within the 492nd Special Operations Wing. 

The squadron flies the C-146A Wolfhound in order to provide agile intra-theatre mobility support for special operations forces worldwide.

Meanwhile, also on Thursday 4 December, Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) Boeing B737-8 MAX BBJ A62-001 as  "Envoy 18" landed at Bundaberg Airport from Canberra and Coffs Harbour and a bit later departed to Hamilton Island Airport and then Cairns.

UPDATE!  On Friday 5 December, RAAF B737 A62-001 as Envoy 18 arrived into Rockhampton Airport from Cairns then departed to the Gold Coast.

While Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) Boeing C-17A Globemaster III A41-207 as "Stallion 20" flew up from RAAF Base Amberley to complete a missed approach Rockhampton Airport before it then flew back to complete a few more and then land at Amberley.

And Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) Boeing B737-7ES / E-7A Wedgetail Airborne Early Warning & Control (AEW&C) aircraft A30-002 as "Wedgetail 11" flew up from RAAF Base Williamtown to complete a missed approach at Gladstone Airport.  It then flew down to land at Amberley before eventually heading back to Williamtown.

Finally, also on Thursday 4 December,  Helicorp (Australian Army) Leonardo S.P.A. Helicopters (Agusta) AW139 helicopter VH-YQJ as "Rescue 901" flew down from Mount Isa to Longreach Airport, Roma Airport and the Oakey Army Aviation Centre this afternoon.

Sincere thanks to local plane spotter and photographer Scott H and Steve V for allowing us to share these great photos of a great visitor to Rocky!

Photos taken by Scott Harris and Steve Vit  ©

Private American-Registered Bizjets - Global 5000 N2QE and Global 7500 N444WT - Both Call into Hamilton Island Airport - Plus More!

On Wednesday 3 December, a nice pair of private American-registered Bombardier bizjets were noted and spotted at Hamilton Island Airport.

American registered Bombardier BD-700-1A11 Global 5000 bizjet N2QE arrived into Hamilton Island Airport from Hong Kong and Cairns (pictured).  It then returned to Cairns for parking.

UPDATE!  On Saturday 6 December, N2QE flew back to Hamilton Island Airport from Cairns and then departed Hamo for Brisbane.

While Privately-owned Bombardier BD-700-2A12 Global 7500 bizjet N444WT arrived into Hamilton Island Airport from Burbank (USA) and Cairns (pictured).  It looked to be staying parked at Hamo for at least the night.

UPDATE!  On Friday 5 December, N444WT looked to depart Hamilton Island Airport for the Gold Coast.

Meanwhile, also on Wednesday 3 December, GCH Jet Operations (New Zealand) Bombardier Challenger 604 bizjet ZK-JCJ flew over from Christchurch in New Zealand to the Sunshine Coast and then up to Hamilton Island Airport. It then down to Melbourne (Essendon).

Mitchell Water Cessna 525 Citation M2 bizjet VH-WMY flew up from Melbourne (Moorabbin) to Hamilton Island Airport, The Whitsunday Airport at Shute Harbour and Mackay Airport and this afternoon departed Mackay Airport to Melbourne (Essendon) and then back to Moorabbin.

Bowenville based (operated by Real Time Aviation - Brisbane) Cessna 525 CitationJet CJ1+ bizjet VH-JSZ visited Clermont Aerodrome from Archerfield.

UPDATE!  On Thursday 4 December, VH-JSZ visited my local Clermont Aerodrome again from Archerfield. It then visited Mackay Airport also from Archerfield.

And recently delivered NQ Heli-Worx (Townsville) Embraer EMB-500 Phenom 100 VH-8GK was noted completing airwork and then eventually landing at Mackay Airport while on a flight out of its Townsville base.  It later returned to Townsville.

UPDATE!  Over the next two days, VH-8GK completed more flying out of and back to Townsville down into some Central Queensland Airports with it noted visiting Emerald and Mackay Airports on Thursday 4 December and on Friday 5 December.

We believe this is the first time that the recently delivered Phenom bizjet has been in Central Queensland.  The Townsville-based bizjet was delivered via Darwin in early September as N64YP and was placed on the Australian Aircraft Register in late-September as VH-8GK.

Finally, also on Wednesday 3 December, beautiful Boeing A75N1 Stearman VH-AQF was spotted at Longreach Airport while flying down from Mareeba to its new owner at South Australia.

UPDATE!  VH-AQF was photographed later in December now at its new home at Naracoorte in South Australia.

While North Coast Aviation (Papua New Guinea) Pacific Aerospace (PAC) 750XL P2-NCA arrived into Rockhampton Airport from Caloundra and a bit later it departed to Mareeba.  It was due to continue North the next day.

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It appears that this aircraft had been undergoing extensive repairs at Caloundra following a runway excursion when landing at Bungawat Airstrip (AYUT), Kabwum, Morobe, in early January 2024.  All persons on board were not injured and the aircraft received substantial damage.

And Helicorp (Australian Army) Leonardo S.P.A. Helicopters (Agusta) AW139 helicopter VH-YQC as "Rescue 902" landed at Longreach Airport from the Oakey Army Aviation Centre and Roma Airport before it then departed to Mount Isa.

UPDATE!  On Thursday 4 December, VH-YQC "Rescue 902" continued to the North-West and eventually finished the day at Robertson Barracks in Darwin.

Photos taken by Kellie Leonard, Jonathan Williams and Drew Mackay  ©

New QantasLink (National Jet Systems) Airbus A220-300 VH-X4I Makes First Visit into Central Queensland at Hamilton Island Airport

On Wednesday 3 December, QantasLink (National Jet Systems) brand spanking new Airbus A220-300 VH-X4I made its first visit into Central Queensland visiting Hamilton Island Airport from and back to Brisbane as QLK1592/3.

VH-X4I is the ninth A220-300 to be delivered to National Jet Systems at Canberra after it ferried across from Airbus Canada at Montreal Mirabel around a fortnight ago.  It entered service with Qantas / QantasLink soon after arriving into the country.

The Qantas Group has ordered 29 A220s to replace the Boeing B717 fleet on regional routes around Australia under the QantasLink brand and operated by National Jet Systems. The A220s will be named after native Australian wildlife and VH-X4I has been adorned with the name 'Echidna'.

Each A220 will seat 137 passengers, including 10 in business and 127 in economy class. It has double the range of the B717, at 6,000 kilometres, while burning 25 per cent less fuel per seat and generating less noise.

Nice!

Brisbane-based Teys Australia Cessna 525 Citation CJ2 bizjet VH-TEY Calls into CQ Airports - Plus More!

On Tuesday 2 December, Brisbane-based Teys Australia Cessna 525 Citation CJ2 bizjet VH-TEY, which arrived into Rockhampton Airport late yesterday from Archerfield and then Biloela / Thangool Airport, departed Rocky to Kingaroy and then back to Archerfield.

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And Pilatus Australia (South Australia) Pilatus PC-24 Super Versatile Jet VH-DMS flew up from Cessnock to Rockhampton Airport and then Mackay Airport.

UPDATE!  On Thursday 4 December, VH-DMS departed Mackay Airport and returned to Cessnock.

Meanwhile, also on Tuesday 2 December, Rural Funds Management (A.C.T.) Pilatus PC-12/47E VH-STE arrived into Rockhampton Airport from Canberra.

UPDATE!  On Wednesday 3 December, PC-12 VH-STE departed Rockhampton Airport to Springsure and then Emerald Airports before returning then back to Springsure Aerodrome. It then departed there to Sydney and Canberra.

Townsville Airlines Cessna 208B Grand Caravan VH-OUS looked to operate the EA1/2 flight into Hamilton Island Airport from and back to Cairns.

And Central Queensland Helicopter Rescue Service (CQ Rescue) / CQ Aeromedical Leonardo AW139 helicopter VH-XQ7 flew up from Archerfield to Bundaberg Airport and then Mackay Airport.

Photo taken by Graham Aspinall  ©

Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) Boeing B737-8 MAX BBJ A62-001 "Envoy 11" Spotted at Hamilton Island Airport - Plus More!

On Tuesday 2 December, Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) Boeing B737-8 MAX BBJ A62-001 as  "Envoy 11" was photographed at Hamilton Island Airport.  It flew up from Canberra and was possibly on a training flight.

After some time on the ground, A62-001 "Envoy 11" departed Hamo and flew down to Hervey Bay (Fraser Coast) Airport and then back to Canberra.

Meanwhile, also on Tuesday 2 December, a pair of Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) Beech B300 Super King Air turboprops A32-670 as "Hudson 07" and then A32-021 as "Hudson 02" flew up from the Sunshine Coast to complete a missed approach Rockhampton Airport before they both each returned to the Sunshine Coast.

Photo supplied and digitally manipulated.

Robindale Group / Air Link Cessna 510 Citation Mustang Bizjet VH-CMK Calls into CQ Airports - Plus More!

On Monday 1 December, Robindale Group / Air Link Cessna 510 Citation Mustang bizjet VH-CMK flew up from Orange and the Sunshine Coast to Bundaberg Airport, Emerald Airport and then Mackay Airport.

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UPDATE!  On Wednesday 3 December, VH-CMK reversed the entire set of flights and finished the day back at its Orange base.

Bowenville based (operated by Real Time Aviation - Brisbane) Cessna 525 CitationJet CJ1+ bizjet VH-JSZ arrived into Rockhampton Airport from Archerfield and then departed to Natal Downs and this afternoon reversed the flight.

Queensland based American-registered Embraer EMB-505 Phenom 300 N227SL visited Rockhampton Airport from Archerfield.

Stroud Aviation and Transportation (Boonah) / Navair Flight Operations Cessna 510 Citation Mustang bizjet VH-SHI as "Navair 173" visited Rockhampton Airport from Archerfield.

And Hughes Aviation (Hughes Pastoral Group) (Gympie) Pilatus PC-12/47E NGX VH-8HP departed Mackay Airport for Normanton before then flying down to Keeroongooloo.

UPDATE!  On Tuesday 2 December, VH-8HP landed at Mackay Airport from Keeroongooloo and Normanton and then departed back to Keeroongooloo.

Finally, also on Monday 1 December, after a week of being deployed to Rockhampton Airport and completing a series of flights to the Shoalwater Bay Training Area (SWBTA) and back (pictured), the Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) Lockheed C-130J A97-466 as "Trojan 40" departed Rockhampton Airport for RAAF Base Richmond - reportedly for good.

Photos taken by Ross Huntington and Steve Vit  ©