HAPPY CHRISTMAS!! National Jet Express Dash-8-Q402 VH-8QA Spotted at Mackay Airport on a Christmas Day FIFO Charter!

Happy Christmas!

On Thursday 25 December, National Jet Express Dash-8-Q402 VH-8QA was spotted visiting Mackay Airport on a charter flight from and back to Townsville as JTE372/3.

Nice!

Photos taken by 'AC'  ©

National Jet Express Dash-8-Q402 VH-IYH Spotted Making First Visit to CQ at Emerald Airport - Plus More!

On Wednesday 24 December, National Jet Express Dash-8-Q402 VH-IYH was spotted making what we believe was its first ever visit to Central Queensland visiting Emerald Airport from Brisbane on a fly-in fly-out (FIFO) charter flight as JTE358/9.

It looked to fly across from Adelaide into Brisbane via Prominent Hill on Friday 19 December.

FlyPelican (Pelican Airlines) British Aerospace BAe Jetstream 3206 (Jetstream 32) turboprop aircraft VH-NTL flew down from Emerald Airport to Toowoomba-Wellcamp as PE746.  It had arrived the previous day from Archerfield as PE606.

Flight One (Services) Raytheon B300 Super King Air VH-UVH was spotted visiting Emerald Airport from Archerfield.

Meanwhile, also on Wednesday 24 December, re-registered Poolhurst Aviation Air Charter Services Pilatus PC-24 jet VH-VIF flew up from Archerfield to Hamilton Island Airport before then flying down to Ballina / Byron Bay Gateway Airport.

De Group Air / Business Aviation Solutions Embraer EMB-545 Praetor 500 bizjet VH-8DE visited Hamilton Island Airport from Sydney.

McDermott Aviation Group / Machjet International Cessna 525C CitationJet CJ4 bizjet VH-PIY "Machflight 41" flew up to Hamilton Island from the Sunshine Coast and Melbourne (Essendon) before returning to the Sunny Coast later.

The locally-based Embraer EMB-550 Legacy 500 bizjet N142GZ flew back to Mackay Airport after flying down to Brisbane last week - as posted below! It then flew back down to Brisbane.

UPDATE!  On Sunday 28 December, N142GZ returned to Mackay Airport from Brisbane.

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

Finally, also on Wednesday 24 December, Smartlynx Australia (Skytrans) Dash-8-100 VH-QQB as SKP531 arrived into Rockhampton Airport from Cairns and this afternoon fellow Dash-8-100 VH-QQI departed Rockhampton Airport as SKP532 to Cairns.

And Queensland Police Service (Airwing) / Queensland Government (State of Queensland) Beech B300C Super King Air 350 VH-8PD visited Rockhampton Airport from Mount Isa.

Photos taken by 'AC'  ©

Eagle One Aviation (Navair Flight Operations) Cessna 525B CitiationJet CJ3+ Bizjet VH-X8X "Navair 143" Spotted at Bundaberg Airport - Plus More!

On Tuesday 23 December, Eagle One Aviation (Navair Flight Operations) Cessna 525B CitiationJet CJ3+ Bizjet VH-X8X as "Navair 143" was spotted at Bundaberg Airport.  It looked to fly up from Bankstown and Archerfield and then later departed to Melbourne (Essendon).

https://www.facebook.com/Bundaberg.Aviation.Fuel

And Bowenville based (operated by Real Time Aviation - Brisbane) Cessna 525 CitationJet CJ1+ bizjet VH-JSZ flew into Hervey bay (Fraser Coast) Airport from Archerfield before then flying down to Ballina / Byron Bay Gateway Airport and back to Archerfield.

Meanwhile, also on Tuesday 23 December, re-registered Hewitt Agribusiness (Brisbane) Pilatus PC-12/47E VH-8HG flew down from Julia Creek to Moura Aerodrome and then Archerfield.  It had flown up from there the previous day.

VH-8HG was only registered 13 days ago and was previously registered N175NG which we have seen a couple of times in Central Queensland.

While Queensland Police Service (Airwing) / Queensland Government (State of Queensland) Beech B300C Super King Air 350 VH-8PF visited Rockhampton Airport from Brisbane.

And Alliance Airlines Embraer E-190 VH-A2S as UTY9810 flew a test flight out of and back to Rockhampton Airport before later departing to Brisbane as UTY9820.

D & G Jet Leasing / Essendon Aviation Services Cessna 525 CitationJet CJ1 Bizjet VH-VOF Arrives into Proserpine (Whitsunday Coast) Airport - Plus More!

On Monday 22 December, D & G Jet Leasing / Essendon Aviation Services Cessna 525 CitationJet CJ1 bizjet VH-VOF was noted arriving into Proserpine (Whitsunday Coast) Airport from Melbourne (Essendon) and Charleville Airport.

UPDATE!  On Wednesday 24 December, VH-VOF departed Proserpine Airport for Broken Hill and Adelaide.

While Machjet (Machjet International) Bombardier CL-600-2B16 Challenger 605 bizjet N605JL as "Machflight 01" was noted completing airwork around Mackay Airport after flying up from the Sunshine Coast via Biloela / Thangool Airport.  It then continued North to Townsville and Cairns.

UPDATE!  On Thursday 23 December, N605JL again as 'MC01' flew down from Cairns to Emerald Airport and then across to Bundaberg Airport. It then flew to the Sunshine Coast.

And Queensland Police Service (Airwing) / Queensland Government (State of Queensland) Beech B300C Super King Air 350 VH-8PE visited Rockhampton Airport from Cairns.

Photo taken by James Kirk  ©

Executjet Australia Bombardier CL-600-2B16 Challenger 604 Bizjet VH-L2B First Visit into CQ at Hamilton Island Airport - Plus More!

On Saturday 20 December, Executjet Australia Bombardier CL-600-2B16 Challenger 604 bizjet VH-L2B was noted making its first visit into Central Queensland touching down at Hamilton Island Airport from Sydney.

File photo

UPDATE!  On Monday 22 December, VH-L2B departed Hamo and returned to Sydney.

Falconair (NSW) Dassault 900 Falcon Mystere bizjet VH-CAD arrived into Hamilton Island Airport from Melbourne (Essendon) before it then departed to Bansktown.

And Nioa Aviation (Avcair) Embraer EMB-505 Phenom 300 bizjet VH-NJR visited Maryborough Airport once again from Brisbane.

Meanwhile, also on Saturday 20 December, Saturday morning Edwards Coaches Cessna 441 Conquest II VH-8BE arrived into Rockhampton Airport from Canberra then departed to Armidale.

While some Flight Training Adelaide (FTA) / Qantas Group Pilot Academy Diamond DA-40 Star training aircraft were noted visiting a couple of Fraser Coast Airports.  DA-40s VH-PQG, VH-PQR and VH-DIV all looked to fly up from Toowoomba-Wellcamp to Hervey Bay Airport and then Bundaberg Airport before returning to Wellcamp.

New Cirrus SR22 N12AU flew up to Hervey Bay (Fraser Coast) Airport from Archerfield.  It is due to return to Archerfield on Sunday 21 December.

And Lane Aviation / Team Aviation (Brisbane) Cirrus SR20 VH-YQB also visited Hervey Bay Airport from Archerfield.

Photo taken by Tony Haynes  ©

Jetstar Airways Airbus A320-232(WL) VH-X3H (ex 9V-JSQ) Makes First Visit to CQ at Hervey Bay (Fraser Coast) Airport

On Saturday 20 December, Jetstar Airways Airbus A320-232(WL) VH-X3H was noted making its first visit to Central Queensland at Hervey Bay (Fraser Coast) Airport as it completed the JST890/1 service from and back to Sydney.

Photo added of VH-X3H

Of interest, VH-X3H is one of nine recently delivered Airbus A320 aircraft that have entered service with Jetstar Airways that all previously operated with the collapsed Jetstar Asia. This A320 was previously operated by Jetstar Asia as 9V-JSQ.

9V-JSQ at Singapore  (File photo)

9V-JSQ was ferried from Singapore to Alice Springs in late September this year. It was then placed on the Australian Aircraft Register as VH-X3H with this registration marking 'taped' over the Singaporean registration marking.  VH-X3H then was 'delivered' to Jetstar Australia on Thursday 11 December and entered service a week later on Thursday 18 December - so it is great to see it in CQ so soon!

Of interest, the collapse of Jetstar Asia has seen nine of their Airbus A320 ‘classic’ aircraft joining (or for three of them re-joining) the Jetstar Australia fleet. They are all currently planned to be placed into storage at Alice Springs where they will be placed on the Australian Aircraft Register. The aircraft include: 9V-JSM (ex VH-XNN) which is to become VH-X3D, 9V-JSN (ex VH-XNI) which is to become VH-X3E, 9V-JSU (ex VH-XNP) which is to become VH-X3L, 9V-JSO which is to become VH-X3F, and 9V-JSX (ex 9V-TAZ with Tigerair and Scoot) which will become VH-X3P, 9V-JSV (ex VH-XNW) which is to become VH-X3N, 9V-JSK which is to become VH-X3B, 9V-JSR which is to become VH-X3J, and 9V-JSQ which is to become VH-X3H.

Photos taken by Ryan Hothersall and Tony Haynes  ©

Helicorp Bell Helicopter Textron 412EP VH-LWF Spotted at Gladstone Airport Ferrying North - Plus More!

On Friday 19 December, Helicorp Bell Helicopter Textron 412EP VH-LWF was spotted passing through Gladstone Airport while looking to be on a ferry flight up to Far North Queensland and possibly further.

The Toll liveried helicopter arrived from its 'base' at the Oakey Army Aviation Centre and then departed to Proserpine (Whitsunday Coast) Airport and then Cairns.

UPDATE!  In early February 2026, the Bell 412EP helicopter emerged from the hangar at Cairns now wearing the Papua New Guinea registration marking of P2-HCH.

Meanwhile, also on Friday 19 December, recently delivered ADD Aviation Services (Victoria) Gulfstream G-IV-X G350 bizjet VH-TG4 flew up from Gold Coast to Proserpine (Whitsunday Coast) Airport and then down to Mackay Airport.  Later, it hopped back to Proserpine Airport and then returned to the Gold Coast.

VH-TG4 was registered and then delivered into Melbourne (Tullamarine) in late November.  It is photographed above at Wagga Wagga.

While re-registered Poolhurst Aviation Air Charter Services Pilatus PC-24 jet VH-VIF flew up from Melbourne (Essendon) to Hamilton Island Airport before then flying down to Archerfield. 

This is the first time that VH-VIF has visited with its new registration marking, changing at the end of October from VH-VTF.

Linfox Global Charter / Air National Australia Bombardier BD-700-1A10 Global 6000 bizjet VH-LEP flew up to Hamilton Island Airport from Melbourne (Avalon) and the Gold Coast.  It then flew across to Proserpine (Whitsunday Coast) Airport for parking.

UPDATE!  On Tuesday 23 December, VH-LEP hopped back from Proserpine Airport to Hamilton Island Airport before then flying down to Melbourne (Avalon).

And Mitchell Water Cessna 525 Citation M2 bizjet VH-WMY completed a late visit to Proserpine (Whitsunday Coast) Airport.  It flew up from Melbourne (Moorabbin), Melbourne (Essendon), Ararat and Tamworth before later departing to the Gold Coast.

Finally, also on Friday 19 December, Queensland Police Service (Airwing) / Queensland Government (State of Queensland) Beech B300 Super King Air 350i aircraft VH-8PD visited Rockhampton Airport from Mount Isa.

While 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.

And former QantasLink Dash-8-Q300 VH-TQE landed at Alice Springs from Tamworth.  It is reported to be the final Dash-8-Q300 to fly into Alice Springs from Tamworth for (temporary) storage.  As we have posted, some of them have ferried via Charleville Airport (and also Birdsville).

Photos taken by Jamie C and Robert Myers  ©

BEAUTY!! Alliance Airlines (ex JetBlue Airways - USA) Embraer ERJ-190AR N258JB Arrives into Rockhampton Airport in Stunning Sir Jack Brabham Livery

On Friday 19 December, Alliance Airlines (ex JetBlue Airways - USA) Embraer ERJ-190AR N258JB arrived into Rockhampton Airport at the end of a delivery flight as 'SXI2552' / "Southern Cross 2552".

It arrived from Brisbane having earlier started its delivery flight at San Jose (Costa Rica) and flying via Oakland, Hawaii and the Marshall Islands.

As shown, N258JB was delivered wearing a commemorative livery which celebrates the 60th Anniversary of Sir Jack Brabham’s 1966 Formula 1 World Championship.

N258JB was promptly parked inside the Alliance Airlines hangar at Rockhampton Airport.  It will reportedly be going to be placed on the Australian Aircraft Register as VH-A2N.

Sincere thanks to the local plane spotters for allowing us to share all these great photos of such a great looking aircraft!

Photos taken by Travis Whiting and John Lee  ©

Re-painted and Due for Scrapping - Virgin Australia Boeing B737-800 VH-VUG Calls into Mackay Airport - Plus More!

On Thursday 18 December, Virgin Australia Boeing B737-800 VH-VUG completed a run to Mackay Airport from and back to Brisbane as VOZ601/4.  As shown, VH-VUG has had its titles and livery mostly removed with reports suggesting that it is approaching the end of its lease and that it will leave Australia for good in the coming weeks.

VH-VUG had spent a few days in the paint-shop up at Townsville and emerged from there and re-entered service at the start of this week and will continue to operate during the Summer period 'rush'.

UPDATE!  On Tuesday 20 January, VH-VUG departed Brisbane for Nadi, Fiji on the first leg of its final flight to storage and ultimately breaking up in the USA.

Meanwhile, also on Thursday 18 December, Jampair P/L (Navair Flight Operations) Embraer EMB-505 Phenom 300E bizjet VH-NSQ as "Navair 131" flew across from Moranbah Airport to Mackay Airport before then flying down to Brisbane and Bankstown. It appears to have arrived into Moranbah Airport early the previous day from Bankstown.

Bowenville based (operated by Real Time Aviation - Brisbane) Cessna 525 CitationJet CJ1+ bizjet VH-JSZ arrived into Rockhampton Airport from Archerfield and Natal Downs.

UPDATE!  On Friday 19 December, VH-JSZ departed Rockhampton Airport for Archerfield.

Falcon Air (NSW) Cirrus Design Corp. SF50 Vision Jet VH-LCR popped into Roma Airport while flying up from Bankstown to Cairns (pictured).

UPDATE!  On Monday 22 December, VH-LCR flew down from Cairns to Bankstown, again via Roma Airport.

While Mandalay Two P/L Raytheon B300 Super King Air VH-SCQ visited Rockhampton Airport from Brisbane.

And Koolardie Aviation (ZephAir Australia) Raytheon 58 Baron VH-NSM as 'ZD550' visited Proserpine (Whitsunday Coast) Airport from Townsville.

Photos taken by Dylan Hardie and Jonathan Williams  ©

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.