Alliance Airlines Embraer E-190 Regional Jet VH-UYW Makes First Visit to CQ at Rockhampton Airport

On Wednesday 14 April, Alliance Airlines Embraer E-190 regional jet VH-UYW was photographed as it made its first ever visit to Central Queensland, calling into Rockhampton Airport as UTY558 from Brisbane.

The Embraer is the second of the type to visit CQ and is one of 30 newly acquired aircraft Alliance Airlines is adding to its regional fleet.

VH-UYW is ex-N974QQ with the former Copa Airlines E-190 being delivered to Alliance Airlines in Brisbane in December 2020. 

VH-UYW brought Alliance Airlines executives and politicians to Rocky where the airlines announced that Rockhampton Airport could soon be home to the airline's new maintenance and repair facility.  Its arrival was marked by a specials water cannon salute.

The new maintenance and repair facility at Rockhampton Airport could potential create 225 jobs and inject $30 million into the local economy every year.

VH-UYW eventually returned to Brisbane but as UTY559.

Sincere thanks to the local plane spotters at Rockhampton Airport for sending through and allowing us to share these great photos!

Photos taken by Scott Harris and Steve Vit  ©

Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) Lockheed C-130J-30 Hercules Transport Aircraft A97-468 "Trojan 03" Completes More Airwork at CQ Airports - Spotted at Rockhampton Airport

On Tuesday 13 April, Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) Lockheed C-130J-30 Hercules Transport Aircraft A97-468 "Trojan 03" was back in Central Queensland, noted completing airwork around Hamilton Island Airport and then spotted completing more airwork at Rockhampton Airport.

The Herc flew down from Townsville to Hamo before being photographed above completing a VOR approach onto Runway 15 at Rockhampton Airport.  It completed a touch-and-go at Rocky and then continued down to RAAF Base Amberley.

As mentioned below, A97-468 is one of two RAAF C-130J Hercules transport aircraft (the other is A97-446 "Trojan 04") which were both were spotted completing similar training flights in Far North Queensland and then out to Longreach Airport over the last couple of days.  They both arrived from their 'home' at RAAF Base Richmond in New South Wales over the previous weekend.

Another item of interest is that A97-468 is one of the few RAAF C-130J Hercules transport aircraft to be fitted with a satellite communications (SATCOM) system.

Satellite Communications (SATCOM) equipment is spreading across the RAAF’s Hercules transport aircraft under Air Force’s Plan Jericho. SATCOM will deliver the C-130J with a broadband network capability, allowing voice calls as well as exchanging data on secure networks, from anywhere across the globe. This will allow crews and passengers alike to arrive at their destination with live information about their mission.

Sincere thanks to local photographer Steve V for allowing us to share these great photos!

All photos taken by Steve Vit  ©

Navair Flight Operations Embraer EMB-500 Phenom 100 Bizjet VH-LXZ Back at CQ Airports Once Again - Plus More!

Another day, another visit by the new Navair Flight Operations Embraer EMB-500 Phenom 100 bizjet VH-LXZ.  On Tuesday 13 April, it landed at Emerald Airport after flying up from Bankstown.  VH-LXZ then departed to Cairns before it popped into Mackay and Middlemount Airports. It then departed to Cessnock.

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VH-LXZ also visited Mackay Airport, as well as Bowen and Proserpine (Whitsunday Coast) Airports on Monday 12 April - see Blog post below!

Meanwhile, over at Hamilton Island Airport, also on Tuesday 13 April, Poolhurst Aviation Air Charter Services Pilatus PC-24 jet VH-VTF visited from its Archerfield base.

Finally, also on Tuesday 13 April, several light General Aviation (GA) aircraft and helicopters were also noted visiting several Central Queensland Airports including Avalon Aviation (Executive Helicopters) Eurocopter EC130B4 VH-EHY and Cessna R182 VH-EHM which both flew up from Archerfield to Cairns.  VH-EHY flew via Rockhampton and Townsville Airports, while VH-EHM flew via Gympie and Mackay Airports. 

McDermott Aviation Group / Machjet International Raytheon B200 King Air VH-NSN called into Bundaberg and then Moranbah Airports after flying up from its Sunshine Coast base.  VH-NSN then departed Moranbah Airport for the South.

UPDATE!  On Wednesday 14 April, VH-NSN returned to Bundaberg Airport from the South before returning to the Sunny Coast.

Brescon (Toowoomba) Beech B200 King Air VH-XDW flew up from Toowoomba-Wellcamp to Chinchilla, Yellow Bank and Rolleston Airports.  It later returned to Wellcamp via Chinchilla Airport.

Ipswich-based Airborne P/L (Palm Lake Works) Pilatus PC-12/47E VH-PLE visited Bundaberg Airport from the Gold Coast and Caloundra. 

Great Western Aviation Beech B200 VH-XGV made its weekly visit to Emerald Airport from Brisbane.

SFC Farming Raytheon B200 King Air VH-TXT landed back at Longreach from Tindal.  It had departed Longreach Airport for RAAF Base Tindal at Katherine in the Northern Territory the previous day.

UPDATE!  On Wednesday 14 April, VH-TXT departed Longreach Airport for its Mundine base. 

And Diamond DA40-180 Diamond Star VH-AKY flew up from Mudgee to Roma and then Mackay Airports.

Photo taken by Steve Vit  ©

A Few Corporate Bizjets and Other GA Aircraft Come and Go at CQ Airports

On Monday 12 April, there was a nice selection of locally-based corporate bizjets and other light General Aviation (GA) aircraft to be spotted and noted calling into various Central Queensland Airports.

Early in the morning, Mackellar Mining Equipment / Flight Options (Australia) Cessna 560 Citation Ultra bizjet VH-MMC arrived into Rockhampton Airport from its Sunshine Coast base.

It was then spotted above as it departed back there.

New Air Charter Services / Flight Options (Australia) Embraer EMB-505 Phenom 300 bizjet VH-VKX looked to call into Emerald Airport from Brisbane and the Sunshine Coast before it then departed to Roma Airport.  VH-VKX then returned to the Sunny Coast and Brisbane.

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While prior to the sun coming up, new Navair Flight Operations Embraer EMB-500 Phenom 100 bizjet VH-LXZ flew from Bankstown to Cessnock and then up to Mackay Airport.  It then flew to Bowen and Proserpine (Whitsunday Coast) Airports before then returning back South to Bankstown. 

After arriving yesterday, Falconair (NSW) Dassault 900 Falcon Mystere bizjet VH-CAD departed Hamilton Island Airport for Cairns and Aurukun before it then flew down to Sydney.  It then flew up to the Gold Coast before returning to Hamilton Island Airport for the night.

And re-registered AAA Aircraft / Flight Options (Australia) Cessna 550 Citation Bravo bizjet VH-CCJ flew up from the Sunshine Coast to complete airwork around Bundaberg Airport.  It then landed at Bundy for a short time before returning to the Sunny Coast.

Meanwhile, also on Monday 12 April, several lighties were spotted and noted passing through Longreach Airport, including Beech B200GT Super King Air 250 VH-JHP which arrived from and later departed back to its Toowoomba base.

As mentioned below, VH-JHP is a recent arrival to the country having being registered in October 2020 with it previously operating in New Zealand as ZK-VMF.

A couple of other King Airs in the form of Austrek Aviation Beech B200 King Air VH-ZMW called into Longreach Airport from its Toowoomba base before departing to Richmond.  It then returned to Toowoomba.

And after arriving the previous day, SFC Farming Raytheon B200 King Air VH-TXT departed Longreach Airport for RAAF Base Tindal at Katherine in the Northern Territory.

While New South Wales-based Raytheon A36 Bonanza VH-YGM arrived into Rockhampton Airport once again from Orange in New South Wales.

UPDATE!  On Tuesday 13 April, VH-YGM departed Rockhampton Airport for Emerald and Moura Airports before it then returned to Rocky. 

And the sleek Heli Qld Airbus Helicopters EC 130 T2 VH-WJY looked to depart the Lakeside Airpark at Bloomsbury near Proserpine for Rockhampton and then Gladstone Airports.

UPDATE!  On Tuesday 13 April, VH-WJY departed Gladstone Airport for the Sunshine Coast and Toowoomba. 

Finally, also on Monday 12 April, Seair Pacific / Istlecote Textron Aviation (Cessna) 208B Caravan VH-TLH flew up from Hervey Bay (Fraser Coast) and Maryborough Airports to Wanella Station (near Coppabella) before flying back down to Hervey Bay Airport.

Photos taken by Steve Vit and Greg Weir  ©

Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) Lockheed C-130J-30 Hercules Transport Aircraft A97-468 & A97-446 Complete Airwork at CQ Airports - Spotted at Longreach Airport

On Monday 12 April, a pair of Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) Lockheed C-130J-30 Hercules transport aircraft were noted completing airwork and also landing at a couple of Central Queensland and other Airports. Both were also photographed at Longreach Airport.

The Hercs were identified as A97-468 as "Trojan 03" and A97-446 as "Trojan 04". Both flew down from Townsville to complete airwork including missed approaches at Collinsville Aerodrome before they both headed West to Longreach Airport where they were photographed while on final approach for a landing.

After some time on the ground, both Hercs departed Longreach Airport and headed back to Townsville via more airwork at Richmond.

It appears that both Hercs had arrived into Townsville on Saturday 10 April from RAAF Base Richmond in New South Wales and they were both noted completing a similar 'training' flight in Far North Queensland in Sunday 11 April.

Sincere thanks to local plane spotter Greg W who was at the right place at the right time at Longreach Airport to capture these great photos!

All photos taken by Greg Weir  ©

Australian Army NH Industries MRH-90 Multi-Role Helicopter A40-030 Calls into Rockhampton Airport

On Monday 12 April, Australian Army NH Industries MRH-90 Multi-Role Helicopter A40-030 was spotted calling into Rockhampton Airport.

It looked to arrive from Townsville and then depart to Brisbane.

A40-030 was heard to be flying as "Destrier 119".

Photo taken by Steve Vit  ©️

Alliance Airlines Fokker F-100 VH-UQG in 'Southern Cross Minor' Colours Spotted at Longreach Airport

On Sunday 11 April, Alliance Airlines Fokker F-100 jet VH-UQG was spotted departing Longreach Airport for Cairns on a closed charter flight as UTY559.

VH-UQG had arrived into Longreach Airport from Cairns on Friday 9 April as UTY558.

As mentioned previously, VH-UQG is painted into a stunning livery by Lila Design in Tilburg, The Netherlands (EU), which honours adventurous Australian aviator Sir Charles Kingsford-Smith.

The VH-UQG registration marking was the registration for Kingsford-Smith’s Avro 616 Avian ‘Southern Cross Minor’ and was assigned to the Fokker aircraft by chance.

VH-UQG celebrates the early years of pioneering aviation and should soon be visiting other major cities and regional towns in CQ and around Australia.

Alliance Airlines Fokker F-70 VH-JFB was also in and out of Longreach Airport also over the weekend, arriving from Brisbane and Winton late on Friday 9 April as UTY550 and departing back to Winton and then Brisbane late on Saturday 10 April as UTY551.

It appears that VH-JFB was operating a closed charter flight in support of Winton's Way Out West Fest which was held at the Waltzing Matilda Centre in Winton over the weekend.

Meanwhile, in other Alliance Airlines news, on Saturday 10 April, their Embraer E-190 jet VH-UYZ operated the aircraft types first ever Regular Passenger Transport (RPT) flight for the airline with it operating for Airnorth from Toowoomba-Wellcamp Airport to Melbourne Airport and Cairns Airport.

VH-UYZ at Wellcamp on Saturday

VH-UYZ reversed the flights on Sunday 11 April.

Finally, back at Longreach Airport, also on Sunday 11 April, New South Wales-based Beech A36 Bonanza VH-FOG departed to Lightning Ridge after arriving the previous day from Charleville Airport.

While Victoria-based Hawker Beechcraft G58 Baron VH-ZWO landed at Longreach Airport from Ballarat before it later departed to Cairns.

And SFC Farming Raytheon B200 King Air VH-TXT called into Longreach Airport from Mundine.

Photos taken by Greg Weir and Garry Wilkinson  ©

Falconair (NSW) Dassault 900 Falcon Mystere Bizjet VH-CAD Arrives into Hamilton Island Airport - Plus More!

On Sunday 11 April, Falconair (NSW) Dassault 900 Falcon Mystere bizjet VH-CAD was noted arriving into Hamilton Island Airport from Sydney via Newcastle (Williamtown).  

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At the time of writing, it appears that VH-CAD is staying at Hamo for at least the night.

UPDATE!  On Monday 12 April, VH-CAD departed Hamilton Island Airport for Cairns, Aurukun, Sydney and the Gold Coast before it then returned to Hamo for the night.

Also noted arriving back into Hamilton Island Airport, also on Sunday 11 April, was Silver Linings Aviation Cessna 680 Citation Sovereign bizjet VH-ZEK.  It arrived from its Bankstown Base.

It too looks like VH-ZEK is staying at Hamo for at least the night.

Meanwhile, on Saturday 10 April, New South Wales based Leppington Pastoral Company Textron (Beech) B300 Super King Air VH-JET finally departed Hamilton Island Airport for Camden.  It had arrived into Hamo from there back on Thursday 1 April.

While Brisbane-based Altitude Aviation Beech B200 King Air VH-ISS visited Mackay Airport from its Archerfield base.

And Helitramp (New South Wales) Airbus Helicopters AS350B3 Squirrel helicopter VH-IYI was noted passing through Hervey Bay (Fraser Coast), Bundaberg, Rockhampton and Mackay Airports while heading up to the Whitsundays - possibly the Whitsunday Airport at Shute Harbour.

Photo taken by Micah S  ©

Air Charter Services / Flight Options (Australia) Embraer EMB-505 Phenom 300 Bizjet VH-VKX Spotted at Rockhampton Airport - Plus More!

On Friday 9 April, there was yet another nice first-time visitor into Central Queensland with new Air Charter Services / Flight Options (Australia) Embraer EMB-505 Phenom 300 bizjet VH-VKX spotted arriving into Rockhampton Airport.  It looked to fly up from Brisbane.

After parking on the main apron for around an hour, VH-VKX then departed to the Sunshine Coast before returning to Brisbane.

Of interest, VH-VKX was delivered to Australia via Brisbane in March this year having only been registered in February.

Also noted visiting Rockhampton Airport, also on Friday 9 April, was new Avcair (Avgunn) LearJet 60 bizjet VH-OLJ.  It looked to arrive from and later depart back to its Brisbane base.

This is the third visit into CQ by the still fairly new LearJet 60 over the last week - see Blog posts below!

Meanwhile, slightly smaller, but also noted visiting Rockhampton Airport, also on Friday 9 April, was the Queensland Police Service (Airwing) (State of Queensland) Raytheon B1900D VH-PSK.  It arrived from Cairns and Townsville and later departed to Brisbane.  VH-PSK then returned direct to Townsville and Cairns later in the day.

Ipswich-based Airborne P/L (Palm Lake Works) Pilatus PC-12/47E VH-PLE landed at Barcaldine Airport from Archerfield and appeared to stay.

VH-PLE also looked to call into Charleville Airport on Wednesday 7 April, arriving all the way from Melbourne (Avalon) and then departing to Dinah Island up in Far North Queensland.

Finally, also on Friday 9 April, Corporate Aviation Bell 429 Global Ranger helicopter VH-EQP finally departed Hamilton Island Airport and returned to its Southport base via Gladstone Airport.

It had arrived into Hamo back on Thursday 1 April.

While it appeared that on Thursday 8 April, the sleek Heli Qld Airbus Helicopters EC 130 T2 VH-WJY arrived into at the Lakeside Airpark at Bloomsbury near Proserpine from its Toowoomba base via a fuel stop at Rockhampton Airport.

Sincere thanks to local photographer Steve V for allowing us to share these great photos!

All photos taken by Steve Vit  ©

Edwards Coaches Cessna 525 Citation CJ1 Bizjet VH-KXL Calls into Longreach Airport - Plus More!

On Thursday 8 April, Edwards Coaches Cessna 525 Citation CJ1 bizjet VH-KXL was noted visiting Longreach Airport.  It looked to arrive directly from Bankstown.

https://www.facebook.com/edwardsaviation

After spending the day parked, VH-KXL departed Longreach Airport for Narrabri and then Bankstown.  It later flew on to its Armidale base.

Meanwhile, also on Thursday 8 April, McDermott Aviation Group / Machjet International Raytheon B200 King Air VH-NSN looked to fly down from Charters Towers Aerodrome to Hervey Bay (Fraser Coast) Airport before then departing to the Sunshine Coast.

https://www.facebook.com/mcdermottaviationgroup/

VH-NSN looked to fly North from the Sunny Coast the previous day.

Of interest, VH-NSN recently broke cover at the Sunshine Coast Airport (above) coming out of the McDermott Aviation hangar with a fresh coat of paint!

Finally, also on Thursday 8 April, Beech 58 Baron VH-CUY continued its adventures in Central Queensland, departing the Labona Station Airstrip within Adani Australia's (Bravus Mining & Resources) Carmichael Coal Mine site for Iffley Homestead (South East of Moranbah) before then heading to Lotus Creek.  It had arrived into Labona the previous day - see Blog post below!  

UPDATE!  On Friday 9 April, VH-CUY departed Lotus Creek to Emerald and then Roma Airports before heading 'home' to its Cloncurry Airport base.