Bundaberg-based CromAir Cessna 414A Chancellor VH-CBT Spotted at Rockhampton Airport - Plus More!

On Thursday 4 March, Bundaberg-based CromAir Cessna 414A Chancellor VH-CBT was spotted at Rockhampton Airport.  It had earlier flown up from Bundaberg Airport to Rocky before continuing West to Emerald Airport and the Labona Station Airstrip within Adani Australia's (Bravus Mining & Resources) Carmichael Coal Mine site.

During the afternoon, VH-CBT then reversed the entire flight, finishing the day back at its Bundaberg Airport base.

Meanwhile, also on Thursday 4 March, the visiting Victorian-based SOCATA TBM700 VH-CEA departed Rockhampton Airport for Mareeba. It had arrived from Melbourne (Essendon) the previous day.

While locally-based R-Mach Aviation's Lancair 4 VH-VIE (formerly VH-XVP) flew to Griffith in New South Wales and back to Rockhampton Airport.

And Beech 95-B55 VH-MYM flew out from its Gayndah Airport base to Gordon and return. 

Finally, also on Thursday 4 March, Brisbane-based Pilatus PC-12/47E VH-AAC departed Goonoo Feedlot (South of Comet) to Surat before flying to Archerfield.

And Redjet Aviation Piper PA-31 Navajo VH-PJU visited my local Clermont Aerodrome once again from its Toowoomba base.

Photo taken by Steve Vit  ©

Smart Little Victorian-based SOCATA TBM700 VH-CEA Spotted at Rockhampton Airport - Plus More!

On Wednesday 3 March, smart little Victorian-based SOCATA TBM700 VH-CEA was spotted as it arrived into Rockhampton Airport. It looked to fly up directly from Melbourne (Essendon).

At the time of writing, it appears to be spending at least the night parked at Rocky.

UPDATE!   On Thursday 4 March, VH-CEA departed Rockhampton Airport for Mareeba.

Meanwhile, also on Wednesday 3 March, BPW Aviation / Airspeed Aviation Beech 58 Baron VH-SQC departed Rockhampton Airport for Emerald Airport.  It returned to Rocky later in the day. 

As mentioned below, VH-SQC originally arrived into Rockhampton Airport from Tamworth on Monday 1 March. 

And New South Wales-based Raytheon A36 Bonanza VH-YGM finally departed Rockhampton Airport for Bankstown.  It had arrived from Orange last Friday 26 February.

Finally, also on Wednesday 3 March, AAA Aircraft / Flight Options (Australia) Cessna 650 Citation VII bizjet VH-ING was noted departing Hamilton Island Airport.  It looked to fly all the way down to Sydney.

VH-ING had arrived into Hamo from the New South Wales capital last Thursday 25 February - see Blog post below!

And FKG Air (Redjet Aviation) Hawker Beechcraft B200GT VH-FKB flew up from Toowoomba to Hamilton Island Airport before then flying South to Archerfield and back to Toowoomba. 

While Brescon (Toowoomba) Beech B200 VH-WXN was noted arriving into my local Clermont Aerodrome from Toowoomba-Wellcamp.  It is due to return to Wellcamp early on Thursday 4 March.

Photo taken by Steve Vit  ©

Alliance Airlines Fokker F-70 VH-JFB Spotted at Emerald Airport with "Paul Kelly and Friends Dirranbandi" Sticker - Plus Other Alliance Airlines News!

Early on Wednesday 3 March, Alliance Airlines Fokker F-70 VH-JFB was spotted at Emerald Airport after arriving from Brisbane operating on behalf of Virgin Australia as VOZ1255.

As mentioned, below, VH-JFB was recently adorned with a new sticker on its forward port-side adverting an upcoming charity concert by iconic Australian rock music singer-songwriter, Paul Kelly.

Alliance Airlines continues to operate a single return service each week day between Brisbane and Emerald Airport on behalf of Virgin Australia.

Of interest, this week, on Monday 1 March, Alliance Airlines launched their own independent Regular Public Transport (RPT) flights between Brisbane and the Sunshine Coast and Emerald Airport.  The UTY4078/4079 service late on Monday 1 March was operated by Fokker F-70 VH-NUY, while the UTY4072/4073 service early on Tuesday 2 March was also operated by Fokker F-70 VH-NUY.

These 'new' services are merely the airlines selling off the remaining seats on what are long-running Fly-in Fly-out (FIFO) charter flights.

Finally, it's worth noting that also on Monday 1 March, Alliance Airlines Embraer E-190 regional jet VH-UYZ commenced a series of 3-4 daily training and proving flights from and back to Brisbane.

VH-UYZ has been noted completing missed approaches at the Sunshine Coast and Gold Coast in recent days, and we hope that a visit into Central Queensland isn't too far away!

VH-UYZ is ex-N922QQ with the former Copa Airlines E-190 being delivered to Alliance Airlines in Brisbane in October 2020.  

Alliance Airlines took delivery of their fourth of 30 E-190 regional jets over this last weekend with N998QQ arriving into Brisbane on Saturday 27 February.  It should become VH-UYO.

Photos taken by 'AC' and Lloyd Fox  ©

Four Australian Army NH Industries MRH-90 Multi-Role Helicopters Complete Airwork at Chinchilla Airport

Certainly interesting to note over the last couple of days that Australian Army NH Industries MRH-90 Multi-Role Helicopters operating out of the Oakey Army Aviation Centre have been completing airwork in the 'Southern' parts of Central Queensland.  And on Tuesday 2 March, no less than four of the Army's Taipan helicopters were noted completing airwork, including missed approaches, at Chinchilla Airport.

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A40-015 as "Monarch 73" flew from Oakey to Chinchilla Airport and then back but via Kingaroy.

A40-009 as "Saxon 48" did the same.  Later, A40-009 returned to Chinchilla Airport from Oakey but as "Saxon 88" before returning back to Oakey again via Kingaroy.

And A40-022 as "Saxon 42" flew from Oakey to Warwick and then to Chinchilla Airport before returning to Oakey.

Of interest, the Oakey Army Aviation Centre (IATA: OKY, ICAO: YBOK) is situated approximately 3km from the town centre of Oakey. It provides a training establishment for Australian Army Aviation, and also hosts the Republic of Singapore Air Force's "Cougar" 126 Squadron. The Defence name for the facility is Swartz Barracks, named for prominent politician, Army Aviation advocate, and ex-POW Sir Reginald Swartz.

Part of the facilities at the Centre include The Australian Army Flying Museum which was reopened in September 2005 in new buildings on land adjacent to the Airport, after a grant was provided by the Australian Government. The purpose-built facility includes many historical aircraft tracing the history of the Aviation Corps in the Australian Army and back to the Australian Flying Corps during World War I. 

Featured types in the collection of aircraft include Bell 47, Bell OH-58 Kiowa, GAF Nomad, Pilatus PC-6 Porter, and Cessna 180. The museum also maintains a significant collection of artefacts dating from the inception of the Army Flying Corps and WWI to the present day.

The Australian Army Flying Museum is a sub-unit of the Army History Unit, a direct command unit of the Australian Army Headquarters.

Moorabbin Aviation Services (Victoria) Cessna S550 Citation SII Bizjet VH-JLU Departs Emerald Airport - Plus More

After arriving the previous day, on Tuesday 2 March, the visiting Moorabbin Aviation Services (Victoria) Cessna S550 Citation SII bizjet VH-JLU was noted departing Emerald Airport for Melbourne (Essendon), flying via Biloela / Thangool Airport, then Griffith and Bendigo.

It had arrived into Emerald Airport from Bendigo via Biloela / Thangool Airport on Monday 1 March and was photographed above a little later in the day parked up as it prepared for its overnight stay.

Meanwhile, also on Tuesday 2 March, Beech 95-B55 VH-MYM flew out from its Gayndah Airport base to Roma and Emerald Airports.  It later returned to Gayndah Airport.

Brescon (Toowoomba) Beech B200 VH-WXN was noted departing Toowoomba-Wellcamp and flying up to Rolleston Aerodrome via Chinchilla and Yellow Bank Airports.  It then returned to Chinchilla Airport and Wellcamp.

And Great Western Aviation Beech B200 VH-XGV made its weekly visit to my local Clermont Aerodrome.  It arrived from and later departed back to Brisbane.

While Cessna 210L VH-PVW flew into Tartrus Airstrip from Noosa before then heading West to Emerald Airport.

UPDATE!  On Wednesday 3 March, VH-PVW returned direct to Noosa from Emerald Airport.

Finally, also on Tuesday 2 March, Townsville Airlines Beech 1900D VH-RUE called into Rockhampton Airport from Cairns.  It later departed to Proserpine (Whitsunday Coast) Airport, Townsville and back to Cairns.

Photo taken by 'AC'  ©

Australian Maritime Safety Authority (AMSA) (Cobham SAR Services Pty Ltd) Bombardier Challenger 604 Bizjet VH-XNE "Rescue 330" at Mackay Airport

Late on Monday 1 March, Australian Maritime Safety Authority (AMSA) (Cobham SAR Services Pty Ltd) Bombardier CL-600-2B16 Challenger 604 bizjet VH-XNE was noted arriving into Mackay Airport. It flew down from Cairns and was heard to be using the radio callsign of "Rescue 330".

VH-XNE was photographed above still parked on the Mackay Airport parking apron early on Tuesday 2 March.  It was noted departing Mackay Airport later in the morning for Cairns, flying again as "Rescue 330".

Of interest, fellow AMSA Challenger 604 bizjet VH-XNC "Rescue 440" was noted flying from and back to Cairns Airport in mid-February , while VH-XND "Rescue 660" seems to be currently based at Melbourne (Essendon) and VH-XNF "Rescue 550" is currently based at Perth.

As we've previously reported, Cobham SAR Services Pty Ltd (Cobham) was contracted in 2014 to provide a new new search and rescue agreement for AMSA using four Bombardier Challenger CL-604 bizjets from late 2016 for a period of 12 years.

Another Hinterland Aviation Cessna 208 Caravan Aircraft Swap at Rockhampton Airport - VH-CVN Back in - VH-TFS out Again!

Barely a week after the exact same aircraft were swapped over, on Tuesday 2 March, Hinterland Aviation Cessna 208 Caravan VH-TFS was noted departing Rockhampton Airport for Cairns as 'HND720' / "Hinterland 720".

VH-TFS only arrived into Rocky last Wednesday 24 February - see Blog post below - but has seemingly had some maintenance issues in recent days.

It appears that fellow Cessna 208 Caravan VH-CVN flew into Rockhampton Airport from Labona late on Monday 1 March as HND371 to be the replacement for VH-TFS.

File photo

As also mentioned below, VH-CVN only just ferried out of Rocky also last Wednesday.

It appears that fellow Cessna 208 Caravan VH-NDC still remains at Rockhampton Airport will now be joined by VH-CVN in operating the 2-3 times daily Fly-in Fly-out (FIFO) flights from Rocky to the Labona Station Airstrip within Adani Australia's (Bravus Mining & Resources) Carmichael Coal Mine site.

AAA Aircraft / Flight Options (Australia) Cessna 550 Citation II Bravo Bizjet VH-HVM Pops into Bundaberg Airport - Plus More!

On Monday 1 March, AAA Aircraft / Flight Options (Australia) Cessna 550 Citation II Bravo bizjet VH-HVM was noted arriving into Bundaberg Airport from the Sunshine Coast.  After a very short time on the ground, it returned to its Sunny Coast base.

File photo

Of interest, the locally-based Greensill Aviation Cessna 550 Citation Bravo bizjet VH-CCJ remained parked at the Sunshine Coast after departing Bundaberg Airport in late January.  I've read, sadly, that Greensill Capital is preparing to file for insolvency in the UK.

Meanwhile, also on Monday 1 March, Moorabbin Aviation Services (Victoria) Cessna S550 Citation SII bizjet VH-JLU was noted arriving into Emerald Airport from Bendigo via a stop at Biloela / Thangool Airport.

Of interest, VH-JLU was previously operated by McDermott Aviation Group / Machjet International but transferred down to Victoria in September 2019.

UPDATE!  On Tuesday 2 March, VH-JLU departed to Melbourne (Essendon) from Emerald Airport, again flying via Biloela / Thangool Airport and then via Griffith and Bendigo.

While Vanderfield Cessna 210N VH-JSC was also noted arriving into Emerald Airport also from Biloela / Thangool Airport, after earlier flying up from its Toowoomba base. 

UPDATE!  On Tuesday 2 March, VH-JSC departed Emerald Airport for Toowoomba.

Finally, also on Monday 1 March, the Queensland Police Service (Airwing) (State of Queensland) Raytheon B1900D VH-PSK was noted arriving into Maryborough Airport from Cairns and Townsville.  It later departed to Brisbane before then returning North to Cairns.

BPW Aviation / Airspeed Aviation Beech 58 Baron VH-SQC arrived into Rockhampton Airport from Tamworth.

And Dubbo-based Cessna 182P VH-HXI also passed through Emerald Airport while flying from Orange to Townsville.

Queensland Government (QGAir) Rescue Agusta AW139 Helicopter VH-ESH Flys South via Rockhampton Airport

On Monday 1 March, Queensland Government (QGAir) Rescue (State of Queensland) Agusta AW139 helicopter VH-ESH was photographed as it arrived into Rockhampton Airport while ferrying South from Townsville to Archerfield.

VH-ESH has operating out of both Cairns and Townsville Airports since late 2020 and so it is presumed that it has ferried from Townsville to Archerfield for planned maintenance.

As we have reported previously, this 'rotational system' of airframes that QGAir utilises ensure the even distribution of flying hours on each of the their Rescue helicopters. This system avoids the need to have multiple helicopters offline for simultaneous scheduled maintenance.

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

All photos taken by Steve Vit  ©

Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) Boeing C-17A Globemaster III A41-211 Spotted Completing Missed Approach at Rockhampton Airport - Plus More!

On Monday 1 March, Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) Boeing C-17A Globemaster III A41-211 was spotted completing a missed approach at Rockhampton Airport.

The C-17 departed RAAF Base Amberley and flew up to Rocky where it completed the missed approach.  It then flew South to complete another missed approach at the Sunshine Coast before it then returned to Amberley.

A41-211 was noted flying as "Stallion 21".

Meanwhile, also on Monday 1 March, Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) Boeing B737-7ES / E-7A Wedgetail Airborne Early Warning & Control (AEW&C) aircraft A30-005 was noted completing airwork at Hervey Bay (Fraser Coast) Airport.

It flew up to Hervey Bay Airport from RAAF Base Williamtown via a missed approach at Coffs Harbour.  After completing the airwork, A30-005 returned to Williamtown via another missed approach at the Gold Coast.

A30-005 was noted flying as "Wedgetail 02".

Finally, also on Monday 1 March, Australian Army NH Industries MRH-90 Multi-Role Helicopter A40-020 as "Destrier 112" visited Proserpine (Whitsunday Coast) Airport, arriving from and later departing back to Townsville.

While fellow Australian Army MRH-90 helicopter A40-022 but as "Saxon 42" flew out of the Oakey Army Aviation Centre to Roma Airport where it completed a missed approach.  It then returned to Oakey.

Photo taken by Steve Vit  ©