Air Gold Coast Cessna 525A CitationJet CJ2 Bizjet VH-ZDM Pops into Emerald Airport - Plus More!

On Monday 31 August, Air Gold Coast Cessna 525A CitationJet CJ2 bizjet VH-ZDM visited Emerald Airport from the Gold Coast.

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Early afternoon Skytraders Bombardier CL-600-2B16 Challenger 605 bizjet VH-VTG "Snowbird 7" arrived into Rockhampton Airport from Cairns via airwork east of Whitsundays. After a refuel it then completed airwork at Rockhampton Airport include some landings and take-offs. After another refuel, it then departed to Cairns.

And Navair Flight Operations P/L new Pilatus PC-24 bizjet VH-DMS flew into Proserpine (Whitsunday Coast) Airport from the Gold Coast before later departing to Archerfield.

Meanwhile, on Sunday 30 August, an ultralight registered Supermarine Aircraft Spitfire Mk 26 19-4104 as "Spitfire 4104" arrived into Rockhampton Airport from Caboolture and then departed to Townsville. This aircraft had flown down on Friday as "Romeo 4104".

And LifeFlight Leonardo S.P.A. Helicopters (Agusta) AW139 helicopter VH-XIU as "Guardian 20" followed by fellow LifeFlight Agusta Westland AW139 Helicopter VH-XIA as "Guardian 10" both appeared to fly up from Archerfield to Bundaberg Airport and then to the Western side area of the Shoalwater Bay Training Area (SWBTA).

Photo taken by Brodie Lawson  ©

Skytraders NEW Bombardier CL-600-2B16 Challenger 605 Bizjet VH-VVJ "Snowbird 8" Calls into Rockhampton Airport - Nice!

On Saturday 29 August, Skytraders brand new Bombardier CL-600-2B16 Challenger 605 bizjet VH-VVJ as 'SND8' / "Snowbird 8"  made its first visit into Central Queensland, arriving into Rockhampton Airport from Cairns via low-level airwork East of the CQ coast.  It later returned to Cairns.

VH-VVJ was delivered from the USA via all stops into Cairns only last week - as pictured above.

The arrival of VH-VVJ follows the arrival of another Challenger 605 bizjet in the form of VH-VTG which has been in Cairns undergoing work at the local Jet Aviation facility and also completing similar training flights to CQ and beyond.

The aircraft are arriving as Skytraders expands its involvement in Australia's aerial surveillance capability. In May 2026, the Australian Border Force announced a new fixed-wing aerial surveillance arrangement under which Metrea Australia will provide 11 crewed aircraft for short- and long-range surveillance of Australia's maritime approaches. The fleet is intended to provide enhanced national coverage around the clock, year-round

Meanwhile, on Friday 28 August, Skytraders other Bombardier CL-600-2B16 Challenger 605 bizjet VH-VTG as 'SND7' / "Snowbird 7" was back in CQ arriving into Rockhampton Airport from Cairns via low level airwork East of the Whitsundays.

After refuel, it departed and completed some more airwork at Rockhampton Airport before landing and refuelling once again. It then departed Rockhampton Airport and returned to Cairns via more low-level airwork again East of the Whitsundays.

LifeFlight Agusta Westland AW139 helicopter VH-XIA as "Guardian 10", which had landed at Mount Isa from the northwest yesterday, departed there to Longreach, Roma and Archerfield Airports.

Photo taken by Jonathan Williams  ©

Alliance Airlines Embraer E-190 VH-A2N Spotted Completing a Test Flight out of and back to Rockhampton Airport - Plus More!

Finally! On Thursday 27 August, Alliance Airlines Embraer E-190 jet VH-A2N took to the air for the first time since it was delivered late last year and completed a test flight out of Rockhampton Airport down to near Gayndah and back as UTY9826.

The E-190 VH-A2N (ex JetBlue Airways - USA) was delivered into Rockhampton Airport at the end of its delivery flight in December last year still wearing its American Registration marking of N258JB and flying as 'SXI2552' / "Southern Cross 2552".

As shown, VH-A2N still wears its commemorative livery which celebrates the 60th Anniversary of Sir Jack Brabham’s 1966 Formula 1 World Championship.

Great to see it finally in the air!

Meanwhile, also on Thursday 27 August, Skytraders new Bombardier CL-600-2B16 Challenger 605 bizjet VH-VTG as 'SND7' / "Snowbird 7" was back in CQ arriving into Rockhampton Airport from Cairns via low level airwork East of the Whitsundays.

After refuel, it departed and completed some more airwork at Rockhampton Airport before landing and refuelling once again.  It then departed Rockhampton Airport and returned to Cairns via more low-level airwork again East of the Whitsundays.

Finally, also on Thursday 27 August, Canadian-registered Gulfstream G650ER C-GGVI was noted flying down from Hamilton Island Airport to Sydney.  It is registered to NORO Limited, with the aircraft operated by Fairflight, the company's flight department. NORO Limited is a subsidiary of Fairfax Financial Holdings Limited, based in Toronto, Ontario.

It was spotted above arriving into Cairns Airport from Uluru (Ayres Rock) late last week.

Photos taken by Steve Vit and Jonanthan Williams  ©

NQ Heli-Worx (Townsville) Embraer EMB-500 Phenom 100 Bizjet VH-8GK Pops into Rockhampton Airport - Plus More!

Also on Tuesday 25 August, NQ Heli-Worx (Townsville) Embraer EMB-500 Phenom 100 bizjet VH-8GK visited Rockhampton Airport from Archerfield.

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Believed to be New Zealand-based Piper PA32R-301 Saratoga SP N100NA, which had flown across from NZ to the Gold Coast last Tuesday and Wednesday, then from Toowoomba to Gladstone Airport on Sunday 23 August, departed there for Bowen Aerodrome.

General Aviation Maintenance (GAM) Rockwell (AeroCommander) 690A VH-YJG landed at Longreach Airport from Brisbane and then departed to Mount Isa.

While Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) Airbus A330-200 / KC-30A Multi Role Tanker Transport (MRTT) A39-003 as "Dragon 60" flew up from RAAF Base Amberley to complete a missed approach at Rockhampton Airport before returning back to Amberley.

And Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) Alenia C-27J Spartan A34-002 as "Wallaby 57" flew up from Amberley to complete several approaches at Bundaberg Airport and then to one at Taroom before returning to back to Amberley.

Photo taken by Tony Haynes  ©

Exercise Wallaby 2026 - Republic of Singapore Air Force (RSAF) Lockheed C-130H Hercules Transport Aircraft '734' Arrives into Rockhampton Airport

On Tuesday 25 August, it was exciting to see the first movement touch down in support of the upcoming annual Singapore Armed Forces Exercise Wallaby 2026 (XWB26) with The Republic of Singapore Air Force (RSAF) Lockheed C-130H Hercules transport aircraft '734' spotted arriving into Rockhampton Airport after flying down from Darwin as 'SAF9676'. It had arrived there from Singapore the previous day.

It parked on the Northern military hardstand and looked to be loaded with various pieces of equipment.

Of interest, the Herc is one of six C-130H aircraft which are flown by the RSAF's 122 Squadron "Condors" based at the Paya Lebar Air Base (PLAB) in Singapore.  The squadron goes by the motto of "Dependable".

UPDATE!  On Wednesday 26 August, C-130H '734' departed to Darwin again as 'SAF9676'.

Local plane spotters are once again on the countdown to the annual Singapore Armed Forces (SAF) Exercise Wallaby 2026 (XWB26), which is set to kick off at the Shoalwater Bay Training Area (SWBTA) north of Rockhampton from Sunday 6 September until Monday 2 November 2026. 

This year's exercise will be the 36th edition of Exercise Wallaby, which has been held in Central Queensland since 1990, and is the SAF's largest overseas military training exercise. 

It will bring together personnel and equipment from the Singapore Army, Republic of Singapore Air Force (RSAF) and Digital and Intelligence Service (DIS), with training expected to take place over three phases – 6-26 September, 27 September-17 October and 18 October-2 November.

Of particular interest to aviation enthusiasts will be the expected participation of RSAF Boeing AH-64D Apache attack helicopters flown by 120 Squadron 'Kestrel', Boeing CH-47F Chinook heavy-lift helicopters flown by 127 Squadron 'Stallion' based at Oakey and Lockheed C-130 Hercules transport aircraft. 

These aircraft are expected to support a range of air-land integrated training activities, including troop transport, heavy lifting and close air support operations. 

As in previous years, Rockhampton Airport is expected to be a hive of activity as personnel and equipment arrive for the exercise, with the possibility of some interesting military transport and heavy cargo and passenger jet aircraft movements in the lead-up to proceedings. 

Hopefully there will be plenty of great aircraft movements for local plane spotters to capture over the coming weeks!

Be sure to stay tuned to the CQ Plane Spotting Blog for all the latest news and updates via our Facebook page:  https://www.facebook.com/cqplanespotting/

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

All photo taken by Steve Vit  ©

Albury-based Textron (Cessna) 525 CitationJet M2 Bizjet VH-JSO Calls into CQ Airports - Plus More!

On Monday 24 August, Albury-based Textron (Cessna) 525 CitationJet M2 bizjet VH-JSO flew up from Canberra to Brisbane, Maryborough, Emerald, Rockhampton, Maryborough, Brisbane and back to Canberra.

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Meanwhile, on Saturday 22 August, Skytraders new Bombardier CL-600-2B16 Challenger 605 bizjet VH-VTG as 'SND7' / "Snowbird 7" was back in CQ arriving into Rockhampton Airport from Cairns via two approaches before landing.

It parked on the Northern military hardstand and a bit later departed to Bankstown.

Photo taken by Tony Haynes  ©

Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) Boeing C-17A Globemaster III A41-212 "Stallion 46" Spotted at Rockhampton Airport - Plus More!

On Friday 21 August, Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) Boeing C-17A Globemaster III transport A41-212 was spotted visiting Rockhampton Airport.  It was heard to be flying as "Stallion 46" and looked to arrive from RAAF Base Amberley.

As shown, personnel and equipment were loaded and soon after, the Globemaster departed to Townsville.

Also on Friday 21 August, Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) Lockheed C-130J-30 Hercules Transport Aircraft A97-440 as "Trojan 12" visited Rockhampton Airport from Townsville.

As shown, it too transported personnel and equipment up to Townsville.

While Air Gold Coast Cessna 525A CitationJet CJ2 bizjet VH-ZDM visited Hamilton Island Airport from the Gold Coast.

And Alliance Airlines Embraer E-190 VH-A2N was spotted out and about from the Alliance Airlines hangar at Rockhampton Airport.  There is information around that it is due to complete a test flight or two and eventually position to Brisbane where it should be entering service.

Finally, on Thursday 20 August, Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) Boeing B737-7ES / E-7A Wedgetail Airborne Early Warning & Control (AEW&C) aircraft A30-002 as "Mitchel 15" flew up from RAAF Base Williamtown to complete a missed approach at the Sunshine Coast and Hervey Bay (Fraser Coast) Airport and then back to Williamtown.

Later, A30-002 now as "Wedgetail 17" flew back up from Williamtown to complete a couple more missed approaches at Hervey Bay Airport before again returning back to Williamtown.

All photos taken by Steve Vit  © 

Navair Flight Operations P/L Pilatus PC-24 Bizjet VH-DMS Calls into Mackay Airport - Plus More!

On Tuesday 18 August, Navair Flight Operations P/L Pilatus PC-24 bizjet VH-DMS flew up from Cessnock to Mackay Airport and late this afternoon departed there to Alice Springs. It was also noted visiting Mackay Airport last week too.

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Bowenville based (operated by Real Time Aviation - Brisbane) Cessna 525 CitationJet CJ1+ bizjet VH-JSZ departed Longreach Airport to Augathella and Dalby.

And Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) Boeing B737-7ES / E-7A Wedgetail Airborne Early Warning & Control (AEW&C) aircraft A30-002 as "Wedgetail 04" flew up from RAAF Base Williamtown to complete a missed approach at Hervey Bay (Fraser Coast) Airport and then down to one at Coffs Harbour and back to Williamtown.

Later, A30-002 now as "Mitchel 07" completed another flight up from Williamtown to complete more airwork at Hervey Bay Airport and then back to Williamtown.

Meanwhile, on Monday 17 August, Australian based but American registered Eclipse Aviation EA550 Very Light jet (VLJ) bizjet N771MT visited Mackay Airport from the Sunshine Coast.

Finally, on Sunday 16 August, North Queensland Warbirds 1969-built Beech H18 VH-MBU, which had landed at Barcaldine Airport from Quilpie on Saturday, departed Barcaldine Airport for Cairns.

And Air Gold Coast Cessna 525A CitationJet CJ2 bizjet VH-ZDM visited Hamilton Island Airport from the Gold Coast.

Photo taken by Tony Haynes  ©

Skytraders NEW Bombardier CL-600-2B16 Challenger 605 Bizjet VH-VTG "Snowbird 7" Calls into Rockhampton Airport - Nice!

On Saturday 15 August, Skytraders new Bombardier CL-600-2B16 Challenger 605 bizjet VH-VTG as 'SND7' / "Snowbird 7" made its first visit to Central Queensland landing at Rockhampton Airport after flying down from its current Cairns base.

It then completed some airwork including several missed approaches and touch-and-go approaches before eventually refuelling and heading back to Cairns.

VH-VTG was delivered from the USA via all stops into Cairns at the end of July.

It is reported that a second Challenger will join the fleet with it to be registered VH-VVJ.

Photo taken by Scott Harris  ©

Business Aviation Solutions Bombardier CL-600-2B16 Challenger 604 Bizjet VH-MOU Pops into Proserpine (Whitsunday Coast) Airport - Plus More!

On Friday 14 August, Business Aviation Solutions Bombardier CL-600-2B16 Challenger 604 bizjet VH-MOU flew up from Melbourne (Essendon) to Proserpine (Whitsunday Coast) Airport and then Cairns before later flying down to Sydney.

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And McDermott Aviation Group / Machjet International Cessna 525C CitationJet CJ4 bizjet VH-PIY as "Machflight 421/06" visited Hamilton Island Airport from the Sunshine Coast.

Meanwhile, also on Friday 14 August. Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) Boeing B737-7ES / E-7A Wedgetail Airborne Early Warning & Control (AEW&C) aircraft A30-006 as "Wedgetail 11" flew up from Williamtown to complete a missed approach at Hamilton Island Airport and then down to one at Coffs Harbour and then back to Williamtown.

RAAF Boeing C-17A Globemaster III transport aircraft A41-211 as "Stallion 37" flew up from RAAF Base Richmond to into The Shoalwater Bay Training Area (SWBTA) and then down to RAAF Base Amberley.

And the two RAAF Pilatus PC-21 Forward Air Control Aircraft deployed to Townsville, continue to fly down and complete missions and airwork in the Shoalwater Bay Training Area (SWBTA) and also West of Townsville as "Reaper" and "Rake".

Photo taken by Jonathan Williams  ©