Qantas Airways Boeing B737-800 VH-XZT (ex 9V-MGN) First Visit to CQ at Mackay Airport

On Monday 10 August, Qantas Airways Boeing B737-800 VH-XZT was noted making its first visit into Central Queensland after it was acquired by the airline from Singapore Airlines (SilkAir).

VH-XZT made its first visit to CQ operating into Mackay Airport on the QFA984/5 service from and back to Brisbane.

As mentioned, the B737-800 was previously operated by SilkAir (now merged with Singapore Airlines) as 9V-MGN and was registered to and delivered to Qantas Airways at Alice Springs in February 2026.

In mid-April this year, VH-XZT was ferried across from Alice Springs to Brisbane before it then entered service about a month later. It entered service wearing an all white livery (pictured) and was re-painted in Townsville into the standard 'silver roo' Qantas Airways livery in July. It was also given the name 'Bright'.

It was announced mid-last year that Qantas was to acquire four additional Boeing B737-800 aircraft from to expand capacity as delivery delays impact its new Airbus A321XLR order. The leased jets were previously operated by Singapore Airlines (SilkAir) and would be planned to enter service by the end of 2025.

They are reported to be 9V-MGK (to become VH-XZQ), 9V-MGL (VH-XZR), 9V-MGM (VH-XZS) and 9V-MGN (VH-XZT).  All four have now visited CQ - all at Mackay Airport!

Each will be painted into the Qantas Airways livery and have 'new' interiors fitted prior to them entering service.

File photo taken by Lloyd Fox  ©

Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) Boeing B737-7ES / E-7A Wedgetail AEW&C A30-006 Completes Airwork at Rockhampton Airport

On Wednesday 22 July, Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) Boeing B737-7ES / E-7A Wedgetail Airborne Early Warning & Control (AEW&C) aircraft A30-006 as "Wedgetail 15" flew up RAAF Base Williamtown to a couple of low over shoots at the Sunshine Coast and then at Rockhampton Airport where it was photographed completing a couple of these missed approaches.

Once complete, the Wedgetail then returned to Williamtown.

All photos taken by John Lee  ©

Mitchell Water Cessna 525 Citation M2 Bizjet VH-WMY Calls into the Whitsunday Airport at Shute Harbour - Plus More!

On Wednesday 15 July, Mitchell Water Cessna 525 Citation M2 bizjet VH-WMY flew down from to the Whitsunday Airport at Shute Harbour to Horsham.  It looked to fly up from Melbourne (Essendon), Stawell and Roma Airports the previous day.

File photo

UPDATE!  On Friday 17 July, VH-WMY flew up from Adelaide (Parafield) to Shute Harbour and then in afternoon flew down to Melbourne (Moorabbin).

This will probably be the last time we report on this once-per-week visitor the region...    

And Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) Dassault Falcon 7X bizjet A56-003 as "Envoy 30" flew up from Canberra to overhead Charleville Airport where it then turned south-east and descended to complete a missed approach at St George and then flew to land at Hervey Bay (Fraser Coast) Airport. It then departed to Canberra.

UPDATE!  On Thursday 16 July, A56-003 this time as "Envoy 42" again flew up from Canberra to complete a missed approach at Coffs Harbour and then to land at Bundaberg Airport. It then returned to Canberra.

Photo taken by Lee Holloway  ©

Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) Dassault Falcon 7X Bizjet A56-003 as "Envoy 35" Spotted at Longreach Airport - Plus More!

On Tuesday 14 July, Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) Dassault Falcon 7X bizjet A56-003 as "Envoy 35" was spotted at Longreach Airport after arriving from Canberra.

It later departed back to there.

UPDATE!  A56-003 visited CQ a couple more times during the week - see Blog post above!

While RAAF Boeing B737-7ES / E-7A Wedgetail Airborne Early Warning & Control (AEW&C) aircraft A30-006 as "Wedgetail 04" flew up from RAAF Base Williamtown to complete a missed approach at the Gold Coast and Hervey Bay (Fraser Coast) Airport before it then returned to Williamtown. 

And Queensland based American-registered Embraer EMB-505 Phenom 300 N227SL flew up from Archerfield to Rockhampton Airport but due to fog there it diverted up to Townsville. During the afternoon, it arrived into Rockhampton Airport from Townsville and then a bit later departed to Archerfield.

Photo taken by Liam Sellick  ©

Real Time Aviation - Brisbane - Cessna 525 CitationJet CJ1+ Bizjet VH-JSZ Calls into my local Clermont Aerodrome - Plus More!

On Monday 13 July, and given our recent post about common movements, the familiar sight of Bowenville based (operated by Real Time Aviation - Brisbane) Cessna 525 Citation Jet CJ1+ bizjet VH-JSZ was back yet again flying from Archerfield and Dalby to my local Clermont Aerodrome.  It was planned to return South on Tuesday 14 July.

File photo

UPDATE!   On Wednesday 15 July, VH-JSZ appeared to fly back up from Archerfield to Dalby and then Moura and Springsure Airports before returning back South yet again on Thursday 16 July.

This will almost certainly be the final time we report on VH-JSZ...  

Graham Aviation (Cairns) Cessna 510 Citation Mustang bizjet VH-FMZ was noted visiting Hamilton Island Airport from Mareeba and Cairns.

While Nexus Airlines Dash-8-Q400 VH-8XC as CT802 arrived into Rockhampton Airport from Horn Island and Cairns on the school-holiday charter run.  It then departed to Brisbane as CT805.

And several interstate light aircraft who landed at Emerald Airport over the weekend departed there together heading up Shute Harbour. NSW based Cessna 172 VH-NLS, Beech Bonanza VH-ANX and Piper Cherokee VH-FGE, along with WA based Piper Saratoga VH-NJD and ACT based Piper Cherokee VH-IAL were all noted. 

Meanwhile, also on Monday 13 July, Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) Boeing B737-7ES / E-7A Wedgetail Airborne Early Warning & Control (AEW&C) aircraft A30-006 as Wedgetail 01 flew up from Williamtown to a missed approach at Sunshine Coast then up to three low over shoots at Rockhampton Airport before returning to Williamtown.

Later A30-006 now as "Wedgetail 03" flew up to complete airwork at Bundaberg Airport.

And fellow Wedgetail A30-001 as "Mitchell 02" flew up from Williamtown to complete a missed approach at Hervey Bay (Fraser Coast) Airport before returning to Williamtown.

Finally, on Sunday 12 July, RAAF Lockheed C-130J-30 Hercules transport aircraft A97-450 as ASY655 flew down from Townsville and completed low level work in the Humboldt National Park between Humboldt and Rolleston.

An important announcement about the future of the CQ Plane Spotting Blog main site!

Due to the limited time in my life with a full-time job, wife, kids and other personal pursuits, the time that I can spend writing posts for the CQ Plane Spotting Blog main site has significantly diminished in recent times.

Consequently, moving forward, the only details of aircraft movements that will be posted on here will be of a significant nature - for example, first visits of aircraft and airframes as well as significant military and general charter flights - plus news that affects airports and aircraft based in the region.

I find a lot of movements of some aircraft repetitive with the same corporate business jets and prop aircraft visiting 1-2 times per week each week. The mentions of these aircraft will most likely cease from now on with possibly the occasional mention in passing relating to other significant movements as mentioned above.

Please understand the CQ Plane Spotting Blog main site will not be closing - it will just be a source of significant and important movements and news information moving forward.

Posts, including photos, will continue to appear on a daily or even more frequent basis on our Facebook page - https://www.facebook.com/cqplanespotting

Thanks Damian F.

Textron Aviation (Cessna) 208B Grand Caravan EX N512EX Calls into Emerald Airport - Plus More!

On Saturday 11 July, Textron Aviation (Cessna) 208B Grand Caravan EX N512EX was noted landing at Emerald Airport from Archerfield.  It then headed South-East to a nearby property for a demonstration before returning to Emerald Airport and then up to Cairns.

UPDATE!  On Sunday 12 July, N512EX looked to return to Emerald Airport where it then stayed until early August!

While Leppington Pastoral Co. (NSW) Beech B300 Super King Air 350i VH-JET departed Longreach Airport for the North-West.  It subsequently ended up at Hamilton Island Airport.

And Queensland Police Service (Airwing) / Queensland Government (State of Queensland) Beech B300 King Air 350i VH-8TT is currently based out of Rockhampton Airport and completed local aerial survey flights.  It appears to have arrived the previous day from Brisbane.

UPDATE!  On Sunday 12 July, VH-8TT completed more aerial survey flights out of and back to Rockhampton Airport.

Photo taken by 'AC'  ©

Australian Country Choice Properties / Aero Corporate Charters P/L (Brisbane) Cessna 525B CitationJet CJ3 Bizjet VH-ACC Pops into Hamilton Island Airport - Plus More!

On Thursday 9 July, Australian Country Choice Properties / Aero Corporate Charters P/L (Brisbane) Cessna 525B CitationJet CJ3 bizjet VH-ACC popped into Hamilton Island Airport from Archerfield.

File photo

Parker Aviation Ventures (Sydney) / Air Link (Dubbo) Embraer EMB-500 Phenom bizjet VH-PNM which had landed at Proserpine (Whitsunday Coast) Airport at the start of the week, hopped from there to Hamilton Island Airport and then later departed to Canberra.

While Navair Flight Operations Embraer EMB-505 Phenom 300 bizjet VH-VKX flew up to Hamilton Island Airport from Newcastle (Williamtown).

And South Australia-based Hawker Beechcraft B300 Super King Air VH-UXF continues to make weekly visits up from Adelaide and Maitland to Collinsville Aerodrome (yesterday) and then Proserpine Airport (today) and back.

Meanwhile, on Wednesday 8 July, Mission Aviation Fellowship (MAF) GA8 Airvan VH-MFI and Cessna 172 VH-WMC landed at Longreach Airport from Barkley Wayside Inn and Mount Isa.

Finally, on Thursday 9 July, an ex-Jetstar Asia Airbus A320-200 N300XT departed storage at Alice Springs for Cairns and then the USA.

It was previously registered as 9V-JSY and 9V-TRD with Tigerair/Scoot and was ferried into Alice Springs in October 2025 with plans for it to be placed on the Australian Aircraft Register as VH-X3R and enter service with Jetstar Australia - which obviously did not occur.

Photos taken by Tony Haynes and Jonathan Williams  ©

A Pair of Australian Army CH-47F Chinook Helicopters A15-307 "Salty 47" & A15-306 "Easy 328" Spotted at Mackay Airport - Plus More!

On Tuesday 7 July, a pair of Australian Army Boeing CH-47F Chinook helicopters were spotted at Mackay Airport.  They appear to have flown down from Townsville via completing air work individually in the Whitsundays – at Proserpine (Whitsunday Coast) Airport and Hamilton Island Airport – before continuing down to Mackay Airport.

The two Chinooks from the Army’s 5th Aviation Regiment based at Townsville, where identified as A15-307 which flew as "Salty 47" and A15-306 as "Easy 328".

After some time on the ground, both Chinooks departed for Townsville with A15-307 "Salty 47" again completing air work at Hamilton Island Airport.

Meanwhile, also on Tuesday 7 July, Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) Airbus A330-200 / KC-30A Multi Role Tanker Transport (MRTT) A39-003 as "Dragon 25" arrived into Rockhampton Airport from RAAF Base Amberley and parked on taxiway Juliet. A bit later it departed to the North and completed a missed approach at Townsville before then returning to Amberley.

Finally, on the civilian side of movements, also on Tuesday 7 July, McDermott Aviation Group / Machjet International Cessna 525C CitationJet CJ4 bizjet VH-PIY as "Machflight 41" flew up from the Sunshine Coast to Hamilton Island Airport before then flying across to Ayers Rock. It later returned to the Sunshine Coast.

Poolhurst Aviation Air Charter Services new Pilatus PC-24 jet VH-VTF flew up from Archerfield to Hamilton Island Airport before then flying down to Adelaide.

Port Macquarie Helicopters / Graham Aviation (Cairns) Cessna 510 Citation Mustang bizjet VH-8DD departed Hamilton Island Airport for the Sunshine Coast. It had arrived on Saturday 4 July from Port Macquarie and Rockhampton Airport.

Mabena P/L (Wagga Air Centre) Pilatus PC-12/47E NGX VH-A8K as "Wagga Air 669" appeared to fly South from a property near Dysart.  It had earlier flown up from Archerfield and also from Wagga Wagga the previous day.

UPDATE!  On Wednesday 8 July VH-A8L 'WA669' was again noted flying in the region ultimately arriving into Longreach Airport.  Then on Thursday 9 July, it departed Longreach Airport for Isisford, Wrotham Park and then Cairns.

Photos taken by Graham Kevin Jackson  ©

General Aviation Maintenance (GAM Group) (Team Global Express) Raytheon 1900D VH-YJD Calls into CQ Airports - Plus More!

On Monday 6 July, and possibly entering service in its own right, was General Aviation Maintenance (GAM Group) (Team Global Express) Raytheon 1900D VH-YJD.

It flew up from Brisbane to Rockhampton Airport and then Mackay Airport and Townsville as 'GA845' / "Gamair 845" and was due to return South from Townsville to Brisbane via only Mackay Airport on Monday evening as 'GA847'.

Of interest, VH-YJD has been noted completing several training and test flights between Brisbane and Maryborough Airport in recent weeks with still the occasional run out to Emerald Airport in place of the  Cessna 208 Caravan VH-UJK.

Meanwhile, also on Monday 6 July, Albury-based Cessna 525 CitationJet M2 bizjet VH-JSO visited the region again this time arriving into Rockhampton Airport from Canberra and Brisbane and then later departing to Bundaberg Airport.

Parker Aviation Ventures (Sydney) / Air Link (Dubbo) Embraer EMB-500 Phenom bizjet VH-PNM departed Archerfield for Canberra before then flying up to Hamilton Island Airport and then across to Proserpine (Whitsunday Coast) Airport.

Execujet Australia Bombardier BD-700-1A10 Global 6000 bizjet VH-LEP departed Hamilton Island Airport to Melbourne (Avalon).  It seems to have flown up from Mildura on Thursday 2 July.

While Arbormeta P/L (Byron Bay) Gippsaero GA8-TC 320 Airvan VH-AUM flew up from Ballina / Byron Bay Gateway to Emerald Airport before continuing to Mareeba and Cairns.

And Parklea (Air Services) (of Victoria) Leonardo AW109SP helicopter VH-87M was spotted at Longreach Airport after earlier arriving from Winton.

Finally, over the weekend, on Saturday 4 July, Port Macquarie Helicopters / Graham Aviation (Cairns) Cessna 510 Citation Mustang bizjet VH-8DD arrived into Rockhampton Airport from Port McQuarrie and then departed to Hamilton Island Airport.

Photos taken by Lloyd Fox and Liam Sellick  ©