Clive Palmer's Cayman Islands-Registered Hawker Beechcraft 4000 Horizon Bizjet VP-CPP Visits Gladstone and Bundaberg Airports - But Clive Wasn't On Board...

As we posted on our Facebook page, on Saturday 16 February, leader of the United Australia Political Party, Clive Palmer's private, Cayman Islands-registered, Hawker Beechcraft 4000 Horizon bizjet VP-CPP was spotted visiting both Gladstone and Bundaberg Airports.

Sadly though, it appears that Clive Palmer himself may not have been on board.

VP-CPP flew down to Gladstone Airport from Townsville before it then continued to Bundaberg Airport.  It returned to Townsville from Bundy around sunset.

It appears that Clive Palmer took delivery VP-CPP in the middle of January after the sleek bizjet arrived on the Gold Coast (where it is currently based) from the United States of America (USA).

Previously, Clive Palmer utilised other corporate bizjets and a helicopter to fly around Australia and overseas - Cessna 680 Citation Sovereign VP-CFP and Bombardier BD-700-1A10 Global Express M-ATAR were more recently used - while previously he also flew around in a pair of McDonnell Douglas MD-82s registered VP-CBH and VP-CBI, plus Agusta A119 'Koala' helicopter VH-KOL which were all registered to 'Mineralogy' - the mining company owned by Clive Palmer.

VP-CBH & VP-CBI have been stored at Brisbane Airport for some time  (File photo)

Sincere thanks to the local plane spotters for taking the time to capture and send through these great photos!

Photos taken by Samuel Felgate, Anthony Schulz and James Kirk  ©

Helimission (Indonesia) Bell 206L-4 Long Ranger PK-HCT Passes Through CQ Airports

Another interesting helicopter to be spotted passing through Central Queensland Airports, this time spotted arriving into Mackay Airport late on Friday 15 February, was Indonesian-registered Bell 206L-4 Long Ranger PK-HCT.

PK-HCT initially looked to call into Mackay Airport for the night from the North and was reportedly due to continue South to Redcliffe, probably via refuelling stops down the coast, on Saturday 16 February.

The chopper is (was?) one of several operated by helicopter aid organisation, Helimission, in Papua, Indonesia and is used on SOS and other humanitarian relief missions in the region.

Of interest, another Long Ranger that is (was?) operated by the organisation - PK-HME - was spotted passing through CQ also heading South to Redcliffe in August 2018 - see Blog post HERE.

To find out more about Helimission visit their website:  https://www.helimission-en.org/

Meanwhile, also spotted at Mackay Airport recently was Emerald-based Calibre Aviation (Central Queensland Aviation) Bell Helicopter Textron 206B VH-FAX.  Interesting to note though that it has the titles of Cairns-based Heli Tours North Queensland.

Thanks to the local plane spotters for taking the time to capture and send through this great photo of a couple of great little visitors to CQ!

Photos taken by 'AC' and 'JM'  ©

Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) Alenia C-27J Spartan Transport Aircraft A34-006 "Wallaby 17" Pops into Longreach Airport

On Friday 15 February, Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) Alenia C-27J Spartan transport aircraft A34-006 was noted visiting Longreach Airport.

A34-006 at Mount Isa Airport last week  (Defence Image)

It was one of two RAAF Spartans that were noted in the air over North Queensland and could possibly have been in the air providing aerial support to local flood ravaged farms and communities.

A34-006 as "Wallaby 17" was heard to initially depart RAAF Base Amberley and completed airwork in the Julia Creek area before landing at Longreach Airport for fuel.  It then departed back to Amberley.

Meanwhile, fellow RAAF Spartan A34-009 as "Wallaby 16" was also in the air on Friday 15 February, initially departing Amberley before also heading to North Queensland and completing airwork around Normanton.  It then landed at Townsville.

The RAAF's 35 Squadron C-27J Spartan battlefield airlifter aircraft have been supporting the flood relief efforts in North Queensland in recent days flying Drum Fabric Collapsible bladders containing fuel that will enable local civil helicopters to drop fodder and hay to farmers and livestock devastated by the extreme weather conditions.

RAAF C-27J Spartan transport aircraft being loaded at Amberley  (Defence Image)

Great job!

Many Photos of Alliance Airlines Fokker F-100 Jets at Rockhampton Airport

Yet another special post with local photographer Russell P again very generously allowing us to share some of his spectacular photos.  This time, he shares some great photos he captured on three afternoons of Alliance Airlines Fokker F-100 jets operating through Rockhampton Airport on behalf of Virgin Australia on flights from and back to Brisbane.  He captured...

VH-UQF on Friday 4 January operating as VOZ1249/1252

VH-UQN on Sunday 6 January operating as VOZ1243/1244

VH-XWS on Wednesday 16 January operating as VOZ1249/1252.

Of interest, Alliance Airlines was established in 2002 when Brisbane-based Queensland Airline Holdings acquired the assets of the dormant Flight West Airlines, which ceased scheduled services in 2001.  Alliance Airlines commenced operations with two Fokker F-100 jets and one Embraer E-120 Brasilia turboprop aircraft.

Alliance Airlines is now arguably Australia’s major Fly-in Fly-out (FIFO) air charter operator. Today, Alliance boasts a fleet of 40 Fokker jet and turboprop aircraft, employs over 500 staff and provides regular and adhoc charter services in Australia and New Zealand.

Sincere thanks Russell for taking the time to capture and send through these stunning photos!  Enjoy!

All photos taken by Russell Prothero  ©