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'  ©

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.

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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  ©

Mitchell Water Cessna 525 Citation M2 Bizjet VH-WMY Pops into Proserpine (Whitsunday Coast) Airport - Plus More!

On Sunday 28 February, Mitchell Water Cessna 525 Citation M2 bizjet VH-WMY was noted arriving into Proserpine (Whitsunday Coast) Airport from Melbourne (Essendon).  After a short time on the ground, VH-WMY returned to Essendon before flying across to it's Melbourne (Moorabbin) home.

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Meanwhile, also on Sunday 28 February, the often visiting American-registered Eclipse EA500 bizjet N257AK was noted arriving back into the Whitsunday Airport at Shute Harbour from Archerfield.  The sleek little corporate bizjet is reportedly based at Archerfield and completes weekly visits of between 3-4 days.  It is reported that the small Eclipse is flown by a local Airlie Beach businessman.

Finally, also on Sunday 28 February, a couple of visitors departed or passed back through some Central Queensland Airports with Brisbane-based Teys Australia Cessna 525 Citation CJ2 bizjet VH-TEY departed Blackall Airport for Toowoomba and Archerfield.  As posted below, VH-TEY flew up to Blackall Airport from Toowoomba on Saturday 27 February.

And Brisbane-based Altitude Aviation Raytheon B200 King Air VH-EEL popped back into Rockhampton Airport from Cairns before it then departed back to its Archerfield base.  As posted below, VH-EEL flew up to Cairns from Archerfield and Brisbane via Rockhampton Airport on Saturday 27 February.

Teys Australia Cessna 525 Citation CJ2 Bizjet VH-TEY Arrives into Blackall Airport - Plus More!

On Saturday 27 February,  Brisbane-based Teys Australia Cessna 525 Citation CJ2 bizjet VH-TEY was noted arriving into Blackall Airport.

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VH-TEY arrived from Toowoomba after flying across from its Archerfield base the previous day.

At the time of writing, it appears that VH-TEY is staying at Blackall Airport for at least the night.

Meanwhile, also on Saturday 27 February, Brisbane-based Altitude Aviation Raytheon B200 King Air VH-EEL called into Rockhampton Airport from its Archerfield base.  It later departed to Cairns.

Finally, also on Saturday 27 February, Piper PA-46-350P Malibu Mirage VH-KNV had two attempts, but eventually arrived back into Rockhampton Airport from Cessnock in New South Wales.  

As mentioned below, VH-KNV visited the beef capital from Cessnock on Friday 26 February.

Photo taken by Greg Weir  ©

Alliance Airlines Fokker F-100 VH-UQC Passes Through Rockhampton Airport on Closed Charter Flight to the Red Centre!

A much publicised closed tourist charter flight was noted passing through Rockhampton Airport on Friday 26 February with Alliance Airlines Fokker F-100 jet VH-UQC arriving from Townsville and Hamilton Island Airport before then departing direct to Ayres Rock (Yulara) as UTY569/571/573.

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The closed charter flights and tours were organised by a local tourist company and includes two nights in the red centre of Australia.  It is expected that VH-UQC will return to Rockhampton Airport on Sunday 28 February.

UPDATE!  Indeed on Sunday 28 February, VH-UQC returned to Rockhampton Airport from Ayres Rock before continuing to Hamilton Island Airport and Townsville but as UTY570/572/574.

Photo taken by Greg Weir  ©

REM Falcon / Flight Options (Australia) Dassault Falcon 2000EX Bizjet VH-EWB Spotted Back at Mackay Airport - Plus More!

On Friday 26 February, REM Falcon / Flight Options (Australia) Dassault Falcon 2000EX bizjet VH-EWB was photographed as it called back into Mackay Airport. This is the second visit in the last couple of days by the still quite new Falcon 2000EX bizjet.

On this occasion, it looked to arrive from Cairns and depart to Sydney.

VH-EWB passed through Mackay Airport heading North on Wednesday 24 February - see Blog post below!

Meanwhile, also noted visiting Mackay Airport, but late on Thursday 25 February, was Link Airways / Vee H Aviation Cessna 441 VH-VEJ.  It looked arrive from Brisbane and then depart to Newcastle (Williamtown) before the returning to Brisbane.

While up at Hamilton Island Airport, also on Friday 26 February, the familiar sight of FKG Air (Redjet Aviation) Hawker Beechcraft B200GT VH-FKB was back visiting Central Queensland Airports for the third day in-a-row.  It looked to depart from Hamilton Island Airport and call into Bundaberg Airport before heading 'home' to Toowoomba.

As mentioned below, VH-FKB had arrived into the Whitsunday Airport at Shute Harbour on Thursday 25 February from Toowoomba and Archerfield, with it presumably flying across to Hamilton Island Airport later in the day or early on Friday.

Finally, down at Rockhampton Airport, also on Friday 26 February, Piper PA-46-350P Malibu Mirage VH-KNV visited from its Cessnock base in New South Wales.

Raytheon A36 Bonanza VH-YGM arrived once again from its Orange base in New South Wales.

UPDATE!  On Wednesday 3 March, VH-YGM finally departed Rockhampton Airport for Bankstown.

And the Queensland Police Service (Airwing) (State of Queensland) Raytheon B1900D VH-PSK popped into Rocky, looking to arrive from Brisbane and later depart to Townsville.  It had earlier flown down to Brisbane from Cairns and Townsville.

Sincere thanks to local plane spotter 'JM' for taking the time to capture and send through these great photos of a great bizjet visitor to the region this week!

All photos taken by 'JM'  ©

Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) Alenia C-27J Spartan Transport Aircraft A34-008 and A34-009 Call into CQ Airports

On Friday 26 February, a pair of Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) Alenia C-27J Spartan transport aircraft noted completing airwork and landing at a couple of Central Queensland Airports.

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During the latter part of the morning, Spartan A34-008 as "Wallaby 37" departed RAAF Base Amberley and was noted completing airwork and then landing at Charleville Airport.  It then returned to Amberley.

While Spartan A34-009 "Wallaby 04" landed at Longreach Airport from the North and later departed to Richmond.  It then flew down to land at Amberley.  It appears that A34-009 "wallaby 04" flew North from Amberley the previous day.

Photo taken by David Geck  ©️