Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) Boeing C-17A Globemaster III A41-210 "Stallion 60" Completes Airwork at Emerald Airport

On Wednesday 16 June, Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) Boeing C-17A Globemaster III A41-210 was back in the region yet again, this time noted completing airwork including at least two missed approaches at Emerald Airport.

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The Globemaster looked to fly down from and then back to Townsville.

A41-210 was heard to be flying as "Stallion 60".

Of interest, A41-210 flew North to Townsville from RAAF Base Amberley on Tuesday 15 June.

UPDATE!  On Thursday 17 June, A41-210 returned South to Amberley from Townsville via missed approaches at Proserpine (Whitsunday Coast) and Rockhampton Airports.

Meanwhile, also on Wednesday 16 June, two pairs of RAAF British Aerospace (BAe) Hawk 127 jet training aircraft were noted passing through Longreach Airport while heading to the Northern Territory where they will participate in the RAAFs upcoming Exercise Rogue Ambush 21-1.

A pair of Hawks using the radio callsign "Tiger" called in first, followed later by another pair flying as "Puma".  Both pairs departed Longreach Airport for RAAF Base Tindal where they will be based for the Exercise.

It was also noted that a flight of RAAF Lockheed Martin F-35 Lightning II fighter aircraft as "Hunter" flew through Central Queensland airspace while heading up from RAAF Base Williamtown to Darwin where they are also due to participate in Exercise Rogue Ambush 21-1.

Exercise Rogue Ambush 21-1 is the final phase for operational conversion courses designed to produce combat ready personnel ready for operations on the F-35 Lightning and E-7A Wedgetail.  This will see the graduation of the first F-35 Lightning II pilots to be trained right here in Australia with 2OCU.

Photo taken by Steve Vit  ©️

Four Australian Army Sikorsky S-70A-9 Blackhawk Helicopters Head Back South From Townsville and Spotted at Rockhampton Airport

On Wednesday 16 June, the four Australian Army Sikorsky S-70A-9 Blackhawk helicopters that flew North a week earlier to Townsville, were noted flying back South to RAAF Base Amberley and were spotted calling into Rockhampton Airport.

The four Blackhawks were again identified as A25-104 as "Disco 91", A25-110 as "Disco 92", A25-223 as "Disco 93" and A25-206 as "Disco 94".

After taking on fuel, three of the four Blackhawks departed Rockhampton Airport for the Sunshine Coast.  They then eventually continued to Amberley.

A25-104 as "Disco 91" remained parked at Rockhampton Airport, reported with a technical problem.

All four Blackhawks are believed to be flown by the Australian Army's 171st Aviation Squadron (forming part of the 6th Aviation Regiment) based at Holsworthy Barracks near Sydney.

The four Army Blackhawks were in Townsville for somber reasons with commemorations for the 25th anniversary of the Townsville Blackhawk Tragedy over the previous weekend.

On Wednesday 12 June 1996, during a Blackhawk training exercise near Townsville, 18 men died when two helicopters collided mid-air and crashed.  The Special Air Service (SAS) Regiment and Army Aviation Corps involved were carrying out a night-time counter-terrorism training operation, in preparation for the upcoming 2000 Sydney Olympics.

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

All photos taken by Scott Harris  ©

Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) B737 / E-7A Wedgetail A30-004 Missed Approach at Hervey Bay (Fraser Coast) Airport

On Tuesday 15 June, Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) Boeing B737-7ES / E-7A Wedgetail Airborne Early Warning & Control (AEW&C) aircraft A30-004 was noted completing a missed approach at Hervey Bay (Fraser Coast) Airport.

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It appears that the Wedgetail flew up from RAAF Base Williamtown to complete missed approaches at Coffs Harbour and RAAF Base Amberley before flying up to Hervey Bay.  After completing another missed approach, the Wedgetail then returned to Williamtown.  

A30-004 was heard using the radio callsign of "Wedgetail 02".

Photo taken by 'IAD'  ©

American Registered Cessna 510 Citation Mustang Bizjet N251MC Arrives into Emerald Airport - Plus More!

On Tuesday 15 June, American registered (TVPX Aircraft Solutions Inc) but (possibly) Australian based Cessna 510 Citation Mustang bizjet N251MC was noted arriving into Emerald Airport. 

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The smart little Citation looked to fly up from Orange in New South Wales via the Sunshine Coast.

At the time of writing, it appears that N251MC is spending at least the night at Emerald Airport.

UPDATE!  On Wednesday 16 June, N251MC departed Emerald Airport and returned to the Sunshine Coast and Orange - where it appears to be possibly based.

Also on Tuesday 15 June, fellow Cessna 510 Citation Mustang VH-FNI of Graham Aviation (Cairns) was noted arriving into Hamilton Island Airport from its Mareeba base via Cairns.

Meanwhile, also on Tuesday 15 June, Mackellar Mining Equipment / Flight Options (Australia) Cessna 560 Citation Ultra bizjet VH-MMC arrived into Biloela / Thangool Airport from its Sunshine Coast base.  It returned back there later in the day.

Finally, also on Tuesday 15 June, recently registered Property Maintenance Australia P/L Pilatus PC-12/47E VH-WJA flew up from Dubbo to Moura Airport but was unable to land due to weather and so diverted to Biloela / Thangool Airport.  It later flew back to Moura Airport and during the afternoon it departed there back to Dubbo.

While fellow Pilatus PC-12/47 VH-WPH flown by Vanderfield, landed Emerald Airport from Toowoomba and Chinchilla Airports.

UPDATE!  On Wednesday 16 June, VH-WPH departed Emerald Airport and flew to Gladstone Airport.  It then returned to Toowoomba via Chinchilla Airport.

And Beech 58 Baron VH-KGK visited Gladstone Airport from Archerfield.

Photo taken by Simon Coates  ©

Avcair (Avgunn) LearJet 60 Bizjet VH-OLJ Pops into Hamilton Island Airport - Plus More!

On Monday 14 June, Avcair (Avgunn) LearJet 60 bizjet VH-OLJ was noted visiting Hamilton Island Airport.  It looked to arrive from and later depart back to Brisbane via Sydney.

Also at Hamilton Island Airport, also on Monday 14 June, BHMM Aviation Cessna 650 Citation VII bizjet VH-SSZ was noted departing to the Gold Coast and Sydney.  It had arrived from those places the previous day.

While Wagga Air Centre (Mabena) SOCATA TBM-850 VH-PVM departed Hamilton Island Airport for Mackay Airport.  It then continued to Canberra and Wagga Wagga.  VH-PVM had arrived into Hamo from Wagga Wagga and Canberra last Friday 11 June.

And Avia Aviation (Victoria) Cessna 510 Citation Mustang bizjet VH-MSU made a late departure from Hamilton Island Airport to Bankstown after dark on Sunday 13 June.  It had arrived the previous day from there.

Meanwhile, also on Monday 14 June, Australian Country Choice Properties (Brisbane) Cessna 560 Citation V Encore bizjet VH-ACC was noted back in CQ, flying down from Dooloogarah to Roma and Brisbane Airports before then returning to Dooloogarah.

UPDATE!  On Tuesday 15 June, VH-ACC returned to Brisbane.

SFC Farming Raytheon B200 King Air VH-TXT landed at Longreach Airport from Mundine before then departing to Katherine (RAAF Base Tindal). 

Hawker Beechcraft B200GT Super King Air 250 VH-JHP also called into Longreach Airport but from Borroloola before it then departed to Toowoomba.  VH-JHP had flown North via Longreach Airport last Thursday 10 June.

And Ipswich-based Airborne P/L (Palm Lake Works) Pilatus PC-12/47E VH-PLE made yet another visit to Bundaberg Airport.  It looked to arrive from and depart back to the Gold Coast.

Photo taken by Steve Vit  ©

Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) Boeing C-17A Globemaster III A41-210 "Stallion 57" Completes a Missed Approach at Rockhampton Airport

On Monday 14 June, Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) Boeing C-17A Globemaster III A41-210 was spotted completing a missed approach at Rockhampton Airport.

A41-210 looked to depart RAAF Base Amberley and flew straight up to Rocky.  After completing the missed approach, the C-17 then flew back South via an inland route, overhead Emerald and near Charleville, before then returning to Amberley where it reportedly completed a spectacular tactical approach and descent from 20000 feet.

As shown, A41-210 still wears additional decals to commemorate the RAAF's 100th anniversary.

A41-210 was heard to be using the radio callsign of "Stallion 57".

Photo taken by Steve Vit  ©️

Bowenville-based Cessna 525 CitationJet CJ1+ Bizjet VH-JSZ Spotted at My Local Clermont Aerodrome - Plus More Bizjets at Hamilton Island Airport!

On Saturday 12 June, Bowenville (near Toowoomba) based Cessna 525 CitationJet CJ1+ bizjet VH-JSZ was yet again back in Central Queensland, noted arriving into my local Clermont Aerodrome from Archerfield.  It then departed to Broken Hill in New South Wales.

After dark, I photographed VH-JSZ back at Clermont Aerodrome (above) after it arrived back from Broken Hill.  VH-JSZ then returned to Archerfield.

Meanwhile, also on Saturday 12 June, there were more corporate bizjet arrivals and departures over at Hamilton Island Airport.

Navair Flight Operations Embraer EMB-500 Phenom 100 bizjet VH-LXZ was noted departing to Cessnock.  It then flew to Thargomindah and Alice Springs.  VH-LXZ had arrived from Bankstown and Cessnock on Monday 7 June.

BHMM Aviation / White Star Aircraft Charter P/L Cessna 650 Citation VII bizjet VH-SSZ arrived from the Gold Coast and Sydney.

UPDATE!  On Monday 14 June, VH-SSZ departed Hamilton Island Airport for the Gold Coast and Sydney.

And Avia Aviation (Victoria) Cessna 510 Citation Mustang bizjet VH-MSU arrived from Bankstown.

UPDATE!  Very late on Sunday 13 June, VH-MSU departed Hamo and returned to Bankstown.

Finally, also on Saturday 12 June, Aero Logistics Cessna 441 VH-YFD was noted completing yet another aerial survey flight out of and back to Rockhampton Airport.

Aerometrex (Atlass Aviation) Vulcanair (Partenavia) P.68C VH-CFT was also noted completing an aerial survey flight in the region but out of and back to Mackay Airport.

And Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) Beech B350 Super King Air A32-675 "Envoy 97" was noted passing through Longreach Airport.  It flew up from RAAF Base East Sale and departed to Mount Isa.

Hevilift Australia ATR 72-500 VH-FVM Spotted at Rockhampton Airport on Weekend Sports Charter

On Saturday 12 June, Hevilift Australia (Fixed Wing Division) ATR 72-500 VH-FVM was spotted on the ground at Rockhampton Airport.  It had earlier arrived from Brisbane as HT701.

VH-FVM looked to load and then transport the players and officials of the local Central Queensland (CQ) Capras Rugby League team up to Townsville as HT705.

After the Capras were beaten soundly by the Townsville Blackhawks Rugby League team in the Queensland Rugby League (QRL) Intrust Super Cup competition, VH-FVM was due to return to Rockhampton Airport and then Archerfield as HT706/702.

Photo taken by Steve Vit  ©️

Walker Air Services (Sydney) Bombardier Global Express Bizjet VH-LAW Arrives into Whitsundays Airports - Plus More!

On Friday 11 June, Walker Air Services (Sydney) Bombardier BD-700-1A10 Global Express bizjet was noted visiting the Whitsundays Airports.  It looked to fly up from its Sydney base to Hamilton Island Airport before then positioning across to the mainland and parking at Proserpine (Whitsunday Coast) Airport.

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At the time of writing, it appears that VH-LAW is indeed staying at Prosie for at least the night.

Meanwhile, also on Friday 11 June, Wagga Air Centre (Mabena) SOCATA TBM-850 VH-PVM looked to arrive into Hamilton Island Airport from its Wagga Wagga base via Canberra.

It also visited the region last weekend, noted visiting the Whitsunday Airport at Shute Harbour - see Blog post below!

Finally, also on Friday 11 June, the Queensland Government Airwing (State of Queensland) Raytheon B300 Super King Air VH-SGQ visited Rockhampton Airport twice during a busy day of flying - possibly on behalf of the Queensland Police Service.  It arrived from Brisbane and departed to Townsville and Cairns before then later returning South Brisbane, again via Rocky.

Photo taken by Bernie Proctor  ©

Avcair (Avgunn) LearJet 60 Bizjet VH-ILJ Late Medical Evacuation Flights to Emerald and Rockhampton Airports

Interesting to note that late on Thursday 10 June, Avcair (Avgunn) LearJet 60 bizjet VH-ILJ visited both Emerald and Rockhampton Airports while reportedly completing a medical evacuation flight.

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VH-ILJ looked to fly up directly to Emerald Airport from its Brisbane base before then flying across to Rockhampton Airport.  After a short time, VH-ILJ departed Rockhampton Airport and returned to Brisbane.

Photo taken by Tony Haynes  ©