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) Dassault Falcon 7X Bizjet A56-001 as "Envoy 57" Completes Airwork at Bundaberg Airport - Plus More!

On Tuesday 28 July, Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) Dassault Falcon 7X bizjet A56-001 as "Envoy 57" flew up from RAAF Base Amberley and completed three training approaches at Bundaberg Airport before it then returned to Amberley.

File photo

Meanwhile, also on Tuesday 28 July, Albury-based Textron (Cessna) 525 CitationJet M2 bizjet VH-JSO landed at Bundaberg Airport from Canberra.

UPDATE!  On Wednesday 29 July, VH-JSO departed Bundaberg Airport for Toowoomba (City) and Canberra.  

Bowenville based (operated by Real Time Aviation - Brisbane) Cessna 525 Citation Jet CJ1+ bizjet VH-JSZ flew up to Mackay Airport from Dalby. VH-JSZ also appeared to visit my local Clermont Aerodrome over the previous weekend.

And Avcair LearJet 60 bizjet VH-AVL Hervey Bay (Fraser Coast) Airport arrived from Townsville and departed to Brisbane.

Photo taken by Peter Sajko  ©

General Aviation Maintenance (GAM) / Team Global Express Raytheon 1900D Freighter VH-YJV First Visit to CQ Airports - Plus More!

On Monday 27 July, General Aviation Maintenance (GAM) / Team Global Express Raytheon 1900D Freighter VH-YJV was noted to have entered service and flew into Rockhampton Airport from Brisbane. It then departed to Mackay Airport and then Townsville.  This is it's first visit into Central Queensland.

Ian Gains / https://www.airhistory.net/

After spending the day parked, VH-YJV then flew back down to Mackay Airport and then back down to Brisbane.

Of interest, fellow Raytheon 1900D Freighter VH-YJD did the Brisbane to Biloela/ Thangool and Emerald Airport run. It then returned to Brisbane via Rockhampton Airport.

Of further interest, it appears that VH-YJV flew up from Melbourne (Essendon) to Brisbane via all stops over most of last week.  VH-YJD (UE-210) was previously N210GL of Alpine Air Express in the USA and was flown over to Melbourne (Essendon) where it was placed on the Australian Aircraft Register late last month and into this month.  This is the second 'new' but second-hand Beech 1900D Freight aircraft that GAM are going to take delivery primarily for Queensland operations for Team Global Express.

Meanwhile, also on Monday 27 July, Navair Flight Operations P/L new Pilatus PC-24 bizjet VH-DMS flew up to Mackay from Cessnock.

UPDATE!  On Tuesday 28 July, VH-DMS departed Mackay Airport and returned to Cessnock.

Eagle One Aviation (Navair Flight Operations) Cessna 525B CitiationJet CJ3+ bizjet VH-X8X as "Navair 131" visited Hamilton Island Airport from Sydney.

Elphinstone Group (Tasmania) / Revesco Aviation (WA) Embraer EMB-505 Phenom 300E bizjet VH-UYX was noted departing Hamilton Island Airport for Rockhampton Airport. As mentioned below, VH-UYX had arrived into Hamo during last week.

UPDATE!  On Tuesday 28 July, VH-UYX departed Rockhampton Airport for Burnie in Tasmania.

McDermott Aviation Group / Machjet International Raytheon B200 King Air VH-NSN as "Machflight 242" landed at Dysart Aerodrome from Cairns before later heading across to my local Clermont Aerodrome.  It then returned to Cairns.

The Queensland Government Airwing (State of Queensland) Raytheon B300 Super King Air VH-SGQ also touched down at Clermont Aerodrome but from Moranbah Airport.

UPDATE!  On Tuesday 28 July, VH-SGQ departed Clermont Aerodrome for Brisbane.

Trailco Australia P/L (Brisbane) Agusta AW119 MKII Helicopter VH-CGW Calls into CQ Airports - Plus More!

On Friday 24 July, Trailco Australia P/L (Brisbane) Agusta AW119 MKII helicopter VH-CGW was noted flying down from Hamilton Island Airport to Bundaberg Airport and then points further South.

Cary Aviation / https://www.jetphotos.com/

Meanwhile, on Thursday 23 July, Flight Options (Australia) Learjet 45 bizjet VH-8WK visited Proserpine (Whitsunday Coast) Airport from the Sunshine Coast.

Mitchell Water Cessna 525 Citation M2 bizjet VH-WMY was also noted departing Proserpine Airport for Roma Airport.

While Robindale Group / Air Link Cessna 510 Citation Mustang bizjet VH-CMK departed Emerald Airport to Bundaberg Airport and the Sunshine Coast. It had flown up on Tuesday 21 July.

As mentioned recently, we probably won't mention the visits of VH-CMK (and other bizjets) much any more with it being a common visitor around once per week.

Finally, also on Tuesday 21 July, Elphinstone Group (Tasmania) / Revesco Aviation (WA) Embraer EMB-505 Phenom 300E bizjet VH-UYX flew into Longreach Airport from Sydney. It then continued to Hamilton Island Airport.

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  ©

Multinational Multi-Role Tanker Transport Fleet (MMF) / Royal Netherlands Air Force / NATO Airbus A330-200MRTT T-059 Completes Airwork at Rockhampton Airport - Nice!

On Tuesday 21 July, probably one of the best visitors ever seen in the region, was this Multinational Multi-Role Tanker Transport Fleet (MMF) / Koninklijke Luchtmacht (Royal Netherlands Air Force) / NATO Airbus A330-200MRTT with serial T-059 which was flying as "Gryphon 31" and completed several approaches at Rockhampton Airport.

The MRTT is in Australia as a part of Exercise Pitch Black 2026 which is the large‑scale, multinational air combat training exercise hosted by the Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF), involving around 20–21 nations, up to 100 aircraft, and more than 2,500 personnel operating across RAAF Bases Darwin, Tindal and Amberley.

The MRTT is part of the Exercise refuelling aircraft based at RAAF Base Amberley and it flew up from there to Rockhampton Airport to complete an initial and pitch approach and then did five touch and go's and a low over pass before it later departed back to Amberley. 

What an awesome visitor! On departure back to Amberley the pilot said "A million thanks for that" to which the Rockhampton Airport Air Traffic Control tower replied "You're welcome any time".  Indeed they are!

Photos taken by Trevor Hardsman and Steve Vit  ©

Australian Army Airbus Helicopters H135 'Juno' Training Helicopters N52-102 & N52-104 Both Arrive into Rockhampton Airport - Plus More!

Late on Sunday 19 July, a pair of Australian Army Airbus Helicopters H135 'Juno' training helicopters were noted arriving into Rockhampton Airport. They were identified as N52-102 and N52-104 and looked to fly up from the Oakey Army Aviation Centre as "Jackal".

File photo

Then on Monday 20 July, the H135 helicopters N52-102 and N52-104 again as "Jackal" departed Rockhampton Airport and flew into the Shoalwater Bay Training Area (SWBTA) and back twice.

During the afternoon, N52-102 as "Warhorse 35" flew a long maintenance flight up to the North-West and back.

UPDATE!  On Tuesday 21 July, they again completed a flight to the Bay and back to Rockhampton Airport as "Jackal".

Also on Monday 20 July, New Zealand Aerospace (Pacific Aerospace) CT/4A Airtrainer VH-APV (ex RAAF A19-074) flew down from Mareeba to Mackay Airport.

Orange Helicopters operated Pickering Aviation (Sikorsky) UH-60L Black Hawk helicopter N711BF, which had started the day at Orange this morning, landed at Longreach Airport and then departed to Mount Isa.

And McDermott Aviation Group / Machjet International Raytheon B200 King Air VH-NSN as "Machflight 73" visited Proserpine (Whitsunday Coast) Airport from Cairns. Plus fellow McDermott Beech B200 King Air VH-ZPY as "Machflight 421" landed at Emerald Airport from Brisbane and then departed to Mount Coolon.

Photo taken by Darren Massie  ©

S&S Aviation / Business Aviation Solutions Bombardier CL-600-2B16 Challenger 604 Bizjet VH-XPA Calls into Hamilton Island Airport - Plus More!

On Sunday 19 July, S&S Aviation / Business Aviation Solutions Bombardier CL-600-2B16 Challenger 604 bizjet VH-XPA flew into Hamilton Island Airport from the Gold Coast and Sydney.

File photo

It then returned to the Gold Coast.

And Avcair LearJet 60 bizjet VH-AVL had a busy weekend visiting Mackay Airport and Rockhampton Airport while flying between Brisbane and Townsville and Cairns.

UPDATE!  On Monday 20 July, VH-AVL returned to Mackay Airport from Brisbane.

Photo taken by Glenn Lloyd  ©

Qantas Airways Boeing B737-800 VH-XZJ Calls into Hamilton Island Airport After Re-paint - Plus More!

On Friday 17 July, Qantas Airways Boeing B737-800 VH-XZJ was noted making its first visit into Central Queensland since it was disappointingly re-painted in the basic 'silver roo' Qantas livery. It looked to complete the QFA578/9 service to Hamilton Island Airport from and back to Sydney.

VH-XZJ was originally delivered to Qantas in late 2013 wearing a special Aboriginal art colour scheme called 'Mendoowoorrji'.

The aircraft recently underwent planned maintenance and was re-painted in Townsville after it ferried up from Brisbane on Saturday 20 June with it returning to Brisbane in its new livery as shown above on Sunday 5 July.

Meanwhile, also on Friday 17 July, Poolhurst Aviation Air Charter Services Pilatus PC-24 jet VH-VTF flew up to Hamilton Island Airport from Archerfield and later flew down to the Sunshine Coast.

And Skytrans Airlines Dash-8-Q200 VH-TQG was noted operating the SKP85/6 service to Proserpine (Whitsunday Coast) Airport from and back to Cairns. A rare visit!

Finally, on Thursday 16 July, Parker Aviation Ventures (Sydney) / Air Link (Dubbo) Embraer EMB-500 Phenom bizjet VH-PNM arrived into Bundaberg Airport from Archerfield and later departed to the Gold Coast.

Photo taken by Frank Curtis  ©

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  ©