Rockhampton Airport Spottings This Week

While I’m in Rockhampton this week for cricket, and despite the inclement weather, I have been able to spot a couple of nice aircraft at Rockhampton Airport.

Firstly, on the commercial front, Alliance Airlines Fokker F-100 VH-XWR was noted operating for QantasLink on Monday 12 December.


Also QantasLink Dash-8-Q400 VH-QOV popped in from Gladstone and Brisbane, and continued North to Cairns via Mackay and Townsville as QLK2300.


A nice looking pair of Bell 206 Jetranger helicopters caught my eye. This very brightly coloured chopper - VH-ACT - is pictured parked outside the JMK Project Builders Hangar on the GA Side of the Airport.


Also on the GA side, Bell 206 VH-JGT (pictured below) has departed early and returned late each day of the week.


Also catching my eye on Tuesday 13 December was a trio of Britten-Norman BN-2A Islanders all parked in close quarters at the General Aviation Apron.


Firstly, BN2A-26 VH-RQW which wears 'Par Avion' titles (which is part of Airlines of Tasmania), but is operated by an aerial survey company in New South Wales, was photographed before departing to Emerald via airwork at Gladstone.


The Rockhampton Aero Club's BN-2A-8 Islander VH-SLM operates various flights during the day.


And Lastly, Britten-Norman BN-2T Turbine Islander VH-YVH really caught my attention as it is all kitted out with the Wescam MX-15 camera turret on the nose. The aircraft is registered to Britten Norman, and according to some sources is operated by Airborne Surveillance. It carries the code ‘220’.