Some New (and Familiar) Charter Aircraft to Visit Central Queensland Airports This Week Too!

While sourcing the information for the bizjet post below, it was worth noting the wide range of Fly-in Fly-out (FIFO) and other general charter aircraft that flew into Central Queensland over the course of a week.

Starting at Emerald Airport, Fugro Spatial Solutions have had a pair of Cessna aircraft operating survey flights out of the airport during the week.  Cessna 404 VH-AZU and Cessna 441 VH-LEM are two of a sizeable survey fleet that Fugro operates around Australia.  I believe both aircraft have moved on but it wouldn't be surprising to see at least Fugro aircraft back again soon!

Familiar visitors to Emerald Airport this week also included Argyle Charter Pilatus PC-12/47 VH-WPH (file photo below) on Thursday 17 January, while Kergil Enterprises PC-12/45 VH-YDO arrived from Mackay on Friday 18 January.

One other interesting visitor to Emerald Airport this week was General Aviation Maintenance (GAM) Rockwell (AeroCommander) 690A VH-YJG, which was noted flying into Emerald from Archerfield on Friday 18 January.  VH-YJG was noted operating a similar flight on Thursday 17 January, however on that day, it flew from Archerfield to Moranbah and return.

Also at Moranbah Airport during the week, there were quite a number other Fly-in Fly-out (FIFO) charters. Most of these were operated QantasLink with their Dash-8-Q400s flying in from Brisbane. Late on Wednesday 16 January, and then early on Thursday 17 January, Virgin Australia (Skywest Airlines) operated their ATR 72 charter from Townsville to Moranbah and return.  These were operated by ATR 72-600 VH-FVN.

This week, Skytrans operated their 'usual' FIFO charters to Clermont Aerodrome, as well as their FIFO charters to Emerald Airport on behalf on AERgO.  On Wednesday 16 January, Skytrans operated a FIFO charter flight into Biloela / Thangool Airport with Dash-8-300 VH-QQP (file photo below) noted operating the SKP7210/7211 return flight.

Lastly, some other general and FIFO charter flights that have brought some other interesting aircraft to CQ this week including...

Nitro Drilling (Nitro Aviation) Raytheon B300 Super King Air VH-NDT was noted flying into Rockhampton, Moranbah, and Bundaberg on Thursday 17 January, and then Middlemount on Friday 18 January.  VH-NDT makes an appearance at an airport in CQ most weeks!

Australasian Jet Piper PA-31-325 VH-ZMJ flew into Hamilton Island from Archerfield on Thursday 17 January.  It later departed for Mackay, where I believe it is still parked.

Carmichael Builders Piper PA-31-325 VH-FHQ (file photo below) arrived into Gladstone Airport from Archerfield on Thursday 17 January, with the Navajo later departing 'home' to Dalby.

Shadforth's Civil Engineering Contractors Cessna 414A VH-SMX arrived into Gladstone Airport from Roma on Wednesday 16 January.  VH-SMX departed Gladstone for the Sunshine Coast on Thursday 17 January.

Ostwald Brother Civil Piper PA-31 VH-AYT (file photo below) was noted arriving into Mackay Airport on Monday 14 January.  On Wednesday 16 January, VH-AYT departed Mackay for Moranbah Airport.

Victoria-based AeroCommander 500-U VH-TQA ventured North through CQ on Thursday 17 January.  Departing the Gold Coast, VH-TQA passed through Toowoomba, Rockhampton, Mackay and Townsville, before arriving at its destination, Palm Island.  A photo of VH-TQA can be found on the FNQ Skies Blog - HERE.

What a busy week - especially Thursday!!