Local plane spotters 'IAD' and Travis W have both spotted a rather interesting helicopter flying around Rockhampton Airport and Mount Morgan over the weekend with Aviation Utilities / Geotech Airborne Eurocopter AS.350B3 Squirrel helicopter VH-VTX photographed towing a massive airborne electromagnetic receiver coil.
Airborne Electromagnetic (AEM) data are gathered by transmitting an electromagnetic signal from a system attached to the helicopter. The signal induces eddy currents in the ground which are detected by the receiver coils towed below and behind the helicopter in the device which is known as a 'bird'. Depending on the system used and the subsurface conditions, AEM techniques can detect variations in the conductivity of the ground to a depth of several hundred metres. The conductivity response in the ground is commonly caused by the presence of electrically conductive materials such as salt or saline water, graphite, clays and sulfide minerals.
Meanwhile, 'IAD' also sends through a couple of photos of Virgin Australia Embraer E-190 VH-ZPM as it arrived at Rockhampton Airport on Saturday 22 June from Brisbane as VOZ1235.
VH-ZPM is now the only Embraer E-190 to still wear the colours of Pacific Blue. It's also worth mentioning that sister-ship VH-ZPO returned to Australia on Sunday 23 June from overseas now repainted into the new Virgin Australia livery.
Finally, Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) Beech B350 Super King Air A32-439 was spotted visiting Rockhampton Airport again on Saturday 22 June. It was photographed by 'IAD' touching down after arriving from the North as "Dingo 52".
RAAF King Airs operated by 32 Squadron are becoming a familiar sight at Rockhampton Airport as joint Australian / American Military Exercise Talisman Saber 2013 fast approaches. Stay tuned to the Central Queensland Plane Spotting Blog through out Facebook page (LINK) and Twitter Feed (LINK) for all the latest.
Photos taken by Travis Whiting and ‘IAD’ ©
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