Some Plane Spotting Photos from Mackay Airport Early This Week - Including a Pair of Australian Army MRH-90 Helicopters

While in Mackay for work over the latter part of last week and then again early this week, I (of course) ventured to Mackay Airport to have a look!  Much to my surprise - and delight - on Monday 26 August I spotted a pair of Australian Army marked NH Industries MRH-90 Multi-Role Helicopters - A40-012 and A40-018.

As I posted to Facebook and Twitter, I spotted them arriving from the North about mid-morning, and fortunately, as I took lunch, they were still both parked at Mackay Airport.

Earlier on Monday 26 August, I captured the departure of Virgin Australia Boeing B737-800 VH-YIG from Mackay back to Brisbane as VOZ604.

Shortly after, Jetstar Airways Airbus A320 VH-VGA arrived at Mackay from Brisbane as JST882.

Meanwhile, on Friday 23 August, before I flew out to Brisbane for the weekend, I spotted a couple of early morning movements at Mackay Airport, including Virgin Australia B737-800 VH-VUA which was planned to operated the early VOZ600 departure.  This flight ended up being cancelled, and VH-VUA departed later on Friday as VOZ608.

As shown, and mentioned previously on the Blog, VH-VUA - which still wears the 'old' Virgin Blue colours and titles - currently wears a white nose cone, and has recently had its South Sydney Rabbitohs Rugby League team titles removed.

Departing early on Friday 23 August was Alliance Airlines Fokker F-100 VH-FWH, which was photographed back-tracking Mackay's Runway 14 prior to departure to Brisbane as UTY2511 - a flight operated on behalf of QantasLink.

A little later, the early morning arrivals touched down at Mackay Airport, in the form of QantasLink (Cobham Aviation) Boeing B717-200 VH-NXI, arriving from Brisbane as QJE1760.

And shortly after, Virgin Australia B737-800 VH-VOM also touched down from Brisbane but as VOZ601.  VH-VOM then turned around and took me to Brisbane as VOZ604.

Lastly, on Western General Aviation (GA) parking area, I finally photographed the new Central Queensland Rescue (CQ Rescue) Helicopter service Bell 412EP VH-CQJ sitting in the sun outside theit hangar.

As mentioned previously, VH-CQJ is operated by Australian Helicopters for CQ Rescue.

Nearby was locally-based Cessna 525 Citation CJ2 bizjet VH-ZGP - I think looking rather sharp in the early morning sun!

And finally, a quick photo of Pel-Air Aviation SAAB 340 Freighter VH-KDB parked on the Northern end of the Mackay Airport apron.  It had earlier arrived from Rockhampton and Brisbane as PFY7116.

One of three Pel-Air SAAB Freighters - VH-KDB, VH-KDK and VH-EKT - operate into Mackay and Rockhampton on behalf of Qantas Freight - the company formally known as Australian Air Express.  As shown below, the 're-branding' of the Mackay facilities to depict the new Qantas Freight name has been completed!

A couple of great days in Mackay!  Such a pity my time at Mackay Airport was so brief...  If there are any plane spotters or aviation enthusiasts in Mackay who would like to share any images or news that they have from Mackay Airport, please don't hesitate to contact us here at the Central Queensland Plane Spotting Blog - we would love to hear from you!!