Alliance Airlines Fokker F-70 VH-JFB Calls into Emerald Airport for QantasLink

I noted with interest that on Friday 31 October, Alliance Airlines Fokker F-70 VH-JFB operated two return flights into Emerald Airport from Brisbane on behalf of QantasLink.

VH-JFB at Emerald earlier in October  (File photo)

VH-JFB was noted operating as UTY2406/2407 then UTY2418/2419.

Meanwhile, on Wednesday 39 October, Alliance F-70 VH-QQY operated the weekly Fly-in Fly-out (FIFO) charter flight into Emerald Airport from Brisbane as UTY1070/1071.  However, the outbound UTY1071 seemed to have a delayed departure and in the meantime, fellow Alliance F-70 VH-JFB flew into Emerald from Brisbane as well but as UTY992.  It departed back to Brisbane a little later as UTY993.

I am unsure as to the nature this additional flight and why the departure of VH-QQY was delayed.

Any takers?

Some Other News From the Rockhampton Aero Club

Over the last month or so, the Rockhampton Aero Club (RAC) has made a few important announcements as well as host an a weekend of Australian Air Force Cadets (AAFC) and prepare for Fun Flight 2014.

Firstly though, in late-September, The Board of the Rockhampton Aero Club officially announced the appointment of a new Cheif Flying Instructor / Pilot (CFI/CP) Elect who will take over in November after the retirement of Lesley Crowther-Scott.  Her successor is Mr Jan Rebello.

Jan was formerly the CFI of  Airways Aviation Australia, and prior to that Chief Pilot, Chief Flying Instructor and General Manager Flight Operations of the Australian Airline Pilot Academy.  Jan is employed with the Rockhampton Aero Club as a Grade 1 Flight Instructor and will be undergoing a handover and transition period with Lesley and Jan will then take over as CFI/CP on Lesley’s retirement.

Meanwhile, at the RAC Annual General Meeting also in late September, Eric Gill (Treasurer), Trevor McMaster (Vice President), Paul Tyler (Newsletter Editor) were all re-elected, while Phil Richards (Committee member) was elected, replacing long standing club member Dave Tempest who has retired from the board after many many years service.

President (Graham Dooley) and Dr Michael Keating (Secretary) were not up for election with the RAC's split election.

As mentioned below, over the course of Saturday 25 October and Sunday 26 October, the Rockhampton Aero Club (RAC) hosted the Australian Air Force Cadet (AAFC) Flight Training Weekend.

40 Air Force Cadets ranging in ages from 13 to 20 undertook a Trial Instructional Flight of 30 minutes duration.  This was the first year the AAFC have been able to access actual flight activities.  The Weekend was funded by the Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) as part of its support for the Air Force Cadets.

From the feedback so far from cadets, staff and parents, it was a very successful weekend of training
with 40 individual flights conducted using 3 Cessna aircraft and 3 RAC Flight Instructors.

The Rockhampton Aero Club will host its annual Funflight day at Rockhampton Airport on Sunday 9 November.  Special guests, volunteers and pilots will come from all over Rocky, to make it a day to remember for the sick and disadvantaged children and their parents.

Finally, the Rockhampton Aero Club has re-vamped their Facebook page - do check it out at - http://www.facebook.com/aeroclubrockhampton

Cirrus Design Corp SR22 GTS N661RA Passes Through Rockhampton Airport

A nice arrival into Rockhampton Airport late on Friday 31 October was the Cirrus Design Corp's own SR22 GTS demonstrator N661RA.

Information suggest that the sleek little Cirrus has spent recent days operating in and around Northern New South Wales and the Gold Coast.  On Friday, it flew into Rocky from the Gold Coast and earlier, Ballina / Byron Gateway Airport.

After a quick look over the aircraft by Rockhampton Aero Club secretary Paul T, N661RA departed for Cairns where it will be on display with the North Queensland Aero Club at both Cairns and Mareeba.

Of interest, another Cirrus demonstation aircraft - Generation 5 Cirrus SR22T VH-YDA - also visited the Rockhampton Aero Club in June 2013 also on a display flight by the Cirrus Design Corporation.

Thanks to Paul Tyler from the Rockhampton Aero Club for allowing us to share these great photos!

Photos taken by Paul Tyler  ©

JetGo Australia Embraer E-135LR VH-JGB Back in CQ on Charter to Miles and Gladstone Airports

Making another visit to Central Queensland this week was JetGo Australia Embraer E-135LR VH-JGB which flew into Miles Airport from Brisbane as JG93 early on Thursday 30 October.  After a few hours on the ground, VH-JGB then departed Miles - again as JG93 - and touched down at Gladstone Airport - after a fly over the nearby LNG facilities.

VH-JGB stayed parked at Gladstone Airport for the night and departed just after lunch time on Friday 31 October for Brisbane once again as JG93.

Photos taken by Col  ©

Singapore Airlines Boeing B777-200 9V-SVF at Rockhampton Airport Wednesday Night

The third 'wave' of heavy jet charters into Rockhampton Airport in support of the Singapore Armed Force's Exercise Wallaby was wrapped up on Wednesday 29 October with Singapore Airlines Boeing B777-200 9V-SVF touching down at Rocky directly from Singapore's Changi Airport as SIA8931.

9V-SVF at Rockhampton Airport earlier this month  (File photo taken by Kayanne Hardsman  ©)

It departed back to Singapore later in the evening as SIA8932.

Of interest, the fourth and final 'wave' of heavy jet charters to Rockhampton is expected near the end of Wallaby 2014, with four flights planned and two of these will be operated by Air New Zealand Boeing B777-200 aircraft.

 File photo taken by Brendan Berry  ©

ZK-OKC (pictured above) is currently the only B777-200 re-painted into the new Air New Zealand livery - let's hope that it chosen to operate these flights!

Mackay Airport Wednesday - Government Hawker 850XP VH-SGY - Islander VH-URJ - Problems with Virgin Australia E-190 VH-ZPR

Making another appearance in Central Queensland on Wednesday 29 October was the Queensland Government Airwing (State of Queensland) Raytheon Hawker 850XP bizjet VH-SGY.

File photo

On this occasion, it was noted calling into Mackay Airport from Brisbane.  After a couple of hours on the ground, it departed back to the capital.

Colville Aviation Services Pilatus Britten-Norman BN2A-21 Islander VH-URJ was also noted calling into Mackay Airport on Wednesday 29 October.  The formerly Cairns-based Barrier Aviation aircraft arrived from Archerfiled and later departed to Marreba.

Meanwhile, later on Wednesday 29 October, Virgin Australia Embraer E-190 VH-ZPR was operating as VOZ617 from Brisbane to Mackay and was forced to turn back to Brisbane as it was approaching Yeppoon.

Reports suggest that VH-ZPR had an altitude mis-match problem and it seems that to land the aircraft successfully, VH-ZPR returned to Brisbane to land via an ILS approach.

Fellow E-190 VH-ZPH operated the 'replacement' VOZ617/620 service later in the evening.

Finally, it's worth noting that locally-based Raytheon 390 Premier 1 bizjet N7088S arrived back into Mackay Airport on Tuesday 28 October from the Gold Coast.  It had flown to the Gold Coast the week before.

UPDATE!  N7088S operated a return flight to Brisbane from Mackay on Thursday 30 October.  And now a flight for N7088S is scheduled on Friday 31 October also from Mackay to Brisbane.

A Couple More Photos of Singapore Airlines B777-200 9V-SVK - Along with QantasLink B717-200 VH-NXI - At Rockhampton Airport

Local plane spotter Travis W was also on hand late on Tuesday 28 October and he too captured some great photos as Singapore Airlines Boeing B777-200 9V-SVK touched down at Rockhampton Airport.

As mentioned below, it arrived directly from Singapore's Changi Airport as SIA8931.

Travis also captured a couple of great photos of QantasLink (Cobham Aviation) Boeing B717-200 VH-NXI as it prepared for departure to Brisbane as QJE1745.

Thanks to Travis for taking the time to capture and send through these great photos!

All photos taken by Travis Whiting  ©

Hawker Beechcraft 350i Super King Air N841KA Calls into Rockhampton and Moranbah Airports

Arriving into Rockhampton Airport on Tuesday 28 October from Brisbane was Hawker Beechcraft 350i Super King Air N841KA.  It later departed to Moranbah Airport.

File photo taken by 'IAD'  ©

Then on Wednesday 29 October, N841KA departed Moranbah and returned to Rockhampton.  It then departed back to Brisbane.

A Couple of Interesting Light Aircraft Visitors to Fraser Coast Airports This Week

A few more interesting movement at the Fraser Coast Airports over the last few days with, on Wednesday 29 October, the Queensland Government (State of Queensland) Raytheon B300 Super King Air VH-SGQ called into Hervey Bay / Fraser Coast Airport from Brisbane.

File photo taken by Micah S  ©

It later departed back to the capital.

Also noted at Hervey Bay on Wednesday was Seair  / Istlecote Pilatus Britten-Norman BN2A Islander VH-RUT.  It was noted departing to the Gold Coast.

Another Seair / Istlecote aircraft - Cessna T210M VH-SDU - was noted arriving into Hervey Bay from the Gold Coast on Wednesday 29 October, and, at the time of writing, is scheduled to fly into Maryborough and then Wanella Station (near Coppabella) and back on a Fly-in Fly-out (FIFO) charter flight on Thursday 30 October.

It's also worth noting that on Wednesday 29 October and also on Monday 27 October, the Queensland Police Service (Airwing) Raytheon B1900D VH-PSK has been spotted back on the coastal run between Brisbane and Cairns, calling into Townsville, Mackay, Rockhampton and Maryborough - where it is pictured below on Wednesday.

Photo taken by David Geck  ©

Finally, on Monday 27 October, Seair Cessna 208 Caravan VH-VCW called into Maryborough from Hervey Bay before departing to Middlemount on a FIFO charter flight.  It then departed to Lady Elliot Island.

Army Chinook Helicopter A15-151 was Spotted at Mackay Airport Monday and Broke Down!

As we reported late yesterday, Australian Army Boeing CH-47D Chinook helicopter A15-151 touched down at Mackay Airport on Monday 27 October while conducting airwork near Bowen and (reportedly) Charters Towers.

File photo taken by 'AC'  ©

Although what I have since discovered was that as the sun went down on Monday, A15-151 was parked up at Mackay Airport - broken down with reportedly a 'vibration issue'.

Another Chinook - A15-201 "Brahman 201" - was then noted arriving into Mackay Airport on Tuesday 28 October with (reportedly) equipment for the broken down Chinook from Townsville.

I believe both Chinooks have since returned to Townsville.

Ultralight Jabiru J230-D 24-8101 Emergency Landing in Calen Sugar Cane Field

A 58-year-old man flying his ultralight Jabiru J230-D 24-8101 from Ingham to Marian (near Mackay) was forced to make an emergency landing in a cane paddock in Calen on Wednesday 29 October.  Reports suggest that the man suffered no injuries, but was taken to Mackay Base Hospital as a precaution.

Josh Cummings @jrscummings / https://twitter.com/

Unconfirmed reports suggest that the engine made metallic noises then failed resulting in the emergency landing.

This comes just days after another pilot had to make an emergency landing in his ultralight plane in a freshly cut cane paddock on private property near Kuttabul on Sunday 26 October.  The plane was forced to make the landing after the pilot ran out of fuel.  It reportedly flipped over after landing in the paddock.

Singapore Airlines Boeing B777-200s 9V-SVK and 9V-SVH Touch Down at Rockhampton Airport

This third series of heavy jet charters into Rockhampton Airport in support of the Singapore Armed Force's Exercise Wallaby 2014 continued on Tuesday 28 October with Singapore Airlines Boeing B777-200 9V-SVK touching down direct from Singapore's Changi Airport as SIA8931.

After a couple of hours on the ground, 9V-SVK departed back to Singapore as SIA8932.

Soon after its departure fellow Singapore Airlines B777-200 9V-SVH again touched down at Rockhampton Airport - this time as SIA8933 from Singapore.

After it too was loaded a full load of passengers and cargo, it departed in the early hours of Wednesday 29 October as SIA8934 direct to Singapore.

One final Singapore Airlines B777-200 is expected to touch down later on Wednesday 29 October.

Sincere thanks to local plane spotter 'IAD' who ventured out to Rockhampton Airport to capture these two great heavy jets to visit Rocky!

All photos taken by ‘IAD’  ©

Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) Boeing B737-7DF(BBJ) A36-002 at Bundaberg and Hamilton Island Airports

Seen flying into Hervey Bay / Fraser Coast Airport on Tuesday 28 October was Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) Boeing B737-7DF(BBJ) A36-002.

File photo taken by 'IAD'  ©

It arrived from Newcastle (Williamtown) Airport and was flying as "Envoy 60".

Meanwhile, down the road at Maryborough, Australian Army NH Industries MRH-90 Multi-Role Helicopter A40-018 was spotted flying around Maryborough Airport on Tuesday 28 October as "Saxon 33".

Photo taken by David Geck  ©

A couple of great visitors to the Fraser Coast!

JetGo Australia Embraer E-135LR VH-JGB Departs Rocky for Gladstone Airport Tuesday

After being parked for most of the day, JetGo Australia Embraer E-135LR VH-JGB departed Rockhampton Airport late in the afternoon of Tuesday 28 October for Gladstone Airport as JG96.

It appeared that VH-JGB flew to Gladstone empty, and once on the ground in the industrial city, collected a load of passengers and cargo.  VH-JGB was then spotted making a spectacular departure from Gladstone to Brisbane as JG97.

Sincere thanks to Rocky plane spotter 'IAD' and Gladstone plane spotter Michael F for capturing these great images!

Photos taken by 'IAD' and Michael Fleetwood  ©

Australian Air Force Cadet (AAFC) Flight Training Weekend at Rockhampton Airport

Over this last weekend, the Rockhampton Aero Club (RAC) hosted the Australian Air Force Cadet (AAFC) Flight Training Weekend.

40 Air Force Cadets ranging in ages from 13 to 20 undertook a Trial Instructional Flight of 30 minutes duration.  This was the first year the AAFC have been able to access actual flight activities.

The Weekend was funded by the Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) as part of its support for the Air Force Cadets.

From the feedback so far from cadets, staff and parents, it was a very successful weekend of training with 40 individual flights conducted using 3 Cessna aircraft and 3 RAC Flight Instructors.

Sincere thanks to RAC Newsletter Editor Paul Tyler for submitting this brief report and photos of a most enjoyable weekend of flying at Rockhampton Airport.

All photos taken by Paul Tyler  ©