Surveillance Australia / Customs Dash-8-300 VH-ZZE Spotted at Mackay and Rockhampton Airports

A first for the CQ Plane Spotting Blog with photos of Surveillance Australia / Australian Customs and Border Protection Service (Cobham Aviation) Dash-8-300 VH-ZZE captured at Mackay Airport after it had arrived after completing a surveillance sortie on Monday 19 January.

Early on Tuesday 20 January, VH-ZZE departed Mackay using the radio callsign of "Customs 44", and was later heard arriving into Rockhampton shortly after lunch time.  Rocky plane spotter 'IAD' popped out to the Airport after work and captured a few photos as VH-ZZE rested on the Northern end of the Rockhampton Airport apron.

The Dash-8 is part of a 13-strong fleet of Dash-8 and Reims (Cessna) F406 fixed-wing surveillance aircraft, which are supported by several helicopters operating over the Northern half of Australia.

Thanks to the Mackay spotters and ‘IAD’ for these great photos!

Photos taken by ‘AC' and 'IAD’  ©