A Few More Photos of Recent Arrivals and Departures at Rockhampton Airport

In the aftermath of Tropical Cyclone Marcia, there has been a wide variety of aircraft and helicopters that have - and continue to - called into Rockhampton Airport.  Local plane spotter Travis W has sent through some more great photos captured at Rockhampton Airport over the last few days.

On Tuesday 24 February, the Queensland Government Airwing (State of Queensland) Raytheon Hawker 850XP bizjet VH-SGY was captured making one of its many visits to Rocky and region.

Due to the rolling night-time closures of Rockhampton Airport, Alliance Airlines Fokker F-70 VH-QQY operated a scheduled service for QantasLink into Rocky also on Tuesday 24 February.

Finally on Tuesday 24 February, the Queensland Police Service Eurocopter (MBB) BO-105 CBS-5 helicopter VH-NVK was spotted sitting on the Northern end of the Rockhampton Airport apron.  VH-NVK was noted flying over flooded areas around Biloela before it was noted landing at Rockhampton Airport.  It was heard to be using the radio callsign of "Polair 42".

Travis returned to Rockhampton Airport on Thursday 26 February and captured a couple of commercial movements, along with the three nice bizjets that called in.

A pair of Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) bizjets operated by the RAAF VIP 34 Squadron called in for the night.  Boeing B737-7DF(BBJ) A36-002 was first to touch down, arriving from Canberra as "Ausy 310".

The BBJ carried what looked to be a full load of passengers and cargo, including local ministers and finally, the Australian Prime Minister Tony Abbott who was reportedly due to visit the devastated areas North of Rockhampton at Yeppoon.

A36-002 was followed by Canadair CL-600-2B16 Challenger 604 A37-001, which touched down from Sydney as "Envoy 80".

Making a three-some of bizjets, about the same time as the RAAF aircraft touched down on Thursday 26 February, Execujet Australia Bombardier CL-600-2B16 Challenger 604 bizjet VH-URR also called into Rockhampton but from Brisbane.

As mentioned below, it is believed that the Challenger is being currently operated by Careflight Queensland (Aeromed) on med-evac flights.  It later departed back to Brisbane.

Sincere thanks to Travis for capturing and sending through these great photos of some great visitors to Rockhampton Airport - albeit they are visiting under rather unfortunate circumstances.

All photos taken by Travis Whiting  ©