Thursday, February 19, 2015

Aerorescue (AMSA) Dornier 328-100 VH-PPV "Rescue 441" Around Mackay and Rockhampton Airports

An interesting aircraft noted in the skies above Mackay and Rockhampton late on Wednesday 18 February and again on Thursday 19 February was the Cairns-based Aerorescue (AMSA - Australian Maritime Safety Authority) Dornier 328-100 VH-PPV "Rescue 441". 

File photo taken by 'AC'  ©

Information suggests that VH-PPV may have landed at Mackay Airport late on Wednesday before returning to Cairns.  On Thursday, VH-PPV was then heard flying off the Capricorn Coast at an altitude of 2000 feet.  I don't believe it landed at Rocky, instead returning to Cairns, completing an almost seven hour sortie.

Meanwhile, another pair of aerial surveillance aircraft were noted on the ground together at Rockhampton Airport late on Wednesday 18 February.  As mentioned below, Surveillance Australia / Australian Customs and Border Protection Service (Cobham Aviation) Reims F406 VH-YZE arrived at Rocky after completing its sortie as "Customs 223" from Mackay.  It was joined briefly by fellow Customs Dash-8-202 VH-ZZC, which arrived and departed using the radio callsign of "Customs 33".

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