QGAir Rescue (State of Queensland) Agusta AW139 Helicopter VH-ESZ Ferries North via Gladstone and Mackay Airports

Queensland Government (QGAir) Rescue (State of Queensland) Agusta AW139 helicopter VH-ESZ has ferried North from Archerfield to Cairns via Gladstone, Mackay and Townsville Airports on Wednesday 9 September.

VH-ESZ was captured at Gladstone Airport heading North days after fellow QGAir Rescue Bell 412EP VH-ESB flew South from Townsville Airport via Rockhampton and Bundaberg Airports to Archerfield for what thought was planned maintenance.

I've since seen that VH-ESB has now taken up the well known Brisbane-based radio callsign "Rescue 500" and is operating med-evac flights in the South-East corner.

In fact research reveals that VH-ESZ has ferried North as a part of a 'rotational system' designed to ensure the even distribution of flying hours on each of the QGAir Rescue helicopters, thus avoiding the need to have multiple helicopters offline for simultaneous scheduled maintenance.

Of interest, Queensland Government (QGAir) Rescue Bell 412 VH-ESD has been noted flying into Proserpine and Proserpine Hospital over the last week from Townsville where it is now based.

Thanks Col for sending through these great photos!

All photos taken by Col  ©