Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) Lockheed C-130J-30 Hercules A97-447 Missed Approach at Gladstone Airport and Maybe Mackay?

Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) Lockheed C-130J-30 Hercules A97-447 was noted conducting airwork up the Queensland coast on Friday 27 November after earlier departing RAAF Base Amberley as "Ausy 776". 

It was seen completing a practice ILS approach and overshoot onto Runway 10 at Gladstone Airport before continuing further North where it was noted overflying the Capricorn Coast.

RAAF C-130J A97-447 at Mackay Airport in 2011  (File photo)

A97-447 may have been also sighted around Mackay with a reply on our Facebook page suggesting that a large military aircraft was seen departing Mackay Airport during the afternoon.

UPDATE!  It has been confirmed that A97-447 "Ausy 776" performed a 'touch-and-go' at Mackay Airport later on Friday 27 November.

Meanwhile, a little earlier in the day on Friday 27 November, a flight of three RAAF Pilatus PC-9/A aircraft were noted flying together from Townsville overhead Rockhampton and further the Sunshine Coast again using the radio callsign of "Reaper".  They could be 'heard' overflying Rockhampton, but given they were at 17000 feet, they were a little hard to spot!

Three RAAF PC-9s depart Townsville on Friday  (Photo taken by 'Shinpow16'  ©)

As mentioned below, the three PC-9s were noted arriving into Rockhampton Airport last Sunday 22 November while heading to Townsville - where it is believed that they participated in the RAAF's Exercise High Sierra - the final training exercise for pilots graduating from Number 2 Operational Conversion Unit. No. 2OCU Squadron which operates out of Williamtown.