Some Weather Delays and Diversions at CQ Airports - QLink B717-200 VH-NXO Lands at Longreach Airport!

Certainly some inclement weather is affecting parts of Central and North Queensland in recent days and on Saturday 30 January, storms and heavy rain over Mount Isa caused a flight from Brisbane to divert and land at Longreach Airport.

It was certainly a surprise to note that QantasLink (Cobham Aviation) Boeing B717-200 VH-NXO diverted to Longreach while operating the QJE1780 service from Brisbane to Mount Isa.  It appears that VH-NXO was overhead Mount Isa and held at 14000 feet for sometime before being forced to divert to Longreach.

File photo

http://flightaware.com/

After around 90 minutes on the ground, VH-NXO eventually continued to Mount Isa as QJE1780 before landing successfully.  It then operated a somewhat delayed QJE1781 service back to Brisbane.

Meanwhile, on Sunday 31 January, it appears that there were no commercial flights in or out of Moranbah Airport.  I noted that the afternoon QantasLink Dash-8-Q400 operated service from Brisbane - QLK2464 operated by VH-QON - landed at Mackay, while the Virgin Australia ATR 72 operated service from Brisbane - VOZ1671 operated by VH-VPJ - landed at Rockhampton.  Both flights eventually returned to Brisbane.

Queensland Government (State of Queensland) Raytheon Hawker 850XP Bizjet Pops into Moranbah Airport

Noted making a surprise visit to Moranbah Airport on Saturday 30 January was the Queensland Government (State of Queensland) Raytheon Hawker 850XP bizjet VH-SGY.

File photo taken by 'IAD'  ©

It arrived from Brisbane late in the morning and departed back to the capital during the afternoon.

It is expected that VH-SGY should be visiting Gladstone on Sunday 31 January as there is a Queensland Government Community Cabinet meeting being held in the port city.

Whitsunday Air Services / Hamilton Island Air Cessna 208FP Caravan VH-WTY Down at Chance Bay Whitsundays

VH-WTY in happier times  (File photo taken by 'AC'  ©)

It's been widely reported that Whitsunday Air Services / Hamilton Island Air Cessna 208FP Caravan VH-WTY experienced difficulties and crashed while landing at Chance Bay on the Eastern side of Whitsunday Island near Hamilton Island on Thursday 28 January.

http://www.dailymercury.com.au/

VH-WTY - which is based at Hamilton Island - was operating what has been described as a "routine" flight with a pilot and 10 passengers on board. Queensland Police media reported that the approach to the Chance Bay was tricky with rough seas, and upon landing, the seaplane bounced before landing heavily, coming to a stop on the beach and colliding with vegetation. The aircraft was destroyed and is expected to be removed by helicopter some time in the next week.

http://www.dailymercury.com.au/

Six occupants were injured while five others were unhurt. A 24-year-old woman was flown out to Mackay Base Hospital by the Central Queensland Rescue Helicopter Service (CQ Rescue) Bell 412EP VH -CQJ ("Rescue 412").

Susi Air (Indonesia) Cessna 208 Caravan PK-VVH at Rockhampton Airport

A surprise and most welcome arrival into Rockhampton Airport late on Friday 29 January was Susi Air (Indonesia) Cessna 208 Caravan PK-VVH.

Local plane spotter Kayanne H captured this great photo as the Caravan was on final approach to Rocky's Runway 33 after flying North from Melbourne (Essendon) and Brisbane.

At the time of writing, on Saturday 30 January, PK-VVH has departed Rockhampton for Cairns and Merauke in Indonesia.

UPDATE!  Sincere thanks to local plane spotter 'IAD' who captured this great photo of PK-VVH shortly before it departed Rocky for Cairns.

Thanks Kayanne and 'IAD'!

Photos taken by Kayanne Hardsman and 'IAD'  ©

A Double Treat of RAAF Heavy Transport Aircraft at Rockhampton Airport Friday - C-17 A41-212 & KC-30 A39-001

Within the space of 30 minutes, local plane spotter 'IAD' was able to capture a pair of Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) heavy transport aircraft performing missed approaches at Rockhampton Airport on Friday 29 January.

First, RAAF Boeing C-17A Globemaster III A41-212 flying as "Stallion 45" was captured completing a missed approach onto Rockhampton's Runway 33.

It was later heard to also perform a missed approach at Maryborough Airport before returning to RAAF Base Amberley.

Then a little later on Friday 29 January, RAAF Airbus A330-203 / KC-30A (MRTT) A39-001 made what is possibly its first visit to Rockhampton, flying in from the North and also completing a missed approach on Rockhampton's Runway 33 but as "Dragon 12".

It looked to also then head South back to RAAF Base Amberley.

Meanwhile, RAAF Beech B350 Super King Air turboprops have also been noted at various Airports around Central Queensland completing various training flights and airwork.

File photo

On Thursday 28 January, A32-671 flying as "Dingo 24" was noted completing airwork around Biloela / Thangool Airport before later landing at Hervey Bay (Fraser Coast) Airport.  It then returned to Townsville.

On Wednesday 27 January, A32-426 also flying as "Dingo 24" was noted arriving into Longreach Airport from Townsville.

And finally on Tuesday 26 January, A32-671 flying as "Dingo 13" was noted departing Mackay Airport for the North.

Great photos thanks mate!

All photos taken by 'IAD'  ©

Qld Government Super King Air VH-SGQ Calls into Moranbah Airport - Plus a Busy Monday!

On Wednesday 27 January, the Queensland Government (State of Queensland) Raytheon B300 Super King Air VH-SGQ was noted visiting Moranbah Airport.  It called in from and later departed back to Brisbane.

VH-SGQ at Mackay Airport in 2014

Meanwhile, on Monday 25 January, VH-SGQ looked to operate prisoner transfer flights up and down the Queensland coast with it being noted visiting Rockhampton (twice), Proserpine / Whitsunday Coast, Cairns and Maryborough during a busy day of flying from and back to Brisbane.

Finally, back at Moranbah Airport, Toowoomba-based Wolff Aviation Hawker Beechcraft C90GTi VH-VWG is becoming a frequent sight, noted visiting three times over the last week or so.

VH-VWG at Mackay Airport in 2015

I believe that VH-VWG may have also called into Blackwater Airport on Thursday 28 January.

File photos taken by 'AC'  ©

AMSA (Aerorescue) Dornier 328-100 VH-PPJ "Rescue 471" Joins Cap Rescue Bell 412 VH-EPR in Task off Gladstone Wednesday

Aerorescue (AMSA) Dornier 328 and the Capricorn Helicopter Rescue Service (CHRS) Bell 412 chopper were tasked to a bulk carrier approximately 80 nautical miles off the coast of Gladstone late on Wednesday 27 January where a 47-year-old male crew member was airlifted to Rockhampton with a medical condition.

VH-PPJ on a training flight at Hervey Bay Airport  (File photo taken by Ben May  ©)

Aerorescue (AMSA - Australian Maritime Safety Authority) / Aero Pearl Dornier 328-100 VH-PPJ "Rescue 471" flew up to the region from Brisbane to co-ordinate the mission.  VH-PPJ eventually returned to Brisbane.

Meanwhile, the Rockhampton-based Capricorn Helicopter Rescue Service (CHRS) (Australian Helicopters) Bell 412EP VH-EPR "Rescue 300" headed off-shore from Rocky to perform the difficult task of winching of the sailor.

Kefford Corporation Gulfstream IV-SP Bizjet N810LP Calls into Longreach Airport

Kefford Corporation (of Victoria) Gulfstream IV-SP N810LP was noted calling into Longreach Airport on Wednesday 27 January.  It flew in from its Melbourne (Essendon) base.

N810LP during a previous visit to Longreach  (File photo)

Of interest, N810LP was recently spotted at Essendon wearing special stickers for an Australian beer promotion - a 'pub crawl' in a plane!

http://pubtic.com.au/

Back at Longreach, N810LP later departed back to Essendon.

Meanwhile, a couple of other visitors to Longreach Airport this week have included Corporate Air / Vee H Aviation Cessna 441 Conquest VH-VED which operated from and back to Brisbane late on Tuesday 26 January.
Air Link Piper PA-31-350 VH-DVR has called into Longreach Airport twice more over the last few days making its way back South from Normanton to Dubbo via Longreach and Charleville on Sunday 23 January.  It had flown North into Normanton on the previous day.

VH-DVR at Brisbane  (File photo)

VH-DVR then returned to Longreach direct from Dubbo on Tuesday 26 January.  It later departed further North to Normanton yet again.

Of interest, it appears that fellow Air Link Navajo VH-MZF continues to operate out of Normanton flying regular runs to Mornington Island and back.

Finally, Beech B58P VH-BLT, which is often utilised by Rockhampton-based Peace Aviation, was also noted flying into Longreach on Tuesday 26 January from Rockhampton and Capella.

G650 Management Ltd Gulfstream Aerospace G-VI (G650) Bizjet M-PLUS Departs Hamilton Island Airport

The visiting G650 Management Ltd Gulfstream Aerospace G-VI Gulfstream G650 bizjet M-PLUS that touched down over the previous weekend departed Hamilton Island Airport on Wednesday 27 January for Sydney and Melbourne (Tullamarine) Airports.

M-PLUS had arrived from Cairns on Sunday 24 January.

Meanwhile, on Tuesday 26 January Cessna 680 Citation Sovereign bizjet VH-VPL called in briefly from its Gold Coast Airport base.  It is becoming a semi-regular visitor having called in the previous week as well!

Thanks to our contributor for capturing and sending through these photos of the sleek Gulfstream.

All photos taken by 'AC'  ©

RAAF Challenger 604 Bizjet A37-003 Calls into Longreach Airport Monday

Noted arriving into Longreach Airport on Monday 25 January was Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) Canadair CL-600-2B16 Challenger 604 bizjet A37-003 of the VIP 34 Squadron.

File photo taken by Kayanne Hardsman  ©

It looked to arrive from Canberra as "Envoy 07".

Virgin Australia Boeing B737-800 VH-VUZ Calls into Gladstone Airport

Noted visiting Gladstone Airport on Monday 25 January was Virgin Australia Boeing B737-800 VH-VUZ. It operated the early morning VOZ1707/1710 scheduled service from and back to Brisbane.

VH-VUZ arrives at Gladstone recently  (File photo taken by Michael Fleetwood  ©)

Meanwhile, Virgin Australia operated Embraer E-190 VH-ZPH also into Gladstone Airport on Sunday 24 January when it operated the VOZ1713/1716 service also from and back to Brisbane.

Embraer EMB-550 Legacy 500 Bizjet N142GZ Returns Home to Mackay Airport

Embraer EMB-550 Legacy 500 bizjet N142GZ has returned 'home' to Mackay Airport on Monday 25 January.  It flew in from Sydney and Melbourne (Essendon) Airports.

File photo taken by 'AC'  ©

N142GZ had flown out from Mackay and remained at Sydney since Thursday 31 December.

Careflight Queensland (Aeromed) LearJet 45 VH-CXJ Pops into Rockhampton Airport

Careflight Queensland (Aeromed) LearJet 45 bizjet VH-CXJ was noted calling into Rockhampton Airport very late on Sunday 24 January from Brisbane.

File photo taken by 'IAD'  ©

It departed to Townsville in the wee small hours of Monday 25 January.

VH-CXJ used its usual radio callsign of "Ambulance 452".

G650 Management Ltd Gulfstream Aerospace G-VI (G650) Bizjet M-PLUS Touches Down at Hamilton Island Airport

Noted calling into Hamilton Island Airport on Sunday 24 January was G650 Management Ltd Gulfstream Aerospace G-VI Gulfstream G650 bizjet M-PLUS.

The beautiful looking aircraft touched down from Cairns (where it is pictured above).

M-PLUS had arrived in Cairns from Chengdu Airport in China the previous Monday 18 January.

Meanwhile, also on Monday 18 January and back at Hamilton Island Airport, Cessna 680 Citation Sovereign bizjet VH-VPL called in briefly from its Gold Coast Airport base.

Thanks to the fantastic FNQ Skies Blog for allowing us to share their spectacular images!

Photo taken by the FNQ Skies Blog  ©

Gulf Aircraft Cessna 680 Citation Sovereign Bizjet VH-PYN Calls into Gladstone Airport

Spotted making a brief visit to Gladstone Airport on Sunday 24 January was Gulf Aircraft Cessna 680 Citation Sovereign bizjet VH-PYN.

I believe that it called in from Normanton and a short time later it departed to Archerfield.

Sincere thanks to local plane spotter Michael F for taking the time to capture and allow us to share these great photos of a great visitor!

All photos taken by Michael Fleetwood  ©

Heli Niugini MBB BK-117 Helicopter P2-HNC Passes Through Central Queensland Airports

As we reported on our Facebook Page, Heli Niugini MBB BK-117 helicopter P2-HNC arrived at Mackay Airport from Cooktown, Cairns and Townsville late on Friday 22 January.  It then continued further South on Saturday 23 January calling into Rockhampton and Bundaberg Airports before concluding its journey at Redcliffe.

Local plane spotter Kayanne H was on hand at Rockhampton and captured some great photos as the BK-117 took on fuel and departed to the rum city.

Research reveals that P2-HNC wore the New Zealand registration ZK-IQL and ferried to PNG in January 2014 - possibly via Central Queensland.  Previous to that, it even operated in a med-evac role while being operated in the United States of America (USA) - hence what appears to be the 'medical' themed livery.

Finally, another nice chopper in the form of Nautilus Aviation Bell 407 VH-VHU was heard to depart Gladstone for Mackay early on Friday 22 January.  It departed further North from Mackay to Townsville and has since been noted operating out of Cairns.

Thanks Kayanne!

All photos taken by Kayanne Hardsman  ©

Bizjets and More at Longreach Airport - Qld Gvt Hawker 850XP VH-SGY - Citation VH-KXL

A few interesting movements at Longreach Airport over the previous couple of days including visits by a nice pair of local bizjets.

File photo taken by 'AC'  ©

The Queensland Government (State of Queensland) Raytheon Hawker 850XP bizjet VH-SGY touched down at Longreach Airport from Brisbane and Roma on Thursday 21 January.  After spending the night, VH-SGY departed Longreach to Windorah before returning to Brisbane.

Another bizjet to visit Longreach Airport on Friday 22 January was Edwards Coaches Cessna 525 Citation CJ1 VH-KXL which made a late night arrival from Armidale and the Gold Coast.  It later departed to Mount Isa where it landed in the wee small hours of Saturday 23 January.

Then, later on Saturday 23 January, VH-KXL returned to Longreach Airport from Mount Isa and later departed to Brisbane and Armidale.

Meanwhile, on Friday 22 January, Air Link Piper PA-31-350 VH-DVR called into Longreach Airport from Dubbo and Charleville.  It later departed further North to Normanton.

Finally, a couple of light General Aviation (GA) movements on Saturday 23 January included the return of Julia Creek-based Beech A36 Bonanza VH-BZY which arrived from Rockhampton, Sunshine Coast-based Mooney M20J VH-KDC was noted operating a return flight from Longreach to Winton and locally-based Air Central West Cessna T210N Centurion VH-AKY departing Longreach to Toowoomba.

Stephen Gardener / http://flightaware.com/

VH-AKY is shown above with fellow Air Central West operated Beech 58 Baron VH-TNR.

Careflight Queensland (Aeromed) LearJet 45 Bizjet VH-VVI "Ambulance 451" at Mackay Airport

Careflight Queensland (Aeromed) LearJet 45 bizjet VH-VVI "Ambulance 451" was noted calling into Mackay Airport from Brisbane late on Friday 22 January.

File photo

It later departed to Townsville.

RAAF Boeing C-17A Globemaster III A41-212 Back at Rockhampton Airport Friday

Making its second appearance this week in the skies over Rockhampton on Friday 22 January was Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) Boeing C-17A Globemaster III A41-212.

On this occasion A41-212 was flying as "Stallion 32" and appeared to fly up from RAAF Base Amberley and then continue further North to Townsville.

Meanwhile, a little later on Friday 22 January, Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) Beech B350 Super King Air A32-439 was noted completing airwork at Mackay Airport as "Dingo 12", while on Thursday 21 January, fellow RAAF Super King Air A32-671 was noted departing Proserpine / Whitsunday Coast Airport as "Dingo 17".

Thanks to local plane spotter Travis W for capturing and sending through these great photos!

All photos taken by Travis Whiting  ©

Vanderfield Pilatus PC-12/47 VH-WPH at Biloela/Thangool and Mackay Airports Wednesday

On Wednesday 20 January, Toowoomba-based Vanderfield Pilatus PC-12/47 VH-WPH made yet another visit to Central Queensland, calling into both Biloela/Thangool and Mackay Airports from Toowoomba during a busy day of flying.

This photo is one of many that were captured early last year when VH-WPH also visited Mackay Airport.  Click HERE to check out the rest as we were able to 'walk-around' the smart little corporate turbo-prop.

File photo taken by 'AC'  ©

Australian Army MRH-90 Multi-Role Helicopter A40-031 "Templar 76" at Rockhampton Airport Wednesday

Local plane spotter 'IAD' was at the right place at the right time to capture a couple of photos as Australian Army NH Industries MRH-90 Multi-Role Helicopter A40-031 called into Rockhampton Airport on Wednesday 20 January.

The MRH-90 flew in from the South and was heard to depart to Townsville.  It was noted using the radio callsign of "Templar 76".

Thanks mate!

All photos taken by 'IAD'  ©