Sunday, April 10, 2016

RAAF Airbus A330-203 / KC-30A (MRTT) A39-003 Missed Approach at Rockhampton Airport - Plus Hercs Overfly CQ - All on Saturday

Making a rare weekend missed approach at Rockhampton Airport on Saturday 9 April was Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) Airbus A330-203 / KC-30A (MRTT) A39-003.




A39-003 was flying as "Dragon 13" and flew into Rocky from RAAF Base Amberley.







After the missed approach, A39-003 flew North to Townsville and Cairns where it also conducted missed approaches.  It then flew back South towards the Gold Coast.

Meanwhile, also on Saturday 9 April, RAAF Lockheed C-130J- 30 Hercules A97-448 was one of two Hercs that were heard to overfly Bowen while flying into Townsville.  A97-448 was then later noted conducting airwork, including completing a missed approach, at Longreach and Charleville Airports.  It was flying from Townsville to RAAF Base Richmond as "Ausy488".



The other Herc was noted to be A97-464 which also overflew Bowen on the way to Townsville.  It later departed to Darwin (where it is shown above on final approach) and was heard to be flying as "Ausy489".  As shown, A97-464 wears a white ribbon on its tail in support of ‘White Ribbon Day’ - Australia's campaign to stop violence against women.

Photos taken by ‘IAD’ and Sid Mitchell  ©

3 comments:

  1. what is the purpose of a missed approach and why do they do so many of them

    ReplyDelete
  2. Les, a missed approach is for training purposes. The aircraft is making the landing - wheels down etc - but at a designated point - 'minima' - the aircraft pulls out of the approach/landing and essentially performs a go-around or missed approach. I'm told they don't land at Rockhampton due to the landing fees imposed by the Council. Cheers Damian

    ReplyDelete