And Cessna 525 Citation M2 Bizjet VH-WMY Calls into Roma Airport - Again!

Another bizjet to visit CQ on Tuesday 31 May with Cessna 525 Citation M2 VH-WMY of Mitchell Water Australia calling into Roma Airport from Archerfield.  It was a big day of flying for the sleek little bizjet as it had earlier arrived at Archerfield from Adelaide.

File photo taken by 'AC'  ©

VH-WMY departed Roma for Archerfield before it later departed to Bankstown.

It was the third visit by VH-WMY in the last week with it visiting twice during the course of last week - see Blog post below.

We don't get to report on Roma Airport movements much but in researching for this post, I found it quite interesting that several other nice aircraft also called into Roma Airport on Tuesday 31 May.

Easternwell Group Beech B300 Super King Air VH-EWQ operated into Roma from Toowoomba before later departing to Tara.

Regional Express (REX) SAAB 340B VH-ZLV operated what I presume was a Fly-in Fly-out (FIFO) charter flight from and back to the Brisbane-West Wellcamp Airport using the Pel-Air flight number and callsign of PFY9346/9345.

Skytrans Airlines Dash-8-100 VH-QQG operated into Roma from and back to Taroom during a busy day of flying which saw it operate out of Brisbane to Chinchilla and onward to Taroom before it later returned to Chinchilla and Brisbane from Taroom.

It's also worth noting that General Aviation Maintenance (GAM) AeroCommander 500-S VH-UJI operated the week-daily freight flight through Roma Airport on Tuesday 31 May.  The flight originates in Brisbane and flys to Dalby before continuing to Roma and Charleville.  It returns over this route to Brisbane in the evening.

Finally, of interest, it appears that a pair Virgin Australia ATR 72s operate FIFO charter flights into Roma Airport from and back to Brisbane each Monday with VH-FVI and VH-FVL noted departing late on Monday 30 May.

Light Jets Australia Cessna 525 Citation CJ1 Bizjet VH-TFW Visits Blackall Airport

On Tuesday 31 May, Light Jets Australia Cessna 525 Citation CJ1 bizjet VH-TFW made a rare visit to Blackall Airport in the Central West of Queensland.  It arrived from and then later departed back to its Archerfield base.

File photo

Blackall is the home of the original 'Black Stump', marking the original Astro Station established in 1887.  Places West of this point are said to be 'beyond the black stump'.

Blackall Airport receives three scheduled QantasLink services each week linking to Brisbane

I also noted that Corporate Air / Vee H Aviation Cessna 441 VH-VEJ visited Blackall Airport on Tuesday 31 May, flying in from and then back to Brisbane.

Viking Aircraft (De Havilland) DHC-6-400 Twin Otter N153QS Passes Through Mackay Airport Monday

Certainly an interesting visitor into Mackay Airport on Monday 30 May with Viking Aircraft (De Havilland) DHC-6-400 Twin Otter N153QS calling in while on a ferry flight from Cairns to Brisbane.

The fantastic FNQ Skies Blog has very generously shared with us this great photo as N153QS departed Cairns.  FNQ Skies also reports (HERE) that N153QS has been at Cairns since mid-March after arriving from Darwin.

The Twin Otter appears to be staying for the night at Brisbane and may depart for overseas later in the week.

UPDATE!  N153QS did depart Brisbane on Tuesday 31 May for Noumea, New Caledonia.

Photo taken by the FNQ Skies Blog  ©

Aussie Military Movements at Rockhampton Airport Monday - Army Kiowas Depart - RAAF Wedgetail and Globemaster Complete Missed Approaches

We reported on our Facebook page that a pair of Australian Army Commonwealth CA-32 (Bell 206B/OH-58A) Kiowa helicopters had been heard flying around Rockhampton on Sunday 29 May.

Then on Monday 30 May, both unidentified Kiowa helicopters departed the Australian Army's Defence Support Group (DSG) Camp near Rockhampton Airport destined for Bundaberg Airport.

They were heard to be flying under the callsign "Breaker" - as they did on Sunday when it appears they flew to the nearby Shoalwater Bay Training Area (SWBTA).

It is possible that they returned South due to maintenance issues with radio communications suggesting that both Kiowas GPS units had failed.

A little later on Monday 30 May, a pair of Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) jet aircraft completed missed approaches also at Rockhampton Airport.

RAAF Boeing B737-7ES / E-7A Wedgetail Airborne Early Warning & Control (AEW&C) aircraft A30-003 was spotted completing the missed approach after flying up from the South as "Wedgetail 11".

It departed South to Coffs Harbour where it was reportedly due to complete another missed approach.

Then RAAF Boeing C-17A Globemaster III A41-210 also completed a missed approach at Rockhampton Airport after it flew North from RAAF Base Amberley as "Stallion 75".

After completing the missed approach, A41-210 returned to Amberley.

Sincere thanks to local plane spotters Kayanne H and Trevor H who sends through these photos of some great Australian military movements around Rocky on Monday!

Photos taken by Kayanne Hardsman and Trevor Hardsman  ©

American Registered LearJet 36A Bizjet N82GG Continues to Visit CQ - Noted at Rockhampton and Mackay Airports

Over the last couple of days, American registered and privately operated LearJet 36A bizjet N82GG has continued to operate out of Central Queensland Airports.

N82GG during a previous visit to Rockhampton Airport  (File photo)

As mentioned below, on Thursday 26 May, N82GG flew into Rockhampton Airport before it was later noted operating a survey flight out of back to Rocky.

On Friday 27 May, N82GG reportedly flew North from Rockhampton Airport to Cairns.  It was then noted operating a survey flight out of and back to Cairns on Saturday 28 May.

Then on Sunday 29 May, N82GG departed Cairns and was noted on the ground at Mackay Airport.  It has since departed Mackay for Sydney.

It has previously been noted that the LearJet has a camera on the forward-starboard side of the fuselage and that the aircraft is operating aerial mapping sorties for Nearmap - the international provider of high resolution aerial imagery.

Photo taken by Kayanne Hardsman  ©

Great Photos as US-Registered Gulfstream G-V-SP (G550) Bizjet N253DV as it Departs Hamilton Island Airport - Plus a Couple of Aussie Bizjets Visit!

We've received some great photos of the visiting American-registered G550 Aviation LLC (USA) Gulfstream Aerospace G-V-SP (G550) bizjet N253DV which touched down at Hamilton Island Airport from Sydney on Monday 23 May.

On Sunday 29 May, N253DV departed Hamo for Townsville and overseas.

Meanwhile, a couple of locally-based bizjets have visited Hamilton Island Airport over the last couple of days with Brisbane-based LearJet 60 VH-XPN of Avcair (Norris Aviation) touching down from Kununurra on Friday 27 May.  It remains parked at Hamo.

VH-XPN during a previous visit to Hamilton Island Airport  (File photo)

While Gulf Aircraft Cessna 680 Citation Sovereign bizjet VH-PYN is believed to have called in on Saturday 28 May.  It departed on Sunday 29 May.  Unfortunately the exact movements of VH-PYN are not known.

Regional Air's Piper PA-31-350 VH-RKD has operated a pair of return flights to Hamilton Island from their Mackay Airport base on Thursday 26 May and again on Saturday 28 May.  Regional Air is CQ's newest airline and they offer great special fares for locals to escape to the Whitsundays out of Mackay - check out their website:  http://regionalair.com.au/

Finally, back on Monday 23 May, Virgin Australia Boeing B737-800 VH-VUW arrived into Hamilton Island Airport from Sydney as VOZ1281.  The return flight was cancelled due to a maintenance issue causing some disruptions for travellers.  VH-VUW ended up positioning empty back to Sydney later in the day as VOZ9900.

All photos taken by 'AC'  ©

A Few More Photos of Australian Army Boeing CH-47D Chinook Helicopter A15-201 at Gladstone Airports on Final Flight before Retirement

As we reported this week, Australian Army Boeing CH-47D Chinook helicopter A15-201 made a surprise visit to Gladstone Airport for fuel on Thursday 26 May while ferrying South from its Townsville base to the Oakey Army Aviation Centre.  Local plane spotter Anthony S was also on hand and shares with us these great photos as "Brahman 201" departed to the industrial city after it had earlier arrived from Mackay Airport.

A15-201 - which carries the name "Courage" - along with the nose art "Rough and Reddy" - was reportedly making its last flight before it is retired from service with the Army's 5th Aviation Regiment, C Squadron who are reportedly due to take delivery of more Boeing CH-47F ‘Foxtrot’ Chinook helicopters.

Thanks Anthony!

All photos taken by Anthony Schulz  ©

Cessna 525 Citation M2 Bizjet VH-WMY Calls into Roma Airport Twice This Week!

Making not one, but two surprise and most welcome visits to Roma Airport this week was the smart little Cessna 525 Citation M2 bizjet VH-WMY of Mitchell Water Australia.

It initially called into Roma Airport on Tuesday 24 May from  Melbourne (Essendon), Jamestown and Hay before it later returned to Essendon.  While on Thursday 26 May, VH-WMY flew back into Roma from Essendon before departed to Bendigo and Melbourne (Moorabbin).

Nice!

File photo taken by 'AC'  ©

Also at Hervey Bay Airport This Week - Multiple Visits by Becker Helicopter Bell 206 Helicopters on Training Flights

As we posted below, local plane spotter Ben M was on hand to capture some great photos of Cessna 510 Citation Mustang bizjet VH-SQY as it made a very brief visit to Hervey Bay (Fraser Coast) Airport on Thursday 26 May.

He also managed to capture a pair of Seair Pacific (Istlecote) Cessna 208 Caravans in the form of VH-LMD and VH-TQW - which is one of their more recent acquisitions.

Both looked to have completed flights to Lady Elliot Island with VH-LMD also noted flying between Hervey Bay and Bundaberg Airports.  It looks like VH-TQW had earlier flown up to Lady Eilliot Island from its Gold Coast base via Redcliffe.

Meanwhile, over the course of this last week, Hervey Bay (and Maryborough) Airports have both played host to as many as five Becker Helicopter Bell 206 helicopters all operating training flights from their Sunshine Coast Airport base.  From what I observed:

File photo

On Thursday 26 May VH-NXZ, VH-NV and VH-NXB visited.
On Wednesday 25 May VH-XJK, VH-NXC and VH-WCF visited.
On Tuesday 24 May VH-XJN, VH-XJQ and VH-NXB visited.
And on Saturday 21 May VH NXW, VH-NXZ, VH-WCJ, VH-WCF and VH-XJQ all visited in quick sucession!

Finally, a couple of other nice light General Aviation (GA) visitors to Hervey Bay Airport this week have included Brisbane-based Bishopp Aviation Mooney M20K VH-YRJ from Rockhampton and out to Archerfield on Thursday 26 May.  Pilatus PC-12/45 VH-PID visited from its Toowoomba base on Wednesday 25 May. And on Tuesday 24 May, Royal Queensland Aero Club Cessna 206 VH-NCR visited from Archerfield while Australian Wings Academy Diamond DA40-D visited from its Gold Coast base.

Photos taken by Ben May and Micah S  ©

Cirrus (Australia) (ex Singapore Flying College) Citation Mustang Bizjet VH-SQY at Hervey Bay and Gladstone Airports

A nice surprise visitor to both Hervey Bay (Fraser Coast) and Gladstone Airports on Thursday 26 May with Cirrus (Australia) (of Wagga Wagga, New South Wales) (ex Singapore Flying College) Cessna 510 Citation Mustang bizjet VH-SQY calling in while seemingly on a training flight.

The little Mustang flew North from the Sunshine Coast and landed briefly at Hervey Bay Airport - without even opening the front door - before it departed to Gladstone.

It again landed briefly at Gladstone Airport before departing to Kingaroy.  After it looked to complete airwork around Kingaroy, VH-SQY returned to the Sunny Coast.

Flight tracking website Flightaware suggests that VH-SQY has had a busy couple of weeks, flying to ports all over Australia from Wagga Wagga and Melbourne (Essendon) Airports including as far as Kununurra in Western Australia.

Sincere thanks to both Col at Gladstone and Hervey Bay-based plane spotter Ben M for taking the time to capture and send through these awesome photos of a great little bizjet!

Photos taken by Ben May and Col  ©

Gulfstream IV VH-MBP "Envoy 40" Joins RAAF B737BBJ A36-002 and Alliance F-70 VH-JFB at Rockhampton Airport Thursday

On Thursday 26 May, Marcplan Charter Gulfstream G-IV-X (G450) bizjet VH-MBP touched down at Rockhampton Airport from Canberra as "Envoy 40".

File photo taken by 'IAD'  ©

Like its previous visit last week, VH-MBP seems to be chartered to ferry politicians around Australia during this Federal election campaign. It brought National Party Leader and Deputy Prime Minister Barnaby Joyce to town to join Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull on the hustings.

VH-MBP departed Rocky for Mackay Airport around lunchtime.  It then flew South to Brisbane and then the Gold Coast during the middle of the afternoon.

UPDATE!  A slight correction to above with VH-MBP actually staying the night at Mackay Airport and departing direct to the Gold Coast early on Friday 27 May.

Meanwhile, after arriving late on Wednesday 25 May from Melbourne (see photos below that were posted earlier today) Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) Boeing B737-7DF(BBJ) A36-002 departed to Brisbane on Thursday 26 May as "Envoy 43".

Likewise, Alliance Airlines Fokker F-70 VH-JFB also departed Rocky for Brisbane carrying the media pack as "Envoy 544".

One other RAAF movement of note into Rockhampton Airport on Thursday 26 May was Beech B350 Super King Air A32-426 which flew into Rocky from Canberra as "Boomer 21".

This is yet another RAAF Super King Air that has been noted using the "Boomer" callsign.  A32-426 eventually returned to Canberra.

Finally, a couple of other notable movements in and out of Rockhampton Airport on Thursday 26 May included the American-registered LearJet 36A bizjet N82GG which came back to town and operated a aerial survey flight out of and back to Rocky.  While Hopair Cessna 337E Skymaster VH-OIQ arrived into Rocky early from Cairns before operating a flight South where it completed an practice ILS approach and overshoot on Runway 10 at Gladstone Airport before it returned to Rockhampton.  It later departed home to Cairns.

Australian Army Boeing CH-47D Chinook Helicopter A15-201 Calls into Mackay and Gladstone Airports on Final Flight before Retirement

Making a surprise and certainly most welcome visit into both Mackay and Gladstone Airports on Thursday 26 May was Australian Army Boeing CH-47D Chinook helicopter A15-201.  It was spotted at Gladstone Airport by Col as it took on fuel.

A15-201 - which carries the name "Courage" - along with the nose art "Rough and Reddy" - is reportedly making its last flight before it is retired from service with the Army's 5th Aviation Regiment, C Squadron who are reportedly due to take delivery of more Boeing CH-47F ‘Foxtrot’ Chinook helicopters.

I believe that A15-201 departed to the Army Aviation Centre at Oakey as "Brahman 201".

Thanks mate!

All photos and video taken by Col  ©