QantasLink (Cobham Aviation) Two-Class Boeing B717-200 VH-YQU at Gladstone Airport Wednesday - And it Broke Down!

On Wednesday 5 October, QantasLink (Cobham Aviation) Boeing B717-200 VH-YQU was noted operating into Gladstone Airport from Brisbane as QJE1706.  It then broke down and remained parked on the lower apron at Gladstone Airport until early evening when it re-positioned back to Brisbane as QJE6203.  But all must have been okay with the aircraft was VH-YQU then operated to Mackay Airport from Brisbane as QJE1770.

VH-YQU is one of  seven B717s that QantasLink operates in a 2-class configuration with 110 seats, along with Q-Streaming - Qantas' wireless entertainment system.

These particular series of aircraft don't usually operate into Central Queensland Airports - Gladstone, Rockhampton and Mackay Airports.  Although of late, it appears that some have in fact been operating into Mackay Airport in particular.

Meanwhile, also on Wednesday 5 October, fellow QantasLink (Cobham Aviation) Boeing B717-200 VH-NXJ was spotted at Gladstone Airport operating as QJE1712/1713 also from and back to Brisbane.

Back on Friday 30 September, Bell 47G-2A-1 VH-AKN which is based at The Old Station was spotted visiting Gladstone Airport.

Finally, back on Monday 26 September, sleek little Cirrus SR22 VH-FJD was spotted visiting Gladstone before it later departed to Toowoomba, while the Capricorn Helicopter Rescue Service (CHRS) (Babcock Mission Critical Services Australasia) Bell 412EP chopper VH-EPR "Rescue 300" was also spotted at Gladstone while on a medical retrieval flight from its Rockhampton base.

All photos taken by 'Mick'  ©