Alliance Airlines Fokker F-70 VH-JFB Charter Flight into Rockhampton Airport - Plus More Bush Firefighting Aircraft and Helicopters Around

On Thursday 24 November, Alliance Airlines Fokker F-70 VH-JFB was spotted arriving into Rockhampton Airport on what looked to be a closed charter flight as UTY3360 from Brisbane.

As shown, VH-JFB still wears a sticker on its port side promoting the Breast Cancer Network Australia (BCNA).  BCNA works to ensure that Australians affected by breast cancer receive the very best support, information, treatment and care appropriate to their individual needs.  It is the peak national organisation for Australians affected by breast cancer, and consists of a network of more than 100,000 members and 300 Member Groups. More than 90 per cent of their members have had a diagnosis of breast cancer, and the remaining members have had a personal experience with breast cancer through a family member or friend.

They are represented by the 'Pink Lady' silhouette, symbolic of their focus on the women diagnosed with breast cancer and all those around her. See more at: https://www.bcna.org.au/

Meanwhile, after parking on the Southern end of the Rockhampton Airport apron, it noted that several former Rugby League football players disembarked VH-JFB and made their way to two busses to transport them to a series of engagements in the beef capital.

A little later in the afternoon, VH-JFB returned to Brisbane but as UTY3361.

Meanwhile, after arriving the previous day, Toowoomba-based Light Jets Australia Cessna 525 Citation CJ1 bizjet VH-TFW departed Rockhampton Airport for Archerfield also on Thursday 24 November.

Finally, on Thursday 24 November, continuing bush fires in the region saw yet more fixed-wing aircraft and helicopters flying in and out of Rockhampton Airport and surrounds (including Hedlow Airfield) as they battled a series of outbreaks to the East of the city.  

Stirling Helicopters Eurocopter AS.350B2 Squirrel VH-AGL "Firebird 421", Archerfield-based Performance Aero Cessna 337G Super Skymaster VH-JOC "Birddog 402" and R-Mach Aviation Cessna 337G VH-JOE "Birddog 410", along with Kennedy Aviation (Gunnedah) Air Tractor AT-802 VH-XAW "Bomber 277" and R-Mach Aviation Ayres S2R Turbo Thursh VH-NFF "Bomber 407" were all noted fighting the fires.

McDermott Aviation Bell 204B Helicopter VH-OCD "Helitack 416" came up from Gladstone to join in the efforts during the morning. Later in the day, Becker Helicopters Aerospatiale AS.350D Squirrel VH-PIH "Firebird 469" also came up from Gladstone.  Both helicopters returned to Gladstone in the late afternoon.

Thanks to local plane spotter 'IAD' who was at the right place at the right time to capture these photos of the Fokker!

All photos taken by 'IAD'  ©