RAAF Canadair Challenger 604 A37-001 & Qld Government Hawker 850XP VH-SGY Pop into CQ Airports

Late on Wednesday 28 November, Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) Canadair CL-600-2B16 Challenger 604 bizjet A37-001 was noted touching down at Gladstone Airport from Canberra.  It was heard to be using the radio callsign of "Wisdom 18".  After a short time on the ground, it departed and continued to Rockhampton Airport where it spent the night.

As shown above, A37-001 was spotted on the ground at Rockhampton Airport early on Thursday 29 November.  During the day, it returned to Canberra again as "Wisdom 18".

Meanwhile, also noted visiting Rockhampton Airport also late on Wednesday 28 November was the Queensland Government Airwing (State of Queensland) Raytheon Hawker 850XP bizjet VH-SGY.   It later returned to the capital.

On Thursday 29 November, VH-SGY returned to Rockhampton Airport, touching down once again from Brisbane.  It appears to have brought Queensland Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk to town.  Again, VH-SGY later returned to Brisbane.

Finally, one other aircraft that appears to have brought emergency services visitors to Rockhampton Airport was the Queensland Police Service (Airwing) (State of Queensland) Cessna 208 Caravan VH-PSQ. 

Its movements are not fully known however it too was spotted resting on the Southern end of the parking apron at Rockhampton Airport early on Thursday 29 November.  It reportedly then completed at least two local flights over the fire-zone before eventually landing back at Rockhampton Airport.

All photos taken by 'IAD'  ©