Australian Maritime Safety Authority (AMSA) (Cobham SAR Services Pty Ltd) Bombardier Challenger 604 Bizjet VH-XNE Spotted at Mackay Airport - Plus More!

Also making a unexpected visit to Mackay Airport during late in the morning on Friday 21 December was Australian Maritime Safety Authority (AMSA) (Cobham SAR Services Pty Ltd) Bombardier CL-600-2B16 Challenger 604 bizjet VH-XNE.  It appeared to be completing a flight from and back to its Cairns base but didn't appear to be using its 'usual' radio callsign of "Rescue 330".

After around an hour on the ground, VH-XNE departed back to Cairns.

Meanwhile, across the course of Thursday 20 December, there were several medical evacuation rescue helicopters that were noted flying around Bundaberg Airport.

RACQ LifeFlight Agusta Westland AW139 helicopter VH-XIJ "Rescue 533" arrived from Toowoomba and departed to the Prince Charles Hospital.  While fellow LifeFlight AW139 VH-XIL "Rescue 511" was noted departing to the Princess Alexandra Hospital.

Another LifeFlight chopper in the form of locally-based Bell 412EP VH-XCY "Rescue 522" was noted arriving from the Sunshine Coast and departing to the Royal Brisbane Hospital.

Also noted visiting Bundaberg on Thursday 20 December was the Capricorn Helicopter Rescue Service (CHRS) (Babcock Mission Critical Services Australasia) Bell 412EP VH-EPR "Rescue 300" which flew from Rockhampton Airport to Gladstone Airport before continuing to Bundaberg.  It was reportedly involved with a medical evacuation winching from a ship.  It then returned to Rocky.

All photos taken by 'JM'  ©