Former Heli-Aust Whitsundays (Mackay Helicopters) Bell 430 VH-HIA Departs Australia for good with PNG Rego P2-MUM!

It appears that a former Central Queensland-based helicopter has finally departed Australia for good following a period of storage at the Whitsunday Airport at Shute Harbour.

Former Heli-Aust Whitsundays (Mackay Helicopters) Bell 430 helicopter VH-HIA was noted ferrying North into Cairns on Sunday 30 December.  It then continued to Lockhart River and points North on Wednesday 2 January.

VH-HIA on approach to Mackay Airport  (File photo)

The Bell 430 has been placed on the Papua New Guinea aircraft register as P2-MUM and looks to be registered to Manolos Aviation of New Rabaul in PNG.

It follows the departure of fellow former Heli-Aust Whitsundays (Mackay Helicopters) Bell 222 helicopter VH-TOR which also looked to the depart the Whitsunday Airport at Shute Harbour but in March 2018.  

VH-TOR at Mackay Airport  (File photo)

It also headed to Manolos Aviation in Papua New Guinea but with the registration marking of P2-HOT.