Great Photos of General Aviation Maintenance (GAM) Dornier DO 228-202s VH-VJE and VH-VJN Operating Through Rockhampton Airport

For some time now, General Aviation Maintenance (GAM) Dornier DO 228-202 turboprop aircraft have operated both passenger charter and general freight flights into Central Queensland.  The current week-daily freight flights depart Brisbane around dawn and touch down at Biloela / Thangool Airport before continuing the Emerald Airport where they terminate for the morning.  Then, around sunset, the return flight departs Emerald Airport, generally flying direct to Brisbane, but on most Mondays and Fridays, they make a stop at Rockhampton Airport.

Local photographer Russell P enjoys taking plane and sunset photos and has taken the opportunity to do both at once.  He shares with us some great photos of the two current GAM Dornier DO 228-202 turboprops - VH-VJE and VH-VJN - operating through Rockhampton Airport in recent weeks.

General Aviation Maintenance (GAM) is based at Essendon Airport in Melbourne, Victoria and comprises of GAM, GAMair, DC3 Australia, Commander Air and Reefwatch Air Tours. 

In Central Queensland, GAM also operates AeroCommander 500-S aircraft on smaller freight flights to Maryborough, Bundaberg and Gayndah Airports (amongst other places) also out of Brisbane, and from Emerald Airport to Longreach Airport via Barcaldine.

Of interest, GAM also has a third DO 228-202 VH-VJJ currently registered and previously operated other DO 228-202s - VH-ATZ and VH-VJD - with the latter photographed several times operating freight and passenger charter flights into CQ until its departure overseas in 2017.

File photo

The Dornier DO 228 is a twin-turboprop Short Takeoff and Landing (STOL) utility aircraft, manufactured in Germany by Dornier GmbH (later DASA Dornier, Fairchild-Dornier) from 1981 until 1998.  In 2009, RUAG started building a Dornier 228 New Generation (DO 228NG) also in Germany.

The Dornier DO 228 is considered the most versatile and most advanced high-wing aircraft in its class.  Capable of high payloads and high seat utilisation at relatively low cost, this aircraft is heavily relied upon by operators and government authorities world-wide.  Capable of operating on short and narrow regional runways, including remote gravel and unprepared strips.

Sincere thanks Russell for taking the time to capture and send through these great photos!  Enjoy!

Photos taken by Russell Prothero and Micah S  ©