Other ADF Visitors to Rockhampton Airport - Army MRH-90 A40-001 "Pegasus 1" & RAAF P-8A Poseidon A47-005 "Mariner 10"

A nice pair of Australian Defence Force (ADF) aircraft were also spotted and noted visiting Rockhampton Airport also on Tuesday 30 April.

During the morning, Australian Army NH Industries MRH-90 Multi-Role Helicopter A40-001 was photographed shortly after arriving into Rockhampton Airport from Brisbane as "Pegasus 1".

After taking on fuel, A40-001 then departed to Townsville.

Then during the afternoon, Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) Boeing P-8A Poseidon Maritime Surveillance Aircraft A47-005 was photographed as it climbed out after completing a missed approach at Rockhampton Airport.

It had looked to fly up to Rocky from RAAF Base Williamtown via a missed approach at RAAF Base Amberley.  After completing its airwork, A47-005 then departed to Townsville.  The P-8A Poseidon was heard to be using the radio callsign of "Mariner 10".

UPDATE!  On Wednesday 1 May, RAAF P-8A Poseidon A47-005 was noted flying down the Queensland coast and eventually returning to RAAF Base Edinburgh in South Australia but as "Mariner 11".

Sincere thanks to local plane spotter 'IAD' for taking the time to capture and send through these great photos!

All photos taken by 'IAD'  ©

More From the Federal Election Hustings - A Pair of RAAF VIP Transport Aircraft Also at Rockhampton Airport

As mentioned below, during the afternoon on Monday 29 April, Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) Beech B350 Super King Air A32-439 was noted arriving into Rockhampton Airport direct from RAAF Base East Sale in Victoria as "Regent 07".

After spending the night, the Super King Air was spotted resting on the Rockhampton Airport apron on Tuesday 30 April.  It later departed to Cairns but has since returned to Rockhampton Airport where it again seems to be spending the night.

Meanwhile, also noted arriving into Rockhampton Airport, also on Tuesday 30 April, was RAAF Canadair CL-600-2B16 Challenger 604 bizjet A37-002 which touched down from Cairns as "Regent 13".  It had earlier flown from Canberra to Melbourne (Tullamarine) before heading to Cairns.

At the time of writing, it appears that A37-002 is also spending the night parked at Rockhampton Airport.

Various Federal Government and Shadow Ministers have appeared in news reports around the region so clearly then aircraft have been transporting them around in CQ.

Sincere thanks to local plane spotter 'IAD' for taking the time to capture and send through these great photos!

All photos taken by 'IAD'  ©

Another Big Day on the Federal Election Campaign Hustings - Clive Palmer Visits CQ Airports in his Cayman Islands-Registered Hawker Beechcraft 4000 Horizon Bizjet VP-CPP

On Tuesday 30 April, the Federal election campaign continued in most parts of Central Queensland with leader of the United Australia Political Party, Clive Palmer most notably visiting several towns during a busy day on the hustings.  Mr Palmer's private, Cayman Islands-registered, Hawker Beechcraft 4000 Horizon bizjet VP-CPP was noted making an early morning arrival into Bundaberg Airport from the Gold Coast before it was then spotted arriving into Rockhampton Airport.

With his engagements complete, Mr Palmer and entourage were noted departing Rockhampton Airport on VP-CPP for Mackay Airport before it then later headed to Townsville.

At the time of writing, VP-CPP is due to return to the Gold Coast - a big day!

Sincere thanks to the local plane spotters for taking the time to capture and send through these great photos!

Photos taken by 'IAD' and Trevor Hardsman  ©

Mackellar Mining Equipment / Flight Options (Australia) Cessna 560 Citation Ultra Bizjet VH-MMC Pops into Emerald Airport - Plus More!

On Tuesday 30 April, Mackellar Mining Equipment / Flight Options (Australia) Cessna 560 Citation Ultra bizjet VH-MMC was back in CQ, this time landing at Emerald Airport after flying up from its Sunshine Coast base.

VH-MMC taxiing at the Sunshine Coast  (File photo)

At the time of writing, the frequent visitor to CQ appears to be staying for at least the night.

UPDATE!  On Thursday 2 May, VH-MMC was noted departing Emerald Airport for Townsville.

Meanwhile, also noted visiting Emerald Airport, but on Monday 29 April, was SFC Farming (of Goondiwindi) Raytheon B200 King Air VH-TXT.  It arrived from Mundine Airport in New South Wales via Saint George and Dalby.  VH-TXT then departed to Georgetown.

UPDATE!  On Wednesday 1 May, VH-TXT returned to Emerald Airport, flying over the same route back to Mundine.

While down at Rolleston Aerodrome, also on Monday 29 April, Easternwell Beech B200C VH-HPP was noted arriving from its Toowoomba base and later departing to Roma Airport.

UPDATE!  On Saturday 4 May, Easternwell Group Beech B300 Super King Air VH-EWQ was also noted visiting Rolleston Aerodrome.

UPDATE!  On Tuesday 7 May, Easternwell Group Raytheon B200 King Air VH-EWG was also noted visiting Rolleston. Aerodrome.

Finally, out at Longreach Airport, on Sunday 28 April, Neabrean P/L Cessna 208B Caravan VH-JOZ was noted arriving from its Toowoomba base.

UPDATE!  on Tuesday 30 April, VH-JOZ returned to Toowoomba from Longreach Airport.

Sincere thanks to the Sunshine Coast Plane Spotting Facebook page for allowing us to share their great photo of VH-MMC!

Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) Beech B350 Super King Air A32-439 Arrives into Rockhampton Airport as "Regent 07"

During the afternoon on Monday 29 April, Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) Beech B350 Super King Air A32-439 was noted arriving into Rockhampton Airport as "Regent 07".  It looked to fly in direct from RAAF Base East Sale in Victoria.

File photo

With this callsign, I presume that it brought Federal politicians to Rocky to join the hustings during current Federal election campaign.

At the time of writing, A32-439 appears to be staying at Rockhampton Airport for at least the night.

Photo taken by ‘IAD’  ©

Fugro LADS / Royal Australia Navy (RAN) Hydrography Dash-8-200 VH-LCL Arrives into Bundaberg Airport

Noted arriving into Bundaberg Airport from Cairns on Monday 29 April to presumably take up operations in the area is the Fugro LADS Corporation / Surveillance Australia / Royal Australian Navy (RAN) LADS Hydrography Institute Dash-8-200 VH-LCL.  It was noted completed airwork off the coast of Gladstone and around Heron Island before heading to Bundy.

The heavily modified Dash-8-200 is usually based at Cairns Airport with Cobham Aviation.  At the time of writing, it is planned to complete a seven-hour flight out of and back to Bundaberg Airport on Tuesday 30 April with it planning to return to Bundaberg Airport in the early evening.

VH-LCL is operated by Surveillance Australia for Fugro LADS Corporation on a multi-year lease to the Royal Australia Navy LADS Hydrography Institute. The 'LADS' (Laser Airborne Depth Sounding) system is an aircraft based hydrographic surveying system that measures the difference between the sea surface and the sea floor as calculated from the aircraft's altitude to generate hydrographic data. After operating overseas since it was delivered in late 1997, VH-LCL commenced operations with the RAN LADS Hydrography Institute in late 2009.

Sincere thanks to Samuel F for taking the time to capture and send through these great photos!

All photos taken by Samuel Felgate  ©

LifeFlight (Aeromed) LearJet 45 Bizjet VH-VVI "Ambulance 451" Also Pops into Mackay Airport

As these posts are being prepared, late on Sunday 28 April, LifeFlight (Aeromed) LearJet 45 bizjet VH-VVI "Ambulance 451" was also noted visiting Mackay Airport.

File photo

It looked to arrive from Brisbane and depart to its Townsville base.  VH-VVI had earlier flown South from Townsville to the Gold Coast and then Brisbane.

Australian Corporate Jet Centres Bombardier Challenger 604 Bizjet VH-SCR Back at Mackay Airport on Federal Election Duties as "Envoy 90"

During the afternoon on Sunday 28 April, Australian Corporate Jet Centres Bombardier CL-600-2B16 Challenger 604 bizjet VH-SCR was noted arriving into Mackay Airport from Cairns as "Envoy 90".  It had earlier started the day flying from Sydney to Wagga Wagga as "Envoy 90" before heading to Cairns.

VH-SCR at Mackay Airport a fortnight ago  (File photo)

As mentioned previously, the sleek Challenger is being used to ferry Federal politicians around Australia - and in particular  National Party Leader and Deputy Prime Minister Michael McCormack - during this Federal election campaign.

At the time of writing, VH-SCR appears to be spending the night at Mackay Airport.

UPDATE!  On Monday 29 April, VH-SCR departed Mackay Airport for Canberra again as "Envoy 90".

Meanwhile, also noted arriivng into Mackay Airport, also late on Sunday 28 April was Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) Beech B350 Super King Air A32-651 which arrived direct from RAAF Base East Sale as "Wisdom 69".

It too appears to be spending the night at Mackay Airport.

UPDATE!  On Monday 29 April, A32-651 was noted making the short hop from Mackay Airport to Proserpine (Whitsunday Coast) Airport again as "Wisdom 69".

Photo taken by 'AC'  ©

Hevilift Australia (Fixed Wing Division) ATR 72-500 VH-FVH Spotted at Charleville Airport Heading Home from Lake Eyre Scenic Flight - Plus More!

On Sunday 28 April, Hevilift Australia (Fixed Wing Division) ATR 72-500 VH-FVH was photographed passing through Charleville Airport while heading back to the South-East corner of the State at the completion of a closed charter flight out to Lake Eyre.

VH-FVH had originally flown as HT705 from Brisbane to the Toowoomba-Wellcamp Airport early on Saturday 27 April before then heading to Birdsville and Coober Pedy in South Australia where it looked to spend the night.  On Sunday 28 April, VH-FVH then flew as HT706 from Coober Pedy to Charleville and back to Wellcamp and Brisbane.

Of interest, VH-FVH was joined by fellow Hevilift ATR 72-500 VH-FVM which also looked to operate a charter flight out of Lake Eyre over the weekend.  On Saturday 27 April, it flew as HT707 direct from Brisbane to Broken Hill in New South Wales before also spending the night at Coober Pedy.  Then on Sunday 28 April, VH-FVM returned as HT708 from Coober Pedy to Birdsville and Brisbane.

Meanwhile, after popping into Longreach Airport the previous day, Alliance Airlines Fokker F-70 VH-NKQ looked to return to Longreach Airport again on Sunday 28 April.  Like it did the previous day, it flew in from Winton and departed to Brisbane.

VH-NKQ appeared to be operating a series of closed charter flights in support of Winton's Way Out West Festival.

Sincere thanks to local plane spotter Zac F for taking the time to capture and send through these great photos from Charleville Airport!

All photos taken by Zac Fitzgerald  ©️

And Mackay-based Embraer EMB-550 Legacy 500 Bizjet N142GZ Also Spotted Back at Rockhampton Airport - Plus More!

Also photographed at Rockhampton Airport also on Sunday 28 April was the privately owned Embraer EMB-550 Legacy 500 bizjet N142GZ which visited from its Mackay Airport base for the second day in a row.

It returned to Mackay Airport from Rocky around lunch time.

As mentioned, it also visited Rockhampton Airport on Saturday 27 April - see Blog post below!

Meanwhile, also photographed at Rockhampton Airport, also on Sunday 28 April, were some interesting light General Aviation (GA) aircraft.

Croc Pac (of Cairns) Raytheon G36 Bonanza VH-VCT was photographed preparing to depart Rockhampton Airport for Atherton.  It had arrived from there on Friday 26 April.

The Aero Club of Southern Tasmania Cessna 172P VH-KSR was photographed departing Rockhampton Airport for Mackay Airport.  It had arrived from Caloundra via Maryborough Airport on Saturday 27 April and appears to be on a long flight certainly up the Eastern Seaboard of Australia.

Brisbane-based Amateur built Lancair ES VH-DFH arrived into Rockhampton Airport from Archerfield on Saturday 27 April and departed back there later on Sunday 28 April.  It also visited last weekend!

Sunshine Coast-based Piper PA-28-180 Cherokee VH-RQK arrived into Rockhampton Airport from Caboolture on Saturday 27 April and departed back there later on Sunday 28 April.

Finally, the Brisbane Skydiving Centre Cessna 182P VH-COF arrived into Rockhampton Airport from Caloundra on Saturday 27 April and departed back there later on Sunday 28 April.  It appears to have been operating on the Sunshine Coast on skydiving duties for some time.

Finally, also noted visiting Rockhampton Airport over the weekend was an interesting visitor in the form of Landsur (Landair Surveys) of Victoria Vulcanair (Partenavia) P.68C VH-OAV.  It arrived from Toowoomba on Saturday 27 April and made an early departure for airwork to the West before heading to Townsville early on Sunday 28 April.

Sincere thanks once again to local plane spotter Kayanne H for taking the time to capture and send through these great photos from Rockhampton Airport!

All photos taken by Kayanne Hardsman  ©

American Registered De Havilland DHC-6-300 Twin Otter N331AR Arrives into Rockhampton Airport

Certainly an interesting arrival into Rockhampton Airport on Sunday 28 April with American-registered De Havilland DHC-6-300 Twin Otter (converted) N331AR photographed arriving from Cairns.  It had arrived into Cairns from Honiara in the Solomon Islands the previous day.

The 1972-built aircraft is owned by Twin Otter International in the United States of America and features the distinct Twin Otter VistaLiner conversion with an upgraded fuselage and huge passenger viewing windows.

It is reported that N331AR is in the region to operate aerial survey flights.  Indeed this aircraft has been photographed previous with various camera and/or sensor pod equipment fitted.

At the time of writing, N331AR looks to be staying at Rockhampton Airport for at least the night.

Sincere thanks to local plane spotter Kayanne H for taking the time to capture and send through these great photos of a great little visitor to Rockhampton Airport!

All photos taken by Kayanne Hardsman  ©

LifeFlight (Aeromed) Bombardier Challenger 604 Bizjet VH-URR "Ambulance 604" Also at Longreach Airport

During the afternoon on Saturday 27 April, LifeFlight (Aeromed) Bombardier Challenger 604 bizjet VH-URR "Ambulance 604" was noted completing a medical evacuation flight at Longreach Airport.

File photo

It looked to arrive from and then later departed back to Brisbane.

Meanwhile, during the evening on Friday 26 April, the Townsville-based Queensland Government (QGAir) Rescue (State of Queensland) Agusta AW139 helicopter VH-EZJ was noted completing a pair of medical evacuation flights at Bowen and Mackay Hospitals.

On both occasions, it looked to fly from and back to its Townsville base and was heard using the radio callsign of "Rescue 521" for all its flights.

A Pair of Alliance Airlines Fokker F-70 & F-100 Charter Flights at Longreach and Rockhampton Airports

On Saturday 27 April, there were a pair of Alliance Airlines closed charter flights that were noted calling into Central Queensland Airports.

File photo

Fokker F-70 VH-NKQ was noted arriving into Longreach Airport from Winton for fuel before departing to Brisbane as UTY591.  It then returned to direct to Winton once again but as UTY592.

It had flown into Winton during the week on what appears to be a closed charter flight in support of Winton's Way Out West Festival.

While Fokker F-100 VH-XWR was noted arriving into Rockhampton Airport from Townsville as UTY3381.  It later returned to Townsville but as UTY3382.

At the time of writing, it has returned to Rockhampton Airport from Townsville and is due return to Townsville once again as UTY3383/3384.

It appears that VH-XWR is transporting the Central Queensland (CQ) Capras Rugby League team players and support staff to Townsville to take on the locally based Townsville Blackhawks in the Queensland Rugby League (QRL) Intrust Super Cup competition.

Photo taken by Russell Prothero  ©

Local Embraer EMB-550 Legacy 500 Bizjet N142GZ Also Spotted at Mackay Airport - Plus More!

Also on Saturday 27 April, the locally-based Embraer EMB-550 Legacy 500 bizjet N142GZ was photographed as it departed Mackay Airport on the short hop down to Rockhampton Airport.

After spending most of the day on the ground, N142GZ returned to Mackay Airport from Rockhampton Airport during the later part of the afternoon.

Meanwhile, also flying into Mackay Airport from Rockhampton Airport also on Saturday 27 April was the Air Charter CQ / Australia by Seaplane De Havilland Canada DHC-2 Beaver Mk1 Float Plane VH-IDO.  As mentioned below, it diverted into Rockhampton Airport on Wednesday 24 April due to weather and low fuel while trying to flying from its Gladstone Airport base to Mackay Airport.

Finally, it's worth mentioning that also visiting Mackay Airport but on Friday 26 April was the Queensland Police Service (Airwing) (State of Queensland) Cessna 560 Citation Ultra bizjet VH-PSU.  It was also noted visiting Rockhampton Airport twice during a busy day of flying.

Sincere thanks once again to local plane spotter 'JM' for taking the time to capture and send through these great photos from Mackay Airport!

All photos taken by 'JM'  ©