Former Jetstar Airways (New Zealand) Dash-8-Q300s to Resume Service with QantasLink - VH-TQD Pops into CQ Airports

In September this year, it was announced that Jetstar Airways planned to end regional turboprop services in New Zealand at the end of November due to ongoing losses and weak market conditions.  The Qantas-owned low-cost carrier (LCC) began flying in New Zealand in December 2015 to cover a gap that was left in the Kiwi market following Air New Zealand's decision to withdrawn from a number of regional routes.

These services had been operated by as many as five Dash-8-Q300 turboprops which were wet-leased from fellow Qantas Group subsidiary Eastern Australia Airlines (QantasLink) and connected Jetstar's Auckland base with Napier/Hastings, Palmerston North, New Plymouth, and Wellington via Nelson.

4 of 5 Jetstar Dash-8-Q300s at Auckland lined up on the final day of service

The five Dash-8-Q300s were individually ferried across the Tasman from Auckland via Norfolk Island to Brisbane with VH-TQK arriving in mid-November and VH-SBI, VH-TQD, VH-TQL and VH-TQM all arriving over two days in early December.

VH-SBI & VH-TQM parked at Brisbane

VH-TQK then ferried to Townsville for re-painting into QantasLink colours (Qantas Silver Roo colour scheme) and ferried back into Brisbane at the start of December before re-entering service with QantasLink out of Sydney and also Adelaide.  It has also been named 'Tathra'.

VH-TQK departs Brisbane Airport for the Paint-shop  (File photo)

VH-TQK at Sydney Airport in new colours  (UPDATED!)

VH-TQD replaced VH-TQK in the paint-shop at Townsville and it emerged from the Flying Colours hangar and ferried back to Brisbane late on Christmas Eve on Tuesday 24 December.  VH-TQD has been named 'Mount Isa'.

VH-TQD at Mackay Airport in new colours  (UPDATED!)

VH-TQD then re-entered service with QantasLink on Christmas Day on Wednesday 25 December and has operated out of Brisbane and called into most Central Queensland Airports including Bundaberg (mostly), Hervey Bay (Fraser Coast), Emerald, Miles and Gladstone Airports in the days since.

Of the other three Dash-8-Q300s, VH-TQL and VH-TQM have ferried to Tamworth in New South Wales in recent days for re-painting where it appears they have been stored, while VH-SBI ferried to Townsville also for re-painting.  We await the time when they emerge and re-enter service with QantasLink!

It's also worth mentioning that during its time, Jetstar NZ also operated fellow Dash-8-Q300 VH-SBW in all-white colour scheme while the five other Dash-8-Q300s were cycled through maintenance back in Australia.

VH-SBW at Brisbane Airport in 2017  (File photo)

Meanwhile, the Jetstar Airways chief executive Gareth Evans said there was little chance of the New Zealand regional services from Auckland to Napier, Nelson, New Plymouth and Palmerston North, as well as between Nelson and Wellington, re-starting and becoming profitable given current market conditions.

Despite the end of the regional New Zealand services, Evans indicated that Jetstar was still fully committed to its Airbus A320 operations on New Zealand trunk routes covering Auckland, Christchurch, Dunedin, Queenstown and Wellington, as well as its international flights across the Tasman to Australia and also to Rarotonga in the Cook Islands.

Jetstar’s New Zealand operation comprises of seven Airbus A320s, which are also used on international routes.

Photos taken by Philip Kyle, Simon Coates, Lloyd Fox, Lox Pix and 'JM'  ©

Alliance Airlines Fokker F-70 VH-NKQ Arrives into Hamilton Island Airport on Closed Charter Flight

Amongst all the bizjets to call into the Whitsundays of late, an interesting (what appears to be) closed charter flight was noted arriving into Hamilton Island Airport on Tuesday 31 December with Alliance Airlines Fokker F-70 VH-NKQ touching down from Ayers Rock as UTY8812.

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VH-NKQ had flown from Cairns to Brisbane and then Ayers Rock as UTY8811 on Sunday 29 December.

At the time of writing, it appears that VH-NKQ is staying on Hamo for the night.  Certainly a nice place to celebrate the arrival of the new year and decade!

UPDATE!  VH-NKQ departed Hamilton Island Airport for the Gold Coast and Brisbane as UTY8813/4 on Friday 3 January.

Photo taken by 'JM'  ©

Toll Freight Aviation ATR 42-300F VH-TOX Surprise Visit to Mackay Airport

A surprise visitor to Mackay Airport early on Tuesday 31 December with Toll Freight Aviation ATR 42-300F VH-TOX arriving from Brisbane while operating as TFX6.  The flight usually now bypasses Mackay Airport and continues direct to Townsville.

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After an hour on the ground, VH-TOX departed Mackay Airport and indeed continued to Townsville again as TFX6.

The exact reason for the 'diversion' is unclear but it appears that no 'usual' Toll Freight Metro aircraft arrived into Mackay Airport early on Tuesday 31 December so the visit may well have been planned!

Photo taken by 'JM'  ©

Bundaberg-based Greensill Aviation Cessna 550 Citation Bravo Bizjet VH-CCJ Back in the Air!

On Tuesday 31 December, Greensill Aviation Cessna 550 Citation Bravo bizjet VH-CCJ was back in the air this week, completing a flight from its Bundaberg Airport base to Brisbane.

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After the sun had set and as this post is being prepared, VH-CCJ is flying back to Bundaberg Airport from Brisbane.

Photo taken by Dan B  ©

LifeFlight (Aeromed) Bombardier Challenger 604 Bizjet VH-URR "Ambulance 604" Pops into CQ Airports

During what turned out to be a busy day of flying on Tuesday 31 December, LifeFlight (Aeromed) Bombardier Challenger 604 bizjet VH-URR "Ambulance 604" was noted visiting both Rockhampton and Mackay Airports.

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VH-URR originally called into Rockhampton Airport from its Brisbane base before it then later continued to Cairns.  VH-URR then flew from Cairns to Mackay Airport.  VH-URR then departed Mackay Airport and returned to Brisbane.

Another Triple Treat of Aussie Corporate Bizjets Pop into Hamilton Island Airport - Plus More!

On Tuesday 30 December, there were yet more locally-based bizjets to visit Hamilton Island Airport, continuing the excellent of run of corporate and other General Aviation (GA) visitors to the Whitsundays and the Central Queensland region over the Christmas period.

First to arrive was Avcair (Avgunn) LearJet 60 bizjet VH-ILJ which touched down at Hamo from Brisbane via the Sunshine Coast.

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It later returned to Brisbane.

Then, Special Mining Services / Flight Options (Australia) Embraer EMB-505 Phenom 300E bizjet VH-UYX returned to the Hamilton Island Airport from the Sunshine Coast.  It later departed to Sydney and then Bankstown.

VH-UYX had visited Hamo last Tuesday 24 December, arriving from Bankstown and Sydney and later departing to the Sunny Coast.

And Balmoral Air Dassault Falcon 2000LX bizjet VH-WIO was noted making yet another visit to Hamilton Island Airport.  As per usual, it arrived from and later departed back to Bankstown.

A nice corporate turboprop noted visiting Emerald Airport also on Monday 30 December was Sundown Pastoral Company (of Bonogin in the Gold Coast Hinterland) Raytheon B300 Super King Air VH-NSI. The sleek Super King Air was noted arriving from the Gold Coast and Moree in New South Wales before it later departed to Pinnarendi.

Finally, a couple of nice little Cirrus Design Corporation light GA aircraft to visit the region on Sunday 29 December included SR22 VH-TOL which visited Bundaberg Airport from Caboolture. While Grams Aviation SR22 VH-MCX was spotted at Rockhampton Airport after earlier arriving from its Sunshine Coast base. 

VH-MCX also visited Hervey Bay (Fraser Coast) Airport on also Monday 30 December.

Photos taken by Lloyd Fox and Trevor Hardsman  ©

Machjet (Machjet International) Cessna 525A Citation CJ2 Bizjet VH-ZIY Pops into Hamilton Island Airport

Also on Sunday 29 December, the run of locally-based corporate bizjets to pop into the Whitsundays continued with Machjet (Machjet International) Cessna 525A Citation CJ2 bizjet VH-ZIY noted touching down at Hamilton Island Airport.  It appeared to fly up from the Ballina / Byron Bay Gateway Airport after earlier flying down there from the Sunshine Coast.

https://www.facebook.com/mcdermottaviationgroup/

Around lunchtime, VH-ZIY departed Hamilton Island Airport and returned direct to the Sunshine Coast.

Jetstream Aviation (Emprja P/L) Cessna 550 Citation II Bizjet VH-VDF Departs Proserpine (Whitsunday Coast) Airport

On Sunday 29 December, Jetstream Aviation (Emprja P/L) Cessna 550 Citation II VH-VDF was noted departing Proserpine (Whitsunday Coast) Airport for its Sunshine Coast base.

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It had arrived from there on Friday 27 December.

Photo taken by Far North Queensland Skies Blog  ©

Yet More Corporate Bizjets and Light GA Aircraft Come and Go at Hamilton Island Airport

Almost daily updates over the Christmas period with yet more Australian corporate bizjets and other light General Aviation (GA) aircraft coming and going at Hamilton Island Airport.

After visiting last weekend, early on Friday 27 December, Darwin-based Lloyd Aviation Jet Charter Dassault Falcon 900 bizjet VH-PPD called back into Hamilton Island Airport from the Gold Coast.

After around 90 minutes on the ground, VH-PPD departed Hamo and returned to the Gold Coast.

A little later in the morning, also on Friday 27 December, Linfox Express Charter / Air National Australia Canadair CL-600-2B16 Challenger 605 VH-LEF was noted arriving into Hamilton Island Airport.  It touched down from its Melbourne (Essendon) base via Melbourne (Avalon).

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It appears to be staying for at least the night.

Also arriving into Hamo, also on Friday 27 December, was  Homada Pty Ltd Cessna 560XL Citation XLS bizjet VH-XCU which was noted once again arriving into Hamilton Island Airport from Melbourne (Moorabbin) via Melbourne (Essendon).

It too appears to be staying on Hamo for at least the night.

Meanwhile, a pair of bizjets were both noted departing Hamilton Island Airport, also on Friday 27 December, after arriving into the Whitsundays before Christmas.

Mackellar Mining Equipment / Flight Options (Australia) Cessna 560 Citation Ultra bizjet VH-MMC returned to the Sunshine Coast after arriving from there on Monday 23 December.  While Crown Melbourne (Crown Hotels) Bombardier BD-700-1A10 Global Express XRS bizjet VH-CCD departed to Sydney after it arrived from Hobart on Tuesday 24 December.

It's also worth noting that also arriving into Hamilton Island Airport, also on Friday 27 December, was Hawker Beechcraft G58 Baron VH-EZD which arrived from its Monto base.

Also, after arriving into Hamo the previous day from its Southport base via Gladstone Airport, the visiting Corporate Aviation Bell 429 Global Ranger helicopter VH-EQP seems to be remaining parked for at least another night.

Finally, over on the mainland, also on Friday 27 December, Jetstream Aviation (Emprja P/L) Cessna 550 Citation II VH-VDF was noted arriving into Proserpine (Whitsunday Coast) Airport from the Sunshine Coast.  It appears to be staying at Prosie for at least the night.

UPDATE!  On Sunday 29 December, VH-VDF returned to the Sunshine Coast from Proserpine Airport.

Photo taken by Ryan Hothersall  ©

LifeFlight (Aeromed) LearJet 45 Bizjet VH-CXJ "Ambulance 452" Pops into Gladstone Airport

On Friday 27 December, LifeFlight (Aeromed) LearJet 45 bizjet VH-CXJ "Ambulance 452" was noted visiting Gladstone Airport.  It looked to arrive from Brisbane.

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After some time on the ground, VH-CXJ "Ambulance 452" departed Gladstone Airport and looked to return to the capital.

Corporate Aviation Bell 429 Global Ranger Helicopter VH-EQP Back in CQ at Gladstone and Hamilton Island Airports

On Thursday 26 December, the familiar sight of Corporate Aviation Bell 429 Global Ranger helicopter VH-EQP was back in Central Queensland.  It departed its Southport base for a refuel at Gladstone Airport before continuing to Hamilton Island Airport.

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At the time of writing, VH-EQP appears to be staying at Hamo for at least the night.

Meanwhile, on Christmas Day, Wednesday 25 December, the visiting American registered Bombardier BD-700-1A11 Global 5000 N2QE departed Hamilton Island Airport for Sydney.  It had after into Hamo from there on Friday 20 December - see Blog post below.

Photo taken by Anthony Schulz  ©

Both LifeFlight (Aeromed) LearJet 45 Bizjets VH-VVI "Ambulance 451" & VH-CXJ "Ambulance 452" at Barcaldine Airport

On consecutive days this week, both LifeFlight (Aeromed) LearJet 45 bizjets VH-VVI "Ambulance 451" and VH-CXJ "Ambulance 452" were noted visiting Barcaldine Airport.

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On Monday 23 December, VH-VVI "Ambulance 451" arrived into Barcaldine Airport from Brisbane.  It later returned to the capital.

Then on Tuesday 24 December, VH-CXJ "Ambulance 452" arrived into Barcaldine Airport from Townsville.  It then flew across to Mackay Airport before heading to Brisbane and then back to Townsville.

A Triple Treat of Aussie Bizjets Arrive into Hamilton Island Airport on Christmas Eve

On Christmas Eve, Tuesday 24 December, a nice trio of Australian bizjets were noted arriving into Hamilton Island Airport. Their arrival continues the good run of corporate bizjets and smaller General Aviation (GA) aircraft to call into the beautiful Whitsundays in the lead up to Christmas.

First to arrive was Melbourne Air Holdings (Executive Airlines) Cessna 680 Citation Sovereign bizjet VH-EXG which was noted arriving into Hamilton Island Airport from Melbourne (Essendon).

It later returned to Essendon.

Then, Crown Melbourne (Crown Hotels) Bombardier BD-700-1A10 Global Express XRS bizjet VH-CCD was noted arriving into Hamilton island Airport Hobart in Tasmania.

It looked to be staying on Hamo for at least the night.

Finally, Special Mining Services / Flight Options (Australia) Embraer EMB-505 Phenom 300E bizjet VH-UYX was noted arriving into Hamilton Island Airport from Bankstown.

It later departed to the Sunshine Coast where it is photographed above arriving during the middle part of the afternoon.

It’s also worth mentioning that the visiting American registered Bombardier BD-700-1A11 Global 5000 N2QE remains parked on Hamo after it arrived from Sydney on Friday 20 December - see Blog post below.

Finally, also on Tuesday 24 December, Machjet (Machjet International) new Hawker Beechcraft B200 King Air VH-ZSY was noted visiting a couple Central Queensland Airports.  The new McDermott Aviation corporate turboprop operated by Machjet arrived into Mackay Airport from the Sunshine Coast.  It later called into Gladstone Airport before departing to Brisbane.  VH-ZSY then returned to the Sunshine Coast.

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

Mackellar Mining Equipment / Flight Options (Australia) Cessna 560 Citation Ultra Bizjet VH-MMC Arrives into Hamilton Island Airport

On Monday 23 December, the familiar sight of Mackellar Mining Equipment / Flight Options (Australia) Cessna 560 Citation Ultra bizjet VH-MMC was back in CQ, this time landing at Hamilton Island Airport after flying up from its Sunshine Coast base.

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At the time of writing, it appears that VH-MMC is staying for at least the night on Hamo.

The visit of VH-MMC sees the continuation of a good run of local bizjets to fall into Hamilton Island Airport.

It also appears that the visiting American registered Bombardier BD-700-1A11 Global 5000 N2QE remains parked on Hamo after it arrived from Sydney on Friday 20 December - see Blog post below.

Meanwhile, a nice corporate turboprop to pop into Emerald Airport, also on Monday 23 December, was Sundown Pastoral Company (of Bonogin in the Gold Coast Hinterland) Raytheon B300 Super King Air VH-NSI.  The sleek Super King Air was noted arriving from the Gold Coast before it later departed to Pinnarendi.  VH-NSI then returned to Emerald Airport before departing to Moree in New South Wales and then the Gold Coast.

Nice!

Photo taken by 'AC'  ©

Queensland Government Airwing Hawker 850XP Bizjet VH-SGY Calls into Bundaberg Airport

On Monday 23 December, the Queensland Government Airwing (State of Queensland) Raytheon Hawker 850XP bizjet VH-SGY was noted calling into Bundaberg Airport.  It looked to arrive from Brisbane.

After just over an hour on the ground, VH-SGY departed Bundaberg Airport and returned to Brisbane.

Photo taken by Isaac S  ©

Cessna Citation Bizjets VH-FNI & VH-WMY Call into Hamilton Island Airport

The good run of bizjets to call into Hamilton Island Airport continued on Sunday 22 December as a couple of local Cessna Citations called in.

Graham Aviation (Cessna) 510 Citation Mustang bizjet VH-FNI was noted arriving into Hamilton Island Airport from Ayers Rock.  It arrived in the 'Red Centre' on Saturday 21 December from its Mareeba base via Cairns.

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After being on the ground briefly, VH-FNI departed Hamilton Island Airport and returned to Cairns.

Meanwhile, also noted visiting Hamilton Island Airport, also on Sunday 22 December, was Mitchell Water Cessna 525 Citation M2 bizjet VH-WMY.

It arrived from Melbourne (Essendon) and later departed to Melbourne (Moorabbin).

Finally, also on Sunday 22 December, it is believed that Piper PA-31-350 VH-AUG visited Mackay Airport from its Cairns base.

Photo taken by The FNQ Skies Blog  ©

Nice Pair of Bizjets Pop into Hamilton Island Airport - Dassault Falcon 900 VH-PPD & Cessna 525 Citation CJ2 VH-TEY

Saturday 21 December was a lovely day in the Whitsundays and over on Hamilton Island Airport, another nice pair of locally-based corporate bizjets were noted visiting from the South-East corner of Queensland.

File photo

Darwin-based Lloyd Aviation Jet Charter Dassault Falcon 900 bizjet VH-PPD arrived from Brisbane and later departed to the Gold Coast.

While, Brisbane-based Teys Australia Cessna 525 Citation CJ2 bizjet VH-TEY was noted arriving from and then later departing back to its Archerfield base.

Meanwhile, the visiting American registered Bombardier BD-700-1A11 Global 5000 N2QE appears to have remained parked again for the day and night on Hamo after it arrived from Sydney on Friday 20 December - see Blog post below.

And finally, back on the mainland, after arriving at the start of the week, Brisbane-based Cessna 525A CitationJet2 bizjet VH-MOR departed the Whitsunday Airport at Shute Harrbour also on Saturday 21 December and looked to return to its Archerfield base.  See Blog post below for a photo!

Photo taken by 'JM'  ©

New Greensill Capital (IOM) Ltd Gulfstream G-VI (G650ER) Bizjet M-SOZO Pops into Bundaberg Airport

A nice arrival into Bundaberg Airport early on Saturday 21 December with newly registered Greensill Capital (Isle Of Man) Ltd Gulfstream Aerospace G-VI (G650ER) bizjet M-SOZO touching down from Brisbane.  It had arrived into the capital from overseas a little earlier in the wee small hours.

John Lythgoe / https://www.flickr.com/

After a short time on the ground, the sleek Gulfstream then returned to Brisbane where it appears to be staying.

Of interest, the operators of M-SOZO - Greensill Capital (Isle Of Man) Ltd - had previously bought Dassault Falcon 7X bizjet M-GGBL into Bundaberg Airport on previous occasions.  The same company also has registered Cessna 550 Citation Bravo bizjet VH-CCJ which is also currently based at Bundaberg Airport - see many Blog posts below!

Brisbane-based Cessna 525A CitationJet2 bizjet VH-MOR Spotted at Whitsunday Airport at Shute Harbour - Plus More!

We popped into the Whitsunday Airport at Shute Harbour late on Friday 20 December and were able to photograph some interesting fixed-wing visitors including Brisbane-based Cessna 525A CitationJet2 bizjet VH-MOR.

The hard-to-track Citation looked to arrive at the start of the week on Monday 16 December from Archerfield.

UPDATE!  We heard VH-MOR depart early on Saturday 21 December and it looked to return to Archerfield.

The sometimes 'resident' American-registered Eclipse EA500 bizjet N257AK returned to the Whitsunday Airport at Shute Harbour last Sunday 15 December from Archerfield having headed down the the previous day.  N257AK departed the Whitsunday Airport for Archerfield once again on Thursday 19 December.

Meanwhile, slightly smaller fixed-wing aircraft photographed at the Whitsunday Airport at Shute Harbour on Friday 20 December included Whitsunday Air Services / Hamilton Island Air Textron (Cessna) 208 Caravan VH-WHI and Cessna 208 Caravan float plane VH-WTY.

Both seem to now be on wheels (rather than floats as VH-WTY was photographed weeks ago) and are being utilised on scenic flights around the Whitsundays from the Airport.

The Whitsunday Air Services / Hamilton Island Air Gippsland Aeronautics GA-8 Airvan VH-KIQ has also been spotted at the Whitsunday Airport at Shute Harbour in recent days and also seems to be operating scenic flights from the Airport.

Finally, local parachuting operations continue with Wollongong-registered Cessna 208 Caravan VH-DNK operating for the locally-based Skydive Airlie Beach.

Fellow Wollongong-registered Cessna 208 Caravan VH-NMV also arrived into the Whitsunday Airport earlier in the week on Tuesday 17 December from Tyagarah via the Gold Coast and seems to also be operating for Skydive Airlie Beach.

Of interest, another Wollongong-registered Cessna 208 Caravan VH-OAI which had also been at Shute Harbour, departed to Cairns on Monday 16 December.

While interestingly but out of the CQ region, one final Wollongong-registered Cessna 208 Caravan VH-YMV ferried from the Sunshine Coast to Tully late on Friday 20 December.

UPDATE!  On Saturday 21 December, VH-YMV returned from Tully to Redcliffe via Gladstone Airport.

Finally, one other skydiving aircraft which sometimes operates from Bowen Airport in the form of Pacific Aerospace PAC750XL VH-ZVM was in CQ passing through Emerald and Roma Airports while flying from Innisfail to Port Macquarie late on Friday 20 December.

American Registered Bombardier Global 5000 Bizjet N2QE Calls into Hamilton Island Airport

Capping off a nice day of bizjet action in Central Queensland on Friday 20 December was the arrival into Hamilton Island Airport of American registered Bombardier BD-700-1A11 Global 5000 N2QE.  The sleek bizjet looked to arrive from Sydney where it arrived from overseas earlier in the week.

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N2QE has visited Hamilton Island Airport on previous occasions and this time it appears to be staying at Hamo for at least the night.

Photo taken by Grahame Hutchison  ©

Brisbane-based Cessna 525 CitationJet M2 Bizjet VH-YWS Pops into Hervey Bay (Fraser Coast) Airport - Plus More!

On Friday 20 December, Brisbane-based Cessna 525 CitationJet M2 bizjet VH-YWS was noted visiting Hervey Bay (Fraser Coast) Airport.  It arrived from its Archerfield base during the latter part of the morning.

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After remaining parked for the afternoon, the sleek little bizjet then returned to Archerfield around sunset.

Meanwhile, also on Friday 20 December, the Bundaberg-based Greensill Aviation Cessna 550 Citation Bravo bizjet VH-CCJ was back in the air departing Bundaberg Airport to Melbourne (Moorabbin) and then Melbourne (Essendon).  It then returned to Bundaberg Airport during the afternoon.

Photo taken by Ryan Hothersall  ©

Airmed Australia Cessna 510 Citation Mustang Bizjet VH-SQY Pops into Mackay Airport

On Friday 20 December, AirMed Australia Cessna 510 Citation Mustang bizjet VH-SQY was noted arriving into Mackay Airport from Bankstown via Newcastle-Williamtown. It was heard to be using the radio callsign of "Airmed 917".

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After being on the ground for a couple of hours, VH-SQY departed back to Bankstown in New South Wales again as "Airmed 917".

Meanwhile, it was also noted that on Thursday 19 December, fellow AirMed Australia Piper PA-31-350 Navajo Chieftan VH-MZI "Airmed 856" flew into Kingaroy Airport from Tamworth via Maitland.  It later returned to Tamworth.

Finally, also on Friday 20 December, locally-based Embraer EMB-550 Legacy 500 bizjet N142GZ completed another flight from Mackay Airport to Brisbane and back.

Photo taken by Greg Weir  ©

RAAF Dassault Falcon 7X Bizjet A56-003 Spotted at Rockhampton Airport Returning South on Training Flight

After heading North the previous day and as expected, on Thursday 19 December, Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) Dassault Falcon 7X bizjet A56-003 called into Rockhampton Airport while heading back to Canberra on what appears to be a training flight.

The newest member of the RAAF’s VIP 34 Squadron started the day at Townsville and firstly completed airwork at Proserpine (Whitsunday Coast) Airport before it headed to Rocky.  A56-003 landed and parked at Rockhampton Airport for a short period of time.

A56-003 then departed Rockhampton Airport for the Sunshine Coast before it then returned to Canberra.

As mentioned, A56-003 flew North on Wednesday 18 December and completed airwork at Bundaberg and Hamilton Island Airports before ending the day at Townsville.  As it did on its way North, A56-003 was using the radio callsign of "Envoy 41" again on its trip South.

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

All photos taken by 'IAD'  ©

Australian Border Force (ABF) Cobham Aviation-operated Dash-8-200 VH-ZZB Spotted at Rockhampton Airport

On Thursday 19 December, Surveillance Australia / Australian Border Force (ABF) Cobham Aviation-operated Dash-8-200 VH-ZZB was photographed parked on the Northern Hardstand at Rockhampton Airport.

The Australian Border Force Dash-8 aircraft haven't been seen in Central Queensland for some time and it is interesting to note that in recent days, two three of their aircraft have been noted operating out of Rockhampton Airport on off-shore sorties.

It is believed that fellow Australian Border Force Dash-8-200 VH-ZZC first arrived into Rockhampton Airport last Thursday 12 December and operated from Rocky the next day and over the weekend.  It was heard to be using its 'usual' radio callsign of "Borderforce 33" as well as other possibly 'covert' radio callsigns.

It appears that VH-ZZB arrived into Rockhampton Airport on Wednesday 18 December as "Borderforce 22" and has also been noted using other radio callsigns.

UPDATE!  On Saturday 21 December, VH-ZZB was noted departing Rockhampton Airport as "Borderforce 22" and not 10 minutes later, fellow Australian Border Force Dash-8-200 VH-ZZJ arrived into Rockhampton Airport as "Borderforce 88".  It has since completed two sorties from Rocky over the weekend.

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

Photo taken by 'IAD'  ©

Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) Dassault Falcon 7X Bizjet A56-003 Pops into CQ Airports on a Training Flight

On Wednesday 18 December, Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) Dassault Falcon 7X bizjet A56-003 was noted in the skies of Central Queensland, completing what looked to be a training flight out of Canberra.

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Flying as "Envoy 41", A56-003, which is the third of three new Falcon 7X bizjets flown by the RAAF's VIP 34 Squadron, landed at Bundaberg Airport for a short time after flying up from Canberra via Coffs Harbour.  It then departed North and was noted completing airwork at both Hamilton Island Airport and Cairns before landing at Townsville where it looked to be spending the night.

It is expected that A56-003 could visit Proserpine (Whitsunday Coast) and Rockhampton Airports on Thursday 19 December as these flights have done in the past - stay tuned!

Photo taken by Dan B  ©

McDermott Aviation Group / Machjet International Beech B200 King Air P2-ZMY Pops into Bundaberg Airport

On Wednesday 18 December, McDermott Aviation Group / Machjet International Beech B200 King Air P2-ZMY was noted arriving into Bundaberg Airport. It looked touch down from its Sunshine Coast base via Gympie.

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After some time on the ground, during the early evening, P2-ZMY departed Bundaberg Airport and returned to the Sunshine Coast.

Of interest, P2-ZMY is a familiar airframe, acquired by the McDermott Aviation Group in 2013 after it spent many years in service with Australasian Jet Charter as VH-ZMY.

Also calling into Bundaberg Airport, also on Wednesday 18 December, was Brisbane-based Piper PA-31 Navajo VH-DEQ which visited from Archerfield and Redcliffe.

Meanwhile, out West at Emerald Airport, Brisbane-based Pilatus PC-12/47E VH-VTF popped in from Tambo on Tuesday 17 December and departed back there on Wednesday 18 December.

While Brisbane-based SOCATA TBM 700 VH-PGA was noted arriving into Blackall Airport from Toowoomba also on Wednesday 18 December.

Photo taken by Ryan Hothersall  ©

AirMed Australia Cessna 510 Citation Mustang Bizjet VH-NEQ Pops into Bundaberg Airport

Before dawn on Wednesday 18 December, AirMed Australia Cessna 510 Citation Mustang bizjet VH-NEQ was noted visiting Bundaberg Airport.

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After around 90 minutes on the ground, VH-NEQ departed Bundaberg Airport for Sydney before it then returned to Bankstown.

It is unclear if it was completing a medical evacuation flight - it was heard to be using its registration marking as its radio callsign.

Meanwhile, also on Wednesday 18 December, the now very familiar sight of Mitchell Water Cessna 525 Citation M2 bizjet VH-WMY was back in Central Queensland, this time noted visiting Hamilton Island Airport once again.  It arrived from its Melbourne (Moorabbin) base via Melbourne (Essendon) and Archerfield before later departing directly back to Moorabbin.

Finally, back at Bundaberg Airport, the locally-based Greensill Aviation Cessna 550 Citation Bravo bizjet VH-CCJ departed to Sydney on Monday 16 December before having a busy day on Tuesday 17 December flying to Whyalla in South Australia and then to Melbourne (Essendon) before returning back to Whyalla and Sydney.  It then flew home to Bundaberg Airport.

Local Embraer EMB-550 Legacy 500 Bizjet N142GZ Back in the Air Out of Mackay Airport Yet Again

On Tuesday 17 December, Mackay-based Embraer EMB-550 Legacy 500 bizjet N142GZ departed Mackay Airport and headed to Brisbane on yet another day-trip.

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As it has done on previous times - see Blog posts below - N142GZ returned to Mackay Airport later in the day.

UPDATE!  N142GZ completed another flight from Mackay Airport to Brisbane and back on Friday 20 December.

Photo taken by Michael Fleetwood  ©

Mackellar Mining Equipment / Flight Options (Australia) Cessna 560 Citation Ultra Bizjet VH-MMC Calls into CQ Airports

On Tuesday 17 December, the familiar sight of Mackellar Mining Equipment / Flight Options (Australia) Cessna 560 Citation Ultra bizjet VH-MMC was back in CQ, this time calling into Biloela / Thangool Airport after flying up from its Sunshine Coast base.

File photo

After spending much of the day on the ground, VH-MMC then continued from Bilo to Emerald Airport.

At the time of writing, VH-MMC appears to be staying at Emerald Airport for at least the night.

UPDATE! On Thursday 19 December, VH-MMC departed Emerald Airport and returned to the Sunshine Coast.

Photo taken by 'AC'  ©

Machjet (Machjet International) Hawker Beechcraft B200 King Air VH-ZSY First Visit to CQ and Spotted at Bowen Airport

A nice first time visitor into Central Queensland on Tuesday 17 December with Machjet (Machjet International) new Hawker Beechcraft B200 King Air VH-ZSY calling into some Central Queensland Airports during a busy day of flying.

The bright yellow King Air initially flew into Brisbane from its Sunshine Coast base before it then headed to the dirt airstrip at the Carmichael Coal Mine Site.

VH-ZSY then flew across to Bowen Airport where it was photographed by local plane spotter James K.

VH-ZSY then completed a short hop to Proserpine (Whitsunday Coast) Airport for a refuel before it then returned to Bowen Airport to collect its passengers.  VH-ZSY then flew back to Brisbane and the Sunshine Coast.

Of interest, Machjet (Machjet International) took delivery of bright yellow King Air in August via the McDermott Aviation Group hangar at the Sunshine Coast.  It was previous operated in Norway by Lufttransport and wore Norwegian registration marking LN-LTK.

File photo

It was to be prepared for aeromedical use but has since had seats installed and is currently being utilised to carry passengers around Australia on private charter flights.

Sincere thanks to James K for taking the time to capture and send through these great photos!

Photos taken by James Kirk and Alan Mac  ©