PNG-Registered Columbia Helicopters (USA) Boeing-Vertol Chinook 234LR Helicopter P2-CHY Spotted at CQ Airports Heading South

As we posted on our Facebook page, on Tuesday 17 December,  Papua New Guinea (PNG) registered Columbia Helicopters (USA) Boeing-Vertol 234LR Chinook helicopter P2-CHY was noted heading South from Cairns via Central Queensland Airports.

The massive civilian Chinook helicopter had flown into Cairns from Papua New Guinea over the previous couple of days.

On Tuesday, P2-CHY initially departed Cairns and took on fuel at Townsville before landing at Mackay Airport where it again had a refuel.

It then departed Mackay Airport and headed down to Emerald Airport.

At the time of writing, P2-CHY looked to be staying at Emerald Airport for the night.

It has been reported to us that P2-CHY is ultimately heading to Scone where it will join the Australian Aerial Firefighting fleet to support the currently fleet which is battling fires up and down the Eastern seaboard and also now in Western Australia.  P2-CHY will reportedly take up the radio callsign "Helitack 290".

UPDATE!  On Wednesday 18 December, P2-CHY continued South from Emerald Airport to Roma Airport and then Moree, Tamworth and Scone.

Sincere thanks to Rockhampton-based photographer Russell P and the other local plane spotters for taking the time to capture and send through these great photos and video and information!

Photos and video taken by Russell Prothero, 'JM' and 'AC'  ©