Australian Maritime Safety Authority (AMSA) (Cobham SAR Services Pty Ltd) Bombardier Challenger 604 Bizjet VH-XND Pops into Rockhampton Airport

A search and rescue mission in the region late on Saturday 1 February saw Australian Maritime Safety Authority (AMSA) (Cobham SAR Services Pty Ltd) Bombardier CL-600-2B16 Challenger 604 bizjet VH-XND pop into Rockhampton Airport for a short time.  It was noted flying as "Rescue 660" and had come up from Melbourne (Essendon) to coordinate the search which appeared to be off the coast between Rockhampton and Gladstone.

File photo

After presumably refuelling, VH-XND "Rescue 660" departed Rockhampton Airport and was noted heading back to Essendon.

Of interest, fixed wing aircraft and helicopters noted participating in the search and rescue mission included Austrek Aviation Beech B200 Super King Air VH-ZGD from Toowoomba, Machjet (Machjet International) new Hawker Beechcraft B200 King Air VH-ZSY from the Sunshine Coast, Queensland Government (QGAir) Rescue (State of Queensland) Agusta AW139 helicopter VH-EZJ as "Rescue 500" from Archerfield and Bundy,  General Aviation Maintenance (GAM) AeroCommander 500-S VH-YJJ from Brisbane and Surveillance Australia / Australian Border Force (ABF) Cobham Aviation-operated Dash-8-200 VH-ZZC "Borderforce 33" from Cairns.

Photo taken by Kayanne Hardsman  ©