Regional Express (REX) SAAB 340B VH-ZLG Spotted at Rockhampton Airport

On Tuesday 30 June, Regional Express (REX) SAAB 340B VH-ZLG was spotted at Rockhampton Airport on what is believed to be its first ever visit to the beef capital.  It had earlier arrived from Brisbane as RXA9882 on the weekly closed charter flight which then departs to Richmond as RXA9282.

As 'usual' VH-ZLG was due to call into Emerald Airport from Richmond but didn't instead continuing directly back to Brisbane.

Fellow REX SAAB 340B VH-ZRB was also in the region, also on Tuesday 30 June, with it visiting Emerald Airport before it too ultimately visited Richmond.  VH-ZRB initially flew into Emerald Airport from and back to Brisbane on behalf of Pel-Air Aviation as PFY9872/3 before it then flew to Richmond as PFY9280.  VH-ZRB then did have to call into Emerald Airport from Richmond before it then returned to Brisbane as PFY9881.

Finally, also early on Tuesday 30 June, local plane spotter Steve V was also able to capture some photos of Pel-Air Aviation SAAB 340 Freighter VH-KDB as it visited Rockhampton Airport.  It was flying as PFY7416/8 and arrived from Brisbane and later departed to Mackay Airport where it spends the day parked.

VH-KDB returned to Rockhampton Airport and then Brisbane later in the evening on Tuesday 30 June as PFY7415/7.

Sincere thanks to local plane spotter Steve V for allowing us to share these great photos!

All photos taken by Steve Vit  ©

A Pair of Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) Airbus A330-200 / KC-30A Multi Role Tanker Transport (MRTT) Aircraft A39-005 & A39-007 At and Around Rockhampton Airport

On Tuesday 30 June, a pair of Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) Airbus A330-200 / KC-30A Multi Role Tanker Transport (MRTT) aircraft were photographed at and around Rockhampton Airport.

Initially, KC-30A / MRTT A39-005 "Dragon 20" touched down at Rockhampton Airport after flying up RAAF Base Amberley via airwork off the South-East Queensland coast.  It was parked on Gate 6 on the Southern end of the parking apron.

After a crew change, A39-005 departed Rockhampton Airport and flew back to Amberley.

But while A39-005 was still on the ground, fellow RAAF KC-30A / MRTT A39-007 "Dragon 34" was also photographed completing a missed approach also at Rockhampton Airport.

It had earlier flown up from Amberley via an inland route to Townsville where it landed for a short time.  A39-007 then flew down from there to complete the missed approach at Rockhampton Airport.

The KC-30A / MRTT then returned to Amberley.

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

Photos taken by Steve Vit, Scott Harris and Michael Malick  ©

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

On Monday 29 June, Surveillance Australia / Australian Border Force (ABF) Cobham Aviation-operated Dash-8-200 VH-ZZC was photographed as it departed on a surveillance sortie out of Rockhampton Airport.  It was heard to be using its usual radio callsign of "Borderforce 33".

As mentioned below, VH-ZZC looked to first arrive into Rockhampton Airport over the weekend and looked to complete a sortie also on Sunday 28 June.

UPDATE!  It appears that VH-ZZC "Borderforce 33" departed Rockhampton Airport on Tuesday 30 June and eventually landed at Cairns.

The Australian Border Force Dash-8 aircraft haven't been seen in Central Queensland for some time so it has been great to see them again operating out of Rockhampton Airport on off-shore sorties.

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

All photos taken by Michael Malick  ©

Corporate Aircraft Charter (SA) Cessna 550 Citation II Bizjet VH-ZLE Pops into Rockhampton Airport - Plus More

During the afternoon on Monday 29 June, Corporate Aircraft Charter (South Australia) Cessna 550 Citation II bizjet VH-ZLE was also noted visiting Rockhampton Airport.  It looked to arrive from Brisbane.

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After around 90 minutes on the ground, VH-ZLE departed Rockhampton Airport and returned to its Brisbane base.

Meanwhile, another trio of bizjets noted around the region, also on Monday 29 June, included Australian Country Choice Properties (Brisbane) Cessna 560 Citation V Encore bizjet VH-ACC departing Dooloogarah Station for Archerfield.  It had arrived there on the weekend.

At Mackay Airport, also on Monday 29 June,  the Queensland Police Service (Airwing) (State of Queensland) Cessna 560 Citation Ultra bizjet VH-PSU popped in, arriving from Brisbane and departing to Cairns.

While the often visiting American-registered Eclipse EA500 bizjet N257AK was noted arriving into the Whitsunday Airport at Shute Harbour from Archerfield.

UPDATE!  On Thursday 2 July, N257AK flew from the Whitsunday Airport back to Archerfield.

Meanwhile, also noted visiting Rockhampton Airport, also on Monday 29 June, was Brisbane-based Piper PA-31 Navajo VH-DEQ.  It arrived from Archerfield and departed to Collinsville Airport.

At the time of writing, VH-DEQ was due to return to Rockhampton Airport on Tuesday 30 June, flying back to Archerfield from Collinsville Airport.

While slightly smaller still, Flight Training Adelaide (FTA) / Qantas Group Pilot Academy Diamond DA-40 Stars VH-PQS and VH-ENE were also noted visiting Rockhampton Airport, also on Monday 29 June.  They both arrived from their Toowoomba-Wellcamp base via Bundaberg Airport and later departed back to Wellcamp.

Finally, a few other light General Avation (GA) aircraft also noted around the region also on Monday 29 June included FKG Air (Redjet Aviation) Hawker Beechcraft B200GT VH-FKB at Mackay Airport.  While at Emerald Airport, Flight One (Services) Beech B200 King Air VH-FON visited from Archerfield.  And Pilatus PC-12/47E VH-AAC departed to Archerfield after looking to arrive from there on Sunday 28 June.

Photo taken by Lloyd Fox  ©

LifeFlight (Aeromed) Bombardier Challenger 604 Bizjet VH-URR "Ambulance 604" Pops into Mackay and Emerald Airports Overnight

Very late on Saturday 27 June, LifeFlight (Aeromed) Bombardier Challenger 604 bizjet VH-URR "Ambulance 604" was noted arriving into Mackay Airport from Townsville.

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After some time on the ground, and now in the wee small hours of Sunday 28 June, VH-URR "Ambulance 604" departed Mackay Airport for Emerald Airport.  It then later departed to Brisbane.

Of interest, VH-URR "Ambulance 604" later returned to the air, departing Brisbane for Winton and then Townsville.

Australian Maritime Safety Authority (AMSA) (Cobham SAR Services Pty Ltd) Bombardier Challenger 604 Bizjet VH-XND "Rescue 660" Pops into Rockhampton Airport

A search and rescue mission in the region on Saturday 27 June 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 during the late afternoon.  It was noted flying as "Rescue 660" and had come down from Cairns to coordinate the search which appeared to be off the coast South of Gladstone.

After refuelling, VH-XND "Rescue 660" is pictured departing Rockhampton Airport for the search zone.  It eventually returned to Cairns.

Of interest, three helicopters that were noted also participating in the search and rescue mission included LifeFlight Rescue Bell 412EP VH-XCY as "Rescue 522" and a pair of McDermott Aviation / Heli-Lift Australia Aerospatiale / Eurocopter AS365 Dauphin helicopters N38MD and N365JL.  All three choppers looked to stage out of Bundaberg Airport.

UPDATE!  VH-XND "Rescue 660" was back on the search on Tuesday 30 June, along with VH-XCY "Rescue 522".

Finally, also on Saturday 27 June, it appeared that Surveillance Australia / Australian Border Force (ABF) Cobham Aviation-operated Dash-8-200 VH-ZZC "Borderforce 33" was inbound to Rockhampton Airport at the completion of a sortie.

UPDATE!  VH-ZZC was noted parked at Rockhampton Airport late on Sunday 28 June.

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

All photos taken by Michael Malick  ©

Cessna Citation Bizjets VH-VDF and VH-ING Call into Proserpine (Whitsunday Coast) Airport - Plus More!

On Saturday 27 June, a couple of nice Cessna Citation bizjets were noted visiting Prosperine (Whitsunday Coast) Airport.

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Jetstream Aviation (Emprja P/L) Cessna 550 Citation II VH-VDF was noted arriving into Proserpine (Whitsunday Coast) Airport from its Sunshine Coast base.  After a short time on the ground, VH-VDF then returned to the Sunny Coast.

VH-VDF also visited Prosie earlier in the week on Tuesday 23 June - see Blog post below.

While AAA Aircraft / Flight Options (Australia) Cessna 650 Citation VII bizjet VH-ING also touched down at Proserpine (Whitsunday Coast) Airport but from the Gold Coast.  It too departed a short time later, but it headed to Sydney.

Meanwhile, in the wee small hours of Saturday 27 June, Corporate Aircraft Charter (South Australia) Cessna 550 Citation II bizjet VH-ZLE was noted visiting Rockhampton Airport.  It arrived from and later departed back to Brisbane.

Finally, also on Saturday 27 June, Australian Country Choice Properties (Brisbane) Cessna 560 Citation V Encore bizjet VH-ACC was noted arriving into Dooloogarah Station from Archerfield.

UPDATE!  On Monday 29 June, VH-ACC returned to Archerfield.

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

LifeFlight (Aeromed) Canadair Challenger 604 Bizjet VH-OFC "Ambulance 634" Pops into Longreach Airport

On Friday 26 June, LifeFlight (Aeromed) recently acquired Canadair CL-600-2B16 Challenger 604 bizjet VH-OFC "Ambulance 634" was noted visiting Longreach Airport.  It arrived from Townsville and Brisbane.

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After a short time on the ground, VH-OFC "Ambulance 634" departed Longreach Airport for Townsville.

LifeFlight (Aeromed) Canadair Challenger 604 Bizjet VH-OFB "Ambulance 624" Calls into Emerald and Rockhampton Airports

On Friday 26 June, LifeFlight (Aeromed) Canadair CL-600-2B16 Challenger 604 bizjet VH-OFB "Ambulance 624" was back in Central Queensland yet again this week, this time noted arriving into Emerald Airport from Brisbane.

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After some time on the ground, VH-OFB "Ambulance 624" departed Emerald Airport and flew across to Rockhampton Airport.

After a over an hour time on the ground at Rocky, the Challenger 604 departed Rockhampton Airport and returned to Brisbane.

Photo taken by Michael Malick  ©️

Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) Boeing B737-7ES / E-7A Wedgetail A30-002 Missed Approach at Hervey Bay (Fraser Coast) Airport

On Friday 26 June, Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) Boeing B737-7ES / E-7A Wedgetail Airborne Early Warning & Control (AEW&C) aircraft - A30-002 - was noted completing a missed approach at Hervey Bay (Fraser Coast) Airport.

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A30-002 was flying as "Wedgetail 15" and looked to fly up from RAAF Base Williamtown near Newcastle in New South Wales, to Hervey Bay where it then completed its airwork.  A30-002 then continued further North and landed at Townsville for just over an hour.  It then flew back South directly to Williamtown.

Meanwhile, also on Friday 26 June, an unidentified Australian Army NH Industries MRH-90 Multi-Role Helicopter as "Destrier 127" was noted completing airwork at Proserpine (Whitsunday Coast) Airport while on a flight out of and back to Townsville.

Photo taken by 'IAD'  ©

Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) Boeing C-17A Globemaster III A41-207 "Stallion 73" Pops into Rockhampton Airport

On Thursday 25 June, Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) Boeing C-17A Globemaster III A41-207 was spotted completing airwork before actually touching down for a short time at Rockhampton Airport.

It was heard to be flying as "Stallion 73" and originally departed from RAAF Base Amberley.  It flew to Taroom Airport where it also completed airwork including a missed approach before flying up to Rocky.  Once in the area, the C-17 completed a missed approach before having to hold for a short time prior to touching down on Rockhampton Airport's Runway 15.

A41-207 parked on the main Taxiway Juliette before taxiing out and departing Rockhampton Airport back to Amberley.

Meanwhile, also on Thursday 25 June, it appears that RAAF Alenia C-27J Spartan battlefield airlifter A34-006 "Wallaby 02" may have completed airwork around Maryborough and Hervey Bay while on a flight out of and back to Amberley.

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

All photos taken by Kayanne Hardsman  ©

Mitchell Water Cessna 525 Citation M2 Bizjet VH-WMY Calls into Central Queensland Airports incl. Labona Station Airstrip

On Thursday 25 June, Mitchell Water Cessna 525 Citation M2 bizjet VH-WMY was noted visiting various Central Queensland Airports during a busy day of flying.

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VH-WMY looked to depart Melbourne (Essendon) for the Labona Station Airstrip which is located within the Carmichael Coal Mine site.  It then flew down to Emerald Airport before heading to Mildura, Yarrawonga and Melbourne (Moorabbin), all in Victoria.

UPDATE!  On Friday 26 June, VH-WMY returned to Labona from Moorabbin before then flying into Barcaldine Aerodrome.  It then returned South to Swan Hill, Echuca and Moorabbin.

Machjet (Machjet International) Cessna 525 Citation CJ1 Bizjet VH-SIY Pops into Rockhampton Airport - Plus More!

Early on Thursday 25 June, Machjet (Machjet International) Cessna 525 Citation CJ1 bizjet VH-SIY was spotted on short finals for Rockhampton Airport after flying up from the Sunshine Coast and the Gold Coast.

After a short time on the ground, it appears that VH-SIY departed to Archerfield.

Of interest, VH-SIY then flew up to Cairns and then back to the Sunshine Coast.

Also on Thursday 25 June, Tisdall Aviation (Flight One) Beech 58 Baron VH-PRG was noted also visiting Rockhampton Airport.  It looked to arrive from and later depart back to its Archerfield base.

Meanwhile, up at Mackay Airport, also on Thursday 25 June, FKG Air (Redjet Aviation) Hawker Beechcraft B200GT VH-FKB was noted visiting Mackay Airport from its Toowoomba base.  While NQ Goldfields Cessna U206G Stationair also visited Mackay Airport but from its Charters Towers base.

Finally, down at Gladstone Airport, also on Thursday 25 June, McDermott Aviation / Heli-Lift Australia Aerospatiale 365N2 Dauphin 2 helicopter N366SR was noted visiting briefly after flying up the coast from Noosa.  It looked to continue further North to Proserpine (Whitsunday Coast) Airport.

All photos taken by Kayanne Hardsman  ©