American-Registered Eclipse EA500 Bizjet N257AK Back at the Whitsunday Airport at Shute Harbour for its Weekly Visit

Now a weekly visitor - and quite possibly not worth reporting any more (?) - on Monday 31 August, the often visiting American-registered Eclipse EA500 bizjet N257AK was noted arriving back into the Whitsunday Airport at Shute Harbour from Archerfield.  The sleek little corporate bizjet is reportedly based at Archerfield.

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UPDATE!  N257AK returned to Archerfield on Thursday 3 September.

Meanwhile, also noted arriving into the Whitsunday Airport at Shute Harbour, but on Sunday 30 August, was American-registered (but Australian-based) SOCATA TBM 700 N700RU.  It looked to arrive from Mareeba.

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N700RU had arrived into Far North Queensland last Thursday 27 August.

UPDATE!  On Friday 4 September, N700RU departed the Whitsunday Airport at Shute Harbour and returned to Archerfield.

And as posted below, at Proserpine (Whitsunday Coast) Airport, also on Sunday 30 August, Gulf Aircraft Cessna 680 Citation Sovereign bizjet VH-PYN was noted departing to Brisbane.  It had arrived into Prosie from there on Friday 28 August.

Finally, at Rockhampton Airport, also on Monday 31 August, Austrek Aviation Beech B200 King Air VH-WXO made another visit, this time arriving from Toowoomba and Archerfield before later departing direct to Toowoomba.

While further out West, on Saturday 29 August, Cairns-based Cessna 206 VH-SQX was noted passing through Emerald Airport while flying from Innisfail to Roma Airport.  It was then spotted below passing through Longreach Airport on Sunday 30 August while flying back from Roma Airport to Innisfail via Charleville and Longreach Airports.

Photos taken by Lee Holloway and Greg Weir  ©

Qantas / QantasLink Boeing B717-200 VH-YQS Spotted at Rockhampton Airport

On Monday 31 August, Qantas / QantasLink looked to increase seat capacity into Rockhampton Airport quite substantially with the re-introduction of services into the beef capital by their Boeing B717-200 aircraft.

As shown, B717-200 VH-YQS had the honour of operating the QJE1794/5 service arriving from and later departing back to Brisbane.

The arrival of the 110-seat two-class or 125-seat all economy aircraft seems to come on top of already existing QantasLink Dash-8-Q400 flights to Rockhampton Airport also from the capital.  The daily Dash-8-Q400 flight from Townsville and Mackay Airports also looks to be continuing.

At the time of writing, it appears that two visits by B717-200 jets are planned into Rockhampton Airport from and back to Brisbane on Tuesday 1 September.

Of interest, this is the first time since June 2018 that QantasLink B717-200s have operated into Rockhampton Airport on scheduled services.

Meanwhile, as had been speculated in recent days, QantasLink is to close its Boeing B717-200 bases in Cairns and Perth and instead centralise its operations in Melbourne.

The move will cost more than 160 local jobs but create 100 new positions in the Victorian capital.  It will also see eight Boeing B717-200 aircraft relocate from Perth to Brisbane, with a further six to operate out of Melbourne – where there were previously no B717-200 aircraft operating!

Melbourne operations will also include up to three Dash-8-Q300 turboprops, while three larger Dash-8-Q400 turboprops will be moved from Melbourne to Sydney and Brisbane.

As also noted back in May this year, Qantas acquired National Jet Systems off Cobham Aviation Services, and effectively took 20 Boeing B717-200 aircraft back in-house, to be operated by its QantasLink regional subsidiary.

Cobham Aviation Services had previously operated the fleet for 15 years on behalf of QantasLink.

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  ©

Link Airways (Corporate Air / Vee H Aviation) SAAB 340B VH-VEF Spotted at Emerald Airport in New Colours!

Early on Monday 31 August, recently re-painted and re-branded Link Airways (Corporate Air / Vee H Aviation) SAAB 340B VH-VEF was spotted visiting Emerald Airport.  It was making one of the two weekly visits completing a Fly-in Fly-out (FIFO) charter flight from Brisbane.

VH-VEF then departed to Mackay Airport before returning to Brisbane.

VH-VEF also looked to call into Moranbah Airport on another FIFO charter flight also on Monday 31 August.

Fly Corporate Air was re-branded at Link Airways earlier in August.  The airline's website is https://www.linkairways.com/

All photos taken by 'AC'  ©

RAAF Boeing B737-7ES / E-7A Wedgetail A30-001 Completes a Missed Approach at Hervey Bay (Fraser Coast) Airport

Another day, another visit - the fourth by this airframe in just over a week!

On Monday 31 August, Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) Boeing B737-7ES / E-7A Wedgetail Airborne Early Warning & Control (AEW&C) aircraft A30-001 was noted completing airwork at Hervey Bay (Fraser Coast) Airport.

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On this occasion, the Wedgetail flew up from RAAF Base Williamtown via a missed approach at the Gold Coast to complete a missed approach at Hervey Bay Airport.  A30-001 then returned South and completed a missed approach at Coffs Harbour before then continuing back to Williamtown.

Meanwhile, on Sunday 30 August,  Australian Army Boeing CH-47F 'Foxtrot' Chinook helicopter A15-306 was noted also completing airwork at Hervey Bay (Fraser Coast) Airport.  It was flying as "Brahman 357" and later departed to the Sunshine Coast.

As posted below, A15-306 has been joined by fellow Chinooks A15-308 and A15-310 in completing exercises out of RAAF Base Amberley.  Each passed through Rockhampton Airport in recent days - see Blog posts below!

Photo taken by Lloyd Fox  ©

LifeFlight (Aeromed) Canadair Challenger 604 Bizjets VH-OFA & VH-OFC Pop into CQ Airports

In the wee small hours of Monday 31 August, LifeFlight (Aeromed) Canadair CL-600-2B16 Challenger 604 bizjet VH-OFA "Ambulance 614" was noted visiting Mackay Airport.

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It arrived from Townsville and later departed to Brisbane before then returning to Townsville where it appears to be based.

UPDATE!  Just after this post was published, very late on Monday 31 August, VH-OFA "Ambulance 614" was back in CQ, visiting Rockhampton Airport, arriving from and later departing back to Townsville with it heading home in the wee small hours of Tuesday 1 September.

Meanwhile, late on Sunday 30 August, fellow LifeFlight (Aeromed) Canadair CL-600-2B16 Challenger 604 bizjet VH-OFC "Ambulance 634" was noted visiting Emerald Airport.  It arrived from and later departed back to Brisbane.

Photo taken by 'JM'  ©️

Gulf Coast Aviation Cessna 510 Citation Mustang Bizjet VH-KXM Pops into Rockhampton Airport

Late on Friday 28 August, Gulf Coast Aviation Cessna 510 Citation Mustang bizjet VH-KXM was noted arriving into Rockhampton Airport.  It looked to arrive from the Sunshine Coast, Townsville and Maramie (Dorunda).

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UPDATE!  On Sunday 30 August, VH-KXM departed Rockhampton Airport and flew to Emerald Airport before continuing up to Dorunda.

Meanwhile, on Saturday 29 August, Cessna 208 Caravan VH-WDE popped in from Bowen Airport before it then departed to Archerfield.

While on Friday 28 August, another Cessna 208 Caravan VH-DJG also called into Rockhampton Airport from Archerfield and Natal Downs.

UPDATE!  On Sunday 30 August, VH-DJG departed Rockhampton Airport and returned to Natal Downs and Archerfield.

Photos taken by Russell Prothero and James Kirk  ©

Vanguard Aviation Cessna 525 CitationJet1 Bizjet VH-DAA Arrives into Hamilton Island Airport - Plus More!

On Saturday 29 August, Vanguard Aviation Cessna 525 CitationJet1 bizjet VH-DAA was noted arriving into Hamilton Island Airport. It looked to touch down from its Archerfield base.

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

UPDATE!  On Tuesday 1 September, VH-DAA departed Hamilton Island Airport and returned to Archerfield.

Meanwhile, also on Saturday 29 August, Graham Aviation (Cairns) Cessna 510 Citation Mustang bizjet VH-FNI was noted passing through Hamilton Island Airport.  It arrived from the Sunshine Coast and departed to Cairns and Mareeba.

It appears that the now hard-to-track Citation headed South, also via Hamilton Island Airport, on Friday 28 August.

Photo taken by Lloyd Fox  ©

Former Virgin Australia ATR 72-500s VH-FVU & VH-FVI Spotted at Cairns Airport in FlyBig (India) Livery Plus Indian Registration Markings

Recently spotted at Cairns Airport by local plane spotter Jonathon W has been a pair of former Virgin Australia ATR 72-500s VH-FVU & VH-FVI now wearing the titles and livery of a new Indian-based regional airline FlyBig. They also appear to have been re-registered – although at the time of writing, they have not yet been struck off the Australian Aircraft register.

On Thursday 13 August, former VH-FVU was photographed now wearing the Indian Registration marking of VT-FBB, as well as the FlyBig titles and livery.

On Thursday 27 August, former VH-FVI was photographed now wearing the Indian Registration marking of VT-FBA, as well as the FlyBig titles and livery.

At the time of writing, both aircraft remain in Cairns. They had arrived there from storage in Nelson, New Zealand, via Brisbane, back during January and February this year.

UPDATES!

In September, VH-FVI/VT-FBA was photographed again wearing its Australian Registration marking as it completed some test flights out of and back to Cairns. 

VH-FVI then departed Australia on Friday 9 October and has entered storage at Rajiv Gandhi International Airport at Hyderabad in India. The next week, VH-FVI was officially struck off the Australian Aircraft register and placed on the Indian Aircraft register as VT-FBA. 

 VT-FBA launched services as the long aircraft in the FlyBig fleet on Sunday 3 January 2021.

In December, VH-FVU/VT-FBB was photographed again wearing its Australian Registration marking and seems to have been now not taken up by FlyBig with the ATR again in storage at Cairns.

All photos taken by Jonathan Williams  ©

RAAF Boeing B737-7ES / E-7A Wedgetail A30-001 Completes a Missed Approach at Rockhampton Airport - Third Visit to CQ This Week!

On Friday 28 August, and for the third time this week, Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) Boeing B737-7ES / E-7A Wedgetail Airborne Early Warning & Control (AEW&C) aircraft A30-001 was noted completing airwork at a Central Queensland Airport.

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On this occasion, the Wedgetail flew up from RAAF Base Williamtown via a missed approach at the Sunshine Coast to complete a missed approach at Rockhampton Airport.  A30-001 then returned South from Rocky and landed at RAAF Base Amberley for a short time before continuing back to Williamtown.

This is the third time that A30-001 has come up to CQ having completed airwork around Hervey Bay (Fraser Coast) Airport earlier in the week.

Meanwhile, one military movement that escaped our attention was on Thursday 27 August with an unknown Australian Army Eurocopter (ARH) Tiger Armed Reconnaissance Helicopter appearing to call into Longreach Airport.  It looked to arrive from Oakey and depart to Mount Isa and seemed to be flying as "Vandal 28". 

On Friday 28 August, the Tiger "Vandal 28" looked to continue from Mount Isa to Robertson Barracks at Darwin in the Northern Territory.

Photo taken by Lloyd Fox  ©

Gulf Aircraft (Brisbane) Cessna 680 Citation Sovereign Bizjet VH-PYN Arrives into Proserpine (Whitsunday Coast) Airport

On Friday 28 August, Gulf Aircraft Cessna 680 Citation Sovereign bizjet VH-PYN was noted arriving into Proserpine (Whitsunday Coast) Airport.  It looked to fly up from Brisbane.

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At the time of writing it appears to be staying at Prosie for at least the night.

UPDATE!  On Sunday 30 August, VH-PYN departed Proserpine (Whitsunday Coast) Airport and returned to Brisbane.

Photo taken by Kayanne Hardsman  ©

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

During the afternoon on Friday 28 August, LifeFlight (Aeromed) Canadair CL-600-2B16 Challenger 604 bizjet VH-OFC "Ambulance 634" was noted visiting Mackay Airport.  It arrived from Brisbane.

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After a short time on the ground, VH-OFC "Ambulance 634" departed Mackay Airport and returned to Brisbane.

Photo taken by Steve Vit  ©️

Agair Logistics P/L Rockwell Turbo Commander 690B VH-LVG "Birddog 273" Arrives into Bundaberg Airport

During the afternoon on Thursday 27 August, Agair Logistics P/L Rockwell Turbo Commander 690B VH-LVG was noted arriving into Bundaberg Airport from Kerang in Victoria.  It was heard to be using the radio callsign of "Birddog 273".

This aircraft appears to have arrived into Bundy to provide airborne support for the recently arrived Canadian-based Conair Aerial Firefighting Dash-8-Q400MR C-FFQE which will reportedly be based at Bundaberg Airport during this coming bushfire season.

Of interest, the "Birddog" aircraft are used of the coordination of the firebombing aircraft and are usually light fixed-wing aircraft.

Meanwhile, spotted arriving into Bundaberg Airport but on Tuesday 25 August was Easternwell Beech B200C VH-HPP.  It looked to touch down from its Toowoomba base via the Sunshine Coast.  VH-HPP looked to bring firefighting personnel and some equipment into Bundaberg.

VH-HPP departed Bundaberg Airport on Wednesday 26 August and looked to return to the Sunshine Coast and then Toowoomba.

Sincere thanks once again to Dan B from Dan Beck Photography for allowing us to share these great photos!

All photos taken by Dan B  ©

LifeFlight (Aeromed) Canadair Challenger 604 Bizjet VH-OFA "Ambulance 614" Pops into Mackay Airport - Twice! - UPDATED!

During the afternoon on Thursday 27 August, LifeFlight (Aeromed) Canadair CL-600-2B16 Challenger 604 bizjet VH-OFA "Ambulance 614" was noted visiting Mackay Airport.  It looked to arrive from Townsville.

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After over an hour on the ground, VH-OFA "Ambulance 614" was noted departing Mackay Airport for the Gold Coast.

UPDATE!  After spending some time at the Gold Coast, VH-OFA "Ambulance 614" was due to fly to Townsville but diverted back into Mackay Airport before eventually continuing to Townsville now in the wee small hours of Friday 28 August.

Meanwhile, as this post is being prepared, late on Thursday 27 August, Corporate Aircraft Charter (South Australia) Cessna 550 Citation II bizjet VH-ZLE has called into Barcaldine Airport.  It looked to arrive from and is now heading back to its Brisbane base.

Photo taken by 'JM'  ©

Toowoomba Based Pilatus PC-12/45 VH-PID at CQ Airports This Week - Plus More!

As mentioned below, on Monday 24 August, Pilatus PC-12/45 VH-PID arrived into Rockhampton Airport from its Toowoomba base.  On Wednesday 26 August, it completed a return flight to Longreach Airport and back to Rocky.  Then on Thursday 27 August, it was spotted below departing Rockhampton Airport and returning to Toowoomba.

Also at Rockhampton Airport, also on Thursday 27 August, Seair Pacific (Istlecote) Textron Aviation (Cessna) 208B Caravan VH-TLH was noted departing on a Fly-in Fly-out (FIFO) charter flight to Wanella Station Airstrip near Coppabella.  It then flew down from Wanella to Maryborough and Hervey Bay (Fraser Coast) Airports.  VH-TLH had made an early arrival into Rockhampton Airport from Hervey Bay on Wednesday 26 August.

While also on Wednesday 26 August, fellow Seair Pacific / Istelcote De Havilland DHC-6-100 Twin Otter VH-BVS was yet again noted at Rockhampton Airport operating the weekly Fly-in Fly-out (FIFO) closed charter flight from the Gold Coast and Brisbane to Rocky then up to Collinsville Aerodrome and Townsville.  As usual, VH-BVS later returned South over the same route.

Finally, out West, also on Wednesday 26 August, Vanderfield Pilatus PC-12/47 VH-WPH was noted visiting Emerald Airport from Toowoomba and Archerfield.  While Brisbane-based Piper PA-31-350 VH-RPV flew into the Labona Station Airstrip within Adani Australia's Carmichael Coal Mine site from Archerfield before departing back there via Emerald Airport.

And the Queensland Government Airwing (State of Queensland) Raytheon B300 Super King Air VH-SGQ looked to arrive into my local Clermont Aerodrome from Brisbane, also on Thursday 27 August.  It is due to return to Brisbane on Friday 28 August.

While Brescon (Toowoomba) Beech B200 King Air VH-WXN also flew into my local Clermont Aerodrome but from Toowoomba-Wellcamp before then continuing to Labona on Wednesday 26 August.  It returned direct to Wellcamp early on Thursday 27 August.

Photo taken by Steve Vit  ©

Australian Army Boeing CH-47F 'Foxtrot' Chinook Helicopter A15-310 Spotted at Rockhampton Airport

On Thursday 27 August, Australian Army Boeing CH-47F 'Foxtrot' Chinook helicopter A15-310 was photographed departing Rockhampton Airport.  It looked to have earlier arrived from Townsville and was heard to be using the radio callsign of "Madcow 369".

After taking on fuel, A15-310 departed to RAAF Base Amberley.

Of interest, also on Thursday 27 August, fellow Australia Army CH-47F 'Foxtrot' Chinook helicopters A15-306 and A15-308, which flew South to Amberley also via Rockhampton Airport at the start of the week - see Blog post below - were photographed completing exercises over Brisbane.  They also looked to land at the Sunshine Coast Airport on Wednesday 26 August.

They were reported to be flying as "Chainsaw 12".

Photos taken by Steve Vit and Rhys Cheng  ©

RAAF Boeing B737-7ES / E-7A Wedgetail A30-001 Completes a Missed Approach at Hervey Bay (Fraser Coast) Airport

On Wednesday 26 August, Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) Boeing B737-7ES / E-7A Wedgetail Airborne Early Warning & Control (AEW&C) aircraft A30-001 was noted completing a missed approach at Hervey Bay (Fraser Coast) Airport.

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It looked to earlier fly up from RAAF Base Williamtown to RAAF Base Amberley.  From there, it then flew up to complete the missed approach at Hervey Bay Airport before returning to Williamtown via another missed approach at the Sunshine Coast.

Photo taken by Lloyd Fox  ©

Other Bizjets and Light General Aviation (GA) Aircraft Also Pop into CQ Airports

There were a few nice corporate bizjets and other light General Aviation (GA) visitors to CQ Airports on Tuesday 25 August.

Brisbane-based Teys Australia Cessna 525 Citation CJ2 bizjet VH-TEY was noted arriving into Hamilton Island Airport from Archerfield.  It departed back a short time later.

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While Mackellar Mining Equipment / Flight Options (Australia) Cessna 560 Citation Ultra bizjet VH-MMC was noted back in CQ once again, arriving into Emerald Airport once again from its Sunshine Coast base.

UPDATE!  On Wednesday 26 August, VH-MMC departed Emerald Airport and returned to the Sunny Coast.

And LifeFlight (Aeromed) Canadair CL-600-2B16 Challenger 604 bizjet VH-OFA "Ambulance 614" was noted visiting Mackay Airport.  It arrived from Townsville and departed to Brisbane before later returning to Townsville.

Meanwhile, also at Mackay Airport, also on Tuesday 25 August, Brisbane-based Bishopp Aviation SOCATA TBM-700 VH-VSV arrived from Archerfield and Townsville.

UPDATE!  On Thursday 27 August, VH-VSV departed Mackay Airport and returned to Archerfield.

Finally, of the light GA aircraft, a pair of Orange-based (New South Wales) aircraft in the form of Piper PA-28-151 Cherokee Warrior VH-DDI and Raytheon A36 Bonanza VH-YGM both arrived from there into Rockhampton Airport.

While Great Western Aviation Beech B200 King Air VH-XGV visited my local Clermont Aerodrome from Brisbane.

Photo taken by Greg Weir  ©

Queensland Government Airwing (State of Queensland) Aircraft - Raytheon Hawker 850XP Bizjet VH-SGY and Raytheon B300 Super King Air VH-SGQ - Both Call into CQ Airports

Before dawn on Tuesday 25 August, the Queensland Government Airwing (State of Queensland) Hawker 850XP bizjet VH-SGY was noted arriving into Mackay Airport from Brisbane.

Then, during the middle part of the morning, VH-SGY returned to Brisbane.

Meanwhile, also on Tuesday 25 August, fellow Queensland Government Airwing (State of Queensland) Raytheon B300 Super King Air VH-SGQ was noted visiting Gladstone Airport.  It also arrived from and later departed back to Brisbane.

Finally, also on Tuesday 25 August, the Queensland Police Service (Airwing) (State of Queensland) Cessna 208 Caravan VH-PSQ was back at Rockhampton Airport again for the second day-in-a-row.  It was later departing to Brisbane.

Photo taken by 'JM'  ©

FlyPelican (Pelican Airlines) BAe Jetstream 32 VH-NTL Calls into Rockhampton Airport on FIFO Duties

On Tuesday 25 August, FlyPelican (Pelican Airlines) British Aerospace BAe Jetstream 3206 (Jetstream 32) turboprop aircraft VH-NTL was noted arriving into Rockhampton Airport from Newcastle (Williamtown) as PE999.

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It looked to then operate the recently started Fly-in Fly-out (FIFO) charter flight from Rockhampton Airport to Julia Creek as PE998.  VH-NTL then continued to Hughenden and has just returned to Rockhampton Airport as PE999.

At the time of writing, VH-NTL is expected to depart Rockhampton Airport and return to Williamtown early on Wednesday 26 August.

Meanwhile, fellow FlyPelican (Pelican Airlines) British Aerospace BAe Jetstream 3206 (Jetstream 32) turboprop aircraft VH-OTQ appears to be still parked at Rockhampton Airport and has presumably suffered a maintenance issue.

Finally, also on Tuesday 25 August, Regional Express (REX) SAAB 340B VH-ZRN also popped into Rockhampton Airport from Brisbane but as RXA9882.  It then departed to Richmond as RXA9282.  VH-ZRN then returned to Brisbane but as RXA9883.

Photo taken by Jayden Laing  ©

RAAF KC-30 A39-001 "Dragon 23" and E-7A Wedgetail A30-001 "Wedgetail 04" Complete Airwork at CQ Airports

On Tuesday 25 August, Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) Airbus A330-203 / KC-30A (MRTT) A39-001 was noted completing a missed approach at Rockhampton Airport.

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It initially looked to fly up from RAAF Base Amberley to Cairns where it landed for a short time.  A39-001 then returned South to Rocky to complete the airwork.  It then returned to Amberley.

A39-001 was heard to be flying as "Dragon 23".

Meanwhile, also on Tuesday 25 August, RAAF Boeing B737-7ES / E-7A Wedgetail Airborne Early Warning & Control (AEW&C) aircraft A30-001 was noted completing a missed approach at Hervey Bay (Fraser Coast) Airport.

The Wedgetail flew up from RAAF Base Williamtown and completed a missed approach at Coffs Harbour before continuing to Hervey Bay.  After completing the airwork, A30-001 returned to Williamtown.

A30-001 was heard to be flying as "Wedgetail 04".

Photo taken by Scott Harris  ©

Conair Aerial Firefighting Dash-8-Q400MR C-FFQE Arrives into Bundaberg Airport for Bushfire Season

With yet another hot and dry Summer almost upon us, the Australia-wide aerial bush firefighting fleet is already starting to take shape with Canadian-based Conair Aerial Firefighting Dash-8-Q400MR C-FFQE photographed arriving into Bundaberg Airport from Brisbane late on Monday 25 August.

There are reports that the large air tanker will be based at Bundaberg Airport and operated by the Queensland Fire and Emergency Services (QFES) for the season to potentially help fight fires across the state.  Indeed as these photos show, the modified Dash-8-Q400MR had been adorned in QFES and Queensland Government logos and stickers.

Bundaberg Regional Council Mayor Jack Dempsey recently highlighted the facilities at Bundaberg Airport, that the QFES utilised in past fire seasons as just one reason why a Large Air Tanker could be based the Rum city.

Crews set a record for the most water bombers filled in one day during the last bushfire season with a total of 114 plane loads of water and foam leaving Bundaberg Airport at the height of the Gregory River fires in December last year.

And as the official bushfire season gets underway in Queensland, emergency service personnel were also seen recently learning new skills in the Airbase Operator Course also at Bundaberg Airport.  Members of Queensland Fire and Rescue, Queensland Rural Fire Service and State Emergency Service hit the tarmac at Bundaberg Airport for extensive training in an Airbase Operator Course.

Meanwhile, the Conair Dash-8-Q402MR, C-FFQE (msn 4325), arrived into Bundaberg Airport all the way from its Abbotsford base in Canada via stops in Oakland, Honolulu, Majuro, Honiara and Brisbane where it cleared customs.  The Dash-8 was originally built in 2011 and was acquired by Conair early in 2020 and converted to a fire bomber.  Its maximum tank capacity is around 10,000 litres (2,642 US gallons).

Sincere thanks to Dan B from Dan Beck Photography for allowing us to share these great photos!

All photos taken by Dan B  ©

A Couple of Light General Aviation (GA) Aircraft Also Spotted at Rockhampton Airport

Also spotted during a busy Monday 24 August at Rockhampton Airport was a pair of Flight Training Adelaide (FTA) / Qantas Group Pilot Academy Diamond DA-40 Star training aircraft.

As shown, VH-YTU and VH-YTR popped into Rockhampton Airport from their Toowoomba-Wellcamp base via missed approaches at the Sunshine Coast and Hervey Bay (Fraser Coast) Airports.  They then returned to Wellcamp.

Meanwhile, the Queensland Police Service (Airwing) (State of Queensland) Cessna 208 Caravan VH-PSQ was spotted departing Rockhampton Airport.  It looked to arrive from the South and possibly completed a local flight before again departing Rocky and returning South.

And Pilatus PC-12/45 VH-PID also arrived into Rockhampton Airport from its Toowoomba base early on Monday 24 August.

Eurocopter EC130B4 VH-EHY of Avalon Aviation (Executive Helicopters) in Brisbane was also spotted visiting Rockhampton Airport, also on Monday 24 August.  It arrived from Hamilton Island and Mackay Airports before later departing to Bundaberg Airport and Archerfield.

It also visited Rockhampton Airport last Friday 21 August heading North to Hamo.

Also in the Whitsundays, also on Monday 24 August, the often visiting American-registered Eclipse EA500 bizjet N257AK was noted arriving into the Whitsunday Airport at Shute Harbour from Archerfield.

While on Sunday 23 August, Hinterland Aviation Beech B200 King Air VH-HLJ was noted departing (possibly) Hamilton Island Airport.

Finally, out West at Emerald Airport, Seair Pacific (Istlecote) Textron Aviation (Cessna) 208B Caravan VH-TLH  was noted passing through on both Saturday 22 August and Sunday 23 August while on a flight from Redcliffe to Richmond via Emerald Airport.

All photos taken by Steve Vit  ©

Australian Army Boeing CH-47F 'Foxtrot' Chinook Helicopters A15-306 & A15-308 Spotted at Rockhampton Airport

On Monday 24 August, a pair of Australian Army Boeing CH-47F 'Foxtrot' Chinook helicopters were spotted at Rockhampton Airport.

The two Chinooks were identified as A15-306 and A15-308 and are both operated by the Australian Army's 5th Aviation Regiment (5 Avn Regt) 'C' Squadron based at Townsville.  They were noted to have flown together into Rocky from Townsville using the radio callsign of "Chainsaw".

After taking on fuel, both Chinooks departed separately from Rockhampton Airport for RAAF Base Amberley.

A15-306 departed as "Madcow 359" while A15-308 was photographed departing as "Brahman 309".

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

All photos taken by Steve Vit  ©