LifeFlight (Aeromed) Canadair Challenger 604 Bizjet VH-OFC "Ambulance 634" Pops into Rockhampton and Bundaberg Airports

Another day, and yet another couple of visits to the region by LifeFlight (Aeromed) Canadair CL-600-2B16 Challenger 604 bizjet VH-OFC "Ambulance 634" which was this time noted visiting both Rockhampton and Bundaberg Airports on Wednesday 30 September during a busy afternoon of flying.

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It looked to initially arrive into Rockhampton Airport from Townsville and then later depart to Bundaberg Airport. The Challenger then flew down to Brisbane before returning North to Cairns and then Townsville.

Photo taken by Steve Vit ©️

Various Corporate Bizjets and Other Light General Aviation (GA) Call into Central Queensland Airports

On Wednesday 30 September, there was yet again another nice selection of Australian-based corporate bizjets and other light General Aviation (GA) aircraft to be noted calling into various Central Queensland Airports.

Mackellar Mining Equipment / Flight Options (Australia) Cessna 560 Citation Ultra bizjet VH-MMC was back in CQ and again visited Middlemount Aerodrome.  This time it arrived from the Sunshine Coast via a stop at Biloela / Thangool Airport.  VH-MMC returned home to the Sunny Coast again via Bilo later in the day.

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Further out West at Longreach Airport, Cloncurry-based Pilatus PC-12/47E VH-MDH arrived from Devoncourt Station and later departed to Archerfield.  While Diamond Aircraft Industries DA62 VH-DNU arrived from Archerfield and later departed to Darwin.

UPDATE!  On Thursday 1 October, VH-DNU was noted flying from Darwin to Bali (Denpasar) and Singapore (Seletar).

And Gold Coast-based Eurocopter AS 350 B2 VH-JSM arrived into Longreach Airport from Beenleigh (near Brisbane) via Gladstone and Emerald Airports.

At Labona Station Airstrip within Adani Australia's Carmichael Coal Mine site, Brescon (Toowoomba) Beech B200 King Air VH-WXN made its weekly arrival from Toowoomba-Wellcamp.  It is due to return to Wellcamp early on Thursday 1 October.

And Brisbane-based Piper PA-31 Navajo VH-DEQ also visited Labona, arriving from Archerfield and later returning there via Clermont Aerodrome.

While at Rockhampton Airport, Gulf Coast Aviation Cessna 510 Citation Mustang bizjet VH-KXM popped in.  It arrived from Sunshine Coast and then departed to Normanton and Maramie (Dorunda).

UPDATE!  On Saturday 3 October, VH-KXM arrived back into Rockhampton Airport from Dorunda and Mareeba.

Finally, up at Hamilton Island Airport, Brisbane-based Cessna T303 VH-TFA was noted departing to the Sunshine Coast.  It had arrived from Archerfield last Friday 25 September.

And South Australia-based Pilatus PC-24 jet VH-FGM was noted visiting.  It arrived from Adelaide and then departed to the Gold Coast before heading back to the South Australian capital.

Queensland Government Airwing Raytheon Hawker 850XP Bizjet VH-SGY Spotted at Moranbah Airport

On Tuesday 29 September, the Queensland Government Airwing (State of Queensland) Raytheon Hawker 850XP bizjet VH-SGY was spotted on the ground at Moranbah Airport.

It looked to have earlier arrived from Brisbane.

At the time of writing , it appeared that VH-SGY was staying for at least the night, although some reports suggest that VH-SGY had in fact planned a departure but cancelled that due to a technical problems.

UPDATE!  On Friday 2 October, VH-SGY finally departed Moranbah Airport and returned to Brisbane.

All photos taken by 'AC’ ©

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

Another day, another couple of visits to the region by LifeFlight (Aeromed) Canadair CL-600-2B16 Challenger 604 bizjet VH-OFC "Ambulance 634" which was this time noted visiting both Proserpine (Whitsunday Coast) and Mackay Airports on Tuesday 29 September during a busy day of flying.

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It looked to initially arrive into Proserpine Airport from Townsville and then later depart to Brisbane.  The Challenger then flew up to Mackay Airport before returning to Townsville a little while later.

Photo taken by Steve Vit  ©️

Maxem Aviation (WA) Cessna 560 Citation Encore Bizjet VH-MXD Calls into Emerald Airport

On Tuesday 29 September, Western Australia-based Maxem Aviation Cessna 560 Citation Encore bizjet VH-MXD was noted visiting Emerald Airport.

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It looked to arrive from Coober Pedy and Olympic Dam (both in Australia) before then departing to Coober Pedy and its Perth base.  VH-MXD looked to have flown across from the Western Australian capital on Sunday 27 September.

It also appeared that also on Tuesday 29 September, Gulf Aircraft Cessna 680 Citation Sovereign bizjet VH-PYN returned to CQ, touching down at Proserpine (Whitsunday Coast) Airport from Brisbane.  VH-PYN visited Hamilton Island Airport last week - see Blog posts below!

UPDATE!  On Friday 2 October, VH-PYN departed Prosie and returned to Brisbane.

Meanwhile up at my local Clermont Aerodrome, also on Tuesday 29 September, Great Western Aviation Beech B200 VH-XGV made its weekly visit, arriving from and later departing back to Brisbane.

Finally, up at Hamilton Island Airport, also on Tuesday 29 September, Poolhurst Aviation Air Charter Services Pilatus PC-24 jet VH- VTF flew up to Hamilton Island from Archerfield then flew down to Adelaide.

It also visited Hamo at the end of last week.

LifeFlight (Aeromed) Canadair Challenger 604 Bizjet VH-OFC "Ambulance 634" Pops into Rockhampton Airport - Plus More!

On Monday 28 September, LifeFlight (Aeromed) Canadair CL-600-2B16 Challenger 604 bizjet VH-OFC "Ambulance 634" was noted visiting Rockhampton Airport.

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It looked to have been an unscheduled arrival with flight tracking websites suggesting that the Challenger 'diverted' into Rockhampton Airport while on a flight from Townsville to Brisbane.

Indeed after some time on the ground, VH-OFC "Ambulance 634" departed Rockhampton Airport and continued to Brisbane.

Meanwhile, during the afternoon and evening also on Monday 28 September, Corporate Aircraft Charter (South Australia) Cessna 550 Citation II bizjet VH-ZLE was noted also visiting Rockhampton Airport.  It arrived from Brisbane and later departed to Longreach Airport before then returning to Rockhampton Airport and then Brisbane.

Photo taken by Steve Vit  ©️

Townsville Airlines Beech 1900D VH-RUE Pops into CQ Airports - Possibly on Qld Police Run

On Monday 28 September, Townsville Airlines Beech 1900D VH-RUE was noted visiting some Central Queensland Airports on what appears to be a flight on behalf of the Queensland Police Service.

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VH-RUE looked to arrive into Rockhampton Airport from Cairns and Townsville before it later departed to Brisbane. It then flew North to Mackay Airport before returning to Townsville and Cairns.

Of interest, VH-RUE operated a similar flight pattern last Friday 25 September, hence the possibility that it is now completing prison transfer flights on behalf of the Queensland Police Service.

Photo taken by Lloyd Fox  ©

Flight Training Adelaide (FTA) / Qantas Group Pilot Academy Diamond DA-40 Stars Pop into CQ Airports - Plus More!

On Sunday 27 September, several Flight Training Adelaide (FTA) / Qantas Group Pilot Academy Diamond DA-40 Star training aircraft were noted visiting some Central Queensland Airports, all flying out of their Toowoomba-Wellcamp Airport base.

https://www.qantas.com/

DA-40 Stars VH-PQS, VH-YTE, VH-YTK, VH-EQF and VH-YTU all flew into Gladstone Airport from Wellcamp.

They all later returned to Wellcamp with VH-PQS flying via Hervey Bay (Fraser Coast) Airport, VH-YTE and VH-YTK both returning via Bundaberg Airport, and VH-EQF and VH-YTU returning direct.

While fellow DA-40 Stars VH-YTJ and VH-PQR were noted also calling into Hervey Bay and Bundaberg Airports also on Sunday 27 September.

UPDATE!  On Monday 28 September, more DA-40 Stars were noted visiting the region - VH-ERE popped into Bundaberg Airport, VH-PQE and VH-YTU visited Hervey Bay (Fraser Coast) Airport and VH-YTJ visited Maryborough Airport.

As mentioned previously, these are some of several Diamond DA-40 Star training aircraft that operate out of Wellcamp with the Qantas Group’s new pilot academy which was officially launched in late January.  Some of the aircraft and have been noted completing airwork and calling into Central Queensland Airports in recent weeks.

The Pilot Academy has the capacity to train up to 250 pilots each year with Qantas reportedly hoping to build a long-term talent pipeline for the airline and its subsidiaries Jetstar and QantasLink plus the wider industry.

The first 34 students commenced training at the new facilities in early January on the single-engine Diamond DA40 and multi-engine DA42 aircraft.  100 students are expected to be in training by the end of 2020.

According to Qantas, the academy has the potential to train as many as 500 pilots each year across two locations including Toowoomba and Mackay – the preferred location for the second academy site.

Meanwhile, some other General Aviation (GA) aircraft and helicopters noted visiting CQ Airports also on Sunday 27 September, included Gulf Aircraft Cessna 680 Citation Sovereign bizjet VH-PYN which was noted departing Hamilton Island Airport for Brisbane.  It had arrived into Hamo from the capital on Wednesday 23 September.

While FKG Air (Redjet Aviation) Hawker Beechcraft B200GT VH-FKB visited Hamilton Island Airport once again, this time arriving from Toowoomba and later departing to Archerfield and then Toowoomba.

And American-registered but Australian-based Cirrus SR22T N931DW which looked to visit the Hervey Bay (Fraser Coast) Airport from its Sunshine Coast base.

Of the choppers, Pacific Helicopters Ltd of Papua New Guinea (PNG) MBB-Kawasaki BK117B-2 helicopter P2-BKB was noted passing through Rockhampton Airport.  It arrived from the Redcliffe and possibly Bundaberg Airport before then departing for an overnight stay at the Whitsunday Airport at Shute Harbour.

UPDATE!  On Monday 28 September, P2-BKB departed the Whitsunday Airport and continued further North.

Also on Sunday 27 September, Corporate Aviation Bell 429 Global Ranger helicopter VH-EQP flew down from Hamilton Island Airport to Gladstone Airport and then its Southport home. It flew North to Hamo back on Monday 21 September.

While Stirling Helicopters Eurocopter AS.350BA Squirrel VH-WHW was noted operating out of Rockhampton Airport as "Firebird 421" assisting with fighting a bushfire East of Rockhampton.

Finally, it also appeared that over the weekend, Stirling Helicopters Bell Helicopter Textron Canada 407 VH-IBF, as well as a pair of McDermott Aviation helicopters, operated out of Gladstone Airport fighting a bushfire to the South of the port city.

Final (for now) Alliance Airlines (Virgin Australia) Service into Bundaberg Airport Takes Off on Sunday

On Sunday 27 September, Alliance Airlines Fokker F-70 jet VH-NUZ was photographed at Bundaberg Airport operating the final service in and out of the Rum City.

Alliance has blamed Queensland’s ongoing border closures for its decision to suspend their services between Brisbane and Bundaberg. The airline has operated the route in collaboration with Virgin Australia since July 2017, with one flight per day in a 'triangle' stop-off service with Gladstone.

The suspension means that services between Brisbane and Gladstone Airport will now all become direct and will increase in frequency to operate twice weekdays and then once on Saturday and Sunday.

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

All photos taken by Dan B  ©

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

On Saturday 26 September, Surveillance Australia / Australian Border Force (ABF) Cobham Aviation-operated Dash-8-200 VH-ZZB was photographed parked up at Bundaberg Airport.

Australian Border Force Dash-8 aircraft haven't been seen in Central Queensland for some time and it was noted that VH-ZZB as "Borderforce 22" looked to first arrive into Bundy on Friday 25 September after completing a sortie off the Queensland coast.

It appears that VH-ZZB also completed sorties later on Saturday and again on Sunday 27 September.

UPDATE!  On Monday 28 September, VH-ZZB was noted departing Bundaberg Airport as "Borderforce 22" and eventually landing up at Cairns at the completion of another sortie.

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

Photo taken by Peter Sajko  ©

Some Plane Spotting Photos from Mackay Airport on Saturday - incl Qantas Boeing B737-800 VH-XZJ 'Mendoowoorrji'

We've been fortunate to receive some great plane spotting photos from Mackay Airport on Saturday 26 September including another visit by the beautifully coloured Qantas Airways Boeing B737-800 VH-XZJ 'Mendoowoorrji'.

It was noted to be operating the QFA987/988 service from and back to Brisbane.

Meanwhile, also spotted at Mackay Airport also on Saturday 26 September, were Brisbane-based Piper PA-31 Navajo VH-DEQ which visited from Archerfield.

Rockhampton-based Cessna 182P Skylane VH-TUJ was spotted outside the Mackay Aero Club.

Richmond-based Cessna 206H Stationair VH-WXL was spotted nearby to the Eastern maintenance hangars.

Locally-based Robinson R44 VH-FCH was photographed departing Mackay Airport on a local flight.

While Barcaldine-based Robinson R44 II VH-OOQ was also photographed outside the Mackay Aero Club.

Smart little Cirrus SR22 VH-TOL was also photographed.  It had arrived from its Caboolture base the previous day and later departed to Hamilton Island Airport.

And finally, as it does most weekends, the Mackay Tiger Moth Museum's antique De Havilland DH-82A Tiger Moth VH-CYA completed several joyflights around the region.

The Mackay Tiger Moth Museum operates their antique aircraft out of Mackay Airport, in front of their new hangar beside the Mackay Aero Club, on Casey Avenue, Mackay.

20, 30, and 60 minute joyflights and gift vouchers are available  Bookings can be made through Whitsunday Office Machines on 4998 5677.

Full details are available on the museum's website - http://www.mackaytiger.com.au/

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

All photos taken by 'JM'  ©

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

In the early evening on Saturday 26 September, LifeFlight (Aeromed) Canadair CL-600-2B16 Challenger 604 bizjet VH-OFC "Ambulance 634" was noted visiting Longreach Airport.

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It looked to arrive into Longreach Airport from Townsville before later departing to Brisbane.

Of interest, VH-OFC "Ambulance 634" then flew up to Cairns before returning to Townsville.

Photo taken by Steve Vit  ©️

Execujet Australia Bombardier Global 6000 Bizjet VH-YAI Pops into Proserpine (Whitsunday Coast) Airport

Early on Saturday 26 September, Execujet Australia Bombardier BD-700-1A10 Global 6000 bizjet VH-YAI was noted arriving into Proserpine (Whitsunday Coast) Airport. It looked to touch down from Brisbane.

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The sleek Global 6000 bizjet didn't remain long though, noted soon after returning South to the Ballina / Byron Bay Gateway Airport before then continuing to Sydney.

Meanwhile, also on Saturday 26 September, locally-based Greensill Aviation Cessna 550 Citation Bravo bizjet VH-CCJ was noted departing Bundaberg Airport for Mackay Airport.  After a short time on the ground, it returned to Bundy.

VH-CCJ completed the same flight on Thursday 24 September - see Blog post below.

Photo taken by Lloyd Fox  ©

Australian Country Choice Properties Cessna 560 Citation V Encore Bizjet VH-ACC Spotted at Bowen Airport - Plus Many More Corporate Movements at Hamilton Island Airport

Again, on Friday 25 September, quite a few corporate bizjet and other light General Aviation (GA) aircraft were noted coming and going at Central Queensland Airports.

Australian Country Choice Properties (Brisbane) Cessna 560 Citation V Encore bizjet VH-ACC was spotted at Bowen Airport.

VH-ACC looked to arrive from and then later depart back to its Archerfield base.

While over on Hamilton Island Airport, the bizjet and corporate action continued with another nice selection of Australian-based aircraft to be noted visiting.

Machjet (Machjet International) Cessna 525A Citation CJ2 bizjet VH-ZIY was noted visiting from its Sunshine Coast base.

Avcair Embraer 500 Phenom 100EV bizjet VH-NJR looked to complete two visits from its Brisbane base with it appearing to have stayed on Hamo for at least the night.

UPDATE!  On Monday 28 September, VH-NJR departed Hamilton Island Airport and returned to Brisbane.

While perhaps the nicest of the visitors was brand new Pilatus PC-24 jet VH-VTF which is operated by Brisbane-based Poolhurst Aviation Air Charter Services.  It flew into Hamilton Island Airport from Archerfield and the Gold Coast and later departed back to its Archerfield base.

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It appears that brand new PC-24 jet was only delivered into Australia as HB-VSC at Adelaide on Monday 7 September with it then registered as VH-VTF on Friday 11 September.  It appears that VH-VTF flew across from Adelaide to its new Archerfield home only on Thursday 24 September.

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Of interest, the 'old' VH-VTF - a Pilatus PC-12/47E - was re-registered in late August as VH-PLE and has visited various CQ Airports since then - see Blog posts below.

While the 'visiting' Mineralogy Bombardier BD-700-1A10 Global Express XRS bizjet VH-UPH again looked to fly from Hamilton Island Airport to Townsville and back!

UPDATE!  It appears that VH-UPH may have then returned to Townsville later in the evening.

Meanwhile, some slightly smaller turboprop visitors into Hamilton Island Airport, also on Friday 25 September, included FKG Air (Redjet Aviation) Hawker Beechcraft B200GT VH-FKB which flew up from Toowoomba to Hamo before heading to Charters Towers Aerodrome.  Later, it then returned to Toowoomba.

While Brisbane-based Cessna T303 VH-TFA was noted arriving into Hamo from Archerfield.

And after arriving the previous day, Brescon (Toowoomba) Beech B200 King Air VH-WXN departed Hamilton Island Airport and returned to Toowoomba-Wellcamp.

Away from the Whitsundays, also on Friday 25 September, AAA Aircraft / Flight Options (Australia) Cessna 550 Citation II Bravo VH-HVM looked to fly up from the Sunshine Coast towards Bundaberg.  It then completed a practice emergency descent before landing at Bundaberg Airport for a short time.  VH-HVM then flew down to Maryborough Airport before returning to the Sunny Coast.

I note that VH-HVM was due to fly into Maryborough Airport from the Sunshine Coast on Monday 21 September but ended up returning to the Sunshine Coast with a problem.

Finally, Townsville Airlines Beech 1900D VH-RUE looked to fly from Cairns and Townsville to Mackay and Rockhampton Airports before it continued to Brisbane.  It then returned to Cairns.

While the Queensland Police Service (Airwing) (State of Queensland) Cessna 208 Caravan VH-PSQ was noted passing through Rockhampton Airport, arriving from the North and departing to the South.

Photos taken by James Kirk and Tony Haynes  ©

Hinterland Aviation Cessna 208 Caravans Come and Go at Rockhampton Airport

On Friday 25 September, Hinterland Aviation completed another aircraft swap at Rockhampton Airport.

https://www.facebook.com/flyhav

During the morning, Cessna 208 Caravan VH-ETF was noted arriving into Rocky from Cairns as HND430.

A little later, fellow Cessna 208 Caravan VH-LZK - which has been operating out of Rockhampton Airport since Monday 7 September - returned to Cairns but flying via Hamilton Island Airport.

Meanwhile, fellow Cessna 208 Caravan VH-NDC was noted operating the late afternoon / early evening Fly-in Fly-out (FIFO) closed charter flight between Rockhampton Airport and the Labona Station Airstrip within Adani Australia's Carmichael Coal Mine site.  It returned to Rocky and seems to be still staying.

Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) Boeing C-17A Globemaster III A41-208 Completes Spectacular Airwork at Rockhampton and Bundaberg Airports

On Friday 25 September, Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) Boeing C-17A Globemaster III A41-208 was spotted completing airwork around Rockhampton Airport.

It was flying as "Stallion 76" and looked to come up from RAAF Base Amberley.  Once nearing Rocky, A41-208 completed a spectacular low-level initial and pitch before completing a touch-and-go at Rockhampton Airport.

A41-208 then departed the area via a coastal route to Bundaberg where it looked to complete more airwork, including at least one touch-and-go at Bundaberg Airport.

A41-208 then returned to Amberley.

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

All photos taken by Kayanne Hardsman  ©