Australian Corporate Jet Centres Bombardier Challenger 604 Bizjet VH-SCR at Hamilton Island Airport - Plus More!

On Monday 30 November, Australian Corporate Jet Centres Bombardier CL-600-2B16 Challenger 604 bizjet VH-SCR was noted departing Hamilton Island Airport for Brisbane.

VH-SCR at Hamilton Island Airport on Friday  (https://www.instagram.com/hamiltonislandair/)

It had arrived from the Queensland capital on Friday 27 November - as mentioned below.

Meanwhile, down at Mackay Airport, also on Monday 30 November, Seair Pacific / Istlecote Cessna 208 Caravan VH-KNQ was noted arriving from Lady Elliot Island.

UPDATE!  Over the course of the week, VH-KNQ has been noted completing 4-5 hour long flights over water in the Mackay and Whitsundays area, perhaps on some sort of aerial survey flights.

While a pair of New South Wales-based light General Aviation (GA) aircraft were also noted arriving into Mackay Airport - Piper PA-46-350P Malibu Mirage VH-KNV arrived from Cessnock at Archerfield and Cessna 340 VH-CPB arrived from Brisbane and Kingaroy.

UPDATE!  On Tuesday 1 December, both VH-KNV and VH-CPB departed Mackay Airport with VH-KNV heading back to Archerfield, while VH-CPB departed to the Whitsunday Airport at Shute Harbour before flying South to Caboolture.

And Peace Aviation Beech A36 Bonanza VH-MMB passed through Mackay Airport, arriving from Bowen Airport and later departing to its Rockhampton Airport base.

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

Before dawn on Monday 30 November, 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 some time on the ground, VH-OFA "Ambulance 614" was noted departing Mackay Airport and returning to Townsville where it appears to be currently based.

Photo taken by 'JM'  ©

Albury-based Cessna 525 CitationJet CJ1+ Bizjet VH-JSZ Pops into Mackay Airport - Plus More!

On Sunday 29 November, Albury (New South Wales) based Cessna 525 CitationJet CJ1+ bizjet VH-JSZ was noted visiting Mackay Airport.

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VH-JSZ looked to arrive from and later depart back to Archerfield - where it is possibly based (??).

Meanwhile, also on Sunday 29 November, Graham Aviation Cessna 510 Citation Mustang bizjet VH-FNI looked to visit Hamilton Island Airport from Cairns.

Photo taken by 'JM'  ©

Seair Pacific / Istlecote Textron Aviation (Cessna) 208B Caravan VH-TLH Arrives into Hamilton Island Airport

On Saturday 28 November, Seair Pacific / Istlecote Textron Aviation (Cessna) 208B Caravan VH-TLH was noted arriving into Hamilton Island Airport.  It looked to arrive from Lady Elliot Island.

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

UPDATE!  On Wednesday 2 December, VH-TLH departed Hamilton Island Airport and returned to Lady Elliot Island.

Meanwhile, it's also worth noting that former Seair Cessna 208 Caravan VH-LMZ was re-registered to Central Highlands Aerial Services (CHAS) in late July and had consequently been noted mostly operating out of and around Emerald.  

On Friday 20 November, it was spotted (above) parked at Mackay Airport after earlier arriving from Emerald.

Finally, also on Saturday 28 November, Austrek Aviation Beech B200 Super King Air VH-ZGD was noted visiting Longreach Airport from its Toowoomba base.

Photos taken by Steve Vit and 'JM'  ©

RAAF Boeing P-8A Poseidon Maritime Surveillance Aircraft A47-011 & A47-004 Complete Low-Level Airwork off the CQ Coast

On Saturday 28 November, a pair Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) Boeing P-8A Poseidon Maritime Surveillance Aircraft were noted completing low-level airwork including 'no-comm' (no radio communication) work in the region mostly off the Central Queensland coast.

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Poseidon A47-011 as "Mariner 4" looked to fly up from RAAF Base Edinburgh to a position North of Rockhampton and out off the coast to operate at low level and no-comm while heading South-bound. They were later heard back on the radio climbing back up to flight levels from near Lady Elliot Island before flying all the way back to the their Edinburgh base. 

While Poseidon A47-004 as "Mariner 5" flew up from Edinburgh to off the coast near Bundaberg before being heard to descend to low level and complete no-comm ops.  They were noted to fly South along the Eastern side of Fraser Island and down the coast to a position off Northern New South Wales.  The Poseidon was then heard back on the radio completing a missed approach at Coffs Harbour before returning to Edinburgh.

Nice!

Photo taken by Tony Haynes  ©

More Bushfire Fighting Aircraft and Helicopters Operate from Rockhampton Airport to Nearby Berserker Ranges

As a bushfire in the Southern corner of Berserker Ranges continued on Friday 27 November, some more fire fighting aircraft and helicopters were noted operating around and out of Rockhampton Airport.

Rockhampton-based Stirling Helicopters Eurocopter AS.350BA Squirrel VH-WHW "Firebird 421" was heard to battle the fire all day taking to the air early in the morning.

https://www.facebook.com/StirlingHelicopters/

UPDATE!  After seemingly returning to Rockhampton Airport the previous day, on Saturday 28 November, VH-WHW "Firebird 421" departed to Gladstone Airport. 

Fellow Stirling Helicopters Bell Helicopter Textron Canada 407 VH-IBF "Firebird 423" was noted arriving into Rockhampton Airport but is believed not to have fought the fire.

Also Rockhampton-based R-Mach Aviation Ayres S2R Turbine Thrush VH-NFF "Bomber 407" operated to the local fire from and back to Rockhampton Airport all throughout the afternoon.

And Kennedy Aviation North American Rockwell 500S VH-XAS as "Birddog 444" arrived to the fire area during the afternoon from Toowoomba and Bundaberg Airports.  After a couple of hours work it left the local area and landed back at Bundaberg Airport.

A Trio of Bizjets at Hamilton Island Airport - Dassault Falcon 900 VH-PPD - Cessna Citation VII VH-SSZ - Challenger 604 VH-SCR - Plus More!

On Friday 27 November, Darwin-based Lloyd Aviation Jet Charter Dassault Falcon 900 bizjet VH-PPD was noted departing Hamilton Island Airport for the Gold Coast.

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As mentioned below, VH-PPD had arrived into Hamo on Wednesday 25 November from the Goldie.

Also on Friday 27 November, re-registered BHMM Aviation Cessna 650 Citation VII bizjet VH-SSZ was noted visiting Hamilton Island Airport.  It arrived from and then also departed back to the Gold Coast.

And also on Friday 27 November, Australian Corporate Jet Centres Bombardier CL-600-2B16 Challenger 604 bizjet VH-SCR was noted arriving into Hamilton Island Airport from Brisbane.  It appears to be staying on Hamo for at least the night.

UPDATE!  On Monday 30 November, VH-SCR departed Hamilton Island Airport and returned to Brisbane.

Meanwhile, also on Friday 27 November, Albury (New South Wales) based Cessna 525 CitationJet CJ1+ bizjet VH-JSZ was noted visiting Charters Towers Aerodrome from what could be its Archerfield base.  VH-JSZ also visited Charters Towers last week - see Blog post below!

Finally, slightly smaller but also on Friday 27 November, Townsville-based ZephAir Australia - Aircraft Charters Piper PA-31 Navajo VH-AYT was noted visiting Hamilton Island Airport from its Townsville base.

Vanderfield Cessna 210N VH-JSC departed Emerald Airport for Toowoomba after arriving earlier into and operating out of Emerald Airport earlier in the week.

The Queensland Police Service (Airwing) (State of Queensland) Raytheon B1900D VH-PSK was back in the air and was also noted calling into Rockhampton Airport twice during a busy day of flying between Cairns and Brisbane.

And Heli Qld Airbus Helicopters EC 130 T2 VH-WJY was noted visiting Rockhampton Airport while flying up from it Toowoomba base to the Whitsunday Airport at Shute Harbour.

Photo taken by 'JM'  ©

A Couple of Bushfire Fighting Aircraft and Helicopters Operate from Rockhampton Airport to Nearby Berserker Ranges

A bushfire in the Southern corner of Berserker Ranges saw some fire fighting aircraft and helicopters operate out of Rockhampton Airport on Thursday 26 November.

McDermott Aviation / Heli-Lift Australia Helicopters Bell Textron Helicopter 214B-1 Big Lifter helicopter VH-SEK "Helitak 430" arrived from the South and completed water drops on the fire before being photographed (above) heading to Rockhampton Airport for fuel.

VH-SEK "Helitak 430" eventually departed the area for Bundaberg Airport.

It also appeared that Emerald-based Heli Central Williams Helicopter Corp (Bell) UH-1H Huey VH-UHH "Helitak 468" arrived into Rockhampton Airport from Mackay Airport where it has been based of late.  However, it seems that VH-UHH "Helitak 468" did not see any action and remained parked at Rocky.

And R-Mach Aviation PZL Warszawa-Okecie M-18B Dromader VH-MDR "Bomber 402" also completed several water drops on the fire, flying out of and back to Rockhampton Airport several times during the day and evening.

Meanwhile, also on Thursday 26 November, Agair Logistics P/L Rockwell Turbo Commander 690B VH-LVG "Birddog 273" flew up from Bundaberg Airport to provide support to these helicopters and aircraft.  It landed at Rockhampton Airport for a short time before then returning to Bundy.

Finally, not bushire related, but Roma Airport based M. I. Helicopters Agusta (Bell) 206B VH-JZB was noted in the area completing pipeline inspections.  It then returned to the South-East.

Photos taken by Trevor Hardsman  ©

Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) Airbus A330-203 / KC-30A (MRTT) A39-005 Pops into Rockhampton Airport

On Thursday 26 November, Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) Airbus A330-203 / KC-30A Multi Role Tanker Transport (MRTT) A39-005 was noted visiting Rockhampton Airport.

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It had flown up to Townsville the previous day and looked to depart there on Thursday to meet and support some RAAF McDonnell Douglas F/A-18A/B Classic Hornets which were deploying to RAAF Base Tindal.  A39-005 then flew across from around the Longreach area to land at Rockhampton Airport.

After reprograming A39-005 departed to RAAF Base Amberley.

Of interest, A39-005 was heard to be flying as "Dragon 54".

Photo taken by Michael Malick  ©

Alliance Airlines Fokker F-70 VH-JFB Pops into Rockhampton Airport on School Holiday Run to Horn Island

On Thursday 26 November, Alliance Airiness Fokker F-70 jet VH-JFB was noted arriving into Rockhampton Airport from Brisbane as UTY562. It then departed to Horn Island - via a diversion into Townsville - still as UTY562.  VH-JFB then returned to Brisbane from Horn Island but as UTY563.

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We see these types of flights between Rocky and Horn Island quite regularly particularly around school holiday time prompting speculation that these flights ferry boarding school children home to school holidays - which start very soon!

Meanwhile, also on Thursday 26 November, fellow Alliance Airlines Fokker F-70 VH-NUY made its first ever visit to Rockhampton Airport, operating on the weekly Fly-in Fly-out (FIFO) charter flight as UTY8448/9 from and back to Brisbane.

As posted below, VH-NUY is the most recent Fokker F-70 delivered to Alliance Airlines.

Photo taken by Lloyd Fox ©

Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) Boeing B737-7ES / E-7A Wedgetail A30-005 Completes Airwork at Hamilton Island Airport

On Wednesday 25 November, Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) Boeing B737-7ES / E-7A Wedgetail Airborne Early Warning & Control (AEW&C) aircraft A30-005 was noted completing a couple of missed approaches at Hamilton Island Airport.

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It was flying as "Wedgetail 11" and came up from RAAF Base Williamtown to Hamo via a missed approach at the Gold Coast.  After the airwork at Hamilton Island Airport, A30-005 returned to Williamtown via a missed approach at Brisbane.

Photo taken by Scott Harris  ©

A Quintet of bizjets at CQ Airports - Plus A Few Lighties Around as well This Week!

Another busy week for corporate and other General Aviation (GA) movement including on Wednesday 25 November,  Poolhurst Aviation Air Charter Services Pilatus PC-24 jet VH-VTF was noted visiting Gladstone Airport once again.  It arrived from and later departed back to Archerfield.

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VH-VTF also visited Gladstone Airport on Sunday 22 November.

The familiar sight of Mackellar Mining Equipment / Flight Options (Australia) Cessna 560 Citation Ultra bizjet VH-MMC was back in the region, this time landing Biloela / Thangool Airport from the Sunshine Coast.  It looks to have returned to its Sunny Coast after the sun went down.

While Avcair Embraer 500 Phenom 100EV bizjet VH-NJR was noted arriving into Maryborough Airport from its Brisbane base.  At the time of writing, it appears to be staying at Maryborough Airport for the night.

UPDATE!  On Thursday 26 November, VH-NJR departed Maryborough Airport and returned to Brisbane.

And Lloyd Aviation Jet Charter Dassault Falcon 900 bizjet VH-PPD looked to touch down at Hamilton Island Airport from the Gold Coast.  It too looks to be staying for at least the night.

UPDATE!  On Friday 27 November, VH-PPD departed Hamo and returned to the Gold Coast.

While late on Tuesday 24 November, Corporate Aircraft Charter (South Australia) Cessna 550 Citation II bizjet VH-ZLE looked to visit Rockhampton Airport, arriving from and later departing back to Brisbane.

Meanwhile over the late couple of days, there has been a good selection of light corporate and other GA aircraft also noted visiting some CQ Airports

On Wednesday 25 November, McNab Aviation Cessna 414A VH-FKH visited Gladstone Airport from its Toowoomba base.

While at Rockhampton Airport, FKG Air (Redjet Aviation) Hawker Beechcraft B200GT VH-FKB arrived from Toowoomba and stayed.  It looked to visit Charters Towers Aerodrome and the Whitsunday Airport at Shute Harbour but on Tuesday 24 November.

While Cessna 310J VH-DKY was noted visiting Rockhampton Airport from its Coffs Harbour base.  And  Beech 58 Baron VH-KGK visited from Townsville.  It had flown north from Archerfield the previous day.

On Tuesday 24 November, Great Western Aviation Beech B200 VH-XGV made its weekly visit to my local Clermont Aerodrome, arriving from and later departing back to Brisbane.

Finally, noted on Monday 23 November, Cloncurry-based Pilatus PC-12/47E VH-MDH arrived into Rockhampton Airport from Devoncourt Station, Richmond and Townsville.

UPDATE!  On Thursday 26 November, VH-MDH departed Rockhampton Airport for Townsville.

While Flylink Aviation College Diamond DA 40 VH-EUU departed Proserpine (Whitsunday Coast) Airport for Gladstone Airport and Archerfield.  It had flown North to Whitsundays and then Cairns late last week.

And Seair Pacific / Istlecote Cessna 208 Caravan VH-TQW flew up from Hervey Bay (Fraser Coast) and Maryborough Airports to Middlemount Aerodrome before then returning to Hervey Bay Airport but via Biloela / Thangool Airport.

Photo taken by Tony Haynes  ©

Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) Boeing B737-7ES / E-7A Wedgetail A30-001 Completes Another Missed Approach at Hervey Bay (Fraser Coast) Airport

Another day another visit!

Also on Tuesday 24 November, Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) Boeing B737-7ES / E-7A Wedgetail Airborne Early Warning & Control (AEW&C) aircraft A30-001 was noted completing airwork for the second day in-a-row 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 Brisbane to then complete a missed approach at Hervey Bay Airport. A30-001 then returned South and completed more missed approaches at Coffs Harbour before then continuing back to Williamtown.

A30-001 was heard to be using the radio callsign of "Wedgetail 07".

Photo taken by Scott Harris  ©

Alliance Airlines Fokker F-70 VH-NKQ Photographed Departing Longreach Airport on Closed Charter Flight

On Tuesday 24 November, Alliance Airlines Fokker F-70 jet VH-NKQ was photographed as it took two attempts to depart Longreach Airport.  It flew to Brisbane as UTY558.

As mentioned below, VH-NKQ arrived into Longreach Airport on Sunday 22 November from Alice Springs in the Northern Territory.  It appears that the Alliance Airlines Fokker is operating a closed charter flight which departed Brisbane mid-way through last week and has had stops at Broken Hill and Ayres Rock (Yulara) before continuing to Alice Springs.

Also as mentioned below, another Alliance Airlines closed charter flight to the red centre of Australia also took to the air over the latter part of last week and then weekend wth Fokker F-100 jet VH-UQN flying into to Ayres Rock from Townsville and Mackay Airport on Friday 20 November as UTY573 before then returning on Sunday 22 November as UTY574.

Finally, back at Longreach Airport, also on Tuesday 24 November, Brisbane-based Hewitt Cattle Australia P/L SOCATA TBM 700 VH-PGA flew back in from Ambalindum.  It had passed through Longreach Airport flying to Ambalindum from Archerfield and Moura Airports on Sunday 22 November.

Nice!

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

All photos taken by Greg Weir  ©

A triple treat of RAAF Airbus A330-200 / KC-30A Multi Role Tanker Transport (MRTT) Aircraft at Rockhampton Airport

A spectacular day for military heavy jet spotters at Rockhampton Airport on Tuesday 24 November, with no less than three Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) Airbus A330-200 / KC-30A Multi Role Tanker Transport (MRTT) aircraft either landing or completing missed approaches.

During the morning, KC-30A A39-003 was photographed on the ground at Rockhampton Airport. It had earlier arrived direct from Cairns - where it had arrived the previous day - as "Dragon 76".

After parking for a short time on Gate 6 on the Southern end of the parking apron, A39-003 then departed Rockhampton Airport for Brisbane.

Then, during the afternoon, KC-30 A39-006 "Dragon 04" was noted completing a missed approach at Rockhampton Airport.

It had earlier departed RAAF Base Amberley and had landed at Townsville before then flying South to Rockhampton Airport. Once it had completed the airwork, A39-006 departed Rocky and returned to Amberley.

And KC-30 A39-005 "Dragon 14" flew up from Amberley and was spotted also completing a missed approach at Rockhampton Airport.  It then returned South to another missed approach at Brisbane before returning back to Amberley.

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

Photos taken by Steve Vit, Michael Malick and Kayanne Hardsman  ©️

Conair Dash-8-Q400MR C-FFQE "Bomber 141" Travels from Bundaberg Airport to Fight Bushfire near Townsville - Plus More!

A bushfire near Townsville on Monday 23 November saw the resident Conair Dash-8-Q400MR C-FFQE "Bomber 141" depart its Bundaberg Airport base for a three-and-a-quarter hour round trip up to complete a water drop on the fire.  It was accompanied by Agair Logistics P/L Rockwell Turbo Commander 690B VH-LVG "Birddog 273".

Queensland Government Image...

During the afternoon, both C-FFQE and VH-LVG completed a second flight up to the bushfire area from Bundaberg Airport and back.

Also heading up to Townsville, also on Monday 23 November, was R-Mach Aviation PZL Warszawa-Okecie M-18B Dromader VH-MDR "Bomber 402".  It departed Rockhampton Airport and looked to base out of Townsville Airport.

Also noted operating out of Townsville was Central Highlands Aerial Services (CHAS) Air Tractor AT-802A VH-JQW "Bomber 271".

Finally, Kennedy Aviation North American Rockwell 500S VH-XAS as "Birddog 444" was noted flying up from Toowoomba and operating West of Bundaberg before returning to Toowoomba.

UPDATE!  On Tuesday 24 November, Agair Logistics P/L Rockwell Turbo Commander 690B VH-LVG "Birddog 273" looked to fly up from Bundaberg Airport to Townsville to coordinate the smaller fixed wing and helicopters fighting the bushfire near Townsville.  Also noted up operating around Townsville was the Kennedy Aviation North American Rockwell 500S VH-XAS as "Birddog 444" which flew up from Toowoomba.

UPDATE!  On Wednesday 25 November, R-Mach Aviation PZL Warszawa-Okecie M-18B Dromader VH-MDR "Bomber 402" returned to Rockhampton Airport from Townsville.

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

On Monday 23 November, 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 Coffs Harbour to complete a missed approach at Hervey Bay Airport. A30-001 then returned South and completed more missed approaches at the Sunshine Coast and Port Macquarie before then continuing back to Williamtown.

A30-001 was heard to be using the radio callsign of "Wedgetail 01".

 Photo taken by Scott Harris  ©

Alliance Airlines Fokker F-70 Jet VH-NUY (ex OE-LFP) First Flight and First Visit to CQ at Emerald Airport - Plus F-70 VH-NUV (ex OE-LFH) Scrapped in Norwich (UK)

On Monday 23 November, the latest Alliance Airlines Fokker F-70 jet to enter service - registered VH-NUY - looked to operate its first 'commercial' flight for the airline when it completed the UTY4581/4581 Fly-in Fly-out (FIFO) charter flight into Emerald Airport from and back to Brisbane. It was photographed below soon after arriving into Emerald Airport.

Of interest, the F-70 VH-NUY was only delivered to Alliance Airlines in Brisbane around a fortnight ago after ferrying all the way over from Bratislava (Slovakia) where it had been in storage. It has been registered to Alliance Airlines since May 2019 and previously wore the registration marking of OE-LFP with its previous operator being Austrian Airlines (Austrian Arrows).

Meanwhile, it was reported recently that fellow Alliance Airlines Fokker F-70 jet VH-NUV was scrapped at Norwich in the United Kingdom after a long period of storage.

Ibirdball / https://www.flickr.com/

VH-NUV previously wore the registration marking of OE-LFH with its previous operator being Austrian Airlines (Austrian Arrows).  It had been stored at Bratislava (Slovakia) from 2016-2018 before being flown to Norwich where it was prepared for Alliance Airlines and then stored.

Ibirdball / https://www.flickr.com/

VH-NUV was scrapped last month without being delivered due to the discovery of corrosion in the wing spars.

Photos taken by 'AC'  ©️

Alliance Airlines Fokker F-70 VH-NKQ Arrives into Longreach Airport on Closed Charter Flight From the Red Centre!

On Sunday 22 November, Alliance Airlines Fokker F-70 jet VH-NKQ was noted arriving into Longreach Airport as UTY557 direct from Alice Springs in the Northern Territory.

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It appears that the Alliance Fokker is operating a closed charter flight which departed Brisbane mid-way through last week and has had stops at Broken Hill and Ayres Rock (Yulara) before continuing to Alice Springs.

At the time of writing, it appears that VH-NKQ is spending at least the night parked at Longreach Airport.

Meanwhile, also on Sunday 22 November, another Alliance Airlines closed charter flight to the red centre of Australia returned back to its starting point at Mackay Airport with Fokker F-100 jet VH-UQN returning from Ayres Rock as UTY574. VH-UQN then continued to Townsville as the same,

As mentioned below, VH-UQN had departed to Ayres Rock from Townsville and Mackay Airport on Friday 20 November as UTY573.

Finally, back at Longreach Airport, also on Sunday 22 November, Brisbane-based Hewitt Cattle Australia P/L SOCATA TBM 700 VH-PGA called in from Archefield and Moura Airports before then departing to Ambalindum. 

Nice!

Photo taken by 'JM'  ©

Poolhurst Aviation Air Charter Services Pilatus PC-24 jet VH-VTF Calls into Gladstone Airport - Plus More!

On Sunday 22 November, Poolhurst Aviation Air Charter Services Pilatus PC-24 jet VH-VTF was noted visiting Gladstone Airport.

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The smart little newly delivered bizjet looked to arrive from and then later depart back to its Archerfield base.

Meanwhile, also on Sunday 22 November, the often visiting American-registered Eclipse EA500 bizjet N257AK was noted making its weekly visit to the Whitsunday Airport at Shute Harbour.  As usual, it looked to fly up from Archerfield.

While flying out of and back to the Whitsunday Airport at Shute Harbour was Fly Australia Airlines (Charter) Cessna U206F VH-AEH.  It was noted visiting Rockhampton Airport.  Perhaps VH-AEH is locally-based in the Whitsundays?

Finally, very early on Sunday 22 November, the rescue of a missing boatie off the coast between Bundaberg and Gladstone was overseen by Australian Maritime Safety Authority (AMSA) (Cobham SAR Services Pty Ltd) Bombardier CL-600-2B16 Challenger 604 bizjet VH-XNC which flew down from and then returned its Cairns base.  VH-XNC was heard to be using the radio callsign of "Rescue 440".

Photo taken by Tony Haynes  ©

LifeFlight (Aeromed) LearJet 45 Bizjet VH-CXJ "Ambulance 452" Before Dawn Visit to Emerald Airport

Before dawn on Sunday 22 November, LifeFlight (Aeromed) LearJet 45 bizjet VH-CXJ "Ambulance 452" was noted visiting Emerald Airport.

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It looked to fly up from and then return to its Brisbane base.

Photo taken by 'JM'  ©

Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) Boeing B737-7ES / E-7A Wedgetail A30-005 Completes Missed Approach at Rockhampton Airport

On Friday 20 November, Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) Boeing B737-7ES / E-7A Wedgetail Airborne Early Warning & Control (AEW&C) aircraft A30-005 was noted completing a missed approach at Rockhampton Airport.

File photo

It was flying as "Wedgetail 21" and came up from RAAF Base Williamtown to Rocky via a missed approach at Brisbane.  After the airwork at Rockhampton Airport, A30-005 returned to Williamtown via a missed approach at the Sunshine Coast.

Photo taken by Scott Harris  ©

Albury-based Cessna 525 CitationJet CJ1+ Bizjet VH-JSZ Arrives into Charters Towers Aerodrome - Plus More!

On Friday 20 November, Albury (New South Wales) based Cessna 525 CitationJet CJ1+ bizjet VH-JSZ was noted touching down at Charters Towers Aerodrome from Archerfield.

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At the time of writing, it appears that the little corporate bizjet is staying for at least the night.

UPDATE!  On Saturday 21 November, VH-JSZ departed Charters Towers Aerodrome and returned to Archerfield.  Perhaps VH-JSZ has been re-registered and now based at Archerfield (??).

Meanwhile, another familiar bizjet noted flying around, also on Friday 20 November, was the locally-based Greensill Aviation Cessna 550 Citation Bravo bizjet VH-CCJ which was noted flying out of Bundaberg Airport for Archerfield.  It landed back at Bundy from Archerfield a little later in the day.

Finally, also on Friday 20 November, the Queensland Government Airwing (State of Queensland) Raytheon B300 Super King Air VH-SGQ visited Blackall Airport from Brisbane.

Photo taken by Jonathan Williams  ©

Alliance Airlines Fokker F-100 VH-UQN Passes Through Mackay Airport on Closed Charter Flight to the Red Centre!

A much publicised closed tourist charter flight was noted passing through Mackay Airport on Friday 20 November with Alliance Airlines Fokker F-100 jet VH-UQN arriving from Townsville before then departing direct to Ayres Rock (Yulara) as UTY573.

File photo

The closed charter flights and tours were organised by a local tourist company and includes two nights in the red centre of Australia.  It is expected that VH-UQN will return to Mackay Airport on Sunday 22 November.

UPDATE!  Indeed on Sunday 22 November, VH-UQN returned to Mackay Airport from Ayres Rock before continuing to Townsville but as UTY574.

Photo taken by Russell Prothero  ©

Mackellar Mining Equipment / Flight Options (Australia) Cessna 560 Citation Ultra Bizjet VH-MMC Back at Clermont Aerodrome - Plus More!

After arriving into Emerald Airport the previous day, during the afternoon on Thursday 19 November, Mackellar Mining Equipment / Flight Options (Australia) Cessna 560 Citation Ultra bizjet VH-MMC was spotted once again visiting my local Clermont Aerodrome. VH-MMC is a fairly regular visitor to my local Clermont Aerodrome with it touching down every couple of weeks or so over the previous few months.

On this occasion, joining the Citation on the ground at Clermont Aerodrome, also during the afternoon on Thursday 19 November, was Hinterland Aviation Cessna 208 Caravan VH-CVN which arrived from Rockhampton Airport and Labona Station Airstrip within Adani Australia's (Bravus Mining & Resources) Carmichael Coal Mine as HND640/641.

After transferring passengers to VH-MMC, the Citation promptly departed Clermont Aerodrome for the Sunshine Coast.

While VH-CVN later returned to Rockhampton Airport as HND642.

Meanwhile, much earlier on Thursday 19 November, it appears that fellow Hinterland Aviation Cessna 208 Caravan VH-NDC also called into Clermont Aerodrome.  It arrived from Rockhampton Airport and departed to Labona before then returning to Rocky as HND610/611/612.

Of interest, also early on Thursday 19 November, VH-CVN had positioned into Rockhampton Airport from Cairns as HND790 and has possibly replaced fellow Hinterland Aviation Cessna 208 Caravan VH-TFQ on the Labona Fly-in Fly-out (FIFO) charter flights from and back to Rocky.

UPDATE!  On Friday 20 November, VH-TFQ positioned from Rockhampton Airport to Cairns as HND790.

And also early on Thursday 19 November, Brescon (Toowoomba) Beech B200 King Air VH-WXN departed Clermont Aerodrome for Toowoomba-Wellcamp.  It had arrived from there the previous afternoon.

Finally, down at Bundaberg Airport also on Thursday 19 November, Ipswich-based Pilatus PC-12/47E VH-PLE visited Bundaberg Airport yet again from Archerfield.  This seems to be becoming a weekly visit!

While the locally-based Greensill Aviation Cessna 550 Citation Bravo bizjet VH-CCJ finally returned 'home' to Bundaberg Airport from Adelaide.  It had flown to the South Australian capital on Sunday 8 November.