Mitchell Water Cessna 525 Citation M2 Bizjet VH-WMY Pops into Proserpine (Whitsunday Coast) Airport - Plus More!

On Sunday 28 February, Mitchell Water Cessna 525 Citation M2 bizjet VH-WMY was noted arriving into Proserpine (Whitsunday Coast) Airport from Melbourne (Essendon).  After a short time on the ground, VH-WMY returned to Essendon before flying across to it's Melbourne (Moorabbin) home.

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Meanwhile, also on Sunday 28 February, 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 and completes weekly visits of between 3-4 days.  It is reported that the small Eclipse is flown by a local Airlie Beach businessman.

UPDATE!  On Thursday 4 March, N257AK departed the Whitsunday Airport at Shute Harbour and returned to Archerfield.

Finally, also on Sunday 28 February, a couple of visitors departed or passed back through some Central Queensland Airports with Brisbane-based Teys Australia Cessna 525 Citation CJ2 bizjet VH-TEY departed Blackall Airport for Toowoomba and Archerfield.  As posted below, VH-TEY flew up to Blackall Airport from Toowoomba on Saturday 27 February.

And Brisbane-based Altitude Aviation Raytheon B200 King Air VH-EEL popped back into Rockhampton Airport from Cairns before it then departed back to its Archerfield base.  As posted below, VH-EEL flew up to Cairns from Archerfield and Brisbane via Rockhampton Airport on Saturday 27 February.

Teys Australia Cessna 525 Citation CJ2 Bizjet VH-TEY Arrives into Blackall Airport - Plus More!

On Saturday 27 February,  Brisbane-based Teys Australia Cessna 525 Citation CJ2 bizjet VH-TEY was noted arriving into Blackall Airport.

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VH-TEY arrived from Toowoomba after flying across from its Archerfield base the previous day.

At the time of writing, it appears that VH-TEY is staying at Blackall Airport for at least the night.

Meanwhile, also on Saturday 27 February, Albury (New South Wales) based Cessna 525 CitationJet CJ1+ bizjet VH-JSZ looked to visit Charters Towers Aerodrome from its (seemingly) Archerfield base.

Finally, also on Saturday 27 February, Brisbane-based Altitude Aviation Raytheon B200 King Air VH-EEL called into Rockhampton Airport from its Archerfield base.  It later departed to Cairns.

And Piper PA-46-350P Malibu Mirage VH-KNV had two attempts, but eventually arrived back into Rockhampton Airport from Cessnock in New South Wales.  

As mentioned below, VH-KNV visited the beef capital from Cessnock on Friday 26 February.

Photo taken by Greg Weir  ©

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

After dark on Friday 26 February, LifeFlight (Aeromed) Canadair CL-600-2B16 Challenger 604 bizjet VH-OFA "Ambulance 614" was noted visiting Gladstone Airport.

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The Challenger arrived from Brisbane and later departed to Townsville.

Photo taken by 'AC'  ©

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

A much publicised closed tourist charter flight was noted passing through Rockhampton Airport on Friday 26 February with Alliance Airlines Fokker F-100 jet VH-UQC arriving from Townsville and Hamilton Island Airport before then departing direct to Ayres Rock (Yulara) as UTY569/571/573.

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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-UQC will return to Rockhampton Airport on Sunday 28 February.

UPDATE!  Indeed on Sunday 28 February, VH-UQC returned to Rockhampton Airport from Ayres Rock before continuing to Hamilton Island Airport and Townsville but as UTY570/572/574.

Photo taken by Greg Weir  ©

REM Falcon / Flight Options (Australia) Dassault Falcon 2000EX Bizjet VH-EWB Spotted Back at Mackay Airport - Plus More!

On Friday 26 February, REM Falcon / Flight Options (Australia) Dassault Falcon 2000EX bizjet VH-EWB was photographed as it called back into Mackay Airport. This is the second visit in the last couple of days by the still quite new Falcon 2000EX bizjet.

On this occasion, it looked to arrive from Cairns and depart to Sydney.

VH-EWB passed through Mackay Airport heading North on Wednesday 24 February - see Blog post below!

Meanwhile, also noted visiting Mackay Airport, but late on Thursday 25 February, was Link Airways / Vee H Aviation Cessna 441 VH-VEJ.  It looked arrive from Brisbane and then depart to Newcastle (Williamtown) before the returning to Brisbane.

While up at Hamilton Island Airport, also on Friday 26 February, the familiar sight of FKG Air (Redjet Aviation) Hawker Beechcraft B200GT VH-FKB was back visiting Central Queensland Airports for the third day in-a-row.  It looked to depart from Hamilton Island Airport and call into Bundaberg Airport before heading 'home' to Toowoomba.

As mentioned below, VH-FKB had arrived into the Whitsunday Airport at Shute Harbour on Thursday 25 February from Toowoomba and Archerfield, with it presumably flying across to Hamilton Island Airport later in the day or early on Friday.

Finally, down at Rockhampton Airport, also on Friday 26 February, Piper PA-46-350P Malibu Mirage VH-KNV visited from its Cessnock base in New South Wales.

Raytheon A36 Bonanza VH-YGM arrived once again from its Orange base in New South Wales.

UPDATE!  On Wednesday 3 March, VH-YGM finally departed Rockhampton Airport for Bankstown.

And the Queensland Police Service (Airwing) (State of Queensland) Raytheon B1900D VH-PSK popped into Rocky, looking to arrive from Brisbane and later depart to Townsville.  It had earlier flown down to Brisbane from Cairns and Townsville.

Sincere thanks to local plane spotter 'JM' for taking the time to capture and send through these great photos of a great bizjet visitor to the region this week!

All photos taken by 'JM'  ©

Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) Alenia C-27J Spartan Transport Aircraft A34-008 and A34-009 Call into CQ Airports

On Friday 26 February, a pair of Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) Alenia C-27J Spartan transport aircraft noted completing airwork and landing at a couple of Central Queensland Airports.

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During the latter part of the morning, Spartan A34-008 as "Wallaby 37" departed RAAF Base Amberley and was noted completing airwork and then landing at Charleville Airport.  It then returned to Amberley.

While Spartan A34-009 "Wallaby 04" landed at Longreach Airport from the North and later departed to Richmond.  It then flew down to land at Amberley.  It appears that A34-009 "wallaby 04" flew North from Amberley the previous day.

Photo taken by David Geck  ©️

Hinterland Aviation Cessna 208 Caravan Aircraft Swap at Rockhampton Airport - VH-TFS in - VH-CVN out - Plus More!

Hinterland Aviation has once again completed a 'swap' of their Cessna 208 Caravans which are based at Rockhampton Airport.

Late on Wednesday 24 February, Cessna 208 Caravan VH-TFS arrived into Rockhampton Airport from Cairns as 'HND626' / "Hinterland 626".  Then on Thursday 25 February, fellow Caravan VH-CVN was noted returning to Cairns also as 'HND626'.

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It appears that fellow Cessna 208 Caravan VH-NDC still remains at Rockhampton Airport will be re-joined by VH-TFS in operating the 2-3 times daily Fly-in Fly-out (FIFO) flights from Rocky to the Labona Station Airstrip within Adani Australia's (Bravus Mining & Resources) Carmichael Coal Mine site.

Meanwhile, also at Rockhampton Airport, also on Thursday 25 February, NSW based Cessna 310J VH-DKY departed for Coffs Harbour.  It had arrived into Rocky from there on Tuesday 23 February and also visited at the start of last week - see Blog post below.

Raytheon A36 Bonanza VH-BBG visited Rockhampton Airport from its Redcliffe base.

And Piper PA-31 VH-DEP arrived into Rockhampton Airport from Archerfield, Tambo and Emerald Airports before later returning to Archerfield. 

While Cessna P210N VH-PJK visited Gladstone Airport from its Lismore base in New South Wales.

And Ipswich-based Pilatus PC-12/47E VH-PLE visited Bundaberg Airport from the Gold Coast.

Finally, also on Thursday 25 February, Seair Pacific / Istlecote Cessna 208 Caravan VH-TQW flew up from Hervey Bay (Fraser Coast) Airport to Middlemount Aerodrome before flying down to Maryborough Airport and back to Hervey Bay Airport.

Photo taken by Steve Vit  ©

Execujet Australia Bombardier Global 6000 Bizjet VH-YAI Pops into Mackay Airport

Early on Thursday 25 February, Execujet Australia Bombardier BD-700-1A10 Global 6000 bizjet VH-YAI was noted arriving into Mackay Airport.  It looked to touch down from Sydney.

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After a couple of hours on the ground, VH-YAI then departed to the Sunshine Coast and then Brisbane before returning to Sydney after the sun had gone down.

Nice!

Photo taken by Ryan Hothersall  ©

AAA Aircraft / Flight Options Australia Cessna 650 Citation VII Bizjet VH-ING Calls into Hamilton Island Airport - Plus More!

On Thursday 25 February, AAA Aircraft / Flight Options (Australia) Cessna 650 Citation VII bizjet VH-ING was noted arriving into Hamilton Isalnd Airport.  It looked to fly up direct from Sydney.

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At the time of writing, it appears that VH-ING is spending at least the night parked at Hamo.

Meanwhile, also in the Whitsundays, also on Thursday 25 February, FKG Air (Redjet Aviation) Hawker Beechcraft B200GT VH-FKB flew into the Whitsunday Airport at Shute Harbour from Toowoomba and Archerfield.

UPDATE!  On Friday 26 February, VH-FKB departed Hamilton Island Airport for Bundaberg Airport the Toowoomba.  I assume it must've flown across to Hamo from the mainland earlier in the day.

Brisbane-based Altitude Aviation Beech B200 King Air VH-ISS was noted departing the Whitsunday Airport at Shute Harbour for the South.

And American-registered Eclipse EA500 bizjet N257AK flew back down to Archerfield from the Whitsunday Airport at Shute Habour.  It had arrived there on Sunday 21 February.

Photo taken by Grahame Hutchison  ©

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

During the afternoon on Wednesday 24 February, LifeFlight (Aeromed) Canadair CL-600-2B16 Challenger 604 bizjet VH-OFA "Ambulance 614" was noted visiting Moranbah Airport.  It looked to fly down from Townsville and later depart to Brisbane.

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Then, after dark, also on Wednesday 24 February, VH-OFA "Ambulance 614" flew up from Brisbane to land at Mackay Airport.  After a short time on ground, the Challenger continued back up to Townsville.

Photo taken by 'AC'  ©

REM Falcon / Flight Options (Australia) Dassault Falcon 2000EX Bizjet VH-EWB Pops into Mackay Airport - Plus More!

On Wednesday 24 February, new REM Falcon / Flight Options (Australia) Dassault Falcon 2000EX bizjet VH-EWB was photographed at a sunny Mackay Airport.  It looked to arrive from Sydney and depart to Townsville.

VH-EWB was only delivered to the country into what appears to be its Sydney base in November 2020 all the way over from France.

Of interest, the registration marking is quite familiar to Australian skies having being worn by various commercial aircraft including most recently, a Fokker F-28 Fellowship 4000 operated by Flight West Airlines.

Meanwhile, also on Wednesday 24 February, the Queensland Police Service (Airwing) (State of Queensland) Raytheon B1900D VH-PSK popped into Rockhampton Airport.  It arrived from Cairns and Townsville before later departing back to Cairns. 

And Gulf Aircraft Textron Aviation (Cessna) 208 Caravan VH-PYO called into Emerald Airport from Brisbane before later departing to Warrenvale Station (South of Normanton) and then to Donors Hill.

It had flown South at the start of the week and completed a return flight to Chinchilla Airport and back to Brisbane on Tuesday 23 February.

Finally, a couple of familiar King Air turboprops noted visiting Central Queensland Airports, also on Wednesday 24 February, included FKG Air (Redjet Aviation) Hawker Beechcraft B200GT VH-FKB which visited Bundaberg Airport from its Toowoomba base.

While Brescon (Toowoomba) Beech B200 VH-WXN was noted arriving into my local Clermont Aerodrome from Toowoomba-Wellcamp.  It is due to return to Wellcamp early on Thursday 25 February.

Photos taken by 'JM' and Lloyd Fox  ©

A Pair of RAAF Alenia C-27J Spartan Transport Aircraft Pop Into Bundaberg Airport - A34-007 & A34-009 - Flying Together as "Mongrel"

Certainly interesting to see that on Wednesday 24 February, a pair of Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) Alenia C-27J Spartan transport aircraft popped in together to Bundaberg Airport.  They had earlier departed RAAF Base Amberley and flew up low level to complete airwork at Wondai before then flying overhead Gayndah and onwards to Bundy.

After completing some airwork, both Spartans landed at Bundaberg Airport for a short period of time.

After some time on the ground, the two Spartans departed Bundaberg Airport and again flew at low level to the East to then track down the Eastern side of Fraser Island and then overhead the Sunshine Coast and back to Amberley.

Of interest, both Spartans were heard to be using the single formation callsign of "Mongrel".

As mentioned previously, the Alenia C-27J Spartan is a military transport aircraft developed and manufactured by Alenia Aermacchi. The RAAF has ten C-27J Spartan battlefield airlifters with 35 Squadron based at RAAF Base Amberley after they were ordered by in May 2012 to replace the now-retired De Havilland DHC-4 Caribou fleet.

The RAAF C-27J Spartan aircraft complements the capabilities of the current C-130J Hercules and C-17A Globemaster aircraft and uses common C-130J Hercules infrastructure and aircraft systems such as engines, avionics and the cargo handling systems. They will be equipped with missile warning systems, electronic self-protection and battlefield armour allowing them to operate freely in high-threat environments.

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

Photos taken by Sophie Crow and Peter Sajko  ©

Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) Beech B350 Super King Air Turboprops A32-675 & A32-651 Depart Mackay Airport and Head North

Early on Tuesday 23 February, the visiting pair of Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) Beech B350 Super King Air turboprops were again spotted parked at Mackay Airport after spending the night on Western General Aviation Apron (WGA).  As posted below, the two Super King Airs were identified as A32-675 "Hudson 33" and A32-651 "Hudson 05".

Later on Tuesday, both Super King Airs departed Mackay Airport for the North, with both looking to land at Proserpine (Whitsunday Coast) Airport for a period of time.  They then continued up to Townsville with A32-675 "Hudson 33" landing and A32-651 "Hudson 05" completing a missed approach. 

Both aircraft then headed to Cairns where they landed and look to be staying for at least the night - as shown below.

UPDATE!  On Wednesday 24 February, both A32-675 "Hudson 33" and A32-651 "Hudson 05" continued from Cairns to Mount Isa and then Alice Springs for another overnight stop. I presume they will end up back at the East Sale base by the end of the week - a great adventure!

Meanwhile, also on Tuesday 23 February, the other visiting RAAF Beech B350 Super King Air A32-426 "Beaufort 30", departed Townsville for  HMAS Albatross at Nowra and then RAAF Base East Sale.

As posted below, A32-426 "Beaufort 30" was joined by A32-437 "Beaufort 36" on Monday 22 February, with both Super King Airs flying up from HMAS Albatross to Townsville, and then the latter heading home to East Sale via Roma Airport.

Sincere thanks to the local plane spotters for taking the to capture and send through these great photos from Mackay and Townsville Airports!

Photos taken by 'JM' and Jonathan Williams  ©

New Toowoomba-based Beech B200GT Super King Air 250 VH-JHP Calls into Longreach Airport - Plus More!

A trio of interesting visitors to Longreach Airport on Monday 22 February included recently delivered Beech B200GT Super King Air 250 VH-JHP which arrived from and later departed back to its Toowoomba base.

Andy Elliott / https://www.flickr.com/

The Super King Air was registered and delivered from New Zealand via the Gold Coast in October 2020 and was previously operated in New Zealand as ZK-VMF - as shown above.

We eagerly await the first photo of VH-JHP!

Of interest, the operator of VH-JHP appears to be the same as frequently visiting Cessna 208B Caravan VH-JOZ.

Also noted visiting Longreach Airport, also on Monday 22 February, was Aerorescue (ex-AMSA) Aero Pearl Dornier 328-100 VH-PPG which looked to arrive from Darwin and later departed to Brisbane. 

And Gulf Aircraft Textron Aviation (Cessna) 208 Caravan VH-PYO also popped into Longreach Airport.  It arrived from Donors Hill (South of Normanton) via Mount Isa and later departed to Brisbane.

Meanwhile, over at Emerald Airport, also on Monday 22 February,  Link Airways / Vee H Aviation Cessna 441 VH-VEJ was photographed soon after arriving from Brisbane.

It later departed back to the capital.

While at my local Clermont Aerodrome, Redjet Aviation Piper PA-31 Navajo VH-PJU visited once again from its Toowoomba base.

Finally, also on Monday 22 February, Raytheon A36 Bonanza VH-YGM arrived into Rockhampton Airport yet again but this time from Bankstown.

UPDATE!  On Tuesday 23 February, VH-YGM departed Rockhampton Airport and flew to its Orange base in New South Wales.

Photo taken by 'AC'  ©

Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) Beech B350 Super King Air Turboprops A32-675 & A32-651 Both Call into Mackay Airport - Plus More!

On Monday 22 February, a pair of Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) Beech B350 Super King Air turboprops were spotted at Mackay Airport.  They were identified as A32-675 "Hudson 33" and A32-651 "Hudson 05".

Both Super King Airs looked looked arrive to direct from their RAAF Base East Sale home base with A32-675 "Hudson 33" calling into Orange while enroute.

Of interest, another pair of RAAF Beech B350 Super King Airs passed through the region, with both looking to call into Townsville - and one eventually calling into Roma Airport.  As shown below, the two Super King Airs were identified as A32-437 "Beaufort 36" and A32-426 "Beaufort 30".

A32-437 "Beaufort 36" looked to fly up from HMAS Albatross at Nowra to Townsville as shown before then calling into Roma Airport and flying down to RAAF Base East Sale.  It had flown up from East Sale originally on Sunday 21 February.

While A32-426 "Beaufort 30" also flew up from HMAS Albatross at Nowra to Townsville as also shown and appears to have stayed.

Sincere thanks to the local plane spotters for taking the to capture and send through these great photos from Mackay and Townsville Airports!

Photos taken by 'JM' and Graham Aspinall  ©