Link Airways (Corporate Air / Vee H Aviation) Metro 23 VH-VEK at Rockhampton Airport Yet Again - Plus More!

On Tuesday 31 August, Link Airways (Corporate Air / Vee H Aviation) Metro 23 VH-VEK was again noted visiting Rockhampton Airport.  As it - and other Link Airways' Metros and SAAB 340 aircraft have done recently - it flew up from and then returned to Brisbane.

At the time of writing, it is believed that fellow Link Airways (Corporate Air / Vee H Aviation) Metro 23 VH-VET will complete a similar flight in and out of Rockhampton Airport on Wednesday 1 September.

It appears that Link Airways has picked up a Fly-in Fly-out (FIFO) charter contract into Rockhampton and it is great to see them here!

Meanwhile, also on Tuesday 31 August, several other light General Aviation (GA) visitors to the region included FKG Air (Redjet Aviation) Hawker Beechcraft B200GT VH-FKB which popped into Samuel Hill Airstrip from Toowoomba and Archerfield before it then called into Rockhampton Airport for fuel. VH-FKB then departed direct to Toowoomba. 

BPW Aviation / Airspeed Aviation of Scone, New South Wales, Cessna 404 Titan VH-SKV flew up from Tamworth to Mackay Airport then down to Archerfield.  It then returned to Tamworth.

Armada Aviation (of Ringwood in Victoria) Pilatus PC-12 VH-NWI flew up to the Whitsunday Airport Shute Harbour from Melbourne (Essendon).

UPDATE!  On Wednesday 1 September, PC12 NWI flew down from Shute Harbour to Hobart before returning to Essendon.

Cessna 208 Caravan, VH-DZZ, of the Skydive the Beach Group, flew down from the Whitsunday Airport at Shute Harbour to the Shellharbour Airport at Wollongong. 

Of interest, another Cessna 208 Caravan, VH-DZQ, of Australia Skydive, flew down from Cairns via Tully to the Whitsunday Airport at Shute Harbour, on Saturday 28 August.

Brescon (Toowoomba) Beech B200 King Air VH-WXB flew up from Toowoomba-Wellcamp to Chinchilla, Yellow Bank and Rolleston Aerodromes before then returning to Chinchilla and Wellcamp. 

Avcair (Easternwell Group) Raytheon B200 King Air VH-EWG flew up from Toowoomba to Springsure Aerodrome and back twice during the day. 

West Coast Seaplanes (Broome, Western Australia) Textron (Cessna) 208 Caravan VH-NPZ, which currently appears to be based at Bundaberg Airport, flew up from there to Rockhampton Airport and then Nebo Aerodrome and back to Bundy.

While Machjet (Corporate Aircraft Charter) Cessna S550 Citation S/2 bizjet VH-SQM was noted completing airwork and then landing briefly at Bundaberg Airport.  It looked to fly up from and then return to the Sunshine Coast.

And the locally-based Embraer EMB-550 Legacy 500 bizjet N142GZ was back in the air, noted departing Mackay Airport for Brisbane.

UPDATE!  On Wednesday 1 September, N142GZ returned to Mackay Airport from Brisbane.

Finally, late on Monday 30 August, Hinterland Aviation Cessna 208 Caravan VH-HLL as "Hinterland 790" arrived into Rockhampton Airport from Cairns.  Then on Tuesday 31 August, VH-HLL started flying the Fly-in Fly-out (FIFO) runs from Rocky to the Labona Station Airstrip within Adani Australia's (Bravus Mining & Resources) Carmichael Coal Mine site.

Also on Tuesday 31 August, fellow Hinterland Aviation Beech B200 King Air VH-HLJ also arrived into Rockhampton Airport from Cairns but as "Hinterland 420".

It seems fellow Hinterland Aviation Cessna 208 Caravan VH-TFS was out of action at Rockhampton Airport.  Around lunchtime, it completed a couple of test circuits before then departing Rocky for Cairns as "Hinterland 790".

VH-HLJ also returned to Cairns, again as "Hinterland 420".

Photo taken by Steve Vit  ©

Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) Boeing C-17A Globemaster III A41-212 Completes Touch and Go Landings at Bundaberg Airport

On Tuesday 31 August, Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) Boeing C-17A Globemaster III A41-212 was noted completing airwork around and a couple of touch-and-go landings at Bundaberg Airport.

File photo

It looked to fly South from RAAF Base Amberley and then head North from around Moree towards Gayndah before it continued to Bundaberg where it complete airwork including a couple of touch-and-go-landings at Bundaberg Airport.  A41-212 then returned direct to Amberley.

A41-212 was heard to be flying as "Stallion 22".

Photo taken by Scott Harris  ©

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

On Monday 30 August, Agair Logistics P/L Rockwell Turbo Commander 690B VH-LVG was noted arriving into Bundaberg Airport from Stawell in Victoria. It was heard to be using the radio callsign of "Birddog 273".

https://www.facebook.com/flyGAMair

The recently re-painted aircraft appears to have arrived into Bundy to again provide airborne support for the recently arrived Canadian-based Conair Aerial Firefighting Dash-8-Q400MR C-FFQE which will again 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, also on Monday 30 August, Sundown Pastoral Company (of Bonogin in the Gold Coast Hinterland) Raytheon B300 Super King Air VH-NSI landed at Emerald Airport from the Gold Coast and Goondiwindi.  During the afternoon, it departed back to Goondiwindi and the Goldie.

MT Air Charters / Pilatus Australia Pilatus PC-12/47E VH-JMU landed at Barcaldine Airport from Albury then departed to Cairns and Hicks Island.

Seair Pacific / Istlecote Cessna 208 Caravan VH-TQW was noted flying up from Hervey Bay (Fraser Coast) Airport to Emerald Airport and then Middlemount Aerodrome before flying back down to Lady Elliott Island. 

Raytheon A36 Bonanza VH-YGM flew from Rockhampton Airport to Hughenden.

UPDATE!  VH-YGM returned to Rockhampton Airport on Tuesday 31 August.  

And the Queensland Police Service (Airwing) (State of Queensland) Raytheon B1900D VH-PSK was back in the region, flying from Cairns and Townsville to Brisbane before then flying back and landing at Rockhampton Airport.  It then returned to Townsville Cairns.

Finally, also on Monday 30 August, Air Gold Coast Cessna 525 Citation CJ1 bizjet VH-CDG was noted arriving into Hamilton Island Airport from the Gold Coast.  It later returned to the Goldie.

LifeFlight (Aeromed) LearJet 45 Bizjet VH-VVI Pops into CQ Airports on a Training Flight - Spotted at Bundaberg Airport

On Monday 30 August, LifeFlight (Aeromed) LearJet 45 bizjet VH-VVI was noted visiting some Central Queensland Airports while out on what appeared to be a training flight out of Brisbane.

It initially flew up from the capital to Bundaberg Airport where it completed airwork before it landed for a short time.  VH-VVI was spotted then as it departed to Gladstone Airport where in again landed for a short time.

VH-VVI then departed Gladstone Airport for Emerald Airport where it completed yet more airwork.  It then flew up to land at Townsville.

VH-VVI then flew out to Hughenden and back to Townsville to round out a busy day of flying.

UPDATE!  On Tuesday 31 August, VH-VVI as "Ambulance 451" looked to complete possibly another training flight as far out as Mount Isa but also visiting Longreach Airport.

UPDATE!  On Wednesday 1 September, VH-VVI completed yet another training flight out of Townsville to Proserpine (Whitsunday Coast) and Mackay Airports and then back to Townsville via Prosie.

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

All photos taken by Peter Sajko  ©

Bowenville-based Cessna 525 CitationJet CJ1+ Bizjet VH-JSZ Pops into Hamilton Island Airport - Plus More!

On Sunday 29 August, Bowenville (near Toowoomba) based Cessna 525 CitationJet CJ1+ bizjet VH-JSZ was yet again back in the region, noted visiting Hamilton Island Airport during a busy day of flying.

File photo

It looked to fly out of Archerfield and call into the Natal Downs Property before then flying across to Hamilton Island Airport.  VH-JSZ then departed Hamo and returned to Archerfield.

VH-JSZ looked to complete a similar flight at the start of the week.

Meanwhile, also on Sunday 29 August, Jetstream Aviation (Emprja P/L) Cessna 550 Citation II VH-VDF was noted visiting Proserpine (Whitsunday Coast) Airport.  It arrived from the Sunshine Coast and then departed to Mareeba, Lockhart River and Cairns.

UPDATE!  On Thursday 2 September, VH-VDF departed Cairns for Lockhart River and then Proserpine (Whitsunday Coast) Airport.  It then departed Prosie for Brisbane and the Sunshine Coast.

Finally, also on Sunday 29 August, Raytheon A36 Bonanza VH-YGM flew back up to Rockhampton Airport from the Sunshine Coast.  The Orange (New South Wales) based Bonanza flew South last Tuesday 24 August and has spent some time seemingly based at Rockhampton Airport.

Photo taken by Steve Vit  ©

LifeFlight (Aeromed) Bombardier Challenger 604 Bizjet VH-URR "Ambulance 604" Pops into Mackay Airport

On Sunday 29 August, LifeFlight (Aeromed) Bombardier Challenger 604 bizjet VH-URR "Ambulance 604" was noted arriving into Mackay Airport from Townsville.

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After around an hour on the ground, VH-URR "Ambulance 604" departed Mackay Airport for Brisbane.

It appears this is the first time VH-URR has been in the region since it returned from operating overseas since October last year.

Queensland Government (QGAir) Rescue Agusta AW139 Helicopter VH-ESH Flys South via Rockhampton Airport

On Saturday 28 August, Queensland Government (QGAir) Rescue (State of Queensland) Agusta AW139 helicopter VH-ESH was photographed as it arrived into Rockhampton Airport while ferrying South from Townsville to Archerfield.

VH-ESH has operating out of Townsville Airport in recent months and so it is presumed that it has ferried from Townsville to Archerfield for planned maintenance.

As we have reported previously, this 'rotational system' of airframes that QGAir utilises ensure the even distribution of flying hours on each of the their Rescue helicopters. This system avoids the need to have multiple helicopters offline for simultaneous scheduled maintenance.

As posted below, on Tuesday 24 August, fellow Queensland Government (QGAir) Rescue Agusta AW139 helicopter VH-EZJ was spotting passing through Rockhampton Airport while ferrying North from Archerfield to Cairns.

Sincere thanks to local photographer Steve V for allowing us to share this great photo!

Photo taken by Steve Vit  ©

Alliance Airlines Fokker F-100 VH-UQW and Embraer E-190 VH-UYN at Rockhampton Airport on NRL Charters

On Saturday 28 August, a pair of Alliance Airlines jets - old and new - were noted and spotted visiting Rockhampton Airport, bringing players and support staff to the beef capital for the National Rugby League (NRL) game between the St George-Illawarra Dragons and the North Queensland Cowboys.

The Cowboys travelled to Rocky from Townsville on board Alliance Airlines Fokker F-100 VH-UQW which touched down at Rockhampton Airport as UTY3385. 

While the Dragons flew up from Brisbane on board recently delivered Alliance Airlines Embraer E-190 VH-UYN which touched down at Rockhampton Airport as UTY3392.

After the game, just after sunset, both Alliance Airlines aircraft returned to their respective departure points with VH-UQW returning to Townville but as UTY3386 and VH-UYN returning to Brisbane but as UTY3393.

Meanwhile, also on Saturday 28 August, another closed charter flight out of Rockhampton Airport looked to be completed by Hinterland Aviation Cessna 208 Caravan VH-TFS which departed as HND253 to Moura Airport.  

At the time of writing, VH-TFS was planned to head to Brisbane before returning to Rockhampton Airport again as HND253 in the wee small hours of Sunday 29 August.

Photo taken by Steve Vit  ©️

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

During the evening on Friday 27 August, LifeFlight (Aeromed) Canadair CL-600-2B16 Challenger 604 bizjet VH-OFA "Ambulance 614" was noted arriving into Gladstone Airport from Brisbane.

File photo

After around an hour, VH-OFA "Ambulance 614" departed Gladstone Airport for Mackay Airport.  After around another hour, it then flew up to Townsville.

Photo taken by 'AC'  ©

Air Gold Coast Cessna 525 Citation CJ1 Bizjet VH-CDG Arrives into Hamilton Island Airport - Plus More!

On Friday 27 August, Air Gold Coast Cessna 525 Citation CJ1 bizjet VH-CDG was noted arriving into Hamilton Island Airport from the Gold Coast.

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It appears to be staying for at least the night.

UPDATE!  On Saturday 28 August, VH-CDG departed Hamo and returned to the Gold Coast.

Also visiting Hamilton Island Airport (again), also on Friday 27 August, was Clive Palmer's Mineralogy Company's registered Bombardier BD-700-1A10 Global Express XRS bizjet VH-UPH.  On this occasion, it arrived from Townsville and departed to the Sunshine Coast and then Brisbane.

VH-UPH also visited the previous day.

And Avcair (Avgunn) LearJet 60 bizjet VH-ILJ was noted visiting Hamilton Island Airport, arriving  from Townsville and then departing to its Brisbane base.

Meanwhile, also on Friday 27 August, the Queensland Police Service (Airwing) (State of Queensland) Raytheon B1900D VH-PSK was noted visiting Rockhampton Airport twice during a busy day of flying.  It arrived from Cairns and Townsville and departed to Brisbane.  VH-PSK then returned to Rocky and returned to Townsville and then Cairns.

Finally, also on Friday 27 August, Alliance Airlines Fokker F-100 jet VH-FGB visited Mackay Airport, arriving from Brisbane and the Gold Coast as UTY3381/2 and later departing to Brisbane as UTY3383.  It came to town flying up the players and officials in the National Rugby League (NRL) game that was being playing in Mackay that evening.

Photo taken by Tony Haynes  ©

Conair Aerial Firefighting Dash-8-Q400MR C-FFQE Arrives into Bundaberg Airport for the 2021 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 late on Thursday 26 August.

The large air tanker will again be based at Bundaberg Airport and operated by the Queensland Fire and Emergency Services (QFES) for the 2021 season.  Again, it has the potential to help fight fires across the state.  It still wears QFES and Queensland Government logos and stickers as it did in 2020.

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 Honolulu, Guam and Cairns 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).

UPDATE!  On Monday 30 August, Agair Logistics P/L Rockwell Turbo Commander 690B VH-LVG was noted arriving into Bundaberg Airport from Stawell in Victoria. It was heard to be using the radio callsign of "Birddog 273".  It is assumed that it will again provide airborne support for C-FFQE during this coming bushfire season.

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 Photos of West Coast Seaplanes (Broome, Western Australia) Textron (Cessna) 208 Caravan VH-NPZ at Bundaberg Airport

Local plane spotter Dan B has very generously sent through some photos of what appears to be now locally-based West Coast Seaplanes (Broome, Western Australia) Textron (Cessna) 208 Caravan VH-NPZ at Bundaberg Airport on Thursday 26 August.

As we've posted below, the Caravan has completed a series of flights out of and back to Bundaberg Airport to various places around the region with reports suggesting that local pilots are being trained and endorsed to fly the Cessna 208 Caravan, hence why it is based at Bundy.

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

All photos taken by Dan B  ©

Robindale Group (Bathurst) Cessna 510 Citation Mustang Bizjet VH-CMK Departs Emerald Airport - Plus More!

On Thursday 26 August, the recently re-registered Robindale Group (Bathurst) Cessna 510 Citation Mustang bizjet VH-CMK was noted departing Emerald Airport for the Sunshine Coast.  It had arrived from Orange in New South Wales via the Sunny Coast on Tuesday 24 August.

Allbut Andrew / https://flightaware.com/

As mentioned below, Citation Mustang VH-CMK was re-registered from N251MC in early July and also paid a visit to Emerald Airport wearing this registration marking in mid-June this year. 

Another nice corporate bizjet to return to the region, also on Thursday 26 August, was Clive Palmer's Mineralogy Company's registered Bombardier BD-700-1A10 Global Express XRS bizjet VH-UPH.  It called into Hamilton Island Airport twice during a busy of flying out of and back to Townsville.

Meanwhile, also on Thursday 26 August, Seair Pacific / Istlecote Textron Aviation (Cessna) 208B Caravan VH-TLH flew into Middlemount Aerodrome from Hervey Bay (Fraser Coast) Airport before later flying back there via Maryborough Airport.

FKG Air (Redjet Aviation) Hawker Beechcraft B200GT VH-FKB popped into Samuel Hill Airstrip from Toowoomba before returning there via Archerfield.

And Brescon (Toowoomba) Beech B200 King Air VH-XDW flew up directly to the Labona Station Airstrip within Adani Australia's (Bravus Mining & Resources) Carmichael Coal Mine site from Toowoomba-Wellcamp Airport.  It was later noted returning to Wellcamp rather than spending the night again this week.

Finally, also on Thursday 26 August, CQ Warbird Adventure Flights Yakovlev Yak-52 warbird VH-YAF was noted returning North, flying into Rockhampton and Mackay Airports while flying back home to the Whitsunday Airport at Shute Harbour from Watts Bridge.  

It had flown down over the weekend.

Alliance Airlines Embraer E-190 Regional Jet VH-UYN Makes First Flight and First Visit to CQ at Rockhampton Airport

On Thursday 26 August, Alliance Airlines Embraer E-190 regional jet VH-UYN was photographed as it completed its first ever flight for the airline and also first ever visit to Central Queensland, calling into Rockhampton Airport as UTY9828 from Brisbane.

The Embraer looked to bring several officials and politicians to announce the construction of their planned maintenance facility which will soon start construction at the Southern part of Rockhampton Airport.

Later in the day, VH-UYN departed Rockhampton Airport and returned to Brisbane but as UTY9829.

Of interest, VH-UYN is ex-N995QQ with the former Copa Airlines E-190 being delivered to Alliance Airlines in Brisbane in late July 2021.

Currently, Alliance Airlines has taken delivery of 11 Embraer E-190 regional jets out of a total order of 32 - the additional two are ex-Helvetic Airways aircraft which have also been delivered in recent months.

ex-Helvetic Airways E-190 M-ABOB at Brisbane Airport recently  (File photo)

Alliance Airlines has placed the majority of its E-190 regional jets in a lease arrangement with them operating for QantasLink on their Central Australia routes.

VH-UYF wearing small QantasLink titles near the door and parked at Adelaide Airport  (File photo)

VH-UYB still wearing RAAF 100th anniversary livery also parked at Adelaide Airport  (File photo)

Meanwhile, one other E-190, VH-UYC, operates in an all white colour scheme for Darwin-based airline Airnorth.

Awesome!

Photos taken by Scott Harris, Lloyd Fox and Tony Haynes  ©

Qantas Airways Airbus A330-202 VH-EBS Touches Down at Rockhampton Airport Late Wednesday in Support of Exercise Wallaby 2021

Late on Wednesday 25 August, Qantas Airways Airbus A330-202 VH-EBS was spotted on the ground at Rockhampton Airport after arriving from Brisbane on a closed charter flight as QFA1303.

After over an hour on the ground, VH-EBS then positioned back to Brisbane empty as QFA6104.

The flight is believed to be the first of a series of closed charter flights in support of the Singapore Armed Force’s Exercise Wallaby 2021 (XWB21) which is to be held in the Shoalwater Bay Training Area (SWBTA) from early September.  It is believed that personnel and equipment were recently flown to Brisbane from Singapore on board a Republic of Singapore Air Force Airbus A330-243 Multi Role Tanker Transport (A330-MRTT) aircraft '765' as shown below.

Their arrival into Brisbane precisely a fortnight ago would be complete strict quarantine requirements before they continued up to Rockhampton.

Military Exercise Wallaby (XWB21) is a Singapore Armed Force's exercise with participation of the Singapore Navy, Army and Air Force. The exercise will be confined to the Shoalwater Bay Training Area, near Rockhampton, from 10 September – 24 October 2021.

Photos taken by Jaxson White and Simon Coates  ©️

Brenzil Dassault Aviation Falcon 7X Bizjet VH-CRW Pops into Gladstone Airport - Plus More!

On Wednesday 25 August, Brenzil Dassault Aviation Falcon 7X bizjet VH-CRW was noted visiting Gladstone Airport.

File photo

It looked to arrive from and then later depart back to Brisbane.

Meanwhile, also on Wednesday 25 August, MacKellar Mining Equipment Pty Ltd (Revesco Aviation) Cessna 680 Citation Sovereign VH-MMC departed Emerald Airport and returned to the Sunshine Coast.  It had arrived the previous day - see Blog post below!

Finally, also on Wednesday 25 August, Link Airways (Corporate Air / Vee H Aviation) SAAB 340B VH-VEM was noted visiting Rockhampton Airport.  It arrived from and later departed back to Brisbane.

Photo taken by Lloyd Fox  ©

Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) Boeing C-17A Globemaster III A41-212 "Stallion 74" Spotted Completing Airwork at Rockhampton Airport

On Wednesday 25 August, Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) Boeing C-17A Globemaster III A41-212 was spotted completing a missed approach at Rockhampton Airport.

It looked to fly up from RAAF Base Amberley and complete a missed approach at the Sunshine Coast before it then flew up to Rocky. After completing the missed approach, A41-212 then returned direct to Amberley.

A41-212 was heard to be flying as "Stallion 74".

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

All photos taken by Scott Harris  ©

MacKellar Mining Equipment Pty Ltd (Revesco Aviation) Cessna 680 Citation Sovereign VH-MMC First Visit to CQ at Emerald Airport - Plus More!

On Tuesday 24 August, MacKellar Mining Equipment Pty Ltd (Revesco Aviation) Cessna 680 Citation Sovereign VH-MMC was noted making its first visit to Central Queensland, touching down at Emerald Airport from its Sunshine Coast base.

The recently delivered 2015-build Citation Sovereign VH-MMC replaces 1996-build MacKellar Mining Equipment Pty Ltd (Revesco Aviation) Cessna 560 Citation Ultra now re-registered VH-OHN and still at the Sunshine Coast.

Also on Tuesday 24 August, recently re-registered Robindale Group (Bathurst) Cessna 510 Citation Mustang bizjet VH-CMK was also noted arriving into Emerald Airport.  It flew up from Orange in New South Wales via the Sunshine Coast.

Of interest, the Citation Mustang VH-CMK was re-registered from N251MC in early July and also paid a visit to Emerald Airport wearing this registration marking in mid-June this year.

While Vanderfield Pilatus PC-12/47 VH-WPH flew back to Emerald Airport from Mackay Airport.  It then later departed to Toowoomba.

VH-WPH had flown up from Toowoomba to Mackay Airport via Emerald Airport the previous day.

Meanwhile, also on Tuesday 24 August, Air Gold Coast Cessna 525 Citation CJ1 bizjet VH-CDG visited Hamilton Island Airport from its Gold Coast base.

Machjet (Machjet International) Cessna 525 Citation CJ1 bizjet VH-SIY also visited Hamilton Island Airport but from its Sunshine Coast base.

And Avcair Embraer 500 Phenom 100EV bizjet VH-NJR departed Maryborough Airport for its Brisbane base.  It had arrived two days prior.

Finally, also on Tuesday 24 August, the Queensland Police Service (Airwing) (State of Queensland) Raytheon B1900D VH-PSK arrived into Rockhampton Airport from Cairns before then departing to Hervey Bay (Fraser Coast) Airport.  It then returned to Cairns. 

The Queensland Government Airwing (State of Queensland) Raytheon B300 Super King Air VH-SGQ arrived into Bundaberg Airport from Brisbane.

UPDATE!  On Wednesday 25 August, VH-SGQ returned to Brisbane from Bundy.

And West Coast Seaplanes (Broome, Western Australia) Textron (Cessna) 208 Caravan VH-NPZ, which currently appears to be based at Bundaberg Airport, flew up from there to Nebo Aerodrome and back.

All photos taken by 'AC'  ©

Queensland Government (QGAir) Rescue Agusta AW139 Helicopter VH-EZJ Passes Through Rockhampton Airport Heading North

On Tuesday 24 August, Queensland Government (QGAir) Rescue Agusta AW139 helicopter VH-EZJ was spotted passing through Rockhampton Airport while ferrying North to Cairns.

It originally departed from Archerfield and was spotted arriving into Rockhampton Airport where it refuelled before continuing to Townsville and then Cairns.

VH-EZJ looks to have spent the previous couple of weeks undergoing planned maintenance after it had originally flown South from Townsville at the start of the month.  

As we have mentioned previously, this is part of the 'rotational system' the service utilises to ensure the even distribution of flying hours on each of the QGAir Rescue helicopters.  This system avoids the need to have multiple helicopters offline for simultaneous scheduled maintenance.

Photo taken by Steve Vit  ©

Bowenville-based Cessna 525 CitationJet CJ1+ Bizjet VH-JSZ Pops into Hamilton Island Airport - Plus More!

On Monday 23 August, Bowenville (near Toowoomba) based Cessna 525 CitationJet CJ1+ bizjet VH-JSZ was yet again back in the region, noted visiting Hamilton Island Airport during a busy day of flying.

File photo

It looked to fly out of Archerfield and call into the Natal Downs Property before then flying across to Hamilton Island Airport.  VH-JSZ then departed Hamo and returned to Archerfield.

Also noted back in the air, also on Monday 23 August, was Australian Country Choice Properties (Brisbane) Cessna 560 Citation V Encore bizjet VH-ACC which was noted making an early visit to their Dooloogarah Property from Archerfield.

Meanwhile, also on Monday 23 August, Vanderfield Pilatus PC-12/47 VH-WPH flew up from its Toowoomba base to Emerald Airport before it then departed to Mackay Airport.

UPDATE!  On Tuesday 24 August, VH-WPH returned down from Mackay Airport to Emerald Airport.

While Ipswich-based Airborne P/L (Palm Lake Works) Pilatus PC-12/47E VH-PLE made yet another visit to Bundaberg Airport.  It looked to arrive from and depart back to the Gold Coast.

Finally, also on Monday 23 August, Beech 95-B55 VH-MYM touched down at Rockhampton Airport from its Gayndah base.  It then flew West to Kaiuroo before then returning to Rocky and Gayndah Airport.

Rolleston-based Piper PA-28-180 Cherokee VH-EMU arrived into Rockhampton Airport from there.

While Stirling Helicopters Eurocopter AS350B3 Squirrel helicopter VH-EUM (confusing!) arrived into Rockhampton Airport from Dululu.  It then departed to the North before later returning to Rocky and then back to Dululu.

And Raytheon A36 Bonanza VH-YGM departed Rockhampton Airport for Maryborough Airport.

UPDATE!  On Tuesday 24 August, VH-YGM departed Maryborough Airport for the Sunshine Coast.

Photo taken by Steve Vit  ©

LifeFlight (Aeromed) LearJet 45 Bizjet VH-VVI "Ambulance 451" Pops into Mackay Airport - Plus More Medevac Visitors!

During the afternoon on Sunday 22 August, LifeFlight (Aeromed) LearJet 45 bizjet VH-VVI "Ambulance 451" was noted arriving into Mackay Airport from Brisbane.

File photo

After a couple of hours on the ground, it departed Mackay Airport and returned to Brisbane.

Meanwhile, also on Sunday 22 August, Queensland Government (QGAir) Rescue (State of Queensland) Leonardo S.P.A. Helicopter (Agusta) AW139 helicopter VH-EGK "Rescue 521" was spotted as it was landing at Mackay Airport after flying South from Townsville Hospital.

After a few hours on the ground, VH-EGK "Rescue 521" returned to Townsville.

Finally, on Friday 20 August, I spotted the RACQ Central Queensland Rescue Service (CQ Rescue) Bell 412EP helicopter VH-VAU "Rescue 412" landing at Mackay Base Hospital after completing a patient transfer from Bowen Hospital.

Certainly a great sight and sound!

Photos taken by Simon Coates and 'JM'  ©

CQ Warbird Adventure Flights Yakovlev Yak-52 warbird VH-YAF Passes Through CQ Airports - Plus More!

On Sunday 22 August, CQ Warbird Adventure Flights Yakovlev Yak-52 warbird VH-YAF flew down from the Whitsunday Airport at Shute Harbour to Mackay Airport and then Rockhampton and Gayndah Airports before continuing to Watts Bridge.

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I presume it will undergo planned maintenance.

UPDATE!  On Thursday 26 August, VH-YF returned North.

While also on Sunday 22 August, Avcair Embraer 500 Phenom 100EV bizjet VH-NJR was noted arriving into Maryborough Airport from its Brisbane base.

UPDATE!  On Tuesday 24 August, VH-NJR departed Maryborough Airport and returned to Brisbane.

And Drury Farming Co Piper PA-28-236 Dakota VH-EDB was noted departing Rockhampton Airport for Miles.  It had arrived from there the previous day.

A Nice Trio of Australian Bizjets Call into Whitsundays Airports - VH-ACC - VH-PYN - VH-UPH

Also on Saturday 21 August, Australian Country Choice Properties (Brisbane) Cessna 560 Citation V Encore bizjet VH-ACC was noted making an early visit to Proserpine (Whitsunday Coast) Airport.

File photo

I looked to fly up from Archerfield and then back.

Meanwhile, noted arriving into Hamilton Island Airport, also on Saturday 21 August, was Gulf Aircraft Cessna 680 Citation Sovereign bizjet VH-PYN.  It looked to touch down from Brisbane.

UPDATE!  On Sunday 22 August, VH-PYN departed Hamo and returned to Brisbane.

Finally also on Saturday 21 August, Clive Palmer's Mineralogy Company's registered Bombardier BD-700-1A10 Global Express XRS bizjet VH-UPH was back in the region, also visiting Hamilton Island Airport.

After completing a quick flight from Brisbane to the Sunshine Coast and back to Brisbane, it flew up to Hamo from the capital before then departing to Townsville.

Photo taken by James Kirk  ©

Alliance Airlines Fokker F-100 VH-UQC Brings National Rugby League (NRL) Teams to Rockhampton Airport

On Saturday 21 August, the National Rugby League (NRL) competition came to Central Queensland with both the Cronulla Sharks and Wests Tigers teams and support staff flying into Rockhampton Airport on board Alliance Airlines Fokker F-100 VH-UQC which touched down from Brisbane as UTY3380.

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This is the first of four games being played in both Rockhampton and Mackay over the next couple of weeks which should see similar closed charter flights touch down in these cities.

After the game where the Sharks sounded defeated the Tigers, all players and staff returned to Brisbane again on board F-100 VH-UQC which departed Rockhampton Airport after dark as UTY3381.

Photo taken by 'JM'  ©

Austrek Aviation Beech B200 Super King Air VH-ZGD Back in CQ Noted at Rockhampton Airport - Plus More!

On Friday 20 August, Austrek Aviation Beech B200 Super King Air VH-ZGD was noted visiting Rockhampton Airport. It arrived from and later departed back to its Toowoomba base.

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As posted below, VH-ZGD visited Longreach Airport at the start of this week.

Meanwhile, also noted visiting Rockhampton Airport, also on Friday 20 August, was the becoming familiar sight (again) of the Queensland Police Service (Airwing) (State of Queensland) Raytheon B1900D VH-PSK.  It arrived from Cairns and departed to Brisbane.  It then returned to Rockhampton Airport before departing up to Townsville and back to Cairns.

Finally, a trio of bizjets around the region, also on Friday 20 August, included Poolhurst Aviation Air Charter Services Pilatus PC-24 jet VH-VTF which was noted visiting Hamilton Island Airport once again.  This time, it arrived from Adelaide and departed to the Gold Coast and Archerfield.

While the locally-based Embraer EMB-550 Legacy 500 bizjet N142GZ flew to Brisbane and back to its Mackay Airport base.

And Australian Country Choice Properties (Brisbane) Cessna 560 Citation V Encore bizjet VH-ACC landed at Dooloogarah from Archerfield and later returned to there.

Photo taken by Lloyd Fox  ©

Link Airways (Corporate Air / Vee H Aviation) Metro 23 VH-VEK at Rockhampton Airport Again This Week - Plus More!

On Thursday 19 August, Link Airways (Corporate Air / Vee H Aviation) Metro 23 VH-VEK was again noted visiting Rockhampton Airport.  It flew up from and then returned to Brisbane.

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VH-VEK also visited Rockhampton Airport from Brisbane on Tuesday 17 August.

Are we seeing start of something 'regular'?

Meanwhile, also noted visiting Rockhampton Airport, also on Thursday 19 August, was Sling 4 VH-VWD which arrived from Heck Field and then departed to Moura Airport. 

Sunshine Coast-based Rockwell International 114 VH-KSW, which flew North last Friday 13 August, arrived back into Rockhampton Airport from the Whitsunday Airport at Shute Harbour before then departing 'home' to Caboolture. 

McDermott Aviation / Heli-Lift Australia Aerospatiale 365N2 Dauphin 2 helicopter N366SR flew up from Sunshine Coast to Gladstone Airport and then Hedlow Airfield.  It later returned South.

While fellow McDermott Bell Textron Helicopter 214B-1 Big Lifter helicopter VH-SEK arrived back into Rockhampton Airport from Innisfail and Townsville after heading North the previous day.

UPDATE!  On Friday 20 August, VH-SEK departed Rockhampton Airport for Hedlow Airfield and then back to Rocky.  It then departed to Gympie.

And locally-based Keppel High Wing Cessna 182T VH-LJE departed its Rockhampton Airport base for Blackall Airport before then returning using an "Angelflight" callsign - something not heard for some time.  

VH-LJE completed a similar flight last Thursday 12 August.

Finally, also on Thursday 19 August, West Coast Seaplanes (Broome, Western Australia) Textron (Cessna) 208 Caravan VH-NPZ, which currently appears to be based at Bundaberg Airport, flew up from there to Rockhampton Airport and then Great Keppel Island Airstrip and then back to Bundy.

Brisbane-based Henty Aviation Cessna 425 Conquest 1 VH-BSM popped into Emerald Airport from Archerfield.  It later departed to Mount Isa.

UPDATE!  On Friday 20 August, VH-BSM returned to Emerald Airport from Mount Isa before departing back to Archerfield.

And Brescon (Toowoomba) Beech B200 King Air VH-XDW flew up directly to the Labona Station Airstrip within Adani Australia's (Bravus Mining & Resources) Carmichael Coal Mine site from Toowoomba-Wellcamp Airport.  It was later noted returning to Wellcamp rather than spending the night.

Photo taken by Lloyd Fox  ©

Local Embraer EMB-550 Legacy 500 Bizjet N142GZ Back in The Air out of Mackay Airport - Plus More!

On Wednesday 18 August, the locally-based Embraer EMB-550 Legacy 500 bizjet N142GZ was back in the air, noted departing Mackay Airport for Brisbane.

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After just over an hour on the ground, N142GZ flew back to Mackay Airport from Brisbane.

Meanwhile, also on Wednesday 18 August, FKG Air (Redjet Aviation) Hawker Beechcraft B200GT VH-FKB had another busy day of flying in the region, landing at Gladstone Airport from Toowoomba and Archerfield.  It later reversed this flight.

Finally, also on Wednesday 18 August, McDermott Aviation / Heli-Lift Australia Helicopters Bell Textron Helicopter 214B-1 Big Lifter helicopter VH-SEK looked to arrive into Rockhampton Airport from the South-East.  It was then noted flying up from Proserpine (Whitsunday Coast) Airport to Townsville.

UPDATE!  Late on Thursday 19 August, VH-SEK arrived back into Rockhampton Airport from Innisfail and Townsville.  It was also noted that McDermott's Aerospatiale 365N2 Dauphin 2 helicopter N366SR flew up from the Sunshine Coast to Gladstone and then Hedlow Airports before returning South.

UPDATE!  On Friday 20 August, VH-SEK departed Rockhampton Airport for Hedlow Airfield and then back to Rocky.  It then departed to Gympie.