Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) Alenia C-27J Spartan Transport Aircraft A34-002 Completes Airwork at Bundaberg and Hervey Bay Airports

On Thursday 30 September, Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) Alenia C-27J Spartan transport aircraft A34-002 was spotted completing airwork - including missed approaches and touch-and-gos - at Bundaberg Airport.

It was flying as "Wallaby 75" and looked to fly up from RAAF Base Amberley.  At the completion of its airwork at Bundy, the Spartan looked to complete more airwork at Hervey Bay (Fraser Coast) Airport.  It then returned to Amberley.

Photo and video taken by Dan B and Hayden Matthew Alexander  ©

Toowoomba-based Beech 58 Baron VH-CLE Pops into Rockhampton and Dingo Airports - Plus More!

On Thursday 30 September, Toowoomba-based Beech 58 Baron VH-CLE flew up from Gympie and landed at Rockhampton Airport for a short time.  It then few West to the Dingo Airstrip (Dingo Roadhouse) before then flying back to Rockhampton Airport.  VH-CLE then flew back to Dingo and then back to Gympie.

File photo

Of interest, VH-CLE looked to fly across to Gympie from its Tara base (near Toowoomba) the previous day.

Meanwhile, also on Thursday 30 September, Redcliffe-based Aeromot AMT-200S Super Ximango VH-XNO flew from Roma to Blackall Airports and then up to Burketown.

Up at Hamilton Island Airport, also on Thursday 30 September, re-registered WFL Aviation (Jet Assist) of Victoria Cessna 550 Citation II Bravo bizjet VH-HVM departed to the Gold Coast.  It had arrived from there on Monday 27 September.

Brisbane-based Adome P/L (Brisbane) Cessna 525 CitationJet M2 bizjet VH-YWS arrived at Hamilton Island Airport from Archerfield.

UPDATE!  On Monday 4 October, VH-YWS departed Hamo and returned to Archerfield.

While Machjet (Machjet International) Cessna 525 Citation CJ1 bizjet VH-SIY looked to returned to Hamo yet again, this time arriving from the Sunshine Coast and Brisbane.  It returned to direct to the Sunny Coast.

Ipswich-based Airborne P/L (Palm Lake Works) Pilatus PC-12/47E VH-PLE visited from the its Gold Coast base.  

And Brisbane-based FIFO Jet P/L Beech B200 King Air VH-FAQ arrived from Archerfield.

UPDATE!  On Saturday 2 October, VH-FAQ departed Hamilton Island Airport and returned to Archerfield.

Air Australia International (of Jandakot, Western Australia) Piper PA-31 Navajo VH-CYY departed Proserpine (Whitsunday Coast) Airport for Moranbah, Ayr, Bowen and Mackay Airports.  It then flew up to the Whitsunday Airport at Shute Harbour (pictured below) where it is reportedly to take up operations with the locally-based Fly Australia Airlines (Charter). 

And Brescon (Toowoomba) Beech B200 VH-WXN visited the Labona Station Airstrip within Adani Australia's (Bravus Mining & Resources) Carmichael Coal Mine site from Toowoomba-Wellcamp Airport completing its weekly visit.

Finally, also on Thursday 30 September, as it has done quite a bit over the last few days, Australian Maritime Safety Authority (AMSA) (Cobham SAR Services Pty Ltd) Bombardier CL-600-2B16 Challenger 604 bizjet VH-XNC operated an Australian Border Force surveillance and compliance flight out of and back to Cairns Airport.  It flew down to abeam Mackay before then heading back North, all at very low level.  VH-XNC was heard to use the flight number and callsign of "Borderforce 01".

Photos taken by 'JM' and Lee Holloway  ©

Avcair (Avgunn) LearJet 60 Bizjet VH-ILJ Overnight Visit to a Couple of CQ Airports

Interesting to note that late on Wednesday 29 September, Avcair (Avgunn) LearJet 60 bizjet VH-ILJ visited a couple of Central Queensland Airports while reportedly completing a medical evacuation flight.

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VH-ILJ looked to depart its Brisbane base and fly up to Townsville before then looking to fly down to Emerald Airport.  It then flew across to Bundaberg Airport before then returning to Brisbane.

Photo taken by Tony Haynes  ©

LifeFlight (Aeromed) Bombardier Challenger 604 Bizjet VH-URR "Ambulance 604" Calls into Charleville and then Mackay Airports

Late on Wednesday 29 September, LifeFlight (Aeromed) Bombardier Challenger 604 bizjet VH-URR "Ambulance 604" was noted visiting Charleville Airport.  It arrived from and then later departed back to Brisbane.

VH-URR at Adelaide Airport recently  (File photo)

Then during the afternoon on Thursday 30 September, VH-URR "Ambulance 604" called into Mackay Airport, again arriving from and later departing back to Brisbane.

Photo taken by Tony Haynes  ©️

Link Airways (Corporate Air / Vee H Aviation) SAAB 340B VH-VEM Calls into Rockhampton Airport - Plus More!

On Wednesday 29 September, the continuing visits by Link Airways (Corporate Air / Vee H Aviation) aircraft into Rockhampton Airport continued with SAAB 340B VH-VEM noted visiting.

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As with previous visits by these aircraft, VH-VEM arrived from and later departed back to Brisbane.

Meanwhile, also noted visiting Rockhampton Airport, also on Wednesday 29 September, was Hinterland Aviation Beech B200 King Air VH-HLJ 'HND728' which arrived from Cairns and Townsville and later departed direct to Cairns.

Another King Air in the form of Brisbane-based FIFO Jet P/L Beech B200 King Air VH-FAQ, completed yet another flight from Rockhampton Airport to the Labona Station Airstrip within Adani Australia's (Bravus Mining & Resources) Carmichael Coal Mine site and back.  It then flew 'home' to Archerfield.

Brisbane-based Pesca Aviation AeroCommander 690-A Turbo Commander VH-ATF arrived from the Whitsunday Airport at Shute Harbour and then departed to Archerfield.  It had flown North on the weekend.

And some helicopters noted visiting Rockhampton Airport included Schultz Equipment Aerospatiale AS 350 B2 Squirrel VH-LBT which departed to my local Clermont Aerodrome and beyond. It had arrived into Rocky yesterday.

While also arriving into Rockhampton Airport on Tuesday 28 September, was Emerald-based Heli Central Williams Helicopter Corp (Bell) UH-1H Huey VH-UHH.

Elsewhere, Nebrean P/L Hawker Beechcraft B200GT Super King Air 250 VH-JHP visited Tambo Aerodrome from its Toowoomba base.

Finally, also on Wednesday 29 September, Air Gold Coast Cessna 525 Citation CJ1 bizjet VH-CDG was noted arriving into Proserpine (Whitsunday Coast) Airport from the Gold Coast.

UPDATE!  On Saturday 2 October, VH-CDG departed Proserpine Airport and returned to the Gold Coast.

While Air Australia International (of Jandakot, Western Australia) Piper PA-31 Navajo VH-CYY also flew into Proserpine Airport but from Birdsville.  It had flown across from Jandakot yesterday. 

And the familiar sight of Machjet (Machjet International) Cessna 525 Citation CJ1 bizjet VH-SIY was back in the region, visiting Hamilton Island Airport from its Sunshine Coast base.

Photo taken by Lloyd Fox  ©️

Australian Army Boeing CH-47F 'Foxtrot' Chinook Helicopter A15-309 "Easy 329/6" Returns North via Rockhampton Airport - Plus More!

Also on Wednesday 29 September, Australian Army Boeing CH-47F 'Foxtrot' Chinook helicopter A15-309 was spotted at Rockhampton Airport. It looked to arrive from RAAF Base Amberley as "Easy 329".

After taking on fuel, the Chinook continued up to Townsville but as "Easy 326".

As posted below, A15-309 called into Rockhampton and Maryborough Airports this time last week, where it and the crew were involved with a ceremony while on the ground at Maryborough to present a retired Army member with his Long Service Medal - see Blog post below!

Meanwhile, also on Wednesday 29 September, Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) Alenia C-27J Spartan transport aircraft A34-002 as "Wallaby 01" flew up from Amberley to complete an initial and pitch, and then a missed approach at Rockhampton Airport before it then continued to Townsville.  After some time on the ground there, it departed to complete more airwork and landing at(?) Hamilton Island Airport before it then returned South to the Sunshine Coast and then Amberley.

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

All photos taken by Steve Vit  ©

Republic of Singapore Air Force (RSAF) Lockheed C-130H Hercules '733' Arrives into Rockhampton Airport - Plus More Helicopter Action!

On Wednesday 29 September, Republic of Singapore Air Force (RSAF) Lockheed C-130H Hercules '733' touched down at Rockhampton Airport as "Singa 9195" from Darwin.  I believe it arrived into the top end from Singapore late on the previous day.

At the time of writing, it appears that the Herc is staying at Rockhampton Airport for at least the night.

Meanwhile, some more great photos have been shared with us of the Republic of Singapore Air Force (RSAF) Boeing CH-47F 'Foxtrot' Chinook and Boeing AH-64D Apache helicopters that have deployed to Rockhampton Airport as the Singapore Armed Forces Exercise Wallaby 2021 (XWB21) continues.

As shown below, Chinooks 88162 and 88165 were spotted flying together as "Celtic".  While the Apaches have been again heard flying singularly and in formation as "Aspen", "Atom", "Avon" and "Astro".

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

All photos taken by Steve Vit  ©

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

Late on Tuesday 28 September, Qantas Airways Airbus A330-202 VH-EBG was noted arriving into Rockhampton Airport from Brisbane on a closed charter flight as QFA1303.

File photo

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

Of interest, VH-EBG was the 5,000th aircraft build by Airbus Industries.

The flight is the third of a series of closed charter flights into Rockhampton Airport in support of the Singapore Armed Force’s Exercise Wallaby 2021 (XWB21) which is being held in the nearby Shoalwater Bay Training Area (SWBTA).

Photo taken by Simon Coates ©️

Several Corporate Bizjets and More Call into Central Queensland Airports on a Busy Tuesday

On Tuesday 28 September, re-registered AAA Aircraft / Flight Options (Australia) Cessna 550 Citation Bravo bizjet VH-CCJ was noted visiting Hamilton Island Airport from the Sunshine Coast.

File photo

While recently delivered Stroud Aviation and Transportation (Boonah) Cessna 510 Citation Mustang bizjet VH-SHI visited Hamilton Island Airport twice.  It arrived from Archerfield and then departed to the Sunshine Coast before then flying back to Hamo from there and then departing back to Archerfield.

And ZephAir Australia - Aircraft Charters Piper PA-31 Navajo VH-AYT visited Hamilton Island Airport from its Townsville base.

Meanwhile, also on Tuesday 28 September, LifeFlight (Aeromed) Bombardier Challenger 604 bizjet VH-URR was noted on a training flight out of and back to Brisbane, including completing some airwork and landing briefly at Toowoomba-Wellcamp, Roma, Bundaberg and the Sunshine Coast Airports.

While recently re-registered Redjet Aviation (Toowoomba) Falcon 50 Dassault Mystere Falcon 50 VH-FJQ looked to visit Bundaberg Airport once again, arriving from and then departing back to Toowoomba-Wellcamp.

And West Coast Seaplanes (Broome, Western Australia) Textron (Cessna) 208 Caravan VH-NPZ, which currently appears to be based at Bundaberg Airport, flew up once again from there to Gladstone and then Nebo Airports before returning to Bundy.

Finally, also on Tuesday 28 September, No Hands P/L (Brisbane) Piper PA-31-350 popped into Longreach Airport, arriving from Redcliffe and departing to Mount Isa.  It is due to continue up to Gove (Northern Territory) on Wednesday 29 September.

Seair Pacific / Istlecote Textron Aviation (Cessna) 208B Caravan VH-TLH departed Longreach Airport for Rolleston Aerodrome.  It arrived into Longreach Airport from Cooktown and Laura over the weekend and seems to be on a closed tourist charter flight.

And Brisbane-based FIFO Jet P/L Beech B200 King Air VH-FAQ was noted completing two flights from Rockhampton Airport to the Labona Station Airstrip within Adani Australia's (Bravus Mining & Resources) Carmichael Coal Mine site and back.

Photo taken by Samuel Felgate  ©

Virgin Australia (ex Tigerair Australia) Boeing B737-800 VH-VUX Re-Enters Service and Calls into Rockhampton Airport

An interesting visitor into Rockhampton Airport on Monday 27 September was Virgin Australia Boeing B737-800 VH-VUX. It arrived from and later departed back to Brisbane as VOZ1239/1240.

VH-VUX re-entered service with Virgin Australia at the start of this month after operating for Virgin's low cost subsidiary Tigerair Australia between October 2019 and March 2020.

VH-VUX was withdrawn from use and placed in long-term storage at Melbourne (Tullamarine) Thursday 10 June 2021 when it was finally taken out of storage and flown from there to Townsville where it was re-painted into Virgin Australia livery at the local Flying Colours paint shop. It is reported VH-VUX has again picked up its previous name of 'Nightcliff Beach'.

VH-VUX then flew from Townsville to Hong Kong (pictured) just over a week later where it underwent planned maintenance.  It then returned to Australia via Cairns and Brisbane on Saturday 10 July where it was stored until it entered service with Virgin Australia on Wednesday 1 September.

Of interest, VH-VUX was ordered by and delivered new to Virgin Blue in October 2010 and wore the name 'Ballina Ballerina'.

VH-VUX at Rockhampton in August in 2014  (File photo)

After Virgin Blue was renamed Virgin Australia Airlines in May 2011, VH-VUX was finally re-painted by Flying Colours in Townsville into the Virgin Australia livery in December 2014 and was renamed 'Nightcliff Beach'.

VH-VUX at Gladstone in January 2015  (File photo)

VH-VUX flew with the airline until September 2019 when it was transferred to Tigerair Australia. After being re-painted into Tigerair livery again in Townsville, VH-VUX entered service with Tigerair in October 2019.

VH-VUX at Adelaide Airport in late December 2019  (File photo)

VH-VUX is now the second B737-800 to re-join the Virgin Australia fleet with VH-YVA doing so late in 2020.

Of interest, with the Tigerair Australia brand now gone, the remaining Boeing B737-800 operated by the airline remain in storage - VH-VUB remains in storage at Melbourne (Tullamarine), while VH-VUD and VH-VOR are at Alice Springs where they are stored in the Asia Pacific Aircraft Storage (APAS) facility.

Photos taken by Ho Ting Au, 'IAD', Anthony Schulz and Tony Haynes  ©

Sleek Brisbane-based FIFO Jet P/L Beech B200 King Air VH-FAQ Completes Flights from Rockhampton Airport to Labona Again - Plus More!

On Monday 27 September, Brisbane-based FIFO Jet P/L Beech B200 King Air VH-FAQ was noted arriving into Rockhampton Airport from Archerfield.

File photo

VH-FAQ then departed Rockhampton Airport for the Labona Station Airstrip within Adani Australia's (Bravus Mining & Resources) Carmichael Coal Mine site.  It then later returned to Rockhampton Airport where it appears to be staying for at least the night.

Meanwhile, also on Monday 27 September, Townsville Airlines (Flightech Air Logistics) Beech B200 King Air VH-WZN flew into Hervey Bay (Fraser Coast) Airport from Cairns and Townsville before later returning there.

While recently delivered Seair Pacific / Istlecote Textron Aviation (Cessna) 208B Caravan VH-TQI was noted flying up from Hervey Bay (Fraser Coast) and Maryborough Airports to Wanella Station (near Coppabella) before flying back down to Hervey Bay Airport.

And The Recreational Flying Company Cessna 421C Golden Eagle VH-UTC departed the Sunshine Coast and called into Bundaberg, Rockhampton and Moranbah Airports before then flying down to Gympie.

Finally, also on Monday 27 September, a pair of familiar Pilatus PC-12s were noted back in the region.  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 via Toowoomba.

And Vanderfield Pilatus PC-12/47 VH-WPH flew up from Toowoomba to Roma and Emerald Airports before then returning direct to Toowoomba.

Photo taken by Lloyd Fox  ©

Re-registered WFL Aviation (Jet Assist) of Victoria Cessna 550 Citation II Bravo Bizjet VH-HVM Arrives into Hamilton Island Airport

An interesting arrival into Hamilton Island Airport on Monday 27 September was recently (July) re-registered WFL Aviation (Jet Assist) of Victoria Cessna 550 Citation II Bravo bizjet VH-HVM.  It looked to touch down from the Gold Coast where it now appears to be based.

VH-HVM at Gold Coast in May  (File photo)

The former Sunshine Coast-based Citation looks to be staying for at least the night at Hamo.

UPDATE!  On Thursday 30 September, VH-HVM departed Hamilton Island Airport and returned to the Gold Coast.

Photo taken by Brodie Lawson  ©

RAAF Search and Rescue (CHC Helicopters) Agusta AW139 Helicopter VH-SYJ "Choppa 42" Pops into CQ Airports Heading to Amberley

On Sunday 26 September, CHC Helicopters Australia / Lloyd Helicopters Agusta AW139 helicopter VH-SYJ was noted passing through passing through a couple of Central Queensland Airports while heading from the Northern Territory to RAAF Base Amberley.

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After flying across from Darwin to Mount Isa via RAAF Base Tindal and Tennant Creek the previous day. VH-SYJ then passed through Longreach and Roma Airports before it continued to Amberley.

VH-SYJ was heard to use the radio callsign of "Choppa 42".

The Agusta operates for the Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) in a Search and Rescue (SAR) role by CHC Helicopters / Lloyd Helicopters.

It appears that VH-SYJ is ferrying to Amberley following deployments to Townsville (for Exercise Talisman Sabre 2021) and then Darwin and Tindal in a support role for the deployed RAAF fast jets.

Photo taken by Steve Vit  ©

Re-Registered Redjet Aviation (Toowoomba) Dassault Mystere Falcon 50 Bizjet VH-FJQ Pops into Bundaberg Airport - Plus More!

On Sunday 26 September, recently re-registered Redjet Aviation (Toowoomba) Falcon 50 Dassault Mystere Falcon 50 VH-FJQ looked to visit Bundaberg Airport on what appears to be a training flight.

File photo

VH-FJQ looked to arrive from and then later depart back to Toowoomba-Wellcamp.

VH-FJQ also visited Hervey Bay (Fraser Coast) Airport on Friday 24 September - we missed it!

And arriving into Maryborough Airport, also on Sunday 26 September, was Avcair Embraer 500 Phenom 100EV bizjet VH-NJR which arrived from Warwick and Brisbane.

UPDATE!  On Monday 27 September, VH-NJR returned to Brisbane.

Meanwhile, also on Sunday 26 September, Machjet (Machjet International) Cessna 525A Citation CJ2 bizjet VH-ZIY looked to visit Hamilton Island Airport from its Sunshine Coast base.

While departing Hamilton Island Airport, also on Sunday 26 September, were the two visiting Bell 429 Global Ranger helicopters.  Corporate Aviation Bell 429 Global Ranger helicopter VH-EQP departed to Southport, flying via Gladstone Airport.  While Brisbane-based Bell Helicopter Textron 429 helicopter VH-SUV departed to Archerfield, flying via Rockhampton and Gayndah Airports.

And ZephAir Australia - Aircraft Charters Piper PA-31 Navajo VH-AYT visited Hamilton Island Airport and the Whitsunday Airport at Shute Harbour over the weekend from its Townsville base.

Finally, also on Sunday 26 September, a pair of Diamond HK-36 TC Super Dimonas, VH-JLL and VH-GHM flew into Gladstone Airport from Caboolture before then flying up to the Whitsunday Airport at Shute Harbour. 

And Flight Training Adelaide (FTA) / Qantas Group Pilot Academy Diamond DA-40 Star training aircraft VH-YTJ called into Rockhampton Airport from Toowoomba-Wellcamp and Bundaberg Airports before it then returned to Wellcamp.

While VH-YTI called into Gayndah and Roma Airports from Wellcamp.

And on Saturday 25 September, VH-YTI called into Hervey Bay (Fraser Coast) and Bundaberg Airports from Wellcamp.

Photo taken by Simon Coates  ©️

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

On Sunday 26 September, LifeFlight (Aeromed) Canadair CL-600-2B16 Challenger 604 bizjet VH-OFA "Ambulance 614" was noted visiting Mackay Airport.

File photo

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

Photo taken by 'AC'  ©

Jampair P/L (Navair Flight Operations) Embraer EMB-505 Phenom 300E Bizjet VH-NSQ Pops into Hamilton Island Airport - Plus More!

On Saturday 25 September, Jampair P/L (Navair Flight Operations) Embraer EMB-505 Phenom 300E bizjet VH-NSQ was noted visiting Hamilton Island Airport. It looked to arrive from Bankstown and then depart to the Sunshine Coast.

File photo

Meanwhile, also on Saturday 25 September, Brisbane-based Pesca Aviation AeroCommander 690-A Turbo Commander VH-ATF departed Archerfield and called into Rockhampton Airport before then heading up the Whitsunday Airport at Shute Harbour where it appears to be staying.

Finally, also on Saturday 25 September, Agair Logistics (of Stawell in Victoria) Beech A36 Bonanza VH-WTW arrived into Bundaberg Airport from Hay in New South Wales.

Photo taken by Tony Haynes  ©️

Adome P/L (Brisbane) Cessna 525 CitationJet M2 Bizjet VH-YWS Pops into Hamilton Island Airport - Plus More!

On Friday 24 September, Brisbane-based Cessna 525 CitationJet M2 bizjet VH-YWS was noted visiting Hamilton Island Airport.

File photo

It looked to arrive from and then later depart back to its Archerfield base.

The familiar sight of Machjet (Machjet International) Cessna 525 Citation CJ1 bizjet VH-SIY was back in the region again on Friday 24 September, with it this time visiting Proserpine (Whitsunday Coast) Airport.  VH-SIY arrived from the Sunshine Coast and the Gold Coast and then later returned direct to the Sunshine Coast.

Meanwhile, also on Friday 24 September, Vanderfield Pilatus PC-12/47 VH-WPH returned to the air after around a month hangered at the Gold Coast.  It departed from there for Theodore and Emerald Airports before it then headed 'home' to Toowoomba.

In its absence, Vanderfield Cessna 210N VH-JSC has been busy flying all around the state and the Central Queensland region with it noted visiting Emerald Airport (amongst other places) across Tuesday 21 September and Wednesday 22 September.

Noted arriving into Rockhampton Airport, also on Friday 24 September, was MH5 Air (Sunshine Coast) SOCATA TB-20 Trinidad VH-CIL.  It arrived from Toowoomba.

VH-CIL has also visited Roma, Charleville and Proserpine (Whitsunday Coast) Airports in recent weeks.

While Hinterland Aviation Cessna 208 Caravan VH-CVN looked to complete a training flight out of Rockhampton Airport towards Gladstone and then Great Keppel Island and back to Rockhampton Airport.

And Awesome Aviation (of Perth in Western Australia) Beech 1900D VH-JYA was seemingly back on the Queensland Police Service flights, with it noted visiting Rockhampton Airport.  VH-JYA flew down from Cairns and Townsville to Brisbane before then calling into Rockhampton Airport.  It continued back up to Townsville and then Cairns.

Finally, also on Friday 24 September, Link Airways (Corporate Air / Vee H Aviation) Cessna 441 Conquest VH-VEH was noted operating out of Mackay Airport as "Survey 23".  It looked to arrive from Far North Queensland the previous day and on Friday, it completed a pair of aerial survey flights out of and back to Mackay Airport, around and to the North of Moranbah.

Of interest, fellow Link Airways (Corporate Air / Vee H Aviation) Cessna 441 Conquest VH-VEW as "Survey 24" has completed survey flights out of Archerfield over the South-East corner of the state over the latter part of this week.

Photo taken by Ryan Hothersall  ©

Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) Boeing C-17A Globemaster III A41-212 Completes Late Airwork at Bundaberg and Rockhampton Airports

Very late on Thursday 23 September, Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) Boeing C-17A Globemaster III A41-212 was noted completing airwork, including missed approaches, at both Bundaberg and Rockhampton Airports.

File photo

It looked to fly out from RAAF Base Amberley and head North at a very low level towards Gayndah before it continued to Bundaberg Airport where it completed airwork including a couple of missed approaches.  41-212 then continued up to Rockhampton Airport where it completed another missed approach before it then flew back South for yet more airwork at the Sunshine Coast and then back to Amberley.

A41-212 was heard to be flying as "Stallion 65".

Photo taken by Scott Harris  ©

Alliance Airlines Fokker F-100 Jet VH-XWS Touches Down at Longreach Airport on Closed Charter Flight

On Friday 24 September, Alliance Airlines Fokker F-100 jet VH-XWS was noted arriving into Longreach Airport on a closed tourist charter flight.

File photo

It arrived from Brisbane as UTY6428 and seems to be staying for at least the night.

UPDATE!  On Sunday 26 September, VH-XWS departed Longreach Airport and returned to Brisbane as UTY6429.

Photo taken by Russell Prothero  ©

More Great Photos as Republic of Singapore Air Force (RSAF) Boeing CH-47F 'Foxtrot' Chinook Helicopters Complete More Sunset Sorties out of Rockhampton Airport for Exercise Wallaby 2021

Some more great photos have been shared to us, this time from Thursday 23 September, as three of the four Republic of Singapore Air Force (RSAF) Boeing CH-47F 'Foxtrot' Chinook helicopters that have deployed to Rockhampton Airport completed late afternoon and sunset sorties to the Shoalwater Bay Training Area (SWBTA) and back as the Singapore Armed Forces Exercise Wallaby 2021 (XWB21) continues.

Shown below are Chinooks 88163 "Cyclops 63" and 88162 "Cyclops 62" which both flew from Rockhampton Airport to Shoalwater Bay and back.  It appears they later completed another sortie to Shoalwater Bay and back to Rockhampton Airport, flying together as "Celtic".

While 88165 "Cyclops 65" is pictured preparing to depart Rockhampton Airport for Shoalwater Bay.

As mentioned previously, the Chinook helicopters are flown by the RSAF's 127 Helicopter Squadron which is based at the Sembawang Air Base (SBAB) in Singapore, however as mentioned, with a detachment at Oakey.

The squadron goes by the motto of "Strength, Courage, Swiftness", the motto is supported by the squadron motif, a white horse in full battle armour.

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

All photos taken by Steve Vit  ©

Robindale Group (Bathurst) Cessna 510 Citation Mustang Bizjet VH-CMK Spotted at Mackay Airport - Plus More!

On Thursday 23 September, Robindale Group (Bathurst) Cessna 510 Citation Mustang bizjet VH-CMK was spotted parked at Mackay Airport.  As mentioned below, it had arrived from Orange and the Sunshine Coast the previous day.

Later on Thursday, VH-CMK departed Mackay Airport and and returned to the Sunshine Coast and then Orange.

Meanwhile, also on Thursday 23 September, a couple of bizjets that arrived into Hamilton Island Airport earlier in the week were also noted departing and returning back to their respective arrival ports.

Private Pilatus Aircraft PC-24 'Super Versatile Jet' corporate bizjet VH-FGM departed Hamo for Adelaide.  It had arrived from there on Monday 20 September.

And Brenzil Dassault Aviation Falcon 7X bizjet VH-CRW departed Hamo for Brisbane after completing a return flight and then flying back in from Brisbane on Tuesday 21 September.

Finally, also on Thursday 23 September, Seair Pacific / Istlecote Cessna 208 Caravan VH-TQW was noted flying up from Hervey Bay (Fraser Coast) Airport to Wanella Station (near Coppabella) before flying back down to Maryborough and Hervey Bay Airports.

Avcair (Easternwell Group) Raytheon B200 King Air VH-EWG flew up from Toowoomba and Brisbane to Gladstone Airport and further North. 

FKG Air (Redjet Aviation) Hawker Beechcraft B200GT VH-FKB was noted visiting Rockhampton Airport.  It arrived from and then later departed to Toowoomba via Archerfield.

While Brisbane-based Bishopp Aviation SOCATA TBM-700 VH-VSV was noted also arriving into Rockhampton Airport also from Archerfield.

UPDATE!  On Friday 24 September, VH-VSV returned to Archerfield from Rockhampton Airport.

And Brescon (Toowoomba) Beech B200 VH-WXN visited the Labona Station Airstrip within Adani Australia's (Bravus Mining & Resources) Carmichael Coal Mine site from Toowoomba-Wellcamp Airport completing its weekly visit.

Photo taken by 'JM'  ©

And Republic of Singapore Air Force (RSAF) Boeing AH-64D Apache Helicopters Sunset Sorties out of Rockhampton Airport for Exercise Wallaby 2021

Some more great photos shared to us from this week as the Republic of Singapore Air Force (RSAF) Boeing AH-64D Apache helicopters that have deployed to Rockhampton Airport complete late afternoon and sunset sorties to the Shoalwater Bay Training Area (SWBTA) and back as the Singapore Armed Forces Exercise Wallaby 2021 (XWB21) continues.

What looks like Apaches 066, 069 and 067 (wearing the red tail crest) were photographed below as they returned to Rockhampton Airport from Shoalwater Bay on Wednesday 22 September, flying together as "Astro".

As mentioned, all four Apache helicopters are flown by the RSAF's 120 Squadron "Kestrel" (also known as the "Red Hawks") based at Sembawang Air Base in Singapore.  The Squadron is the first and oldest RSAF operational squadron in service, first formed in 1969.  The squadron goes by the motto of "Strive To Achieve".

Be sure to stay tuned to the CQ Plane Spotting Blog for all the latest news and updates on Exercise Wallaby via our Facebook page:  https://www.facebook.com/cqplanespotting/

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

All photos taken by Steve Vit  ©

Australian Army Boeing CH-47F 'Foxtrot' Chinook Helicopter A15-309 "Easy 329/6" Spotted at Rockhampton and Maryborough Airports

On Wednesday 22 September, Australian Army Boeing CH-47F 'Foxtrot' Chinook helicopter A15-309 was spotted at Rockhampton Airport.  It looked to arrive from Townsville as "Easy 329".

After taking on fuel, A15-309 departed to Maryborough Airport but as "Easy 326".  Before landing at Maryborough Airport though, the Chinook looked to complete missed approaches at both Gladstone and Bundaberg Airports.

On the ground at Maryborough Airport, the crew of the Chinook were involved with a ceremony on the ground to present a retired Army member with his Long Service Medal.

With this complete, A15-309 then departed to the Oakey Army Aviation Centre, again as "Easy 326".

Of interest, the CH-47F Chinook A15-309 is operated by the Australian Army's 5th Aviation Regiment (5 Avn Regt) 'C' Squadron based at Townsville.  It is presently one of ten CH-47F Chinooks in service with a further four in the process of being acquired from the United States Department of State (US Army holdings).

The order by the Australian Government was confirmed on in early July, at a price of $595 million. Two of the helicopters were delivered to Australia that month on board a United States Air Force (USAF) Lockheed C-5 Galaxy transport plane. The other two are scheduled to be transferred to the Australian Army in 2022.

Sincere thanks to the local plane spotters for allowing us to share these great photos!

Photos taken by Steve Vit and David Geck  ©