PNG-Registered Columbia Helicopters (USA) Boeing-Vertol Chinook 234LR Helicopter P2-CHI Pops into CQ Airports Heading South

On Thursday 4 November, Papua New Guinea (PNG) registered Columbia Helicopters (USA) Boeing-Vertol 234LR Chinook helicopter P2-CHI was noted heading South from Cairns via Central Queensland Airports.

The massive civilian Chinook helicopter had flown into Cairns from Papua New Guinea exactly two weeks ago. With quarantine requirements fulfilled, on Thursday, P2-CHI departed Cairns and took on fuel at Townsville (pictured) before landing at Mackay Airport where it again had a refuel.

It then departed Mackay Airport and headed down to Emerald Airport. At the time of writing, P2-CHI looked to be staying at Emerald Airport for the night.

It has been reported to us that P2-CHI is ultimately heading to Scone where it will join the Australian Aerial Firefighting fleet to support the upcoming bushfire fighting season.

P2-CHI will reportedly take up the radio callsign "Helitack 291".

UPDATE!  On Friday 5 November, P2-CHI continued South from Emerald Airport to Roma Airport and then Moree.  It appears to have arrived into Scone on Saturday 6 November.

Photo taken by Graham Aspinall  ©