LifeFlight (Aeromed) Bombardier Challenger 604 Bizjet VH-URR "Ambulance 604" Calls into a Couple of CQ Airports

During the afternoon and evening on Tuesday 31 May, LifeFlight (Aeromed) Bombardier Challenger 604 bizjet VH-URR "Ambulance 604" was noted visiting a couple of Central Queensland Airports.  It firstly landed at Gladstone Airport after flying up from Brisbane before then departing to Cairns.

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A little later, VH-URR "Ambulance 604" then flew down from Cairns and into Hervey Bay (Fraser Coast) Airport. After a short time on the ground, it then departed Hervey Bay Airport and returned down to Brisbane.

Photo taken by John Lee  ©

Flight Training Adelaide (FTA) / Qantas Group Pilot Academy Diamond DA-40 Stars Spotted in the Whitsundays - Plus More!

On Tuesday 31 May, three Flight Training Adelaide (FTA) / Qantas Group Pilot Academy Diamond DA-40 Star training aircraft were spotted at the Whitsunday Airport at Shute Harbour while completing a pilot-training flight to the region from their Toowoomba-Wellcamp base.

The three Diamond Stars were identified as VH-YTU, VH-YTW and VH-YTZ and arrived into the Whitsundays the previous day, all flying up from Wellcamp to Bundaberg and Mackay Airports before VH-YTU and VH-YTZ then flew to Shute Harbour and VH-YTW flew to Hamilton Island Airport.

On Tuesday, all three met at Shute Harbour and departed from there to Rockhampton and Bundaberg Airports before they returned to Wellcamp.

Meanwhile, some other lighties noted around the region, also on Tuesday 31 May, included FKG Air (Redjet Aviation) Hawker Beechcraft B200GT VH-FKB which visited Rockhampton Airport from its Toowoomba base.

Brescon (Toowoomba) Beech B200 King Air VH-XDW flew up to the Labona Station Airstrip within Adani Australia's (Bravus Mining & Resources) Carmichael Coal Mine site from Toowoomba-Wellcamp Airport and then back.

While Hinterland Aviation Cessna 208 Caravan VH-TFS completed a local flight out of and back to Rockhampton Airport as 'HND410'.  VH-TFS and VH-LZK are currently completing the Hinterland Aviation Fly-in Fly-out (FIFO) charter flights from Rockhampton Airport to Labona and back.  It appears that VH-TFS 'swapped' with VH-TFQ at Labona last Thursday 26 May.

And out at Longreach Airport, Aircraft Australia PA-31/A1 Navajo VH-WHE was noted completing airwork between there and Saint George and Blackall Airports before it then departed Longreach Airport for Redcliffe.  It looked to have arrived from its Redcliffe base the previous day.

Brisbane-based Australian Agricultural Company Pilatus PC-12/47E VH-AAC arrived from Archerfield and then departed to Brunette Downs.

Air Gold Coast Beech 58 Baron VH-YDC arrived from Wellclose and Barkly Downs before then departing to the Gold Coast.  It appeared to fly out from the Gold Coast to Roma Airport and other destinations on Sunday 29 May.

And Bathurst Aero Club Cessna 172 VH-BAC, along with Amchamp 8KCAB VH-ADA, both looked to arrive from Charleville Airport.  They arrived into there from Bathurst over the weekend.

Finally, familiar bizjets noted around the region, also on Tuesday 31 May, included Gulf Coast Aviation Cessna 510 Citation Mustang bizjet VH-KXM which also popped into Longreach Airport, arriving from Bankstown and later departing to Vanrook Station.

Air Gold Coast Cessna 525 Citation CJ1 bizjet VH-CDG arrived into Bundaberg Airport from the Gold Coast and Archerfield.  It is due to return to these places on Wednesday 1 June.

Recently re-registered (operator) Robindale Group / Air Link Cessna 510 Citation Mustang bizjet VH-CMK completed a medical evacuation flight into Mackay Airport, arriving from and later departing back to Bankstown as "Airmed 911".

While Avcair (Avgunn) LearJet 60 bizjet VH-ILJ also looked to visit Mackay Airport but from Brisbane.  It also looked to visit Longreach Airport late on Sunday 29 May, also from Brisbane.

It seems fellow Avcair (Avgunn) LearJet 60 bizjet VH-OLJ also visited Mackay Airport, arriving late on Monday 30 May from Brisbane and departing back there mid-morning on Tuesday 31 May.

And Machjet (Machjet International) Cessna 525A Citation CJ2 bizjet VH-ZIY arrived into Mackay Airport late on Monday 30 May from the Sunshine Coast and Archerfield before it returned to the Sunshine Coast mid-morning on Tuesday 31 May.

It also appears that fellow McDermott Aviation Group / Machjet International recently delivered Cessna 525C CitationJet CJ4 bizjet VH-PIY also popped into Mackay Airport, also on Tuesday 31 May, arriving from Brisbane and Archerfield and departing to Cairns.

All photos taken by Lee Holloway  ©

Australian Army MRH-90 Helicopter A40-023 Passes Through Rockhampton Airport as "Destrier 123"

On Tuesday 31 May, Australian Army NH Industries MRH-90 Multi-Role Helicopter A40-023 was spotted arriving into to Rockhampton Airport after flying down from Townsville as "Destrier 123".

After taking on fuel, A40-023 departed Rockhampton Airport for Brisbane.

Meanwhile, over the previous few days, a pair of Australian Army AAI Corporation RQ-7B Shadow 200 UAVs have been seen on radar flying within the Shoalwater Bay Training Area (SWBTA) as the joint training Exercise Southern Jackaroo continues.  They appear to carry the serial numbers A43-564, A43-626 and A43-627.

Photo taken by Steve Vit  ©

McDermott Aviation Group / Machjet International Cessna 525C CitationJet CJ4 Bizjet VH-PIY Calls into Rockhampton Airport - Plus More!

On Monday 30 May, McDermott Aviation Group / Machjet International recently delivered Cessna 525C CitationJet CJ4 bizjet VH-PIY was noted visiting Rockhampton Airport.  

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It looked to arrive from the Sunshine Coast and Brisbane and later depart back to Brisbane.

UPDATE!  On Tuesday 31 May, VH-PIY was back in the region, popping into Mackay Airport from Brisbane and Archerfield before later departing to Cairns.

And early in the morning, Australian Maritime Safety Authority (AMSA) (Cobham SAR Services Pty Ltd) Bombardier CL-600-2B16 Challenger 604 bizjet VH-XND "Rescue 660" flew down from Cairns to the Northern tip of Fraser Island to provide aerial support to the Bundaberg-based LifeFlight Bell 412EP VH-XCI "Rescue 522" which was on a search and rescue task.

Meanwhile, also on Monday 30 May, Seair Pacific / Istlecote Cessna 208B Grand Caravan VH-TFB  flew up from Hervey Bay (Fraser Coast) and Maryborough Airports to Biloela / Thangool Airport and then Middlemount Aerodrome.  It then flew back down to Hervey Bay Airport. 

Auscott P/L Beechcraft B200GT King Air VH-NMW visited Bundaberg Airport from Toowoomba. 

While at Rockhampton Airport, Piper PA-46R-350T Malibu VH-SOG looked to arrive from its Toowoomba base.  It is due to return there early on Tuesday 31 May.

Austrek Aviation Cessna 310 VH-DZX flew up from Toowoomba to Roma and then Rockhampton Airports.

UPDATE!  On Tuesday 31 May, VH-DZX departed Rockhampton Airport for Dalby.  Then on Wednesday 1 June, it returned to Roma and then Toowoomba.

Victoria-based Piper PA-39 Twin Comanche VH-ICS called into Rockhampton Airport from Bankstown and Moree before it then departed to the Whitsunday Airport at Shute Harbour.

And Schultz Equipment (Marburg) Bell 206B helicopter VH-ITM departed Rockhampton Airport for Bundaberg, Redcliffe, Archerfield and Gold Coast Airports.

Finally on Sunday 29 May, Inverted Downunder / Matt Hall Racing Extra EA-300L VH-IOG and MX Aircraft MXS VH-CQE both arrived back into Rockhampton Airport from the Old Station and once again parked on the General Aviation (GA) Apron.  On Monday 30 May, VH-IOG was noted completing joyflights out of Rockhampton Airport.

Photo taken by Dan B  ©

The Old Station Fly-in and Heritage Show 2022 at Raglan - Many Photos from a Wonderful Long Weekend!

What a wonderful long weekend!

The Old Station Fly-in and Heritage Show at Raglan was held over the long weekend of Friday 27 May to Sunday 29 May, with 1000's of people from all over the region in attendance over the three days enjoying the sights and sounds as over 200 aircraft and helicopters flew in from all parts of Queensland and interstate! There was also an impressive truck show, some classic cars, and plenty of new and old machinery. Meanwhile, the tractor pulling was extremely popular with big crowds enjoying the action during the weekend!

The entire weekend was hosted by the Creed Family and the Old Station Flying Club. There was support from numerous sponsors and various charity organisations, along with other local flying groups, who not only had their aircraft on display, but also assisted with the ground marshalling, parking all the visiting aircraft and helicopters.

Most aircraft had arrived by Friday with pilots enjoying dinner and entertainment on Friday night.  From early on Saturday, one of biggest crowds seen at the Old Station Farm came to and wandered amongst the visiting aircraft (with even more arrivals!) and enjoyed car and truck displays, market stalls, various machinery and of course, the tractor pulling!

For most of the weekend, the crowd was entertained by some spectacular Warbirds which operated regular aerobatic joyflights out of the Old Station.  

Paul Bennet Airshows had all their 'regular' aircraft in attendance - plus their merchandise truck!

Inverted Downunder / Matt Hall Racing Extra EA-300L VH-IOG and MX Aircraft MXS VH-CQE also operated several aerobatic joyflights during the weekend.

Slightly more sedate was Rockhampton Helicopters Robinson R44 helicopter which also operated joyflights over the Old Station and surrounds.

While McDermott Aviation Group / Machjet International are always great supporters of the Old Station Fly-in and this time they sent three helicopters - new registered Bell Helicopter Textron 214B-1 Biglifter VH-SUF and Aerospatiale / Eurocopter Dauphins N365JA and N366SR.

During the middle of Saturday afternoon, the crowds settled in for a spectacular airshow which featured aerobatic displays by Paul Bennet Airshows and Australia's own Top Gun pilot Matt Hall.

The skies above the Old Station came alive as the airshow started with a four-ship formation featuring Paul Bennet and Gary Graham in Wolf Pitts Pro VH-PVB and 'new' Edge-540 VH-PBU, along with Matt Hall and Emma McDonald in MX Aircraft MXS VH-CQE and Extra EA-300L VH-IOG.  They then performed a missing-man flight in memory of late Old Station Flying Club president Allan 'Kiwi' Andrew who recently passed away.

This was followed by a patriotic parachute drop from Skydive OZ Cessna U206F VH-OZP with the parachutist accompanied on his descent by Paul Bennet himself in his Wolf Pitts Pro VH-PVB.

Matt Hall and Emma McDonald in MX Aircraft MXS VH-CQE and Extra EA-300L VH-IOG then completed a display with Matt Hall later returning to the skies to complete a spectacular solo display.

The Old Station's own Bell 47G-2A-1 helicopter VH-AKN then took to the sky to complete a spirited display.

It was followed by the unmistakable Grumman TBM-3E Avenger Warbird VH-MML.

And then Paul Bennet returned to the skies putting his Amateur-built Wolf Pitts Pro VH-PVB through its paces with a truly spectacular aerobatic display which had the massive crowds buzzing!

Caboolture-based Commonwealth CA-16 Wirraway Mk3 VH-MFW was next up completing several nice flypasts.

The ever popular North American T-28 Trojan VH-TRO then put on a great display featuring several flypasts.

Performance Aero / Flying Fighters Museum (Brisbane) Aero Vodochody L-39C Albatros VH-SIC then completed a spectacular high-speed display.

Rockhampton-based R-Mach Aviation PZL Warszawa-Okecie M-18B Dromader VH-MDR and Ayres S2R Turbine Thrush VH-NFF then put on a great combined handling and then water-bombing and spraying display.

New Zealand Aerospace Industries Ltd CT-4A Airtrainer VH-CTQ then took the skies over Old Station.

And finally, Paul Bennet and Gary Graham in Wolf Pitts Pro VH-PVB and 'new' Edge-540 VH-PBU flew together for the last act of the day. 

In all, a 2-and-a-half hour airshow. 

After the airshow, the people that stayed at the Old Station - including a large amount of on-site campers - were entertained with live music, bonfires and a spectacular fireworks display.

It was a wonderful weekend with most aircraft departing for their home airfields during a cool but clear morning on Sunday.

It should be pointed out that all proceeds from the weekend - from admissions, auctions, food and drink sales, and part of the joyflights - will be given back to all the volunteer associations that assisted with the weekend.  This includes the Capricorn Helicopter Rescue Service (CHRS) and as always, the CHRS (Babcock Mission Critical Services Australasia) Agusta S.P.A. AW139 Helicopter VH-YXR proved again to be a popular visitor on the Saturday after it flew down from Rockhampton Airport as "Rescue 300".

Finally, one other touching tribute to the late Leonie Creed was seen with a lovely gathering area and lookout over the entrance to the farm bearing her name.

We would like to congratulate the Creed Family and the Old Station Flying Club for running yet another very successful weekend! Their hard work and commitment are remarkable and should be heartily congratulated!

Sincere thanks to the local plane spotters for their help in compiling this article!