Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) Lockheed C-130J-30 Hercules Transport Aircraft A97-440 Completes Airwork at CQ Airports - Spotted at Rockhampton Airport - Plus More!

On Monday 15 August, Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) Lockheed C-130J-30 Hercules transport aircraft A97-440 was spotted completing a touch-and-go approach at Rockhampton Airport.  The Herc was flying as "Trojan 35" and flew up directly from RAAF Base Richmond to Rocky.

After completing the touch-and-go, A97-440 "Trojan 35" continued up to complete a missed approach at Hamilton Island Airport before then landing at Townsville for the night.

UPDATE!  On Tuesday 16 August, A97-440 "Trojan 35" departed Townsville and flew down to complete airwork at Longreach and Charleville Airports before returning to Richmond.

Meanwhile, also on Monday 15 August, Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) Boeing P-8A Poseidon Maritime Surveillance Aircraft A47-007 was noted flying through the region, completing a very low-level pass circuit over Fraser Island.

It was flying as "Blackcat 01" and came up from RAAF Base Edinburgh to complete a missed approach at the Sunshine Coast and then track North at below 1000ft to complete a left circuit of Fraser Island.  It then flew overhead Hervey Bay and Bundaberg and then climbed up to flight-levels and flew up towards the Whitsundays.

A47-007 "Blackcat 01" then completed a missed approach at Proserpine (Whitsunday Coast) Airport and then Cairns Airport before it too landed at Townsville for the night.

UPDATE!  On Tuesday 16 August, A47-001, but now as "Blackcat 02" flew down from Townsville to complete a missed approach at Hamilton Island Airport and then to one at the Sunshine Coast before it then flew all the way back to Edinburgh.

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

All photos taken by Steve Vit  ©