GBJ Nominees (Navair Flight Operations) Textron (Cessna) 510 Citation Mustang Bizjet VH-IEQ Calls into CQ Airports - Plus More!

Late on Thursday 29 September, GBJ Nominees (Navair Flight Operations) Textron (Cessna) 510 Citation Mustang bizjet VH-IEQ was noted arriving Bowen Aerodrome from Bankstown.

File photo

Then on Friday 30 September, VH-IEQ made the short hop down to Mackay Airport before then departing to Cowra and then back to Bankstown.

Meanwhile, also on Friday 30 September, Arcturus Group P/L / Flight Options (Australia) Dassault Falcon 2000EX bizjet VH-EWB was noted arriving into Hamilton Island Airport from Sydney.

Poolhurst Aviation Air Charter Services Pilatus PC-24 jet VH-VTF flew up from Archerfield to Hamilton Island Airport before flying down to the Gold Coast.

UPDATE!  On Saturday 1 October, VH-VTF returned to Hamilton Island Airport from the Gold Coast before then departing to Newcastle (Williamtown) and then back to Archerfield.

Falcon Air (NSW) Cirrus Design Corp. SF50 Vision Jet VH-LCR (ex N755DS) passed through Charleville Airport while flying from Bankstown to Cairns.

And LifeFlight (Aeromed) Bombardier Challenger 604 bizjet VH-URR "Ambulance 604" flew down from Cairns to land at Mackay Airport.  It then departed to Brisbane and then up to Townsville.

Finally, also on Friday 30 September, M. D. H. P/L (Cloncurry) Pilatus PC-12/47E VH-MDH passed through my local Clermont Aerodrome while flying up from Archerfield to Devoncourt Station.

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

Townsville Airlines (Flightech Air Logistics) Beech B200 King Air VH-WZN flew down from Cairns and Townsville to Rockhampton Airport before heading to Brisbane.  It then returned to Rockhampton Airport before flying back to Townsville and then Cairns.

While Dino Air (Interair) Piper PA-31 Navajo VH-XGL continues to operate local aerial survey flights out of Rockhampton Airport.

UPDATE!  On Saturday 1 October, VH-XGL flew across from Rockhampton Airport to Longreach Airport.

Aero Logistics / Bayswater Road Aerial Surveys Cessna 404 Titan VH-WGS also operated an aerial survey flight but out of Longreach Airport.

And Central Highlands Aerial Services (CHAS) Cessna 208 Caravan VH-LMZ departed their property near Emerald for Mackay Airport.

UPDATE!  On Monday 3 October, VH-LMZ departed Mackay Airport and returned to its Emerald landing site.

Photo taken by James Kirk  ©

AirMed Australia (Metro Holdings) (New South Wales) Cessna 510 Citation Mustang Bizjet VH-SQY Spotted at Mackay Airport - Plus More!

On Thursday 29 September, AirMed Australia (Metro Holdings) (New South Wales) Cessna 510 Citation Mustang bizjet VH-SQY as "Airmed 921" was photographed arriving into Mackay Airport from Newcastle (Williamtown).

After around an hour on the ground, it departed to Townsville before then flying back down to Tamworth and Bankstown.

Also spotted visiting Mackay Airport, also on Thursday 29 September, was McDermott Aviation Group / Machjet International Cessna 525A CitationJet CJ2 bizjet VH-SUY.  It had earlier arrived from Rockhampton Airport after arriving there the previous day.

VH-SUY later departed to Brisbane and then the Sunshine Coast.

And also spotted at Mackay Airport, also on Thursday 29 September was the Queensland Government Airwing (State of Queensland) Raytheon B300 Super King Air VH-SGQ which visited from Brisbane.

Meanwhile, also on Thursday 29 September, Yulgibar Pastoral Company (of Montmorency, Victoria) Cessna 560 Citation Encore bizjet VH-YUL visited Emerald Airport from Lismore and Baryulgil.

Machjet (Machjet International) Cessna 525 Citation CJ1 bizjet VH-SIY departed Hamilton Island Airport for the Sunshine Coast.  It had arrived from there the previous day.

Zauner Aviation Pilatus PC-12/47E VH-FMM departed Hamilton Island Airport and returned to its Albury base.  It had arrived from there on Saturday 24 September.

While Armada Aviation (of Ringwood in Victoria) Pilatus PC-12/45 turboprop VH-XAQ flew up from Melbourne (Essendon) to the Whitsunday Airport at Shute Harbour.

UPDATE!  On Friday 30 September, VH-XAQ departed the Whitsunday Airport for Dubbo and then Hobart.

Flight One (Services) Beech B200 King Air VH-FON visited the Labona Station Airstrip within Adani Australia's (Bravus Mining & Resources) Carmichael Coal Mine site from Archerfield and the Sunshine Coast.

Kirkhope Aviation (of Melbourne) Beech B200 King Air VH-ZOK arrived into Longreach Airport from Cooktown and Laura.  It seems to be on a closed tourist charter and flew up from Melbourne (Moorabbin) to Far-North Queensland earlier in the week.

UPDATE!  On Saturday 1 October, VH-ZOK departed Longreach Airport for Injune Aerodrome.

And LifeFlight (Aeromed) Canadair CL-600-2B16 Challenger 604 bizjet VH-OFC "Ambulance 634" flew out of Brisbane for Rockhampton Airport before flying down to Gladstone Airport and then back to Brisbane.

Finally, also on Thursday 29 September, Hinterland Aviation 'swapped' a pair of their Cessna 208 Caravans over between Rockhampton Airport and Labona.  VH-TFS departed Rocky as HND310 and departed Labona for Townsville as HND211.  While VH-HLL flew down to Labona from Townsville as HND210 and then across to Rockhampton Airport as HND311.

It seems VH-TFQ is also still at Rockhampton Airport.

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

All photos taken by 'TM'  ©

A Couple of Bizjets - Phenom VH-LXZ & Citation VH-TEY - Both Spotted at Mackay Airport - And New PNG Registered Airbus H145 Helicopters P2-GAS & P2-LNG Spotted at Proserpine Airport - Plus More!

On Wednesday 28 September, Navair Flight Operations Embraer EMB-500 Phenom 100 bizjet VH-LXZ was spotted visiting Mackay Airport.

As with most other visits, it arrived from and then later departed back to Bankstown via Maitland. 

Also spotted at Mackay Airport, also on Wednesday 28 September, was Brisbane-based Teys Australia Cessna 525 Citation CJ2 bizjet VH-TEY.

It had arrived the previous evening from Mount Isa and Charters Towers Aerodrome, and later on Wednesday, it departed to Newcastle (Williamtown).

While other bizjets noted around the region, also on Wednesday 28 September, included Australian-based but American-registered Eclipse EA500 bizjet N465DG which departed Hervey Bay (Fraser Coast) Airport for Bundaberg Airport and then the Shellharbour Airport at Wollongong and then Port Macquarie.  It looked arrive into Hervey Bay Airport from those places the previous day

Avcair Embraer 500 Phenom 100EV bizjet VH-NJR flew down from Townsville to Gladstone Airport and then Brisbane.  It flew up to Townsville from the capital earlier in the day.

And Machjet (Machjet International) Cessna 525 Citation CJ1 bizjet VH-SIY flew into Hamilton Island Airport from the Sunshine Coast. While McDermott Aviation Group / Machjet International Cessna 525A CitationJet CJ2 bizjet VH-SUY arrived into Rockhampton Airport from the Sunshine Coast and Brisbane.

Meanwhile, also spotted in the region, also on Wednesday 28 September, was a pair of brand new and recently delivered Airbus BK117D3 H145 helicopters wearing the Papua New Guinea registration markings of P2-GAS and P2-LNG.

Both helicopters flew together from the Sunshine Coast (where it is believe they were imported to and built) to Rockhampton Airport and then Proserpine (Whitsunday Coast) Airport where they were photographed above.  Both helicopters then departed to Cairns.

Finally, also on Wednesday 28 September, FKG Air (Redjet Aviation) Hawker Beechcraft B200GT VH-FKB was back at Rockhampton Airport, arriving from Toowoomba and then departing to Archerfield and then Toowoomba. 

Ipswich-based Airborne P/L (Palm Lake Works) Pilatus PC-12/47E VH-VLQ was also back in the region, this time noted visiting Bundaberg Airport from its Gold Coast base.

While Brescon (Toowoomba) Beech B200 King Air VH-XDW visited the Labona Station Airstrip within Adani Australia's (Bravus Mining & Resources) Carmichael Coal Mine site from Toowoomba-Wellcamp.

Seair Pacific / Istlecote Cessna 208 Caravan VH-TQW visited the Wanella Station Airstrip near Coppabella, arriving from Hervey Bay (Fraser Coast) Airport and later returning there but via Biloela / Thangool and Maryborough Airports.

Brisbane-based JGB Holdings Piper PA-31-325 VH-FHQ flew up from Brisbane to Mackay Airport and then Townsville.

And out at Longreach Airport, Link Airways (Corporate Air / Vee H Aviation) Metro 23 VH-VEK flew out from Brisbane to Longreach Airport and then Boulia and back over the same route.

While Aero Logistics / Bayswater Road Aerial Surveys Cessna 404 Titan VH-WGS looked to complete an aerial survey flight out of and back to Longreach Airport.

Photos taken by 'TM' and 'AC'  ©

Tasfast Air Freight (Southern Airlines) Beech 1900C VH-YSO Operates the Weekly FIFO Charter Flight to Moranbah Airport - Plus More!

On Tuesday 27 September, Tasfast Air Freight (Southern Airlines) Beech 1900C VH-YSO was noted making a rare visit into Central Queensland, operating the Airlines' weekly Fly-n Fly-out (FIFO) charter flight into Moranbah Airport.

Donald Withers / https://flightaware.com/

VH-YSO flew up West Sale and Bourke to Moranbah Airport before it then departed back to Bourke, West Sale and onwards to Melbourne (Moorabbin).

And DeGunst Transport P/L Textron (Cessna) 208 Caravan VH-NPZ made its weekly flight from Bundaberg to Nebo Airfield and back but this week, via Gladstone Airport.

Meanwhile, other lighties noted around the region, also on Tuesday 27 September, included FKG Air (Redjet Aviation) Hawker Beechcraft B200GT VH-FKB which visited Rockhampton Airport, arriving from Toowoomba via Archerfield before later departing back to Toowoomba.

Machjet (Machjet International) Beech B200C King Air VH-PUY called into Rockhampton Airport while flying from Brisbane to Townsville.

Re-registered Brisbane-based Cessna 310R VH-NBI flew up from Archerfield to Mackay Airport.

While also visiting Mackay Airport was General Aviation Maintenance (GAM) Dornier DO 228-202 VH-VJN.  It flew up early in the day from Brisbane to Rockhampton Airport and then Mackay Airport before returning to Brisbane in the early evening.

Sistership and fellow GAM Dornier DO 228-202 VH-VJE completed the early morning week-daily freight run from Brisbane to Biloela / Thangool Airport and then Emerald Airport before later flying across to Rockhampton Airport and down to Brisbane.

I believe these flights are operated on behalf of Toll Freight.

And up at Hamilton Island Airport, ZephAir Australia - Aircraft Charters Piper PA-31 Navajo VH-AYT visited from Townsville.

Spectrum Air Hire (of Sydney) Beech 76 Duchess VH-IPH flew up from Gladstone Airport to Hamilton Island Airport.  It had arrived there from Bankstown via Chinchilla Aerodrome on Sunday 25 September.

And Ipswich-based Airborne P/L (Palm Lake Works) Pilatus PC-12/47E VH-VLQ was noted visiting Hamilton Island Airport from its Gold Coast base.

Finally, also on Tuesday 27 September, Air Charter Services / Flight Options (Australia) Embraer EMB-505 Phenom 300 bizjet VH-VKX flew up to Hamilton Island Airport from Brisbane and Newcastle (Williamtown).  It later flew back to Brisbane. 

And Gulf Coast Aviation Cessna 510 Citation Mustang bizjet VH-KXM flew up from Bankstown to Emerald Airport before continuing to Cairns and then Vanrook Station.

Singapore Defence Minister Visits Troops at Exercise Wallaby 2022 - Arrives into Rockhampton Airport on RAAF Dassault Falcon 7X Bizjet A56-002 "Envoy 44"

On Tuesday 27 September, Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) Dassault Falcon 7X bizjet A56-002 was noted arriving into Rockhampton Airport from Brisbane as "Envoy 44".  It had earlier flown up form Canberra.

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It looked to have brought Singapore's Defence Minister - Dr Ng Eng Hen - to Rockhampton to inspect troops involved in the Singapore Armed Forces Exercise Wallaby 2022 which is currently underway in the nearby Shoalwater Bay Training Area (SWBTA).

https://twitter.com/Ng_Eng_Hen

At the time of writing, it appears that the Falcon 7X is staying at Rockhampton Airport for the night.

UPDATE!  On Wednesday 28 September, A56-002 departed Rockhampton Airport for Canberra.

Photo taken by John Lee  ©

Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) Airbus A330-203 / KC-30A (MRTT) A39-004 "Dragon 02" Missed Approach at Rockhampton Airport

On Tuesday 27 September, Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) Airbus A330-200 / KC-30A Multi Role Tanker Transport (MRTT) A39-004 was noted completing a missed approach at Rockhampton Airport.

File photo

It looked to fly down from Townsville to Rocky where it completed the airwork before then flying down to RAAF Base Amberley.  It appears that KC-30A had earlier flown out of Amberley for Townsville.

A39-004 was heard to be flying as "Dragon 02".

Photo taken by Steve Vit  ©

A Pair of RAAF Alenia C-27J Spartan Transport Aircraft Complete Airwork at Bundaberg Airport After Dark - A34-003 "Kaos 62" & A34-006 "Kaos 60"

After dark on Monday 26 September, a pair of Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) Alenia C-27J Spartan transport aircraft were noted completing airwork at Bundaberg Airport.

File photo

Spartan A34-003 as "Kaos 62" flew up from RAAF Base Amberley to Bundaberg Airport where it completed some airwork.

Flying close behind was A34-006 as "Kaos 60" which too flew up from Amberley to Bundaberg Airport to complete airwork.

Both Spartans then flew back South towards Dalby where they descended to low-level and returned to Amberley.

Photo taken by Russell Prothero  ©

New MT Air Charters / Pilatus Australia Pilatus PC-24 Bizjet VH-PIL Calls into Hamilton Island Airport - Plus More!

On Monday 26 September, a nice new corporate bizjet made its first visit to Central Queensland in the form of new MT Air Charters / Pilatus Australia Pilatus PC-24 Super Versatile Jet VH-PIL.

File photo

It looked to arrive from and then later return to the Gold Coast - where it is recently pictured above.

Of interest, VH-PIL was registered in August and delivered to Adelaide at the start of the month and seems to be the ninth aircraft to wear that registration marking!

The 'old' VH-PIL was a Pilatus PC-12/47E and was re-registered as VH-STE in late May 2018.

Meanwhile, also on Monday 26 November, Execujet Australia Bombardier CL-600-2B16 Challenger 604 bizjet VH-VSZ visited Hamilton Island Airport from Sydney.

Jampair P/L (Navair Flight Operations) Embraer EMB-505 Phenom 300E bizjet VH-NSQ flew up from Sydney to Proserpine (Whitsunday Coast) Airport and then down to Bankstown.

McDermott Aviation Group / Machjet International Cessna 525A CitationJet CJ2 bizjet VH-SUY looked to depart Longreach Airport for Brisbane and the Sunshine Coast.  It had arrived from those places the previous day.

And in the wee small hours on Sunday 25 September, Avcair (Avgunn) LearJet 60 bizjet VH-ILJ visited Rockhampton Airport from Brisbane.

Finally, also on Monday 26 September, Kirkhope Aviation (Victoria) Cessna 208B Grand Caravan VH-PRK departed Longreach Airport for Injune Aerodrome.

The Recreational Flying Company Cessna 421C Golden Eagle VH-UTC landed at Longreach Airport from Newcastle Waters before it then departed to Isisford, Mount Isa and back to Newcastle Waters.

And Regional Express (REX) SAAB 340B VH-ZRI as called into Bundaberg Airport from Brisbane as PFY9384.  It later returned to Brisbane but as PFY9985.

Photo taken by Brodie Lawson  ©

Inverted Downunder / Matt Hall Racing MX Aircraft MXS VH-CQE Returns South via Emerald Airport After Show at Cairns - Plus More!

On Saturday 24 September, Inverted Downunder / Matt Hall Racing MX Aircraft MXS VH-CQE was noted flying back South from Cairns to its Lake Macquarie base in New South Wales via Emerald Airport.

As mentioned below, VH-CQE headed up to Cairns where Matt Hall himself put on a spectacular show over the Cairns Esplanade on Friday 23 September - as shown above.

Meanwhile, also on Saturday 24 September, and further West out at Longreach Airport, Kirkhope Aviation (Victoria) Cessna 208B Grand Caravan VH-PRK arrived from Undara and Hughenden on what seems to be a closed tourist charter flight.

Brisbane-based Piper PA-31-350 VH-RPV looked to depart for Roma Airport and Archerfield at the end of a closed tourist charter flight.  It had arrived the previous day from Winton.

While an aircraft we haven't seen for a couple of years with Aero Logistics / Bayswater Road Aerial Surveys Cessna 404 Titan VH-WGS noted operating between Longreach Airport and Barcaldine Airport at various times over the last week or so.

Elsewhere, another aerial survey aircraft in the form of Dino Air (Interair) Piper PA-31 Navajo VH-XGL continues to operate local aerial survey flights out of Rockhampton Airport.

And Bundaberg-based Aero Optics (General Aviation Maintenance operated) Aero Commander 500-S VH-JAJ looked to complete a series of aerial survey flights out of Hervey Bay (Fraser Coast) Airport after returning from a stint in Far North Queensland last weekend.

Finally, also on Saturday 24 September, the familiar sight of Metro Holdings Australia (Air Link - Dubbo) Textron Aviation (Cessna) 510 Citation Mustang bizjet VH-SQV departed Hamilton Island Airport for Archerfield.  It had arrived the previous day and visited pretty much every other day over the last week.

UPDATE!  On Sunday 25 September, VH-SQV was back at Hamilton Island Airport yet again, arriving from Archerfield before later returning there but via the Sunshine Coast.

Zauner Aviation Pilatus PC-12/47E VH-FMM flew up to Hamilton Island Airport from its Albury base.

Re-registered Kelsall P/L (Aeronautics and Technology Holdings) Pilatus PC-12/45 VH-PID also arrived into Hamilton Island Airport but from its Toowoomba base via Archerfield.  It later returned down to those places.

Beech A36 Bonanza VH-PGI flew into Mackay Airport from Cooktown.  It seems to be on a tour of Far North Queensland having headed North via Charleville Airport over a week ago.

UPDATE!  On Sunday 25 September, VH-PGI departed Mackay Airport for the Sunshine Coast and then its Port Macquarie base in New South Wales.

DeGunst Transport P/L Textron (Cessna) 208 Caravan VH-NPZ flew up to around North Curtis Island from its Bundaberg Airport base and then back.

Avcair Embraer 500 Phenom 100EV bizjet VH-NJR arrived into Maryborough Airport from Brisbane.

UPDATE!  On Monday 26 September, VH-NJR departed Maryborough Airport and returned to Brisbane.

And a pair of Flight Training Adelaide (FTA) / Qantas Group Pilot Academy Diamond DA-40 Star training aircraft were noted in the Fraser Coast region with VH-YTB noted at Bundaberg Airport and VH-YTR noted at Hervey Bay (Fraser Coast) Airport while on flights out of and back to Toowoomba-Wellcamp.

All photos taken by Jonathan Williams  ©

Another Big Week of Republic of Singapore Air Force (RSAF) Action as the Singapore Armed Forces Exercise Wallaby 2022 Continues at Rockhampton Airport

Happy Friday!  Again over the course of this week, the various Republic of Singapore Air Force (RSAF) aircraft and helicopters were kept busy coming and going at Rockhampton Airport as the Singapore Armed Forces Exercise Wallaby 2022 (XWB22) continues.

The Republic of Singapore Air Force (RSAF) Lockheed C-130H Hercules transport aircraft '733' continues to 2-3 flights each day to the Shoalwater Bay Training Area (SWBTA) and back to Rockhampton Airport. It was photographed a couple of times during the week and has been heard to use the radio callsign "Condor" for each of its flights which have also included nighttime sorties.

The Republic of Singapore Air Force (RSAF) Boeing AH-64D Apache helicopters have been photographed operating out of and back to both Rockhampton Airport and the nearby 'Warriors Camp' as they continue to complete sorties to the Shoalwater Bay Training Area (SWBTA) and back. They have heard to fly as "Astro", "Atom", "Avon" and "Aspen".

And the Republic of Singapore Air Force (RSAF) Boeing CH-47F Chinook helicopters also continue to complete sorties also from Rockhampton Airport and 'Warriors Camp' to the Shoalwater Bay Training Area (SWBTA) and back. They have been again flying singularly and in formation as "Cyclops" and "Celtic".

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

All photos taken by Steve Vit  ©