RAAF Boeing P-8A Poseidon Maritime Surveillance Aircraft A47-012 "Blackcat 02" Spotted Completing Airwork at Rockhampton Airport - Plus More!

On Monday 5 September, Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) Boeing P-8A Poseidon Maritime Surveillance Aircraft A47-012 was spotted completing a missed approach at Rockhampton Airport.  

Poseidon A47-012 was heard to be flying as "Blackcat 02" and looked to depart its home at RAAF Base Edinburgh in South Australia before flying up to Townsville via airwork and missed approaches at Coffs Harbour, Sunshine Coast and Rockhampton Airports.

UPDATE!  On Tuesday 6 September, A47-012 now as "Blackcat 05" flew out of Townsville and returned to Edinburgh via airwork and missed approaches at Mackay, RAAF Base Amberley and Mildura Airports.

Of interest, the "Blackcat" radio callsign suggests these P-8A Poseidon Maritime Surveillance Aircraft are of the RAAF's No. 11 Squadron based at RAAF Base Edinburgh in South Australia.

The Squadron forms part of  No. 92 Wing which is the maritime patrol wing of the RAAF and is responsible for long-range surveillance, anti-submarine and anti-surface warfare, search and survivor supply.

Meanwhile, also on Monday 5 September, Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) Boeing B737-7ES / E-7A Wedgetail Airborne Early Warning & Control (AEW&C) aircraft A30-004 was noted completing a missed approach at Hervey Bay (Fraser Coast) Airport.

It looked to fly up from RAAF Base Williamtown to Hervey Bay Airport before then flying down and landing at RAAF Base Amberley for a short time.  The Wedgetail then returned to Williamtown.

Finally, late on Monday 5 September, Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) Alenia C-27J Spartan transport aircraft A34-006 as "Wallaby 20" looked to complete a missed approach at Wondai Aerodrome while on a flight out of and back to RAAF Base Amberley.

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

All photos taken by Scott Harris  ©