Monday, October 31, 2022

Manolos Aviation (PNG) Bell 222 Helicopter P2-KID (ex VH-OSU) Passes Through CQ Airports - Plus More!

On Monday 31 October, recently registered Manolos Aviation (Papua New Guinea) Bell 222 helicopter P2-KID was noted passing through a couple of Central Queensland Airports while seemingly on a delivery flight from Tasmania to Papua New Guinea.


It looked to arrive into Bundaberg Airport from Redcliffe before then flying up to Rockhampton Airport and then the Whitsunday Airport at Shute Harbour where it is pictured above.

UPDATE!  On Tuesday 1 November, P2-KID departed Shute Harbour and flew into Townsville and then ports further North.

P2-KID looked to start its delivery flight from Devonport in Tasmania over the weekend.  It seems that the recently re-registered Bell 222 helicopter was previously on the Australian Aircraft Register as VH-OSU and was operated in Tassie.

Of interest, Manolos Aviation (PNG) was established in 2008, and operates helicopter charter services in PNG.  The company has also partnered with provincial governments in PNG to provide much needed medical evacuation services to remote areas.


Manolos Aviation operates a fleet of twin-engine helicopters including another pair Bell 222s P2-HOT and P2-DAD (ex VH-RLI also from Tasmania), Bell 430 P2-MUM (ex VH-HIA which operated at Mackay Airport), Kawasaki BK117B-2 P2-BIB, three MBB Bo105s P2-MPG, P2-TWO and P2-NTI, plus Sikorsky S-76A P2-VIP.

Meanwhile, also on Monday 31 October, Airflite / Commonwealth of Australia (Cadets Branch - Air Force) Diamond DA 40 NG Star VH-UEX as "Astra 201" flew up from RAAF Base Amberley to Rockhampton Airport before then continuing to Townsville.

UPDATE!  On Tuesday 1 November, VH-UEX "Astra 201" departed Townsville and flew down to Mackay Airport.

FKG Air (Redjet Aviation) Hawker Beechcraft B200GT VH-FKB arrived into Rockhampton Airport from Toowoomba.

UPDATE!  On Tuesday 1 November, VH-FKB departed Rockhampton Airport and returned to Toowoomba.

And Seair Pacific / Istlecote Cessna 208 Caravan VH-TQW visited the Wanella Station Airstrip near Coppabella, arriving from Hervey Bay (Fraser Coast), Maryborough and Rockhampton Airports.  It later returned directly to Hervey Bay Airport.

Finally, also on Monday 31 October, after arriving over the weekend, Jetstream Aviation (Emprja P/L) Cessna 550 Citation II VH-VDF departed Proserpine (Whitsunday Coast) Airport and returned to the Sunshine Coast.

And departing Hamilton Island Airport was Balmoral Air Dassault Falcon 2000LX bizjet VH-WIO.  It flew back to Bankstown after completing a couple of flights from there to Hamo and back over the weekend.

Photo taken by Lee Holloway  ©

Three Australian Army Boeing CH-47F 'Foxtrot' Chinook Helicopters Pass Through CQ Airports Heading Home to Townsville

Also on Monday 31 October, no less than three Australian Army Boeing CH-47F 'Foxtrot' Chinook helicopters were spotted and noted passing through a couple of Central Queensland Airports, heading North and back to Townsville following different deployments in South-East Queensland and in Victoria.

A15-307 was spotted passing through Emerald Airport.  It arrived from the Oakey Army Aviation Centre and departed to Townsville.


A15-307 spent the weekend at the Gold Coast where it was open for public inspection and participated some spectacular flypasts along with Australian Army Eurocopter (ARH) Tiger Armed Reconnaissance Helicopter, in support of the latest round of the V8 Supercars Championship.



Meanwhile, at Rockhampton Airport, Chinooks A15-305 and A15-306 were noted passing through, also looking to arrive from Oakey and depart to Townsville.  They were heard to be using the single radio callsign of "Stampede".

These two Chinooks have been in Victoria assisting with the Australian Defence Force (ADF) flood relief efforts.

Defence image...

The ADF recently established Operation Flood Assist 22-2 as part of the Whole of Commonwealth Government response to flooding in Victoria and New South Wales.  Personnel, equipment, high clearance vehicles and helicopters are supporting emergency authorities in assisting affected communities, with support broadly comprising flood preparation activities such sand bagging, welfare checks, evacuation support, transport, logistics resupply, access assistance and initial recovery support.

Photos taken by 'AC' and Brodie Lawson  ©

RAAF Boeing B737-7ES / E-7A Wedgetail A30-003 Completes Airwork at Hervey Bay (Fraser Coast) Airport TWICE!

On Monday 31 October, Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) Boeing B737-7ES / E-7A Wedgetail Airborne Early Warning & Control (AEW&C) aircraft A30-003 was noted completing airwork at Hervey Bay (Fraser Coast) Airport TWICE during two separate visits.

File photo

During the morning, A30-003 was flying as "wedgetail 02" and flew up from RAAF Base Williamtown direct to Hervey Bay where it completed a missed approach.  It then returned to Williamtown but via another missed approach at Narrabri.

Then in the early part of the afternoon, A30-003. now as "Wedgetail 03", flew back to from Williamtown to complete a missed approach at the Sunshine Coast before then flying up at low-level (9000ft) to Hervey Bay Airport where it completed another missed approach.  It then returned directly to Williamtown.

Photo taken by Scott Harris  ©

Virgin Australia Boeing B737-700 VH-NBV (ex PH-BGR) First Commercial Flight and First Visit to CQ at Mackay Airport

On Monday 31 October, Virgin Australia Boeing B737-7K2(WL) VH-NBV was noted making its first visit into Central Queensland at Mackay Airport after it was acquired by the airline from KLM Royal Dutch Airlines.


VH-NBV operated its first ever commercial service for the airline as VOZ609 from Brisbane.

Sadly, VH-NBV looked to suffer some technical problems and it remained on the ground at Mackay Airport.

UPDATE!  On Tuesday 1 November, VH-NBV departed Mackay Airport and returned to Brisbane as the delayed VOZ612. It later completed another return run to Mackay airport and back to Brisbane as VOZ605/8 and later still was heading back to Mackay Airport again as VOZ611 but turned back to Brisbane North of Rockhampton with a technical problem.

As mentioned, the B737-7K2(WL) was previously operated by KLM (Royal Dutch Airlines) as PH-BGR with it wearing a temporary registration marking of OE-IBZ prior to it then being placed on the Australian Aircraft Register.

File photo

VH-NBV is pictured below at Brisbane Airport on Thursday 13 October following its delivery from Singapore (Seletar) Airport as VOZ9948.


It’s also interesting to note that VH-NBV has been given the name of ‘Christies Beach’.

As mentioned below, Virgin Australia will take delivery of seven former KLM B737-700 aircraft.

It is reported these aircraft are PH-BGR, PH-BGW, PH-BGU, PH-BGX, PH-BGK, PH-BGL and PH-BGT.

All these aircraft will reportedly operate with an all-economy 138-seat layout.

Photo contributed...

The second B737-700 aircraft due for delivery is VH-NBP (ex PH-BGW) and is currently also at Singapore receiving pre-service maintenance.

Photos taken by Lachie Fuge, Ton Smilde and Daniel Benefield  ©

Sunday, October 30, 2022

A Couple of Little Overseas-based Cirrus SR22s Pass Through Some Central Queensland Airports - Plus More!

On Sunday 30 October, a pair of overseas-based American-registered Cirrus SR22s were noted departing the Whitsunday Airport at Shute Harbour after each spending different amounts of time in the beautiful Whitsundays.


Cirrus SR22s N108CP and N555VG both departed for Georgetown and then Karumba.

N108CP had arrived two days earlier from the Gold Coast direct, while N555VG arrived on Saturday from the Gold Coast (pictured above) via Bundaberg Airport. 

UPDATE!  On Monday 31 October, both N108CP and N555VG arrived into Darwin.

UPDATE!  On Wednesday 2 November and Thursday 3 November, N555VG and N108CP returned respectively to their Singapore (Seletar) base.

Meanwhile, also on Sunday 30 October, Western Australia-based Pitts S-2E Special VH-BBQ departed Rockhampton Airport for Gayndah, Chinchilla, Moree, Mudgee and Goulburn Airports.  It had completed a local flight on Saturday and had arrived into Rockhampton Airport from Goulbourn at the start of the month.

And Careflight (NT) Beech B200 King Air VH-ZSU "Careflight 23" flew down from Cairns to Charleville Airport and then Melbourne (Essendon) and Bankstown.

Finally, some bizjet action around the region, also on Sunday 30 October, included Astra Aerospace / Air Affair Aviation (Australia) LearJet 60 bizjet VH-NPP visiting Roma Airport from Tamworth.  It later departed to HMAS Albatross at Nowra where it seems to be based.

Air Charter Services / Flight Options (Australia) Embraer EMB-505 Phenom 300 bizjet VH-VKX flew up to Hamilton Island Airport from Brisbane and the Gold Coast.

UPDATE!  On Tuesday 1 November, VH-VKX departed Hamo and returned to the Gold Coast and then Brisbane.

Balmoral Air Dassault Falcon 2000LX bizjet VH-WIO returned to Hamilton Island Airport from Bankstown after also visiting a few times over the last couple of days.

UPDATE!  On Monday 31 October, VH-WIO departed Hamo and returned to Bankstown.

And Arcturus Group P/L / Flight Options (Australia) Dassault Falcon 2000EX bizjet VH-EWB departed Gladstone Airport for Sydney.


It had arrived from there on Friday 28 October.

Photos taken by Brodie Lawson and Glenn Lloyd  ©

Saturday, October 29, 2022

Jetstream Aviation (Emprja P/L) Cessna 550 Citation II Bizjet VH-VDF Arrives into Proserpine (Whitsunday Coast) Airport - Plus More!

On Saturday 29 October, Jetstream Aviation (Emprja P/L) Cessna 550 Citation II VH-VDF was spotted on the ground at Proserpine (Whitsunday Coast) Airport after earlier flying up from its Sunshine Coast base.


At the time of writing, it appears that VH-VDF is staying at Prosie for at least the night.

While Homada Pty Ltd Cessna 560XL Citation XLS bizjet VH-XCU looked to call into Hamilton Island Airport, arriving from Melbourne (Moorabbin) via Melbourne (Essendon).  It then flew back directly to Moorabbin.

Falcon Air (NSW) Cirrus Design Corp. SF50 Vision Jet VH-LCR (ex N755DS) flew back to Newcastle (Williamtown) and Bankstown from the Whitsunday Airport at Shute Harbour.

And Mitchell Water Cessna 525 Citation M2 bizjet VH-WMY flew up to Mackay Airport from Melbourne (Moorabbin) and Melbourne (Essendon).  It then flew up to Hamilton Island Airport before flying back down to Cootamundra and then back to Moorabbin.

Meanwhile, also on Saturday 29 October, American-registered Cirrus SR22 N555VG flew up from the Gold Coast to land at Bundaberg Airport before it then continued up the Whitsunday Airport at Shute Harbour. 

It joins fellow American-registered Cirrus SR22 N108CD at the Whitsunday Airport at Shute Harbour.

Handel Aviation Cessna 310R VH-NXS looked to complete an aerial survey flight around Maryborough and Hervey Bay, while on a flight out of and back to the Gold Coast.

RDO Equipment Co. (ex Vanderfield) Cessna 182 VH-JQC flew from Emerald Airport to the North and then back.  It seems to be currently based at Emerald Airport once again.

Austrek Aviation Cessna 310 VH-DZX flew out from its Toowoomba base to Longreach Airport, before continuing to Devoncourt Station and Cloncurry Airport.

UPDATE!  On Sunday 30 October, VH-DZX departed Cloncurry Airport and returned Devoncourt Station and Longreach Airport before then also returning to Toowoomba.

Finally, late on Friday 28 October, Property Maintenance Australia P/L Pilatus PC-12/47E VH-WJA flew up from Dubbo and Archerfield to Rockhampton Airport once again before it then flew down to Chinchilla Aerodrome and then back to Dubbo.

Photo taken by 'AC'  ©

Asia Pacific Airlines (PNG) (Cobham Aviation) Dash-8-100 P2-NAT Passes Through Longreach Airport

On Saturday 29 October, a nice surprise visitor into Longreach Airport was Papua New Guinea based Asia Pacific Airlines Dash-8-100 P2-NAT.  It arrived from Cairns and later departed to Adelaide.


Asia Pacific Airlines is based in Tabubil, Papua New Guinea. It is a subsidiary of Cobham Aviation and the Dash-8's arrival into Adelaide is presumably to undergo maintenance.

Asia Pacific Airlines operates a fleet of three Dash-8-100 aircraft on domestic services, as well as flights to Cairns on behalf of Ok Tedi Mining Limited of which P2-NAT wears the colours and titles.

Photo taken by Tony Haynes  ©

Friday, October 28, 2022

Several Corporate Bizjets and Turboprops Spotted Around Various Central Queensland Airports - Plus More!

On Friday 28 October, Arcturus Group P/L / Flight Options (Australia) Dassault Falcon 2000EX bizjet VH-EWB was spotted as it arrived into Gladstone Airport from Sydney.



At the time of writing, it appears that VH-EWB is staying for at least the night.

UPDATE!  On Sunday 30 October, VH-EWB departed Gladstone Airport and returned to Sydney.

Down the road at Maryborough Airport, Air Charter Services / Flight Options (Australia) Embraer EMB-505 Phenom 300 bizjet VH-VKX was spotted visiting from Brisbane.





While Avcair Embraer 500 Phenom 100EV bizjet VH-NJR arrived into Maryborough Airport from Brisbane and later returned there but via the Sunshine Coast.







A nice pair of Phenoms at Maryborough - and a nice *TRIO* of Embraers!!

Balmoral Air Dassault Falcon 2000LX bizjet VH-WIO returned to Hamilton Island Airport from Bankstown after also visiting yesterday.

UPDATE!  On Saturday 29 October, VH-WIO departed Hamilton Island Airport and returned to Bankstown.

Falcon Air (NSW) Cirrus Design Corp. SF50 Vision Jet VH-LCR (ex N755DS) flew up to the Whitsunday Airport at Shute Harbour from the Gold Coast before then flying across to Hamilton Island Airport.

UPDATE!  On Saturday 29 October, VH-LCR departed Hamilton Island Airport for Newcastle (Williamtown) and then Bankstown.

McDermott Aviation Group / Machjet International Cessna 525A CitationJet CJ2 bizjet VH-SUY flew up Hamilton Island Airport once again from the Sunshine Coast before then flying across to the Whitsunday Airport at Shute Harbour.  It then departed to Sydney.

Gulf Aircraft Textron Aviation (Cessna) 208 Caravan VH-PYO was also spotted at the Whitsunday Airport at Shute Harbour after arriving from Brisbane on Tuesday 25 October.

https://www.facebook.com/whitsundayairport

UPDATE!  On Saturday 29 October, VH-PYO departed the Whitsunday Airport and returned to Brisbane.

Beech A36 Bonanza VH-DBO flew down from the Whitsunday Airport at Shute Harbour to Rockhampton Airport and then Archerfield.  It had flown North to Bowen Aerodrome and down to Shute over the last couple of days.

And American-registered Cirrus SR22 N108CP returned to the Whitsunday Airport at Shute Harbour from the Gold Coast.

Meanwhile, also on Friday 28 October, Beech 58 Baron VH-KGK flew up from Archerfield to Emerald and Longreach Airports before then heading to Mount Isa and down to Bourke and Orange.

Private (New South Wales) Raytheon B200 King Air VH-MHV called into Emerald Airport while appearing to fly down from Lizard Island to Bankstown.  It had flown North of Tuesday 25 October.

One we haven't seen for a while with re-registered MH George Properties Cessna 340A VH-SPS noted departing the Goonoo Feedlot near Comet for Watts Bridge.  It looks like to also visited last week.

Brisbane-based Beech 95-E55 Baron VH-TTL visited Rockhampton Airport from Archerfield.

Machjet (Machjet International) Beech B200C King Air VH-PUY appeared to call into Rockhampton Airport from Mount Isa before then departing to Cairns.

And fellow Machjet International Raytheon B200 King Air VH-NSN looked to fly down from Cairns and Townsville to Mackay Airport before then heading down to Brisbane.  


It then flew up to Rockhampton Airport before continuing directly to Cairns.  Perhaps this was the Queensland Police flight for the day?

Photos taken by Glenn Lloyd, David Geck and 'TM'  ©

Australian Army (Helicorp) Leonardo S.P.A. Helicopters (Agusta) AW139 Helicopters VH-YBF & VH-YBG Both Ferry Back to Townsville via Emerald Airport

On Friday 28 October, the two Australian Army marked (Helicorp) Leonardo S.P.A. Helicopters (Agusta) AW139 helicopters VH-YBF and VH-YBG were spotted passing through Emerald Airport while heading home to Townsville from the Oakey Army Aviation Centre.



VH-YBF was heard using the radio callsign of "Warhorse 209" while VH-YBG was "Warhorse 232".

Both Agustas flew South to Oakey via Rockhampton Airport last Sunday 23 October - see Blog post below.

All photos taken by 'AC' ©

Thursday, October 27, 2022

Balmoral Air Dassault Falcon 2000LX Bizjet VH-WIO at Hamilton Island Airport - Plus More!

On Thursday 27 October, Balmoral Air Dassault Falcon 2000LX bizjet VH-WIO was noted visiting Hamilton Island Airport from its Bankstown base.

File photo

UPDATE!  On Friday 28 October, VH-WIO returned to Hamilton Island Airport from Bankstown.

And Edwards Coaches Cessna 525 Citation CJ1 bizjet VH-KXL visited Proserpine (Whitsunday Coast) Airport during a busy day of flying.  It flew from Armidale to Bankstown and then Tamworth before returning to Bankstown.  VH-KXL then flew up to the Gold Coast and then Prosie before continuing up to Cairns.  At the time of writing, VH-KXL is planned to return to its Armidale base early on Friday 28 October.

Meanwhile, also on Thursday 27 October, Property Maintenance Australia P/L Pilatus PC-12/47E VH-WJA flew up from Dubbo to Chinchilla Aerodrome and then to Rockhampton Airport before flying down to Archerfield and then back to Dubbo.

While Aircair Aviation (Aircair Helicopters) Cessna 340A VH-MPQ landed at my local Clermont Aerodrome again this week, this time arriving from Moree and Dalby.  It then returned to Moree.

Brisbane-based Crockett Aviation Group Beech B200 King Air VH-FAQ visited the Labona Station Airstrip within Adani Australia's (Bravus Mining & Resources) Carmichael Coal Mine site from Archerfield and the Sunshine Coast.

SFC Farming (of Goondiwindi) Raytheon B200 King Air VH-TXT visited the Goonoo Feedlot near Comet from Mundine.

Machjet (Machjet International) Beech B200C King Air VH-PUY arrived into Rockhampton Airport from Cairns and Mount Isa.  It then returned to Mount Isa.

And Link Airways Cessna 441 VH-VEJ returned to Emerald Airport from Cessnock before it then departed to Brisbane.

Finally, also on Thursday 27 October, Alliance Airlines Fokker F-70 jet VH-QQW visited Rockhampton Airport on what appeared to be a closed charter flight from and back to Brisbane as UTY6488/9.

Photo taken by 'AC'  ©

Pionair Australia Embraer E190-E2 (ERJ-190-300 STD) VH-IKJ Pops into Rockhampton Airport in a Revised Livery

Also on Thursday 27 October, Pionair Australia Embraer E190-E2 (ERJ-190-300 STD) VH-IKJ was spotted passing through Rockhampton Airport while flying down from Townsville to Brisbane.









The Embraer has been in Townsville since the start of the month and had a re-paint at the Flying Colours Paint Shop at Townsville Airport.  Sadly, the attractive Air Kiribati livery that VH-IKJ was delivered in and flew around in since February 2020 was removed given the South-Pacific Airline's decision to not pursue jet transport operations.

File photo

It is assumed that VH-IKJ will join Pionair Australia's general passenger charter flight services, alongside their British Aerodrome BAe 146-200 quad-jets.

As mentioned below, Pionair Australia's second Embraer E-190 (ERJ-190-100 LR) VH-SEF, has now been acquired by Alliance Airlines and was ferried to Townsville for re-painting at the local Flying Colours paint-shop.  VH-SEF looked to recently return to Brisbane from Townsville on Wednesday 12 October.

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

Photos taken by Scott Harris and Michael Malick  ©

Wednesday, October 26, 2022

American Registered but Australian based Pilatus PC-12/47E N81DW Calls into CQ Airports and Properties - Plus More!

On Wednesday 26 October, and aircraft we haven't seen for a few months in the form of American Registered but Australian based Pilatus PC-12/47E N81DW, was noted arriving into Blackall Airport from Adelaide.  It then continued to Tierawoomba Station (YTMA) - South-East of Nebo and west of Carmilla. 

File photo

UPDATE!  On Thursday 27 October, N81DW departed Tierawoomba Station for Mackay Airport before it then later returned to Adelaide.

While fellow Pilatus PC-12/47E VH-AAC of Brisbane-based Australian Agricultural Company, landed at Goonoo Feedlot near Comet, from Julia Creek, before later flying to Brisbane. 

Ipswich-based Airborne P/L (Palm Lake Works) Pilatus PC-12/47E VH-VLQ visited Bundaberg Airport once again from its Gold Coast base.

And recently privately registered New South Wales based PC-12/47 VH-YGO flew down from Mount Isa to Bundaberg Airport before continuing down to near Mungindi. 

Meanwhile, a couple of corporate bizjets noted around the region, also on Wednesday 26 October, included Shortstop Jet Charter Dassault Falcon 900C bizjet VH-OAA which visited Moranbah Airport from Brisbane.  It later departed to Melbourne (Essendon).

While McDermott Aviation Group / Machjet International Cessna 525A CitationJet CJ2 bizjet VH-SUY flew into Emerald Airport from Sydney before then flying up to Mackay Airport and then Hamilton Island Airport.  It then departed to the Sunshine Coast.

And LifeFlight (Aeromed) Canadair CL-600-2B16 Challenger 604 bizjet VH-OFC "Ambulance 634" made a before-dawn arrival into Hervey Bay (Fraser Coast) Airport from Townsville before later departing to Brisbane.

Finally, also on Wednesday 26 October, American-registered Cirrus SR22 N108CP flew across from Karumba to Hamilton Island Airport and then the Whitsunday Airport at Shute Harbour.  It had arrived in the country from Singapore (Seletar) via some stops and then Darwin at the start of the week.

UPDATE!  On Thursday 27 October, N108CP departed the Whitsunday Airport at Shute Harbour for the Gold Coast.

UPDATE!  On Friday 28 October, N108CP returned to the Whitsunday Airport at Shute Harbour from the Gold Coast!

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

Victoria-based Hawker Beechcraft G58 Baron VH-ZWO landed at Longreach Airport from Ballarat before it later departed to Cooktown.

The Queensland Government Airwing (State of Queensland) Raytheon B300 Super King Air VH-SGQ visited Rockhampton Airport from Mount Isa.  As mentioned below, it had flown out of Mount Isa at the start of the week.

While Machjet (Machjet International) Hawker Beechcraft B200 King Air VH-ZSY looked to make an early visit to Hamilton Island Airport.

And a couple of choppers with Townsville-based NQ Heli-Worx (Meridan Helicopters) Aerospatiale AS350 B2 Squirrel helicopter VH-MHE departing my local Clermont Aerodrome for Townsville before it then flew down to Mackay Airport.

Then late in the day, New South Wales-registered Eurocopter AS350 B2 Squirrel helicopter VH-TXI flew into Rockhampton Airport from Bankstown via Coffs Harbour and the Sunshine Coast.  It is due to continue North via Mackay Airport to Townsville, Cairns and Cooktown on Thursday 27 October.

And McDermott Aviation / Heli-Lift Australia Aerospatiale 365N2 Dauphin 2 helicopter N366SR flew back down to its Sunshine Coast base from Hamilton Island Airport and Gladstone Airport.  It had flown up to there about two weeks prior and seemed to have operated in the Whitsundays during this time.

Photo taken by Tony Haynes  ©

Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) Lockheed C-130J-30 Hercules A97-447 "Ausy 807" Spotted Completing Airwork at CQ Airports

Also on Wednesday 26 October, Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) Lockheed C-130J-30 Hercules transport aircraft A97-447 was spotted and noted completing airwork at some Central Queensland Airports.




A97-447 was flying as "Ausy 807" and looked to depart Townsville and fly down to Rockhampton Airport where it was photographed completing a mix of touch-and-go and low overshoot approaches.











It then flew across to Emerald Airport where it was also spotted completing a missed approach.


The Herc then flew down to Charleville Airport where it was spotted again climbing out after completing a missed approach.


A97-447 "Ausy 807" then headed across to Roma Airport for yet another missed approach before it then flew into RAAF Base Amberley but not complete multiple approaches.

Of interest, A97-447 "Ausy 807" has had a busy few days, originally flying out of RAAF Base Richmond late last week and calling into RAAF Base East Sale and then Hobart, before then flying across the ditch to Royal New Zealand Air Force (RNZAF) Base Auckland at Whenuapai.  This week, it flew back from Whenuapai up to Townsville and then RAAF Base Scherger, before heading South today.

Of further interest, fellow RAAF C-130J-30 Hercules A97-440 as "Ausy 806" followed a similar path to A97-447 "Ausy 807" but returned to RAAF Base Richmond from Whenuapai also on Wednesday 26 October.

Sincere thanks to the local plane spotters for taking the time to capture and send through all these great photos!

Photos taken by John Lee, Scott Harris, 'AC' and Zac Fitzgerald  ©