A Pair of RAAF Alenia C-27J Spartan Transport Aircraft Complete Airwork at CQ Airports - A34-003 "Ausy 470" & A34-007 "Ausy 471"

On Friday 24 March, a pair of Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) Alenia C-27J Spartan transport aircraft were noted and spotted completing airwork at a couple of Central Queensland Airports.

Spartan A34-003 as "Ausy 470" flew up from RAAF Base Amberley to a complete a touch-and-go at Bundaberg Airport before then heading up to Rockhampton Airport where it was noted to complete a further four more touch-and-go approaches.  After landing and completing a crew change, the Spartan then returned to the air and completed a further four touch-and-go approaches at Rockhampton Airport before departing up to Townsville.

Soon after, Spartan A34-007 as "Ausy 471" also flew up from Amberley to complete airwork at Bundaberg Airport.  It then flew up to land at Rockhampton Airport where it completed a crew change.  However, while on the ground, they had a problem and did not depart for a couple of hours. A34-007 "Ausy 471" later took off and did four more circuits at Rockhampton Airport before then also departing to Townsville via a further touch-and-go at Mackay Airport.

UPDATE!  On Sunday 26 March, C-27Js A34-003 & A34-007 still as "Ausy 470/471" each flew North from Townsville to complete circuits at RAAF Base Scherger before landing there. Each then departed to Port Moresby in Papua New Guinea, and on Monday 27 March, each returned to Townsville and then Amberley along with another C-27J Spartan A34-010 as "Ausy 481" which flew down from Port Moresby direct to Amberley.

Photos taken by John Lee and Scott Harris  ©