Great Photios of Aerotech Aircraft Holdings (Aerotech Helicopters) Pickering Aviation (Sikorsky) UH-60A Black Hawk Helicopter VH-UHR "Helitak 516" at Gladstone Airport

Also on Sunday 17 September, Aerotech Aircraft Holdings (Aerotech Helicopters) Pickering Aviation (Sikorsky) UH-60A Black Hawk helicopter VH-UHR "Helitak 516" was photographed at Gladstone Airport as it took a break and refuelled while reportedly fighting a bushfire close to Awoonga Dam.

VH-UHR "Helitak 516" is normally based at Bundaberg Airport for the Queensland bushfire fighting season.

Of interest, the Black Hawk is one of four acquired by Aerotech that were previously flown by the United States Army.  VH-UHR (Serial 70-343) was previously flown as 81-23621 with US Army Aviation and was reportedly flown by Company C, 1-168th AVN, California Army National Guard.

VH-UHR was registered and delivered to Aerotech at Parafield in January this year.  It was noted that the Black Hawk carried the US registration marking N60004 before having the Australian registration marking VH-UHR applied to its side prior to delivery.

VH-UHR is the 3rd flyable UH-60 for Aerotech and will eventually join sisterships VH-UHG and VH-UHS in service.  There's a 4th Black Hawk that was delivered to Aerotech in 2022 that is to be used for spare parts for the others.

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

All photos taken by Jamie C  ©