After around 90 minutes on the ground, A56-003 "Envoy 58" departed Rockhampton Airport for Brisbane.
Photos taken by Michael Malick ©️
Saturday, August 31, 2024
Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) Dassault Falcon 7X Bizjet A56-003 "Envoy 58" Calls into Rockhampton Airport
On Saturday 31 August, Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) Dassault Falcon 7X bizjet A56-003 was spotted arriving Rockhampton Airport from Sydney as "Envoy 58". It had flown across to Sydney from Canberra the previous day.
And More Great Photos as Antonov Airlines (Antonov Design Bureau) AN-124-100M-150 UR-82008 Departs Rockhampton Airport for the Second Time!
As predicted, early on Saturday 31 August, the visiting Antonov Airlines (Antonov Design Bureau) AN-124-100M-150 UR-82008 was photographed as it departed Rockhampton Airport for Johor Bahru in Malaysia as ADB332F
As posted below, it arrived the previous day from Paya Lebar and brought three Republic of Singapore Air Force (RSAF) Airbus H225M Medium Lift Helicopters to Rockhampton Airport for the upcoming Singapore Armed Forces Exercise Wallaby 2024 (XWB24).
The Antonov is now not expected to return to Rockhampton Airport until the conclusion of Exercise Wallaby 2024 which is this year expected in early November.
Be sure to stay tuned to the CQ Plane Spotting Blog for all the latest news and updates on Exercise Wallaby 2024 via our Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/cqplanespotting/
Sincere thanks to the local plane spotters for taking the time to capture and send through these great photos of the Antonov AN-124 at Rockhampton Airport!
All photos taken by Michael Mallick ©
The Antonov is now not expected to return to Rockhampton Airport until the conclusion of Exercise Wallaby 2024 which is this year expected in early November.
Be sure to stay tuned to the CQ Plane Spotting Blog for all the latest news and updates on Exercise Wallaby 2024 via our Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/cqplanespotting/
Sincere thanks to the local plane spotters for taking the time to capture and send through these great photos of the Antonov AN-124 at Rockhampton Airport!
All photos taken by Michael Mallick ©
Friday, August 30, 2024
Victorian-based Embraer EMB-505 Phenom 300 Bizjet N227SL Pops into Mackay Airport - Plus More!
On Friday 30 August, Victorian-based but American-registered Embraer EMB-505 Phenom 300 N227SL flew down from Townsville to Mackay Airport and then later down to Archerfield.
Meanwhile, also on Friday 30 August, Comet-registered Cessna 208B Grand Caravan VH-RTC departed its 'Red Rock' base to Archerfield. It had flown across to there from Hedlow Airfield the previous day.
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| File photo |
While the sleek SG Aviation Australia / Business Aviation Solutions Gulfstream G-VI (G650ER) bizjet VH-SGA looked to fly up to Hamilton Island Airport from Melbourne (Essendon). It then flew down to Hervey Bay (Fraser Coast) Airport and then back to Essendon.
And MT Air Charters / Pilatus Australia Pilatus PC-24 Super Versatile Jet VH-PIL visited Hamilton Island Airport once again this time arriving from Adelaide.
UPDATE! On Saturday 31 August, VH-PIL departed Hamo and flew down to Archerfield, Newcastle (Williamtown) and then back to Adelaide.
Meanwhile, also on Friday 30 August, Comet-registered Cessna 208B Grand Caravan VH-RTC departed its 'Red Rock' base to Archerfield. It had flown across to there from Hedlow Airfield the previous day.
Brescon (Toowoomba) Beech B200 King Air VH-WXB arrived into Rockhampton Airport from Toowoomba-Wellcamp and then departed to Thargomindah and then back to Wellcamp.
McDermott Aviation Group / Machjet International Beech B200 King Air VH-ZPY as 'MC121' arrived into Rockhampton Airport from Cairns and Townsville and then departed to Mackay Airport before returning back up to Townsville and Cairns.
And Aerotech Aircraft Holdings (Aerotech Helicopters) Pickering Aviation (Sikorsky) UH-60A Black Hawk helicopters VH-UHR as "Helitack 515" was noted flying out of Bundaberg Airport for the first time this fire season. It looked to have arrived the previous day from the South-West flying in via Toowoomba.
And finally, also on Friday 30 August, several light General Aviation (GA) aircraft were noted flying up to the Whitsunday Airport at Shute Harbour for their annual fly-in and Runway Dinner event being held over the weekend. These included:
Arrow VH-RMW, Cessna 210 VH-TQC, Cirrus SR20 VH-DRK, Sling VH-XHL, Cirrus SR22 VH-XAP, Searay VH-XWW, Commanche VH-TSJ, Van's RV6 VH-DWC, Van's RV10 VH-APU, Van's RV7 VH-NRT, Cessna 182 VH-SFH, Seneca VH-SEN, Cessna 177 VH-EJB, Cirrus SR22 VH-PAS, Van's RV7 VH-BZL, Yak 18T VH-BVT, Cirrus SR20 VH-MUE and King Air VH-85H from Toowoomba and Chinchilla.
UPDATE! On Saturday 31 August, another nice arrival into the Whitsunday Airport at Shute Harbour was Graham Aviation Cessna T206H Float Plane VH-FNB which flew down from Cairns.
Looks it will be a good weekend!
Photo taken by John Lee ©
Exercise Wallaby 2024 - Antonov Airlines (Antonov Design Bureau) AN-124 UR-82008 Returns to Rockhampton Airport with Three RSAF H225M Helicopters
During the late afternoon on Friday 30 August, another large crowd of onlookers were on hand to see the return into Rockhampton Airport of Antonov Airlines (Antonov Design Bureau) AN-124-100M-150 UR-82008 from Paya Lebar Air Base in Singapore this time as ADB3832.
The giant aircraft taxied onto Gate 6 at the Southern end of the Rockhampton Airport apron and almost immediately commenced unloading its cargo. The massive Antonov was placed into its unique 'kneeling' position - with its front landing gear raised - to allow the unloading of its cargo.
On this flight, three Republic of Singapore Air Force (RSAF) Airbus H225M Medium Lift Helicopters were unloaded and parked at Rockhampton Airport. Their serial numbers are yet to be confirmed.
The giant aircraft taxied onto Gate 6 at the Southern end of the Rockhampton Airport apron and almost immediately commenced unloading its cargo. The massive Antonov was placed into its unique 'kneeling' position - with its front landing gear raised - to allow the unloading of its cargo.
UPDATE! It appears the serial numbers of the H225M medium lift helicopters are '201', '215' and '218'.
It is the first time we have seen examples of the RSAF’s new H225M medium lift helicopter which has replaced their AS332M Super Puma helicopters.
The H225M helicopters are flown by the RSAF's 125 Squadron "Starling" based at Sembawang Air Base, Republic of Singapore Air Force. Established in 1985, the squadron goes by the motto "Swift And Bold", with the Starling as the squadron's motif.
The Airbus-made H225M Medium Lift helicopter is a modern multi-role helicopter that will replace the Republic of Singapore Air Force (RSAF)'s existing fleet of AS332M Super Pumas, which have been in service since 1985.
It is expected that the H225Ms - and the Boeing AH-64D Apaches delivered during the week - will soon be re-assembled and then test flown ahead of their participation in the Singapore Armed Force's Exercise Wallaby 2024 (XWB24) which is expected to kick-off in the next week or so.
Meanwhile, after the H225M helicopters were unloaded, UR-82008 was closed up parked for the night. It is expected to depart from Rockhampton Airport during the morning on Saturday 31 August.
UPDATE! Indeed, early on Saturday 31 August, UR-82008 departed Rockhampton Airport bound for Johor Bahru in Malaysia as ADB332F.
Be sure to stay tuned to the CQ Plane Spotting Blog for all the latest news and updates on Exercise Wallaby 2024 via our Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/cqplanespotting/
Sincere thanks to the local plane spotters for taking the time to capture and send through these great photos of the Antonov AN-124 at Rockhampton Airport!
Photos taken by Michael Malick, 'IAD', Lisa Jamieson and Nikita Whitcombe ©
It is the first time we have seen examples of the RSAF’s new H225M medium lift helicopter which has replaced their AS332M Super Puma helicopters.
The H225M helicopters are flown by the RSAF's 125 Squadron "Starling" based at Sembawang Air Base, Republic of Singapore Air Force. Established in 1985, the squadron goes by the motto "Swift And Bold", with the Starling as the squadron's motif.
It is expected that the H225Ms - and the Boeing AH-64D Apaches delivered during the week - will soon be re-assembled and then test flown ahead of their participation in the Singapore Armed Force's Exercise Wallaby 2024 (XWB24) which is expected to kick-off in the next week or so.
Meanwhile, after the H225M helicopters were unloaded, UR-82008 was closed up parked for the night. It is expected to depart from Rockhampton Airport during the morning on Saturday 31 August.
UPDATE! Indeed, early on Saturday 31 August, UR-82008 departed Rockhampton Airport bound for Johor Bahru in Malaysia as ADB332F.
Be sure to stay tuned to the CQ Plane Spotting Blog for all the latest news and updates on Exercise Wallaby 2024 via our Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/cqplanespotting/
Sincere thanks to the local plane spotters for taking the time to capture and send through these great photos of the Antonov AN-124 at Rockhampton Airport!
Photos taken by Michael Malick, 'IAD', Lisa Jamieson and Nikita Whitcombe ©
Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) B737 / E-7A Wedgetail A30-004 "Mitchel 13" Completes Airwork at Bundaberg Airport
On Friday 30 August, Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) Boeing B737-7ES / E-7A Wedgetail Airborne Early Warning & Control (AEW&C) aircraft A30-004 was noted completing airwork at Bundaberg Airport.
It looked to fly up to Bundy from RAAF Base Williamtown. After completing a couple of missed approaches, it then returned back down to Williamtown.
Of interest, A30-004 was heard to be flying as "Mitchel 13".
Photo taken by Scott Harris ©
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It looked to fly up to Bundy from RAAF Base Williamtown. After completing a couple of missed approaches, it then returned back down to Williamtown.
Of interest, A30-004 was heard to be flying as "Mitchel 13".
Photo taken by Scott Harris ©
Thursday, August 29, 2024
Bowenville-based Cessna 525 CitationJet CJ1+ Bizjet VH-JSZ Pops into a Couple of CQ Airports - Plus More!
On Thursday 29 August, Bowenville (near Toowoomba) based Cessna 525 CitationJet CJ1+ bizjet VH-JSZ arrived into Rockhampton Airport from Archerfield and then headed out to Clermont Aerodrome and then back to Archerfield - the opposite flight to yesterday!
While Link Airways (Corporate Air / Vee H Aviation) Cessna 441 Conquest VH-VEY flew up from Brisbane to my local Clermont Aerodrome and then Oaky Creek before then heading back to Brisbane.
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| File photo |
Auslink Aviation / Aircrew Training and Support Diamond DA-40 VH-END visited Gladstone Airport from Archerfield.
Edwards Coaches Cessna 441 VH-TAZ visited Gladstone Airport from Archerfield.
And the Queensland Government (State of Queensland) Beech B300C Super King Air 350 VH-8PE arrived into Rockhampton Airport from Cairns and Townsville and then departed back to Cairns.
Meanwhile, also on Thursday 29 August, LifeFlight Agusta Westland AW139 helicopter VH-XIA flying as "Guardian 10" arrived into Rockhampton Airport from Archerfield. It is assumed that it will position into the Shoalwater Bay Training Area (SWBTA) and provide support for the upcoming Singapore Armed Forces (SAF) Exercise Wallaby 2024 (XWB24) which will kick off next week.
UPDATE! Indeed on Friday 30 August, VH-XIA "Guardian 10" departed Rockhampton Airport for the Shoalwater Bay Training Area (SWBTA).
And LifeFlight Leonardo S.P.A. Helicopters (Agusta) AW139 helicopter VH-XIU arrived into Rockhampton Airport from Mackay Airport and then departed to Archerfield.
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| VH-XIU arrives into Clermont Hospital (File photo) |
It has been operating at Mackay Airport for the locally-based Central Queensland Rescue Service (CQ Rescue) helicopter service.
Finally, during the afternoon, also on Thursday 29 August, at least eleven helicopters departed Hervey Bay (Fraser Coast) Airport for the Whitsunday Airport at Shute Harbour (Airlie Beach) on a Safari flight. They were captured by local plane spotter Garth C as they rested after arriving into Hervey Bay Airport the previous day.
There were some familiar and new helicopters to CQ including Robinson R66s - Queensland based VH-CSG and VH-YSE, New South Wales based VH-VVY and VH-ESJ and Victoria based VH-PFF. Plus Robinson R44s - South Australia based VH-CNT, Victoria based VH-RZC and VH-NIK and NewSouth Wales based VH-OLR, VH-KNK and VH-JGO.
Photos taken by Garth Coad ©️
Exercise Wallaby 2024 - RSAF Lockheed C-130H Hercules Transport Aircraft '735' Departs Rockhampton Airport
As predicted, on Thursday 29 August, the visiting the Republic of Singapore Air Force (RSAF) Lockheed C-130H Hercules '735' departed Rockhampton Airport bound for Darwin again as 'SAF 9407'
As mentioned below, its arrival late on Wednesday 28 August, along with the visit of fellow C-130H Hercules '732', were the first RSAF visitors for the 2024 iteration of the Singapore Armed Forces Exercise Wallaby 2024 (XWB24).
Stay tuned to the CQ Plane Spotting Blog for all the latest news and updates from Exercise Wallaby via our Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/cqplanespotting/
Photo taken by Samantha Harris ©
Photo taken by Samantha Harris ©
Great Photos as Antonov Airlines (Antonov Design Bureau) AN-124-100M-150 UR-82008 Departs Rockhampton Airport
As predicted, early on Thursday 29 August, the visiting Antonov Airlines (Antonov Design Bureau) AN-124-100M-150 UR-82008 was photographed as it departed Rockhampton Airport for Peya Lebar Air Base in Singapore as ADB332F.
As posted below, it arrived the previous day from Paya Lebar and brought four Republic of Singapore Air Force (RSAF) Boeing AH-64D Apache helicopters to Rockhampton Airport for the upcoming Singapore Armed Forces Exercise Wallaby 2024 (XWB24).
The Antonov is due to return to Rockhampton Airport from Paya Lebar late on Friday 30 August with another load of RSAF helicopters - possibly some of their new H225M which have replaced their older Super Puma helicopters.
We shall wait and see!
Be sure to stay tuned to the CQ Plane Spotting Blog for all the latest news and updates on Exercise Wallaby 2024 via our Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/cqplanespotting/
Sincere thanks to the local plane spotters for taking the time to capture and send through these great photos of the Antonov AN-124 at Rockhampton Airport!
Photos taken by 'IAD' and Katrina Millhouse ©
The Antonov is due to return to Rockhampton Airport from Paya Lebar late on Friday 30 August with another load of RSAF helicopters - possibly some of their new H225M which have replaced their older Super Puma helicopters.
We shall wait and see!
Be sure to stay tuned to the CQ Plane Spotting Blog for all the latest news and updates on Exercise Wallaby 2024 via our Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/cqplanespotting/
Sincere thanks to the local plane spotters for taking the time to capture and send through these great photos of the Antonov AN-124 at Rockhampton Airport!
Photos taken by 'IAD' and Katrina Millhouse ©