Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) Dassault Falcon 7X Bizjet A56-003 "Envoy 85" Calls into CQ Airports - Plus More!

On Wednesday 11 December, Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) Dassault Falcon 7X bizjet A56-003 was spotted visiting Hervey Bay (Fraser Coast) Airport after earlier flying up from Canberra and Brisbane as "Envoy 85".

It then departed North to Rockhampton Airport where it was also photographed arriving. 

Soon after it was closed and looked to be spending the night.

UPDATE!  On Thursday 12 December, A56-003 "Envoy 85" made an early departure from Rockhampton Airport and flew West to Longreach Airport.  It later continued up to Cloncurry Airport before then returning to Brisbane and Canberra.

Meanwhile, also on Wednesday 11 December, Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) Boeing B737-7ES / E-7A Wedgetail Airborne Early Warning & Control (AEW&C) aircraft A30-005 as "Wedgetail 07" was noted completing airwork at Bundaberg Airport. It looked to fly up from and then return to its RAAF Base Williamtown home.

Finally, also on Wednesday 11 December, Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) Alenia C-27J Spartan transport aircraft A34-006 was noted completing circuits at Miles Airport while on a flight out of and back to RAAF Base Amberley.

Photos taken by James Hackett and Steve Vit  ©

A Pair of Royal Australian Navy (RAN) Sikorsky MH-60R Seahawk 'Romeo' Helicopters N48-002 & N48-003 Pop into Rockhampton Airport

On Wednesday 11 December, a pair Royal Australian Navy (RAN) Sikorsky MH-60R Seahawk 'Romeo' naval combat helicopters were photographed passing through Rockhampton Airport.  They were identified as N48-002 (Code 902) as "Poseidon 02" and N48-003 (Code 903) as "Tiger 03".

Both helicopters looked to fly down from Townsville and then depart to RAAF Base Amberley.

It is believed that the RAN 816 Squadron Seahawks had disembarked the Royal Australian Navy Canberra-class landing helicopter dock's (LHD) HMAS Adelaide (L01) which is in port at Townsville.

Sincere thanks to local photographer Steve V for allowing us to share these great photos!

All photos taken by Steve Vit  ©

Eagle One Aviation (Navair Flight Operations) Cessna 525B CitiationJet CJ3+ Bizjet VH-X8X "Navair 143" Spotted at My Local Clermont Aerodrome - Plus More!

On Thursday 5 December, I was able to photograph Eagle One Aviation (Navair Flight Operations) Cessna 525B CitiationJet CJ3+ bizjet VH-X8X as it rested quietly on the Clermont Aerodrome apron.  

It had arrived from Newcastle (Williamtown) the previous day and later departed back there as "Navair 131"

While LifeFlight (Aeromed) Canadair CL-600-2B16 Challenger 604 bizjet VH-OFA "Ambulance 614" arrived into Rockhampton Airport from Townsville and then departed to Brisbane. 

And Air Link (Dubbo) Cessna 510 Citation Mustang bizjet VH-SEQ has made a late arrival into Rockhampton Airport from Archerfield.  It is due to depart to the Gold Coast and then back to Archerfield.

Meanwhile, also on Thursday 5 December, Nauru Airlines Boeing B737-79L VH-INU operated a closed charter flight in and out of Rockhampton Airport as RON643/4 from and back to Brisbane.

Comet-registered Cessna 208B Grand Caravan VH-RTC arrived into Rockhampton Airport from Hedlow Airfield and then flew the Curtis Island on reportedly a Fly-in Fly-out (FIFO) charter flight.  It then flew back to Hedlow. 

Re-registered Metro Holdings / Air Link Beech B200 King Air VH-XDW arrived into Rockhampton Airport from Archerfield, Brisbane and Townsville before it then departed back to Brisbane and Archerfield.  The former Toowoomba-based King Air was re-registered at the end of November and this was its first flight under its new ownership.

Link Airways (Corporate Air / Vee H Aviation) Cessna 441 Conquest VH-VEH flew up from Brisbane to the Oaky Creek Coal Mine site and Clermont Aerodrome before returning to Brisbane.

And Townsville Airlines Raytheon B1900D VH-PSK made a late visit to Rockhampton Airport from Cairns.

Photo taken by 'IAD'  ©

Jetstar Airways Brand New Airbus A320-251N (A320neo) VH-A5A Makes First Visit into Central Queensland at Proserpine (Whitsunday Coast) Airport

On Thursday 5 December, Jetstar Airways brand spanking new Airbus A320-251N (A320neo) aircraft VH-A5A made its first visit into Central Queensland touching down at Proserpine (Whitsunday Coast) Airport direct from Melbourne (Tullamarine) as JST832.

VH-A5A departs the Gold Coast recently.

It later returned to Tullamarine as JST831.

VH-A5A is Jetstar’s first A320neo and it arrived two weekends agon in Australia after a ferry flight from Toulouse in France.  It then entered service on Sunday 1 December - so to see it in CQ in its first week of operations is awesome!

VH-A5A is the first of 13 A320neos on Jetstar’s order books up to the 2029 financial year, and forms part of the Qantas Group’s wider fleet renewal program.

In general, the A320neo replaces the IAE V2500 and CFM56-5B engines on the original A320 (the A320ceo) with Pratt & Whitney 1100G-JM and CFM LEAP-1A engines while being slightly larger. The A320neo also features an updated cabin with 188 Economy seats and curved ‘sharklet’ wingtips that increase fuel efficiency.

Photo taken by Brodie Lawson  ©

McDermott Aviation Group / Machjet International Cessna 525C CitationJet CJ4 bizjet VH-PIY "Machflight 421" Spotted at Maryborough Airport - Plus More!

On Wednesday 4 December, McDermott Aviation Group / Machjet International Cessna 525C CitationJet CJ4 bizjet VH-PIY as "Machflight 421" flew up from the Sunshine Coast and Brisbane to Maryborough Airport and then Mackay Airport.  It then continued to Townsville.

Multiquip Poultry / Navair Flight Operations Embraer EMB-500 Phenom 100EV bizjet VH-MQX as "Navair 129" landed at Moranbah Airport from Bankstown. It then continued to Mackay Airport and then back to Bankstown.

Eagle One Aviation (Navair Flight Operations) Cessna 525B CitiationJet CJ3+ bizjet VH-X8X as "Navair 143" landed at my local Clermont Aerodrome from Newcastle (Williamtown).  Good news for me is that it looks like it is staying for the night!

UPDATE!  On Thursday 5 December, VH-X8X "Navair 143" departed Clermont Aerodrome and returned to Newcastle (Williamtown)

Meanwhile, also on Wednesday 4 December, NSW-based CJ Aerospace Raytheon B200 King Air VH-EEL landed at Longreach Airport from Toowoomba then departed to Borroloola.  It later reversed this flight.

Austrek Aviation Beech B200 King Air VH-ZMW visited Moura Aerodrome from Toowoomba.

Omni Executive (Canberra) / M.I. Helicopters (Roma) Bell 206L-3 LongRanger III VH-NPI was noted completing pipe or powerline inspections just South of Rockhampton.

Seair Pacific / Istlecote Textron Aviation (Cessna) 208B Caravan VH-TLH flew up from Hervey Bay (Fraser Coast) Airport to Middlemount Aerodrome.  It then flew to Maryborough Airport and back to Hervey Bay Airport.

Southern Air Beech 1900C VH-VSO visited Emerald Airport from Archerfield with reports that is new Fly-in Fly-out (FIFO) charter run.  As we've mentioned, VH-VSO has been also flying into Moranbah Airport each Monday for the last couple of months from and back to Toowoomba-Wellcamp.  Good to see!

Airlie Beach-registered Piper PA-46-600TP VH-T43 flew into Emerald Airport from Archerfield.  It then continued out to Longreach Airport.  VH-T43 had arrived into Mackay Airport from overseas on its delivery flight in late October and looked to fly from Mackay Airport to Archerfield at the start of this week.

And the Queensland Government (State of Queensland) Beech B300C Super King Air 350 VH-8PH (ex N117RD) made a late visit to Rockhampton Airport from Brisbane.  We believe this is its first visit to the region since its delivery in late September.

Photo taken by David Geck  ©

Australian Army Boeing CH-47F 'Foxtrot' Chinook Helicopter A15-302 "Crow 369" Spotted at Longreach Airport - Plus More!

On Wednesday 4 December, Australian Army Boeing CH-47F 'Foxtrot' Chinook helicopter A15-302 was spotted visiting Longreach Airport. It was heard to be using the radio callsign of "Crow 369" and flew down from Townsville before returning back there a couple of hours later.

Reports suggest that the pilot of the Chinook was on his last flight before retirement the next day. We wish him well!

Meanwhile, later on Wednesday 4 December, Helicorp (Australian Army operated) Leonardo S.P.A. Helicopters (Agusta) AW139 helicopter VH-YQJ as "Wombat 239" was noted visiting Bowen Aerodrome from Townsville.

And finally, also on Wednesday 4 December, Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) Boeing B737-7ES / E-7A Wedgetail Airborne Early Warning & Control (AEW&C) aircraft A30-005 as "Wedgetail 10" was noted completing airwork at Hervey Bay (Fraser Coast) Airport. It looked to fly up from and then return to its RAAF Base Williamtown home.

All photos taken by Drew Mackay  ©

American-registered but Australian-based (Essendon) Bombardier BD-700-1A10 Global Express Bizjet N360HP Calls into CQ Airports - Plus More!

On Tuesday 3 December, American-registered but Australian-based (at Melbourne - Essendon) Bombardier BD-700-1A10 Global Express bizjet N360HP was noted visiting a couple of Central Queensland Airports during what has been a busy couple of days flying.

After arriving into Cairns from Essendon the previous day (as pictured above), it then flew down to Townsville.  On Tuesday, N360HP flew down from Townsville to Mackay Airport before then visiting Rockhampton Airport and then Bundaberg Airport before it then continued down to the Sunshine Coast.

While Burbank Homes / Business Aviation Solutions Raytheon Hawker 850XP bizjet VH-BMW departed Hamilton Island Airport for Melbourne (Tullamarine).  It looked to have arrived last Friday 29 November.

And MacKellar Mining Equipment Pty Ltd (Revesco Aviation) Cessna 680 Citation Sovereign bizjet VH-MMC flew up from the Sunshine Coast and landed at the Labona Station Airstrip within Adani Australia's (Bravus Mining & Resources) Carmichael Coal Mine site.  It then flew down to Emerald Airport before later returning to Labona and back to the Sunny Coast.

Meanwhile, also on Tuesday 3 December, the Queensland Government (State of Queensland) Beech B300C Super King Air 350 VH-8PE arrived into Rockhampton Airport from Cairns and later departed to Brisbane.  It then returned to Cairns.

Curley Equipment P/L Textron (Cessna) 208B Grand Caravan EX VH-CUY landed at Longreach Airport from Toowoomba and a bit later departed to Cloncurry Airport.  It looked to have flown South from there over the weekend via Blackall Airport.

And Austrek Aviation Cessna 310R VH-DZU landed at Agnes Water Aerodrome from Toowoomba and Chinchilla and during the afternoon it reversed the flight.

Photo taken by Jonathan Williams  ©

Hughes Aviation (Hughes Pastoral Group) (Gympie) Pilatus PC-12/47E NGX VH-8HP Pops into Charleville Airport - Plus More!

On Monday 2 December, Hughes Aviation (Hughes Pastoral Group) (Gympie) Pilatus PC-12/47E NGX VH-8HP flew from Archerfield to Charleville Airport and then onwards Keeroongooloo and down to Adelaide where it was spotted below.

While Kelsall P/L (Aeronautics and Technology Holdings) Pilatus PC-12/45 VH-PID visited Rockhampton Airport from Toowoomba.

RDO Equipment Co. Pilatus PC-12/47 VH-WPH flew up from Toowoomba and Archerfield to Emerald Airport before it later returned to Toowoomba. 

Beech 95-B55 Baron VH-8D8 landed at Emerald Airport from Toowoomba.  It is due to return to Toowoomba on Tuesday 3 December.

Link Airways (Corporate Air / Vee H Aviation) Cessna 441 Conquest VH-VEH flew from Brisbane to Oaky Creek Mine and then Clermont Aerodrome and back to Brisbane

Southern Air Beech 1900C VH-VSO looked to complete the weekly visit to Moranbah Airport, arriving from Melbourne (Moorabbin) and Toowoomba-Wellcamp and then departing back to Wellcamp.

Finally, also on Monday 2 December, Southern Cross University (Coffs Harbour) / Eastern Air Link (Port Macquarie) Cessna 337G VH-AEV was noted completing an aerial survey flight out of and back to Gladstone Airport.  

UPDATE!  VH-AEV was photographed on the Gladstone Airport General Aviation (GA) Apron on Tuesday 3 December.

It looked to have arrived at Gladstone Airport mid-last week from Port Macquarie and the Gold Coast and has since completed daily aerial survey flights each time out of the water.

And ZephAir Australia Piper PA-34-220T Seneca VH-YSI as 'ZD440' also seems to be completing aerial survey work in the region once again with it noted flying out of and into various locations last week and again into this week including Gayndah, Emerald, Biloela / Thangool and Rockhampton Airports.

Photos taken by Tony Haynes and Neil Richardson  ©

LifeFlight (Aeromed) Canadair Challenger 604 Bizjets VH-OFA "Ambulance 614" & VH-OFB "Ambulance 624" at CQ Airports - Plus More!

On Sunday 1 December, LifeFlight (Aeromed) Canadair CL-600-2B16 Challenger 604 bizjet VH-OFB "Ambulance 624" flew down from Townsville to Rockhampton Airport.  It then departed to Brisbane.

VH-OFB "Ambulance" 614 then visited Gladstone Airport from Brisbane.

Plus LifeFlight (Aeromed) Canadair CL-600-2B16 Challenger 604 bizjet VH-OFA "Ambulance 614" arrived into Mackay Airport from Brisbane.  It then departed to Townsville.

While late on Friday 29 November and into the wee small hours of Saturday 30 November, LifeFlight (Aeromed) Canadair CL-600-2B16 Challenger 604 bizjet VH-OFA "Ambulance 614" visited Rockhampton Airport from Brisbane.

Photo taken by Garth Coad  ©