Machjet (Machjet International) Bombardier CL-600-2B16 Challenger 605 Bizjet N605JL Pops into Hamilton Island Airport - Plus More!

On Friday 26 December, Machjet (Machjet International) Bombardier CL-600-2B16 Challenger 605 bizjet N605JL as "Machflight 01" flew up from Sunshine Coast to Hamilton Island Airport and then West to Ayers Rock and then down to Brisbane.

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UPDATE!  On Saturday 27 December, N605JL again as "Machflight 01" returned to Hamilton Island Airport from Brisbane before again flying out to Ayres Rock.

UPDATE!  On Monday 29 December, N605JL yet again as "Machflight 01" flew into Hamilton Island Airport from Sydney before it then flew down to the Sunshine Coast.

Meanwhile, also on Friday 26 December, D & G Jet Leasing / Essendon Aviation Services Cessna 525 CitationJet CJ1 bizjet VH-VOF flew up from Adelaide and Kingscote to Charleville Airport and then Hamilton Island Airport.  It then hopped to Proserpine (Whitsunday Coast) Airport for parking.

And McDermott Aviation Group / Machjet International Cessna 525C CitationJet CJ4 bizjet VH-PIY "Machflight 41" flew up from the Sunshine Coast to Ayers Rock and then across to Hamilton Island Airport before later returning to the Sunny Coast.

Finally, also on Friday 26 December, FlyPelican (Pelican Airlines) British Aerospace BAe Jetstream 3206 (Jetstream 32) turboprop aircraft VH-NTL visited Emerald Airport from Archerfield and Toowoomba-Wellcamp. It is also due to visit Emerald Airport again from these places on Saturday 27 December.

The rare National Jet Express Dash-8-Q402 VH-IYH visited Moranbah Airport from Brisbane.

Poolhurst Aviation Air Charter Services Pilatus PC-12/47E VH-PDE visited Hamilton Island Airport from Archerfield. 

Queensland Police Service (Airwing) / Queensland Government (State of Queensland) Beech B300C Super King Air 350 VH-8PE arrived into Rockhampton Airport from Cairns and departed to Brisbane.

Townsville Airlines Cessna 208B Grand Caravan VH-NXU completed the East Air flight EA1/2 run yet again to Hamilton Island Airport from and back to Cairns.

And Seair Pacific / Istlecote Cessna 208 Caravan VH-TQI, which was flying up from Gold Coast to Lady Elliott Island, was just to the South of there when they activated their Emergency Beacon, which was immediately heard by a passing Jetstar plane.  They also called a "Mayday" as their Engine Fire light came on. They assessed there was no actual trouble and continued to and landed safely at Lady Elliott Island.

UPDATE!  VH-TQI remained on Lady Elliott Island until Friday 2 December when it finally departed to Hervey Bay (Fraser Coast) Airport.

New QantasLink (National Jet Systems) Airbus A220-300 VH-X4J Makes First Visit into Central Queensland at Hamilton Island Airport

On Friday 26 December, QantasLink (National Jet Systems) brand spanking new Airbus A220-300 VH-X4J made its first visit into Central Queensland visiting Hamilton Island Airport from and back to Brisbane as QLK1592/3.

https://www.planespotters.net/

VH-X4J is the tenth A220-300 to be delivered to National Jet Systems at Canberra after it ferried across from Airbus Canada at Montreal Mirabel just over a fortnight ago.  It entered service with Qantas / QantasLink soon after arriving into the country.

The Qantas Group has ordered 29 A220s to replace the Boeing B717 fleet on regional routes around Australia under the QantasLink brand and operated by National Jet Systems. The A220s will be named after native Australian wildlife and VH-X4J has been adorned with the name 'Crimson Rosella'.

Each A220 will seat 137 passengers, including 10 in business and 127 in economy class. It has double the range of the B717, at 6,000 kilometres, while burning 25 per cent less fuel per seat and generating less noise.

Nice!

HAPPY CHRISTMAS!! National Jet Express Dash-8-Q402 VH-8QA Spotted at Mackay Airport on a Christmas Day FIFO Charter!

Happy Christmas!

On Thursday 25 December, National Jet Express Dash-8-Q402 VH-8QA was spotted visiting Mackay Airport on a charter flight from and back to Townsville as JTE372/3.

Nice!

Photos taken by 'AC'  ©

National Jet Express Dash-8-Q402 VH-IYH Spotted Making First Visit to CQ at Emerald Airport - Plus More!

On Wednesday 24 December, National Jet Express Dash-8-Q402 VH-IYH was spotted making what we believe was its first ever visit to Central Queensland visiting Emerald Airport from Brisbane on a fly-in fly-out (FIFO) charter flight as JTE358/9.

It looked to fly across from Adelaide into Brisbane via Prominent Hill on Friday 19 December.

FlyPelican (Pelican Airlines) British Aerospace BAe Jetstream 3206 (Jetstream 32) turboprop aircraft VH-NTL flew down from Emerald Airport to Toowoomba-Wellcamp as PE746.  It had arrived the previous day from Archerfield as PE606.

Flight One (Services) Raytheon B300 Super King Air VH-UVH was spotted visiting Emerald Airport from Archerfield.

Meanwhile, also on Wednesday 24 December, re-registered Poolhurst Aviation Air Charter Services Pilatus PC-24 jet VH-VIF flew up from Archerfield to Hamilton Island Airport before then flying down to Ballina / Byron Bay Gateway Airport.

De Group Air / Business Aviation Solutions Embraer EMB-545 Praetor 500 bizjet VH-8DE visited Hamilton Island Airport from Sydney.

McDermott Aviation Group / Machjet International Cessna 525C CitationJet CJ4 bizjet VH-PIY "Machflight 41" flew up to Hamilton Island from the Sunshine Coast and Melbourne (Essendon) before returning to the Sunny Coast later.

The locally-based Embraer EMB-550 Legacy 500 bizjet N142GZ flew back to Mackay Airport after flying down to Brisbane last week - as posted below! It then flew back down to Brisbane.

UPDATE!  On Sunday 28 December, N142GZ returned to Mackay Airport from Brisbane.

And Bowenville based (operated by Real Time Aviation - Brisbane) Cessna 525 CitationJet CJ1+ bizjet VH-JSZ visited my local Clermont Aerodrome from Archerfield and Dalby.

Finally, also on Wednesday 24 December, Smartlynx Australia (Skytrans) Dash-8-100 VH-QQB as SKP531 arrived into Rockhampton Airport from Cairns and this afternoon fellow Dash-8-100 VH-QQI departed Rockhampton Airport as SKP532 to Cairns.

And Queensland Police Service (Airwing) / Queensland Government (State of Queensland) Beech B300C Super King Air 350 VH-8PD visited Rockhampton Airport from Mount Isa.

Photos taken by 'AC'  ©

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

On Tuesday 23 December, Eagle One Aviation (Navair Flight Operations) Cessna 525B CitiationJet CJ3+ Bizjet VH-X8X as "Navair 143" was spotted at Bundaberg Airport.  It looked to fly up from Bankstown and Archerfield and then later departed to Melbourne (Essendon).

https://www.facebook.com/Bundaberg.Aviation.Fuel

And Bowenville based (operated by Real Time Aviation - Brisbane) Cessna 525 CitationJet CJ1+ bizjet VH-JSZ flew into Hervey bay (Fraser Coast) Airport from Archerfield before then flying down to Ballina / Byron Bay Gateway Airport and back to Archerfield.

Meanwhile, also on Tuesday 23 December, re-registered Hewitt Agribusiness (Brisbane) Pilatus PC-12/47E VH-8HG flew down from Julia Creek to Moura Aerodrome and then Archerfield.  It had flown up from there the previous day.

VH-8HG was only registered 13 days ago and was previously registered N175NG which we have seen a couple of times in Central Queensland.

While Queensland Police Service (Airwing) / Queensland Government (State of Queensland) Beech B300C Super King Air 350 VH-8PF visited Rockhampton Airport from Brisbane.

And Alliance Airlines Embraer E-190 VH-A2S as UTY9810 flew a test flight out of and back to Rockhampton Airport before later departing to Brisbane as UTY9820.

D & G Jet Leasing / Essendon Aviation Services Cessna 525 CitationJet CJ1 Bizjet VH-VOF Arrives into Proserpine (Whitsunday Coast) Airport - Plus More!

On Monday 22 December, D & G Jet Leasing / Essendon Aviation Services Cessna 525 CitationJet CJ1 bizjet VH-VOF was noted arriving into Proserpine (Whitsunday Coast) Airport from Melbourne (Essendon) and Charleville Airport.

UPDATE!  On Wednesday 24 December, VH-VOF departed Proserpine Airport for Broken Hill and Adelaide.

While Machjet (Machjet International) Bombardier CL-600-2B16 Challenger 605 bizjet N605JL as "Machflight 01" was noted completing airwork around Mackay Airport after flying up from the Sunshine Coast via Biloela / Thangool Airport.  It then continued North to Townsville and Cairns.

UPDATE!  On Thursday 23 December, N605JL again as 'MC01' flew down from Cairns to Emerald Airport and then across to Bundaberg Airport. It then flew to the Sunshine Coast.

And Queensland Police Service (Airwing) / Queensland Government (State of Queensland) Beech B300C Super King Air 350 VH-8PE visited Rockhampton Airport from Cairns.

Photo taken by James Kirk  ©

Executjet Australia Bombardier CL-600-2B16 Challenger 604 Bizjet VH-L2B First Visit into CQ at Hamilton Island Airport - Plus More!

On Saturday 20 December, Executjet Australia Bombardier CL-600-2B16 Challenger 604 bizjet VH-L2B was noted making its first visit into Central Queensland touching down at Hamilton Island Airport from Sydney.

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UPDATE!  On Monday 22 December, VH-L2B departed Hamo and returned to Sydney.

Falconair (NSW) Dassault 900 Falcon Mystere bizjet VH-CAD arrived into Hamilton Island Airport from Melbourne (Essendon) before it then departed to Bansktown.

And Nioa Aviation (Avcair) Embraer EMB-505 Phenom 300 bizjet VH-NJR visited Maryborough Airport once again from Brisbane.

Meanwhile, also on Saturday 20 December, Saturday morning Edwards Coaches Cessna 441 Conquest II VH-8BE arrived into Rockhampton Airport from Canberra then departed to Armidale.

While some Flight Training Adelaide (FTA) / Qantas Group Pilot Academy Diamond DA-40 Star training aircraft were noted visiting a couple of Fraser Coast Airports.  DA-40s VH-PQG, VH-PQR and VH-DIV all looked to fly up from Toowoomba-Wellcamp to Hervey Bay Airport and then Bundaberg Airport before returning to Wellcamp.

New Cirrus SR22 N12AU flew up to Hervey Bay (Fraser Coast) Airport from Archerfield.  It is due to return to Archerfield on Sunday 21 December.

And Lane Aviation / Team Aviation (Brisbane) Cirrus SR20 VH-YQB also visited Hervey Bay Airport from Archerfield.

Photo taken by Tony Haynes  ©

Helicorp Bell Helicopter Textron 412EP VH-LWF Spotted at Gladstone Airport Ferrying North - Plus More!

On Friday 19 December, Helicorp Bell Helicopter Textron 412EP VH-LWF was spotted passing through Gladstone Airport while looking to be on a ferry flight up to Far North Queensland and possibly further.

The Toll liveried helicopter arrived from its 'base' at the Oakey Army Aviation Centre and then departed to Proserpine (Whitsunday Coast) Airport and then Cairns.

Meanwhile, also on Friday 19 December, recently delivered ADD Aviation Services (Victoria) Gulfstream G-IV-X G350 bizjet VH-TG4 flew up from Gold Coast to Proserpine (Whitsunday Coast) Airport and then down to Mackay Airport.  Later, it hopped back to Proserpine Airport and then returned to the Gold Coast.

VH-TG4 was registered and then delivered into Melbourne (Tullamarine) in late November.  It is photographed above at Wagga Wagga.

While re-registered Poolhurst Aviation Air Charter Services Pilatus PC-24 jet VH-VIF flew up from Melbourne (Essendon) to Hamilton Island Airport before then flying down to Archerfield. 

This is the first time that VH-VIF has visited with its new registration marking, changing at the end of October from VH-VTF.

Linfox Global Charter / Air National Australia Bombardier BD-700-1A10 Global 6000 bizjet VH-LEP flew up to Hamilton Island Airport from Melbourne (Avalon) and the Gold Coast.  It then flew across to Proserpine (Whitsunday Coast) Airport for parking.

UPDATE!  On Tuesday 23 December, VH-LEP hopped back from Proserpine Airport to Hamilton Island Airport before then flying down to Melbourne (Avalon).

And Mitchell Water Cessna 525 Citation M2 bizjet VH-WMY completed a late visit to Proserpine (Whitsunday Coast) Airport.  It flew up from Melbourne (Moorabbin), Melbourne (Essendon), Ararat and Tamworth before later departing to the Gold Coast.

Finally, also on Friday 19 December, Queensland Police Service (Airwing) / Queensland Government (State of Queensland) Beech B300 Super King Air 350i aircraft VH-8PD visited Rockhampton Airport from Mount Isa.

While Townsville Airlines Cessna 208B Grand Caravan VH-NXU completed the East Air flight EA1/2 run to Hamilton Island Airport from and back to Cairns.

And former QantasLink Dash-8-Q300 VH-TQE landed at Alice Springs from Tamworth.  It is reported to be the final Dash-8-Q300 to fly into Alice Springs from Tamworth for (temporary) storage.  As we have posted, some of them have ferried via Charleville Airport (and also Birdsville).

Photos taken by Jamie C and Robert Myers  ©

BEAUTY!! Alliance Airlines (ex JetBlue Airways - USA) Embraer ERJ-190AR N258JB Arrives into Rockhampton Airport in Stunning Sir Jack Brabham Livery

On Friday 19 December, Alliance Airlines (ex JetBlue Airways - USA) Embraer ERJ-190AR N258JB arrived into Rockhampton Airport at the end of a delivery flight as 'SXI2552' / "Southern Cross 2552".

It arrived from Brisbane having earlier started its delivery flight at San Jose (Costa Rica) and flying via Oakland, Hawaii and the Marshall Islands.

As shown, N258JB was delivered wearing a commemorative livery which celebrates the 60th Anniversary of Sir Jack Brabham’s 1966 Formula 1 World Championship.

N258JB was promptly parked inside the Alliance Airlines hangar at Rockhampton Airport.  It will reportedly be going to be placed on the Australian Aircraft Register as VH-A2N.

Sincere thanks to the local plane spotters for allowing us to share all these great photos of such a great looking aircraft!

Photos taken by Travis Whiting and John Lee  ©

Nioa Aviation (Avcair) Embraer EMB-505 Phenom 300 Bizjet VH-NJR Pops into Maryborough Airport - Plus More!

On Wednesday 17 December, Nioa Aviation (Avcair) Embraer EMB-505 Phenom 300 bizjet VH-NJR looked to complete a couple of visits to Maryborough Airport flying between there and Brisbane and also Canberra.

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Robindale Group / Air Link Cessna 510 Citation Mustang bizjet VH-CMK flew up from Orange, Tamworth and Archerfield to Bundaberg Airport before later returning back down over the same route.

Smartlynx Australia (Skytrans) Dash-8-100 VH-QQI as SKP531 arrived into Rockhampton Airport from Cairns and this afternoon fellow Dash-8-100 VH-QQB departed Rockhampton Airport as SKP532 to Cairns.

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

Angel Flight Australia Cessna 414A Chancellor VH-AF4 visited Theodore Aerodrome from Archerfield.

And Aerotech Aircraft Holdings (Aerotech Helicopters) Pickering Aviation (Sikorsky) UH-60L Black Hawk helicopter VH-8UL "Helitak 517", which arrived into Rockhampton Airport from Bundaberg Airport late yesterday, departed back to Bundy.

Finally, on a quiet Tuesday 16 December, Metro Holdings / Air Link Beech B200 King Air VH-XDW landed at Bundaberg Airport from Archerfield and then departed to Weipa.

And McDermott Aviation Group / Machjet International Cessna 525C CitationJet CJ4 bizjet VH-PIY "Machflight 06" visited Charleville Airport from the Sunshine Coast and Brisbane.

The Queensland Police Service (Airwing) / Queensland Government (State of Queensland) Beech B300 King Air 350i VH-8TT Spotted at Rockhampton Airport - Plus More!

On Monday 15 December,  the Queensland Police Service (Airwing) / Queensland Government (State of Queensland) Beech B300 King Air 350i VH-8TT was spotted landing back at Rockhampton Airport.  It had completed yet another aerial survey flight out of and back to Rockhampton Airport.

VH-8TT had originally looked to arrive into Rockhampton Airport late last week and returned on Sunday 14 December via yet more aerial surveying in the area.

UPDATE!  On Tuesday 16 December, VH-8TT departed Rockhampton Airport to complete yet more survey work over the Rocky area and then to the South before it then continued to land down at Brisbane.

Meanwhile, also on Monday 15 December, Alliance Airlines (ex JetBlue Airways - USA) Embraer ERJ-190AR VH-A2S (ex N274JB) arrived back into Rockhampton Airport from Wagga Wagga as UTY9826.

As shown, it has been re-painted in full Alliance Airlines livery having flown down there in a basic JetBlue Airways livery in late November.

Finally, also on Monday 15 December, the locally-based Embraer EMB-550 Legacy 500 bizjet N142GZ was back in the air, noted departing its Mackay Airport base for Brisbane.

UPDATE!  On Wednesday 24 December, N142GZ returned to Mackay Airport from Brisbane but then turned around and returned to the capital!

UPDATE!  On Sunday 28 December, N142GZ returned to Mackay Airport from Brisbane.

While Auslink Aviation / Aircrew Training and Support Diamond DA-40 VH-END flew up from Archerfield to Cairns via Rockhampton, Mackay and Townsville Airports.

UPDATE!  On Thursday 18 December, VH-END, flew back down from Cairns to Archerfield, again via Townsville, Mackay and Rockhampton Airports.

Western Downs Civil (Chinchilla) Raytheon B200 King Air VH-85H flew up from Chinchilla Aerodrome to The Whitsunday Airport at Shute Harbour.

And Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) Alenia C-27J Spartan transport aircraft A34-008 as "Wallaby 33" was noted completing airwork around Monto Aerodrome while on a flight out of and back to RAAF Base Amberley.

UPDATE!  On Tuesday 16 December, A34-008 but as "Wallaby 34" completed another flight in the region out of and back to Amberley.

All photos taken by Steve Vit  ©

Stroud Aviation and Transportation / Navair Flight Operations Cessna 510 Citation Mustang Bizjet VH-SHI "Navair 173" Pops into Hervey Bay (Fraser Coast) Airport

On a quiet Sunday 14 December, Stroud Aviation and Transportation (Boonah) / Navair Flight Operations Cessna 510 Citation Mustang bizjet VH-SHI as "Navair 173" was noted visiting Hervey Bay (Fraser Coast) Airport.

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It looked to arrive from Archerfield and then later depart to Bankstown.

Photo taken by Trevor Hardsman  ©

Bowenville based (operated by Real Time Aviation - Brisbane) Cessna 525 CitationJet CJ1+ Bizjet VH-JSZ Calls into CQ Airports - Plus More!

On Saturday 13 December, Bowenville based (operated by Real Time Aviation - Brisbane) Cessna 525 CitationJet CJ1+ bizjet VH-JSZ flew up to Clermont Aerodrome from Toowoomba-Wellcamp and Dalby. It then departed to Natal Downs and then all the way down to Archerfield.

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Of interest, on Friday 12 December, VH-JSZ flew up from Archerfield to Natal Downs then down to Clermont Aerodrome and back to Dalby and Archerfield.

Meanwhile, also on Saturday 13 December, very recently re-registered (only this last week) Microflite (Victoria) Pilatus PC-12/47E VH-WJA landed at Barcaldine Airport from Melbourne (Moorabbin) and then departed to Horn Island.

And Aero Express Investments (Brisbane) Diamond DA62 VH-8R8 flew up from Archerfield to Gladstone Airport and then The Whitsunday Airport at Shute Harbour.

UPDATE!  On Thursday 18 December, VH-8R8 departed Shute Harbour and returned to Archerfield.

A Pair of Queensland Police Service (POLAIR) / Jet Aviation (NSW) Bell Textron 429 Global Ranger Helicopters VH-4QP and VH-5QP Ferry North via CQ Airports - Plus More!

On Thursday 11 December, a Pair of Queensland Police Service (POLAIR) / Jet Aviation (NSW) Bell Textron 429 Global Ranger helicopters VH-4QP and VH-5QP were noted ferrying North to Townsville via a couple of Central Queensland Airports.

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Bell 429 VH-4QP was flying as "Polair 4" and arrived into Rockhampton Airport from Redcliffe and then departed to Townsville.

Later Bell 429 VH-5QP also flew up from Redcliffe but via Gladstone Airport and Mackay Airport to Townsville.

Of interest, the Queensland Police Service (QPS) has recently taken delivery of three Bell 429 Global Ranger helicopters and will now be operating six Bell helicopters, making it Australia's largest Bell law enforcement fleet.

In 2022, contract provider Surf Life Saving Queensland (SLSQ) signed for three Bell 429s, operating the QPS POLAIR fleet responsible for patrolling and supporting on-ground policing efforts in southeast Queensland.  They are registered VH-XP7, VH-XP8 and VH-XP9.

The new batch of Bell 429s is part of a POLAIR service provision contract between QPS and Townsville-based Meridian Helicopters to provide a similar airborne law enforcement capability in north Queensland for the next 10 years.

Meanwhile, also on Thursday 11 December, the Queensland Police Service (Airwing) / Queensland Government (State of Queensland) Beech B300 King Air 350i VH-8TT, which had flown from Brisbane to complete a few hours of survey over the Rocky area, eventually landed at Rockhampton Airport.

UPDATE!  Across the next few days, VH-8TT completed several hours of aerial survey flights, each time taking off and then landing back at Rockhampton Airport.

Finally, also on Thursday 11 December, Mitchell Water Cessna 525 Citation M2 bizjet VH-WMY  flew up from the Gold Coast to The Whitsunday Airport at Shute Harbour. It then flew down to Roma Airport and Melbourne (Essendon) and Melbourne (Moorabbin).

And Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) Alenia C-27J Spartan transport aircraft A34-009 as "Wallaby 24" completed airwork at Bundaberg Airport while on a flight out of and back to RAAF Base Amberley.

Photo taken by Wayne Bass  ©

Re-Registered SHM Aviation Textron Aviation (Cessna) 525B CitationJet CJ3 Bizjet VH-TCS Calls into Bundaberg Airport - Plus More!

On Wednesday 10 December, re-registered SHM Aviation (Gold Coast) Textron Aviation (Cessna) 525B CitationJet CJ3 Bizjet VH-TCS was noted visiting Bundaberg Airport from Archerfield.

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VH-TCS was re-registered to SHM Aviation of Robina on the Gold Coast in late October after previously being operated out of Canberra.

UPDATE!  VH-TCS returned to Bundy on Friday 12 December again visiting from Archerfield.

Meanwhile, also on Wednesday 10 December, Townsville Airlines (Flightech Air Logistics) Cessna 402C Utiliner/Businessliner VH-UCM visited Hamilton Island Airport from Cairns on the scheduled EA1/2 flight service for East Air.

UPDATE!  VH-UCM operated the same flight into Hamo also on Friday 12 December.

While former QantasLink Dash-8-Q300 VH-SBT ferried up to Alice Springs from Tamworth via Charleville Airport.

And CHC Helicopters Australia / Lloyd Helicopters Agusta AW139 helicopter VH-RQY as "Choppa 41" flew down from Townsville to Mackay and Gladstone Airports before continuing to RAAF Base Amberley.

Finally, on a quiet Tuesday 9 December, Air Gold Coast Cessna 525A CitationJet CJ2 bizjet VH-ZDM landed at Biloela / Thangool Airport from the Gold Coast and Newcastle (Williamtown) before it then departed back to the Gold Coast.

Jetstar Airways Airbus Airbus A321-251NX (A321neo) VH-OFV First Visit into Central Queensland at Proserpine (Whitsunday Coast) Airport

On Wednesday 10 December, it is believed that Jetstar Airways Airbus A321-251NX (A321neo) VH-OFV made its first visit into Central Queensland at Proserpine (Whitsunday Coast) Airport. It operated as JST840/1 from and back to Sydney.

VH-OFV was delivered into Melbourne (Tullamarine) from Toulouse in May 2023 and entered service later in that month.

File photo taken by Tony Haynes  ©

Elite Aero P/L Cessna 510 Citation Mustang Bizjet VH-ACH "Navair 151" Pops into Rolleston Aerodrome - Plus More!

On Monday 8 December, Elite Aero P/L Cessna 510 Citation Mustang bizjet VH-ACH as "Navair 151" was noted arriving into Rolleston Aerodrome from Bankstown.

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It later returned there, flying via Roma Airport.

VH-ACH also visited the region last week - see Blog post below!

Meanwhile, also on Monday 8 December, Bowenville based (operated by Real Time Aviation - Brisbane) Cessna 525 CitationJet CJ1+ bizjet VH-JSZ was back at my local Clermont Aerodrome again, flying up yet again from Archerfield and Dalby. It then continued up to Natal Downs before returning back down to Dalby and Archerfield.

UPDATE!  On Tuesday 9 December, VH-JSZ flew up from Archerfield and Dalby to the Whitsunday Airport at Shute Harbour. It later returned back down to Dalby and Archerfield.

And Townsville Airlines Cessna 208B Grand Caravan VH-OUS looked to operate the EA1/2 flight into Hamilton Island Airport from and back to Cairns.

Photo taken by Tony Haynes  ©

Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) Lockheed C-130J-30 Hercules A97-447 "Trojan 02" Completes Airwork at Hamilton Island Airport

On Sunday 7 December, Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) Lockheed C-130J-30 Hercules transport aircraft A97-447 as "Trojan 02" was noted completing airwork at Hamilton Island Airport.

https://www.facebook.com/FraserCoastAviation&PlaneSpotting

It flew down from Townsville and then continued all the way down to RAAF Base Richmond.

The Herc had originally flown up to Townsville from Richmond at the start of last week and has completed daily flights to places including Cloncurry Airport.

Bowenville based (operated by Real Time Aviation - Brisbane) Cessna 525 CitationJet CJ1+ Bizjet VH-JSZ Calls into Mackay Airport - Plus More!

On Saturday 6 December, Bowenville based (operated by Real Time Aviation - Brisbane) Cessna 525 CitationJet CJ1+ bizjet VH-JSZ visited Mackay Airport from Archerfield.

File photo

UPDATE!  On Sunday 7 December, VH-JSZ flew up from Archerfield and Dalby to Clermont Aerodrome.  It then flew across to Mackay Airport again before returning back to Archerfield.

The locally-based Embraer EMB-550 Legacy 500 bizjet N142GZ was back in the air, noted departing its Mackay Airport base for Brisbane and then back.

While NSW based Jungle Air Cirrus SR22T VH-A99 flew down from Mackay Airport to Bankstown.

And Angel Flight Australia Cessna 414A Chancellor VH-AF4 flew up from Archerfield to Longreach Airport then across to Biloela / Thangool Airport and then back to Archerfield.

Nioa Aviation (Avcair) Embraer EMB-505 Phenom 300 Bizjet VH-NJR Spotted at Bundaberg Airport - Plus More!

On Friday 5 December, Nioa Aviation (Avcair) Embraer EMB-505 Phenom 300 bizjet VH-NJR was spotted visiting Bundaberg Airport from Brisbane.

https://www.facebook.com/Bundaberg.Aviation.Fuel

It also seems to have visited Bundaberg Airport also from Brisbane earlier in the week on Tuesday 2 December.

And Jampair P/L (Navair Flight Operations) Embraer EMB-505 Phenom 300E bizjet VH-NSQ as "Navair 131" arrived into Proserpine (Whitsunday Coast) Airport from Bankstown.

UPDATE!  On Saturday 6 December, VH-NSQ "Navair 131" departed Prosie and returned to Bankstown.

Meanwhile, also on Friday 5 December, Townsville Airlines Cessna 208B Grand Caravan VH-NXU completed the East Air flight EA1/2 run to Hamilton Island Airport from and back to Cairns.

Air Link Beech B200 King Air VH-ZOS visited Rockhampton Airport from Brisbane.

New Cirrus SR22 N12AU flew up to Mackay Airport from the Gold Coast and Archerfield. It was then on display at the Mackay Aero Club.

UPDATE!  On Saturday 6 December, the Cirrus SR22 N12AU flew down from Mackay Airport to Caloundra.

And a fan-favourite with Piper PA-30 Twin Comanche B VH-SEX arrived into Rockhampton Airport from Toowoomba.

Finally, also on Friday 5 December, Hevilift Aviation (Papua New Guinea) recently registered Bell 412EP P2-DFC arrived into Rockhampton Airport from Redcliffe and then departed to Proserpine (Whitsunday Coast) Airport and then Cairns.

Photo taken by James Lake  ©

It seems that the helicopter is on delivery to PNG and was formerly on the Australian Aircraft Register as VH-LWI.

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UPDATE!  Indeed on Saturday 6 December, P2-DFC was photographed (above) as it continued further North out of Cairns.

And over the last couple of days, Heli-Central (Emerald) Aerospatiale AS.350B2 Squirrel VH-ZHM as "Firebird 260" has been operating out of Rockhampton Airport to assist with fighting a few fires in the area.

Nice!

Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) Pilatus PC-21 A54-045 "Tester 33" Noted Around Fraser Island and Possible Airwork at Hervey Bay (Fraser Coast) Airport - Plus More!

On Friday 5 December, Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) Pilatus PC-21 A54-045 as "Tester 33" was noted completing low level operations over Fraser Island and possibly completed a missed approach at Hervey Bay (Fraser Coast) Airport.

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It looked to complete the flight out of and back to RAAF Base Amberley.

Meanwhile, also on Friday 5 December, Royal Australian Navy (RAN) Sikorsky MH-60R Seahawk 'Romeo' naval combat helicopter N48-009 (Code 909) was also noted flying around Fraser Island. It was noted to be flying as "TIGR09".

Photo taken by Tony Haynes  ©

Elite Aero P/L Cessna 510 Citation Mustang Bizjet VH-ACH "Navair 143" Pops into Hamilton Island Airport - Plus More!

On Thursday 4 December, Elite Aero P/L Cessna 510 Citation Mustang bizjet VH-ACH as "Navair 143" visited Hamilton Island Airport from Archerfield.

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And Surveillance Australia (Leidos SAR Services Pty Ltd) Bombardier CL-600-2B16 Challenger 604 bizjet VH-XNC as "Rescue 440" made an overnight visit to Rockhampton Airport very late on Wednesday, flying down from Cairns and then eventually landing and taking on fuel before returning North.

Photo taken by Tony Haynes  ©

United States Air Force (USAF) Dornier C-146A (Dornier 328-120) 11-3097 "Cata 202" Spotted at Rockhampton Airport - Plus More!

On Thursday 4 December, United States Air Force (USAF) Dornier C-146A (Dornier 328-110) 'Wolfhound' wearing the serial number of 11-3097 was spotted visiting Rockhampton Airport.  

It was heard to be using the radio callsign of "Cata 202" and looked to touch down from Brisbane.

A short time later, the Dornier departed Rockhampton Airport for Cairns.

Of interest, the C-146A Wolfhound looks to be flown by the 524th Special Operations Squadron (524th SOS), located at Duke Field, Florida.  It is one of four flying squadrons within the 492nd Special Operations Wing. 

The squadron flies the C-146A Wolfhound in order to provide agile intra-theatre mobility support for special operations forces worldwide.

Meanwhile, also on Thursday 4 December, Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) Boeing B737-8 MAX BBJ A62-001 as  "Envoy 18" landed at Bundaberg Airport from Canberra and Coffs Harbour and a bit later departed to Hamilton Island Airport and then Cairns.

UPDATE!  On Friday 5 December, RAAF B737 A62-001 as Envoy 18 arrived into Rockhampton Airport from Cairns then departed to the Gold Coast.

While Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) Boeing C-17A Globemaster III A41-207 as "Stallion 20" flew up from RAAF Base Amberley to complete a missed approach Rockhampton Airport before it then flew back to complete a few more and then land at Amberley.

And Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) Boeing B737-7ES / E-7A Wedgetail Airborne Early Warning & Control (AEW&C) aircraft A30-002 as "Wedgetail 11" flew up from RAAF Base Williamtown to complete a missed approach at Gladstone Airport.  It then flew down to land at Amberley before eventually heading back to Williamtown.

Finally, also on Thursday 4 December,  Helicorp (Australian Army) Leonardo S.P.A. Helicopters (Agusta) AW139 helicopter VH-YQJ as "Rescue 901" flew down from Mount Isa to Longreach Airport, Roma Airport and the Oakey Army Aviation Centre this afternoon.

Sincere thanks to local plane spotter and photographer Scott H and Steve V for allowing us to share these great photos of a great visitor to Rocky!

Photos taken by Scott Harris and Steve Vit  ©

Private American-Registered Bizjets - Global 5000 N2QE and Global 7500 N444WT - Both Call into Hamilton Island Airport - Plus More!

On Wednesday 3 December, a nice pair of private American-registered Bombardier bizjets were noted and spotted at Hamilton Island Airport.

American registered Bombardier BD-700-1A11 Global 5000 bizjet N2QE arrived into Hamilton Island Airport from Hong Kong and Cairns (pictured).  It then returned to Cairns for parking.

UPDATE!  On Saturday 6 December, N2QE flew back to Hamilton Island Airport from Cairns and then departed Hamo for Brisbane.

While Privately-owned Bombardier BD-700-2A12 Global 7500 bizjet N444WT arrived into Hamilton Island Airport from Burbank (USA) and Cairns (pictured).  It looked to be staying parked at Hamo for at least the night.

UPDATE!  On Friday 5 December, N444WT looked to depart Hamilton Island Airport for the Gold Coast.

Meanwhile, also on Wednesday 3 December, GCH Jet Operations (New Zealand) Bombardier Challenger 604 bizjet ZK-JCJ flew over from Christchurch in New Zealand to the Sunshine Coast and then up to Hamilton Island Airport. It then down to Melbourne (Essendon).

Mitchell Water Cessna 525 Citation M2 bizjet VH-WMY flew up from Melbourne (Moorabbin) to Hamilton Island Airport, The Whitsunday Airport at Shute Harbour and Mackay Airport and this afternoon departed Mackay Airport to Melbourne (Essendon) and then back to Moorabbin.

Bowenville based (operated by Real Time Aviation - Brisbane) Cessna 525 CitationJet CJ1+ bizjet VH-JSZ visited Clermont Aerodrome from Archerfield.

UPDATE!  On Thursday 4 December, VH-JSZ visited my local Clermont Aerodrome again from Archerfield. It then visited Mackay Airport also from Archerfield.

And recently delivered NQ Heli-Worx (Townsville) Embraer EMB-500 Phenom 100 VH-8GK was noted completing airwork and then eventually landing at Mackay Airport while on a flight out of its Townsville base.  It later returned to Townsville.

UPDATE!  Over the next two days, VH-8GK completed more flying out of and back to Townsville down into some Central Queensland Airports with it noted visiting Emerald and Mackay Airports on Thursday 4 December and on Friday 5 December.

We believe this is the first time that the recently delivered Phenom bizjet has been in Central Queensland.  The Townsville-based bizjet was delivered via Darwin in early September as N64YP and was placed on the Australian Aircraft Register in late-September as VH-8GK.

Finally, also on Wednesday 3 December, beautiful Boeing A75N1 Stearman VH-AQF was spotted at Longreach Airport while flying down from Mareeba to its new owner at South Australia.

UPDATE!  VH-AQF was photographed later in December now at its new home at Naracoorte in South Australia.

While North Coast Aviation (Papua New Guinea) Pacific Aerospace (PAC) 750XL P2-NCA arrived into Rockhampton Airport from Caloundra and a bit later it departed to Mareeba.  It was due to continue North the next day.

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It appears that this aircraft had been undergoing extensive repairs at Caloundra following a runway excursion when landing at Bungawat Airstrip (AYUT), Kabwum, Morobe, in early January 2024.  All persons on board were not injured and the aircraft received substantial damage.

And Helicorp (Australian Army) Leonardo S.P.A. Helicopters (Agusta) AW139 helicopter VH-YQC as "Rescue 902" landed at Longreach Airport from the Oakey Army Aviation Centre and Roma Airport before it then departed to Mount Isa.

UPDATE!  On Thursday 4 December, VH-YQC "Rescue 902" continued to the North-West and eventually finished the day at Robertson Barracks in Darwin.

Photos taken by Kellie Leonard, Jonathan Williams and Drew Mackay  ©