Several Light Aircraft and Helicopters Operating Out of Longreach Airport (and Surrounds) in Support of Flood Relief Efforts.

On Monday 31 March, several large and small helicopters and light General Aviation (GA) aircraft were all noted operating out of and around Longreach Airport as a major flood event grips Central West Queensland.

Through the day several helicopters were noted including:  Black Edge Aviation Sikorsky UH-60A Black Hawk N60CU, McDermott Aviation Bell 214s N745H and N512EV, Aerotech Helicopters Sikorsky UH-60A Black Hawk VH-UHS as "Helitak 513" and Stirling Helicopters AS350 Squirrel VH-LBT

The Queensland Government (State of Queensland) Beech B300 Super King Air 350i aircraft VH-8TTwas working over the southern parts of Western Queensland and finished the day at Longreach Airport.

Also landing at Longreach Airport were Mandalay Two P/L Raytheon B300 Super King Air VH-SCQ which arrived from Toowoomba and Gladstone Airports and then returned to Toowoomba.  Plus Gulf Aircraft Textron Aviation (Cessna) 208 Caravan VH-PYO landed at Longreach Airport from Brisbane and Wondai. 

And Kennedy Aviation (Kennedy Air Services) North American Rockwell 500S VH-XAS as "Birddog 444" landed at Longreach Airport from Scampton Airfield in NSW via Charleville Airport. It had flown up from Hobart yesterday. 

Finally, also on Monday 31 March, McDermott Aviation Group / Machjet International Cessna 525A CitationJet CJ2 bizjet VH-SUY as "Machflight 74" flew up to Mackay Airport from Sunshine Coast and then down to Brisbane. 

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

We've been a bit slack in reporting the LifeFlight Challenger movements but I do note that they continue to make several visits to CQ Airports each week.

Photo taken by 'AC'  ©

Federal Election 2025 - Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) Boeing B737-8 MAX BBJ A62-001 "Envoy 97" Brings PM Albanese to Bundaberg Airport - Plus More!

With the Federal Election called literally on the previous day, on Saturday 29 March, Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese hit the hustings in Central Queensland on board Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) Boeing B737-8 MAX BBJ A62-001 which arrived into Bundaberg Airport from Brisbane as "Envoy 97".

It later departed to Canberra.

And as with previous Federal Election campaigns, an Alliance Airlines Fokker F-70 jet joined the Prime Minister's RAAF VIP aircraft to transport media and other key personnel.  In this instance, it was VH-QQX which also arrived from Brisbane and departed to Canberra but as "Envoy 20".

Finally, also on Saturday 29 March, fellow RAAF Dassault Falcon 7X bizjet A56-001 departed Bundaberg Airport for Canberra as "Envoy 99".

It had arrived the previous day as "Envoy 95".

All photos taken by Hayden Alexander  ©

Air Charter Services / Flight Options (Australia) Embraer EMB-505 Phenom 300 Bizjet VH-VKX Pops into Hamilton Island Airport - Plus More!

On Friday 28 March, Air Charter Services / Flight Options (Australia) Embraer EMB-505 Phenom 300 bizjet VH-VKX was noted visiting Hamilton Island Airport from Brisbane.

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While Gulf Aircraft Textron Aviation (Cessna) 208 Caravan VH-PYO looked to depart the Whitsunday Airport at Shute Harbour for the South.

RDO Equipment Co. Pilatus PC-12/47 VH-WPH departed Emerald Airport for Archerfield and Toowoomba.  It arrived from these places yesterday.

The Capricorn Helicopter Rescue Service (CHRS) (Babcock Mission Critical Services Australasia) Agusta S.P.A. AW139 Helicopter VH-YXR departed Rockhampton Airport for the Sunshine Coast and Redcliffe. 

And McDermott Aviation Bell 214ST helicopter N512EV landed at Emerald Airport from the Sunshine Coast. It is up for flood work and will no doubt be joined by other helicopters in the coming days.

Finally, also on Friday 28 March, Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) Dassault Falcon 7X bizjet A56-001 as "Envoy 95" landed at Bundaberg Airport from Canberra. 

UPDATE!  On Saturday 29 March, A56-001 departed Bundaberg Airport for Canberra but as "Envoy 99".

I assume with the Federal Election being called today, we will see many more RAAF VIP aircraft and support aircraft in the region over the next month or so!

Photo taken by Steve Vit  ©

Jet Travel Australia Pilatus PC-24 Bizjet VH-8TP Calls into Hamilton Island Airport - Plus More!

On Wednesday 26 March, Jet Travel Australia Pilatus PC-24 bizjet VH-8TP flew up to Hamilton Island Airport from and back to Brisbane

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McDermott Aviation Group / Machjet International Cessna 525A CitationJet CJ2 bizjet VH-SUY as "Machflight 421" arrived into Rockhampton Airport from Brisbane and this afternoon departed to Cairns.

UPDATE!  On Thursday 27 March, Machjet (Machjet International) Cessna 525 Citation CJ1 bizjet VH-SIY as "Machflight 55" arrived into Rockhampton Airport from the Sunshine Coast and then departed to Cairns.

And Torres Strait Air Pilatus Britten-Norman BN2B-20 Islander VH-WZP landed at Biloela / Thangool Airport from Mareeba and this afternoon departed to the South - possibly Watts Bridge for planned maintenance. It had come down from Horn Island to Mareeba on Sunday.

UPDATE!  On Thursday 27 March, Torres Strait Air Islander VH-IZH flew up from Watts Bridge to Thangool, Emerald, Charters Towers and Mareeba Airports. 

Finally, on Monday 24 March, Mitchell Water Cessna 525 Citation M2 bizjet VH-WMY was noted visiting Mackay Airport.  And  Bowenville based (operated by Real Time Aviation - Brisbane) Cessna 525 CitationJet CJ1+ bizjet VH-JSZ visited Clermont Aerodrome from Toowoomba-Wellcamp.

Photo taken by Tony Haynes  ©

Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) Boeing B737-8 MAX BBJ A62-002 as “Envoy 74” Calls into CQ Airports - Plus More!

On Tuesday 25 March, Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) Boeing B737-8 MAX BBJ A62-002 as "Envoy 74" flew up from Canberra to land at Rockhampton Airport.

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It later departed to Bundaberg Airport before then returning to Canberra. 

Meanwhile, also on Tuesday 25 March, Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) Boeing B737-7ES / E-7A Wedgetail Airborne Early Warning & Control (AEW&C) aircraft A30-005 as "Wedgetail 07" flew up from RAAF Base Williamtown to complete a missed approach at Hervey Bay (Fraser Coast) Airport.  It then flew back to Williamtown.

Photo taken by Scott Grieve  ©

Virgin Australia Boeing B737-800 VH-IJR (ex 9V-MGC) First Visit to CQ at Mackay Airport

On Sunday 23 March, Virgin Australia Boeing B737-800 VH-IJR was noted making its first visit into Central Queensland after it was acquired by the airline from Singapore Airlines (SilkAir). VH-IJR made its first visit to CQ operating from and back to Brisbane on the VOZ605/8 service to Mackay Airport.

As mentioned below, B737-800 was previously operated by SilkAir (now merged with Singapore Airlines) as 9V-MGC and was delivered to Virgin Australia in Brisbane in February this year after flying in from Singapore (Seletar) as VOZ9904. It entered service only a couple of days later.

This addition to the Virgin Australia fleet is a bit a surprise to me and it turns out that the airline is acquiring a second B737-800 from Singapore Airlines in the form of 9V-MGD which has been registered VH-IXK.  A bit more fleet chasing to go!

File photos taken by Tony Haynes, David Rowcroft and Stefan Kruber  ©

Babcock Mission Critical Services Australasia Bell 412EP Helicopter VH-VAU Arrives into Rockhampton Airport After its Time at Horn Island Comes to an End...

On Saturday 22 March, Babcock Mission Critical Services Australasia Bell 412EP helicopter VH-VAU arrived into Rockhampton Airport from Cairns, Townsville and Mackay Airports. 

The much-travelled rescue helicopter had been recently working from Horn Island as "Rescue 700" and left there to Cairns on Thursday via Coen and Cooktown.  It parked on the old Capricorn Helicopter Rescue pad.

Of interest, the helicopter rescue service at Horn Island is now operated by a pair of new Babcock owned Leonardo AW139 helicopters registered VH-8HB and VH-8HD.

As shown, they feature a very attractive first-nations style livery.

Photos taken by 'IAD' and Graham Aspinall  ©️

Papua New Guinea Defence Force (Air Element) (PNGDF) Pacific Aerospace (PAC) P-750XL STOL Aircraft P2-702 (ex ZK-EPK) Pops into Rockhampton Airport - Plus More!

On Thursday 20 March, a nice little visitor into Rockhampton Airport was Papua New Guinea Defence Force (Air Element) (PNGDF) New Zealand built Pacific Aerospace (PAC) P-750XL Short Take Off and Landing (STOL) aircraft - serial P2-702.  The aircraft is former ZK-EPK.

Defence Australia image...

P2-702 is one of two P-750XL aircraft - the other is P2-703 - and looks to be heading to the Australian International Airshow at Avalon Airport.  It was heard using the callsign "Kumul 702" and arrived from Townsville and departed to RAAF Base Amberley.  It had flown down from PNG the previous day.

We hope to see it at Avalon!

Meanwhile, also on Thursday 20 March, a couple of King Air aircraft were noted around the region including Air Link (Dubbo) Beech B200 King Air VH-ISS which arrived into Rockhampton Airport Cairns, Townsville and Mackay Airports and then departed to Brisbane. 

Western Downs Civil (Chinchilla) Raytheon B200 King Air VH-85H as "Navair 113" flew up from Archerfield to Bowen Aerodrome and then to Proserpine (Whitsunday Coast) Airport and back to Bowen.  During the afternoon it flew down to Archerfield.

Mandalay Two P/L Raytheon B300 Super King Air VH-SCQ arrived into Rockhampton Airport from Goondiwindi and then departed to Toowoomba.

Nauru Airlines Boeing B737-319 VH-XNU Calls into Mackay Airport - Plus More!

On Wednesday 19 March, Nauru Airlines 'classic' Boeing B737-319 VH-XNU was noted making two visits to Mackay Airport.  On both occasions, it arrived from and then later departed back to Brisbane as RON637/8/5/6.

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It also appears that VH-XNU also visited Mackay Airport late on Tuesday 18 March as RON637/8.

Meanwhile, also on Wednesday 19 March, new Pilatus Australia (South Australia) Pilatus PC-24 Super Versatile Jet VH-DMS visited Emerald and then Mackay Airports from Cessnock.

AirLink (Dubbo) recently acquired Cessna 510 Citation Mustang bizjet VH-KSQ visited Emerald Airport from Tamworth.  This is possibly its first visit to the region!

And FKG Air (Redjet Aviation) Hawker Beechcraft B200GT VH-FKB visited Clermont Aerodrome from Toowoomba via Archerfield.

UPDATE!  On Thursday 20 March, VH-FKB visited Emerald Airport from Toowoomba.

Finally, on Tuesday 18 March, S&S Aviation / Business Aviation Solutions Bombardier CL-600-2B16 Challenger 604 bizjet VH-XPA flew up to Hamilton Island Airport from Sydney.

UPDATE! On Thursday 20 March, VH-XPA departed Hamilton Island Airport.

Photo taken by 'AC'  ©

Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) Dassault Falcon 7X Bizjet A56-001 "Envoy 52" Pops into Rockhampton Airport - Plus More!

On Wednesday 19 March, Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) Dassault Falcon 7X bizjet A56-001 as "Envoy 52" arrived into Rockhampton Airport from Canberra.

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A bit later on, it departed to Brisbane.

About the same time, Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) Boeing B737-7ES / E-7A Wedgetail Airborne Early Warning & Control (AEW&C) aircraft A30-003 as "Mitchel 10" flew up from RAAF Base Williamtown to complete a missed approach at Rockhampton Airport before it then returned to Williamtown.

Later on Wednesday 19 March,  Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) Lockheed C-130J-30 Hercules transport aircraft A97-447 as "Trojan 22" was noted completing airwork around the Kingaroy area.

And Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) Alenia C-27J Spartan transport aircraft A34-009 as "Wallaby 01" or "Kaos 76" was noted completing airwork around Taroom and Bundaberg Airports before later landing at Bundy.

It then flew down to RAAF Base Amberley.

Photos taken by Steve Vit and Kasey Stallan  ©

Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) Boeing B737-8 MAX BBJ A62-001 "Envoy 42" Spotted Visiting Gladstone Airport

On Tuesday 18 March, Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) Boeing B737-8 MAX BBJ A62-001 flying as "Envoy 42" was spotted visiting Gladstone Airport.

It flew up from Sydney and reportedly brought the Australian Prime Minister to town to visit the nearby Boyne Smelter (Aluminium). 

Later, A62-001 "Envoy 42" departed to Gladstone Airport for Hervey Bay (Fraser Coast) Airport and then Brisbane. 

Photos taken by Jaymee C and Jamie C  ©

Careflight (NSW) Raytheon / Beech 400XT Nextant Bizjet VH-OVS as "Careflight 46" Pops into Mackay Airport - Plus More!

On Monday 17 March, Careflight (NT) Raytheon / Beech 400XT Nextant bizjet VH-OVS as "Careflight 46" was noted visiting Mackay Airport.

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It looked to arrive from Bankstown and then depart to Newcastle (Williamtown).

While Bowenville based (operated by Real Time Aviation - Brisbane) Cessna 525 CitationJet CJ1+ bizjet VH-JSZ also flew up to Mackay Airport but from Brisbane.

UPDATE!  On Tuesday 18 March, VH-JSZ departed Mackay Airport for my local Clermont Aerodrome and then to Dalby.

UPDATE!  On Wednesday 19 March, VH-JSZ flew back up from Dalby to Clermont Aerodrome and then Mackay Airport before flying down to Archerfield.

Vee H Aviation (Link Airways) Beech B200GT Super King Air 250 VH-VEW was back on the run up to the coalfields, flying into Rockhampton Airport from Brisbane before then heading out to Oaky Creek Mine site, Clermont Aerodrome and Collinsville Aerodrome.  It then continued to the Newlands Coal Mine site and then back to Brisbane.

And Seair Pacific (Istlecote) Cessna 208B Grand Caravan EX VH-LYI flew up from Hervey Bay (Fraser Coast) Airport and Maryborough Airport to Middlemount Aerodrome.  It then flew back down to Hervey Bay Airport.

Photos taken by Duncan Kirk  ©️

Three Australian Army Boeing CH-47F 'Foxtrot' Chinook Helicopters Pop into Rockhampton Airport Heading to Avalon Airshow!

On Monday 17 March, three Australian Army Boeing CH-47F 'Foxtrot' Chinook helicopters were photographed departing Rockhampton Airport after earlier arriving from Townsville.  They were identified as A15-302, A15-312 and A15-314 and were heard to be using the radio callsign of "Fatboy".

They departed to RAAF Base Amberley and are expected to continue further South with it being reported that the three Chinooks are ultimately heading to the Australian International Airshow at Avalon Airport in Victoria.

We shall see them there!!

Sincere thanks to local plane spotter Scott H for allowing us to share these great photos!

All photos taken by Scott Harris  ©️

Private USA Registered Diamond DA62 N118CY at Hamilton Island Airport - Plus More!

On Sunday 16 March, USA registered but possibly Malaysian based Diamond DA62 N118CY was noted departing Hamilton Island Airport.  It's exact movements are not fully known although it looked to arrive into Australia via Darwin and Mount Isa on Friday 14 March.

https://www.planespotters.net/

Meanwhile, also on Sunday 16 March, AAA Aircraft / Flight Options (Australia) Cessna 550 Citation II VH-VDF visited Proserpine (Whitsunday Coast) Airport from the Sunshine Coast.

And Alliance Airlines Fokker F-100 VH-XWM visited Longreach Airport from Brisbane as UTY3390/1.

Finally, on Saturday 15 March, QantasLink (Alliance Airlines) Embraer E-190 VH-UYR as arrived into Rockhampton Airport from Townsville and then departed to Cairns on presumably a sports charter as QFA6281/2690. 

And a couple of Regional Express (REX) SAAB 340 turboprop aircraft were noted visiting Winton Airport.  VH-ZLG as REX9981 departed Winton Airport for Longreach Airport and Brisbane and VH-ZPN as REX9983 departed Winton Airport to Brisbane.

Mission Aviation Fellowship (MAF) New Cessna 208 Caravan P2-AFD Pops into Mackay Airport - Plus More!

On Friday 14 March, Mission Aviation Fellowship (MAF) New Cessna 208 Caravan P2-AFD landed at Mackay Airport from Mareeba.  It then departed to Caloundra. 

https://www.facebook.com/mafaus

P2-AFD is soon to be deployed to Papua New Guinea (PNG) where it will serve remote communities with the organisation.  It is believed though that this flight is a 'demonstration' type flight with reports suggesting that it will end up at the Australian International Airshow at Avalon later in the month.

Meanwhile, also on Friday 14 March, RDO Equipment Co. Pilatus PC-12/47 VH-WPH landed at Emerald Airport from Toowoomba and Archerfield.

Townsville Airlines Beech 1900D VH-RUE arrived into Rockhampton Airport from Townsville and then departed to Brisbane before later reversing the flight.  VH-RUE also visited Rockhampton Airport on Thursday 13 March.

Midgeon Aviation / Vectra Holdings Textron Aviation B200GT Super King Air VH-MHQ looked to visit Bundaberg Airport from Bankstown via Archerfield.

New S. Kidman & Co. Pilatus PC-12/47E NGX VH-SKW arrived into Rockhampton Airport from Archerfield.  

UPDATE!  On Saturday 15 March, VH-SKW departed Rockhampton Airport and returned to Archerfield.

Finally, late on Thursday 13 March, Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) Alenia C-27J Spartan transport aircraft A34-007 as "Kaos 55" completed airwork at Miles and Taroom Airports while on a flight out of and back to RAAF Base Amberley.

Helibiz / Heli Lift Bell 205A-1 VH-WOC as "Helitak 420" Spotted at Rockhampton Airport - Plus More!

On Thursday 13 March, Helibiz / Heli Lift Bell 205A-1 VH-WOC as "Helitak 420" was passing through Rockhampton Airport. This is the second time in recent days that the big Bell Huey has been noted passing through the beef capital as it is deployed to various parts to assist with the clean-up following various disasters in the State.

On this occasion, VH-WOC "Helitak 420" arrived into Rockhampton Airport from Bundaberg Airport and then continued North up to Mackay Airport.

Meanwhile, another nice rescue helicopter to pass through Rockhampton Airport, also on Thursday 13 March, was Nautilus Aviation Bell Helicopter Textron Canada 412EP helicopter VH-ZVP "Rescue 421".  It too looked to arrive from Bundaberg Airport and then depart to Mackay Airport.

Finally, also on Thursday 13 March, Link Airways (Corporate Air / Vee H Aviation) Cessna 441 Conquest VH-VEH looked to fly up from Brisbane to Rolleston Aerodrome and then to Clermont Aerodrome. It then flew across to Oaky Creek Mine Site and then back to Brisbane.

Photo taken by Steve Vit  ©

Re-registered Elphinstone Group (Tasmania) / Revesco Aviation (WA) Embraer EMB-505 Phenom 300E Bizjet VH-UYX at Hamilton Island Airport - Plus More!

On Tuesday 11 March, re-registered Elphinstone Group (Tasmania) / Revesco Aviation (WA) Embraer EMB-505 Phenom 300E bizjet VH-UYX was noted flying down from Hamilton Island Airport to Burnie in Tasmania.  It then flew up to Melbourne (Essendon).  It looked to arrive into Hamo from those places last Friday on Friday 7 March.

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It's been a while since we've noted VH-UYX in the region and the aircraft has undergone a change of registration and operator holder as mentioned above.

While Bowenville based (operated by Real Time Aviation - Brisbane) Cessna 525 CitationJet CJ1+ bizjet VH-JSZ flew down from Natal Downs to Toowoomba (Wellcamp) and Archerfield.  It had flown up there the previous day.

UPDATE!  On Wednesday 12 March, VH-JSZ visited the Whitsunday Airport at Shute Harbour from Archerfield. 

And the Queensland Government (State of Queensland) Beech B300 Super King Air 350i aircraft VH-8TT flew up from Brisbane to complete airwork at Gladstone and Bundaberg Airports before it then returned to Brisbane. 

Photo taken by 'AC'  ©

Nauru Airlines Boeing 737-83N (WL) VH-AN2 as "Air Nauru 631" Pops into Rockhampton Airport - Plus More!

On Monday 10 March, Nauru Airlines Boeing 737-83N (WL) VH-AN2 as "Air Nauru 631" arrived into Rockhampton Airport from Brisbane then departed to Darwin. 

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While Falcon Air (NSW) Cirrus Design Corp. SF50 Vision Jet VH-LCR flew up from Bankstown to Mackay Airport and then Hamilton Island Airport. 

UPDATE!  On Friday 14 March, VH-LCR flew down from Hamilton Island Airport to the Sunshine Coast and Bankstown. 

Corporate Air / Vee H Aviation Cessna 441 Conquest II VH-VEY Brisbane to the Oaky Creek Mine Site and Clermont Aerodrome before returning to Brisbane.

Austrek Aviation Beech B200 King Air VH-ZMW arrived into Rockhampton Airport from Toowoomba and then departed to Cairns.  It later returned to Rockhampton Airport.

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UPDATE!  On Tuesday 11 March, VH-ZMW departed Rockhampton Airport for Goondiwindi.

And the Central Queensland Helicopter Rescue Service (CQ Rescue) / CQ Aeromedical Leonardo AW139 helicopter VH-XQ8 flew down from Mackay Airport to Gladstone Airport and Archerfield.

Photos taken by Steve Vit  ©

A Pair of RAAF Super King Air Turboprops A32-671 & A32-675 Both Complete Airwork & Land at CQ Airports - UPDATED!

On Monday 10 March, a pair of Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) Beech B350 Super King Air turboprops were noted completing airwork and landing at some Central Queensland Airports.

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A32-675 as "Hudson 10/28" and A32-003 as "Hudson 02/07" flew separately up from RAAF Base East Sale to Dubbo and Rockhampton Airport.

UPDATE!  On Tuesday 11 March, A32-675 again as "Hudson 10" and A32-003 as "Hudson 02" departed Rockhampton Airport for Longreach Airport via airwork at my local Clermont Aerodrome. They later changed callsigns again with A32-675 as "Hudson 28" and A32-003 as "Hudson 07" and flew to the Sunshine Coast via a missed approach at Emerald Airport.

UPDATE!  On Wednesday 12 March, the two Super King Airs swapped callsign numbers with A32-675 departing the Sunshine Coast as "Hudson 07" and A32-003 as "Hudson 02" both heading to Charleville Airport via airwork at Taroom Aerodrome. Later, A32-675 as "Hudson 10" and A32-003 as "Hudson 28" both flew back to the Sunshine Coast via airwork at Roma Airport. 

 Of interest, a third RAAF Super King Air as "Hudson 27" landed at the Sunshine Coast direct from East Sale.

Photo taken by Scott Harris  ©

Stored Aircraft Depart Rockhampton Airport and Return to Brisbane Airport to Re-enter Service Following TC Alfred - Plus More!

On Sunday 9 March, and with the worst of Tropical Cyclone Alfred out of the way for South-East Queensland, some sense of normality is returning to the skies as several of the parked-up aircraft departed Rockhampton Airport to re-enter service largely from Brisbane.

QantasLink (Alliance Airlines) Embraer E-190s VH-XVQ as QFA6281, VH-XVS as QFA6285, VH-UZF as QFA6283, VH-XVO as QFA6287, VH-XVX as QFA6289, VH-UZH as QFA6291 and VH-UZI as QFA6295 all departed Rockhampton Airport bound for Brisbane. 

Plus Alliance Airlines Fokker F-70s VH-NKU as UTY9822 and VH-NUU as UTY9821 and Fokker F-100 VH-UQG as UTY9820 also all departed Rockhampton Airport for Brisbane.

Meanwhile, also on Sunday 9 March, Nauru Airlines Boeing B737-79L VH-INU as RON314 departed Rockhampton Airport for Brisbane. It had arrived the previous evening from Darwin on a diversion from Brisbane as RON312.

Sharp Airlines Metro 23 VH-HPE as SH101 arrived into Rockhampton Airport from Mount Isa after several days parked out there.  It then departed to Brisbane.

And the welcome sight back in CQ of Skytrans Airlines Airbus A319-112 VH-L7A as SKP801 which flew down from Cairns to Townsville and then Mackay Airport and Rockhampton Airport before then continuing to Brisbane.

Of interest, Skytrans has been cleared to start A319 wet-leasing operations, with CASA signing off on updates to its Air Operator’s Certificate (AOC).  After being purchased last year by global aviation firm Avia Solutions Group, Skytrans received its first A319, VH-L7A (ex LY-FAB), in mid-December and just received its second into Brisbane to be registered VH-L7C (ex LY-FAC).  VH-L7C is pictured below arriving into Toowoomba-Wellcamp from Brisbane to also escape TC Alfred.

Finally, also on Sunday 9 March, Brisbane-based Cessna 310R VH-NBI departed Rockhampton Airport for Quilpie and Coober Pedi.  It had arrived last week from Archerfield to avoid the weather.

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

Airlie Beach-registered Piper PA-46-600TP VH-T43 flew into the Whitsunday Airport at Shute Harbour from Ayr.

And over the last week, the LifeFlight (Aeromed) Canadair CL-600-2B16 Challenger 604 bizjets have continued to complete medical evacuation flights with some of them in and out of the region.

VH-OFA as "Ambulance 614" has been noted visiting Longreach, Hervey Bay (Fraser Coast), Mackay and Rockhampton Airports.

While VH-OFB "Ambulance 624" was spotted (above) visiting Rockhampton Airport on Saturday 8 March and was noted also visiting Mackay, Proserpine (Whitsunday Coast)  and Hervey Bay Airports.

Photos taken by Steve Vit, Tom Carmichael and Phil M  ©