Virgin Australia Boeing B737 MAX 8 VH-8IA Makes First Visit into Central Queensland at Mackay Airport

On Thursday 31 July, Virgin Australia Boeing B737-8MAX VH-8IA was noted making its first visit into Central Queensland at Rockhampton Airport. It operated the VOZ613/6 service from and back to Brisbane.

VH-8IA was delivered into Brisbane from the USA on in late June 2023 before then entering service just over a week after being delivered. The aircraft was named 'Monkey Mia' and is the 1st B737-8MAX delivered to Virgin Australia.

Nice!

File photo taken by Tony Haynes  ©

Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) Lockheed C-130J-30 Hercules A97-447 "Trojan 26" Spotted at Rockhampton Airport

Also on Thursday 31 July, Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) Lockheed C-130J-30 Hercules transport aircraft A97-447 was spotted also visiting Rockhampton Airport.

A97-447 was flying as "Trojan 26" and flew down from Townsville to a position North of Mackay where it then descended to 900ft off the coast and passed Mackay over water and continued on to Williamson Airfield within the Shoalwater Bay Training Area.

The Herc then flew down and landed at Rockhampton Airport.

During the afternoon, A97-447 "Trojan 26" then departed Rockhampton Airport and flew low level down the highway to a complete a loop at Bajool to then head over to the coast and complete a loop over Port Alma before continuing onwards to fly along Gladstone Harbour waters then climbing to flight levels and eventually to RAAF Base Amberley.

Photo taken by Steve Vit  ©

Alliance Airlines (ex JetBlue Airways - USA) Embraer ERJ-190AR N239JB Arrives into Rockhampton Airport

On Thursday 31 July, Alliance Airlines (ex JetBlue Airways - USA) Embraer ERJ-190AR N239JB arrived into Rockhampton Airport at the end of a delivery flight as 'SXI2532' / "Southern Cross 2532".

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

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As shown, N239JB was delivered in full Alliance Airlines livery and looks to be going to be placed on the Australian Aircraft register as VH-A2K - as shown on the front of the aircraft.

N239JB was promptly parked inside the Alliance Airlines hangar at Rockhampton Airport.

Photos taken by Scott Harris and Nick Dean  ©

Royal New Zealand Air Force (RNZAF) Boeing B757-200 NZ7572 Arrives into Rockhampton Airport as "Kiwi 287"

On Thursday 31 July, Royal New Zealand Air Force (RNZAF) Boeing B757-2K2 NZ7572 was spotted arriving into Rockhampton Airport.

It arrived from RNZAF Base Auckland (Whenuapai) and Townsville and was heard to be flying as 'KIW287'.

At the time of writing, it appears that the RNZAF B757 is staying for at least the night.

UPDATE!  On Friday 1 August, RNZAF B757 NZ7572 "Kiwi 287" departed to Townsville before heading over the RNZAF Base Ohakea and back to RNZAF Base Auckland.

Of interest, both the B757-200 - as well as their new C-130J Hercules transport aircraft - are flown by the RNZAF’s No. 40 Squadron based at RNZAF Base Auckland at Whenuapai.

 

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

All photos taken by Steve Vit  ©

Virgin Australia Boeing B737 MAX 8 VH-8IE Makes First Visit into Central Queensland at Rockhampton Airport

On Wednesday 30 July, Virgin Australia Boeing B737-8MAX VH-8IE was spotted making its first visit into Central Queensland at Rockhampton Airport. It operated the early morning VOZ1231/4 service from and back to Brisbane.

VH-8IE was delivered into Brisbane from the USA on in early July 2024 before entering service only days after being delivered. The aircraft was named 'Brighton Beach' and is the 5th B737-8MAX delivered to Virgin Australia.

Nice!

Photo taken by Steve Vit  ©

Hersing Corporation (Singapore) American Registered Bombardier Global 5000 Bizjet N18HA at Hamilton Island Airport - Plus More!

On Tuesday 29 July, Hersing Corporation (Singapore) American registered Bombardier BD-700-1A11 Global 5000 bizjet N18HA arrived into Hamilton Island Airport from Brisbane.  **Photo update - it was still parked up on Thursday 31 July.

UPDATE!  On Friday 1 August, N18HA departed Hamo and looked to head North to Cairns where it was spotted below touching down on Runway 15.

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

Meanwhile, also on Tuesday 29 July,  American-registered Beechcraft B300 King Air 350 N35GA flew down from Cairns to complete survey work around the Mackay area before later returning to Cairns.

And a pair of Queensland Government (QGAir) Rescue (State of Queensland) Agusta AW139 helicopters were spotted at Emerald Airport. VH-EZJ flew down from Townsville and then onwards to Archerfield, while VH-ESH arrived from Archerfield and departed to Townsville.

Photos taken by James Kirk and Jonathan Williams  ©

Royal New Zealand Air Force (RNZAF) NH Industries NH90 Helicopter NZ3306 Out and Back at Rockhampton Airport - Plus More!

On Tuesday 29 July, Royal New Zealand Air Force (RNZAF) NH Industries NH90 helicopter NZ3306 departed Rockhampton Airport for Brisbane.  It was heard to use the radio callsign of "Warrior 06".

UPDATE!  On Wednesday 30 July, the RNZAF NH90 helicopter NZ3306 "Warrior 06" returned to Rockhampton Airport from Brisbane but it called into Gladstone Airport for fuel.  The NH90 then continued up to Townsville.  It was photographed above and below at Gladstone Airport.

Meanwhile, also on Tuesday 29 July, CHC Helicopters Australia / Lloyd Helicopters Agusta AW139 helicopter VH-RQY as "Choppa 42" departed Rockhampton Airport for Longreach Airport before then flying down to Roma Airport and RAAF Base Amberley.

And Helicorp (Australian Army) Leonardo S.P.A. Helicopters (Agusta) AW139 helicopter VH-YQC as "Rescue 902" came from the Shoalwater Bay Training Area (SWBTA) and flew a few training approaches at Rockhampton Airport before it then returned to the Bay.

Finally, late on Tuesday 29 July, a pair of Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) Alenia C-27J Spartan transport aircraft A34-002 "Wallaby 70" and A34-008 "Wallaby 75" completed airwork around Taroom while on a flight out of and back to RAAF Base Amberley.

Sincere thanks to Gladstone plane spotters Jamie C and Glenn L for taking the time to capture and send through these great photos!

Photos taken by Jamie C and Glenn Lloyd  ©

ASL Airlines Australia Boeing B737-800(BCF) VH-CYK Pops into Rockhampton Airport on ADF Charter - Plus Multiple Virgin Australia Boeing B737-800 Charters

Late on Monday 28 July, ASL Airlines Australia Boeing B737-800(BCF) VH-CYK arrived into Rockhampton Airport from Brisbane as PARTEC820.

Then on Tuesday 29 July, VH-CYK was photographed loading before it then departed Rockhampton Airport for Darwin as PARTEC821 operating what has reported to be a charter for the Australian Defence Force (ADF).

VH-CYK then returned to Brisbane from Darwin as PARTEC822.

This is possibly the first time we have seen ASL Airlines Australia operating into Central Queensland.  Of interest, ASL Airlines Australia is the former Pionair - an Australian charter and cargo airline which is based at Bankstown Airport in Sydney - and was taken over in early March 2023.  It is a subsidiary of ASL Aviation Holdings.

Meanwhile, also on Tuesday 29 July, there were three Virgin Australia closed charter flights between Rockhampton Airport and Darwin operated by three different Boeing B737-800 aircraft which all flew up from Brisbane at different times during the day - VH-FH arrived as VOZ9901 and departed as VOZ9002, VH-YFE in as VOZ9905 and out VOZ9006 and VH-YFS in as VOZ9909 and out as VOZ9010.

These were also believed to be closed charter flights for the ADF.

Photo taken by Drew Mackay  ©

Virgin Australia Boeing B737 MAX 8 VH-8IB Makes First Visit into Central Queensland at Rockhampton Airport

On Tuesday 29 July, Virgin Australia Boeing B737-8MAX VH-8IB was spotted making its first visit into Central Queensland at Rockhampton Airport. It operated the early morning VOZ1231/4 service from and back to Brisbane.

VH-8IB was delivered into Brisbane from the USA on in late November 2023 before entering service only days after being delivered. The aircraft was named 'Bronte Beach' and is the 2nd B737-8MAX delivered to Virgin Australia.

Nice!

Photo taken by Scott Harris  ©

Jetstar Airways New Airbus A320neo (A320-251N) VH-A5E First Visit to Central Queensland at Hervey Bay (Fraser Coast) Airport

On Monday 28 July, Jetstar Airways brand new Airbus A320neo (A320-251N) VH-A5E was noted making its first visit into Central Queensland at Proserpine (Whitsunday Coast) Airport. It operated as JST832/1 from and back to Melbourne (Tullamarine).

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VH-A5E was delivered into Melbourne (Tullamarine) from Toulouse in the first week of July and entered service on Friday 11 July.

Meanwhile, the collapse of Jetstar Asia has reportedly seen five of their Airbus A320 ‘classic’ aircraft about to join (or for three of them re-join) the Jetstar Australia fleet. They are all currently planned to be placed into storage at Alice Springs where they will be placed on the Australian Aircraft Register. The aircraft include: 9V-JSM (ex VH-XNN) which is to become VH-X3D, 9V-JSN (ex VH-XNI) which is to become VH-X3E, 9V-JSP (ex VH-XNP) which is to become VH-X3L, 9V-JSO which is to become VH-X3F, and 9V-JSX (ex 9V-TAZ with Tigerair and Scoot) which will become VH-X3P.

Photo taken by Tony Haynes  ©

Indara Holdings / Corporate and Luxury Air Charter Textron (Cessna) 525 CitationJet M2 VH-8RT at Mackay Airport - Plus More!

Over the weekend, Indara Holdings / Corporate and Luxury Air Charter Textron (Cessna) 525 CitationJet M2 VH-8RT visited Mackay Airport from its Deniliquin base.

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It arrived on Saturday 19 July and departed on Sunday 20 July.

Meanwhile, also on Saturday 19 July, Machjet (Machjet International) Cessna 525 Citation CJ1 bizjet VH-SIY as "Machflight 121" flew South from Mareeba to Gladstone Airport and then the Sunshine Coast.

And an ultralight registered  Supermarine Aircraft Spitfire Mk 26 19-4104 was heard to be operating at Longreach Airport.

Photo taken by Brodie Lawson  ©

Exercise Talisman Sabre 2025 - A Busy Saturday at Rockhampton Airport including Multiple USAF C-17 Globemaster Transports Visiting

On Saturday 19 July, Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) Alenia C-27J Spartan transport aircraft A34-004 as "Valour 11" arrived into Rockhampton Airport from RAAF Base Amberley then flew out to the North East over water and back.  It then returned to Amberley.

Air Affairs (Australia) LearJet 35A VH-SLD as 'AJAX14' arrived into Rockhampton Airport from Kununurra. 

While Royal Australian Navy (RAN) Sikorsky MH-60R Seahawk 'Romeo' naval combat helicopter N48-002 (Code 902) as "Poseidon 02" was photographed arriving into Rockhampton Airport from its ship.

Australian Army Boeing CH-47F Chinook helicopter A15-305 as "Stockman" departed to Townsville. 

RAAF Rescue Agusta AW139 helicopter VH-RQW as CHOP21 arrived into Rockhampton Airport from Townsville and then departed to the Gold Coast and Ballina. 

Finally, late on Saturday 19 July, United States Air Force (USAF) Boeing C-17A Globemaster III 09-9206 flew into Rockhampton Airport from Darwin.

It later departed to Cairns.

Also noted at Rockhampton Airport was USAF C-17 09-9208 as 'LAVA93'.

USAF C-17 05-5150 as Lava 91 flew down from Darwin to Amberley.  It may have also possibly visited Rockhampton Airport after dark.

And USAF C17 05-5146 as 'LAVA97' flew East from Townsville and at low-level around the Whitsundays.

Photo taken by Darren Massie and Steve Vit  ©

Cirrus (Australia) / Navair Flight Operations Cessna 510 Citation Mustang Bizjet VH-NFP Pops into Mackay Airport - Plus More!

On Friday 18 July, Cirrus (Australia) / Navair Flight Operations Cessna 510 Citation Mustang bizjet VH-NFP landed at Mackay Airport from Lizard Island and Cooktown then departed to Bourke and Essendon. 

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McDermott Aviation Group / Machjet International Beech B200 King Air VH-ZPY as "Machflight 73" arrived into Rockhampton Airport from Cairns and Mount Isa and then departed back to Cairns. 

Rural Funds Management (A.C.T.) Pilatus PC-12/47E VH-STE has spent a couple of days in the region and today it departed Springsure Aerodrome to Bundaberg Airport and then home to Canberra. 

Western Downs Civil (Chinchilla) Raytheon B200 King Air VH-85H, which had flown up to the Whitsunday Airport at Shute Harbour from Chinchilla Aerodrome yesterday, flew back to there today.

Kirkhope Aviation (of Melbourne) Beech B200 King Air VH-ZOK flew up from Hervey Bay (Fraser Coast) Airport to Proserpine (Whitsunday Coast) Airport and then to Mareeba.  It looked to have arrive at Hervey Bay Airport from Lismore at the start of the week

And a special visitor into Rockhampton Airport with Cirrus SR22 VH-8AK touching down on the latest leg of a fundraising circumnavigation of Australia for "Fly for the Kids".  It then looked to head West to Emerald Airport.

https://www.flyforthekids.org.au/

Photos taken by Tony Haynes and Jonathan Williams  ©

Exercise Talisman Sabre 2025 - Flight of SIX Australian Army and RNZAF Helicopters as "Chainsaw Combined" Arrives at Rockhampton Airport - Plus More!

On Friday 18 July, a massive flight of SIX military helicopters flying as "Chainsaw Combined" were photographed making a spectacular arrival into Rockhampton Airport from Townsville.

They were identified as Royal New Zealand Air Force (RNZAF) NH Industries NH90 helicopters NZ3306, NZ3303 & NZ3307.

Plus Australian Army Boeing CH-47F Chinook helicopters A15-301, A15-306 & A15-310.

All six helicopters parked on the crossing Runway 04/22 at Rockhampton Airport.

While Astra Aerospace / Air Affairs (Australia) Learjet 35A bizjet VH-LRH as "Blackjack 11" completed a flight out of and back to Rockhampton Airport.

A third Air Affairs (Australia) Learjet 35A VH-LRX also arrived into Rockhampton Airport from HMAS Albatross at Nowra as 'AJAX19'.

Two Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) British Aerospace (BAe) Hawk 127 jets - A27-01 and A27-23 - completed only one afternoon sortie out of and back to Rockhampton Airport as "Puma".

The two Royal Canadian Air Force (RCAF) Lockheed CC-130J Super Hercules (C-130J-30) transport aircraft wearing serials 130617 and 130606 flew down from Townsville as 'CNUK61FLT' / "Canook 61 Flt" into the Shoalwater Bay Training Area before later returning North.

Finally, United States Air Force (USAF) Boeing C-17A Globemaster III 05-5146 as 'SHAKA11' was noted on radar climbing out of the Middlemount area.  It is believed to be based at RAAF Base Amberley along with a few other USAF C-17s which are also based there and at other places like Cairns, Townsville and Darwin.

Photos taken by Steve Vit and Scott Harris  ©

Mitchell Water Cessna 525 Citation M2 Bizjet VH-WMY Calls into CQ Airports - Plus More!

On Thursday 17 July, Mitchell Water Cessna 525 Citation M2 bizjet VH-WMY flew up from Melbourne (Moorabbin) and Ararat to the Whitsunday Airport at Shute Harbour before then flying down to Chinchilla and Roma Airport and then down to Melbourne (Essendon) and back to Moorabbin. 

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Machjet (Machjet International) Beech B200C King Air VH-PUY as "Machflight 73" arrived into Rockhampton Airport from Cairns and Townsville and then departed back to Cairns. 

Brisbane-based SOCATA TB-20 Trinidad VH-IPF flew down from Proserpine (Whitsunday Coast) Airport to Moree and Bankstown. 

And after being photographed recently operating for the locally-based Capricorn Helicopter Rescue Service (CHRS), the Babcock Mission Critical Services Australasia Bell 412EP helicopter VH-VAU departed Rockhampton Airport for the Sunshine Coast and Coffs Harbour. 

Finally, on Wednesday 16 July, Townsville Airlines Beech 1900D VH-RUE was noted visiting Hamilton Island Airport from Cairns.

UPDATE!  A month later in August, VH-RUE flew from Cairns to Brisbane and then across to Perth and eventually Jandakot (in September) where the aircraft was re-registered as VH-8PJ in mid-October to local operator Penjet.

Photo taken by Lee Holloway  ©

Exercise Talisman Sabre 2025 - Luftwaffe (German Air Force) Airbus A400M Atlas Transport Aircraft 54+14 as 'GAF61' Back at Rockhampton Airport - Plus More!

On Thursday 17 July, Luftwaffe (German Air Force) Airbus A400M Atlas Transport Aircraft 54+14 as 'GAF61' flew up from RAAF Base Amberley low level with a loop at a beach near Bundaberg and one near Calliope before landing at Rockhampton Airport. It then departed to Townsville.

Like the previous day, two Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) British Aerospace (BAe) Hawk 127 jets completed two sorties during the day out of and back to Rockhampton Airport as "Puma".

Similarly, two Astra Aerospace / Air Affairs (Australia) Learjet 35A bizjets also completed two sorties during the day out of and back to Rockhampton Airport but as "Blackjack".  Looks like they went up as far as Mackay today.

And LifeFlight Australia (Eagle Copters Leasing) Bell Helicopter Textron 412EP VH-XGB as "Guardian 20" arrived into Rockhampton Airport from Archerfield and the Sunshine Coast.  It then departed to Mackay Airport.

Photo taken by Steve Vit  ©️

Exercise Talisman Sabre 2025 - Many Photos from Rockhampton Airport incl BOTH RCAF CC-130J Hercs 130617 and 130606 - RAAF BAe Hawk 127 Jets Start Sorties - As do Air Affairs LearJets!

On Wednesday 16 July, not one, but BOTH Royal Canadian Air Force (RCAF) Lockheed CC-130J Super Hercules (C-130J-30) transports that have deployed to Australia wearing serials 130617 and 130606 called into Rockhampton Airport as 'CNUK61FLT' / "Canook 61 Flt". 

They arrived from RAAF Base Richmond via a position near Charters Towers and a bit later departed to Townsville. 

Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) Lockheed C-130J-30 Hercules transport aircraft A97-467 as "Kongo 03" visited Rockhampton Airport once again from Townsville.

Late on Tuesday 15 July, Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) Boeing B737-8 MAX BBJ A62-001 as "Envoy 59" departed Rockhampton Airport for Melbourne (Avalon) and Canberra.  It had arrived late on Monday.  

Fellow Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) Boeing B737-8 MAX BBJ A62-001 as "Envoy 36" departed Rockhampton Airport for Darwin early on Wednesday.  As mentioned below, it had arrived on Monday 14 July.

While two Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) British Aerospace (BAe) Hawk 127 jets - A27-23 and A27-08 - completed two sorties during the day out of and back to Rockhampton Airport as "Puma".

Similarly, the two Astra Aerospace / Air Affairs (Australia) Learjet 35A bizjets VH-LRH and VH-SLE also completed two sorties during the day out of and back to Rockhampton Airport but as "Blackjack".

A pair of Australian Army Boeing CH-47F Chinooks as "Stockman" went out from Rockhampton Airport to the Shoalwater Bay Training Area and then back into the nearby DSU and out again. 

United States Navy (USN) Sikorsky MH-60S Seahawk (Knighthawk) helicopter 167854 / RB-11 was spotted visiting Rockhampton Airport once again as "Valkyrie 62".

And Helicorp (Australian Army) Leonardo S.P.A. Helicopters (Agusta) AW139 helicopter VH-YQJ as "Rescue 901" was noted operating in the Shoalwater Bay Training Area and had arrived there from Townsville yesterday. 

Meanwhile, also on Wednesday 16 July, Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) Boeing B737-7ES / E-7A Wedgetail Airborne Early Warning & Control (AEW&C) aircraft A30-004 as "Wedgetail 10" flew up from RAAF Base Williamtown and was spotted completing a missed approach at Gladstone Airport before it then returned South.

And RAAF Dassault Falcon 7X bizjet A56-003 as "Envoy 77" landed at Longreach Airport from Canberra via Alice Springs.  It then departed back to Canberra via a missed approach at Charleville Airport.

Photo taken by Scott Harris, Darren Massie and Jaymee C  ©