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  ©

Pair of Astra Aerospace / Air Affairs (Australia) LearJet 35A/36 Bizjets VH-VLJ and VH-SLJ Pop into Rockhampton Airport - Plus More!

On Sunday 6 July, a pair of Astra Aerospace / Air Affairs (Australia) LearJet 35A/36 bizjets were spotted passing through Rockhampton Airport.

LearJet 35A VH-VLJ as 'AJAX43' and VH-SLJ as 'AJAX01' both arrived into Rocky from HMAS Albatross at Nowra before then heading West.

Meanwhile, also on Sunday 6 July, Homada Pty Ltd Cessna 560XL Citation XLS bizjet VH-XCU flew up from Melbourne (Moorabbin) to Hamilton Island Airport before then flying back down to Melbourne (Essendon) and then back to Moorabbin.

While seemingly Australian based but American registered Eclipse Aviation EA550 Very Light jet (VLJ) bizjet N771MT was noted arriving into Emerald Airport from Gove before later departing the Sunshine Coast.

Gulf Coast Aviation Cessna 510 Citation Mustang bizjet VH-KXM popped into Longreach Airport, arriving from Tamworth and Bankstown before continuing up to Vanrook Station.

Mitchell Water Cessna 525 Citation M2 bizjet VH-WMY flew up from Gold Coast to the Whitsunday Airport at Shute Harbour before then flying down to Melbourne (Moorabbin). 

And USA registered but possibly Malaysian based Diamond DA62 N118CY flew up from the Gold Coast to Hamilton Island Airport.

Finally, also on Sunday 6 July, United States Marine Corps (USMC) Lockheed KC-130J Hercules 167926 (Tail Code QD-7926) as "Sumo 96" flew up from Brisbane into the Shoalwater Bay Training Area and later returned to Brisbane.  It then flew up to Darwin.

Photos taken by Steve Vit  ©

Jetstar Airways New Airbus A320neo (A320-251N) VH-A5D First Visit to Central Queensland at Hamilton Island Airport

On Sunday 6 July, Jetstar Airways brand new Airbus A320neo (A320-251N) VH-A5D was noted making its first visit into Central Queensland at Hamilton Island Airport. It operated as JST848/9 from and back to Sydney.

VH-A5D was delivered into Melbourne (Tullamarine) from Toulouse towards the end of June and entered service on Friday 27 June.

Photo taken by Hadley H  ©

McDermott Aviation Group / Machjet International Cessna 525C CitationJet CJ4 Bizjet VH-PIY "Machflight 41" Pops into Rockhampton Airport - Plus More!

On Saturday 5 July, McDermott Aviation Group / Machjet International Cessna 525C CitationJet CJ4 bizjet VH-PIY "Machflight 41" arrived into Rockhampton Airport from Townsville and later departed to Brisbane. 

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Careflight (NSW) Raytheon / Beech 400XT Nextant bizjet VH-OVS as "Careflight 46", which landed at Mackay Airport late yesterday from Newcastle, flew down from there to Sydney. 

Victoria Based USA Registered Embraer 505 Phenom 300E bizjet N227SJ landed at Longreach Airport from Warrnambool then departed to Cooktown. 

Brenzil Dassault Aviation Falcon 7X bizjet VH-CRW visited Hamilton Island Airport from Brisbane.

While National Jet Express Dash-8-Q400 Next Gen VH-8QB as "Jetex 441" arrived into Rockhampton Airport from Brisbane and then departed to Cairns and Horn Island as "Jetex 442" on a school holiday charter.  Later it returned to Cairns as "Jetex 444".

Jayrow Helicopters Eurocopter EC120 VH-BGB landed at Gladstone Airport from Mackay Airport.

And after arriving the previous day, Cirrus SR22 N64RU departed Longreach Airport for Darwin. 

Photo taken by Tony Haynes  ©

United States Navy (USN) Sikorsky MH-60S Seahawk 167854 / RB-11 of the Helicopter Sea Combat Squadron 25 (HSC-25) DET-6 'Archangels' Spotted at Rockhampton Airport as "Valkyrie 62"

On Saturday 5 July, United States Navy (USN) Sikorsky MH-60S Seahawk (Knighthawk) helicopter 167854 / RB-11 was spotted visiting Rockhampton Airport as "Valkyrie 62".  It arrived from the Shoalwater Bay Training Area (SWBTA) and later departed back to there.

The Knighthawk is flown by the Helicopter Sea Combat Squadron Two Five (HSC-25) DET-6 "Archangels" and is presently deployed on board USS America (LHA-6). It is also reported that the "Archangels" squadron is based at Andersen Air Force Base, Guam.

Meanwhile, also on Saturday 5 July, Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) Airbus A330-200 / KC-30A Multi Role Tanker Transport (MRTT) A39-001 as "Dragon 20" flew up from RAAF Base Amberley to a position North West of Rockhampton where it picked up a flight of four U.S. Marine Corps F-35B Lightning II aircraft.

The F-35s are assigned to Marine Fighter Attack Squadron (VMFA) 242, 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit, and they departed from the US Navy amphibious assault ship USS America (LHA 6). They flew across to Darwin with the RAAF MRTT as 'TYR51' / "Tier 51" and joined two other F-35B's from VMFA-242 which arrived from Japan during last week.

Finally, also on Saturday 5 July,  Royal Australian Navy (RAN) Sikorsky MH-60R Seahawk 'Romeo' naval combat helicopter N48-013 (Code 913) was visited Bundaberg Airport.  It was heard to be flying as "Tiger 13".

UPDATE!   On Sunday 6 July, N48-013 'TIGR13' was noted at Hamilton Island Airport.

Photo taken by Steve Vit  ©

Additional images from the US Department of Defense

Cirrus Design Corp. SF50 Vision Jet N616TS Pops into CQ Airports - Plus More!

On Friday 4 July, Cirrus Design Corp. SF50 Vision Jet wearing the American registration marking of N616TS was noted passing through Gladstone Airport. It looked to fly up from Coffs Harbour to Gladstone Airport and then the Whitsunday Airport at Shute Harbour.  It later returned to Coffs Harbour direct.

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Queensland Government (State of Queensland) Beech B300 Super King Air 350i aircraft VH-8PF arrived into Rockhampton Airport from Cairns and Townsville and then departed back to Cairns.

The Queensland Government Airwing (State of Queensland) Raytheon B300 Super King Air VH-SGQ also called into Rockhampton Airport, arriving from Townsville and departing to Brisbane.

And Cirrus SR22 N64RU flew to Longreach Airport from Archerfield.

Finally, also on Friday 4 July, Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) Airbus A330-200 / KC-30A Multi Role Tanker Transport (MRTT) A39-004 as "Dragon 11" completed a missed approach at Rockhampton Airport.  It had earlier taken RAAF Boeing F/A-18F Super Hornet jets "Sabre" and "Cannon" half way to RAAF Base Tindal then left them and turned to land at Townsville. Later it flew down to complete the missed approach at Rockhampton Airport and then onwards back to RAAF Base Amberley.

Photo taken by Jamie C  ©

Lloyd Aviation Jet Charter (Darwin) Dassault Falcon 900 Bizjet VH-PPD Pops into Williamson Airfield within The Shoalwater Bay Training Area - Plus More!

On Thursday 3 July, an interesting visitor into the Shoalwater Bay Training Area (SWBTA) with Lloyd Aviation Jet Charter Dassault Falcon 900 bizjet VH-PPD flying up from Canberra to land at the Williamson Airfield within the Shoalwater Bay Training Area (SWBTA).  It later departed there for Brisbane.

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While Bowenville based (operated by Real Time Aviation - Brisbane) Cessna 525 CitationJet CJ1+ bizjet VH-JSZ landed at Biloela / Thangool Airport from Archerfield and then departed to Natal Downs and this afternoon returned to Thangool Airport and Archerfield. 

Homada Pty Ltd Cessna 560XL Citation XLS bizjet VH-XCU flew up from Melbourne (Moorabbin) and Melbourne (Essendon) to Hamilton Island Airport before flying back down to Moorabbin.

And during the morning Surveillance Australia (Leidos SAR Services Pty Ltd) Bombardier CL-600-2B16 Challenger 604 bizjet VH-XNC as "Rescue 440" flew down from Cairns to North East of Yeppoon and operated there until mid afternoon before returning to Cairns. 

During the afternoon, fellow Surveillance Australia (Leidos) Challenger 604 bizjet VH-XNE as "Rescue 330" flew up from Melbourne (Essendon) to out from Yeppoon, replacing VH-XNC "Rescue 440".  It later landed at Rockhampton Airport before returning to Essendon. 

UPDATE!  On Friday 4 July, Challengers VH-XNC "Rescue 440" from Cairns and VH-XNE "Rescue 330" from Essendon reached the area North East of Yeppoon about the same time.  Early afternoon, VH-XNC "Rescue 440" returned to Cairns and VH-XNE "Rescue 330" again landed at Rockhampton Airport for fuel before then returning once again to Essendon. 

Meanwhile, also on Thursday 3 July, Fly Weel Pilatus PC-12/47E VH-KWZ visited Gladstone Airport from the Gold Coast.

The Queensland Government (State of Queensland) Beech B300C Super King Air 350 VH-8PE visited Gladstone Airport from Brisbane.

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

Photo taken by Ryan Hothersall  ©

United States Navy (USN) Sikorsky MH-60S Seahawk 167873 / RB-01 of the Helicopter Sea Combat Squadron 25 (HSC-25) DET-6 'Archangels' Spotted Again at Rockhampton Airport as "Valkyrie 62"

On Thursday 3 July, United States Navy (USN) Sikorsky MH-60S Seahawk (Knighthawk) helicopter 167873 / RB-01 was spotted visiting Rockhampton Airport once again as "Valkyrie 62". It arrived from the Shoalwater Bay Training Area (SWBTA) and later departed back to there.

The Knighthawk is flown by the Helicopter Sea Combat Squadron Two Five (HSC-25) DET-6 "Archangels" and is presently deployed on board USS America (LHA-6). It is also reported that the "Archangels" squadron is based at Andersen Air Force Base, Guam.

Meanwhile, also on Thursday 3 July, CHC Helicopters Australia / Lloyd Helicopters Agusta AW139 helicopter VH-RQY as "Choppa 42" landed at Longreach Airport from RAAF Base Amberley and Roma Airport before it then departed to Mount Isa.

And Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) Lockheed C-130J-30 Hercules Transport Aircraft A97-468 as "Trojan 27" flew down from Townsville and did a missed approach at Hamilton Island Airport before flying down the inland most likely back to RAAF Base Richmond. It looked to fly up yesterday via some low level airwork in the Bundaberg / Hervey Bay area.

Photo taken by Steve Vit  ©

Local Embraer EMB-550 Legacy 500 Bizjet N142GZ Back in The Air out of Mackay Airport

On Wednesday 2 July, the locally-based Embraer EMB-550 Legacy 500 bizjet N142GZ was back in the air departing Mackay Airport for Brisbane.

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UPDATE!  On Tuesday 8 July, N142GZ finally returned to Mackay Airport from Brisbane.

Photo taken by Dan B  ©

Australian Corporate Jet Centres Embraer ERJ-145LR Jet VH-JGS Spotted at Gladstone Airport - Plus More!

On Tuesday 1 July, Australian Corporate Jet Centres Embraer ERJ-145LR jet VH-JGS landed at Gladstone Airport from Adelaide and Moomba.  It later departed to Brisbane.

GCH Jet Operations (New Zealand) Bombardier Challenger 604 bizjet ZK-JCJ visited Proserpine (Whitsunday Coast) Airport from the Gold Coast.  It seems to have earlier flown across from Christchurch in New Zealand.

And Mitchell Water Australia Cessna 525 Citation M2 bizjet VH-WMY flew up from Melbourne (Moorabbin) and Melbourne (Essendon) to Chinchilla Aerodrome and the Whitsunday Airport at Shute Harbour.  It then flew down to the Gold Coast and then back to Essendon and Moorabbin.

Meanwhile, also on Tuesday 1 July, Seair Pacific / Istlecote Cessna 208B Grand Caravan VH-TFB flew up from Hervey Bay (Fraser Coast) Airport to Middlemount Aerodrome and then down to Maryborough Airport and back to Hervey Bay Airport.

Austrek Aviation Beech B200 King Air VH-ZMW arrived into Rockhampton Airport from Toowoomba and then departed to Goondiwindi and back to Toowoomba. 

UPDATE!  On Wednesday 2 July, visited Moura Aerodrome from Toowoomba.

And the Queensland Government (State of Queensland) Beech B300C Super King Air 350 VH-8PH arrived into Rockhampton Airport from Cairns then departed to Brisbane. 

Finally, also on Tuesday 1 July, and for the second day in-a-row, Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) Dassault Falcon 7X bizjet A56-001 as "Envoy 39" landed at Hervey Bay (Fraser Coast) Airport from Canberra before later departing back there.  

It did the same flight yesterday but as "Envoy 25"!

Photos taken by 'AC' and James Hackett  ©