Great Photos as Antonov Airlines (Antonov Design Bureau) AN-124-100M UR-82027 Departs Rockhampton Airport

As predicted, early on Saturday 30 August, the visiting Antonov Airlines (Antonov Design Bureau) AN-124-100M UR-82027 was photographed as it departed Rockhampton Airport for Colombo in Sri Lanka as ADB396F.

As posted below, it arrived the previous day from Paya Lebar and brought four Republic of Singapore Air Force (RSAF) Boeing AH-64D Apache helicopters to Rockhampton Airport for the upcoming Singapore Armed Forces Exercise Wallaby 2025 (XWB25).

Be sure to stay tuned to the CQ Plane Spotting Blog for all the latest news and updates on Exercise Wallaby 2025 via our Facebook page:  https://www.facebook.com/cqplanespotting/

Sincere thanks to the local plane spotters for taking the time to capture and send through these great photos of the Antonov AN-124 at Rockhampton Airport!

Photos taken by 'IAD' and Steve Vit  ©

American-registered Gulfstream Aerospace G650ER (G-VI) Bizjet N988NC Pops into Whitsunday Airports - Plus More!

On Friday 29 August, American-registered (News Corporation) Gulfstream Aerospace G650ER (G-VI) bizjet N988NC was noted arriving into Hamilton Island Airport from Sydney. It then flew across to Proserpine (Whitsunday Coast) Airport for parking before later returning to Hamo.

File photo

Nioa Aviation (Avcair) Embraer EMB-505 Phenom 300 bizjet VH-NJR visited Hamilton Island Airport from Brisbane.

UPDATE!  Across the weekend, on both Saturday 30 August and Sunday 31 August, it looked like VH-NJR visited Maryborough Airport on both days from Brisbane.

SG Aviation Australia / Business Aviation Solutions Gulfstream G-VI (G650ER) bizjet VH-SGA looked to visit Hamilton Island Airport from Melbourne (Essendon).

Mitchell Water Cessna 525 Citation M2 bizjet VH-WMY flew down from the Whitsunday Airport at Shute Harbour to Roma Airport and Chinchilla Aerodrome before flying down to Melbourne (Essendon) and then Melbourne (Moorabbin).  It looked to have arrived yesterday. 

And the locally-based Embraer EMB-550 Legacy 500 bizjet N142GZ was back in the air departing Mackay Airport for Brisbane.

UPDATE! On Sunday 31 August, N142GZ returned to Mackay Airport from Brisbane.

Meanwhile, also on Friday 29 August, SmartLynx Australia (Skytrans Airlines) Dash-8-100 VH-QQC as 'SKP531' arrived into Rockhampton Airport from Cairns while fellow Dash-8-100 VH-QQB then departed Rockhampton Airport for Cairns as 'SKP532'.

Of interest, SmartLynx' Dash-8-300s VH-QQL and VH-QQM swapped at the Labona Station Airstrip within Adani Australia's (Bravus Mining & Resources) Carmichael Coal Mine site between Rockhampton Airport and Townsville.

And Aerotech Aircraft Holdings (Aerotech Helicopters) Pickering Aviation (Sikorsky) UH-60A Black Hawk helicopter VH-UHG "Helitak 515" arrived into Bundaberg Airport from Goondiwindi and Toowoomba ahead of the Queensland bushfire season.

It is expected that the Canadian-based Conair Aerial Firefighting Dash-8-Q400MR C-FFQE "Bomber 141" and possibly another Black Hawk helicopter - plus support aircraft - will arrive into Bundaberg Airport in the coming days.

Finally, also on Friday 29 August, Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) Boeing B737-7ES / E-7A Wedgetail Airborne Early Warning & Control (AEW&C) aircraft A30-004 as "Wedgetail 22" flew up to Rockhampton Airport from RAAF Base Williamtown and was spotted as it completed 4 low over-shoot approaches.

It then returned to Williamtown.

Photos taken by Grahame Hutchison and Trevor Hardsman  ©

Exercise Wallaby 2025 - Antonov Airlines (Antonov Design Bureau) AN-124-100M UR-82027 Calls into Rockhampton Airport with Four RSAF AH-64D Apache Helicopters

Early on Friday 29 August, a large crowd of onlookers were on hand to see the arrival into Rockhampton Airport of Antonov Airlines (Antonov Design Bureau) AN-124-100M UR-82027 from Paya Lebar Air Base in Singapore as ADB3996.

The giant aircraft taxied onto Gate 6 at the Southern end of the Rockhampton Airport apron and soon after commenced unloading its cargo. The massive Antonov was placed into its unique 'kneeling' position - with its front landing gear raised - to allow the unloading of its cargo.

On this flight, four Republic of Singapore Air Force (RSAF) Boeing AH-64D Apache helicopters were unloaded and parked at Rockhampton Airport. Their serial numbers are believed to be 064, 058, 056 and 069.

All four Apache helicopters are flown by the RSAF's 120 Squadron "Kestrel" (also known as the "Red Hawks") based at Sembawang Air Base in Singapore. The Squadron is the first and oldest RSAF operational squadron in service, first formed in 1969. The squadron goes by the motto of "Strive To Achieve".

It is expected that the Apaches will soon be re-assembled and then test flown ahead of their participation in the Singapore Armed Force's Exercise Wallaby 2025 (XWB25) which is expected to kick-off in the next week or so.

Meanwhile, after all four Apache helicopters were unloaded, UR-82027 was closed up parked for the night. It is expected to depart from Rockhampton Airport early on Saturday 30 August.

UPDATE!  Indeed, early on Saturday 30 August, UR-82027 departed Rockhampton Airport bound for Colombo in Sri Lanka as ADB396F.

Be sure to stay tuned to the CQ Plane Spotting Blog for all the latest news and updates on Exercise Wallaby 2025 via our Facebook page:  https://www.facebook.com/cqplanespotting/

Sincere thanks to the local plane spotters for taking the time to capture and send through these great photos of the Antonov AN-124 at Rockhampton Airport!

Photos taken by Steve Vit, John Lee, 'IAD' and JoAwBlake  ©

SmartLynx Australia (Skytrans Airlines) Airbus A319-112 VH-L7A 'SKP410' Spotted at Rockhampton Airport - Plus More!

On Tuesday 26 August, SmartLynx Australia (Skytrans Airlines) Airbus A319-112 VH-L7A as 'SKP410'  arrived into Rockhampton Airport from Brisbane. 

At the time of writing, it appears to be staying for at least the night.

UPDATE!  On Wednesday 27 August, SmartLynx Australia A319 VH-L7A now as 'SKP413' departed Rockhampton Airport and returned to Brisbane.

Meanwhile, also on Tuesday 26 August, the locally-based Embraer EMB-550 Legacy 500 bizjet N142GZ was back in the air departing Mackay Airport for Brisbane. It later returned to the Sugar City.

Air Gold Coast Cessna 525A CitationJet CJ2 bizjet VH-ZDM arrived into Hamilton Island Airport from the Gold Coast via the Sunshine Coast.

UPDATE!  On Thursday 28 August, VH-ZDM departed Hamo for the Sunny Coast and the Goldie.

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

Beech 95-B55 Baron VH-MYM visited Clermont Aerodrome from its Gayndah Aerodrome base.

Brescon (Toowoomba) Beech B200 King Air VH-WXN visited Rolleston Aerodrome from the Sunshine Coast via Injune Aerodrome.

And some Cirrus SR22s in the form of N312GM, VH-82C, VH-84T and VH-CPK all called into Emerald Airport on their way back 'home' from Darwin. 

Finally, late on Tuesday 26 August, Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) Alenia C-27J Spartan transport aircraft A34-005 as "Wallaby 70" completed airwork at Rockhampton and Emerald 

Airports while on a flight out of and back to RAAF Base Amberley.

Fellow C-27J Spartan A34-002 as "Wallaby 62" was also flying about the region and noted completing airwork at Roma Airport.

Photos taken by Scott Harris and 'IAD'  ©

Exercise Wallaby 2025 - Republic of Singapore Air Force (RSAF) Lockheed C-130H Hercules Transport Aircraft '730' Arrives into Rockhampton Airport

On Tuesday 26 August, the first movement associated with the upcoming Singapore Armed Forces Exercise Wallaby 2025 (XWB25) touched down with The Republic of Singapore Air Force (RSAF) Lockheed C-130H Hercules transport aircraft '730' spotted arriving into Rockhampton Airport after flying down from Darwin as 'SAF9568'.

It had arrived into Darwin the previous day from Singapore.

The Herc taxied in and parked on the Northern end of the Rockhampton Airport parking apron where it was promptly unloaded.  It appeared to be staying for at least the night.

UPDATE!  On Wednesday 27 August, the C-130H departed Rockhampton Airport for Darwin again as 'SAF9568.'

Of interest, the Herc is one of six C-130H aircraft which are flown by the RSAF's 122 Squadron 'Condors' based at the Paya Lebar Air Base (PLAB) in Singapore.  The squadron goes by the motto of "Dependable".

Local plane spotters are on the countdown to Exercise Wallaby 2025 kicking off.  The Singapore Armed Forces (SAF) is conducting the 35th edition of Exercise Wallaby (XWB) from 7 September to 2 November 2025.  It is held in Shoalwater Bay Training Area (SWBTA), allowing the SAF to exercise its full range of capabilities and cross-service integrated training that cannot be replicated in Singapore.

This year’s edition of XWB involves over 5,000 personnel and over 500 platforms from the Singapore Army, the Republic of Singapore Air Force (RSAF), and the Digital and Intelligence Service (DIS). 

An Antonov AN124 cargo aircraft is expected to touch down at Rockhampton Airport in the coming days bringing The RSAF helicopters.

Be sure to stay tuned to the CQ Plane Spotting Blog for all the latest news and updates via our Facebook page:  https://www.facebook.com/cqplanespotting/

Sincere thanks to the local aviation photographer Steve V for allowing us to share this great photo!

Photo taken by Steve Vit  ©

NZ Aero (New Zealand) Pacific Aerospace PAC 750XL ZK-EPO Calls into CQ Airports - Spotted at Gladstone Airport - Plus More!

On Monday 18 August, New Zealand based NZ Aero Pacific Aerospace PAC 750XL ZK-EPO was noted departing Rockhampton Airport for Townsville. It had arrived yesterday after flying up from Bundaberg Airport to Gladstone Airport where it was photographed by local plane spotter Jamie C arriving and taxiing for parking.

ZK-EPO had flown up from the Sunshine Coast to Hervey Bay (Fraser Coast) Airport and Bundaberg Airport at the start of the weekend.

Meanwhile, also on Monday 18 August, Seair Pacific / Istlecote Textron Aviation (Cessna) 208B Caravan VH-TLH flew up from Hervey Bay (Fraser Coast) Airport and Maryborough Airport to Middlemount Aerodrome before then flying down to Rockhampton Airport and then back to Hervey Bay Airport. 

Machjet (Machjet International) Hawker Beechcraft B200 King Air VH-ZSY as "Machflight 242" arrived into Rockhampton Airport from Cairns and Mount Isa before then returning to Cairns. 

Airwing Services (NSW) Eurcopter AS.350B3 VH-WOK departed Rockhampton Airport for Proserpine (Whitsunday Coast) Airport.  It had arrived from the South over the weekend.

Magspec Airborne Surveys (Magspec Aivation) Cessna U206G VH-SOP was noted flying around Mackay.

Edwards Coaches Cessna 441 Conquest II VH-OXY called into Emerald Airport from Armidale.  It then continued further North.

And Burbank Homes / Business Aviation Solutions Raytheon Hawker 850XP bizjet VH-BMW visited Hamilton Island Airport from Melbourne (Tullamarine).

All photos taken by Jamie C  ©

Alliance Airlines (ex JetBlue Airways - USA) Embraer ERJ-190AR N274JB Arrives into Rockhampton Airport - Plus More!

On Sunday 17 August, Alliance Airlines (ex JetBlue Airways - USA) Embraer ERJ-190AR N274JB arrived into Rockhampton Airport at the end of a delivery flight as 'SXI2536' / "Southern Cross 2536".

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

As shown, N274JB was delivered in a basic JetBlue Airways livery, however it reportedly going to be placed on the Australian Aircraft Register as VH-A2S.

N274JB was promptly parked inside the Alliance Airlines hangar at Rockhampton Airport.

UPDATE!  After being placed on the Australian Aircraft Register as VH-A2S, the E-190 departed Rockhampton Airport for Wagga Wagga on Wednesday 25 November where reports suggest it will be re-painted in a special livery on behalf of Alliance Airlines.  We shall wait and see!!

Meanwhile, also on Sunday 17 August, Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) Beech B300 Super King Air A32-675 as "Beaufort 02" landed at Longreach Airport from Canberra and a bit later departed to the North West.

Gulf Coast Aviation Cessna 510 Citation Mustang bizjet VH-KXM departed Longreach Airport to Vanrook Station near Normanton.

 McDermott Aviation Group / Machjet International Cessna 525C CitationJet CJ4 bizjet VH-PIY "Machflight 41" arrived into Emerald Airport from Cairns.

UPDATE!  On Monday 18 August, VH-PIY "Machflight 41" departed Emerald Airport for Brisbane.

And LifeFlight (Aeromed) Canadair CL-600-2B16 Challenger 604 bizjet VH-OFB "Ambulance 624" has had a busy couple of days, yesterday flying up from Brisbane and the Sunshine Coast to Mackay Airport and then Townsville before then today, returning to Mackay Airport and then Brisbane before then flying back up to Rockhampton and Mackay Airports and then back to Townsville.

Of interest, sistership VH-OFC "Ambulance 634" has - over the last couple of weeks - visited Mackay Airport on multiple times, plus Longreach, Hervey Bay, Emerald and Rockhampton Airports.

VH-URR "Ambulance 604" flew back into Brisbane on Saturday 2 August from Singapore (Seletar) via Adelaide and looked to start operating back in Queensland over the last couple of weeks including to some local places including Emerald, Gladstone and Rockhampton Airports, as well as mutiple visits to Mackay and Longreach Airports.

And VH-OFA "Ambulance 614" VH-OFA looked to head overseas and operate out of Singapore (Seletar).

Photos taken by Scott Harris and 'AC'  ©

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

On Thursday 14 August, the locally-based Embraer EMB-550 Legacy 500 bizjet N142GZ was back in the air departing Mackay Airport for Brisbane. (It also looked to complete a local test flight on Monday 4 August.)

File photo

UPDATE!  On Wednesday 20 August, N142GZ returned to Mackay Airport from Brisbane.

Nioa Aviation (Avcair) Embraer EMB-505 Phenom 300 bizjet VH-NJR visited Hamilton Island Airport from Brisbane.

Southern Air Services Cessna 525 CitationJet CJ1 bizjet VH-APJ departed Blackall Airport for Dalby.  It then looked to keep flying down into New South Wales and Victoria.

And McDermott Aviation Group / Machjet International Cessna 525C CitationJet CJ4 bizjet VH-PIY "Machflight 421" landed at Blackall Airport from Brisbane.

Meanwhile, also Thursday 14 August, FlyPelican (Pelican Airlines) British Aerospace BAe Jetstream 3206 (Jetstream 32) turboprop aircraft VH-ACV completed the Fly-in Fly-out (FIFO) charter flight into Emerald Airport from Archerfield and Toowoomba-Wellcamp.  It also completed a similar flight Late on Wednesday 13 August.

Air Link (Dubbo) Beech B200 King Air VH-ISS visited Rockhampton Airport from Cairns.

Scone (NSW) based Textron Aviation B200GT King Air VH-8PO departed Emerald Airport for Scone.

And finally, a few aircraft landed at Longreach Airport including NSW based Piper Cherokees VH-CNP and VH-JPL along with Cessna 172 VH-NYK which arrived into Rockhampton Airport together from Sunshine Coast and then headed West to Longreach Airport.

Also NSW based Cessna 182 VH-MJB together with more Piper Cherokees VH-IJD, VH-JDC and VH-NFR plus Piper Seminole VH-PIE all landed at Longreach Airport from Birdsville. 

Photo taken by Dan B  ©

New QantasLink Dash-Q400 Next Gen VH-84N (ex C-FWEZ) First Flight into CQ at Moranbah Airport on a FIFO Run

On Thursday 14 August, recently delivered QantasLink Dash-8-Q400 VH-84N completed its first ever revenue flight, and it happened to be into CQ, with it touching down at Moranbah Airport on a Fly-in Fly-out (FIFO) charter flight as QLK2810/1 from and back to Brisbane.  It had earlier flown up on a positioning flight from Canberra.

The second-hand Dash-8-Q400 is the sixth of 12 (or 14) aircraft that the Qantas Group has purchased from Canadian operator WestJet Encore. VH-84N previously operated as C-FWEZ and operated with the airline from December 2014 until June 2023.

The Dash-8 arrived into Australia via Brisbane on Sunday 3 August before then flying down to Canberra on Monday 4 August, with it still wearing its Canadian registration marking of C-FWEZ, completing a delivery flight from Canada across the Pacific.

It was promptly placed on the Australian Aircraft Register and also given the name 'Devonport'.

UPDATE!  On Friday 15 August, VH-84N flew back into the region, passing through Rockhampton and Mackay Airports while flying up from Brisbane to Townsville and Cairns.

Photos taken by 'AC', Darcy Stevens and Dylan Hardie  ©

ASL Airlines Australia Boeing B737-800(BCF) VH-CYK Pops into Rockhampton Airport - Plus More!

On Friday 1 August, ASL Airlines Australia Boeing B737-800(BCF) VH-CYK was spotted arriving into Rockhampton Airport.

It appeared to visit from Brisbane as "PARTEC9804/3".

Meanwhile, also on Friday 1 August, Link Airways (Corporate Air / Vee H Aviation) SAAB 340B+ turboprop VH-VEB, which landed at Longreach Airport from Brisbane last night, departed Longreach Airport to Birdsville, Broken Hill, Wagga Wagga and then back to Brisbane. 

Finally, also on Friday 1 August, American-registered Bombardier BD-700-1A11 Global 5000 bizjet N18HA departed Hamilton Island Airport for Cairns.  As mentioned below, it had arrived a couple of days prior.

And over the last couple of weeks, we continued to see multiple visits by two out of the four LifeFlight (Aeromed) Canadair CL-600-2B16 Challenger 604 bizjets.

VH-OFC "Ambulance 634" visited Biloela / Thangool, Hervey Bay, Blackall and Gladstone Airports - with multiple visits to Mackay and Rockhampton Airports.

VH-OFB "Ambulance 624" visited Gladstone, Rockhampton, Mackay, Emerald, Longreach, Bundaberg, Charleville, Barcaldine and Proserpine Airports.

While VH-OFA "Ambulance 614" seemed to spend time in the hangar and VH-URR "Ambulance 604" continued to operate overseas.

Sincere thanks to local plane spotter Scott H for taking the time to capture and send through these great photos!

All photos taken by Scott Harris  ©