Victoria-based Cessna 208B Grand Caravan VH-FTT at CQ Airports - Arrives into the Whitsunday Airport at Shute Harbour - Plus More!

On Tuesday 30 September, Victoria-based Cessna 208B Grand Caravan VH-FTT flew up from Bankstown to Roma Airport and then Mackay Airport before finally getting into the Whitsunday Airport at Shute Harbour.

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UPDATE!  Interestingly, on Wednesday 1 October, VH-FTT was noted completing tourist flights out of and back to the Whitsunday Airport at Shute Harbour our over the Great Barrier Reef possibly for Fly Australia Charters.

And Eagle One Aviation (Navair Flight Operations) Cessna 525B CitiationJet CJ3+ bizjet VH-X8X as "Navair 143" flew up from the Sunshine Coast and Archerfield to Proserpine (Whitsunday Coast) Airport and then down to the Gold Coast.

Photo taken by Tony Haynes  ©

Photos of The Republic of Singapore Air Force (RSAF) Lockheed C-130H Flying as 'Rider' Plus Helicopters Operating out of Rockhampton Airport as Exercise Wallaby 2025 Continues!

With the latest iteration of the Singapore Armed Force’s Exercise Wallaby 2025 (XWB25) in full swing, the various Republic of Singapore Air Force (RSAF) aircraft and helicopters are completing daily sorties to and from the Shoalwater Bay Training Area (SWBTA) out of Rockhampton Airport and 'Warriors Camp'.

The RSAF Lockheed C-130H Hercules '734', which arrived into Rockhampton Airport last week, appears to have deployed to the beef capital and has started operating 1-2 daily sorties to Shoalwater Bay and back to Rockhampton Airport as a part of the Exercise using its usual callsign of "Rider".

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".

The four RSAF Boeing AH-64D Apache helicopters continue to fly out as singles and in formations of two (as shown) or even four, completing sorties to Shoalwater Bay and back to Rockhampton Airport using their usual callsigns of "Avon" and "Atom".

As mentioned previously, 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".

Finally, after deploying direct from their base at Oakey, the RSAF Boeing CH-47F 'Foxtrot' Chinook helicopters also have been completing sorties to Shoalwater Bay and back in various flight formations. These flights also seem to occur from lunchtime through to the evening.

Most flights are operating out of the 'Warriors Camp' near Rockhampton Airport.  The Chinooks have been heard to be using their 'usual' radio callsigns of "Celtic", "Cyclops" and "Concorde".

Also as mentioned previously, the Chinook helicopters are flown by the RSAF's 127 Helicopter Squadron which is based at the Sembawang Air Base (SBAB) in Singapore, however as mentioned, with a detachment at Oakey.

The squadron goes by the motto of "Strength, Courage, Swiftness", the motto is supported by the squadron motif, a white horse in full battle armour.

Finally, it is believed that some RSAF General Dynamics (Lockheed Martin) F-16 Fighting Falcon jets are still to 'deploy' to and remain at Rockhampton Airport for part of the Exercise.  Four aircraft have currently deployed to RAAF Base Pearce in Western Australia with it reported that they will deploy to Rockhampton Airport on or about Friday 10 October which is when the Pearce deployment is due to conclude.  Awesome!

As we've been posting, the second 'wave' of heavy jet troop charter flights are currently calling into Rockhampton Airport again being operated by Royal Brunei Airlines Boeing B787-8 Dreamliner widebody aircraft.

Exercise Wallaby first started in 1990 in Rockhampton and is a Singapore Army exercise based within the Shoalwater Bay Training Area (SWBTA) as well as at Rockhampton Airport.  This year will reportedly see as many as 6000 Singapore Armed Forces personnel participate in the Exercise.

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 all the local plane spotters for taking the time capture and send through these great photos!

Photos taken by Ash Burggraaff, John Lee and Steve Vit  ©

Exercise Wallaby 2025 - Royal Brunei Airlines Boeing B787-8 Dreamliners V8-DLE and V8-DLC Both Call into Rockhampton Airport

On Tuesday 30 September, two Royal Brunei Airlines Boeing B787-8 Dreamliner aircraft both called into Rockhampton Airport to transport personnel and equipment into Rocky in support of the Singapore Armed Forces Exercise Wallaby 2025 (XWB25).

During the morning, Dreamliner V8-DLE (pictured) arrived into Rockhampton Airport touching down direct from Singapore's Changi Airport as RBA4228.  It later departed back to Changi but as RBA4229.

Of interest, on Monday 29 September, V8-DLE visited once again from Singapore as RBA4226/7.

But later on Tuesday 30 September, fellow Dreamliner V8-DLC also touched down at Rockhampton Airport, but from Brunei as RBA4235.

It also later departed back to Singapore but as RBA4236.

It is expected that both V8-DLE and V8-DLC will return to Rockhampton Airport on Wednesday 1 October with only one returning on Thursday 2 October which will then see the conclusion of the second 'wave' of charter flights in support of the Singapore Armed Forces Exercise Wallaby 2025 (XWB25).

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 plane spotters for allowing us to share these great photos!

Photos taken by John Lee  ©

Robindale Group / Air Link Cessna 510 Citation Mustang Bizjet VH-CMK Calls into CQ Airports - Spotted at Bundaberg Airport - Plus More!

On Monday 29 September, Robindale Group / Air Link Cessna 510 Citation Mustang bizjet VH-CMK flew into Emerald Airport from Orange, the Sunshine Coast and Bundaberg Airport (pictured).

UPDATE!  On Wednesday 1 October, VH-CMK departed Emerald Airport for Bundaberg Airport and then the Sunshine Coast and Orange.

Business Aviation Solutions Bombardier BD-700-1A10 Global Express XRS bizjet VH-8MJ departed Hamilton Island Airport for Townsville. It then continued to Nadi, Fiji.

VH-8MJ had arrived into Hamo from Sydney and Brisbane on Friday 26 September - the day after it had left from its previous visit!

And McDermott Aviation Group / Machjet International Cessna 525C CitationJet CJ4 bizjet VH-PIY "Machflight 41" visited Rockhampton Airport from Brisbane.

Meanwhile, also on Monday 29 September, Experience Company (Skydive the Beach Group) Cessna 208B Supervan 900 VH-LVN landed at Emerald from Shellharbour and then departed to Tully.

UPDATE!  On Wednesday 1 October, VH-LVN departed Tully and returned to Shellharbour but via Roma Airport.

And 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 to Emerald Airport and then down to Lady Elliott Island.

Finally, also on Monday 29 September, Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) Boeing B737-7ES / E-7A Wedgetail Airborne Early Warning & Control (AEW&C) aircraft A30-005 as "Wedgetail 01" flew down from Townsville to complete air work at Emerald Airport before then flying to RAAF Base Amberley.  It then departed to RAAF Base Williamtown from where it had earlier flown up from to land at Townsville.

All photos taken by Ross Huntington  ©

Burbank Homes / Business Aviation Solutions Raytheon Hawker 850XP Bizjet VH-BMW at Hamilton Island Airport - Plus More!

On Sunday 28 September, Burbank Homes / Business Aviation Solutions Raytheon Hawker 850XP bizjet VH-BMW was noted arriving into Hamilton Island Airport from Melbourne (Tullamarine).

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Parker Aviation Ventures (Sydney) / Air Link (Dubbo) Embraer EMB-500 Phenom bizjet VH-PNM flew from the Sunshine Coast to Longreach Airport and back then back to Longreach Airport again.

Machjet (Machjet International) Bombardier CL-600-2B16 Challenger 605 bizjet N605JL as "Machflight 01" was noted visiting Mackay Airport again from the Sunshine Coast.

Brisbane-based Adome P/L (Air Link, Dubbo) Cessna 525 CitationJet M2 bizjet VH-YWS visited Hervey Bay (Fraser Coast) Airport from Archerfield.

And NSW based Piper PA-46-500TP Malibu VH-8AN departed Hamilton Island Airport for Bankstown.  It had arrived on Tuesday 23 September.

While on Saturday 27 September, Honeybee Air (Sydney) Cirrus SF50-G2 Vision Jet Arivee Xi VH-TEA looked to arrive into the Whitsunday Airport at Shute Harbour from Bankstown and Roma Airports.  It also looked to visit Hamilton Island Airport in late August.

UPDATE!  On Thursday 2 October, VH-TEA departed Shute for Bankstown.

And Brisbane based Beech 58 Baron VH-L2G flew down from the Whitsunday Airport at Shute Harbour to Archerfield.  It arrived on Thursday 25 September from Archerfield.

Exercise Wallaby 2025 - Royal Brunei Airlines Boeing B787-8 Dreamliner V8-DLE Back at Rockhampton Airport Again and Again

On Sunday 28 September, the Royal Brunei Airlines Boeing B787-8 Dreamliner V8-DLE touched down at Rockhampton Airport again, flying back in from Singapore's Changi Airport as RBA4224.

It later departed Rockhampton Airport and returned to Changi but as RBA4225.

On Saturday 27 September, V8-DLE visited Rockhampton Airport from Changi as RBA4222/3.

Information suggests that again on Monday, the Royal Brunei Dreamliner V8-DLE will arrive into and then depart Rocky for Changi at similar times to this flight.  It also appears that a second Royal Brunei Dreamliner will also visit Rockhampton Airport on Tuesday and Wednesday but arriving in the late afternoon and then departing later that evening. 

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 Gladstone plane spotter Michael F for taking the time to capture and send through these great photos!

All photos taken by Michael Fleetwood  ©

Southern Air Beech 1900 VH-YSO Pops into Rockhampton Airport - Plus More!

On Friday 26 September, Southern Air Beech 1900 VH-YSO arrived into Rockhampton Airport from Cairns and Townsville and then departed back to Cairns. 

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Interair (Essendon) Piper PA-31 Navajo VH-PJU continues to complete aerial survey flights out of Bundaberg Airport.  It had originally arrived at the start of the month following spending some time at Roma Airport so it has been busy!!

  

Hughes Aviation (Hughes Pastoral Group) (Gympie) Pilatus PC-12/47E NGX VH-8HP landed at Longreach Airport from then Sunshine Coast and Roma Airport. It was also noted visiting Emerald Airport and other places during the week.

UPDATE!  On Saturday 27 September, VH-8HP departed Longreach Airport for Roma Airport and then the Sunshine Coast. It then continued to Cessnock and Canberra.

And Colville Aviation Services (Torres Strait Air) Britten-Norman BN-2B-20 Islander VH-BNG landed at Emerald Airport from Charters Towers Aerodrome and then departed to Biloela / Thangool Airport and then Watts Bridge for planned maintenance. 

Meanwhile, also on Friday 26 September, the locally-based Embraer EMB-550 Legacy 500 bizjet N142GZ was back in the air departing Mackay Airport for Brisbane.

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

Recently re-registered (registration marking) Vanguard Aviation (Machjet International) Cessna 525 CitationJet1 bizjet VH-A74 (ex VH-DAA) as "Machflight 74" called into Mackay Airport from Horn Island.  It then departed to Brisbane and the Gold Coast.

And after flying up to Natal Downs the previous day, Bowenville based (operated by Real Time Aviation - Brisbane) Cessna 525 CitationJet CJ1+ bizjet VH-JSZ departed there and landed at Clermont Aerodrome before then returning to Natal Downs.  It then flew back into Clermont Aerodrome and then onwards to Dalby and Archerfield.

Photo taken by Stephen Bottom  ©

Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) Boeing B737-7ES / E-7A Wedgetail A30-004 "Wedgetail 10" Noted Completing Airwork at Bundaberg Airport - Plus More!

On Friday 26 September, Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) Boeing B737-7ES / E-7A Wedgetail Airborne Early Warning & Control (AEW&C) aircraft A30-004 as "Wedgetail 10" was noted completing a missed approach at Bundaberg Airport.  Second day in-a-row that it was in CQ!

It looked to fly up from and then return to RAAF Base Williamtown.

Around the same time, fellow RAAF Wedgetail A30-005 "Wedgetail 22" was also flying up from Williamtown but completed airwork at the Sunshine Coast and then returned South.

And Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) Alenia C-27J Spartan transport aircraft A34-001 as "Wallaby 71" was noted flying out of RAAF Base Amberley and completing low-level operations over Fraser Island and then Bundaberg Airport before climbing up and returning to Amberley.

File photo taken by Emily C  ©

Exercise Wallaby 2025 - Royal Brunei Airlines Boeing B787-8 Dreamliner V8-DLE Back at Rockhampton Airport

On Friday 26 September, the Royal Brunei Airlines Boeing B787-8 Dreamliner V8-DLE touched down at Rockhampton Airport again, flying back in from Singapore's Changi Airport as RBA4219.

Yet again, V8-DLE was photographed above as it departed Rockhampton Airport and returned to Changi but as RBA4220.

It is expected that V8-DLE will return to Rockhampton Airport on both Saturday 27 September and Sunday 28 September at around similar times as it completes the second wave of heavy jet passenger charter flights in and out of Rockhampton Airport in support of the Singapore Armed Forces Exercise Wallaby 2025 (XWB25).

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

All photos taken by Steve Vit  ©

Royal New Zealand Air Force (RNZAF) NH Industries NH90 Helicopter NZ3307 "KIW278' Finally Departs Rockhampton Airport

On Friday 26 September, the other Royal New Zealand Air Force (RNZAF) NH Industries NH90 helicopter that arrived into Rockhampton Airport last weekend departed to RAAF Base Amberley at the start of its mammoth journey back to New Zealand.

After arriving from Townsville last Saturday 20 September, NH90 NZ3307 suffered a technical problem and was unable to depart.  But following maintenance work, including the delivery of spares from an RNZAF Lockheed C-130J Hercules transport aircraft, NZ3307 was finally able to depart as 'KIW278' and join fellow No. 3 Squadron NH90 NZ3306 at Amberley.

Both helicopters then continued to Coffs Harbour in New South Wales - NZ3306 as 'KIW291' and NZ3307 as 'KIW278'.

UPDATE!  Over the weekend, both NH90s departed Coffs Harbour for Lord Howe Island and Norfolk Island before continuing across the ditch back to New Zealand and land at RNZAF Base Auckland.

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

All photos taken by John Lee  ©

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

On Thursday 25 September, Machjet (Machjet International) Bombardier CL-600-2B16 Challenger 605 bizjet N605JL as "Machflight 01" was noted visiting Mackay Airport.

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While Business Aviation Solutions Bombardier BD-700-1A10 Global Express XRS bizjet VH-8MJ was noted arriving back into Hamilton Island Airport from Sydney.

UPDATE!  On Monday 29 September, VH-8MJ departed Hamilton Island Airport for Townsville and then Nadi, Fiji.

Meanwhile, also on Thursday 25 September, Machjet International Hawker Beechcraft (Beech) B200 King Air VH-8UY as "Machflight 73" arrived into Rockhampton Airport from Cairns and Townsville then departed back to Cairns

Air Link Pilatus PC-12/47E VH-AL4 landed at Longreach Airport from Archerfield and later it departed to Devoncourt Station. 

UPDATE!  On Friday 26 September, VH-AL4 returned to Longreach Airport and then on Saturday 27 September, VH-AL4 departed Longreach Airport for Archerfield and then Bankstown.  Of interest, M. D. H. P/L (Cloncurry) Pilatus PC-12/47E VH-MDH also flew into Longreach Airport from Devencourt on Friday and then departed to Archerfield on Sunday 28 September.

And FlyPelican (Pelican Airlines) BAe Jetstream 32 VH-OTD was on the weekly Fly-in Fly-out (FIFO) charter run from in Emerald Airport from Archerfield and Toowoomba-Wellcamp with it visiting on Thursday and late Wednesday.

Finally, also on Thursday 25 September, Aerostar (Yakovlev) YAK-52 VH-YDB flew into Rockhampton Airport from the South with reports that the beautiful warbird might now be locally owned!

Exercise Wallaby 2025 - Royal Brunei Airlines Boeing B787-8 Dreamliner V8-DLE (with 'RB50' logo) Calls Into Rockhampton Airport as BIG Second Wave of Heavy Jet Passenger Charter Flights Begin!

On Thursday 25 September, the massive (we believe) second wave of heavy jet passenger charter flights in and out of Rockhampton Airport in support of the Singapore Armed Forces Exercise Wallaby 2025 (XWB25) commenced as personnel and equipment were swapped in and out at the end of the first and the start of the second phases of the Exercise.

Royal Brunei Airlines Boeing B787-8 Dreamliner V8-DLE touched down at Rockhampton Airport, flying in from Brunei and Singapore as RBA4215/6.

V8-DLE still wears the airline's 'RB50' emblem, commemorating their 50-year legacy of connecting Brunei with the world.

The Dreamliner was parked on Gate 6 on the Southern end of the Rockhampton Airport parking apron and looked to load a fairly full flight of personnel and their bags.

The Royal Brunei Airlines B787-8 Dreamliner V8-DLE eventually departed Rockhampton Airport to Singapore's Changi Airport as RBA4218.

Information suggests that over the next six days (!) the Royal Brunei Dreamliner V8-DLE will again arrive into and then depart Rocky for Changi at similar times to this flight.  It also appears that a second Royal Brunei Dreamliner will also visit Rockhampton Airport next Tuesday and Wednesday but arriving in the late afternoon and then departing later that evening. 

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

All photos taken by Steve Vit  ©

Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) Boeing B737-7ES / E-7A Wedgetail A30-004 "Wedgetail 07" Spotted Completing Airwork at Gladstone Airport

On Thursday 25 September, Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) Boeing B737-7ES / E-7A Wedgetail Airborne Early Warning & Control (AEW&C) aircraft A30-004 as "Wedgetail 07" was spotted completing airwork, including three missed approaches, at Gladstone Airport.

It looked to fly up to Gladstone Airport from RAAF Base Williamtown via a missed approach at the Sunshine Coast and then returned to Williamtown via another missed approach at Tamworth.

All photos taken by Emily C  ©