Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) Boeing C-17A Globemaster III A41-212 "ASY810" Spotted at Rockhampton Airport

On Friday 31 October, Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) Boeing C-17A Globemaster III A41-212 as 'ASY810' was spotted completing a missed approach at Rockhampton Airport.

It looked to depart RAAF Base Amberley and then continue up to Port Moresby in Papua New Guinea (PNG).

Photo taken by Steve Vit  ©

Brescon Beech B300 Super King Air VH-WXS & NSW-based CJ Aerospace Raytheon B200 King Air VH-EEL Call into CQ Airports - Plus More!

On Thursday 30 October, a couple of King Air turboprops were noted calling into a couple of Central Queensland Airports.

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Brescon Beech B300 Super King Air VH-WXS and NSW-based CJ Aerospace Raytheon B200 King Air VH-EEL both landed at Emerald Airport from Toowoomba before they later departed to Rockhampton Airport.  A bit later, VH-WXS departed Rocky to Toowoomba-Wellcamp. 

UPDATE!  On Sunday 2 November, Super King Air VH-WXS arrived into Rockhampton Airport from Wellcamp and then departed to Longreach Airport, while King Air VH-EEL departed Rockhampton Airport to Mount Isa.

American-registered but seemingly Australian-based Pilatus PC-12/47E (NG) N175NG departed Emerald Airport for Archerfield.  It looked to arrive over a week prior.

Victoria based C Alizzi P/L DAHER SOCATA TBM700N 900 VH-TB9 arrived into Proserpine (Whitsunday Coast) Airport from Ballarat.

UPDATE!  On Tuesday 4 November, VH-TB9 departed Proserpine Airport to Bourke.

And Pilatus Australia (South Australia) Pilatus PC-24 Super Versatile Jet VH-DMS visited Mackay Airport from Cessnock. 

Australian Corporate Jet Centres' Embraer EMB-135BJ Legacy Bizjet VH-VLT at Hamilton Island Airport - Plus More!

On Wednesday 29 October, Australian Corporate Jet Centres' operated Embraer EMB-135BJ Legacy bizjet VH-VLT was noted departing Hamilton Island Airport for Sydney and Melbourne (Tullamarine).  It seems to have arrived over the weekend from Ayres Rock.

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While Poolhurst Aviation Air Charter Services Pilatus PC-12/47E VH-PDE visited Planet Downs from Archerfield. 

Gulf Coast Aviation Cessna 206 VH-KQM which landed at Emerald Airport yesterday from Vanrook Station, departed to a private airstrip north of Moree.

And RDO Equipment Co. Pilatus PC-12/47 VH-WPH landed at Emerald Airport from Toowoomba and then departed to Archerfield. 

Photo taken by Tony Haynes  ©

Flexjet LLC (USA) Gulfstream G650ER Bizjet N673FX as 'LXJ673' / "Flexjet 673" Pops Back into Hamilton Island Airport - Plus More!

On Tuesday 28 October, the sleek Flexjet LLC (USA) Gulfstream G650ER bizjet N673FX as 'LXJ673' / "Flexjet 673" was noted arriving into Hamilton Island Airport from Brisbane.  It later flew down to Sydney.

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As posted below, N673FX was noted visiting Hamo last week!

Meanwhile, also on Tuesday 28 October, McDermott Aviation Group / Machjet International Cessna 525A CitationJet CJ2 bizjet VH-SUY as "Machflight 86" visited Proserpine (Whitsunday Coast) Airport from the Sunshine Coast.

Execujet Australia Bombardier CL-600-2B16 Challenger 604 bizjet VH-VSZ flew up from Sydney to Hervey Bay (Fraser Coast) Airport.

UPDATE!  On Wednesday 29 October, VH-VSZ departed Hervey Bay Airport for Proserpine (Whitsunday Coast) Airport.

UPDATE!  On Thursday 30 October, VH-VSZ departed Proserpine Airport for Brisbane and then Sydney.

While Western Downs Civil (Chinchilla) Raytheon B200 King Air VH-85H landed at Bundaberg Airport from Archerfield and then departed to Chinchilla Aerodrome and then Melbourne (Essendon). 

Seair Pacific / Istlecote Cessna 208 Caravan VH-LMD flew down from Townsville to Hamilton Island Airport and then Lady Elliot Island.  It had flown up there from the Gold Coast yesterday.

And Torres Strait Air Britten-Norman (Bembridge) BN-2A-26 Islander VH-IZH landed at Emerald Airport from Cairns then departed to Watts Bridge for planned maintenance. It had come down from Horn Island yesterday.

Photo taken by Christopher Mabbott  ©

Pilatus Australia (South Australia) Pilatus PC-24 Super Versatile Jet VH-DMS Pops into a Couple of CQ Airports - Plus More!

On Monday 27 October, Pilatus Australia (South Australia) Pilatus PC-24 Super Versatile Jet VH-DMS flew up from Cessnock to the Gold Coast and then Emerald Airport before flying up to Mackay Airport.  It later returned to Cessnock.

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While Mitchell Water Cessna 525 Citation M2 bizjet VH-WMY flew up from Melbourne (Moorabbin) and Melbourne (Essendon) to Miles Airport and then Whitsunday Airport at Shute Harbour.  It then hopped down to Mackay Airport and then across to Adelaide (Parafield) before returning to Moorabbin.

Bowenville based (operated by Real Time Aviation - Brisbane) Cessna 525 CitationJet CJ1+ bizjet VH-JSZ flew up from Archerfield to Dalby and then Natal Downs before flying down to Bundaberg Airport and then back to Dalby and Archerfield.

The Queensland Government Airwing (State of Queensland) Raytheon B300 Super King Air VH-SGQ visited Rockhampton Airport from Brisbane.

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 Emerald Airport and then back to Hervey Bay Airport. 

Link Airways (Corporate Air / Vee H Aviation) Metro 23 turboprop VH-VEK visited Clermont Aerodrome from Brisbane.  This was possibly replacing their Beech B200GT Super King Air 250 VH-VEW.

And Stirling Helicopters Sikorsky UH-60L Black Hawk helicopter N137WZ as "Helitak 415" flew two flights up to the North West and back to Rockhampton Airport.

Finally, also on Monday 27 October, Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) Boeing B737-7ES / E-7A Wedgetail Airborne Early Warning & Control (AEW&C) aircraft A30-002 as "Wedgetail 02" flew up from RAAF Base Williamtown to complete a missed approach at the Sunshine Coast and then Rockhampton Airport before flying back down to Williamtown.

A Pair of Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) Lockheed C-130J-30 Hercules Aircraft - A97-442 & A97-468 - Complete Airwork at CQ Airports - Plus More!

On Sunday 26 October, a pair of Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) Lockheed C-130J-30 Hercules transport aircraft were both noted completing airwork at a couple of Central Queensland Airports.

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A97-442 as "Trojan 52" and A97-468 as "Trojan 53" were noted both flying down from Townsville to RAAF Base Amberley via airwork and missed approaches at both Hamilton Island Airport and Emerald Airport.  They then continued to RAAF Base Richmond via further airwork at Moree and Tamworth.

It looks like both Hercs left Richmond mid-week and have been on a flight around Australia calling into RAAF Base Pearce, other places in Western Australia and then up to Darwin.  On Saturday 25 October, they flew across from Darwin across the top with approaches at three airports and then landing at RAAF Base Scherger before continuing to Cairns and then Townsville.

Meanwhile, also on Sunday 26 October, Cirrus Design Corporation's Cirrus SR20A-G7 Trac VH-8TR was on display at Donnington Airpark before later flying across to Ayr and then down to Rockhampton Airport.  It then departed to Archerfield. 

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VH-8TR had flown up to Donnington Airpark from Archerfield via Rockhampton Airport on Saturday 25 October.

And NSW based Cirrus SR22 VH-8TC arrived into Rockhampton Airport from the Gold Coast and then departed to Mackay Airport and Cairns.

Fortescue Metals Group (FMG Air) Bombardier BD-700-2A12 Global 7500 Bizjet VH-FMG Spotted at Rockhampton Airport - Plus More!

On Friday 24 October, FMG Air P/L (Fortescue Metals Group) Bombardier BD-700-2A12 Global 7500 bizjet VH-FMG was spotted visiting Rockhampton Airport.

It looked to arrive from Cairns and then depart to Sydney.

While Pilatus Australia (South Australia) Pilatus PC-24 Super Versatile Jet VH-DMS flew up from Cessnock and the Gold Coast to Mackay Airport and then Emerald Airport before returning to the Gold Coast.

And Stroud Aviation and Transportation (Boonah) / Navair Flight Operations Cessna 510 Citation Mustang bizjet VH-SHI as "Navair 173" made a late Visit to Cloncurry Airport from Archerfield.

Meanwhile, also on Friday 24 October, Meandarra Aerial Spraying Air Tractor AT-802 VH-8WU was spotted as it prepared to depart Rockhampton Airport as "Bomber 420" for Gladstone Airport via airwork near Calliope. 

It later returned to Rockhampton Airport via a landing and take off at the local Ski Gardens.

UPDATE!  On Saturday 25 October, VH-8WU "Bomber 420" went to Gladstone Airport again for the day and back to Rocky in the arvo.

And the Queensland Government (State of Queensland) Beech B300C Super King Air 350 VH-8PH visited Rockhampton Airport from Mount Isa.

Photos taken by Steve Vit and Neil Richardson  ©

Flexjet LLC (USA) Gulfstream G650ER Bizjet N673FX as 'LXJ673' / "Flexjet 673" Pops into Hamilton Island Airport - Plus More!

On Thursday 23 October, Flexjet LLC (USA) Gulfstream G650ER bizjet N673FX as 'LXJ673' / "Flexjet 673" was noted arriving into Hamilton Island Airport from Melbourne (Tullamarine).

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It then flew down to Brisbane.

Meanwhile, also on Thursday 23 October, Metro Holdings Australia (Air Link - Dubbo) Cessna 525A CitationJet2 bizjet VH-EJT flew up from Bankstown to Hamilton Island Airport and then also down to Brisbane.

Photo taken by Christopher Mabbott  ©

Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) Dassault Falcon 7X Bizjet A56-002 "Envoy 87" Spotted at Bundaberg Airport

On Thursday 23 October, Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) Dassault Falcon 7X bizjet A56-002 flying  as "Envoy 87" came up from Canberra and Coffs Harbour to Bundaberg Airport.

It then departed to Hamilton Island Airport and then later to Townsville where it appears to be staying for the night.

UPDATE!  On Friday 24 October, RAAF Falcon A56-002 as "Envoy 87" flew down from Townsville to complete a missed approach at Proserpine (Whitsunday Coast) Airport before then flying down to overhead Emerald and Rockhampton to then land at Gladstone Airport. 

A bit later it departed Gladstone Airport for the Gold Coast and further south back to Canberra via Tamworth.

Photo taken by Daniel Gorza  ©

Alliance Airlines (ex JetBlue Airways - USA) Embraer ERJ-190AR N247JB Arrives into Rockhampton Airport - Plus More!

On Wednesday 22 October, Alliance Airlines (ex JetBlue Airways - USA) Embraer ERJ-190AR N247JB arrived into Rockhampton Airport at the end of a delivery flight as 'SXI2518' / "Southern Cross 2542".

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, N247JB was delivered in full Alliance Airlines livery and looks to be going to be placed on the Australian Aircraft register as VH-A2J - as shown on the front of the aircraft.

N247JB was promptly parked inside the Alliance Airlines hangar at Rockhampton Airport.

Meanwhile, also on Wednesday 22 October, Hinterland Aviation Cessna 208B Caravan VH-KNQ was spotted on the run between Mackay Airport and the Labona Station Airstrip within Adani Australia's (Bravus Mining & Resources) Carmichael Coal Mine site.  It flew down from Townsville to Labona and then across to Mackay Airport and back to Labona and Townsville.

Of interest, on Tuesday 21 October, VH-KNQ flew down from Townsville to Mackay Airport and then out to Labona and back to Mackay Airport and then Townsville.

Hinterland Aviation has been completing this run between Townsville, Mackay and Labona for some time now.

The Cessna 208B Caravan VH-KNQ was acquired by Hinterland Aviation in December 2024 and this is the first time we have certainly spotted the Caravan in CQ - although I think it has visited the region once before!

SmartLynx Australia Dash-8-100 VH-QQB as SKP531 arrived into Rockhampton Airport from Townsville while fellow Dash-8-100 VH-QQC departed Rockhampton Airport to Townsville as SKP532.

ZephAir Australia - Aircraft Charters Piper PA-31 Navajo VH-AYT as 'ZD220' visited Clermont Aerodrome from Townsville.

 McDermott Aviation Group / Machjet International Cessna 525C CitationJet CJ4 bizjet VH-PIY "Machflight 06" arrived into Rockhampton Airport from Townsville.  It then departed to Brisbane and the Sunshine Coast.

UPDATE!  On Thursday 23 October, VH-PIY again as "Machflight 06" looked to fly into Mackay Airport from the Sunshine Coast and Brisbane before then departing up to Ingham.

UPDATE!  On Friday 24 October, VH-PIY 'MC06' popped into Maryborough Airport from Ingham and Townsville before departing to the South.

Mitchell Water Australia Cessna 525 Citation M2 bizjet VH-WMY flew up from Melbourne (Moorabbin) and Stawell to the Gold Coast before then continuing up the Whitsunday Airport at Shute Harbour.  It later flew back direct to Moorabbin.

Brisbane-based Australian Agricultural Company Pilatus PC-12/47E VH-AAC landed at Goonoo Feedlot from Dalgonally Station.

UPDATE!  On Thursday 23 October, VH-AAC departed Goonoo Feedlot for Brisbane.

Stirling Helicopters Piper PA-23-250 Aztec VH-EQD flew up from Archerfield to Rockhampton Airport before then flying down to Caboolture and then back to Archerfield.

And Orange Helicopters operated Pickering Aviation (Sikorsky) UH-60L Black Hawk helicopter N711BF arrived into Rockhampton Airport from Caboolture and Bundaberg Airports.  It parked on Taxiway Charlie.

It joins the locally-based Stirling Helicopters Sikorsky UH-60L Black Hawk helicopter N137WZ which as mentioned below arrived back into Rockhampton Airport yesterday!

Photos taken by Michael Malick, Nick Dean, 'AC' and Neil Richardson  ©

Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) Boeing B737-7ES / E-7A Wedgetail A30-005 "Mitchel 07" Noted Completing Airwork at Rockhampton Airport - Plus More!

On Wednesday 22 October, Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) Boeing B737-7ES / E-7A Wedgetail Airborne Early Warning & Control (AEW&C) aircraft A30-005 as "Mitchel 07" flew up from RAAF Base Williamtown to complete a low overshoot Rockhampton Airport before then flying back to Williamtown.

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Also this week, Australian Army new Airbus Helicopters H135 'Juno' training helicopters have been noted flying out of the Oakey Army Aviation Centre heading North and landing occasionally at Kingaroy Aerodrome including N52-105 as "Warhorse 31".

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We have also noticed N52-103 as "Juno 75" and N52-102 as "Juno 76".

The Australian Army has a fleet of five H135 'Juno' training helicopters which were re-assembly at HMAS Albatross. The helicopters were re-assembled by Boeing Defence Australia before being relocated to the Army Aviation Training Centre in Oakey to support essential training for Army aircrew. The addition of these five helicopters will address a critical requirement to meet the training and proficiency needs of Army’s aircrew while the UH-60M Black Hawk is introduced.

Finally, an unknown Australian Army Boeing CH-47F Chinook helicopter as "Brahman 379" was seen flying down near Bowen while on a flight out of and back to Townsville.

Photo taken by Michael Malick  ©

Bowenville based (operated by Real Time Aviation - Brisbane) Cessna 525 CitationJet CJ1+ Bizjet VH-JSZ Calls into CQ Airports - Plus More!

On Tuesday 21 October, Bowenville based (operated by Real Time Aviation - Brisbane) Cessna 525 CitationJet CJ1+ bizjet VH-JSZ flew up from Archerfield to Dalby, Natal Downs and Clermont Aerodrome and then during the afternoon onwards to Emerald Airport and then back to Archerfield.

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UPDATE!  On Wednesday 22 October, VH-JSZ once again flew up from Archerfield to Clermont Aerodrome before then flying to Einasleigh and Natal Downs.  During the afternoon, it flew down from there to St George and back to Natal Downs.

UPDATE!  On Thursday 23 October, VH-JSZ flew down from Natal Downs to Emerald Airport and back to Natal Downs.

While the Queensland Government Airwing (State of Queensland) Raytheon B300 Super King Air VH-SGQ  flew up from Brisbane to Mackay Airport then down to Rockhampton Airport and then back to Brisbane.

UPDATES!  On Wednesday 22 October, VH-SGQ arrived into Rockhampton Airport from Brisbane and then departed to Mackay Airport.  And on Thursday 23 October, VH-SGQ flew down from Cairns, Townsville and Mackay Airports to Brisbane.

And Stirling Helicopters Sikorsky UH-60L Black Hawk helicopter N137WZ arrived back into Rockhampton Airport from Caboolture.

It had flown down there a couple of weeks ago and was photographed with another Black Hawk helicopter in the form of Orange Helicopters operated Pickering Aviation (Sikorsky) UH-60L Black Hawk helicopter N711BF.

Photos taken by James Saunders  ©

Nioa Aviation (Avcair) Embraer EMB-505 Phenom 300 Bizjet VH-NJR Pops into Hamilton Island Airport - Plus More!

On a quiet Monday 20 October, Nioa Aviation (Avcair) Embraer EMB-505 Phenom 300 bizjet VH-NJR visited Hamilton Island Airport from Brisbane.

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While on Sunday 19 October,  Graham Aviation (Cairns) Cessna 510 Citation Mustang bizjet VH-FMZ flew up from Bankstown to Mackay Airport and the Cairns and Mareeba after spending a month or so in maintenance down there.

Australian-based but American-registered Eclipse EA500 Bizjet N465DG Pops into Rockhampton Airport - Plus More!

On Saturday 18 October, Australian-based but American-registered Eclipse EA500 bizjet N465DG arrived into Rockhampton Airport from Port Macquarie and later departed to Archerfield.

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While Airlie Beach-registered Piper PA-46-600TP VH-T43 was noted completing a local flight out of and back to the Whitsunday Airport at Shute Harbour via airwork at Hamilton Island Airport.

UPDATE!  Over the next couple of days, VH-T43 took the skies again out of Shute, completing local flights including airwork and landings at both Proserpine (Whitsunday Coast) Airport and Bowen Aerodrome.

And MKR Helicopters (NSW) Bell Helicopter Textron 407GXP VH-8Y8 was also noted flying out of Shute Harbour heading South.

Photo taken by Paul Tyler  ©

New Virgin Australia Boeing B737-8MAX VH-8VC First Visit into CQ at Mackay Airport

On Saturday 18 October, Virgin Australia Boeing B737-8MAX VH-8VC was noted making its first visit into Central Queensland at Mackay Airport. It operated as VOZ609/610 from and back to Brisbane.

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VH-8VC was delivered into Brisbane from the USA on Wednesday 1 October as VOZ9947.  It then entered service a week later on Wednesday 8 October.

The aircraft was named 'Torquay Beach' and is the 14th and final B737-8MAX delivered to Virgin Australia.

Nice!

Photo taken by Lloyd Fox  ©

Kahu NZ Sikorsky EH-60A Black Hawk Helicopter ZK-HKU Spotted at Longreach Airport - Plus More!

On Friday 17 October, Kahu NZ Sikorsky EH-60A Black Hawk helicopter ZK-HKU was spotted passing through Longreach Airport while flying up from Roma to Burketown.  It reportedly left New Zealand on Wednesday, and is off to fight bushfires in Indonesia.

And New Zealand-based Tecnam P2002 Sierra Mk II ZK-EVE which landed at Agnes Water yesterday from Boonah and Southport, departed there to the Whitsunday Airport at Shute Harbour.

UPDATE!  On Sunday 19 October, ZK-EVE departed Shute Harbour for Cooktown.

UPDATE!  Over the weekend on Saturday 25 and Sunday 26 October, ZK-EVE was noted visiting Longreach Airport and then Roma Airport while seemingly returning to Boonah.

Meanwhile, also on Friday 17 October, Stroud Aviation and Transportation (Boonah) / Navair Flight Operations Cessna 510 Citation Mustang bizjet VH-SHI as "Navair 173" arrived in Proserpine (Whitsunday Coast) Airport from Archerfield.  It then departed to Newcastle (Williamtown) before returning to Archerfield.

Australian based but American registered Eclipse Aviation EA550 Very Light jet (VLJ) bizjet N771MT  flew up from Sunshine Coast to the Whitsunday Airport at Shute Harbour.

UPDATE!  On Sunday 19 October, N771MT departed Shute Harbour for Bankstown.

While Narrabri based Betty Freckle Aviation Cessna A185F VH-FIB visited Rockhampton Airport from Warialda.

Cleveland Bay Aviation (Townsville) Piper PA-31 Navajo VH-CYY flew up to Townsville from Bankstown via Roma Airport.  It flew down over the same route the previous day.

Edwards Coaches Cessna 441 Conquest II VH-OXY flew up to Hervey Bay (Fraser Coast) Airport from Armidale before then flying down to Warrnambool and then back to Armidale.

And Aero Logistics / Bayswater Road Aerial Surveys Reims Cessna F406 Caravan II VH-AL3 flew up to Mackay Airport from Archerfield.

Photo taken by Liam Sellick  ©

Machjet (Machjet International) Beech B200C King Air VH-PUY as "Machflight 313" Spotted at Rockhampton Airport - Plus More!

On Thursday 16 October, Machjet (Machjet International) Beech B200C King Air VH-PUY as "Machflight 313" arrived into Rockhampton Airport from Cairns and then departed to Townsville.  During the afternoon, it reversed the flight. 

While Brescon Beech B300 Super King Air VH-WXS visited Dysart Aerodrome from Archerfield.

FlyPelican (Pelican Airlines) British Aerospace BAe Jetstream 3206 (Jetstream 32) turboprop aircraft VH-OTD was noted visiting Emerald Airport from Archerfield via Toowoomba-Wellcamp.  It also visited late on Wednesday 15 October on the weekly Fly-in Fly-out (FIFO) charter run.

And after flying South in June, Central Queensland Helicopter Rescue Service (CQ Rescue) / CQ Aeromedical Leonardo AW139 helicopter VH-XQ9 flew back up from Archerfield to Mackay Airport via Gladstone Airport.

Meanwhile, also on Thursday 16 October, Bowenville based (operated by Real Time Aviation - Brisbane) Cessna 525 CitationJet CJ1+ bizjet VH-JSZ flew up from Archerfield to Mackay Airport before then flying down to Rockhampton Airport and then back to Archerfield. 

While Air AP / Australian Corporate Jet Centres Bombardier BD-700-1A10 Global 6000 bizjet VH-AP7 departed Hamilton Island Airport for Brisbane before then heading over the Queenstown in New Zealand and then flying to Melbourne (Essendon).  It had arrived into Hamo from Adelaide at the start of the week.

And Robindale Group / Air Link Cessna 510 Citation Mustang bizjet VH-CMK departed Emerald Airport for Bundaberg Airport, the Sunshine Coast and Orange.  It had flown out to Emerald Airport from Orange via the Sunny Coast and Bundy on Tuesday 14 October (we missed it!).

All photos taken by John Lee  ©

Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) Boeing B737-8 MAX BBJ A62-001 "Envoy 51" Calls into CQ Airports - Spotted at Mackay Airport

On Thursday 16 October,  Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) Boeing B737-8 MAX BBJ A62-001 was spotted visiting Mackay Airport.  It was flying as "Envoy 51" and looked to be completing a training flight up and down the Queensland coast.

On Wednesday 15 October, A62-001 "Envoy 51" flew up from Canberra and RAAF Base Williamtown to land at Bundaberg Airport.  It then continued to Proserpine (Whitsunday Coast) Airport and then later to Townsville.

On Thursday, it departed Townsville and landed at Mackay Airport as shown before then flying down to the Sunshine Coast and back to Canberra.

Photos taken by 'AC'  ©

Exercise Wallaby 2025 - The Republic of Singapore Air Force (RSAF) F-16C/D Block 52 Version+ Fighting Falcon Jets Take to the Air From Rockhampton Airport - Plus More!

After almost a week of R&R, on Thursday 16 October, three of the four The Republic of Singapore Air Force (RSAF) General Dynamics (Lockheed Martin) F-16C/D+ (F-16C/D Block 52+ Version) Fighting Falcon jets took to the air for the first time since arriving into Rockhampton Airport to participate in the Singapore Armed Forces Exercise Wallaby 2025 (XWB25). 

During the morning and again the afternoon, the three F-16s flew as 'SAF3511' from Rocky down to RAAF base Amberley and back on a diversion training flight.

It is expected that proper sorties as a part of Exercise Wallaby 2025 should start in the coming days.

Meanwhile, also on Thursday 16 October, and about at the same time as the F-16 flights, the RSAF Lockheed C-130H Hercules transport aircraft '730' completed yet more sorties to the Shoalwater Bay Training Area (SWBTA) from and back to Rockhampton Airport again as "RIDER18/28/38".

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

All photos taken by John Lee  ©

Victoria Based USA Registered Embraer 505 Phenom 300E Bizjet N227SJ Spotted at My Local Clermont Aerodrome - Plus More!

On Wednesday 15 October, I was able to photograph Victoria Based USA Registered Embraer 505 Phenom 300E bizjet N227SJ parked up at Clermont Aerodrome.  It had earlier flown up from its Warrnambool in Victoria.

Of interest, it appears that N227SL has 'replaced' the fellow American-registered Embraer EMB-505 Phenom 300 bizjet N227SL which has seemingly moved up to Archerfield - it also visited the region on Wednesday 15 October - see below!

UPDATE!  On Thursday 16 October, N227SJ departed Clermont Aerodrome and returned to Warrnambool.

As mentioned, also on Wednesday 15 October, now-Archerfield based American-registered Embraer EMB-505 Phenom 300 bizjet N227SL also visited the region, flying up from Archerfield to Rockhampton Airport before heading West to Emerald Airport and then back to Archerfield.

While McDermott Aviation Group / Machjet International Cessna 525C CitationJet CJ4 bizjet VH-PIY "Machflight 41" flew into Hervey Bay (Fraser Coast) Airport from Ingham and departed to Brisbane. It had earlier flown up from the Sunshine Coast and Brisbane.

Pilatus Australia (South Australia) Pilatus PC-24 Super Versatile Jet VH-DMS flew up from Cessnock to Mackay Airport before then heading across to Alice Springs and Perth.

And New South Wales based DG Flugzeugbau DG-1000 M VH-IXZ is returning home from Far North Queensland flying down from Cloncurry Airport to Longreach Airport with plans to continue into New South Wales as the week goes on.

And finally, late on Tuesday 14 October, Meandarra Aerial Spraying Air Tractor AT-802 VH-8WU arrived into Rockhampton Airport from Moree and parked at R-Mach Aviation.