LifeFlight Leonardo SPA Helicopters (Agusta) AW139 helicopter VH-XIR Spotted at Rockhampton Airport Receiving Maintenance(?) - Plus More!

On Wednesday 5 November, LifeFlight Leonardo SPA Helicopters (Agusta) AW139 helicopter VH-XIR was spotted operating out of Rockhampton Airport, completing what seemed to be a test flight from the Alliance Airlines hangar to over Pirate Point then Hedlow Airfield where it seemed to complete some training.

VH-XIR then returned to the Alliance Airlines where it has been for some time where it has been possibly receiving some planned maintenance (?).

Of interest, VH-XIR completed similar flights last week including some night flying.

UPDATE!  On Friday 7 November, VH-XIR departed Rockhampton Airport for Bundaberg Airport.  It then continued to Archerfield on Saturday 8 November and seems to be completing short local flights out of Archerfield.

Also Careflight Kawasaki BK117 B-2 helicopter VH-IME as "Careflight 2" landed at Longreach Airport from Tindal, Burketown, Mount Isa and Winton and then departed to Charleville Airport. It had come from Darwin yesterday.

Meanwhile, Rural Funds Management (A.C.T.) Pilatus PC-12/47E VH-STE has been in the region this week, flying up from Canberra on Monday 3 November to Brisbane, Maryborough and Bundaberg Airports, before then calling into Rockhampton Airport on Tuesday 4 November.  On Wednesday 5 November, VH-STE departed Rocky for Rolleston and Springsure Aerodromes before then flying down to Brisbane.  It was due to return to Canberra from Brisbane on Thursday 6 November.

Hughes Aviation (Hughes Pastoral Group) (Gympie) Pilatus PC-12/47E NGX VH-8HP has also been the region yet again, flying out of Tierawoomba on Monday 3 November and returning there on Wednesday but not before it visited places like Windorah, Millmerin, Toowoomba, Warwick, Keeroongooloo, as well as Bundaberg and Emerald Airports.

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

Finally, also on Wednesday 5 November, 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.

And Mitchell Water Cessna 525 Citation M2 bizjet VH-WMY flew up from Melbourne (Moorabbin) to Chinchilla Aerodrome and then Archerfield.

UPDATE!  On Thursday 6 November, VH-WMY departed Archerfield for Essendon before flying back up to Ararat and then Mackay Airport before then ending the day at the Gold Coast.

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

All photos taken by Steve Vit  ©