Virgin Australia (ex REX Airlines) Boeing B737-8FE(WL) VH-RQP (ex VH-BZG) Makes First Visit to CQ at Proserpine (Whitsynday Coast) Airport - Pluys More!

On Friday 10 January, there was an interesting 'first visit' into Central Queensland with Virgin Australia Airlines Boeing B737-8FE(WL) VH-RQP calling into Proserpine (Whitsunday Coast) Airport from and back to Brisbane as VOZ1117/8.

But technically, it isn't the first visit by this particular airframe - MSN 37822 / LN 3355.

The 14.5-year-old airframe was originally flown by Virgin Blue / Virgin Australia from 2010 to 2020 with the registration marking of VH-BZG.

In 2020, it was initially stored at Melbourne (Tullamarine) before being stored at Jakarta in Indonesia.  The aircraft was then re-registered as VH-RQP and re-painted into full Regional Express (REX) Airlines livery with it being delivered and entering service in March 2021.

When REX's jet operations collapsed in 2024, VH-RQP was withdrawn from service and again stored at Tullamarine before being again moved to Jakarta.  In December 2024, VH-RQP returned to Tullamarine before then being re-painted back into full Virgin Australia Airlines livery at Wagga Wagga.

VH-RQP entered service with Virgin Australia on Saturday 4 January.

Of interest, VH-RQP is the second of two former Virgin Australia and REX Airlines aircraft to re-enter service with Virgin with Boeing B737-800 VH-REX starting flying with Virgin on Christmas Eve after also arriving back from Jakarta in late November and then also being re-painted at Wagga Wagga.

Meanwhile, also on Friday 10 January, Kirkhope Aviation (of Melbourne) Beech B200 King Air VH-ZOK landed at Mackay Airport after flying up from Melbourne (Moorabbin).

UPDATE!  On Saturday 11 January, VH-ZOK departed Mackay Airport for Hamilton Island Airport before then returning to Moorabbin but via Bourke.  

After operating the Whitsundays on tourist flights since arriving in November 2024, Commando Skydivers (Victoria) GippsAero GA8-TC320 Airvan VH-SXK flew down from Proserpine (Whitsunday Coast) Airport to Morwell (Latrobe Valley) via Goondiwindi and Temora.  It since looks like it has taken up parachuting operations back at Latrobe Valley.

And Hughes Aviation (Hughes Pastoral Group) (Gympie) Pilatus PC-12/47E NGX VH-8HP has had another busy week flying around the region departing Tierawoomba at the start of the week and landing back there today after visiting such places as Mackay Airport, Tumbar Station, Lake Nash and Mount Isa.

Photos taken by Jonathan Williams, Bernie Proctor and Robert Myers  ©

Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) Airbus A330-203 / KC-30A (MRTT) A39-004 "Dragon 21" Spotted Completing a Missed Approach at Rockhampton Airport

On Friday 10 January, Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) Airbus A330-200 / KC-30A Multi Role Tanker Transport (MRTT) A39-004 was spotted as it completed a missed approach at Rockhampton Airport.

The MRTT had originally departed from RAAF Base Amberley and flew all the way up to Townsville where it landed for a short time.  A39-004 then flew back South via the airwork at Rockhampton Airport and then onwards back to Amberley.

A39-004 was heard to be using the radio callsign of "Dragon 21".

Of interest, fellow RAAF KC-30A MRTT A39-005 as "Dragon 20" was also in the air at the same time, also flying out of Amberley but all the way up to Cairns.  It then returned directly to Amberley.

Sincere thanks to local plane spotter Scott H who was at the right place at the right time to capture these great photos!

All photos taken by Scott Harris  ©️

New Pacific Helicopters (PNG) Airbus Helicopters H125 Helicopter P2-PHU Pops into CQ Airports Heading North - Plus More!

On Wednesday 8 January, Pacific Helicopters (PNG) new Airbus Helicopters H125 helicopter P2-PHU was noted flying North via a couple of Central Queensland Airports while on delivery to Papua New Guinea (PNG).

https://www.instagram.com/pacificcrownheli/

It departed from the Sunshine Coast and then called into Rockhampton Airport before then finishing the day at the Whitsunday Airport at Shute Harbour.

UPDATE!  On Thursday 9 January, P2-PHU departed the Whitsunday Airport at Shute Harbour and continued it delivery flight North, finishing the day near the tip of Cape York.

Meanwhile, also on Wednesday 8 January, Gulf Coast Aviation Cessna 510 Citation Mustang bizjet VH-KXM looked to fly up from Tamworth to Longreach Airport before then continuing up to Vanrook Station near Normanton.

UPDATE!  On Thursday 9 January, VH-KXM looked to fly down from Vanrook Station to Emerald Airport and then flying to the Gold Coast and back to Tamworth.

And NSW based EADS SOCATA TBM 700 VH-8NX landed at Longreach Airport from Bankstown and a bit later departed to Roma Airport and then back to Bankstown.

Spectaculr RAAF Air-to-Air Refeulling with KC-30A MRTT A39-004 "Dragon 10" and C-17A Globemaster III A41-207 "Stallion 16" Over Parts of CQ - Plus More!

Late on Wednesday 8 January, many people saw and captured the spectacular sight of two heavy Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) transport aircraft flying in close quarters and then eventually completing air-to-air refuelling exercises over parts of Central Queensland.

The two aircraft were identified as RAAF Airbus A330-200 / KC-30A Multi Role Tanker Transport (MRTT) A39-004 as "Dragon 10" and RAAF Boeing C-17A Globemaster III A41-207 as "Stallion 16".

After they both earlier departed RAAF Base Amberley, they looked to rendezvous near Bundaberg and looked to fly together up the CQ Coast over Gladstone and Rockhampton before they both returned South, separated, and then both returned to Amberley.

Spectacular!

Meanwhile, also on Wednesday 8 January, Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) Alenia C-27J Spartan transport aircraft A34-001 as "Wallaby 20" was noted completing airwork around Miles Airport while on a flight out of and back to Amberley.

Air Charter Services / Flight Options (Australia) Embraer EMB-505 Phenom 300 Bizjet VH-VKX Pops into Hamilton Island Airport - Plus More!

On Tuesday 7 January, Air Charter Services / Flight Options (Australia) Embraer EMB-505 Phenom 300 bizjet VH-VKX was noted arriving into Hamilton Island Airport from Brisbane.

File photo

It then flew down to Sydney and then back to Brisbane. 

Meanwhile, also on Tuesday 7 January, Torres Strait Air Britten-Norman (Bembridge) BN-2A-26 Islander VH-IZH arrived into Rockhampton Airport from Mareeba and Proserpine (Whitsunday Coast) Airport.  It then departed to Gold Coast. 

UPDATE!  On Wednesday 8 January, VH-IZH continued to Watts Bridge Airfield where it will undergo planned maintenance.

And Sydneyean Air (Sydney) Piper PA-31-350 VH-JVD flew down from Townsville to Rockhampton Airport before departing to Labona and then back to Townsville.

All photos taken by Steve Vit  ©

Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) Boeing C-17A Globemaster III A41-207 "Stallion 15" Completes Airwork at CQ Airports - Plus More!

On Tuesday 7 January, Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) Boeing C-17A Globemaster III A41-207 was spotted completing airwork, including several missed approaches at both Rockhampton Airport and then Maryborough Airport.

The Globemaster departed from RAAF Base Amberley and completed airwork there before then flying up to Rocky.  It then completed airwork at Rockhampton Airport and then flew down to complete more airwork at Maryborough Airport before returning to Amberley for yet more airwork before eventually landing.

A41-207 was heard to be flying as "Stallion 15".

Meanwhile, also on Tuesday 7 January, Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) Alenia C-27J Spartan transport aircraft A34-001 as "Wallaby 10" was noted completing airwork at Kingaroy Aerodrome while on a flight out of and back to Amberley.

Later, fellow C-27J Spartan A34-008 as "Wallaby 13" was noted completing airwork at Miles Airport while also on a flight out of and back to Amberley.

Sincere thanks to local plane spotter John L for sending through these great photos!

All photos taken by John Lee  ©

New Vee H Aviation (Link Airways) Beech B200GT Super King Air 250 VH-VEW Spotted at Clermont Aerodrome - Plus More!

On Monday 6 January, recently delivered Vee H Aviation (Link Airways) Beech B200GT Super King Air 250 VH-VEW was photographed by me at my local Clermont Aerodrome.

It was operating the ‘usual’ weekly Fly-in Fly-out (FIFO) charter flight which came up from Brisbane to the Oaky Creek Mine site and the across to Clermont Aerodrome. VH-VEW then returned to Brisbane.

UPDATE!  On Tuesday 7 January, VH-VEW was back in the region, flying up from Brisbane to Rolleston Aerodrome and then Oaky Creek Mine site and then Emerald Airport.  Then on Thursday 9 January, VH-VEW was back at Clermont Aerodrome, arriving from Brisbane and departing to Emerald Airport and then back to Brisbane.

VH-VEW was registered in November 2024 and delivered as that from the USA. Its ‘predecessor’ of fellow Vee H Aviation Cessna 441 Conquest II VH-VEW flew out of Australia for the USA in October 2024.

Meanwhile, also on Monday 6 January, Mitchell Water Cessna 525 Citation M2 bizjet VH-WMY flew up from Melbourne (Moorabbin) to the Whitsunday Airport at Shute Harbour and then down to Sunshine Coast. This afternoon it flew to Chinchilla Aerodrome, Roma Airport and then down to Ararat and back to Moorabbin.

And American-registered (but seemingly Australian-based) Cessna 510 Citation Mustang bizjet N510MW flew up from the Sunshine Coast to complete airwork at Hervey Bay (Fraser Coast) Airport before then returning to the Sunny Coast.

UPDATE!  on Tuesday 7 January, N510MW completed another flight into Hervey Bay (Fraser Coast) Airport from and back to the Sunshine Coast.

Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) Boeing B737-8 MAX BBJ A62-001 "Envoy 52" Arrives into Rockhampton Airport

On Monday 6 January, Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) Boeing B737-8 MAX BBJ A62-001 was spotted arriving into Rockhampton Airport.

The new RAAF 34 VIP Squadron aircraft looked to fly up from Canberra, Sydney and the Sunshine Coast and was heard to be using the radios callsign of "Envoy 52".

It looked to bring the Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese to town for a series of engagements and at the time of writing, A62-001 "Envoy 52" looks to be staying at Rockhampton Airport for the night.

UPDATE!  On Tuesday 7 January, A62-001 "Envoy 52" was spotted departing Rockhampton Airport for Cairns.

Sincere thanks to local plane spotter 'IAD' and local photographer Steve V for taking the time to capture and send through these great photos!

Photos taken by 'IAD' and Steve Vit  ©

Platinum Aviation (South Australia) Hawker Beechcraft B200 VH-XBZ Pops into Hamilton Island Airport - Plus More!

On Sunday 5 January, Platinum Aviation (South Australia) Hawker Beechcraft B200 VH-XBZ was noted visiting Hamilton Island Airport from Adelaide, arriving via Wilpeena Pound.

File photo

I was interested to see that the sleek looking King Air was registered in Australia in October 2019 and was previously registered in Norway as LN-LTF and operated by Lufttransport Fixed Wing AS that operates primarily air ambulance aircraft and helicopters for the Norwegian and Swedish governments

File photo

McDermott Aviation Group / Machjet International Cessna 525C CitationJet CJ4 bizjet VH-PIY as "Machflight 41" visited Rockhampton Airport from the Sunshine Coast and Archerfield. 

And on Saturday 4 January, De Group Air / Business Aviation Solutions Embraer EMB-545 Praetor 500 bizjet VH-8DE arrived into Hamilton Island Airport from Brisbane.  It then departed to Adelaide.

Then on Sunday 5 January, VH-8DE departed Adelaide for New Zealand before returning to Brisbane and Hamilton Island Airport later in the evening.

UPDATE!  On Tuesday 7 January, VH-8DE departed Hamilton Island Airport for Brisbane.

Photos taken by Tony Haynes  ©

Another Busy Week for LifeFlight (Aeromed) Canadair Challenger 604 Bizjets VH-OFA "Ambulance 614" & VH-OFB "Ambulance 624" at CQ Airports - Plus More!

Late on Thursday 2 January and into the wee small hours on Friday 3 January, LifeFlight (Aeromed) Canadair CL-600-2B16 Challenger 604 bizjet VH-OFB "Ambulance 624" was noted calling into Longreach and Rockhampton Airports while on a flight out of and back to Brisbane.

File photo

UPDATE!  Late on Saturday 4 January, VH-OFB "Ambulance 624" visited Rockhampton Airport once again from Brisbane.

Over the last week, fellow LifeFlight (Aeromed) Canadair Challenger 604 Bizjet VH-OFA "Ambulance 614" has made a few visits into CQ at Mackay Airport (twice) and Bundaberg Airport while operating out of Townsville.

Also on Friday 3 January, the locally-based Embraer EMB-550 Legacy 500 bizjet N142GZ departed Mackay Airport for Brisbane before returning to the Sugar City later in the day.

Darwin-based Lloyd Aviation Jet Charter Dassault Falcon 900 bizjet VH-PPD departed Hamilton Island Airport for Sydney and Bankstown.  It had arrived from Cairns on the last day of 2024.

And Air Charter Services / Flight Options (Australia) Embraer EMB-505 Phenom 300 bizjet VH-VKX visited Hamilton Island Airport from Brisbane, arriving via Sydney.

Photo taken by Garth Coad  ©

Tindal Air (NT) Embraer EMB-505 Phenom 300 Bizjet VH-NNA Pops into Hamilton Island Airport - Plus More!

On Thursday 2 January, Tindal Air (NT) Embraer EMB-505 Phenom 300 bizjet VH-NNA visited Hamilton Island Airport from Brisbane.

While Revesco Aviation (Western Australia) Embraer EMB-505 Phenom 300 bizjet VH-NJC departed Hamilton Island for Brisbane.  It looked to have possibly arrived into Hamo from Perth on Boxing Day.

Edwards Coaches Cessna 441 Conquest II VH-8BE flew up from Armidale and Sydney to Hamilton Island Airport and then back down to Armidale.

And Alliance Airlines Fokker F-100 VH-XWS arrived into Rockhampton Airport from Adelaide as UTY9821 for planned maintenance.

At the time of writing, it remains parked outside the already 'full' Alliance Airlines maintenance hangar at Rockhampton Airport.

Photos taken by Jonathan Williams and 'IAD'  ©

Happy New Year!! An Important Announcement about the Future of The Central Queensland Plane Spotting Blog (CQ Plane Spotting)

Happy New Year!

As we head into the new year, I’d like to again thank all the contributors and followers of the CQ Plane Spotting Blog on Facebook and X (Twitter) and on the original and this main Blogspot page - http://cqplanespotting.blogspot.com/

I’ve made the decision to scale back reporting of movements on this the main site - almost back to what we did originally over 14 years ago when we started this thing which was to highlight ‘significant’ aircraft movements rather than what has become a daily digest of reporting on the same bizjets and light GA aircraft seemingly day in day out.

Newsworthy events and stories will also continue be reported on this the main site.

I hope that our loyal followers will continue to support the CQ Plane Spotting across all platforms and understand that work and family commitments have contributed to this scaling back of reporting on the main site.

I sincerely hope you and your families have had a very Happy Christmas and enjoy a happy and prosperous new year!

Damian F