FlexJet / Corporate Wings (USA) Gulfstream G700 (GVIII-G700) Bizjet N136ZC 'LXJ95' Calls into Hamilton Island Airport - Plus More!

On Saturday 15 November, FlexJet / Corporate Wings (USA) Gulfstream G700 (GVIII-G700) bizjet N136ZC, which was flying as 'LXJ95' / "Flexjet 95" flew up to Hamilton Island Airport from Sydney.

Victor Pody / https://www.planespotters.net/

This is a brand new aircraft and only delivered late last month.  It replaces another Gulfstream bizjet of the same registration marking.

UPDATE!  On Sunday 16 November, N136ZC 'LXJ95' / "Flexjet 95" departed Hamilton Island Airport for Brisbane and then overseas.

Meanwhile, also on Saturday 15 November, Orange Helicopters operated Pickering Aviation (Sikorsky) UH-60L Black Hawk helicopter N711BF departed Rockhampton Airport for Toowoomba, Armidale and further South.  It had arrived less than a month ago!

Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) Lockheed C-130J-30 Hercules A97-465 "Ausy 807" Pops into Rockhampton Airport - Plus More!

On Saturday 15 November, a rare weekend military visitor with Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) Lockheed C-130J-30 Hercules transport aircraft A97-465 arriving into Rockhampton Airport from RAAF Base Richmond as 'ASY807'.

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After some time on the ground, the Herc departed Rockhampton Airport and returned to Richmond.

While fellow RAAF C-130J-30 Hercules A97-466 but as 'ASY816' was also noted flying through the region heading North - and again on Sunday 16 November!

Photo taken by Robert Myers  ©

XPJet / Australian Corporate Jet Centres Raytheon Hawker 800XP Bizjet VH-OTK Arrives into Hamilton Island Airport - Plus More!

On Friday 14 November, XPJet / Australian Corporate Jet Centres Raytheon Hawker 800XP bizjet VH-OTK was noted arriving into Hamilton Island Airport from Melbourne (Essendon).

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UPDATE!  On Sunday 16 November, VH-OTK departed Hamilton Island Airport and returned to Essendon.

And Business Aviation Solutions Bombardier CL-600-2B16 Challenger 604 bizjet VH-JII flew up from Sydney and the Gold Coast to Hamilton Island Airport before then hopping down to Proserpine (Whitsunday Coast) Airport for parking.

UPDATE!  On Monday 17 November, VH-JII flew back from Prosie to Hamo and then departed back to Sydney and then Adelaide.

Meanwhile, also on Friday 14 November, Townsville Airlines (Flightech Air Logistics) Cessna 402C Utiliner/Businessliner VH-UCM visited Hamilton Island Airport from Cairns on the scheduled EA1/2 flight service for East Air.

SFC Farming (of Goondiwindi) Raytheon B200 King Air VH-TXT also flew into Hamilton Island Airport but from its Mundine base.

UPDATE!  On Monday 17 November, VH-TXT departed Hamilton Island Airport and returned to Mundine.

And Aerlink ATR72-500 VH-FVY as AL511 popped into Mackay Airport from Brisbane for fuel before then continuing to Horn Island as AL510.

Photo taken by Tony Haynes  ©

Poseidon Aviation Group Gulfstream Aerospace G650ER (G-VI) Bizjet N968FA Calls into Hamilton Island Airport - Plus More!

On Thursday 13 November, Poseidon Aviation Group Gulfstream Aerospace G650ER (G-VI) bizjet N968FA flew up from Sunshine Coast to Hamilton Island Airport. It had arrived into the Sunny Coast the previous day from Melbourne.

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Mitchell Water Cessna 525 Citation M2 bizjet VH-WMY flew up from Melbourne (Essendon) to Miles Airport and then to the Gold Coast. It then flew up to the Whitsunday Airport at Shute Harbour and then back down to Archerfield and Essendon.

Graham Aviation (Cairns) Cessna 510 Citation Mustang bizjet VH-FMZ flew down from Brisbane to Moree then up to Emerald Airport and then further North.

The Queensland Police Service (Airwing) (State of Queensland) Cessna 208 Caravan VH-PSQ flew up from Brisbane to Mackay Airport and then Cairns.

Southern Airlines Piper PA-31-350 Navajo Chieftain VH-LCE was noted completing aerial survey flights out of and back to Gladstone Airport after arriving there from Archerfield earlier in the week.

UPDATE!  Over the next weekend, VH-LCE moved its operations to Bundaberg Airport where it continued to operate local aerial survey flights.

While Alliance Airlines Fokker F-100 jet VH-UQN visited Hamilton Island Airport on what seemed to be a charter flight from and back to Brisbane as UTY550/1.

And FlyPelican (Pelican Airlines) British Aerospace BAe Jetstream 3206 (Jetstream 32) turboprop aircraft VH-OTE was noted on the Fly-in Fly-out (FIFO) run between Archerfield and Toowoomba-Wellcamp and Emerald Airport both today and last night.

Photo taken by Lloyd Fox  ©

Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) Boeing B737-8 MAX BBJ A62-001 "Envoy 55" Calls into Bundaberg Airport - Plus More!

On Thursday 13 November, Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) Boeing B737-8 MAX BBJ A62-001 as  "Envoy 55" landed at Bundaberg Airport from Canberra via a missed approach at Orange.

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It later departed Bundy and returned to Canberra via a missed approach at Tamworth.

Meanwhile, also on Thursday 13 November, RAAF Dassault Falcon 7X bizjet A56-003 as "Envoy 56", which flew up to Townsville from Canberra yesterday, flew down to complete a missed approach at Proserpine (Whitsunday Coast) Airport before returning to Townsville.  It then flew South and returned to Canberra.

And Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) Alenia C-27J Spartan transport aircraft A34-001 as "Wallaby 62" was noted completing airwork around Miles Airport while on a flight out of a back to RAAF Base Amberley.

Photo taken by Hayden Alexander  ©

Exercise Wallaby 2025 - Great Photos as Antonov Airlines (Antonov Design Bureau) AN-124-100M-150 UR-82008 Departs Rockhampton Airport for Darwin and Singapore

On Thursday 13 November, the visiting Antonov Airlines (Antonov Design Bureau) AN-124-100M-150 UR-82008 was photographed as it departed Rockhampton Airport for Darwin and then Singapore as ADB3997.

As posted below, it arrived the previous day from Colombo in Sri Lanka and was loaded with the four visiting Republic of Singapore Air Force (RSAF) Boeing AH-64D Apache Helicopters that had been deployed to Rockhampton Airport for the now completed Singapore Armed Forces Exercise Wallaby 2025 (XWB25).

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 Jimmy Scaboo  ©

SmartLynx Australia Dash-8-202 VH-TQX Pops into Rockhampton Airport - Plus More!

On Wednesday 12 November, SmartLynx Australia Dash-8-202 VH-TQX as "Skytrans 541" was spotted arriving into Rockhampton Airport from Cairns before later departing to Sydney.

We presume it will then take up operating the SmartLynx Australia flights to Lord Howe Island.

UPDATE!  Indeed on Thursday 13 December, fellow SmartLynx Australia Dash-8-200 VH-TQS positioned from Sydney direct to Cairns.  Then on Tuesday 18 November, VH-TQS commenced a flight out of Australia via Darwin all the way over to Nairobi in Kenya.

Mission Aviation Fellowship (MAF) Gippsland Aeronautics GA8 Airvan VH-MFI landed at Longreach Airport from Mount Isa.

UPDATE!  On Thursday 13 November, VH-MFI plus fellow MAF GA8 Airvan VH-WOS departed Longreach Airport for Mareeba.

Nautilus Aviation Airbus Helicopters EC 130 T2 VH-ZPH was noted departing Clermont Aerodrome. This registration marking is best known as being worn by a Virgin Australia Embraer E-190.

Flight One (Services) Raytheon B300 Super King Air VH-UVH landed at Gladstone Airport from Archerfield and this afternoon departed back to there.

ZephAir Australia Piper PA-34-220T Seneca VH-YSI as 'ZD440' arrived into Rockhampton Airport from Townsville and then did survey work to the North before returning to Rocky.

LifeFlight Leonardo Helicopters S.P.A. (Agusta) AW139 helicopter VH-LF3 landed at Longreach Airport from Toowoomba and Roma Airports.

UPDATE!  On Thursday 13 November, AW139 LF3 departed Longreach Airport for Mount Isa where it is now to be based.  Through the day, it then flew circuits at Mount Isa Airport and also at the Hospital.

Photos taken by Steve Vit and Liam Sellick  ©

Exercise Wallaby 2025 - Antonov Airlines (Antonov Design Bureau) AN-124 UR-82008 Arrives into Rockhampton Airport to take The RSAF AH-64D Apache Helicopters Home!

On Wednesday 12 November, Antonov Airlines (Antonov Design Bureau) AN-124-100M-150 UR-82008 arrived into Rockhampton Airport, flying in direct from Colombo as 'ADB397F'.

The massive Antonov taxied in and parked on Gate 6 on the southern end of the Rockhampton Airport parking apron.

Soon after, the Antonov was lowered into its unique kneeling position and the front then opened. It was to load the four Republic of Singapore Air Force (RSAF) Boeing AH-64D Apache helicopters in preparation for their delivery home to Singapore.

The Apaches have been in Rocky to take part in the Singapore Armed Forces Exercise Wallaby 2025 (XWB25). As we have posted previously, they have been completing regular sorties to and from the Shoalwater Bay Training Area (SWBTA).  Their serial numbers were believed to be 064, 058, 056 and 069.

With loading complete, UR-82008 was closed up and prepared to stay for the night at Rockhampton Airport with a departure listed to Darwin and then Singapore early on Thursday 13 November.

UPDATE!  Indeed early on Thursday 13 November, AN124 UR-82008 departed Rockhampton Airport to Darwin and Singapore as ADB3997 - see Blog post above!

With all the helicopters and aircraft now gone from Rockhampton and the Shoalwater Bay Training Area (SWBTA) this sees the end of Exercise Wallaby 2025 - bring on 2026!

Sincere thanks to local plane spotters Scott H and Steve V for taking the time to capture and send through these great photos of the Antonov!

Photos taken by Scott Harris and Steve Vit  ©

Exercise Wallaby 2025 - A Pair of Republic of Singapore Air Force (RSAF) Lockheed C-130H Hercules Transport Aircraft '731' & '735' Call into Rockhampton Airport - AGAIN!

On Tuesday 11 November, and for the second week in-a-row, a pair of Republic of Singapore Air Force (RSAF) Lockheed C-130H Hercules transport aircraft arrived into Rockhampton Airport. They were identified as '731' and '735' and flew together across from Darwin as SAF9576 and SAF9577 respectively. They had both arrived into the Top End from Singapore the previous day.

Then on Wednesday 12 November, both Hercs were photographed (above) departing Rockhampton Airport where they headed back to Darwin with the plan to return to Singapore the next day.

Of interest, the Hercs are two 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".

Sincere thanks to local plane spotter Scott H for allowing us to share these great photos!

Photos taken by Scott Harris  ©

Parker Aviation Ventures (Sydney) / Air Link (Dubbo) Embraer EMB-500 Phenom Bizjet VH-PNM Arrives into Rockhampton Airport - Plus More!

On Tuesday 11 November, Parker Aviation Ventures (Sydney) / Air Link (Dubbo) Embraer EMB-500 Phenom bizjet VH-PNM arrived into Rockhampton Airport from Archerfield and the Sunshine Coast.

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UPDATE!  On Wednesday 12 November, VH-PNM departed Rockhampton Airport for the Sunshine Coast.

Stroud Aviation and Transportation (Boonah) / Navair Flight Operations Cessna 510 Citation Mustang bizjet VH-SHI as "Navair 110" arrived into Rockhampton Airport from Archerfield and late this afternoon departed back to there.

Business Aviation Solutions Bombardier CL-600-2B16 Challenger 604 bizjet VH-JII flew up from Adelaide to Hamilton Island Airport and then down to Sydney.

New Zealand based (American registered) Dassault Falcon 900EX bizjet N146EX flew down from Cairns to Hamilton Island Airport before later departing to Sydney.

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

UPDATE!  On Thursday 13 November, N142GZ returned to Mackay Airport from Brisbane.

Bowenville based (operated by Real Time Aviation - Brisbane) Cessna 525 CitationJet CJ1+ bizjet VH-JSZ flew up from Archerfield to Dalby and Mackay Airport before returning to Archerfield.

UPDATE!  On Tuesday 12 November, VH-JSZ was back in the region, flying up from Archerfield to Dalby and then my local Clermont Aerodrome before later returning South over the same route.

While Meandarra Aerial Spraying Air Tractor AT-802 VH-8WU returned to Rockhampton Airport from Townsville as "Bomber 420".  It had flown North a couple of weekends back.

And Strickland Bosavi Foundation Cessna U206G VH-ITV landed at Longreach Airport from Horn Island and Georgetown and then departed to Moree.

Finally, also on Tuesday 11 November, Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) Boeing B737-7ES / E-7A Wedgetail Airborne Early Warning & Control (AEW&C) aircraft A30-001 as "Wedgetail 05" flew up from RAAF Base Williamtown to complete three missed approaches approaches at Mackay Airport before then flying back to Williamtown.

Of interest, on Monday 10 November, A30-001 as "Wedgetail 04" flew up to overhead Bundaberg from and back to Williamtown but it remained at its cruising flight level!

Photo taken by Bradley Newman  ©

Machjet International Hawker Beechcraft (Beech) B200 King Air VH-8UY as "Machflight 313" Pops into Hamilton Island Airport - Plus More!

On Monday 10 November, Machjet International Hawker Beechcraft (Beech) B200 King Air VH-8UY as "Machflight 313" visited Hamilton Island Airport from Cairns.

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While Seair Pacific (Istlecote) Cessna 208B Grand Caravan EX VH-LYI arrived into Rockhampton from Hervey Bay (Fraser Coast) and Maryborough Airports and then flew to Middlemount Aerodrome and back to Rocky before then departing back to Hervey Bay Airport.

And (reportedly now formerly) Stirling Helicopters Piper PA-23-250 Aztec VH-EQD arrived into Rockhampton Airport from Archerfield and then departed to Proserpine (Whitsunday Coast), Townsville and Cairns Airports.

Meanwhile, also on Monday 10 November, Air Gold Coast Cessna 525 Citation CJ1 bizjet VH-CDG flew up from Archerfield to Mackay Airport and then to Clermont Aerodrome and down to Dalby and back to Archerfield.

Mitchell Water Cessna 525 Citation M2 bizjet VH-WMY flew up from Melbourne (Essendon) to the Gold Coast and then Miles Airport before continuing up to also Mackay Airport. It then departed to Stawell and back to Essendon.

Parker Aviation Ventures (Sydney) / Air Link (Dubbo) Embraer EMB-500 Phenom bizjet VH-PNM flew up from Archerfield and Sydney to Hamilton Island Airport and then back down to Archerfield.

And QantasLink (Alliance Airlines) Embraer E-190 jet VH-UYK also completed a visit to Hamilton Island Airport from and back to Cairns as QLK2691/UTY6280.

Photo taken by Jonathan Williams  ©

New Cirrus Design Corp SR22 G7 GTS N347AS Arrives into Maryborough Airport - Plus More!

On Friday 7 November, new Cirrus SR22 G7 GTS N347AS, which arrived in country from New Zealand via the Gold Coast on Wednesday, landed at Maryborough Airport from Archerfield. 

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UPDATE!  On Saturday 8 November, Cirrus SR22 N347AS departed Maryborough Airport and returned to Archerfield. 

And late in the afternoon Bush Heli Services' new Bell Helicopter Textron 407 helicopter VH-PUM landed at their Clermont facility after flying up from Bankstown, Scone, Goondiwindi and Roma Airports.

Photo taken by Mark Pattenden  ©

Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) Boeing C-17A Globemaster III A41-212 'STAL26' Completes a Missed Approach at Mackay Airport - Plus More!

On Friday 7 November, Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) Boeing C-17A Globemaster III A41-212 as "Stallion 26" flew up from RAAF Base Amberley to a complete a missed approach at Mackay Airport.

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It then returned to Amberley.

UPDATE!  On Saturday 8 November, the C-17 A41-212 now as "Stallion 34" flew up from Amberley to complete a couple of missed approaches at Rockhampton Airport before then heading back to complete more airwork and then eventually land at Amberley.

Finally, also on Friday 7 November, RAAF Dassault Falcon 7X bizjet A56-003 as "Envoy 41" visited Bundaberg Airport from Canberra.

Photo taken by Tony Haynes  ©

Eagle One Aviation (Navair Flight Operations) Cessna 525B CitiationJet CJ3+ Bizjet VH-X8X "Navair 151" Pops into Rockhampton Airport - Plus More!

On Thursday 6 November, Eagle One Aviation (Navair Flight Operations) Cessna 525B CitiationJet CJ3+ bizjet VH-X8X as "Navair 151" was noted visiting Rockhampton Airport from Bankstown. 

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While Bowenville based (operated by Real Time Aviation - Brisbane) Cessna 525 CitationJet CJ1+ bizjet VH-JSZ flew up from Archerfield to Hamilton Island Airport and then down to Canberra and back to Archerfield. 

And The Queensland Government (State of Queensland) Beech B300C Super King Air 350 VH-8PE arrived into Rockhampton Airport from Cairns and Townsville and then departed to Cairns.  Felow Super King Air 350 VH-8PF landed at Gladstone Airport from Brisbane and then departed to Miles Airport and then back to Brisbane.

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  ©

New QantasLink Dash-Q400 Next Gen VH-84O (ex C-GVWE) First Revenue Flight into CQ at Bundaberg Airport

On Wednesday 5 November, recently delivered QantasLink Dash-8-Q400 VH-84O completed its first ever revenue flight, and it happened to be into CQ, with it touching down at Bundaberg Airport as QLK2970/1 from and back to Brisbane.

VH-84O departs Brisbane for Bundaberg Airport.

It then completed a run to Miles Airport and the Gladstone Airport, both also from and back to Brisbane, before then finishing the day back at Bundaberg Airport. VH-84O looks to be due to complete flights out of and then back into Bundaberg Airport, as well as Moranbah Airport, all on Thursday 6 November.

The second-hand Dash-8-Q400 is the eighth of 12 (or 14) aircraft that the Qantas Group has purchased from Canadian operator WestJet Encore. VH-84O previously operated as C-GVWE and operated with the airline from January 2015 until March 2024.

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The Dash-8 arrived into Australia via Brisbane on Saturday 25 October, still wearing its Canadian registration marking of C-GVWE, completing a delivery flight from Canada across the Pacific.

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

Photos taken by Daniel Gorza and Wally H  ©

Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) Boeing B737-8 MAX BBJ A62-001 "Envoy 26" Calls into CQ Airports - Plus More!

On Wednesday 5 November, Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) Boeing B737-8 MAX BBJ A62-001 as "Envoy 26" was spotted coming into land at Bundaberg Airport after flying up from Canberra. Early afternoon it departed to Townsville via a missed approach at Mackay Airport.

UPDATE!  On Thursday 6 November, RAAF B737-8 MAX BBJ A62-001 again as "Envoy 26" arrived into Rockhampton Airport from Townsville and a bit later departed to RAAF Base Amberley and Canberra.

Meanwhile, also on Wednesday 5 November, Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) Boeing B737-7ES / E-7A Wedgetail Airborne Early Warning & Control (AEW&C) aircraft A30-002 as "Wedgetail 24", which had flown up from RAAF Base Williamtown to Townsville during the morning, flew down to complete a missed approach at Hervey Bay (Fraser Coast) Airport on its way back to Williamtown.

And at about the same time as those two RAAF movements, fellow RAAF Dassault Falcon 7X A56-001 as "Envoy 25" flew up the inland from Canberra to over head Mount Isa and then North East to overhead Cairns and down to land at Amberley.

Photo taken by Andrew Alexander  ©

Exercise Wallaby 2025 - A Pair of Republic of Singapore Air Force (RSAF) Lockheed C-130H Hercules Transport Aircraft '731' & '735' Call into Rockhampton Airport

On Tuesday 4 November, a pair of Republic of Singapore Air Force (RSAF) Lockheed C-130H Hercules transport aircraft arrived into Rockhampton Airport. They were identified as '731' and '735' and flew together across from Darwin as SAF9574 and SAF9575 respectively.  They had both arrived into the Top End from Singapore the previous day.

Then on Wednesday 5 November, both Hercs were photographed departing Rockhampton Airport where they headed back to Darwin with the plan to return to Singapore the next day.

Of interest, the Hercs are two 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".

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 these great photos!

Photos taken by Steve Vit  ©

East Air Starts Flights into Hamilton Island Airport from Cairns with Beech 1900D VH-JYA

On Monday 3 November, East Air commenced flights between Cairns and Hamilton island Airport with Beech 1900D VH-JYA completing inaugural EA1/2 flights.

VH-JYA at Hamilton Island Airport.

The twice weekly flights will again link the two Queensland holiday destinations for the first time since pre-COVID.

East Air is currently operating Monday and Thursday services, with Sunday flights set to commence in February. One way fares start at $235.

Of interest East Air is a virtual brand of its parent company, Townsville Airlines, which is a well known charter flight operator in North Queensland. Its fleet consists two Beech 1900Ds, three Cessna 208B Caravans, two Cessna 402Cs, one Beech B200 King Air, and six AeroCommander 500-S. Townsville Airlines also uses the brand name of Weipa Air.

VH-JYA departs Cairns for Hamilton Island.

They also have future plans to add larger Dash-8 turboprop aircraft into their fleet.

We wish them all the very best!

Photos taken by Kellie Leonard and James Nancarrow  ©

Arcturus Group P/L / Flight Options (Australia) Dassault Falcon 2000EX Bizjet VH-EWB Spotted at Gladstone Airport - Plus More!

On Monday 3 November, Arcturus Group P/L / Flight Options (Australia) Dassault Falcon 2000EX bizjet VH-EWB was photographed on the ground parked up at Gladstone Airport.  It had arrived over the weekend from Sydney.

Later on Monday, VH-EWB departed Gladstone Airport and returned to Sydney.

While Air Gold Coast Cessna 525A CitationJet CJ2 bizjet VH-ZDM flew up from Canberra to Hamilton Island Airport before later flying down to the Gold Coast.

Finally, also on Monday 3 November, Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) Dassault Falcon 7X bizjet A56-001 flying as "Envoy 21" visited Bundaberg Airport from Canberra.

Photos taken by Glenn Lloyd  ©

Republic of Singapore Air Force (RSAF) F-16C/D+ (F-16C/D Block 52+ Version) Fighting Falcon Jets - Plus Airbus A330-MRTT '765' - And Lockheed C-130H Hercules '730' - All Depart Rockhampton Airport For Good!

On Monday 3 November, most of the participating Republic of Singapore Air Force (RSAF) aircraft departed Rockhampton Airport for good following their participation in the latest iteration of the Singapore Armed Forces Exercise Wallaby 2025 (XWB25).

After arriving the previous afternoon from Darwin, RSAF Airbus A330-243 Multi Role Tanker Transport (A330-MRTT) aircraft '765' departed Rockhampton Airport for Darwin again as 'SAF8542'.

It went shortly before the four RSAF General Dynamics (Lockheed Martin) F-16C/D+ (F-16C/D Block 52+ Version) Fighting Falcon jets which also departed Rockhampton Airport also to Darwin.

The four F-16s - serials 637, 620, 615 and 629 - are believed to be flown by the RSAF's 140th Squadron "Osprey" and took to the air again using the ferrying flight callsigns of 'SAF3511A-D'.

Lastly, RSAF Lockheed C-130H transport aircraft '730', which had been deployed to Rockhampton Airport for most of the Exercise and completed multiple daily flights to the Shoalwater Bay Training Area (SWBTA) and back to Rockhampton Airport, also departed to Darwin but as 'SAF9572'.

At the time of writing, it is believed that all these aircraft will depart Darwin as early as tomorrow to head back to Singapore.

UPDATE!  After a technical hitch which saw the RSAF F-16s and A330-MRTT return to Darwin, they all eventually left Darwin and returned to Singapore by the end of the week.

While these aircraft all departed Rockhampton Airport, the four RSAF Boeing AH-64D Apache helicopters were moved from their parking position beside Runway 04/22 to the Alliance Airlines hangar where they will have their rotor blades and other components removed in preparation for uplift and transport back to Singapore. 

It is expected that an Antonov AN-124 cargo plane will touch down at Rockhampton Airport either over this coming weekend or early next week.

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 spotters at Rockhampton Airport for allowing us to share these great photos!

Photos taken by Steve Vit and 'IAD'  ©