'Red Rock' Station (Comet) Based PA-32-300 Cherokee Six VH-DDJ Out and About at CQ Airports - Plus More!

On Monday 16 March, 'Red Rock' Station (Comet) Based PA-32-300 Cherokee Six VH-DDJ flew from Hedlow Airfield to 'Red Rock' and back before later departing Hedlow to Proserpine (Whitsunday Coast) Airport and back. 

'JB' / https://www.jetphotos.com/

Of interest, their 'usual' ride of Cessna 208 Caravan VH-RTC has reportedly been parked at Archerfield since October last year. 

While Piper PA-46-350P Malibu Mirage VH-AYL into Rockhampton Airport from Redcliffe.

And Seair Pacific (Istlecote) Cessna 208B Grand Caravan EX VH-LYI flew up from Hervey Bay (Fraser Coast) Airport and Maryborough Airport to Middlemount Aerodrome before then flying back to Hervey Bay Airport.

Meanwhile, also on Monday 16 March, Poolhurst Aviation Air Charter Services new Pilatus PC-24 jet VH-VTF flew up from Archerfield and Sydney to Hamilton Island Airport before then flying back down to Archerfield. 

And Avcair LearJet 60 bizjet VH-AVL  made a late visit to Longreach Airport arriving from Brisbane.  It then flew across to Rockhampton Airport and down to Gladstone Airport and then back to Brisbane.

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

On Sunday 15 March, Nioa Aviation (Avcair) Embraer EMB-505 Phenom 300 bizjet VH-NJR visited Mackay Airport from Brisbane.

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And Air Gold Coast Cessna 525A CitationJet CJ2 bizjet VH-ZDM visited Hamilton Island Airport from the Gold Coast.

Meanwhile, also on Sunday 15 March, Austrek Aviation Beech B200 Super King Air VH-ZGD which had flown North yesterday from Archerfield to North of Middlemount and back down to near Moura, this morning departed to Emerald Airport, Mount Isa and Newcastle Waters (NT). 

UPDATE!  On Monday 16 March, VH-ZGD flew down from Newcastle Waters to Isis Downs near Longreach and was then due into Longreach Airport. 

Angel Flight Australia Cessna 414A Chancellor VH-AF4, which landed at Barcaldine Airport from Archerfield yesterday, departed back to there today. 

And Cirrus SR22 N12AU landed at Emerald Airport from the Gold Coast.  N12AU then operated a local demonstration flight.

UPDATE!  On Monday 16 March, N12AU completed another local flight before departing Emerald Airport and flying down to the Sunshine Coast.

Kirsh Air (NSW) Cessna 340A VH-DRA Calls into Hamilton Island Airport - Plus More!

On Friday 13 March, NSW based Kirsh Air (NSW) Cessna 340A VH-DRA flew up to Hamilton Island Airport from the Gold Coast.  It had flown into the Goldie from its Bankstown base the previous day.

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UPDATE!  On Tuesday 17 March, VH-DRA finally departed Hamilton Island Airport and returned to the Gold Coast and Bankstown.

Meanwhile, also on Friday 13 March, the locally-based Embraer EMB-550 Legacy 500 bizjet N142GZ flew from Mackay Airport to Melbourne (Essendon).

And Mitchell Water Cessna 525 Citation M2 bizjet VH-WMY flew up from Melbourne (Moorabbin) and Melbourne (Essendon) to Roma Airport and then the Whitsunday Airport at Shute Harbour.  It then returned directly to Moorabbin.

Finally, also on Friday 13 March, LifeFlight Agusta Westland AW139 helicopter VH-XIA flying as "Rescue 599" flew up to Longreach Airport from the Sunshine Coast and Roma Airport.

Of interest, fellow LifeFlight Leonardo S.P.A. Helicopters (Agusta) AW139 helicopter VH-XIU as "Guardian 10" looks to be still operating out of Bundaberg Airport after arriving in the middle of the week from the Sunshine Coast via Gladstone Airport.

UPDATE!  Over the weekend, VH-XIU "Guardian 10" departed Bundaberg Airport for Archerfield.

Photo taken by Brodie Lawson  ©

Flight One (Services) Raytheon B300 Super King Air VH-UVH Spotted at Bowen Aerodrome - Plus More!

On Thursday 12 March, Flight One (Services) Raytheon B300 Super King Air VH-UVH was spotted at Bowen Aerodrome.  It had flown up from the Labona Station Airstrip within Adani Australia's (Bravus Mining & Resources) Carmichael Coal Mine site where it arrived yesterday - see Blog post below.

It later departed back to Archerfield.

While FKG Air (Redjet Aviation) Hawker Beechcraft B200GT VH-FKB visited Mackay Airport from Toowoomba.

And Austrek Aviation Beech B200 King Air VH-ZMW visited Rockhampton Airport from Brisbane.

Photo taken by James Kirk  ©

McDermott Aviation Bell 214ST helicopter N724HT at Emerald Airport - Plus More!

On Wednesday 11 March, McDermott Aviation Bell 214ST helicopter N724HT departed Emerald Airport for Bundaberg Airport.  It had arrived late last week.

UPDATE!  On Thursday 12 March, N724HT arrived back into Emerald Airport from Bundaberg Airport before it then departed to Longreach Airport.

Meanwhile, also on Wednesday 11 March, Bowenville based (operated by Real Time Aviation - Brisbane) Cessna 525 CitationJet CJ1+ bizjet VH-JSZ flew up from Archerfield to Emerald Airport and then Rockhampton Airport and this afternoon departed to Coffs Harbour.

Sharp Airlines Metro 23 Freighter VH-HPE visited Emerald Airport from Brisbane as TFX172/3.  Fellow Sharp Airlines Metro Freighters VH-UZN and VH-UZP also operated the 'usual' week-daily freight services passing through Rockhampton and Mackay Airports.

Hewitt Agribusiness (Brisbane) Pilatus PC-12/47E VH-8HG visited Moura Aerodrome from Archerfield.

And Flight One (Services) Raytheon B300 Super King Air VH-UVH flew up from Archerfield to the Labona Station Airstrip within Adani Australia's (Bravus Mining & Resources) Carmichael Coal Mine site and then down to Clermont Aerodrome and then back to Labona.

UPDATE!  On Thursday 12 March, VH-UVH departed Labona and was spotted at Bowen Aerodrome - see Blog Post above.  It later departed back to Archerfield.

Photos taken by 'AC'  ©

Multiquip Poultry / Navair Flight Operations Embraer EMB-500 Phenom 100EV Bizjet VH-MQX "Navair 131" Calls into Moranbah Airport - Plus More!

On Tuesday 10 March, Multiquip Poultry / Navair Flight Operations Embraer EMB-500 Phenom 100EV bizjet VH-MQX as "Navair 131" landed at Moranbah Airport from Bankstown.

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It was then due to fly to Mackay Airport but on departure had a technical problem and returned to Moranbah Airport - where it stayed!

Meanwhile, also on Tuesday 10 March, RDO Equipment Co. Pilatus PC-12/47 VH-WPH flew up from Toowoomba to Biloela / Thangool Airport and then to Bundaberg Airport before then flying back to Toowoomba.

Seair Pacific (Istlecote) Cessna 208B Grand Caravan EX VH-LYI flew into Middlemount Aerodrome from Lady Elliott Island and Rockhampton Airport before it then flew down to Maryborough Airport and Hervey Bay (Fraser Coast) Airport.

And LifeFlight Leonardo S.P.A. Helicopters (Agusta) AW139 helicopter VH-XIU as "Guardian 10" landed at Bundaberg Airport from Kingaroy.

UPDATE!  On Wednesday 11 March, VH-XIU "Guardian 10" flew up from Bundaberg Airport to Gladstone Airport and a bit later returned to Bundy.

Plus fellow LifeFlight Agusta Westland AW139 helicopter VH-XIH flew up from Archerfield to Bundaberg Airport and then Gladstone Airport and then back to Bundaberg.

Photo taken by Neil Richardson  ©

Two Australian Army UH-60M Black Hawk Helicopters - A60-006 & A60-009 as "Valkyrie" Call into CQ Airports Heading North - Plus More!

On Tuesday 10 March, two Australian Army UH-60M Black Hawk Helicopters were noted flying North from the Oakey Army Aviation Centre to Townsville via Bundaberg, Rockhampton and Mackay Airports.  They were identified as A60-006 and A60-009 and were heard flying together as "Valkyrie".

They were photographed above as they arrived into Townsville where they are believed to be staying for a week with reports they will fly back South again via CQ next week some time.

Meanwhile, also on Tuesday 10 March, Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) Boeing B737-8 MAX BBJ A62-001 as "Envoy 44" landed at Bundaberg Airport from Canberra and Coffs Harbour and a bit later departed back South, calling into Albury before returning to Canberra.

Sincere thanks to local plane spotters Graham A and Gillian T for allowing us to share these great photos from Townsville and from Bundaberg today!

Photos taken by Graham Aspinall and Gillian Tulk  ©️

Air Gold Coast Cessna 525A CitationJet CJ2 Bizjet VH-ZDM Pops into Hamilton Island Airport - Plus More!

On Monday 9 March, Air Gold Coast Cessna 525A CitationJet CJ2 bizjet VH-ZDM arrived into Hamilton Island Airport from the Gold Coast and then depart to Ballina.

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Meanwhile, over the weekend, on Saturday 7 March,  Poolhurst Aviation Air Charter Services new Pilatus PC-24 jet VH-VTF (c/n 602) visited Hamilton Island Airport from Archerfield and Brisbane.

While down at Mackay Airport Alliance Airlines Fokker F-100 VH-UQC operated a charter flight into from and back to Brisbane as UTY500/1.

And Aerlink ATR 72-212(F) VH-AK3 flew across from Alice Springs to Mackay Airport as AL575.  It had flown out to Alice Springs from Brisbane on Friday 6 March and completed a couple of runs to The Granites from and back to Alice Springs before then flying across to Mackay Airport as mentioned.

Late on Friday 6 March, Avcair LearJet 60 bizjet VH-AVL visited Mackay Airport from Brisbane.  This aircraft is becoming quite a familiar sight in Central Queensland, believed to be operating medical evacuation flights similarly to the LifeFlight Canadair Challenger 604 bizjets so we may not report on its movements as much as we did previously.

Photo taken by Brodie Lawson  ©

Jetstar Airways Airbus Airbus A321-251NX(LR) (A321neo) VH-OYR First Visit into Central Queensland at Proserpine (Whitsunday Coast) Airport - Plus More!

On Friday 6 March, Jetstar Airways Airbus A321-251NX(LR) (A321neo) VH-OYR made its first visit into Central Queensland at Proserpine (Whitsunday Coast) Airport. It operated as JST840/1 from and back to Sydney.

VH-OYR was delivered into Melbourne (Tullamarine) from Hamburg, Germany in late October 2024 and entered service at the end of that month.

Of interest, making it a double, also on Friday 6 March, fellow Jetstar A321 VH-VWX was back at Proserpine Airport operating the JST832/3 service from and back to Melbourne (Tullamarine).

Would have been a great sight to see two A321s on the deck at the same time!

File photo taken by Ryan Hothersall  ©

Linfox Global Charter / Air National Australia Bombardier BD-700-1A10 Global 6000 Bizjet VH-LEP at Hamilton Island Airport - Plus More!

On Friday 6 March, Linfox Global Charter / Air National Australia Bombardier BD-700-1A10 Global 6000 bizjet VH-LEP was noted departing Hamilton Island Airport for Melbourne (Essendon).

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It had flown up from there earlier in the week on Tuesday 3 March.

And Homada Pty Ltd Cessna 560XL Citation XLS bizjet VH-XCU flew into Hamilton Island Airport from Melbourne (Moorabbin) via Sydney.  It later departed back directly to Moorabbin.

Photo taken by Nick Sainsbury  ©

Jetstar Airways Airbus A320-232(WL) VH-X3C (ex 9V-JSL) Makes First Visit to CQ at Hervey Bay (Fraser Coast) Airport

On Thursday 5 March, Jetstar Airways Airbus A320-232(WL) VH-X3C was noted making its first visit to Central Queensland at Hervey Bay (Fraser Coast) Airport as it completed the JST890/1 service from and back to Sydney.

Of interest, VH-X3C is one of nine twelve recently delivered Airbus A320 aircraft that have entered service with Jetstar Airways that all previously operated with the collapsed Jetstar Asia. This A320 was previously operated by Jetstar Asia as 9V-JSL.

9V-JSL was ferried from Singapore to Melbourne (Tullamarine) at the start of October last year. It was then placed on the Australian Aircraft Register as VH-X3C with this registration marking 'taped' over the Singaporean registration marking.

It was 'delivered' to Jetstar on Thursday 8 January after ferrying from Alice Springs to Melbourne (Tullamarine) with VH-X3C then entering service around a week later.

Of interest, the collapse of Jetstar Asia has seen nine twelve of their Airbus A320 ‘classic’ aircraft joining (or for three of them re-joining) the Jetstar Australia fleet.  We have provided details on all the 'original' nine A320s to join the Jetstar Australia fleet and it appears that an additional three are also now joining the fleet down under.  They are VH-X3A which is ex-, VH-X3R which is ex 9V-TRD & 9V-JSY and VH-X3C which is ex 9V-JSL (as described above).

File photos taken by Ryan Hothersall and Paul Howard  ©

Pilatus Australia (South Australia) Pilatus PC-24 Super Versatile Jet VH-DMS Spotted at Emerald Airport - Plus More!

Late on Wednesday 4 March, Pilatus Australia (South Australia) Pilatus PC-24 Super Versatile Jet VH-DMS landed at Emerald Airport from Perth.

After staying for the night, on Thursday 5 March, VH-DMS was photographed still parked up at Emerald Airport before it later departed down to Cessnock.

Meanwhile, also on Thursday 5 March, Robindale Group / Air Link Cessna 510 Citation Mustang bizjet VH-CMK departed Emerald Airport for Bundaberg Airport and then the Sunshine Coast and Orange. It appears to have flown up earlier in the week.

Mitchell Water Cessna 525 Citation M2 bizjet VH-WMY flew up from Melbourne (Essendon) to Ararat, Charleville Airport and the Whitsunday Airport at Shute Harbour.  It then flew down to the Sunshine Coast and Melbourne (Moorabbin).

While Austrek Aviation Cessna 310 VH-DZX visited Emerald Airport from Toowoomba.

And RDO Equipment Co. Pilatus PC-12/47 VH-WPH visited Bundaberg Airport from Toowoomba.

Photo taken by 'AC'  ©

Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) Boeing C-17A Globemaster III A41-207 "Stallion 27" Completes Airwork at Bundaberg Airport - Plus More!

On Thursday 5 March, Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) Boeing C-17A Globemaster III A41-207 as "Stallion 27" flew low level up inland up from RAAF Base Amberley to West of Bundaberg before it then turned in and completed two touch-and-go approaches at Bundaberg Airport before it then climbed up to flight levels back to Amberley. 

https://www.facebook.com/Bundaberg.Aviation.Fuel

Meanwhile, after flying up the day before, also on Thursday 5 March, RAAF Dassault Falcon 7X bizjet  A56-003 as "Envoy 24" flew down from Townsville to land at Proserpine (Whitsunday Coast) Airport and then Gladstone Airport before continuing to the Gold Coast and further south.

Aerlink ATR 72-500 VH-FVY Completes New FIFO Charter Flight into Emerald Airport - Plus More!

Late on Tuesday 3 March, Aerlink ATR72-500 VH-FVY completed what is the second of a new Fly-in Fly-out (FIFO) charter route to Emerald Airport from and back to Brisbane as AL428/9.  It also completed a similar run last Tuesday night - see Blog post below!

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Of interest, Aerlink looked to reportedly take delivery of another ATR at Perth airport in the early hours of Saturday 28 February currently registered as 2-ISLM which will reportedly become VH-FVX.

Meanwhile, on Wednesday 4 March, McDermott Aviation Group / Machjet International Cessna 525C CitationJet CJ4 bizjet VH-PIY as "Machflight 41" flew up from the Sunshine Coast and Brisbane to Mackay Airport before then flying back down to the Sunshine Coast.

And Koolardie Aviation (ZephAir Australia) Raytheon 58 Baron VH-NSM as 'ZD550' landed at Clermont Aerodrome from Townsville then departed back to there.

Of interest, Archer Aviation Service Cirrus SR22 VH-YJY made yet another visit to Clermont Aerodrome from its Archerfield base but on Tuesday 3 March.

Photo taken by Lloyd Fox  ©

Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) Dassault Falcon 7X Bizjet A56-003 "Envoy 24" Calls into CQ Airports - Plus More!

On Wednesday 4 March, Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) Dassault Falcon 7X bizjet A56-003 flying as "Envoy 24" flew up from Canberra and Coffs Harbour to Bundaberg Airport.

A56-003 EVY24 arrives into Townsville

It then departed to Hamilton Island Airport and then later completed a missed approach at Cairns and then to Townsville where it appears to be staying for the night.

UPDATE!  On Thursday 5 March, RAAF Falcon 7X bizjet A56-003 again as "Envoy 24" flew down from Townsville to Proserpine (Whitsunday Coast) Airport and then Gladstone Airport. It then flew back to Canberra via a missed approach at Tamworth.

Meanwhile, also on Wednesday 4 March, Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) Boeing B737-7ES / E-7A Wedgetail Airborne Early Warning & Control (AEW&C) aircraft A30-001 as "Wedgetail 20" flew up from RAAF Base Williamtown to complete four missed approaches at Hervey Bay (Fraser Coast) Airport before then flying down to complete another missed approach at Coffs Harbour before then returning back to Williamtown.

Photo taken by Graham Aspinall  ©️

LifeFlight Agusta Westland AW139 Helicopter VH-XIJ "Rescue 522" Completes Medical Evacuation from 'Carnival Adventure' off Bundaberg - Plus More!

On Monday 2 March, LifeFlight Agusta Westland AW139 helicopter VH-XIJ as "Rescue 522" flew up from Bundaberg Airport to Gladstone Airport and then down to the Sunshine Coast before later returning to Bundaberg Airport and then completing two Search and Rescue (SAR) flights to the North-East of Bundy. 

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Surveillance Australia (Leidos SAR Services Pty Ltd) Bombardier CL-600-2B16 Challenger 604 bizjet VH-XNC as "Rescue 440" flew down from Cairns to oversee the SAR operations by VH-XIJ "Rescue 522" for a few hours then returned to Cairns.  It is believed this may have also included a passenger extraction from the cruise ship 'Carnival Adventure'.

Meanwhile, also on Monday 2 March, pair of Queensland Government (QGAir) Rescue (State of Queensland) Agusta AW139 helicopters were noted at Rockhampton Airport. VH-ESH flew down from Townsville and then departed onwards to Archerfield as "Rescue 500", while VH-EGK arrived from Archerfield as "Rescue 500" and then departed to Townsville.

And Far North Queensland based Diamond DA 50 C VH-88R visited Mackay Airport from Mareeba.

Finally, over the weekend on both Saturday 28 February and Sunday 1 March, NQ Heli-Worx (Townsville) Embraer EMB-500 Phenom 100 VH-8GK continued to operate flights between Townsville and Hamilton Island Airport - including three return flights on Sunday.  VH-8GK operated one more flight (which seems to be the last one for now) on Monday 2 March.

And also on Saturday 28 February,  the locally-based Embraer EMB-550 Legacy 500 bizjet N142GZ  flew back to Mackay Airport from Brisbane after flying down to there at the start of last week.

Plus Cirrus SR22 N312GM looked to complete airwork at Maryborough Airport while on a flight out of and back to the Sunshine Coast.

Photo taken by Brodie Lawson  ©

RAAF Boeing B737-7ES / E-7A Wedgetail A30-001 "Mitchel 11" Completes Airwork at Hervey Bay (Fraser Coast) Airport - Plus More!

On Monday 2 March, Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) Boeing B737-7ES / E-7A Wedgetail Airborne Early Warning & Control (AEW&C) aircraft A30-001 as "Mitchel 11" flew up from RAAF Base Williamtown and was noted to complete a couple of missed approaches at Hervey Bay (Fraser Coast) Airport before it then flew back to Williamtown.

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Meanwhile, also on Monday 2 March, RAAF Beech B350 Super King Air A32-675 as "Dingo 02" arrived into Longreach Airport from RAAF Base East Sale before it then continued to Darwin.

And fellow RAAF Super King Air A32-021 as "Hudson 02" also flew up to Longreach Airport also from RAAF Base East Sale before it then continued up to Darwin.

Of interest, a third RAAF Super King Air A32-651 has been operating up at Darwin as "Dingo 01" and looked to fly down to Alice Springs and East Sale on Tuesday 3 March.

Photo taken by Scott Harris  ©