Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) Boeing B737-7ES / E-7A Wedgetail A30-006 "Wedgetail 14" Completes Airwork at Rockhampton Airport - Plus More!

On Friday 31 January, Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) Boeing B737-7ES / E-7A Wedgetail Airborne Early Warning & Control (AEW&C) aircraft A30-006 was noted completing airwork at Rockhampton Airport.

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It looked to fly up from RAAF Base Williamtown to complete airwork including a missed approach at Rockhampton Airport. It then flew back down to Williamtown.

A30-006 was heard to be flying as "Wedgetail 13".

Meanwhile, also on Friday 31 January, Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) Boeing C-17A Globemaster III A41-210 as "Stallion 46" flew up from RAAF Base Amberley to a position South of Emerald where it descended to low level and flew up past Emerald and Clermont before then climbing back up to 13000ft.  It then flew down to Rockhampton Airport where it completed a missed approach and then returned to Amberley.

Finally, also on Friday 31 January, Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) Alenia C-27J Spartan transport aircraft A34-002 as "Kaos 01" flew up from Amberley and completed airwork and then landed at Bundaberg Airport. It then took off and completed more airwork before then returning to Amberley.

Photo taken by Scott Harris  ©

Brand New Pilatus Australia (SA) Pilatus PC-24 Super Versatile Jet VH-DMS Pops into Mackay Airport - Plus More!

On Thursday 30 January, brand new Pilatus Australia (South Australia) Pilatus PC-24 Super Versatile Jet VH-DMS was noted visiting Mackay Airport from Cessnock.

As shown, the sleek new PC-24 bizjet only arrived into Australia from overseas via Darwin two weeks ago and is pictured above arriving into Adelaide on delivery to its new operator.

While re-registered and AAA Aircraft / Flight Options (Australia) Cessna 550 Citation II VH-VDF visited Bundaberg Airport from the Sunshine Coast. 

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It was re-registered in July last year and was re-painted at Flinders Aviation at Redcliffe in November last year.

And South Australian-based Agusta AW119 MKII helicopter VH-CGW flew up from Wagga Wagga via a few stops to Roma Airport and then Emerald Airport. It later departed Emerald Airport for the North and was last noted around the Whitsundays area. VH-CGW had flown up from Melbourne (Moorabbin) the previous day.

Photo taken by Tony Haynes  ©

Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) Alenia C-27J Spartan A34-008 "Wallaby 74" Spotted Completing Airwork at Gladstone Airport

On Thursday 30 January, Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) Alenia C-27J Spartan transport aircraft A34-008 was spotted at completing airwork at Gladstone Airport.

It looked to fly up from RAAF Base Amberley towards Biggenden where it descended to low level and then flew to Gladstone. After completing a missed approach at Gladstone Airport, A34-008 continued towards Moura before being seen near Taroom. It then returned to Amberley.

Of interest, A34-008 was flying as "Wallaby 74".

Sincere thanks to local plane spotter Jamie C for taking the time to capture and send through these great photos!

All photos taken by Jamie C  ©

National Jet Express (ex Cobham) Dash-8-Q400 Next Gen VH-IYV First Visit to CQ at Moranbah Airport - Plus More!

Late on Wednesday 29 January, National Jet Express (ex Cobham) Dash-8-Q400 Next Gen VH-IYV made its first visit to Central Queensland, calling into Moranbah Airport on a Fly-in Fly-out (FIFO) chart flight from and back to Brisbane as JTE356/7. 

UPDATE!  On Thursday 30 January, VH-IYV completed the JTE392/3 FIFO charter flight into Rockhampton Airport also from and back to Brisbane.

VH-IYV had flown across to Brisbane from Adelaide over the weekend (pictured above) and completed a charter flight to Far North Queensland at the start of the week. 

Both 'usual' NJE Dash-8-Q400s VH-8QA and VH-8QB continue to operate their FIFO charter flights into Moranbah Airport.

Meanwhile, also on Wednesday 29 January, Link Airways (Corporate Air / Vee H Aviation) SAAB 340B+ turboprop VH-VEB was also noted visiting Moranbah Airport from Brisbane.

Southern Air Beech 1900C VH-VSO completed a visit to Emerald Airport from Archerfield and Toowoomba-Wellcamp. It also looks to be making a visit on Thursday 30 January.

Airlie Beach-registered Piper PA-46-600TP VH-T43 departed the Whitsunday Airport at Shute Harbour to Griffith.

Seair Pacific / Istlecote Cessna 208B Grand Caravan EX VH-MIF flew up to Middlemount Aerodrome from Lady Eliott Island. It then flew down to Maryborough Airport and then Hervey Bay (Fraser Coast) Airport.

Photo taken by Tony Haynes  ©

Nauru Airlines Boeing B737-319 VH-XNU Calls into Mackay Airport - Plus More!

On Tuesday 28 January, Nauru Airlines 'classic' Boeing B737-319 VH-XNU was spotted on the ground soon after arriving into Mackay Airport from Brisbane as RON642.  After some time on the ground, it returned to Brisbane after dark but as RON643.

It has been suggested that this flight - like the one by Air Nauru B737-300 VH-PNI last week - was a closed Fly-in Fly-out (FIFO) charter flight.

UPDATE!  On Wednesday 29 January, VH-XNU returned to Mackay Airport again from and back to Brisbane as RON642/3.

Meanwhile, also on Tuesday 28 January, S&S Aviation / Business Aviation Solutions Bombardier CL-600-2B16 Challenger 604 bizjet VH-XPA visited Proserpine (Whitsunday Coast) Airport again from the Gold Coast.

Brisbane-based Teys Australia Cessna 525 Citation CJ2 bizjet VH-TEY arrived into Rockhampton Airport from Archerfield and Biloela / Thangool Airport.

UPDATE!  On Wednesday 29 January, VH-TEY departed Rockhampton Airport for Miles Airport and then back to Archerfield.

And Bowenville based (operated by Real Time Aviation - Brisbane) Cessna 525 CitationJet CJ1+ bizjet VH-JSZ flew up from Archerfield to Natal Downs and then down to Clermont Aerodrome and across to Rockhampton Airport.  It then returned to Archerfield.

UPDATE!  Late on Wednesday 29 January, VH-JSZ flew into Rockhampton Airport from Archerfield and then departed to Mackay Airport and Clermont Aerodrome before then returning to Archerfield.

UPDATE!  On Friday 31 January, VH-JSZ visited Clermont Aerodrome from Archerfield and Dalby.

Finally, also on Tuesday 28 January, Austrek Aviation Beech B200 Super King Air VH-ZGD flew into Rockhampton Airport from Toowoomba, Port Macquarie and Archerfield.  It then departed back to Toowoomba.

Vee H Aviation (Link Airways) Beech B200GT Super King Air 250 VH-VEW made yet another visit to my local Clermont Aerodrome from Brisbane.

Southern Air Beech 1900C VH-VSO visited Rockhampton Airport from Archerfield.

UPDATE!  VH-VSO completed its weekly visits to Emerald Airport from and back to Tooowoomba-Wellcamp and/or Archerfield on Wednesday 29 January and Thursday 30 January.

Kelsall P/L (Aeronautics and Technology Holdings) Pilatus PC-12/45 VH-PID arrived into Rockhampton Airport from Toowoomba.  It then departed to Bundaberg Airport before later returning to Toowoomba.

And Comet-registered Cessna 208B Grand Caravan VH-RTC flew East from Tobermorey to Longreach Airport, Red Rock Station and then Hedlow Airfield.  It looks to have flown out there the previous day.

Photos taken by 'AC'  ©

VistaJet Bombardier BD-700-1A10 Global 6000 Bizjet 9H-VJH Pops into Hamilton Island Airport - Plus More!

On Saturday 25 January, VistaJet Bombardier BD-700-1A10 Global 6000 bizjet 9H-VJH was noted visiting Hamilton Island Airport.

It was flying as 'VJT884' / "Vistajet 884" and flew down from Cairns after arriving there the previous day from Hawaii (as shown above).

The sleek bizjet then departed back to Cairns to meet Australian Border Force requirements before it then continued to Phuket.

This is the second lovely VistaJet Global Express bizjet to call into Hamilton Island Airport within a week with VistaJet Bombardier BD-700-2A12 Global 7500 bizjet 9H-VIK as 'VJT712' / "Vistajet 712" visiting last Saturday - see Blog post below!

Meanwhile, also on Saturday 25 January, LifeFlight (Aeromed) Canadair CL-600-2B16 Challenger 604 bizjet VH-OFA "Ambulance 614" flew down from Townsville and Cairns to Mackay Airport before continuing to Brisbane.

Also during the week, LifeFlight (Aeromed) Canadair CL-600-2B16 Challenger 604 bizjet VH-OFC "Ambulance 634" was noted visiting Hervey Bay (Fraser Coast) Airport as well as Rockhampton and Mackay Airports.

Of interest, LifeFlight (Aeromed) Canadair CL-600-2B16 Challenger 604 bizjet VH-OFB "Ambulance 624" operated more flights to overseas destinations.

Finally, late on Friday 24 January, S&S Aviation / Business Aviation Solutions Bombardier CL-600-2B16 Challenger 604 bizjet VH-XPA visited Proserpine (Whitsunday Coast) Airport from the Gold Coast.

Photo taken by Jonanthan Williams  ©

Tex Onsite (Tex Assets P/L) Aero Commander 500 Aircraft VH-TZS & VH-TXE Come and Go and Mackay Airport - Plus More!

On Friday 24 January, Tex Onsite (Tex Assets P/L) Aero Commander 500-S VH-TZS was noted arriving into Mackay Airport from Townsville.

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Sistership Tex Onsite (Tex Assets P/L) Aero Commander 500-U VH-TXE was then noted departing Mackay Airport bound for Townsville.  It has been undergoing planned maintenance at Mackay Airport.

Of interest, Tex Assets P/L also operates Aero Commander 500-S VH-JPO and Aero Commander 500-U VH-TQA.

Finally, also on Friday 24 January, Link Airways (Corporate Air / Vee H Aviation) Cessna 441 Conquest VH-VEH visited Clermont Aerodrome from Brisbane.

Photo taken by Simon Coates  ©

Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) Boeing B737-7ES / E-7A Wedgetail A30-006 "Wedgetail 13" Completes Airwork at Hamilton Island Airport

On Friday 24 January, Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) Boeing B737-7ES / E-7A Wedgetail Airborne Early Warning & Control (AEW&C) aircraft A30-006 was noted completing airwork at Hamilton Island Airport.

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It looked to fly up from RAAF Base Williamtown to complete airwork including a missed approach at Hamilton Island Airport. It then flew back down to Williamtown.

A30-006 was heard to be flying as "Wedgetail 13".

Photo taken by Scott Harris  ©

Consolidated Pastoral Company P/L Cessna 421C Golden Eagle VH-UTC Calls into Some CQ Airports - Plus More!

Since the start of this week, Consolidated Pastoral Company P/L Cessna 421C Golden Eagle VH-UTC has been noted visiting some different Central Queensland Airports.  It originally flew down from Darwin and landed at Longreach Airport on Monday 20 January.

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It has then visited various locations and looked to call into Rockhampton Airport from the South on Thursday 23 January.  It then returned in that direction towards Biloela / Thangool Airport.

Meanwhile, also on Thursday 23 January, Austrek Aviation Beech B200 King Air VH-ZMW arrived into Rockhampton Airport from Toowoomba.  It then departed to Archerfield and back to Toowoomba.

While The Queensland Government Airwing (State of Queensland) Raytheon B300 Super King Air VH-SGQ flew down from Cairns and Townsville to Mackay Airport and then Rockhampton Airport before ending at Brisbane.  It had flown up to Cairns from Brisbane, making the same stops, on Wednesday 22 January.

Finally, also on Wednesday 22 January, FKG Air (Redjet Aviation) Hawker Beechcraft B200GT VH-FKB flew up to my local Clermont Aerodrome from Toowoomba and Archerfield before later returning directly back to Toowoomba.

Nauru Airlines Boeing B737-300 VH-PNI Pops into Mackay Airport on a Charter Flight - Plus More!

On Thursday 23 January, Nauru Airlines Boeing B737-300 VH-PNI was noted visiting Mackay Airport on what appeared to be a closed charter fight from and back to Brisbane.

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The colourful little Boeing touched down at Mackay Airport from Brisbane as RON906 and returned to the capital soon after as RON907.

Meanwhile, also on Thursday 23 January, the locally-based Embraer EMB-550 Legacy 500 bizjet N142GZ departed Mackay Airport base for Brisbane.

UPDATE!  On Monday 27 January, N142GZ returned to Mackay Airport from Brisbane before then flying down to Melbourne (Essendon).

Mitchell Water Cessna 525 Citation M2 bizjet VH-WMY had another busy day of flying up from Melbourne (Moorabbin) to the Whitsunday Airport at Shute Harbour and then Mackay Airport via Melbourne (Essendon), Ararat and Adelaide (Parafield). It later departed Mackay Airport and returned to Moorabbin.

And ADD Aviation Services / CML No.1 P/L Raytheon Hawker 800XP bizjet VH-OFJ arrived into Hamilton Island Airport from Melbourne (Essendon) and Melbourne (Avalon).

Photo taken by Brodie Lawson  ©