CQ Plane Spotting Historic Spot - The Sunshine Coast Helicopter Rescue Service (SCHRS)

Early last month, Kawasaki BK117 B-2 helicopter VH-EHQ of the Sunshine Coast Helicopter Rescue Service (SCHRS) called into Biloela / Thangool Airport from its Bundaberg base.

Alan Macdonald / http://flightaware.com/

It turns out that the Sunshine Coast Helicopter Rescue Service is Australia's longest running community based not-for-profit helicopter service.  It was conceived in 1979 by community-minded businessmen and funded by them and the Queensland Government.  The SCHRS was incorporated and flying by December 1979.

The first helicopter - a Bell 206 JetRanger - operated from Yandina on the Sunshine Coast until 1983, when SCHRS moved to the Sunshine Coast Airport.  In 1985 the SCHRS doubled its fleet with the acquisition of a Bell 206 LongRanger.

The energy distribution corporation Energex, formally known as the South East Queensland Electricity Board (SEQEB), began sponsorship of the Rescue Service in 1994.  The Service was renamed Energex Community Rescue Helicopter in 1998 following SEQEB's name change.

Paul Sadler / http://www.saltmagazine.com.au/

The financial assistance from Energex and its customers - through donations from their quarterly electricity bill - allowed the Service to purchase a third helicopter in the form of the larger, twin-engined, BK-117 in 1997.  The delivery of the service's first BK-117 helicopter allowed the rescue crew to load a patient from the back of the aircraft.

Jodie van de Wetering / http://www.abc.net.au/

In 1998 SCHRS was to expand its operations north into Bundaberg on a three year trial basis using a Bell 206 JetRanger Helicopter. In 2001 the service would become a permanent fixture in Wide Bay and Bundaberg skies upgrading to the larger Bell 206 LongRanger helicopter.

A quarter of a century of saving lives and serving the community was celebrated in 2004, and in 2006 the service continued to expand with a larger hangar at the Sunshine Coast Airport.  It remains the community based chopper’s home to this day.

In 2009, Energex Community Rescue Helicopter became the AGL Action Rescue Helicopter.

Kawasaki BK117 B-2 VH-BKV at Bundaberg Airport (File photo taken by 'IAD' ©)

In July 2013, the Service merged with CareFlight Group Queensland.

http://www.careflightgroup.com/

SCHRS and the iconic RACQ CareFlight Rescue now come under the umbrella of CareFlight Group Queensland.

Bell 206L-1 VH-ZOW arrives at Gladstone Airport (File photo taken by Jamie C  ©)

This vital community service is always looking for donations to keep their helicopter flying.  Details on doantions, and the Service itself can be found on the CareFlight Group website at:  http://www.careflightgroup.com/

RACQ Careflight Sunshine Coast Helicopter Rescue Service (SCHRS) BK117 B-2 VH-EHQ Calls Into Biloela / Thangool Airport

Noted calling into Biloela / Thangool Airport on Thursday 5 June was the RACQ Careflight / Sunshine Coast Helicopter Rescue Service (SCHRS) Kawasaki BK117 B-2 helicopter VH-EHQ.

Alan Macdonald / http://flightaware.com/

It called in from its Bundaberg base and later departed to Moura.  From Moura, VH-EHQ - "Rescue 522" - flew direct to Bundaberg Hospital presumably completing a med-evac mission.

The SCHRS operates two BK117 helicopters through the Wide Bay region - including Bundaberg, Maryborough and Hervey Bay - with VH-EHQ joined by VH-BKV ("Rescue 511").

The SCHRS - formally known as AGL Action Rescue - merged with CareFlight Group Queensland in July 2013.  The SCHRS and the iconic RACQ CareFlight Rescue now come under the umbrella of CareFlight Group Queensland.

Check out the CareFlight Group website at:  http://www.careflightgroup.com/

Incidentally, one other interesting movement through Biloela / Thangool Airport in recent days was the visit of New South Wales-based Wettenhall Air Service Swearingen SA226T Merlin III VH-SSL.

The Merlin initially called in from Griffith and its Deniliquin base on Sunday 1 June.  After staying overnight, it ventured North to Ayr before returning later on Monday 2 June.  It then departed back to Deniliquin via Griffith.

Fabulous Friday at Gladstone Airport - Part 2 - Bell Helicopters VH-LSV, VH-ZOW, VH-XCY, & VH-YBO

The coverage of the 'Fabulous Friday' of plane spotting at Gladstone Airport continues in this post as we look at no less than four Bell helicopters that were captured by local plane spotters Jamie C and Tash C on Friday 24 January.

One of the bigger choppers to call in on Friday was Australian Helicopters Agusta AB412 (Bell 412) VH-LSV, which was making its way South from Cairns to Redcliffe, via Townsville, Mackay and Gladstone.

It's the second visit of an Australian Helicopters Bell 412 in Gladstone in a week, with VH-VAU spotted at Gladstone heading North on Tuesday 21 January.  VH-LSV arrived just as the visiting Conoco Phillips Gulfstream G550 bizjet N662CP departed to Brisbane.

VH-LSV was also captured alongside the locally-based CareFlight Queensland Bell 412EP VH-XCY which was noted to be sitting outside its hangar for most of the day.

Earlier on Friday 24 January, another CareFlight Queensland helicopter called into Gladstone for the morning.  This time, CareFlight - ex-AGL Sunshine Coast Helicopter Rescue Service - Bell 206L-1 VH-ZOW arrived from the South and was parked next to VH-XCY.

VH-ZOW was spotted operating a brief local flight, before returning to Gladstone.

After returning from its local flight, VH-ZOW eventually departed back to the South.  Information suggests that VH-ZOW currently predominantly operates out of the Sunshine Coast and Bundaberg.

Finally, McDermott Aviation Bell 206L-1 VH-YBO was captured arriving into Gladstone Airport later on Friday 24 January.

VH-YBO has this week been involved with the aerial treatment to rid the Gladstone region of the potentially deadly fire ant populations seen around the area.  The local Gladstone Observer newspaper reported on the fire ant eradication this week - including a photo of VH-YBO in action - and a link to article online can be found HERE.

Yet more spectacular images from Jamie and Tash, and we thank them sincerely for capturing the great action and taking the time to send these images through!

Photos taken by Jamie C and Tash C  ©

Bundaberg Based Rescue Helicopter on Firm Ground with RACQ Announced as New Naming Rights Sponsor

AGL Action Helicopter Rescue Service Kawasaki BK117 B-2 VH-BKV at Bundaberg Airport (File photo taken by 'IAD' ©)

The future of the Bundaberg and Sunshine Coast based rescue helicopters has landed on firm ground with RACQ committing $1.5 million dollars annually to become the new naming rights sponsor of the Sunshine Coast Helicopter Rescue Service (SCHRS).

The five-year agreement will be indexed annually and RACQ has already indicated its intention to be a long-term sponsor.

AGL Energy Limited (AGL) has been the naming rights sponsor of the Service for the past four years and during this time the AGL Action Rescue Helicopters have been involved in more than four thousand vital rescues throughout south-east and central Queensland. AGL has graciously agreed to step aside before the end of its contract date to secure a funding increase for the life-saving service.  AGL will continue to support the Service as a major sponsor.

There are re-branding issues to work through, including repainting their helicopters, but there's no doubt the blue and yellow which is synonymous with RACQ will feature strongly.

RACQ now sponsors all five community rescue helicopter services across Queensland.

In the 34 years since its inception, the SCHRS has grown to employ 33 staff and provide round-the-clock emergency medical and rescue helicopter services to more than 1.2 million people across an area that spans more than 100,000 square kms.  The Service undertakes around 1,100 lifesaving missions annually. Last year 150 of those involved serious motor vehicle crashes, many with multiple patients.

The Mighty Queensland Maroons Rugby League Team Visit Bundaberg Bringing Vincent BAe 146 and REX SAAB to Bundaberg Airport

Local plane spotter Micah S described Tuesday 28 May as a 'mega' day, as the mighty Queensland Maroons Rugby League team visited Bundaberg bringing a lovely pair of rare aircraft to visit the rum city.

Micah reports that Regional Express (REX) SAAB 340B VH-ZRC arrived from Brisbane late on Monday 27 May.  He managed to catch it during his visit on Tuesday 28 May.  VH-ZRC later departed back to Brisbane.

The other surprise visitor to Bundaberg on Tuesday 28 May was Vincent Aviation BAe 146-200 ZK-ECO.  The BAe 146 actually brought the mighty Maroons players to Bundaberg from Brisbane.

This was ZK-ECO's second visit to Bundaberg in recent months, and it eventually departed to the Sunshine Coast.

While he was at the Airport, Micah also spotted the arrival of the daily Virgin Australia Regional Airlines service from Brisbane, with ATR 72-600 VH-FVY operating the VOZ1701 service from Brisbane.

Finally, Micah also captured a great photo of locally-based AGL Action Helicopter Rescue Service Kawasaki BK117 B-2 helicopter VH-EHQ.

Some absolutely fantastic photos of a wonderful day at Bundaberg Airport.

Sincere thanks to Micah S for firstly alerting us to the 'mega' day, and then sincere thanks for sending through these super shots!

All photos taken by Micah S  ©

A Quick Plane Spotting Trip to Bundaberg Airport on Sunday

Rockhampton-based plane spotter, 'IAD' ventured to Bundaberg on Sunday 19 May, and of course, popped into Bundaberg Airport for a look around!

First look at the photos show the terminal area to be still the same as when we visited in January this year, however, there is now prominent Virgin Australia signage given that the airline now services Bundaberg daily with Virgin Australia Regional Airlines-operated ATR 72 turbo-prop aircraft

During his quick look around Bundaberg Airport, 'IAD' photographed the ever-present lovely old Beech E18-S VH-CIJ.

Another locally-based aircraft in the form Cessna 310K VH-CKB was also spotted parked on the General Aviation apron.

Also photographed by 'IAD' - and much to his delight - was the Bundaberg-based AGL Action Helicopter Rescue Service Kawasaki BK117 B-2 helicopter VH-BKV.

Other medical evacuation services at Bundaberg include a Royal Flying Doctor Service (RFDS) hangar.  'IAD' photographed RFDS Hawker Beechcraft B200 King Air VH-FDI parked in front of the hangar as it waited between missions.

Later on Sunday 19 May, 'IAD' spotted Virgin Australia Regional Airlines ATR 72-600 VH-FVP as it operated Virgin's scheduled VOZ1701/1702 return service from and back to Brisbane.

And lastly, QantasLink Dash-8-Q400 was photographed by 'IAD' as it prepared for, and then departed Bundaberg for Brisbane, operating the scheduled QLK2321 service.

Sincere thanks to 'IAD' for sending through these great photos from the Rum city.  

All photos taken by ‘IAD’  ©