A Few Other Plane Spotting Photos from Gladstone Airport

As well as the two great Virgin Australia jets, local plane spotters Jamie and Tash have also photographed a wide range of interesting light aircraft that have called into Gladstone Airport over the last few days.

A bit late to be posting for St Patrick's Day, but the bright-green colours of Shadforth's Civil Engineering Contractors Cessna 414A VH-SMX were again spotted at Gladstone Airport on Friday 14 March.  VH-SMX arrived from the Whitsunday Airport at Airlie Beach and later departed to the Sunshine Coast.

Also last Friday, Rolleston-based Cessn 180 VH-IHG was again photographed at Gladstone.  VH-IHG - which was built in 1980 - wears an attractive yellow colour scheme - complete with XXXX beer titles and a fish on the tail.  Maybe these are couple of the owner's favourite things!

On Monday 17 March, Jamie and Tash captured a couple of dramatic images of the departure of locally-based Aerotor Cessna 210 VH-EFP.  The owner must have just washed his aircraft as when the landing gear doors were opened to retract the gear, a large amount of water was seen to come out!

Locally-based Skydive CQ Cessna 182 VH-SUB was captured visiting Gladstone Airport.

As was Cairns-based Mooney M20J VH-CVB which was spotted arriving from Dubbo in New South Wales.

Finally on Monday, Royal Flying Doctor Service (RFDS) Raytheon B200 King Air VH-FDW passed through Gladstone.

Finally, Jamie and Tash have captured some more awesome images of some of the various commercial movements into Gladstone Airport on Monday 17 March, including QantasLink (Cobham Aviation) Boeing B717-200s VH-NXG and VH-NXI.

And also Virgin Australia Regional Airlines (VARA) ATR 72-500s VH-FVI and VH-FVU.  These photos were taken on Sunday 16 March.  As mentioned below, VH-FVI arrived into Gladstone on Monday 17 March and didn't depart until Wednesday 19 March due to a suspected engine problem.

Some great images, and we sincerely thank Jamie and Tash for sending them through!

Photos taken by Jamie and Tash  ©

Gladstone Airport Spottings on Wednesday Morning

A few interesting spottings at Gladstone Airport on Wednesday 29 August, including the 'usual' commercial traffic, but also inside the local aeroplane and helicopter maintenance provider, Aerotor, where we noted a couple of helicopters that were in for maintenance.

First up, Virgin Australia (Skywest Airlines) ATR 72-500 VH-FVM, arrived from Brisbane as DJ1711.  It later depared back to Brisbane as DJ1712.

A pair of QantasLink Dash-8-Q400 were sighted with VH-QOV passing through Gladstone operating the QLK2332/QLK2335 service from and back to Brisbane, and VH-QOA, which arrived from Rockhampton and later departed to Brisbane as QLK2301.

A little later, Royal Flying Doctor Service (RFDS) Raytheon B200 King Air VH-FDR arrived and departed as "FlyDoc 414".

Meanwhile, at Aerotor, Urangan-based Robinson R-44 VH-RZZ which was undergoing a 100-hour service.  Also in the hangar was Robinson R-22 BETA VH-HBG. While parked outside were Robinson R-44 VH-JXQ and Cessna 210 VH-SOV, which has recently taken up residence at Gladstone.

Outside, Eurocopter EC135-P2 helicopter VH-ZGZ was noted returning to its apron after completing another pilot transfer flight.  This chopper is based at Gladstone Airport.

Lastly, a quick look over the General Aviation (GA) apron at Gladstone Airport revealed the 'usual' aircraft that call Gladstone home, plus one visiting Robinson R-44 in the form of VH-DQA, which is operated by Forster Helicopters in Charters Towers.

Gladstone Airport Spotting on Saturday

Well the rain was clearing, so we popped out to Gladstone Airport on Saturday 14 July to watch some of the morning's goings-on.

Commercial movements observed were exclusively from QantasLink, including Dash-8-Q400 VH-QOF departing to Brisbane as QLK2301. This plane was running some 3 hours late due to the poor weather moving through the coast.

Meanwhile, fellow Dash-8-Q400 VH-QOH arrived from Brisbane as QLK2336. It later departed back to Brisbane as QLK2337. Again this Dash-8 was running late.

One final arrival into Gladstone that was worth noting was Dash-8-Q400 Next Gen VH-LQB. This is one of the newer Dash-8-Q400s that are operated by Qantaslink.

VH-LQB arrived from Hervey Bay after persumably diverting there while enroute to Gladstone from Brisbane due to weather. Indeed VH-LQB was noted to be operating the QLK2332 flight, and interestingly, it was noted that only 2 passengers disembarked at Gladstone. VH-LQB later returned to Brisbane as QF2335.

Some General Aviation (GA) light aircraft and helicopters noted at Gladstone Airport on Saturday 14 July included locally owned and operated Cessna 210 VH-BGH, along with fellow Cessna 210 VH-SOV which is owned by Central Skies Pty Ltd in Alice Springs, and was recently featured in a post parked outside Aerotor at Gladstone Airport.  Reports suggest that VH-SOV may have found a new home at Gladstone!

One final Cessna 210 noted was VH-EFP which is owned by Aerotor, and is shown parked outside their hangar at Gladstone Airport.

Of the helicopters that were noted, Australian Helicopters Aerospatiale AS.350BA Squirrel VH-HQO is a familiar sight at Gladstone Airport, and was preparing to depart.

While another Squirrel helicopter in the form of Aerospatiale AS.355F1 VH-ZWB was noted.  VH-ZWB seems to be operating Island transfers for Heli-Reef.

Lastly, seemingly a visiting helicopter to Gladstone was Bell 206 VH-JAQ of Stirling Consolidated at Theodore.

Gladstone Airport Spottings on Thursday

Finally the poor weather has started to clear, so we took the opportunity to pay Gladstone Airport a visit on Thursday 28 June, and this is what we saw!

We firstly visited local aeroplane and helicopter maintenance provider, Aerotor.  The boys were very busy completing an engine change-out on a 2008-build Robinson R-22 BETA Helicopters - VH-HYY. The little Robbie is owned by Channel Country Heliwork and is powered by a 360 cubic horizontally-opposed, 4-cylinder Lycoming piston engine. Life expectancy between change-outs is 2000 hours, provided a scheduled service is completed every 100 hours.

Also sighted was Cessna 210N VH-SOV which is owned by Central Skies Pty Ltd of Alice Springs but reportedly now a resident in Gladstone.

VH-SOV is waiting to receive some attention, while an ongoing project for Aerotor is VH-EED which is a Cessna U206G.

Other aircraft noted on Thursday 28 June included Jabiru 55/3J with RA-Aus registration of 55-1981. It was preparing to depart on a local flight.

Locally-based Australian Helicopters Kawasaki BK117 B-2 VH-VRP was also noted just after returning from another flight.

Lastly, we noted a couple of interesting charter aircraft parked at Gladstone Airport on Thursday 28 June. Cessna 402 VH-ZMG is operated by Australasian Jet and has recently been based at Mackay Airport.  While Cessna 441 Conquest VH-VEY, which is owned by Vee H Aviation in the A.C.T., but is operated by Corporate Air, of which it wears titles on the rear of the aircraft fuselage, was also noted.

Meanwhile, Also Spotted at Gladstone Airport Recently

By far the highlight of the last few days plane spotting at Gladstone Airport has been the first Virgin Australia jet service touching down from Brisbane on Tuesday 12 June.  However, local plane spotter Jamie C has kept his camera close-by and sends through some pictures of some other recent visitors.

On Monday 11 June, he captured QantasLink (Cobham Aviation-operated) Boeing B717-200 VH-NXM operating to Gladstone from Brisbane.  It was believed to be VH-NXM's first visit to Gladstone. 

Piper PA-28R-180 VH-PBA is owned in Gladstone but has been leased to Peace Aviation in Rockhampton, where it has been a long-term resident at the Airport.  VH-PBA has reportedly now returned to Gladstone - and the owner is looking forward to the new hangars that may be built!

On the other side of Gladstone Airport on Tuesday 12 June, noted inside the Aerotor hangar was a few different types of Robinson helicopters receiving attention with the local maintenance facility.

Robinson R-22 BETA VH-HMJ is owned by Howard Helicopters in Biloela - just down the highway! Reid Helicopters Robinson R-44 VH-HZQ - which has been photographed at Gladstone Airport in previous weeks - was also in the Aerotor hangar.  There were also another pair of Robinson R-22 BETA choppers in form of VH-HBG and VH-HYY which is owned by Channel Country Heliwork.

Aerospatiale AS.355F1 Squirrel helicopter VH-ZWB is becoming a frequent operator in and out of Gladstone Airport and it was noted parked on the Heli-Reef apron.  

One other interesting arrival of the rotary-wing variety at Gladstone Airport on Tuesday 12 June was Bell 412EP VH-VAU of Australian Helicopters.  The big bell chopper had arrived from Mackay.

Looked like a great few days and thanks to Jamie C for sending through his report and great photos!

Aerotor Aircraft Maintenance at Gladstone Airport - Revisited!

Recently, we revisited Aerotor at Gladstone Airport -  in between plane spotting opportunities of course! - to see what was happening and to our surprise, he stumbled upon a bit of 'maintenance action'.  Aerotor's owner, Ron, was certainly busy, as he stated when we first visited him a couple of months ago - see blog post HERE.

Today, Ron and his young apprentice were busy carrying out a 100hr service on a 1980-build Cessna 210N from Blackwater, registered VH-JSC.  The owner of the plane (John) was also present, and can be seen keenly observing the action!

After asking some questions, we discovered that a 100hr service usually takes Ron between 2-3 days, depending what needs to be done, which obviously varies, and doesn't take into account any faults that require attention.

Another project Ron had 'on-the-go' was a complete engine and propeller change-out on a 1980-build Cessna U206G registered VH-EED.  This task will take him and his young apprentice about 3 days to complete.

The complete engine change-out requirement for 'Continental' engines used in this type of aircraft is 1700hrs.

Monday Morning Plane Spotting at Gladstone Airport - QantasLink Boeing B717-200 VH-NXQ

At Gladstone Airport early on Monday 16 April we managed to sight a couple of QantasLink movements, as well as some visiting light aircraft traffic.  QantasLink (Cobham Aviation) Boeing B717-200 VH-NXQ was noted arriving into Gladstone Airport from Brisbane. It was this aircraft's second visit after it arrived in Brisbane over the weekend, swapping with VH-NXN.

QantasLink (Sunstate Airlines) Dash-8-Q400 VH-QOC, was also noted operating the morning QLK2300 service that flys from Brisbane to Cairns, via Gladstone, Rockhampton, Mackay and Townsville.


Some interesting visiting and locally based light aircraft were also noted.  Cessna 206 VH-MSO arrived from Roma for fuel. Apparently, the Jet A-1 was costing $2.01 per litre that day!  It later departed South.

Also noted nearby on the Gladstone Airport General Aviation apron was Partenavia P.68B VH-CCR, which had arrived from the Gold Coast.  While Mackay-based Cessna 172 VH-MBB was also noted.


Around the other side of Gladstone Airport, we called into Aerotor again (see a previous feature Blog Post about Aerotor HERE), where we were noted a couple of Cessna aircraft that were in for maintenance.  Firstly, local Cessna 210 VH-TET was fresh out of the hangar after receiving some work, while noted inside the hangar receiving a 100-hour service was Blackwater-based Cessna 210 VH-JSC.


Watch out in the coming days for a more in-depth report/update on Aerotor and the two projects that they were working on when we visited on Monday.

Aerotor - Aircraft Parts and Equipment Maintenance Based at Gladstone Airport

With things being a little quiet on the aviation front at Gladstone Airport, we recently visited Aerotor, which is a small locally-based company that specialises in the maintenance of light general aviation aircraft and helicopters.

Aerotor - an abbreviation for Aeroplane and Rotor - is owned and operated by Ron and Jan Hartwig, who established the business about 4 years ago after moving to Gladstone. The Aerotor hangar is located on Callemondah Drive, and they operate from 'Hangar 8', which they own. The hangar is on the Northern side of Gladstone Airport at Clinton - and is on land leased from the Calliope Council.


During our visit, we were welcomed warmly by Ron into the hangar, and was allowed to take a look at the three aircraft that Ron was presently working on.  In fact, Ron was quite happy for us to ask questions about Aerotor, although he did have to continue working, as the business was rather busy. Infact, he stated business had been very good in recent times which is always a good thing.

Aerotor doesn't just maintain local aircraft, but frequently overhauls light aircraft and helicopters from many locations including from as far as New South Wales. In fact - one of Ron's projects on the day was to comprehensively overhaul a Robinson R-22 helicopter VH-FOT which is based at northern New South Wales.

Another R-22 was noted being worked on in the Aerotor hangar was VH-ELX of Cobb and Co Helicopters in Southern Queensland.  Ron also stated that it would take Aerotor on average about 6-8 weeks to comprehensively overhaul/refurbish a light plane or helicopter.

Also in the hangar was 1968-build Cessna 210H - VH-EFP.  The Cessna 210H 'Centurion' is registered to the Aerotor and is predominately used for business related flights. After flying for many years, Ron admitted he rarely flys these days for the joy of it, but generally for business reasons only.

The CQ Plane Spotting Blog thank Ron for his kind hospitality in allowing us access to the Aerotor hangar. For further information on Aerotor, Ron can be emailed directly by following the link HERE.