Royal New Zealand Air Force (RNZAF) NH Industries NH90 Helicopters NZ3306 & NZ3307 Arrive into Rockhampton Airport

On Saturday 20 September, a pair of Royal New Zealand Air Force (RNZAF) NH Industries NH90 helicopters NZ3306 & NZ3307 arrived into Rockhampton Airport.

They were flying as "Warrior Black" and flew down from Townsville.

Later, it seemed that NZ3307 encountered a technical problem and remained parked at Rockhampton Airport.

The other NH90 NZ3306 departed Rockhampton Airport for South as "Warrior 06" but soon turned back and landed again at Rockhampton Airport.

Both NH90 helicopters have been in Australia for some time, arriving with a third NH90 NZ3303, all for Exercise Talisman Sabre 2025.  NZ3306 and NZ3307 have been parked at Townsville and recently completed a massive over-water deployment flying from Cairns to Papua New Guinea to participate in the PNG's 50th Anniversary of Independence Celebrations.

The RNZAF No. 3 Squadron NH90 helicopters then returned to Cairns (pictured) and flew down to Townsville before heading down to Rockhampton Airport.

UPDATE!  Over the next week or so, and after receiving maintenance attention, both NH90s eventually departed Rockhampton Airport for RAAF Base Amberley and then a flight back to New Zealand via Lord Howe Island and Norfolk Island.  A massive deployment! 

Photos taken by Jonathan Williams  ©

McDermott Aviation Group Transall C-160D Transport Aircraft VH-RPR at Old Station Airshow - Plus More!

On Saturday 24 May, and before we prepare our official Blog post on the Old Station Airshow, it was awesome to see McDermott Aviation Group Transall C-160D transport aircraft VH-RPR arrive into The Old Station Farm at Raglan from Scone in New South Wales.

The massive aircraft made a spectacular low pass over Old Station before coming back around and parking for the weekend.

UPDATE!  On Monday 26 May, VH-RPR departed the Old Station and returned to Scone - where the other two Transall C-160D aircraft - VH-TIT and VH-RFW - are all presented stored.

Stand-by for more from the Old Station Airshow!

Meanwhile, also on Saturday 24 May, Skytrans Airlines Dash-8-100 VH-QQI completed a sports charter into Rockhampton Airport from and back to Cairns as SKP841/2.

Brisbane-based Crockett Aviation Group Beech B200 King Air VH-FAQ as "Navair 173" landed at Bundaberg Airport from Archerfield and Brisbane.  It then departed back to Archerfield.

While the Queensland Government Airwing (State of Queensland) Raytheon B300 Super King Air VH-SGQ, which had flown up to Emerald Airport from Brisbane yesterday, flew across to Alpha Aerodrome and later departed there back to Brisbane.

And Homada Pty Ltd Cessna 560XL Citation XLS bizjet VH-XCU flew up from Melbourne (Moorabbin) to Hamilton Island Airport before flying down to Melbourne (Essendon) and back to Moorabbin.

Photos taken by Jo AwBlake  ©

New Zealand-based American-registered Cessna T206H N63PH Pops into a Couple of CQ Airports - Plus More!

On Friday 23 May, New Zealand-based American-registered Cessna T206H N63PH was noted calling into a couple of Central Queensland Airports.  It looked to fly up from the Gold Coast to land at Gladstone Airport and then Hamilton Island Airport.  It looks to have arrived into the Gold Coast from New Zealand earlier in the week.

https://nzcivair.blogspot.com/

UPDATE!  On Monday 26 May, N63PH departed Hamilton Island Airport for Normanton.

UPDATE!  On Wednesday 11 June, after completing a flight up to Darwin, N63PH returned to the region, landing at Longreach Airport from Mount Isa.  It then flew down to Roma Airport.  On Thursday 12 June, N63PH departed Roma Airport for the Gold Coast before eventually returning 'across the ditch'.

Meanwhile, also on Friday 23 May,  Townsville Airlines Beech 1900D VH-RUE arrived into Rockhampton Airport from Cairns and Townsville and then departed back to Cairns.

Torres Strait Air Britten-Norman BN-2B-20 Islander VH-BNC landed at Biloela / Thangool Airport from Charters Towers Aerodrome and then departed to the Sunshine Coast and Watts Bridge.  It had flown down from Horn Island yesterday. 

Machjet International Hawker Beechcraft (Beech) B200 King Airs VH-8UY as "Machflight 242" and VH-PUY as "Machflight 11" arrived into Rockhampton Airport from Horn Island and are staying the night. 

UPDATE!  On Sunday 25 May, it appears that VH-PUY "Machflight 11" departed Rockhampton Airport to Horn Island and VH-8UY "Machflight 242" departed to Cairns. 

And finally, some notable General Aviation (GA) aircraft that landed at the Old Station Farm today for the fly-in and Airshow this weekend included:  Nanchang CJ-6A VH-XXB, Brisbane-based North American P51-D-30NT Mustang VH-FST, and the Paul Bennet Airshows contingent arrived led by Amateur-built Wolf Pitts Pro VH-PVB.

Link Airways (Corporate Air / Vee H Aviation) Metro 23 Turboprop VH-VET Spotted at My Local Clermont Aerodrome - Plus More!

On Friday 4 April, it was a nice surprise to photograph Link Airways (Corporate Air / Vee H Aviation) Metro 23 turboprop VH-VET at my local Clermont Aerodrome.

It arrived from and later departed back to Brisbane.

Meanwhile, also on Friday 4 April,  Edwards Coaches Cessna 525 Citation CJ1 bizjet VH-KXL visited both Maryborough and Hervey Bay (Fraser Coast) Airports while flying up from and back to Armidale via Brisbane.

McDermott Aviation Group / Machjet International Cessna 525C CitationJet CJ4 bizjet VH-PIY as "Machflight 421" visited Longreach Airport again from Brisbane.

UPDATE!  On Saturday 5 April, VH-PIY "Machflight 421" departed Longreach Airport for Brisbane.

And Seair Pacific / Istlecote Cessna 208B Grand Caravan EX VH-MIF landed at Barcaldine Airport from Hervey Bay (Fraser Coast) Airport and then departed to Longreach Airport and then Jundah. 

Finally, also on Friday 4 April, Australian Army Boeing CH-47F 'Foxtrot' Chinook helicopters A15-312 and A15-314 were noted passing through Rockhampton Airport while flying up from RAAF Base Amberley to Townsville on their return from the Australian International Airshow at Avalon Airport.

Papua New Guinea Defence Force (Air Element) (PNGDF) Pacific Aerospace (PAC) P-750XL STOL Aircraft P2-702 (ex ZK-EPK) Returns to Rockhampton Airport - Plus More!

On Tuesday 1 April, Papua New Guinea Defence Force (Air Element) (PNGDF) New Zealand built Pacific Aerospace (PAC) P-750XL Short Take Off and Landing (STOL) aircraft - serial P2-702 was spotted back at Rockhampton Airport.

It was heading home to PNG following being on static display at the Australian International Airshow at Avalon Airport.

P2-702 was again flying as "Kumal 702" and arrived into Rocky from RAAF Base Amberley and is shown then departing to Townsville.  It had flown from Avalon to Parkes and Amberley yesterday.

Meanwhile, also on Tuesday 1 April, Air Link (Dubbo) Cessna 510 Citation Mustang bizjet VH-SEQ flew up from Archerfield to Emerald Airport then to Rockhampton Airport and back to Archerfield and on to Bankstown.

Pilatus PC-12/47E VH-VLQ of Ipswich-based Airborne P/L (Palm Lake Works) visited Rockhampton Airport from Caloundra.

And Edwards Coaches Cessna 441 Conquest II VH-8BE landed at Bundaberg Airport from Dubbo and this arvo departed to Tenterfield.

Finally, also on Tuesday 1 April, Seair Pacific / Istlecote Cessna 208B Grand Caravan VH-TFB was noted operating out of Longreach Airport to surrounding places.  It had arrived yesterday from Charleville Airport and today flew to Windorah and Jundah and then back to Longreach Airport.

UPDATE!  On Wednesday 2 April, VH-TFB landed at Emerald Airport from Longreach Airport and this arvo returned to there.

All photos taken by Steve Vit  ©

Papua New Guinea Defence Force (Air Element) (PNGDF) Pacific Aerospace (PAC) P-750XL STOL Aircraft P2-702 (ex ZK-EPK) Pops into Rockhampton Airport - Plus More!

On Thursday 20 March, a nice little visitor into Rockhampton Airport was Papua New Guinea Defence Force (Air Element) (PNGDF) New Zealand built Pacific Aerospace (PAC) P-750XL Short Take Off and Landing (STOL) aircraft - serial P2-702.  The aircraft is former ZK-EPK.

Defence Australia image...

P2-702 is one of two P-750XL aircraft - the other is P2-703 - and looks to be heading to the Australian International Airshow at Avalon Airport.  It was heard using the callsign "Kumul 702" and arrived from Townsville and departed to RAAF Base Amberley.  It had flown down from PNG the previous day.

We hope to see it at Avalon!

Meanwhile, also on Thursday 20 March, a couple of King Air aircraft were noted around the region including Air Link (Dubbo) Beech B200 King Air VH-ISS which arrived into Rockhampton Airport Cairns, Townsville and Mackay Airports and then departed to Brisbane. 

Western Downs Civil (Chinchilla) Raytheon B200 King Air VH-85H as "Navair 113" flew up from Archerfield to Bowen Aerodrome and then to Proserpine (Whitsunday Coast) Airport and back to Bowen.  During the afternoon it flew down to Archerfield.

Mandalay Two P/L Raytheon B300 Super King Air VH-SCQ arrived into Rockhampton Airport from Goondiwindi and then departed to Toowoomba.

Three Australian Army Boeing CH-47F 'Foxtrot' Chinook Helicopters Pop into Rockhampton Airport Heading to Avalon Airshow!

On Monday 17 March, three Australian Army Boeing CH-47F 'Foxtrot' Chinook helicopters were photographed departing Rockhampton Airport after earlier arriving from Townsville.  They were identified as A15-302, A15-312 and A15-314 and were heard to be using the radio callsign of "Fatboy".

They departed to RAAF Base Amberley and are expected to continue further South with it being reported that the three Chinooks are ultimately heading to the Australian International Airshow at Avalon Airport in Victoria.

We shall see them there!!

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

All photos taken by Scott Harris  ©️

Inverted Downunder / Matt Hall Racing MX Aircraft MXS VH-CQE Returns South via Emerald Airport After Show at Cairns - Plus More!

On Saturday 24 September, Inverted Downunder / Matt Hall Racing MX Aircraft MXS VH-CQE was noted flying back South from Cairns to its Lake Macquarie base in New South Wales via Emerald Airport.

As mentioned below, VH-CQE headed up to Cairns where Matt Hall himself put on a spectacular show over the Cairns Esplanade on Friday 23 September - as shown above.

Meanwhile, also on Saturday 24 September, and further West out at Longreach Airport, Kirkhope Aviation (Victoria) Cessna 208B Grand Caravan VH-PRK arrived from Undara and Hughenden on what seems to be a closed tourist charter flight.

Brisbane-based Piper PA-31-350 VH-RPV looked to depart for Roma Airport and Archerfield at the end of a closed tourist charter flight.  It had arrived the previous day from Winton.

While an aircraft we haven't seen for a couple of years with Aero Logistics / Bayswater Road Aerial Surveys Cessna 404 Titan VH-WGS noted operating between Longreach Airport and Barcaldine Airport at various times over the last week or so.

Elsewhere, another aerial survey aircraft in the form of Dino Air (Interair) Piper PA-31 Navajo VH-XGL continues to operate local aerial survey flights out of Rockhampton Airport.

And Bundaberg-based Aero Optics (General Aviation Maintenance operated) Aero Commander 500-S VH-JAJ looked to complete a series of aerial survey flights out of Hervey Bay (Fraser Coast) Airport after returning from a stint in Far North Queensland last weekend.

Finally, also on Saturday 24 September, the familiar sight of Metro Holdings Australia (Air Link - Dubbo) Textron Aviation (Cessna) 510 Citation Mustang bizjet VH-SQV departed Hamilton Island Airport for Archerfield.  It had arrived the previous day and visited pretty much every other day over the last week.

UPDATE!  On Sunday 25 September, VH-SQV was back at Hamilton Island Airport yet again, arriving from Archerfield before later returning there but via the Sunshine Coast.

Zauner Aviation Pilatus PC-12/47E VH-FMM flew up to Hamilton Island Airport from its Albury base.

Re-registered Kelsall P/L (Aeronautics and Technology Holdings) Pilatus PC-12/45 VH-PID also arrived into Hamilton Island Airport but from its Toowoomba base via Archerfield.  It later returned down to those places.

Beech A36 Bonanza VH-PGI flew into Mackay Airport from Cooktown.  It seems to be on a tour of Far North Queensland having headed North via Charleville Airport over a week ago.

UPDATE!  On Sunday 25 September, VH-PGI departed Mackay Airport for the Sunshine Coast and then its Port Macquarie base in New South Wales.

DeGunst Transport P/L Textron (Cessna) 208 Caravan VH-NPZ flew up to around North Curtis Island from its Bundaberg Airport base and then back.

Avcair Embraer 500 Phenom 100EV bizjet VH-NJR arrived into Maryborough Airport from Brisbane.

UPDATE!  On Monday 26 September, VH-NJR departed Maryborough Airport and returned to Brisbane.

And a pair of Flight Training Adelaide (FTA) / Qantas Group Pilot Academy Diamond DA-40 Star training aircraft were noted in the Fraser Coast region with VH-YTB noted at Bundaberg Airport and VH-YTR noted at Hervey Bay (Fraser Coast) Airport while on flights out of and back to Toowoomba-Wellcamp.

All photos taken by Jonathan Williams  ©

RDO Equipment Co. (ex Vanderfield) Pilatus PC-12/47 VH-WPH Calls into Emerald Airport - Plus More!

On Friday 3 June, RDO Equipment Co. (ex Vanderfield) Pilatus PC-12/47 VH-WPH was noted back in the region, this time visiting Emerald Airport.

It looked to arrive from and then later depart back to its Toowoomba base.

UPDATE!  On Saturday 4 June, VH-WPH returned to Emerald Airport, again arriving from and later departing back to Toowoomba.

Torres Strait Air Pilatus Britten-Norman BN-2A-27 Islander VH-TRS departed Emerald Airport for the North after arriving the previous day from Watts Bridge. 

Meanwhile, also on Friday 3 June, Inverted Downunder / Matt Hall Racing Extra EA-300L VH-IOG and MX Aircraft MXS VH-CQE both departed Rockhampton Airport for Archerfield.

Both aircraft have been in the region for the past week, visiting the Old Station Fly-in and Airshow (as shown), as well as operating joyflights from Rockhampton Airport.  Both aircraft flew in formation as "Silver Formation".

Photos taken by Dan B and Liz Barratt  ©

The Old Station Fly-in and Heritage Show 2022 at Raglan - Many Photos from a Wonderful Long Weekend!

What a wonderful long weekend!

The Old Station Fly-in and Heritage Show at Raglan was held over the long weekend of Friday 27 May to Sunday 29 May, with 1000's of people from all over the region in attendance over the three days enjoying the sights and sounds as over 200 aircraft and helicopters flew in from all parts of Queensland and interstate! There was also an impressive truck show, some classic cars, and plenty of new and old machinery. Meanwhile, the tractor pulling was extremely popular with big crowds enjoying the action during the weekend!

The entire weekend was hosted by the Creed Family and the Old Station Flying Club. There was support from numerous sponsors and various charity organisations, along with other local flying groups, who not only had their aircraft on display, but also assisted with the ground marshalling, parking all the visiting aircraft and helicopters.

Most aircraft had arrived by Friday with pilots enjoying dinner and entertainment on Friday night.  From early on Saturday, one of biggest crowds seen at the Old Station Farm came to and wandered amongst the visiting aircraft (with even more arrivals!) and enjoyed car and truck displays, market stalls, various machinery and of course, the tractor pulling!

For most of the weekend, the crowd was entertained by some spectacular Warbirds which operated regular aerobatic joyflights out of the Old Station.  

Paul Bennet Airshows had all their 'regular' aircraft in attendance - plus their merchandise truck!

Inverted Downunder / Matt Hall Racing Extra EA-300L VH-IOG and MX Aircraft MXS VH-CQE also operated several aerobatic joyflights during the weekend.

Slightly more sedate was Rockhampton Helicopters Robinson R44 helicopter which also operated joyflights over the Old Station and surrounds.

While McDermott Aviation Group / Machjet International are always great supporters of the Old Station Fly-in and this time they sent three helicopters - new registered Bell Helicopter Textron 214B-1 Biglifter VH-SUF and Aerospatiale / Eurocopter Dauphins N365JA and N366SR.

During the middle of Saturday afternoon, the crowds settled in for a spectacular airshow which featured aerobatic displays by Paul Bennet Airshows and Australia's own Top Gun pilot Matt Hall.

The skies above the Old Station came alive as the airshow started with a four-ship formation featuring Paul Bennet and Gary Graham in Wolf Pitts Pro VH-PVB and 'new' Edge-540 VH-PBU, along with Matt Hall and Emma McDonald in MX Aircraft MXS VH-CQE and Extra EA-300L VH-IOG.  They then performed a missing-man flight in memory of late Old Station Flying Club president Allan 'Kiwi' Andrew who recently passed away.

This was followed by a patriotic parachute drop from Skydive OZ Cessna U206F VH-OZP with the parachutist accompanied on his descent by Paul Bennet himself in his Wolf Pitts Pro VH-PVB.

Matt Hall and Emma McDonald in MX Aircraft MXS VH-CQE and Extra EA-300L VH-IOG then completed a display with Matt Hall later returning to the skies to complete a spectacular solo display.

The Old Station's own Bell 47G-2A-1 helicopter VH-AKN then took to the sky to complete a spirited display.

It was followed by the unmistakable Grumman TBM-3E Avenger Warbird VH-MML.

And then Paul Bennet returned to the skies putting his Amateur-built Wolf Pitts Pro VH-PVB through its paces with a truly spectacular aerobatic display which had the massive crowds buzzing!

Caboolture-based Commonwealth CA-16 Wirraway Mk3 VH-MFW was next up completing several nice flypasts.

The ever popular North American T-28 Trojan VH-TRO then put on a great display featuring several flypasts.

Performance Aero / Flying Fighters Museum (Brisbane) Aero Vodochody L-39C Albatros VH-SIC then completed a spectacular high-speed display.

Rockhampton-based R-Mach Aviation PZL Warszawa-Okecie M-18B Dromader VH-MDR and Ayres S2R Turbine Thrush VH-NFF then put on a great combined handling and then water-bombing and spraying display.

New Zealand Aerospace Industries Ltd CT-4A Airtrainer VH-CTQ then took the skies over Old Station.

And finally, Paul Bennet and Gary Graham in Wolf Pitts Pro VH-PVB and 'new' Edge-540 VH-PBU flew together for the last act of the day. 

In all, a 2-and-a-half hour airshow. 

After the airshow, the people that stayed at the Old Station - including a large amount of on-site campers - were entertained with live music, bonfires and a spectacular fireworks display.

It was a wonderful weekend with most aircraft departing for their home airfields during a cool but clear morning on Sunday.

It should be pointed out that all proceeds from the weekend - from admissions, auctions, food and drink sales, and part of the joyflights - will be given back to all the volunteer associations that assisted with the weekend.  This includes the Capricorn Helicopter Rescue Service (CHRS) and as always, the CHRS (Babcock Mission Critical Services Australasia) Agusta S.P.A. AW139 Helicopter VH-YXR proved again to be a popular visitor on the Saturday after it flew down from Rockhampton Airport as "Rescue 300".

Finally, one other touching tribute to the late Leonie Creed was seen with a lovely gathering area and lookout over the entrance to the farm bearing her name.

We would like to congratulate the Creed Family and the Old Station Flying Club for running yet another very successful weekend! Their hard work and commitment are remarkable and should be heartily congratulated!

Sincere thanks to the local plane spotters for their help in compiling this article!