Whitsunday Air Services (Tasmanian Seaplanes) De Havilland DHC-2 Beaver Float Plane VH-OHD Arrives into the Whitsundays - Plus More!

On Monday 25 November, Tasmanian Seaplanes owned and operated since last Monday by Whitsunday Air Services, De Havilland DHC-2 Beaver float plane VH-OHD arrived into Rockhampton Airport from the Gold Coast and Hervey Bay (Fraser Coast) Airports.  It then departed to Mackay Airport. It had flown north to Gold Coast over the weekend. 

https://www.instagram.com/hamiltonislandair/

It is possibly heading up to replace fellow Whitsunday Air Services Viking Air Limited (De Havilland) DHC-2 MK I Beaver VH-OHU which crashed in the Whitsundays late in October.

Meanwhile, also on Monday 25 November, Kelsall P/L (Aeronautics and Technology Holdings) Pilatus PC-12/45 VH-PID arrived into Rockhampton Airport from Toowoomba.

UPDATE!  On Tuesday 26 November, VH-PID departed Rockhampton Airport for Barcaldine Airport.  It then departed to the South East and eventually returned to Toowoomba.

Link Airways (Corporate Air / Vee H Aviation) Cessna 441 Conquest VH-VEH visited my local Clermont Aerodrome from Brisbane.  It later flew up from Brisbane to the Newlands Coal Mine site and then across to Mackay Airport and back to Brisbane.

Seair Pacific / Istlecote Textron Aviation (Cessna) 208B Caravan VH-TLH flew up from Hervey Bay (Fraser Coast) Airport and Maryborough Airport to Middlemount Aerodrome.  It then flew to Rockhampton Airport and back to Hervey Bay Airport.

Southern Air Beech 1900C VH-VSO completed its weekly Fly-in Fly-out (FIFO) charter flight into Moranbah Airport from Toowoomba-Wellcamp.

Queensland Government (QGAir) Rescue (State of Queensland) Agusta AW139 helicopter VH-ESH arrived into Rockhampton Airport from Archerfield and then departed to Townsville. 

Timberline Helicopters (USA) Sikorsky UH-60A Black Hawk helicopter N274TH as "Helitak 290" was once again noted landing at private property at Kabra, near Rockhampton.  It is returning South from a deployment to Far North Queensland and arrived from Mareeba and Bowen Aerodromes. 

Elite Aviation Group (Elite Helicopters) Aerospatiale (Now Airbus Helicopters) AS350 B2 VH-XCO as "Firebird 415" arrived into Rockhampton Airport from Mackay Airport and then departed to Gayndah Aerodrome. 

And LifeFlight (Aeromed) Canadair CL-600-2B16 Challenger 604 bizjet VH-OFA "Ambulance 614" flew up from Brisbane to Hervey Bay (Fraser Coast) Airport before continuing to Cairns.  It then flew to Townsville and then down to Mackay Airport before returning to Brisbane.

MacKellar Mining Equipment Pty Ltd (Revesco Aviation) Cessna 680 Citation Sovereign VH-MMC Calls into Emerald Airport and Labona at the Carmichael Mine - Plus More!

On Thursday 10 March, MacKellar Mining Equipment Pty Ltd (Revesco Aviation) Cessna 680 Citation Sovereign bizjet VH-MMC was noted visiting the Labona Station Airstrip within Adani Australia's (Bravus Mining & Resources) Carmichael Coal Mine site.  It looked to arrive from and then later depart back to the Sunshine Coast via Emerald Airport.

File photo

And Robindale Group (Bathurst) Cessna 510 Citation Mustang bizjet VH-CMK departed Emerald Airport for the Sunshine Coast and Orange in New South Wales.  It had arrived from those places the previous day.

Meanwhile, also on Thursday 10 March, a pair of King Air turboprops were noted visiting Moura Airport.

Brescon (Toowoomba) Beech B200 King Air VH-WXB visited Moura Airport from Toowoomba-Wellcamp.  It then completed a flight to Roma Airport and back to Wellcamp.

Similarly, Austrek Aviation Beech B200 Super King Air VH-ZGD visited Moura Airport but from Toowoomba (City).

And Property Maintenance Australia P/L Pilatus PC-12/47E VH-WJA arrived into Rockhampton Airport from Dubbo.

UPDATE!  On Friday 11 March, VH-WJA departed Rockhampton Airport for Mackay and Moura Airports before it then returned to Dubbo.

Finally, also on Thursday 10 March, it is believed The Hands of Rescue Foundation (THOR) charity organisation in Papua New Guinea (PNG) operated De Havilland DHC-2 Beaver Float Plane P2-HOR passed through Emerald Airport while heading to PNG after completing planned maintenance at Archerfield. 

The Hands of Rescue Foundation (THOR) (PNG) DHC-2 Beaver P2-HOR Calls into CQ Airports

Certainly an interesting visitor to a couple of CQ Airports on Saturday 24 July was De Havilland DHC-2 Beaver Float Plane P2-HOR which popped into Proserpine (Whitsunday Coast) Airport and then Gladstone Airport.

The Beaver is operated by The Hands of Rescue Foundation (THOR) charity organisation in Papua New Guinea (PNG).  

It had arrived into Cairns back on Thursday 8 July after flying down from Port Moresby to Horn Island the previous day.  It is pictured above parked on the Cairns Airport General Aviation (GA) Apron.

I presume that P2-HOR has flown to Australia for planned maintenance, having been delivered to THOR in 2016 after the Beaver departed Archerfield for PNG also flying via Gladstone Airport.

UPDATE!  It appears that early on Sunday 25 July, P2-HOR continued further South to Gladstone Airport, presumably to Archerfield.

Photo taken by Jonathan Williams  ©

Corporate Air / Vee H Aviation SAAB 340B VH-VEF and Cessna 441 Conquests VH-VEJ & VH-VEY Spotted at Mackay Airport

On Wednesday 13 November, Corporate Air  / Vee H Aviation SAAB 340B VH-VEF made an early morning arrival into Mackay Airport from Brisbane.  It was photographed later in the day resting quietly on the main parking apron.

The SAAB was joined at Mackay Airport by fellow Corporate Air  / Vee H Aviation Cessna 441 Conquests VH-VEJ and VH-VEY which also both looked to arrive from Brisbane.  They were parked on the Western General Aviation Apron (WGA) at Mackay Airport.

During the afternoon, it appears that VH-VEJ returned to Brisbane, while VH-VEY and VH-VEF remained at Mackay Airport for the night.

UPDATE!  On Thursday 14 November, VH-VEJ and VH-VEF both departed Mackay Airport to Brisbane.

Meanwhile, as shown above, the two Conquests were parked alongside Vanderfield Pilatus PC-12/47 VH-WPH which had earlier arrived into Mackay Airport from its Toowoomba base via Archerfield also on Wednesday 13 November.

VH-WPH later returned to Toowoomba.

Also spotted operating aerial survey out of Mackay Airport and other CQ Airports this week was Handel Aviation (New South Wales) Vulcanair (Partenavia) P.68C VH-TAV.

It has also spent time at both Gladstone and Rockhampton Airports during the week where it completed several aerial survey flights around the region.

Finally, also recently spotted at Mackay Airport on the Eastern General Aviation apron seemingly undergoing work at the resident Chrisair Aircraft Maintenance facility was both Whitsunday Air Services / Hamilton Island Air De Havilland DHC-2 Beaver float plane VH-OHU and Cessna 208 Caravan float plane VH-WTY.

Both float planes normally operate from Hamilton Island Airport alongside numerous helicopters also operated by Whitsunday Air Services / Hamilton Island Air.

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

All photos taken by 'JM'  ©

Air Charter CQ / Australia by Seaplane De Havilland Canada DHC-2 Beaver Mk1 Float Plane VH-IDO Returns to Gladstone Airport from Maintenance at Mackay Airport

On Wednesday 5 June, locally-based Air Charter CQ / Australia by Seaplane De Havilland Canada DHC-2 Beaver Mk1 Float Plane VH-IDO returned to its Gladstone Airport base on a flight from Mackay Airport following a period of maintenance.  It is pictured on the Mackay Airport Easter General Avation (GA) Apron earlier in the week.

VH-IDO had flown North in April, but not before a dramatic diversion to Rockhampton Airport with only "minimum fuel" after encountering less than favourable weather and head-winds during its first attempt to get to Mackay Airport - see Blog post HERE.

Meanwhile, there's also been a nice small selection of interesting GA aircraft and helicopters that have also noted visiting Gladstone Airport over the last couple of days including the Heli-Aust Whitsundays Eurocopter EC135 P2+ helicopter VH-XUV.  It flew South from the Hay Point Coal Export Loading Point (South of Mackay) to Gladstone Airport direct after dark on Tuesday 4 June.

It appears to be operating the regular marine pilot transfer flights out of Gladstone Airport to the Harbour in place of sister-ship Airbus Helicopters EC135 P3 (CPDS) VH-ZGP.

UPDATE!  VH-XUV didn't stay in the area long and returned to Mackay Airport from Gladstone Airport during the afternoon on Sunday 9 June.

While another helicopter in the form of Queensland Government (QGAir) Rescue (State of Queensland) Agusta AW139 helicopter VH-ESZ flew into Gladstone Airport after dark also on Tuesday 4 June as "Rescue 500" from Archerfield.  It looked to complete a medical evacuation flight then to the Royal Brisbane Hospital.

Finally, over the weekend, on Sunday 2 June, Seair Pacific (Istlecote) Cessna 208 Caravan VH-LMZ was photographed resting at Gladstone Airport after it looked to arrive from Lady Elliott Island a little earlier in the day.

VH-LMZ returned to the Lady Elliot Island on Monday 3 June.

Photos taken by 'JM' and Anthony Groenintwoud  ©

Air Whitsunday Seaplanes Operations now at Proserpine (Whitsunday Coast) Airport - Joining GSL Aviation

During this last week, Air Whitsunday Seaplanes has re-located its flying base and office from the Whitsunday Airport at Shute Harbour to Proserpine (Whitsunday Coast) Airport.

File photo

The moves comes two months after fellow Whitsundays-based tour and transfer company GSL Aviation who also moved their flying base and office also to Proserpine Airport from the Whitsunday Airport at Shute Harbour.

GSL Aviation aircraft at Proserpine (Whitsunday Coast) Airport  (File photo)

With major infrastructure works underway at the Proserpine (Whitsunday Coast) Airport, there are new administration areas and tour booking desks within the expanding terminal building, with passenger boarding areas looking to take place on the also expanding Airport parking apron.

Overall, there seems to have been generally mixed reviews of the move of both GSL Aviation and Air Whitsunday Seaplanes, although comments following some of our earlier Facebook posts were generally supportive suggesting that the closer access to the inbound Regular Passenger Transport (RPT) traffic into the region at Proserpine would be most advantageous for both companies and their flights, especially for passengers looking for quicker transfers to the nearby Whitsunday Islands.

Despite some early confusion and "chaos" immediately following their moves, both Air Whitsunday Seaplanes’ and GSL Aviation's operations are now both moving ahead out of Prosie at full speed!

For further information, or to make a booking for one of their transfer or scenic flights, contact either:

Air Whitsunday Seaplanes:
Phone: + 61 7 4946 9111
Email: fly@airwhitsunday.com.au
Website: http://www.airwhitsunday.com.au/

GSL Aviation:
Within Australia Phone: 1300 GSL AIR (475 247) or 07 4946 9097
International Phone: + 61 7 4946 9097
Email: info@gslaviation.com.au
Website: http://www.whitsundayscenicflights.com.au/

Photos taken by James Kirk  ©

Local Embraer EMB-550 Legacy 500 Bizjet N142GZ Also Spotted at Mackay Airport - Plus More!

Also on Saturday 27 April, the locally-based Embraer EMB-550 Legacy 500 bizjet N142GZ was photographed as it departed Mackay Airport on the short hop down to Rockhampton Airport.

After spending most of the day on the ground, N142GZ returned to Mackay Airport from Rockhampton Airport during the later part of the afternoon.

Meanwhile, also flying into Mackay Airport from Rockhampton Airport also on Saturday 27 April was the Air Charter CQ / Australia by Seaplane De Havilland Canada DHC-2 Beaver Mk1 Float Plane VH-IDO.  As mentioned below, it diverted into Rockhampton Airport on Wednesday 24 April due to weather and low fuel while trying to flying from its Gladstone Airport base to Mackay Airport.

Finally, it's worth mentioning that also visiting Mackay Airport but on Friday 26 April was the Queensland Police Service (Airwing) (State of Queensland) Cessna 560 Citation Ultra bizjet VH-PSU.  It was also noted visiting Rockhampton Airport twice during a busy day of flying.

Sincere thanks once again to local plane spotter 'JM' for taking the time to capture and send through these great photos from Mackay Airport!

All photos taken by 'JM'  ©

Air Charter CQ / Australia by Seaplane De Havilland Canada DHC-2 Beaver Mk1 Float Plane VH-IDO Diverts into Rockhampton Airport due Weather at Mackay

Early on Wednesday 24 April, locally-based Air Charter CQ / Australia by Seaplane De Havilland Canada DHC-2 Beaver Mk1 Float Plane VH-IDO departed its Gladstone Airport base on a flight to Mackay Airport.  However, due to poor weather in Mackay - including rain and low cloud - the Beaver Float Plane was forced to divert to Rockhampton Airport.

After making a landing at Rocky reportedly with "minimum fuel", VH-IDO remained parked on the Rockhampton Airport General Aviation (GA) apron for the remainder of the day.

Of interest, another light GA aircraft also diverted away from Mackay Airport due to the weather with Royal Flying Doctor Service (RFDS) Raytheon B200 King Air VH-FDR "FlyDoc 414" departing Rockhampton Airport and later returning to Rocky!

Meanwhile, also spotted on the Rockhampton Airport GA Apron also on Wednesday 24 April was The Redcliffe Aero Club's Cessna 310R VH-ULF which later departed to Georgetown.

Cloncurry-based Piper PA-34-200T VH-COP which arrived at Rocky from there last Friday 18 April and remains parked.  Along with Gayndah-based Beech 95-B55 VH-MYM which seems to alternate between there and Rocky.

While noted passing through Rockhampton Airport twice this week was Heli-Aust Whitsundays Eurocopter EC135 P2+ helicopter VH-XUV.  It flew South from its Mackay Airport base to Gladstone Airport via Rockhampton Airport on Tuesday 23 April, and returned to Mackay Airport over the same route on Wednesday 24 April.

Finally, to the West, noted visiting Emerald Airport also on Wednesday 24 April was Armidale Fire and Safety Piper PA-31-350 VH-ASD which arrived from Cairns and departed home to Armidale.  It flew North to Cairns over the same route last Wednesday 17 April.

While further out West at Longreach Airport also on Wednesday 17 April, Easternwell Group Raytheon B200 King Air VH-EWG was noted departing to Toowoomba.  While as many as three Soar Aviation (Melbourne) BRM Aero Bristell NG-5 ultralight aircraft were noted passing through Longreach Airport.  However, only VH-YUW and VH-YVF were noted arriving from Mount Isa and departing to Roma Airport - although they looked to return to Longreach Airport due to weather.

Photos taken by Paul Tyler and Trevor Hardsman  ©

New Whitsunday Air Services / Hamilton Island Air Cessna 208 Caravan VH-WHI Spotted at the Whitsunday Airport Shute Harbour - Plus More!

Last Thursday 20 December, I popped into the Whitsunday Airport at Shute Harbour and discovered a gathering of Cessna Caravans including a brand new example which was recently delivered to the region.

Whitsunday Air Services / Hamilton Island Air Textron (Cessna) 208 Caravan VH-WHI was photographed after returning to Shute Harbour for the night.  It reportedly is remaining on wheels (rather than floats) and is being utilised on scenic flights around the Whitsundays.

Of interest the 2016-build Caravan was noted arriving into the Gold Coast as N317AG in late September after completing a trans-Pacific delivery flight.  It was registered as VH-WHI in early October and delivered to the region soon after.

Meanwhile, I also recently discovered that Whitsunday Air Services / Hamilton Island Air De Havilland DHC-2 Beaver float planes VH-OHD was sold in August this year and has moved down to Tasmania and taken up operations with Above and Beyond - Tasmania Seaplanes (Airlines of Tasmania).

File photo

https://www.facebook.com/pg/ABOVEANDBEYONDTASMANIA/

Whitsunday Air Services / Hamilton Island Air does however, continued to operate De Havilland DHC-2 Beaver float planes VH-OHU and VH-ZDA, along with another Cessna 208 Caravan VH-WTY and a fleet of various make helicopters.

The other Cessna Caravans that I also spotted last Thursday 20 December also at the Whitsunday Airport at Shute Harbour included a pair of locally-based GSL Aviation Cessna 208 Caravans VH-TGX and VH-NGS.

They continue to operate alongside several Gippsaero (Gippland Aeronautics) GA8 Airvans.

The final Cessna Caravans I spotted was the Wollongong-registered Cessna 208 Caravan VH-DNK which is currently operating for the locally-based Skydive Airlie Beach out of the Whitsunday Airport at Shute Harbour.

Finally, as reported below, Helibiz reportedly recently took delivery of Bell UH-1H Iroquois 'Huey' helicopter VH-UHE at the Whitsunday Airport at Shute Harbour.

VH-UHE will reportedly completing a contracted heavy-lift role before it will be used for tourist joyflights.

Air Charter CQ / Australia by Seaplane Takes Delivery of Found Aircraft Canada FBA-2C1 Bush Hawk VH-OOB at Gladstone Airport

Touching down at Gladstone Airport recently was the latest addition to the Air Charter CQ / Australia by Seaplane fleet - Found Aircraft Canada Bush Hawk XP VH-OOB.

The bright-red single-engine Bush Hawk joins their 1964-built De Havilland Canada DHC-2 Beaver Mk1 Float Plane VH-IDO and Cessna 206 Float Plane VH-FKS operating out of Gladstone Airport on their regular transfer flights to Heron Island and other general charter flights.

Of interest, VH-OOB is a relative 'young' aircraft being manufactured in 2005.  It is powered by a Textron Lycoming IO-540-D4A5 6-cylinder engine.  VH-OOB was recently flown from a location in Victoria to Gladstone Airport where it has since been undergoing preparation work before commencing flying duties with Australia by Seaplane.

VH-FKS  (http://jennynmark.blogspot.com/)

Air Charter CQ / Australia by Seaplane also operated Cessna 182 VH-RBD for a period of time with the aircraft configured as a seaplane and operating from the nearby Lake Awoonga.  It's fate is unknown however it has possibly been withdrawn from service as it was sighted a little while ago in a yard looking a little worse for wear.

http://www.australiabyseaplane.com.au/

For more information or to make a booking, Australia By Seaplane can be contacted on 0419 669 575 or 0412 623 554.

Alternatively their website is http://www.australiabyseaplane.com.au or contact them by email at info@australiabyseaplane.com.au

Their motto...  "Get your HIGH today, The SEAPLANE way!"

Photos taken by Col B  ©