Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) Boeing C-17A Globemaster III A41-208 "Stallion ??" Missed Approaches at Emerald Airport

On Wednesday 3 September, Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) Boeing C-17A Globemaster III transport aircraft A41-208 was noted completing several missed approaches at Emerald Airport.

File photo

The Globemaster flew out from RAAF Base Amberley to overhead Roma before it then tracked North at low level to Emerald Airport and did three missed approaches.

It then towards Rockhampton again at low level but on passing Blackwater, they changed their mind and turned to head back to Amberley and climbed up to flight level to there.

Photo taken by Steve Vit  ©

RAAF Boeing B737-7ES / E-7A Wedgetail A30-003 "Wedgetail 05" Completes a Missed Approach at Hamilton Island Airport - Plus More!

On Wednesday 30 April, Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) Boeing B737-7ES / E-7A Wedgetail Airborne Early Warning & Control (AEW&C) aircraft A30-003 as "Wedgetail 05" flew up to complete a missed approach at Hamilton Island Airport from and back to Williamtown. 

It looked like fellow E-7A Wedgetail A30-005 as "Wedgetail 03" completed a missed approach at Hervey Bay (Fraser Coast) Airport on Tuesday 29 April.

Meanwhile, also on Wednesday 30 April, Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) Alenia C-27J Spartan transport aircraft A34-008 as "Wallaby 11" flew up from Amberley to the coast East of Rockhampton before it then descended to low level and flew down the coast to near Bundaberg then climbed to flight level back to Amberley.

And at least two United States Air Force (USAF) Boeing C-17 Globemaster III transport aircraft - 90-0533 and 05-5151 - flying in formation as "Charger", flew up from RAAF Base Amberley at flight level to near Hamilton Island and then turned inland and descended to low level and flew down to between Bluff and Blackwater before climbing up over Blackdown and up to flight level back to Amberley. 

At the same time Royal Canadian Air Force (RCAF) Boeing CC-177 Globemaster III (C-17A) 177704 as "Titan 01" flew South-East from Amberley out to sea and back and late this afternoon was flying around Amberley as "Titan 02".

These Globemasters - along with RAAF C-17s - are involved in Exercise Global Dexterity 25-1 which is being conducted at RAAF Base Amberley between 24 April and 10 May 2025. The interoperability training program is held biannually and designed to rehearse C-17 concentration of force during airborne operations, air to air refuelling and airdrop/airland during semi-prepared airfield operations. 

The 25-1 iteration included participants from Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF), United States Air Force (USAF), Royal Air Force (RAF) and Royal Canadian Air Force (RCAF) aboard RAAF and USAF C-17 platforms. The RAAF C-17A provides strategic and tactical airlift across the Indo-Pacific region, with its ability to provide short-notice and time-critical airlift support making it essential during humanitarian assistance and disaster relief operations

Finally, on Tuesday 29 April, Australian Army Boeing CH-47F Foxtrot Chinook helicopter A15-304 as "Brahman 303" was noted completing airwork around the Whitsundays including at Hamilton Island Airport and Proserpine (Whitsunday Coast) Airport while on a flight out of and back to Townsville.

Defence Images...

Some Photos and a Report from the Emergency Services Open Day at Blackwater - Capricorn Helicopter Rescue Service Bell 412EP VH-EPR "Rescue 300" on Display

On Sunday 18 July, the Blackwater Emergency Services Open Day was held at the local Blackwater State Emergency Service (SES) Facility.

All emergency services including local Fire, Ambulance and Police vehicles were on display, along with various SES equipment and personnel.

Although the star attraction, in our opinion(!), was the Capricorn Helicopter Rescue Service (CHRS) (Babcock Mission Critical Services Australasia) Bell 412EP VH-EPR which flew in from Rockhampton Airport.

After formalities were completed, and during the middle part of the afternoon, VH-EPR returned to Rockhampton Airport.

Sincere thanks to Rockhampton plane spotter Trevor H for taking the time to capture and send through these great photos!

All photos taken by Trevor Hardsman  ©

Recently Registered Pilatus PC-12/47E VH-WJA Pops into My Local Clermont Aerodrome - Plus More!

On Wednesday 9 June, recently registered Property Maintenance Australia P/L Pilatus PC-12/47E VH-WJA was noted visiting my local Clermont Aerodrome during a busy day of flying out of and back to its Dubbo base.

File photo

VH-WJA initially departed Dubbo and called into Chinchilla Aerodrome before continuing to near Blackwater and onwards to Clermont Aerodrome.  It then departed to Emerald Airport before returning to Dubbo, again via Chinchilla Aerodrome.

Meanwhile, also on Wednesday 9 June, Brisbane-based Altitude Aviation Beech B200 King Air VH-ISS popped into Rockhampton Airport, arriving from Archerfield and departing to Townsville.

UPDATE!  VH-ISS appeared to return to Archerfield direct from Townsville in the wee small hours of Thursday 10 June.

And the Queensland Government Airwing (State of Queensland) Raytheon B300 Super King Air VH-SGQ visited Bundaberg Airport, arriving from and later departing back to Brisbane.

Finally, also on Wednesday 9 June, Graham Aviation (Cairns) Cessna 510 Citation Mustang bizjet VH-FNI was noted arriving into Hamilton Island Airport from Mareeba.  It appears to have then flown back up to Cairns and then Mareeba.

Photo taken by Tony Haynes  ©

Machjet (Machjet International) Cessna 525 Citation CJ1 Bizjet VH-SIY Pops into Rockhampton Airport - Plus More!

On Wednesday 27 May, Machjet (Machjet International) Cessna 525 Citation CJ1 bizjet VH-SIY was noted touching down at Rockhampton Airport after flying in from Townsville.  After a short time on the ground, it appears to have continued South to Brisbane before heading to its Sunshine Coast base.

File photo

It appears that VH-SIY flew North to Townsville from the Sunny Coast and Brisbane the previous day.

Meanwhile, a much publicised visitor to Blackwater Airport, also on Wednesday 27 May, was LifeFlight (Aeromed) LearJet 45 bizjet VH-VVI "Ambulance 451" which arrived from and later departed back to Brisbane.

Also this week, and on Wednesday 27 May, the stream of light General Aviation (GA) aircraft completing charter flights into various CQ Airports has continued.

Air Gold Coast Beech 58 Baron VH-YDC looked to arrive into Rockhampton Airport from Townsville before later departing to Archerfield and then the Gold Coast.  It flew North the previous day.

While Seair Pacific / Istlecote DHC-6-100 Twin Otter VH-ZKF completed its weekly run from the Gold Coast and Brisbane to Rockhampton Airport before again flying up to Bowen Airport and then Townsville.  It then returned South over the same route.

And Brisbane-based Olive Vale Pastoral Vulcanair (Partenavia) P.68C VH-OLV called into Rockhampton Airport from Laura in Far North Queensland before later departing to Gladstone Airport and Archerfield.

Out at Biloela / Thangool Airport, BPW Aviation (of Scone in New South Wales) Beech 58 Baron VH-SQC completed its weekly visit, arriving from Scone and Maitland on Tuesday 26 May before departing back to Maitland on Wednesday 27 May.

Finally, at my local Clermont Aerodrome, also on Wednesday 27 May, Beech 58 Baron VH-KGK visited from Archerfield, while Corporate Air  / Vee H Aviation Cessna 441 Conquest VH-VEY looked to visit from Brisbane.

Photo taken by Russell Prothero  ©

Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) Alenia C-27J Spartan Transport Aircraft A34-006 "Kaos 20" Spotted at Bundaberg Airport

On Thursday 7 May, Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) Alenia C-27J Spartan transport aircraft A34-006 was spotted completing airwork at Bundaberg Airport.

The Spartan looked to fly up from RAAF Base Amberley and completed airwork around the rum city including completing at least two touch-and-go approaches at Bundaberg Airport.

A34-006 was flying as "Kaos 20" and then looked to return to Amberley.

Meanwhile, it appears that on Wednesday 6 May, fellow RAAF C-27J Spartan transport aircraft A34-008 "Wallaby 16" completed airwork around Blackwater or Emerald Airports while on a training flight out of RAAF Base Amberley.

The Alenia C-27J Spartan is a military transport aircraft developed and manufactured by Alenia Aermacchi.  The RAAF operates 10 of the C-27J Spartan battlefield airlifter after they were ordered back in May 2012 to replace the now-retired De Havilland DHC-4 Caribou fleet.

The RAAF C-27J Spartan aircraft complements the capabilities of the current C-130J Hercules and C-17A Globemaster aircraft and uses common C-130J Hercules infrastructure and aircraft systems such as engines, avionics and the cargo handling systems.  They will be equipped with missile warning systems, electronic self-protection and battlefield armour allowing them to operate freely in high-threat environments.

The current 10 Spartan aircraft are based at RAAF Base Amberley and operated by 35 Squadron.  Initial Operating Capability (IOC) for the C-27J was achieved in December 2016, while Final Operating Capability (FOC) was declared in late 2019.

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

All photos taken by Isaac S  ©

Vanderfield Cessna 210N VH-JSC Noted Around Central Queensland Airports over the last Two Weeks

Over the last couple of weeks, Cessna 210N VH-JSC has been noted visiting some Central Queensland Airports.

VH-JSC at Rockhampton Airport in May this year  (File photo)

Research reveals that the Centurion is flown by Vanderfield and operates out of Toowoomba alongside their 'usual' Pilatus PC-12/47 VH-WPH.

VH-WPH at Emerald Airport earlier this year  (File photo)

VH-JSC was noted visiting Bundaberg and Emerald Airports last Friday 7 December before this week visiting Emerald, Mackay, Bundaberg, Biloela / Thangool and Chinchilla Airports over the course of Tuesday 11 December and Wednesday 12 December.

Of interest, VH-JSC looked to be acquired by Vanderfield in May this year having been previously based at Blackwater.  It has since completed flights into different CQ Airports including Bundaberg and Moura.

Photo taken by Kayanne Hardsman  ©

Yet More Light GA and Corporate Bizjet Aircraft and Helicopters Call into Rockhampton Airport for Beef Australia 2018

On Tuesday 8 May, Beef Australia 2018 - Australia’s national beef expo - continued at the Rockhampton Showgrounds and at Rockhampton Airport several more General Aviation (GA) and another corporate bizjet aircraft and helicopters were noted and spotted calling in.

Brisbane-based Piper PA-31-350 VH-RPV made another early morning arrival from Bundaberg Airport.  Again, after spending the day on the ground at Rocky, VH-RPV returned once again to Bundaberg Airport.

Urella Station (near Clermont) Robinson R44 VH-DLY looked to arrive at Rockhampton Airport from Alton Downs.  It soon departed to Saint Lawrence in company with Rockhampton Aero Club's Pilatus Britten-Norman BN2A-8 Islander VH-SLM in association with Beef Australia 2018.

Both VH-DLY and VH-SLM returned to Rocky from Saint Lawrence, along with Mareeba-based Robinson R22 Beta VH-EGQ.  VH-DLY then returned to Alton Downs, while VH-EGQ departed to Bundaberg Airport.

Walhallow Pastoral Co (Northern Territory) Cessna 182T VH-ZJD arrived into Rocky from Arcturus Downs.

Swan Hill (near Blackall) Cessna T210N VH-CRL arrived from there.

Blackwater-based Cessna 210N VH-JSC arrived into Rocky from Toowoomba and departed back there during the  afternoon.

UPDATE!  VH-JSC may in fact now be based at Toowoomba with Vanderfield Pty Ltd, joining their Pilatus PC-12/47 VH-WPH.

One final Cessna 210N VH-FXC of Crown Cattle departed Rocky for its Hughenden base.

Beech F33A Bonanza VH-ZWB arrived into Rockhampton Airport from its Capella base.

After visiting the previous day, Cloncurry-based Pilatus PC-12/47E VH-MDH returned to Rocky from its Devoncourt Station home.

Cessna 208 Caravan VH-DJG arrived back into Rockhampton Airport from Brisbane via Saint Lawrence.  It also visited over the weekend.

Perhaps the 'star' visitor into Rocky on Tuesday 8 May was Gulf Aircraft Cessna 680 Citation Sovereign bizjet VH-PYN.

It arrived into Rockhampton Airport from Brisbane and appears to have remained on the ground.

Perhaps not associated with Beef Australia 2018, Wolff Aviation Hawker Beechcraft C90GTi VH-VWG popped into Rockhampton Airport from Wanella Station near Coppabella.  It then departed to its Toowoomba base.

Finally, the visiting Cessna 560 Citation Encore bizjet VH-YUL of the Yulgibar Pastoral Company (of Montmorency, Victoria) departed to Melbourne (Moorabbin).

VH-YUL had arrived into Rockhampton Airport the previous day from Baryulgil in Northern New South Wales via the Gold Coast.

Sincere thanks to local plane spotters Kayanne H and Trevor H for supplying the photos and information in this post!

Photos taken by Trevor Hardsman and Kayanne Hardsman  ©

Regional Express (REX) SAAB 340B VH-ZLC - Plus Lighties - Operate Charter Flights out of Rockhampton Airport to Cairns

The semi-regular closed charter flights we see call into Rockhampton Airport from and back to the Cairns area have happened again this week with Regional Express (REX) SAAB 340B VH-ZLC noted arriving into Rockhampton Airport from Cairns as RXA9907 late on Tuesday 27 March.

After staying for the night, VH-ZLC departed Rocky and returned to Cairns before continuing further to Horn Island  as RXA9908 early on Wednesday 28 March.

File photo

Meanwhile, it is worth noting that the other 'semi-regular' light General Aviation (GA) visitors to Rockhampton Airport that also visit around the same time as the REX SAABs were again noted at Rocky this week.  Townsville Airlines (Flightech Air Logistics) Cessna 402C VH-JOH and Beech B200 King Air VH-WZN were both noted completing afternoon flights from Normanton and Cairns respectively to Rockhampton Airport arriving late on Wednesday 28 March.

After overnighting, both VH-WZN and VH-JOH also departed back to Cairns early on Thursday 29 March.

There are suggestions that these flights are charter flights for school children from Cairns and Far North Queensland who attend schools in Rockhampton.  They would be returning home given that school holidays start today!

Finally, a couple of other interesting light General Aviation (GA) aircraft to be noted visiting Rockhampton Airport this week have included McDermott Aviation Group / Machjet International Beech B200 King Air VH-MWZ which arrived from the Sunshine Coast and later departed to Townsville on Tuesday 27 March.

While on Wednesday 28 March, Proserpine-based Piper PA-34-200T Seneca VH-HKQ arrived into Rockhampton Airport from Mackay and later departed home to Proserpine (Whitsunday Coast) Airport.  And Australasian Jet (Ausjet) Cessna 404 VH-AZU was noted arriving into Rocky from Melbourne (Essendon).

UPDATE!  On Friday 30 March, VH-AZU returned to Essendon.  It was noted completing aerial survey work around Blackwater and Middlemount on Thursday 29 March.  A quick trip!

General Aviation Maintenance (GAM) Dornier DO 228-202 VH-VJN Diverts Blackwater Airport Due Weather at Emerald

On Wednesday 17 May, General Aviation Maintenance (GAM) Dornier DO 228-202 VH-VJN was unable to land at Emerald Airport and was forced to divert to Blackwater Airport due to low cloud and rain which was passing through parts of Central Queensland.  It was completing its morning flight from Brisbane via Biloela / Thangool Airport.

File photo

After a couple of hours on the ground at Blackwater, VH-VJN flew to Emerald Airport and landed successfully.

UPDATE!  There were more disruptions to flights in and out of Emerald and also Moranbah Airports on Thursday 19 May.  Several flights operated by QantasLink and Virgin Australia (including Alliance Airlines into Emerald) were either cancelled or delayed due to the inclement weather affecting CQ.

Qld Government Super King Air VH-SGQ Calls into Moranbah Airport - Plus a Busy Monday!

On Wednesday 27 January, the Queensland Government (State of Queensland) Raytheon B300 Super King Air VH-SGQ was noted visiting Moranbah Airport.  It called in from and later departed back to Brisbane.

VH-SGQ at Mackay Airport in 2014

Meanwhile, on Monday 25 January, VH-SGQ looked to operate prisoner transfer flights up and down the Queensland coast with it being noted visiting Rockhampton (twice), Proserpine / Whitsunday Coast, Cairns and Maryborough during a busy day of flying from and back to Brisbane.

Finally, back at Moranbah Airport, Toowoomba-based Wolff Aviation Hawker Beechcraft C90GTi VH-VWG is becoming a frequent sight, noted visiting three times over the last week or so.

VH-VWG at Mackay Airport in 2015

I believe that VH-VWG may have also called into Blackwater Airport on Thursday 28 January.

File photos taken by 'AC'  ©

Approaching Category 4 Cyclone Maria Closes Central Queensland Airports - Services Cancelled

At the time of writing, severe tropical cyclone Marcia remains off the Central Queensland coast, moving slowly towards the coast with the system expected to make landfall as a Category 5 cyclone early on Friday 20 February.

A satellite image of TC Marcia  (http://www.facebook.com/MackayWeatherChasers/)

The current cyclone warning area stretches from Bowen to Double Island Point, and inland to areas including Blackwater, Moura and Monto (amongst other towns).

Members of the Rockhampton Aero Club busy moving aircraft into hangars during Thursday  (Photo taken by Paul Tyler  ©)

As a result, both Qantas and Virgin Australia have, late on Thursday 19 February, suspended flights into pretty much all airports along the Central Queensland coast - Bundaberg, Gladstone, Hervey Bay (Fraser Coast), Mackay and Rockhampton - while flights into other Queensland cities including Brisbane, Hamilton Island, Coolangatta (Gold Coast), Biloela/Thangool, Blackall, Barcaldine and Longreach could be affected by the associated weather conditions with Cyclone Marcia.

QantasLink B717 VH-NXI & Virgin E-190 VH-ZPH were the last two departures from Gladstone Airport on Thursday  (Photo taken by Col  ©)

We at the Central Queensland Plane Spotting Blog are thinking of our contributors, aviators, enthusiasts, as well as fans and friends during this time.  Take heed of warnings and stay safe!