HNZ Australia Has Ceased Flying Out of Mackay Airport - Airbus H145 Helicopters VH-ZRP & VH-ZRU Wrapped up and Ready for Export

On Friday 8 April, HNZ Australia Airbus Helicopters MBB-BK117 D-2 H145 chopper VH-ZRU was spotted wrapped up and ready for export in their hangar at Mackay Airport.

It is believed that fellow HNZ Australia Airbus Helicopters MBB-BK117 D-2 H145 chopper VH-ZRP is contained in the box behind its sistership.

It seems that HNZ Australia has now lost its contract to provide transport to marine pilots etc to the Blossom Banks Anchorage out of and back to Mackay Airport.

HNZ Australia's two bright yellow choppers - VH-ZRP and VH-ZRU - started flying out of Mackay Airport only in mid-2019.

A file photo of VH-ZRU

At the time, these two brand new-production choppers had only recently arrived in Australia from Germany and were registered in mid-April in 2019.  VH-ZRU (c/n 20179) is ex-D-HADI(10), while VH-ZRP (c/n 20149) is ex-D-HNUB.

HNZ (Helicopters New Zealand) is headquartered in Nelson, New Zealand and operates helicopters from 8 locations throughout New Zealand, Australia, South East Asia and Antarctica. They Operate in support of a range of multi-national companies and government agencies, including onshore and offshore oil & gas, mineral exploration, marine pilot transfer services, military support, charter services, utilities and flight training.

To find out more about HNZ Australia visit their website:  http://www.hnzglobal.com/

Photos taken by 'AC' and 'JM'  ©

A Few Nice 'New' Helicopters Spotted Around Rockhampton and Mackay Airports This Week

For the helicopter fans out there, it has been interesting to note a few 'new' helicopters that have arrived into and are now operating out of both Rockhampton and Mackay Airports in recent days.

At Rockhampton Airport, Brisbane-based Bell Helicopter Textron 206L-3 Longranger III VH-DUB originally arrived last week from Archerfield via Bundaberg and Gladstone Airports and seems to have taken up residence in the Stirling Helicopters hangar,

Indeed it was photographed above operating out of Rockhampton Airport this week alongside both of Stirling Helicopters Eurocopter AS.350BA Squirrel VH-WHW and Bell Helicopter Textron Canada 407 VH-IBF on local flights.

While up at Mackay Airport, a nice pair of AS.350 Squirrel helicopters have recently arrived and seem to have commenced operations perhaps with local operators.

Helisx (Melbourne) Aerospatiale AS.350BA VH-XBX arrived into Mackay Airport from Redcliffe around a fortnight ago and appears to be operating for locally-based Flyon Helicopters on marine pilot transfer and other flights to the Blossom Banks and elsewhere.

While Townsville-based Forster Helicopters Eurocopter AS 350 B2 Squirrel helicopter VH-RDA arrived into Mackay Airport during the middle part of this week after spending the previous week or so operating out of Gladstone Airport.

VH-RDA has since completed a series of local flights out of and back to Mackay Airport.

Finally, Heli-Aust Whitsundays (Mackay) Eurocopter EC135 P2 helicopter VH-ZGZ returned 'home' to Mackay Airport on Wednesday 29 April after spending the three years operating over in Western Australia.

It arrived back from Broome (it seems) via all stops including Longreach and Clermont Airports before landing back at Mackay Airport.

As reported below, Heli-Aust Whitsundays ferried brand new Airbus Helicopters EC135 P3 VH-XUY over to Western Australia at the start of the month.

Finally, another helicopter to be spotted at Mackay Airport this week was also Townsville-based Eurocopter EC120B VH-VTG, which has had a patriotic re-paint since I certainly last saw it!

Nice!

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

Photos taken by Steve Vit and 'JM'  ©

Corporate Air / Vee H Aviation Cessna 441 Conquest II VH-VEY "NavCheck 1" Back at CQ Airports

Interesting to note that over the course of Friday 31 May and Saturday 1 June, Corporate Air / Vee H Aviation Cessna 441 Conquest II VH-VEY was back in CQ and passed through a couple of CQ Airports flying as "NavCheck 1".

VH-VEY "NavCheck 1" at Charleville Airport in April  (File photo)

We have noted on previous occasions that Corporate Air Cessna Conquest aircraft have operated flight safety check sorties at CQ Airports and it appears that VH-VEY may be completing the same type of flights again.  VH-VEY did the same in April this year.

On Friday, VH-VEY flew up from Goulburn in New South Wales to land at Rockhampton Airport via checks at Chinchilla, Kingaroy, Bundaberg and Biloela / Thangool Airports before landing.

On Saturday, VH-VEY then departed Rockhampton Airport and headed towards Mackay Airport and the Blossom Banks before heading across towards Proserpine (Whitsunday Coast) Airport and then onwards to Bowen Airport and Townsville.

UPDATE!  After operating out of Townsville and Cairns Airports, on Wednesday 5 June, VH-VEY "NavCheck 1" returned to Goulburn but called into Proserpine (Whitsunday Coast) Airport once again.

Photo taken by Zac Fitzgerald  ©️

HNZ Australia Starts Flying out of Mackay Airport to Blossom Banks with Airbus H145 Helicopter VH-ZRU

As expected, on Monday 27 May, locally-based HNZ Australia commenced flying from Mackay Airport to the Blossom Banks and back.  This sees the start of a contract to fly marine pilots from Mackay Airport to nearby ships.

File photo

HNZ Australia Airbus Helicopters MBB-BK117 D-2 H145 chopper VH-ZRU (pictured above) operated the first flight having spend the previous few weeks completing a series of local test flights.

VH-ZRU is joined on the Australian aircraft register by fellow H145 helicopter VH-ZRP which seems to have also recently taken to the air to complete test flights.

As mentioned previously, these two brand new-production choppers have recently arrived in Australia from Germany and were registered in mid-April this year.  VH-ZRU (c/n 20179) is ex-D-HADI(10), while VH-ZRP (c/n 20149) is ex-D-HNUB - as pictured below.

HNZ (Helicopters New Zealand) is headquartered in Nelson, New Zealand and operates helicopters from 8 locations throughout New Zealand, Australia, South East Asia and Antarctica. They Operate in support of a range of multi-national companies and government agencies, including onshore and offshore oil & gas, mineral exploration, marine pilot transfer services, military support, charter services, utilities and flight training.

To find out more about HNZ Australia visit their website:  http://www.hnzglobal.com/

We wish HNZ Australia all the very best with this new venture!

Photo taken by 'JM'  ©

Another Quick Fleet Update of Flyon Helicopters at Mackay Airport – Agusta A109 Helicopter VH-RUA Returns!

We've posted previously about the Mackay Airport-based Flyon Helicopters and the changes to the fleet with their three Agusta A109 helicopters.

We recently spotted for the first time A109E VH-ZCF - which has previously operated for the RACQ LifeFlight Rescue Helicopter Service - back in town and operating flights from Mackay Airport to the Blossom Banks and return.  VH-ZCF recently returned to Mackay Airport in early September after being repainted and refurbished at Melbourne (Essendon).

Also receiving an overhaul but at Redcliffe was fellow Agusta A109E VH-RUA.  It had departed Mackay Airport in late September but finally returned to Mackay Airport from Redcliffe via Gladstone Airport on Thursday 21 February.

https://www.facebook.com/FlyonHelicopters/

Flyon's other Agusta A109E VH-XUM continues to operate for Flyon Helicopters out of Mackay Airport on flights to and from the Blossom Banks.

UPDATE!  On Monday 4 March, VH-XUM was noted ferrying into Redcliffe for planned maintenance from its Mackay Airport base via Gladstone Airport.

Flyon Helicopters operates out of Mackay Airport predominately on Marine Pilot transfer flights for the compulsory area of Hydrographers Passage, off Mackay.  They also offer additional helicopter charter services including corporate and private charter, aerial filming and photography, mining support, including crew and employee transfers.  All Flyon activities are carried out under the AOC of Jayrow Helicopters.

https://www.facebook.com/FlyonHelicopters/

Check out Flyon Helicopters Facebook page for more information and some great photos of their helicopters in action - https://www.facebook.com/FlyonHelicopters/

A Quick Fleet Update of Flyon Helicopters at Mackay Airport – Operating Agusta A109 Helicopters

The Mackay Airport-based Flyon Helicopters has recently undergone some changes to their fleet with their Agusta A109 helicopters.  A109E VH-ZCF - which has previously operated for the RACQ LifeFlight Rescue Helicopter Service - returned to Mackay Airport after being repainted at Melbourne (Essendon) over the previous couple of months.

https://www.facebook.com/FlyonHelicopters/

VH-ZCF was noted returning to Mackay Airport on Saturday 8 September from Redcliffe, Hervey Bay (Fraser Coast) and Gladstone Airports.  It had left Essendon the previous day.  It looked to complete its first flight back with Flyon Helicopters on Sunday 9 September when it completed a flight from Mackay Airport to the Blossom Banks and back.

Another Agusta A109E, in the form of VH-RUA, was noted departing Mackay Airport on Saturday 29 September for Gladstone Airport and Redcliffe.  It is assumed that it has entered the maintenance hangar at Redcliffe.

While after arriving in July and being operated by Flyon Helicopters on their flights to the Blossom Banks and back to Mackay Airport, Aviation Utilities (New South Wales) Agusta A109S helicopter VH-XPB was noted heading South from Mackay Airport to the Gold Coast via Gladstone Airport and the Sunshine Coast on Saturday 6 October.  It continued to Bankstown the next day.

https://www.facebook.com/FlyonHelicopters/

One final Agusta A109E, in the form of VH-XUM, continues to operate for Flyon Helicopters out of Mackay Airport, currently being joined by VH-ZCF - as mentioned above.

We've reported previously on the launch of operations by locally-based Flyon Helicopters out of Mackay Airport predominately on Marine Pilot transfer flights for the compulsory area of Hydrographers Passage, off Mackay.  They also offer additional helicopter charter services including corporate and private charter, aerial filming and photography, mining support, including crew and employee transfers.  All Flyon activities are carried out under the AOC of Jayrow Helicopters.

https://www.facebook.com/FlyonHelicopters/

Check out Flyon Helicopters Facebook page for more information and some great photos of their helicopters in action - https://www.facebook.com/FlyonHelicopters/

Local Embraer EMB-550 Legacy 500 Bizjet N142GZ Completes Flights out and back to Mackay Airport

It was a busy day at Mackay Airport on Tuesday 10 July for locally-based Embraer EMB-550 Legacy 500 bizjet N142GZ with it noted completing two flights to Brisbane and one back into the sugar city.

File photo

UPDATE!  N142GZ reversed its Tuesday flights on Thursday 12 July completing two flights from Brisbane into Mackay Airport and one back to Brisbane.  I suspect that N142GZ might have ferried people to and from Brisbane to watch the third State of Origin rugby league game.

As mentioned below, late on Tuesday 10 July, LifeFlight (Aeromed) LearJet 45 bizjet VH-VVI "Ambulance 451" touched down at Mackay Airport from Brisbane.  It returned to Brisbane a little while later.

UPDATE!  On Friday 13 July, fellow LifeFlight (Aeromed) LearJet 45 bizjet VH-CXJ "Ambulance 452" made an early arrival into Mackay Airport from Townsville.  It later departed to Brisbane.

Meanwhile, on the lighter side of movements into Mackay Airport, Piper PA-31-350 Navajo VH-TTX was back on Tuesday 10 July arriving direct from its Toowoomba base and departing to Bowen and Gladstone Airports before returning to Toowoomba.

UPDATE!  VH-TTX did the same on Wednesday 11 July.

Also on Tuesday 10 July, Vanderfield Pilatus PC-12/47 VH-WPH arrived in Mackay Airport from its Toowoomba base via Biloela / Thangool Airport.  It is due to depart to Emerald Airport and stay for the night.  VH-WPH is then due to continue to Roma Airport on Wednesday 11 July.

While Brisbane-based Piper PA-30 Twin Comanche VH-ZOO departed Mackay Airport for Archerfield.  It had arrived on Sunday 8 July.

Finally, a pair of interesting helicopters visiting Mackay Airport also on Tuesday 10 July included Queensland Government (QGAir) Rescue Bell 412 helicopter VH-ESD which was noted visiting from its Townsville base as "Rescue 521".

While Parklea (Air Services) (of Victoria) Agusta AW109SP helicopter VH-CZT was noted departing Mackay Airport for Rockhampton Airport and then points further South on what appears to be a ferry flight South.

And its worth noting that locally-based Flyon Helicopters has recently taken delivery of and is operating Aviation Utilities (New South Wales) Agusta A109S helicopter VH-XPB on their marine transfer flights out of and back to Mackay Airport.  VH-XPB arrived into Mackay Airport from its (usual) Camden base in late June.

Flyon Helicopters at Mackay Airport – Operating 3x A109 Helicopters Plus Bell 412 VH-KAC

I recently spent a weekend at Mackay attending meetings but was able to spend a little bit of time at Mackay Airport – and I was particularly interested in capturing some photos of Mackay Airport’s most recent arrivals in the form of locally-operated Flyon Helicopters.

Flyon Helicopters has predominately operates Marine Pilot transfer flights for the compulsory area of Hydrographers Passage, off Mackay, 24 hours per day 7 days a week.  They also offer additional helicopter charter services from their Mackay Airport base including corporate and private charter, aerial filming and photography, mining support, including crew and employee transfers.  All Flyon activities are carried out under the AOC of Jayrow Helicopters.

Flyon Helicopters currently operates three Agusta A109E Power helicopters – VH-XUM, VH-RUA and VH-ZCF – with the latter recently delivered following a period of time operating for the RACQ LifeFlight Rescue Helicopter Service, specifically operating out of Bundaberg Airport as “Rescue 522”.  Bell 206 VH-DPS is also currently at Mackay Airport operating in what looks to be a 'back-up' role.

Much to my surprise, Flyon has also recently taken delivery of (former) Kestrel Aviation Bell 412 VH-KAC.  I spotted the helicopter undergoing a local test flight on Saturday 26 August around Mackay Airport.  It has since been noted competing transfer flights to Hay Point Coal Export Loading Point and to the Blossom Banks.

Check out Flyon Helicopters Facebook page for more information and some great photos of their helicopters in action - https://www.facebook.com/FlyonHelicopters/

Meanwhile, after I visited, on Sunday 27 August, Babcock Mission Critical Services Australasia (formerly Australian Helicopter) Bell 412EP VH-PXY ferried into Mackay Airport from Cairns and Townsville.  After overnighting, it continued to Gladstone Airport, the Sunshine Coast and Coffs Harbour on Monday 28 August where it looks to have headed for planned maintenance.

VH-PXY had previously been operating out of Horn Island in Far North Queensland as “Rescue 700”.

It appears that fellow Babcock Mission Critical Services Australasia Bell 412EP VH-VAU has replaced VH-PXY operating out of Horn Island now as "Rescue 700".

VH-VAU spent a large portion of this year operating out of Mackay Airport and then Rockhampton Airport with the locally-based CQ Rescue and Capricorn Helicopter Rescue services.

Jayrow Helicopters Sets Up at Mackay Airport with New Marine Pilot Transfer Contract

Over the last month or so I've noticed that four helicopters have flown into Mackay Airport and are now operating out of there on flights to positions out to sea off Mackay.  The four helicopters are operated by Jayrow Helicopters and reports suggest that Jayrow has recently been awarded a contract to operate marine pilot transfer flights from Mackay Airport to the Blossom Banks and White Tip Reef Base.

The first chopper to arrive was former Melbourne (Essendon) based Agusta A109E VH-XUM.  It was then joined by fellow A109E VH-RUA.

Over the last couple of weeks, a pair of Bell 206s have arrived into Mackay Airport with VH-DPS followed by VH-NEW both arriving from Emerald.

It has been interesting to note that VH-XUM, VH-RUA and VH-DPS are being used on flights out to sea from Mackay Airport with VH-NEW soon to follow.

Jayrow Helicopters was established in 1965, and is regarded as a leader in the helicopter industry.  They are the oldest helicopter company in Australia and currently has established bases in Victoria, Northern Territory and Western Australia.  They can operate all over Australia and hold many firsts pioneering many uses for helicopters in Australia.

Jayrow was the first off-shore operator, the first heli-firefighter, the first to support the mining industry, the first helicopter operator on the Antarctic, the first heli-ambulance, the list goes on.  In fact, Jayrow Helicopters is no stranger to Central Queensland having operated Sikorsky S-76A VH-JRD for the Rockhampton-based Capricorn Helicopter Rescue Service (CHRS) during recent times.

File photo

Check out the Jayrow Helicopters website:  http://www.jayrow.com.au/Default.php

A Couple of Other Plane Spotting Photos from Mackay Airport - incl More Freighters!

We spent a couple of days at Mackay - for work of course! - and managed to fit in some time at Mackay Airport - including some great early freight movements early on Friday 29 July.

As mentioned below, we were very lucky to capture some great photos of Qantas Freight (operating for StarTrack Express) / Express Freighters Australia Boeing B737-376(BDSF) VH-XML as it operated through Mackay Airport on its week-daily freight run up the North Queensland coast.  VH-XML had only just emerged from the maintenance hangar in Melbourne last weekend where the new StarTrack titles were applied to the aircraft.  VH-XML arrived into Mackay Airport from Brisbane QFA7342 and later departed to Townsville and Cairns.  This new freight run commenced in early July.

Also early on Friday 29 July, we were able to capture some photos of Toll Freight (Toll Aviation) ATR 42-300(F) VH-TOX as it passed through Mackay Airport.  The week-daily TFX6 flight continues to operate from Brisbane to Mackay and Townsville.

And completing the trio of morning freight arrivals into Mackay Airport on Friday 29 July was Pel-Air SAAB 340A Freighter VH-KDB which touched down from Brisbane and Rockhampton as PFY7416/7418.  This service operates on behalf of Qantas Freight. 

A couple of other interesting movements at Mackay Airport was by the locally-based Embraer EMB-550 Legacy 500 bizjet N142GZ which flew to Brisbane and back on Friday 29 July.

Mackay Helicopters Bell 222 VH-TOR was noted operating marine pilot transfer flights from Mackay Airport to the Blossom Banks and back.

Mackay Helicopters has also recently bought-out the other local operator Whitsunday Helicopters and are now operating their three Aerospatiale/Eurocopter AS.350 Squirrel helicopters also on marine pilot transfer flights to Blossom Banks like VH-HBZ pictured below on Saturday 30 July.

Aerospatiale AS.350BA VH-HBZ was recently being operated by Stirling Helicopters out at Theodore.

Finally, commercial aircraft that were captured at Mackay Airport and that have interesting stories to tell included QantasLink Dash-8-Q400 Next Gen VH-LQL - which is pictured arriving from Rockhampton on Friday 29 July as QLK2306 - and has recently had its Taronga Western Plains Zoo at Dubbo livery removed.

Virgin Australia Embraer E-190 VH-ZPR is pictured on Friday 29 July departing Mackay Airport for Sydney as VOZ1474.  Reports surfaced late last week that the Mackay to Sydney direct service will be ceased  by Virgin from January 2017.

Virgin Australia Boeing B737-800 VH-YFR is also pictured departing Mackay Airport also on Friday 29 July but as VOZ616 to Brisbane.  VH-YFR wears small commemorative titles celebrating that it is the 100th aircraft operated by Virgin Australia / Virgin Blue Airlines.

Jetstar Airways Airbus A320 VH-XSJ was captured arriving from Brisbane as JST888 also on Friday 29 July.

Early on Saturday 30 July, QantasLink Dash-8-Q400 VH-QOI was captured departing to Brisbane as QLK2511.  VH-QOI has had its 'Tamworth Country Music Festival' colour scheme removed - which is probably a good thing given how faded it was starting to look!

Later on Saturday 30 July, we captured some nice photos as Virgin Australia Embraer E-190 VH-ZPN touched down on Mackay Airport's Runway 14 as VOZ613.

VH-ZPN remained parked at Mackay Airport for the night and departed back to Brisbane around dawn on Sunday 31 July as VOZ600.

One final interesting arrival was by Jetstar Airways Airbus A320 VH-JQL.  It is pictured arriving at Mackay Airport from Brisbane on Saturday 30 July as JST888.

Of interest, VH-JQL has recently been in the paint-shop having its old and faded original Jetstar livery removed and the newest livery applied.  I think it looks a lot nicer!

I also recently spotted the 'original' Jetstar A320 VH-JQG at Townsville Airport after it too recently received a paint-job into the new Jetstar livery.

A great couple of days in the sugar city!