Showing posts with label Bundaberg. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Bundaberg. Show all posts

Thursday, July 30, 2026

National Jet Express Dash-8-Q400 Next Gen VH-8QE First Visit to CQ at Moranbah Airport - Plus More!

On Thursday 30 July, National Jet Express Dash-8-Q400 Next Gen VH-8QE made its first visit to Central Queensland, calling into Moranbah Airport on a Fly-in Fly-out (FIFO) charter flight from and back to Cairns via Townsville as JTE372/3.  It had earlier flown up to Far North Queensland from Brisbane.


VH-8QE is a fairly recent acquisition for National Jet Express having been registered and then delivered to Perth at the start of June from Zagreb where it previously operated with Croatia Airlines as 9A-CQA.

VH-8QE had ferried across from Perth at the start of July and remained parked at Brisbane until entering service this week.

Meanwhile, also on Thursday 30 July, Aerotec (Toowoomba) PAC CT4/B VH-DAP visited Bundaberg Airport from Toowoomba.

Kestrel Aviation (Moorabbin) Bell 212 helicopter VH-NEN as 'HTK450' was noted flying up from Charleville Airport to Clermont Aerodrome.

UPDATE!  On Friday 31 July, VH-NEN 'HTK450' departed Clermont Aerodrome and headed towards the North West.

And Australian Army Boeing AH-64E Apache Guardian helicopter A64-603 as "GHOST17" was noted visiting Bowen Aerodrome while on a flight out of and back to Townsville. 

Finally, on a quiet Wednesday 29 July, Navair Flight Operations Embraer EMB-505 Phenom 300 bizjet VH-VKX visited Rockhampton Airport from Dubbo.

Photo taken by Dylan Hardie  ©

Tuesday, July 28, 2026

Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) Dassault Falcon 7X Bizjet A56-001 as "Envoy 57" Completes Airwork at Bundaberg Airport - Plus More!

On Tuesday 28 July, Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) Dassault Falcon 7X bizjet A56-001 as "Envoy 57" flew up from RAAF Base Amberley and completed three training approaches at Bundaberg Airport before it then returned to Amberley.

File photo

Meanwhile, also on Tuesday 28 July, Albury-based Textron (Cessna) 525 CitationJet M2 bizjet VH-JSO landed at Bundaberg Airport from Canberra.

UPDATE!  On Wednesday 29 July, VH-JSO departed Bundaberg Airport for Toowoomba (City) and Canberra.  

Bowenville based (operated by Real Time Aviation - Brisbane) Cessna 525 Citation Jet CJ1+ bizjet VH-JSZ flew up to Mackay Airport from Dalby. VH-JSZ also appeared to visit my local Clermont Aerodrome over the previous weekend.

And Avcair LearJet 60 bizjet VH-AVL Hervey Bay (Fraser Coast) Airport arrived from Townsville and departed to Brisbane.

Photo taken by Peter Sajko  ©

Friday, July 24, 2026

Trailco Australia P/L (Brisbane) Agusta AW119 MKII Helicopter VH-CGW Calls into CQ Airports - Plus More!

On Friday 24 July, Trailco Australia P/L (Brisbane) Agusta AW119 MKII helicopter VH-CGW was noted flying down from Hamilton Island Airport to Bundaberg Airport and then points further South.

Cary Aviation / https://www.jetphotos.com/

Meanwhile, on Thursday 23 July, Flight Options (Australia) Learjet 45 bizjet VH-8WK visited Proserpine (Whitsunday Coast) Airport from the Sunshine Coast.

Mitchell Water Cessna 525 Citation M2 bizjet VH-WMY was also noted departing Proserpine Airport for Roma Airport.

While Robindale Group / Air Link Cessna 510 Citation Mustang bizjet VH-CMK departed Emerald Airport to Bundaberg Airport and the Sunshine Coast. It had flown up on Tuesday 21 July.

As mentioned recently, we probably won't mention the visits of VH-CMK (and other bizjets) much any more with it being a common visitor around once per week.

Finally, also on Tuesday 21 July, Elphinstone Group (Tasmania) / Revesco Aviation (WA) Embraer EMB-505 Phenom 300E bizjet VH-UYX flew into Longreach Airport from Sydney. It then continued to Hamilton Island Airport.

Friday, July 17, 2026

Qantas Airways Boeing B737-800 VH-XZJ Calls into Hamilton Island Airport After Re-paint - Plus More!

On Friday 17 July, Qantas Airways Boeing B737-800 VH-XZJ was noted making its first visit into Central Queensland since it was disappointingly re-painted in the basic 'silver roo' Qantas livery. It looked to complete the QFA578/9 service to Hamilton Island Airport from and back to Sydney.


VH-XZJ was originally delivered to Qantas in late 2013 wearing a special Aboriginal art colour scheme called 'Mendoowoorrji'.




The aircraft recently underwent planned maintenance and was re-painted in Townsville after it ferried up from Brisbane on Saturday 20 June with it returning to Brisbane in its new livery as shown above on Sunday 5 July.

Meanwhile, also on Friday 17 July, Poolhurst Aviation Air Charter Services Pilatus PC-24 jet VH-VTF flew up to Hamilton Island Airport from Archerfield and later flew down to the Sunshine Coast.

And Skytrans Airlines Dash-8-Q200 VH-TQG was noted operating the SKP85/6 service to Proserpine (Whitsunday Coast) Airport from and back to Cairns. A rare visit!

Finally, on Thursday 16 July, Parker Aviation Ventures (Sydney) / Air Link (Dubbo) Embraer EMB-500 Phenom bizjet VH-PNM arrived into Bundaberg Airport from Archerfield and later departed to the Gold Coast.

Photo taken by Frank Curtis  ©

Wednesday, July 15, 2026

Mitchell Water Cessna 525 Citation M2 Bizjet VH-WMY Calls into the Whitsunday Airport at Shute Harbour - Plus More!

On Wednesday 15 July, Mitchell Water Cessna 525 Citation M2 bizjet VH-WMY flew down from to the Whitsunday Airport at Shute Harbour to Horsham.  It looked to fly up from Melbourne (Essendon), Stawell and Roma Airports the previous day.

File photo

UPDATE!  On Friday 17 July, VH-WMY flew up from Adelaide (Parafield) to Shute Harbour and then in afternoon flew down to Melbourne (Moorabbin).

This will probably be the last time we report on this once-per-week visitor the region...    

And Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) Dassault Falcon 7X bizjet A56-003 as "Envoy 30" flew up from Canberra to overhead Charleville Airport where it then turned south-east and descended to complete a missed approach at St George and then flew to land at Hervey Bay (Fraser Coast) Airport. It then departed to Canberra.

UPDATE!  On Thursday 16 July, A56-003 this time as "Envoy 42" again flew up from Canberra to complete a missed approach at Coffs Harbour and then to land at Bundaberg Airport. It then returned to Canberra.

Photo taken by Lee Holloway  ©

Monday, July 6, 2026

General Aviation Maintenance (GAM Group) (Team Global Express) Raytheon 1900D VH-YJD Calls into CQ Airports - Plus More!

On Monday 6 July, and possibly entering service in its own right, was General Aviation Maintenance (GAM Group) (Team Global Express) Raytheon 1900D VH-YJD.


It flew up from Brisbane to Rockhampton Airport and then Mackay Airport and Townsville as 'GA845' / "Gamair 845" and was due to return South from Townsville to Brisbane via only Mackay Airport on Monday evening as 'GA847'.

Of interest, VH-YJD has been noted completing several training and test flights between Brisbane and Maryborough Airport in recent weeks with still the occasional run out to Emerald Airport in place of the  Cessna 208 Caravan VH-UJK.

Meanwhile, also on Monday 6 July, Albury-based Cessna 525 CitationJet M2 bizjet VH-JSO visited the region again this time arriving into Rockhampton Airport from Canberra and Brisbane and then later departing to Bundaberg Airport.

Parker Aviation Ventures (Sydney) / Air Link (Dubbo) Embraer EMB-500 Phenom bizjet VH-PNM departed Archerfield for Canberra before then flying up to Hamilton Island Airport and then across to Proserpine (Whitsunday Coast) Airport.

Execujet Australia Bombardier BD-700-1A10 Global 6000 bizjet VH-LEP departed Hamilton Island Airport to Melbourne (Avalon).  It seems to have flown up from Mildura on Thursday 2 July.

While Arbormeta P/L (Byron Bay) Gippsaero GA8-TC 320 Airvan VH-AUM flew up from Ballina / Byron Bay Gateway to Emerald Airport before continuing to Mareeba and Cairns.

And Parklea (Air Services) (of Victoria) Leonardo AW109SP helicopter VH-87M was spotted at Longreach Airport after earlier arriving from Winton.


Finally, over the weekend, on Saturday 4 July, Port Macquarie Helicopters / Graham Aviation (Cairns) Cessna 510 Citation Mustang bizjet VH-8DD arrived into Rockhampton Airport from Port McQuarrie and then departed to Hamilton Island Airport.

Photos taken by Lloyd Fox and Liam Sellick  ©

Wednesday, July 1, 2026

Albury-based Textron (Cessna) 525 CitationJet M2 Bizjet VH-JSO Calls into CQ Airports - Plus More!

On Wednesday 1 July, Albury-based Textron (Cessna) 525 CitationJet M2 bizjet VH-JSO arrived into Rockhampton Airport from Canberra.

File photo

UPDATE!  On Thursday 2 July, VH-JSO departed Rockhampton Airport for Bundaberg Airport. 

UPDATE!  On Friday 3 July, VH-JSO departed Maryborough Airport for Canberra.

Meanwhile, also on Wednesday 1 July, Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) Dassault Falcon 7X bizjet A56-001 as "Envoy 99" flew up from Canberra to a missed approach at Emerald Airport and then returned to Canberra.

Finally, very late on Tuesday 30 June, Southern Air Services Cessna 525 CitationJet CJ1 bizjet VH-APJ arrived into Longreach Airport from Dubbo.

Photo taken by Tony Haynes  ©

Wednesday, June 24, 2026

Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) Dassault Falcon 7X Bizjet A56-002 "Envoy 61" Calls into Bundaberg Airport - Plus More!

On Wednesday 24 June, Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) Dassault Falcon 7X bizjet A56-002 as "Envoy 61" landed at Bundaberg Airport from Canberra and a bit later departed back to there.

File photo

While Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) Boeing B737-8 MAX BBJ A62-001 as "Envoy 55" landed at Hervey Bay (Fraser Coast) Airport from Canberra and a bit later departed to Coffs Harbour.

McDermott Aviation Group / Machjet International Cessna 525C CitationJet CJ4 bizjet VH-PIY as "Machflight 41" flew up to Hamilton Island Airport from and back to Sunshine Coast. Later, VH-PIY again as "Machflight 41" flew up to Mackay Airport from Brisbane.

And GBJ Nominees (Navair Flight Operations) Textron (Cessna) 510 Citation Mustang bizjet VH-IEQ as "Navair 161" looked to arrive into Rockhampton Airport from Bankstown

UPDATE!  On Thursday 25 June, VH-IEQ "Navair 161" departed Rockhampton Airport and returned to Bankstown.

Photo taken by Peter Sajko  ©

Monday, June 22, 2026

Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) Boeing B737-8 MAX BBJ A62-001 "Envoy 49" Calls into Rockhampton Airport - Plus More!

On Monday 22 June, Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) Boeing B737-8 MAX BBJ A62-001 as  "Envoy 49" arrived into Rockhampton Airport from Canberra and RAAF Base Amberley and later departed to Canberra via a missed approach at Tamworth.

File photo

Meanwhile, Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) Boeing B737-7ES / E-7A Wedgetail Airborne Early Warning & Control (AEW&C) aircraft A30-005 as "Wedgetail 20" flew up from RAAF Base Williamtown to complete a missed approach at Hervey Bay (Fraser Coast) Airport before it then flew back to Williamtown.

Finally, a pair of Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) Alenia C-27J Spartan transport aircraft were noted completing airwork around the region while on late flights out of and back to RAAF Base Amberley.  A34-002 as KAOS12 and A34-005 as KAOS13 both complete airwork around Taroom and then Bundaberg Airports.

Photo taken by Scott Harris  ©

National Jet Express Dash-8-Q400 Next Gen VH-8QB Diverts into Rockhampton Airport with Hydraulic Problem - Plus More!

On Monday 22 June, National Jet Express Dash-8-Q400 Next Gen VH-8QB as JTE342 flying up from Brisbane to Moranbah Airport but after holding due to low cloud there, then diverted to Rockhampton Airport with a reported hydraulic problem on the left side. It landed safely with the local fire trucks on standby and they followed it from touchdown to the Bay. Later the aircraft was towed to the Alliance Airlines Hanger.

File photo

During the afternoon National Jet Express Dash-8-Q400 Next Gen VH-8QA as JTE504 arrived into Rockhampton Airport from Brisbane and then departed to Moranbah Airport as JTE342 before returning to Brisbane as JTE505.  Fellow NJE Dash-8-Q400 VH-IYK also completed a run to Moranbah Airport from and back to Brisbane as JTE352/3.

UPDATE!  On Tuesday 23 June, VH-8QB departed Rockhampton Airport for Brisbane as JTE505.

Meanwhile, also on Monday 22 June, re-registered SHM Aviation P/L / LifeFlight Commercial Ltd Cessna 525B CitationJet CJ3+ VH-SHM visited Maryborough Airport from Archerfield.

Of interest VH-SHM was previously registered as VH-TCS and was re-registered across March and April this year.

UPDATE!  On Tuesday 23 June, VH-SHM visited Mackay Airport also from Archerfield.

Australian Country Choice Properties / Aero Corporate Charters P/L (Brisbane) Cessna 525B CitationJet CJ3 bizjet VH-ACC had a busy day, flying up to Blackall Airport from Archerfield and Roma Airports before then returning to Archerfield.  It then departed to Dubbo before returning to Blackall Airport and then flying back to Archerfield. 

Bowenville based (operated by Real Time Aviation - Brisbane) Cessna 525 Citation Jet CJ1+ bizjet VH-JSZ flew up to Clermont Aerodrome from Archerfield. 

UPDATE!  On Tuesday 23 June, VH-JSZ departed Clermont Aerodrome to Natal Downs and then down to Dalby and Archerfield.

Stroud Aviation and Transportation (Boonah) / Navair Flight Operations Cessna 510 Citation Mustang bizjet VH-SHI as "Navair 173" flew up from Archerfield to Bundaberg Airport and then Hamilton Island Airport before later reversing the flight.

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

Plus LifeFlight Agusta A109SP helicopter VH-XNR was noted flying out of Maryborough Airport.

Finally, over the weekend on Saturday 20 June, McDermott Aviation Group / Machjet International Cessna 525C CitationJet CJ4 bizjet VH-PIY as "Machflight 06" visited Mackay Airport from Brisbane.  It also visited Hamilton Island Airport from the Sunshine Coast on Friday 19 June. 

And McDermott Aviation Group / Machjet International Cessna 525A CitationJet CJ2 bizjet VH-SUY as "Machflight 41" visited Roma Airport from the Sunshine Coast.

Photo taken by Steve Vit  ©

Wednesday, June 10, 2026

Skytrans Airlines Dash-8s at a Couple of CQ Airports - Plus More!

On Wednesday 10 June, Skytrans Airlines Dash-8Q200 VH-TQX as SKP551 landed at Longreach Airport from Ballera.  It had flown to there from Moomba as SKP136.

File photo

VH-TQX later departed Longreach Airport for Cairns.

Also Skytrans Dash-8-100 VH-QQB as SKP532 arrived into Rockhampton Airport from Cairns and a bit later fellow Dash-8-100 VH-QQC departed Rockhampton Airport for Cairns as SKP531. 

Robindale Group / Air Link Cessna 510 Citation Mustang bizjet VH-CMK departed Emerald Airport for Bundaberg Airport, the Sunshine Coast and Orange. It appeared to arrive from these places on Monday 8 June.

Southern Air Services Piper PA-46-701TP Malibu VH-8CX landed at Longreach Airport from Dalby.

And new Pilatus PC-12/47G PRO N81DW visited Hervey Bay (Fraser Coast) Airport from the Sunshine Coast.

Finally, on a quiet Tuesday 9 June, Stroud Aviation and Transportation (Boonah) / Navair Flight Operations Cessna 510 Citation Mustang bizjet VH-SHI as "Navair 173" visited Bundaberg Airport from Archerfield.

Photo taken by Bernie Proctor  ©

Monday, June 1, 2026

Melbourne-based Raytheon Hawker 800XP Bizjet VH-OFJ Calls into Bundaberg Airport - Plus More!

On Monday 1 June, ADD Aviation Services / CML No.1 P/L Raytheon Hawker 800XP bizjet VH-OFJ visited Bundaberg Airport from Brisbane.

https://www.facebook.com/Bundaberg.Aviation.Fuel

Parklea (Air Services) (of Victoria) Leonardo AW109SP helicopter VH-87M landed at Gladstone Airport from the Sunshine Coast before it then departed to Hamilton Island Airport.

While new and just registered to Sutcliffe P/L Mackay, Tecnam P-2012 VH-HID, which landed in country last night from Norfolk Island into Brisbane and then the Gold Coast, departed to Goldie for Mackay Airport.

Finally, on Sunday 31 May, Skytrans Airlines Dash-8-Q200 VH-TQG arrived into Roma Airport from Cairns before then departing to Sydney all as SKP552.

Friday, May 29, 2026

THREE Australian Army Airbus Helicopters H135 'Juno' Training Helicopters Arrive into Rockhampton Airport - Plus More!

Late on Thursday 28 May, three Australian Army Airbus Helicopters H135 'Juno' training helicopters were noted arriving into Rockhampton Airport as "Jackal" after flying up from the Oakey Army Aviation Centre.  They have been identified as N52-101, N52-102 and N52-103 and were parked up for the night.

Then on Friday 29 May, the three H135 helicopters again as "Jackal" flew out of Rockhampton Airport to The Glen Airfield within the Shoalwater Bay Training Area (SWBTA) and back to Rocky.  



They later all returned down to Oakey - N52-101 was noted on radar flying as "Warhorse 27".

Meanwhile, also on Friday 29 May, Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) Boeing B737-8 MAX BBJ A62-001 as "Envoy 89" flew up from Canberra to land at Coffs Harbour and Bundaberg Airport before it then returned to Canberra via a missed approach at Tamworth. 

RAAF Beech B350 Super King Air A32-675 as "Hudson 25", which landed at Hervey Bay (Fraser Coast) Airport from RAAF Base East Sale late yesterday, departed back to East Sale.

Finally, also on Friday 29 May, Australian Country Choice Properties / Aero Corporate Charters P/L (Brisbane) Cessna 525B CitationJet CJ3 bizjet VH-ACC departed Hamilton Island Airport for Archerfield.  It appears to have arrived into Hamo from Archerfield via Brisbane at the start of the week.

GBJ Nominees (Navair Flight Operations) Textron (Cessna) 510 Citation Mustang bizjet VH-IEQ as "Navair 161" looked to arrive into Emerald Airport from Bankstown.  It then departed to Cairns.

And Cairns-based Air Tour Australia Beech B200 King Air VH-LOA visited Hamilton Island Airport from Cairns.

Photos taken by Darren Massie  ©

Tuesday, May 26, 2026

New South Wales Rural Fire Service / Coulson Aviation (Australia) Cessna 560 Citation VH-VJO as "Firescan 201" at CQ Airports - Plus More!

On Tuesday 26 May, New South Wales Rural Fire Service / Coulson Aviation (Australia) Cessna 560 Citation VH-VJO as "Firescan 201" was noted flying up from the Sunshine Coast to complete airwork and then land at Gladstone Airport.  It then continued to Bundaberg Airport and the later back down South.

File photo

While McDermott Aviation Group / Machjet International Cessna 525A CitationJet CJ2 bizjet VH-SUY as "Machflight 41" flew up from the Sunshine Coast to Mackay Airport and then down to Brisbane.

And an unknown Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) Boeing B737-7ES / E-7A Wedgetail Airborne Early Warning & Control (AEW&C) aircraft flying as "Mitchell 06" flew up from RAAF Base Williamtown to complete a missed approach each at the Sunshine Coast and Rockhampton Airport before then completing another at Tamworth and then flying back to Williamtown.

Plus late on Monday 25 May, RAAF Alenia C-27J Spartan transport aircraft A34 010 as "Wallaby 03" completed airwork around Taroom and other parts while on a flight out of and back to RAAF Base Amberley.

Photo taken by Jonathan Williams  ©

Saturday, May 23, 2026

Virgin Australia Boeing B737-800 VH-YFY Makes First Visit to CQ in Toy Story 5 Movie Livery at Mackay Airport - Plus More!

On Saturday 23 May, Virgin Australia Boeing B737-800 VH-YFY made its first visit into Central Queensland after recently returning from planning maintenance in Singapore and having a special livery livery applied to promote the upcoming Toy Story 5 movie.



It is pictured departing Brisbane and then touched down at Mackay Airport on the scheduled VOZ605/608 service from and then back to Brisbane.

Meanwhile, also on Saturday 23 May, Alliance Airlines Fokker F-70 VH-QQW visited Longreach Airport from Brisbane as UTY6420/1 for the Outback Opera.


And Jampair P/L (Navair Flight Operations) Embraer EMB-505 Phenom 300E bizjet VH-NSQ as "Navair 131" arrived into Bundaberg Airport from Bansktown.  It is due to return to Bankstown on Sunday 24 May.

Photos taken by Gareth Ruhe and Liam Sellick  ©

Friday, May 22, 2026

Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) B737 / E-7A Wedgetail A30-004 "Wedgetail 36" Completes Airwork at Gladstone Airport - Plus More!

On Friday 22 May, Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) Boeing B737-7ES / E-7A Wedgetail Airborne Early Warning & Control (AEW&C) aircraft A30-004 as "Wedgetail 36" flew up from RAAF Base Amberley to complete a few missed approaches at Gladstone Airport before it then returned to Williamtown. 

File photo

About the same time, fellow E-7A Wedgetail A30-006 as "Wedgetail 34" also flew up from Williamtown to complete a missed approach at Rockhampton Airport but due to traffic (?) was turned away while still at flight levels.  It continued on and u-turned over Rockhampton and flew down to RAAF Base Amberley for airwork before it then returned to Williamtown. 

While RAAF Alenia C-27J Spartan transport aircraft A34 010 as "Wallaby 72" was following the Wedgetail into Rockhampton but was also turned away and they decided to do a steep descent into Gladstone Airport where it completed four missed approaches there and then flew low level to Bundaberg Airport for another approach before it then returned to Amberley. 

Meanwhile, also on Friday 22 May, North Queensland Warbirds 1969-built Beech H18 VH-MBU hopped from Winton to Longreach Airport.  It had arrived there from Cairns the previous day.

UPDATE!  On Sunday 24 May, VH-MBU departed Longreach Airport for Cairns.

And an unmanned helicopter, G-138, was noted operating with a NOTAM near Thangool.

Tuesday, May 19, 2026

Navair Flight Operations P/L New Pilatus PC-24 Bizjet VH-DMS Calls into Mackay Airport - Plus More!

On Tuesday 19 May, Navair Flight Operations P/L new Pilatus PC-24 bizjet VH-DMS flew up from Cessnock to Mackay Airport before then heading across to Alice Springs and Perth. 


Robindale Group / Air Link Cessna 510 Citation Mustang bizjet VH-CMK landed at Emerald Airport from Bundaberg Airport.  It had earlier flown up once again from Orange and the Sunshine Coast.

UPDATE!  On Thursday 21 May, VH-CMK departed Emerald Airport for Bundaberg Airport and then the Sunshine Coast and Orange.  

Stroud Aviation and Transportation (Boonah) / Navair Flight Operations Cessna 510 Citation Mustang bizjet VH-SHI as "Navair 173" visited Bundaberg Airport from Archerfield.

Queensland Government (QGAir) Rescue (State of Queensland) Leonardo S.P.A. Helicopter (Agusta) AW139 helicopter VH-EGF landed at Clermont Aerodrome from Townsville then departed to Biloela / Thangool Airport and Archerfield. 

UPDATE!  On Wednesday 20 May,  fellow QGAir AW139 helicopter VH-ESH arrived into Rockhampton Airport from Archerfield and then departed to Townsville.

Finally, also on Tuesday 19 May, Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) Boeing B737-7ES / E-7A Wedgetail Airborne Early Warning & Control (AEW&C) aircraft A30-001 as "Mitchell 13" flew up from RAAF Base Williamtown to complete a missed approach at Bundaberg Airport before returning to Williamtown.

At the same time, fellow E-7A A30-004 as "Wedgetail 10" flew up to complete a missed approach at the Sunshine Coast and then Rockhampton Airport before then returning to Williamtown.

Then later, E-7A A30-006 as "Wedgetail 14" also flew up to complete a missed approach at both the Sunshine Coast and Rockhampton Airport before also returning to Williamtown. 

And late this afternoon, Boeing C-17A Globemaster III transport aircraft A41-209 as "Stallion 54" flew down from Townsville to complete a missed approach at Rockhampton Airport before then continuing to RAAF Base Amberley.

Photo taken by Tony Haynes  ©

Monday, May 18, 2026

Royal New Zealand Air Force (RNZAF) NH Industries NH90 Helicopter NZ3306 'Warrior' Pass Through Rockhampton Airport - Plus More!

On Monday 18 May, Royal New Zealand Air Force (RNZAF) NH Industries NH90 helicopter NZ3306 as 'Warrior' arrived from Townsville and after a break departed to RAAF Base Amberley.  It is reportedly due to continue to return to NZ in the coming days.


While United Aero Helicopters 1982-build Sikorsky UH-60A Black Hawk N360UH was noted passing through Charleville Airport before being spotted late in the day at Longreach Airport.


LifeFlight Agusta Westland AW139 Helicopter VH-XIA as "Guardian 10" flew up from Rockhampton Airport to Townsend Island and back. It later departed to Archerfield via Bundaberg Airport.  VH-XIA had arrived into Rockhampton Airport the previous day from Archerfield.

Company LifeFlight Leonardo SPA Helicopters (Agusta) AW139 helicopter VH-XIR which is at Rockhampton Airport called up to depart on a test flight to Pirate Point and back, taxied out did a hover check before departing and taxied back to park. Later it flew its test flight. 

And Belle Boats P/L (Victoria) Cirrus SF50 bizjet VH-L4S flew from Archerfield to Hervey Bay (Fraser Coast) Airport before it then departed to Sunshine Coast.  It also appeared to visit Hervey Bay Airport from the Sunshine Coast last week too!

Plus Metro Holdings Australia (Air Link - Dubbo) Textron Aviation (Cessna) 510 Citation Mustang bizjet VH-SQV visited Moranbah Airport from Archerfield. 

Meanwhile, also on Monday 18 May, RAAF Alenia C-27J Spartan transport aircraft A34-003 as "Wallaby 65" flew up from Amberley to complete a missed approach at Kingaroy and Bundaberg Airports before it then returned back to Amberley. 

Finally, a couple of nice visitors we missed over the weekend was Cirrus SR22T N312GM which was noted flying across from Emerald Airport to Rockhampton Airport and then the Sunshine Coast.

And Edwards Coaches Cessna 525 Citation CJ1 bizjet VH-KXL flew into Hamilton Island Airport from Armidale and Adelaide.  It then departed to Armidale.

Photos taken by Steve Vit and Liam Sellick  ©

Friday, May 15, 2026

Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) Boeing B737-7ES / E-7A Wedgetail A30-004 "Wedgetail 24" Completes Airwork at Hervey Bay (Fraser Coast) Airport - Plus More!

On Friday 15 May, Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) Boeing B737-7ES / E-7A Wedgetail Airborne Early Warning & Control (AEW&C) aircraft A30-004 as "Wedgetail 24" was noted completing a missed approach at Hervey Bay (Fraser Coast) Airport.  

File photo

It flew up from RAAF Base Williamtown and then returned there via more airwork at Tamworth.

A pair of RAAF Alenia C-27J Spartan transport aircraft were also noted flying around the region.  A34-003 as "Wallaby 55" flew up from RAAF Base Amberley to near Biggenden then went low level to complete an approach at Bundaberg Airport and then one at Gladstone Airport before it then returned to Amberley. 

While A34-006 as "Wallaby 63" flew East from Amberley to offshore of Brisbane before then flying low-level up the coast to the northern tip of Fraser Island where it then climbed to flight levels and flew up to complete a missed approach at Rockhampton Airport before then heading back to Amberley.

And on the civilian scene, McDermott Aviation Group / Machjet International Cessna 525C CitationJet CJ4 bizjet VH-PIY as "Machflight 421" was noted visiting Mackay Airport from Archerfield.  

Ven Air P/L Beech B300 Super King Air VH-EWQ arrived into Mackay Airport from Cairns.

Meanwhile, on Thursday 14 May, Robindale Group / Air Link Cessna 510 Citation Mustang bizjet VH-CMK flew up from Orange to the Sunshine Coast and then Bundaberg and Emerald Airports.  It then returned to Bundaberg Airport and then the Sunshine Coast.

And possibly for the first time, Bayswater Road Aerial Surveys Reims F406 VH-LA6 landed at Emerald Airport from Archerfield.

Finally, on Wednesday 13 May, Alenia C-27J Spartan A34-006 as "Wallaby 51" flew up from Amberley to a missed approach each at Hervey Bay, Bundaberg and Gladstone Airports before then heading back to Amberley. 

And GBJ Nominees (Navair Flight Operations) Textron (Cessna) 510 Citation Mustang bizjet VH-IEQ as "Navair 161" flew up to Hamilton Island Airport from Bankstown before returning there via Moree.

Photo taken by 'IAD'  ©

Tuesday, May 12, 2026

XPJet / Australian Corporate Jet Centres Raytheon Hawker 800XP Bizjet VH-OTK Arrives into Hamilton Island Airport - Plus More!

On Tuesday 12 May, XPJet / Australian Corporate Jet Centres Raytheon Hawker 800XP bizjet VH-OTK was noted arriving into Hamilton Island Airport from Melbourne (Essendon).

File photo

UPDATE!  On Thursday 14 May, VH-OTK departed Hamilton Island Airport and returned to Essendon.

Navair Flight Operations P/L new Pilatus PC-24 bizjet VH-DMS also flew up to Hamilton Island Airport but from Cessnock.  It then returned to Cessnock.  Of interest, this is the first time we've seen the most recent version of the PC-24 VH-DMS with this airframe (cn 614) only registered and delivered at the start of this month.

And Indara Holdings / Corporate and Luxury Air Charter Textron (Cessna) 525 CitationJet M2 VH-8RT visited Emerald Airport from the Sunshine Coast. 

Meanwhile, also on Tuesday 12 May, Cirrus SR22 N312GM arrived visited Rockhampton Airport from the Sunshine Coast. 

DeGunst Transport P/L Textron (Cessna) 208 Caravan VH-NPZ landed at Rockhampton Airport from Bundaberg Airport and then continued to Nebo Aerodrome on its usual Tuesday Fly-in Fly-out (FIFO) run up there and back.

Finally, over the weekend, on Sunday 10 May, Microflite (Moorabbin) Pilatus PC-12/47E VH-8MI was noted flying up from Charleville Airport to Cairns.

And on Saturday 9 May, Careflight Kawasaki BK117 B-2 helicopter VH-IME as "Careflight 2" departed Longreach Airport for the North.

Photo taken by Tony Haynes  ©