United States Marine Corps (USMC) Bell Boeing MV-22B Osprey 168681 (YZ-00) 'KONA41' Spotted at Rockhampton Airport Heading to Darwin

On Thursday 9 April, United States Marine Corps (USMC) Bell Boeing MV-22B Osprey tilt-rotor aircraft with serial number 168681 (YZ-00) as 'KONA41' was spotted at Rockhampton Airport.

It arrived from Toowoomba-Wellcamp via overhead Miles and Theodore along the highway from Toowoomba to Mount Morgan and then departed to Mount Isa and Darwin.

Of interest, on Wednesday 8 April, KONA42 flew up to Darwin yesterday via Cloncurry Airport.

Photos taken by Darren Massie  ©

A Pair of United States Marine Corps (USMC) Bell Boeing MV-22B Ospreys Spotted at Cloncurry Airport Heading to Darwin

On Wednesday 25 March, a pair of United States Marine Corps (USMC) Bell Boeing MV-22B Osprey tilt-rotor aircraft were spotted passing through Cloncurry Airport.

The two Ospreys were identified as 168642 (YZ-04) and 168678 (YZ-07) and flew up as 'KONA91' from Toowoomba-Wellcamp to Cloncurry Airport and then Darwin.

They are two of four Ospreys 'stored' at Wellcamp that were designated to the Marine Medium Tiltrotor Squadron 363 (VMM-363) ‘Lucky Red Lions’ (‘YZ’).

They have seemingly now been reassigned to the Marine Medium Tiltrotor Squadron 268 (VMM-268) (Reinforced) ‘Red Dragons' ('YQ') with 168642 since noted re-coded YQ-03 of VMM-268.

The remaining two Ospreys at Wellcamp are expected to also fly up to Darwin in the coming days where they will be part of this year's Marine Rotational Force-Darwin (MRF-D) Aviation Combat Element (ACE).

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Aerlink ATR72-500 VH-FVY Calls into Emerald Airport on New Fly-in Fly-out (FIFO) Charter Run - Plus More!

Late on Tuesday 24 February, Aerlink ATR72-500 VH-FVY started a new Fly-in Fly-out (FIFO) charter route to Emerald Airport from and back to Brisbane as AL428/9.

File photo

Also late on Tuesday 24 February, Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) Alenia C-27J Spartan transport aircraft A34-003 as "Wallaby 12" was noted completing airwork around Taroom Aerodrome while on a flight out of and back to RAAF Base Amberley.

Meanwhile, on Wednesday 25 February, Archer Aviation Service Cirrus SR22 VH-YJY flew up from Archerfield and Caloundra to Middlemount and then Dysart Aerodromes before then returning to Middlemount and then flying down to Biloela / Thangool Airport and then back to Caloundra and Archerfield.

And Curley Equipment P/L Textron (Cessna) 208B Grand Caravan EX VH-CUY flew from Cloncurry Airport to Mackay Airport.

UPDATE!  On Thursday 12 March, VH-CUY departed Mackay Airport and returned to Cloncurry Airport.

Photo taken by Lloyd Fox  ©

Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) Alenia C-27J Spartan A34-002 "Envoy 79"Calls into Longreach Airport - Plus More!

On Tuesday 6 January, Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) Alenia C-27J Spartan A34-002 as "Envoy 79" landed at Longreach Airport from RAAF Base Amberley.

Defence image.

UPDATE!  On Wednesday 7 January, C-27J A34-002 "Envoy 79" departed Longreach Airport for Cloncurry Airport and then later departed to Richmond and later departed to Brisbane. 

While Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) Boeing B737-8 MAX BBJ A62-002 as "Envoy 76" flew up from Canberra to Mount Isa and this afternoon departed there to Sydney.

Finally, also on Tuesday 6 January, the locally-based Embraer EMB-550 Legacy 500 bizjet N142GZ flew down from Mackay Airport to the Gold Coast.

UPDATE!  On Friday 9 January, N142GZ flew back to Mackay Airport from the Goldie.

Avcair LearJet 60 bizjet VH-AVL arrived into Gladstone Airport from Brisbane and then later departed to Cairns and Townsville before returning to the capital.

Graham Aviation (Cairns) Cessna 510 Citation Mustang bizjet VH-FMZ was noted visiting Hamilton Island Airport from Mareeba and Cairns.

Re-registered Hewitt Agribusiness (Brisbane) Pilatus PC-12/47E VH-8HG (ex N175NG) flew up from Archerfield to Julia Creek before later flying down to Longreach Airport and then back to Archerfield.

While DeGunst Transport P/L Textron (Cessna) 208 Caravan VH-NPZ is still completing weekly Fly-in Fly-out (FIFO) charter flights to Nebo Aerodrome from and back to Bundaberg Airport.  It also appears that VH-NPZ visited Rockhampton Airport from Bundy on Monday 5 January.

And also Link Airways (Corporate Air / Vee H Aviation) SAAB 340B+ turboprop aircraft looked to continue FIFO charter flights into Theodore Aerodrome from and back to Brisbane via the Sunshine Coast.  On Tuesday VH-VEB operated the flight.

UPDATE!  On Wednesday 7 January, VH-VEF operated the flight.  And on Thursday 8 January, VH-VEC operated the flight.

Victoria Based USA Registered Embraer 505 Phenom 300E Bizjet N227SJ Spotted at My Local Clermont Aerodrome - Plus More!

On Wednesday 15 October, I was able to photograph Victoria Based USA Registered Embraer 505 Phenom 300E bizjet N227SJ parked up at Clermont Aerodrome.  It had earlier flown up from its Warrnambool in Victoria.

Of interest, it appears that N227SL has 'replaced' the fellow American-registered Embraer EMB-505 Phenom 300 bizjet N227SL which has seemingly moved up to Archerfield - it also visited the region on Wednesday 15 October - see below!

UPDATE!  On Thursday 16 October, N227SJ departed Clermont Aerodrome and returned to Warrnambool.

As mentioned, also on Wednesday 15 October, now-Archerfield based American-registered Embraer EMB-505 Phenom 300 bizjet N227SL also visited the region, flying up from Archerfield to Rockhampton Airport before heading West to Emerald Airport and then back to Archerfield.

While McDermott Aviation Group / Machjet International Cessna 525C CitationJet CJ4 bizjet VH-PIY "Machflight 41" flew into Hervey Bay (Fraser Coast) Airport from Ingham and departed to Brisbane. It had earlier flown up from the Sunshine Coast and Brisbane.

Pilatus Australia (South Australia) Pilatus PC-24 Super Versatile Jet VH-DMS flew up from Cessnock to Mackay Airport before then heading across to Alice Springs and Perth.

And New South Wales based DG Flugzeugbau DG-1000 M VH-IXZ is returning home from Far North Queensland flying down from Cloncurry Airport to Longreach Airport with plans to continue into New South Wales as the week goes on.

And finally, late on Tuesday 14 October, Meandarra Aerial Spraying Air Tractor AT-802 VH-8WU arrived into Rockhampton Airport from Moree and parked at R-Mach Aviation.

USA Registered Eurocopter EC 135 P2+ Helicopter N608W Arrives into Gladstone Airport - Plus More!

On Thursday 9 October, a nice arrival in the form of USA Registered Eurocopter EC 135 P2+ helicopter N608W landed at Gladstone Airport.  It looked to fly down from the Motor Yacht 'Pursuit' via the Whitsunday Airport at Shute Harbour and Mackay Airport.

UPDATE!  On Friday 10 October, after staying for the night parked at Gladstone Airport, N608W was spotted below still parked before it later departed there and flew down to the Sunshine Coast.

Meanwhile, also on Thursday 9 October, Gold Coast-based Cessna T337G VH-ZEO departed the Whitsunday Airport at Shute Harbour for its Southport base via Gayndah Aerodrome.  It had flown up to Shute direct from Southport on Sunday 5 October.

Helibiz (Heli Lift) Agusta AW119 MkII Koala helicopter VH-A26 returned to the Whitsunday Airport at Shute Harbour from a trip up to Cairns.

And Curley Equipment P/L Textron (Cessna) 208B Grand Caravan EX VH-CUY also arrived into Shute Harbour Airport from its Cloncurry base.

Finally, also on Thursday 9 October, Bowenville based (operated by Real Time Aviation - Brisbane) Cessna 525 CitationJet CJ1+ bizjet VH-JSZ  arrived from Archerfield then departed to Cloncurry Airport.

UPDATE!  On Friday 10 October, VH-JSZ returned to Rockhampton Airport from Cloncurry Airport before continuing to Dalby and Archerfield.

Photos taken by Lee Holloway and Ranga Rayner  ©

Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) Dassault Falcon 7X Bizjet A56-002 "Envoy 35" Spotted at Rockhampton Airport - Plus More!

On Monday 6 October, Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) Dassault Falcon 7X bizjet A56-002 flying as "Envoy 35" was spotted at Rockhampton Airport.

It arrived direct from Canberra and later departed to Sydney.

Meanwhile, also Monday 6 October, Air Gold Coast Cessna 525A CitationJet CJ2 bizjet VH-ZDM flew up from Archerfield to Hamilton Island Airport before then flying down to Sydney.

McDermott Aviation Group / Machjet International Cessna 525C CitationJet CJ4 bizjet VH-PIY "Machflight 421" arrived into Cloncurry Airport from Bankstown and Brisbane.

Fellow McDermott Aviation Group / Machjet International Cessna 525A CitationJet CJ2 bizjet VH-SUY as "Machflight 41" arrived into Cloncurry Airport the Sunshine Coast and Brisbane.

UPDATE!  On Tuesday 7 October, both Machjet Citations departed Cloncurry Airport and returned to Brisbane with VH-SUY "Machflight 41" then continuing back to the Sunny Coast.

While Interair (Essendon) Piper PA-31 Navajo VH-PJU started flying aerial survey flights out of Mackay Airport over the weekend after flying up from Bundaberg Airport.

And Brisbane-based Piper PA-31-325 Navajo VH-ZMJ seemed to complete its aerial survey work in the area, visiting Bundaberg Airport from Archerfield.

Photos taken by Terry McDonaugh  ©

Tecnam P2006T VH-TE6 on Demonstration Tour of Some CQ Airports - Plus More!

On Friday 11 July, Tecnam P2006T VH-TE6 flew from Mackay Airport to Biloela / Thangool Airport.  

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The Tecnam demonstration aircraft arrived into Mackay Airport from Townsville the previous day - as shown above!

And Comet-registered Cessna 208B Grand Caravan VH-RTC flew out from Hedlow Airfield to Emerald Airport before continuing to Mount Isa and further West.

Meanwhile, also on Friday 11 July, Graham Aviation (Cairns) Cessna 510 Citation Mustang bizjet VH-FMZ flew into Hamilton Island Airport from Mareeba and then departed Hamo and returned North.

Execujet Australia Bombardier CL-600-2B16 Challenger 604 bizjet VH-VSZ flew up to Hamilton Island Airport from Sydney.

Bowenville based (operated by Real Time Aviation - Brisbane) Cessna 525 CitationJet CJ1+ bizjet VH-JSZ flew up from Wagga Wagga to Clermont Aerodrome and then Natal Downs before later flying down to Dalby and Archerfield.

And Re-registered Flight Options (Australia) LearJet 45 bizjet VH-LJX visited Hamilton Island Airport from its new Sunshine Coast base.

Finally, also on Friday 11 July, LifeFlight (Aeromed) Canadair CL-600-2B16 Challenger 604 bizjet VH-OFC "Ambulance 634" flew up from Brisbane to Mackay Airport before continuing to Townsville.

Of interest, over the last couple of weeks, VH-OFC "Ambulance 634" has made also made visits to Hervey Bay, Moranbah, Rockhampton, Longreach and Charleville Airports.

Sistership VH-OFA "Ambulance 614" has also been busy, making multiple visits to Rockhampton and Longreach Airports, plus visiting Hervey Bay, Barcaldine, Mackay, and Cloncurry Airports

And VH-OFB "Ambulance 624" spent much of the last couple of weeks in the hangar only to emerge on Thursday 10 July and complete a visit to Rockhampton Airport from Brisbane.

While VH-URR "Ambulance 604" continues to operate out of Singapore (Seletar).

Brisbane-based Adome P/L (Air Link, Dubbo) Cessna 525 CitationJet M2 bizjet VH-YWS Calls into Cloncurry Airport - Plus More!

Late on Sunday 20 April, Brisbane-based Adome P/L (Air Link, Dubbo) Cessna 525 CitationJet M2 bizjet VH-YWS was noted arriving into Cloncurry Airport from Archerfield.

File photo

On Monday 21 April, VH-YWS was due to fly to Darwin and back but possibly didn't.  It looked to rather fly back to Archerfield from Cloncurry Airport during the middle part of the morning.

Air Gold Coast Cessna 525A CitationJet CJ2 bizjet VH-ZDM arrived into Proserpine (Whitsunday Coast) Airport from the Gold Coast and then departed to Melbourne (Essendon) and back to the Goldie.

While fellow Air Gold Coast Beech 76 Duchess VH-EWL visited the Whitsunday Airport at Shute Harbour from Gold Coast. 

Meanwhile, also on Monday 21 April, Victoria based C Alizzi P/L DAHER SOCATA TBM700N 900 VH-TB9 arrived into Proserpine (Whitsunday Coast) Airport from Ballarat.  It was spotted parked up on General Aviation (GA) Apron.

UPDATE!  On Sunday 27 April, VH-TB9 departed Proserpine Airport to Ballarat.

And Southern Air Beech 1900C-1 VH-VSO landed at Longreach Airport from Melbourne (Moorabbin).

 

UPDATE!  On Tuesday 22 April, VH-VSO departed Longreach Airport for Horn Island. It then flew down to Cairns and Rockhampton Airport before flying down to Archerfield. 

Finally, also on Monday 21 April, Babcock Mission Critical Services Australasia Bell 412 helicopter VH-ESD, which flew down from Horn Island to Coen and Cairns yesterday, arrived into Rockhampton Airport from Cairns and Townsville.  It had previously operated out of Horn Island with Babcock's other Bell 412EP VH-PXY.

UPDATE!  After being 'stored' for just over a month, on Monday 26 May, VH-ESD flew from Rockhampton Airport to Roma Airport.

Photos taken by David Geck and James Kirk  ©

Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) Dassault Falcon 7X Bizjet A56-003 "Envoy 85" Calls into CQ Airports - Plus More!

On Wednesday 11 December, Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) Dassault Falcon 7X bizjet A56-003 was spotted visiting Hervey Bay (Fraser Coast) Airport after earlier flying up from Canberra and Brisbane as "Envoy 85".

It then departed North to Rockhampton Airport where it was also photographed arriving. 

Soon after it was closed and looked to be spending the night.

UPDATE!  On Thursday 12 December, A56-003 "Envoy 85" made an early departure from Rockhampton Airport and flew West to Longreach Airport.  It later continued up to Cloncurry Airport before then returning to Brisbane and Canberra.

(Of interest, also on Thursday 12 December, fellow RAAF Falcon 7X A56-002 as "Envoy 07" completed a missed approach at Charleville Airport while flying down from Townsville to Canberra)

Meanwhile, also on Wednesday 11 December, Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) Boeing B737-7ES / E-7A Wedgetail Airborne Early Warning & Control (AEW&C) aircraft A30-005 as "Wedgetail 07" was noted completing airwork at Bundaberg Airport. It looked to fly up from and then return to its RAAF Base Williamtown home.

Finally, also on Wednesday 11 December, Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) Alenia C-27J Spartan transport aircraft A34-006 was noted completing circuits at Miles Airport while on a flight out of and back to RAAF Base Amberley.

Photos taken by James Hackett and Steve Vit  ©

American-registered but Australian-based (Essendon) Bombardier BD-700-1A10 Global Express Bizjet N360HP Calls into CQ Airports - Plus More!

On Tuesday 3 December, American-registered but Australian-based (at Melbourne - Essendon) Bombardier BD-700-1A10 Global Express bizjet N360HP was noted visiting a couple of Central Queensland Airports during what has been a busy couple of days flying.

After arriving into Cairns from Essendon the previous day (as pictured above), it then flew down to Townsville.  On Tuesday, N360HP flew down from Townsville to Mackay Airport before then visiting Rockhampton Airport and then Bundaberg Airport before it then continued down to the Sunshine Coast.

While Burbank Homes / Business Aviation Solutions Raytheon Hawker 850XP bizjet VH-BMW departed Hamilton Island Airport for Melbourne (Tullamarine).  It looked to have arrived last Friday 29 November.

And MacKellar Mining Equipment Pty Ltd (Revesco Aviation) Cessna 680 Citation Sovereign bizjet VH-MMC flew up from the Sunshine Coast and landed at the Labona Station Airstrip within Adani Australia's (Bravus Mining & Resources) Carmichael Coal Mine site.  It then flew down to Emerald Airport before later returning to Labona and back to the Sunny Coast.

Meanwhile, also on Tuesday 3 December, the Queensland Government (State of Queensland) Beech B300C Super King Air 350 VH-8PE arrived into Rockhampton Airport from Cairns and later departed to Brisbane.  It then returned to Cairns.

Curley Equipment P/L Textron (Cessna) 208B Grand Caravan EX VH-CUY landed at Longreach Airport from Toowoomba and a bit later departed to Cloncurry Airport.  It looked to have flown South from there over the weekend via Blackall Airport.

And Austrek Aviation Cessna 310R VH-DZU landed at Agnes Water Aerodrome from Toowoomba and Chinchilla and during the afternoon it reversed the flight.

Photo taken by Jonathan Williams  ©

Cloncurry Bushfire Sees a Number of Firefighting Aircraft Pass Through Longreach Airport - Plus More!

On Saturday 26 October, a couple of aerial firefighting aircraft were noted and spotted passing through the region, including at Longreach Airport, while heading up towards Cloncurry where a large bushfire continues to burn outside of the town.

Kennedy Aviation (Kennedy Air Services) North American Rockwell 500S VH-XAS "Birddog 444"  arrived into Longreach Airport from Toowoomba and then departed to Cloncurry.

Meandarra Aerial Spraying Air Tractor AT-802A VH-SDJ "Bomber 424" and VH-NFY "Bomber 426" were spotted taking on fuel at Longreach Airport before departing towards Cloncurry.

It is also believed that Kennedy Aviation / Kennedy Air-Ag Air Tractor AT-802A 'Fire Boss' water bombing aircraft VH-XAJ "Bomber 455" also passed through Longreach Airport heading up to Cloncurry.

And the Bundaberg Airport based Conair Aerial Firefighting Dash-8-Q400MR C-FFQE "Bomber 141" and Agair Logistics P/L Gulfstream Aerospace (AeroCommander) 695-A JetProp 1000 VH-LMC "Birddog 125" both returned to Bundy from a night up at Townsville, flying back via a water-drop at Cloncurry.

Meanwhile, also on Saturday 26 October, Interair (based at Essendon) Beech B200 King Air VH-ITH passed through Longreach Airport arriving from Melbourne (Essendon) and Bourke and departing to Atherton.

MacKellar Mining Equipment Pty Ltd (Revesco Aviation) Cessna 680 Citation Sovereign bizjet VH-MMC flew up to Hamilton Island Airport from the Sunshine Coast. 

UPDATE!  On Monday 28 October, VH-MMC returned to the Sunny Coast from Hamo.

And Inverted Downunder / Matt Hall Racing MX Aircraft MXS VH-CQE was noted arriving into Rockhampton Airport from Melbourne (Moorabbin), Dubbo and Archerfield.

UPDATE!  On Monday 28 October, Matt Hall on board VH-CQE departed Rockhampton Airport for Hamilton Island Airport where he landed and then completed a performance during the early afternoon - photos added below!  He then landed again and then returned to Rockhampton Airport.

UPDATE!  On Tuesday 29 October, VH-CQE departed Rockhampton Airport and returned to its Lake Macquarie base.

Photos taken by Drew Mackay and Glen Bradford  ©

D & G Jet Leasing / Essendon Aviation Services (Mackay!) Cessna 525 CitationJet CJ1 Bizjet VH-VOF Arrives into Longreach Airport - Plus More!

On Monday 15 July, D & G Jet Leasing / Essendon Aviation Services (Mackay!) Cessna 525 CitationJet CJ1 bizjet VH-VOF flew up from Melbourne (Essendon) to Charleville Airport and then Cairns.  It then flew down to Longreach Airport where it looks to be spending the night.

File photo

UPDATE!  On Tuesday 16 July, VH-VOF departed Longreach Airport for Adelaide and Sydney.

Yulgibar Pastoral Company (Victoria) Cessna 560 Citation Encore bizjet VH-YUL also flew into Charleville Airport but from Cairns.  It then continued to Melbourne (Moorabbin).  It also appears that VH-YUL called into Charleville Airport on Thursday 11 July while flying between Cairns and Moorabbin.

While Eagle One Aviation (Navair Flight Operations) Cessna 525B CitiationJet CJ3+ bizjet VH-X8X as "Navair 151" flew up to Hamilton Island Airport from Bankstown.

UPDATE!  On Wednesday 17 July, VH-X8X "Navair 151" departed Hamilton Island Airport and returned to Bankstown.

And Southern Air Services Cessna 525 CitationJet CJ1 bizjet VH-APJ made a late arrival into Roma Airport from Warrnambool and Ballarat.  It appears to have then returned to Warrnambool.
 

Meanwhile, also on Monday 15 July, Link Airways (Corporate Air / Vee H Aviation) Cessna 441 Conquest VH-VEJ flew up from Brisbane to Oaky Creek Coal Mine site and Clermont Aerodrome before returning to Brisbane.

And Flight One (Services) Beech B200 King Air VH-FON flew up from Archerfield and the Sunshine Coast to Clermont Aerodrome and then the Labona Station Airstrip within Adani Australia's (Bravus Mining & Resources) Carmichael Coal Mine site.  It then returned to the Sunny Coast and Archerfield.

Finally, on Sunday 14 July, Mitchell Water Cessna 525 Citation M2 bizjet VH-WMY flew up to the Whitsunday Airport at Shute Harbour from Melbourne (Essendon) and Adelaide before returning direct to Essendon.

And M. D. H. P/L (Cloncurry) Pilatus PC-12/47E VH-MDH departed Longreach Airport for Archerfield before then heading up to Cloncurry Airport.  It looked to have arrived at Longreach Airport from those places over the last couple of days.

Photo taken by Alan Midgley  ©

QantasLink (Alliance Airlines) Embraer E-190 Regional Jet VH-UYR Makes Its Long Awaited First Visit to CQ Airports

On Sunday 14 July, QantasLink operated but Alliance Airlines owned Embraer E-190 regional jet VH-UYR made its long awaited first ever visit to Central Queensland, visiting Proserpine (Whitsunday Coast) Airport on a scheduled QantasLink service from and back to Brisbane as QFA1878/9.

File photo

At the time of writing, it is due to call into Emerald Airport on Monday 15 July, operating as QFA1794/5 from and back to Brisbane.

VH-UYR is ex-N901QQ with the former Copa Airlines E-190 being delivered to Alliance Airlines in Brisbane in October 2021. It was then prepared for operations with Air North in the Northern Territory with it delivered from Brisbane to their Darwin base as ANO4001 at the start of December in 2021. It started flying for Air North just before Christmas.

David Potter / https://www.flickr.com/

After operating out of Darwin with Air North since then, VH-UYR was 'returned' to Alliance Airlines and flew across from Darwin to Townsville on Tuesday 2 July and started flying out of there on Wednesday 3 July, flying out to Cloncurry Airport and back to Townsville as UTY4721/2.

Of interest, three Alliance Airlines E-190s - VH-XFL, VH-XFM and VH-XFC - will be painted into Air North livery and replace the three E-190s which operated in an all-white livery - VH-UYR, VH-UYC and VH-UYJ.

Vanguard Aviation Cessna 525 CitationJet1 Bizjet VH-DAA Calls into CQ Airports - Plus More!

On Sunday 5 November, Vanguard Aviation Cessna 525 CitationJet1 bizjet VH-DAA was noted visiting a couple Central Queensland Airports.  It arrived into Rockhampton Airport from the Gold Coast and Archerfield and then later departed to Proserpine (Whitsunday Coast) Airport.

File photo

VH-DAA later returned to Archerfield.

Hughes Aviation (Hughes Pastoral Group) (Gympie) Pilatus PC-12//47E NGX VH-8HP flew up to Mackay Airport from Armidale and Keeroongooloo. 

Sydney-registered Cessna 208 Grand Caravan Skydiving Aircraft VH-XFB was noted flying up the Queensland coast, arriving into Lakeside Airpark at Bloomsbury, near Proserpine, to take up parachuting operations in association with the nearby Laguna Quays Resort.  It looked to fly up from Caloundra.

VH-XFB seems to be a replacement for Sydney-based Cessna 208 Caravan VH-FYC ferried down from the Lakeside Airpark to Caloundra.

Crown Cattle P/L Textron Aviation (Cessna) 208 VH-MGC arrived into Longreach Airport from Townsville.

And Brisbane-based SOCATA TB-20 Trinidad VH-IPF departed Cloncurry Airport for Barcaldine Airport and then Archerfield.

Photo taken by Jonathan Williams  ©

The Loss of Agair Logistics P/L Gulfstream American Corporation 695A Jetprop Commander 1000 VH-HPY "Birddog 370" Near Mount Isa

Sadly, on Saturday 4 November, Agair Logistics P/L Gulfstream American Corporation 695A Jetprop Commander 1000 VH-HPY "Birddog 370" crashed between Cloncurry and Mount Isa.

Photo taken by Gavin Merten   ©

The aircraft was out on a bushfire-related flight out of Toowoomba and was uncontactable before vanishing from radar between Cloncurry and Mount Isa.

Air Traffic Control (ATC) reportedly tried for over an hour to contact the aircraft and as it got up past the Winton area, ATC had some other aircraft call "oxygen, oxygen, oxygen - descend to 10000 feet" over the radio as a warning. 

An aircraft up near Normanton got through to VH-HPY and got them on to the area frequency and the pilot of VH-HPY said they were 'ops normal' and told ATC what frequency they had been on.  The pilot also described the GPS point they were going to work at and what they were doing there. 

ATC cleared them to there at 28000 feet but a little bit later the aircraft dropped altitude and started heading North-East to East and was again uncontactable. 

RFDS King Air VH-VJU "Flydoc445" was diverted towards Cloncurry and eventually found a crash site.

The Mount Isa based LifeFlight rescue helicopter VH-EHQ "Rescue 400" also headed out to look.  They eventually landed on the site of a large fire. Ground crews were on-site as well. 

AMSA Challenger VH-XNE "Rescue 330" was also noted circling the area too.

Our thoughts and prayers go to all those affected by this terrible tragedy.

Easternwell Group (Avcair) Beech B300 Super King Air VH-EWQ Pops into Mackay Airport - Plus More!

On Saturday 10 June, Easternwell Group (Avcair) Beech B300 Super King Air VH-EWQ was noted visiting Mackay Airport.  It looked to arrive from Brisbane and then depart to the North-West with it eventually finishing the day at Darwin.

File photo

While locally-based (but Mackay-registered) Mooney M20J VH-NWF departed Clermont Aerodrome for Caboolture.

UPDATE!  On Sunday 11 June, VH-NWF returned to the Clermont Aerodrome from Caboolture.

And The Redcliffe Aero Club Vulcanair (Partenavia) P.68C VH-VMV flew from my local Clermont Aerodrome to Rockhampton Airport.  It had arrived into Clermont Aerodrome from Cloncurry Airport on Friday 9 June.

Finally, late on Friday 9 June, LifeFlight (Aeromed) Canadair CL-600-2B16 Challenger 604 bizjet VH-OFC "Ambulance 634" popped into Gladstone Airport during a busy night of flying out of and back to Townsville.

Photo taken by Lloyd Fox  ©

RDO Equipment Co. Pilatus PC-12/47 VH-WPH Spotted at Rockhampton Airport - First Photos with its 7-Bladed Propeller! - Plus More!

On Friday 9 June, the reasonably familiar sight of RDO Equipment Co. Pilatus PC-12/47 VH-WPH was back in Central Queensland with the sleek little turboprop spotted visiting Rockhampton Airport.  It looked to fly in from Cloncurry Airport and Ucharonidge Station.

After some time on the ground, VH-WPH then departed to its Toowoomba base.

This is first time we have seen VH-WPH in CQ since it has been fitted with a 7-bladed propeller.  

This will reportedly generate less cabin noise and provide increased performance allowing for operations into shorter airfields.

Meanwhile, also on Friday 9 June, Townsville Airlines Beech 1900D VH-RUE arrived into Rockhampton Airport from Cairns and Townsville before it then departed to Brisbane.  VH-RUE then returned directly to Townsville and then Cairns. 

And Dino Air (Interair) Piper PA-31 Navajo VH-XGL was noted completing aerial survey work around Nebo on a flight out of the Whitsunday Airport at Shute Harbour - where the aircraft seems to be currently based - nice!

Finally, some airline news, also on Friday 9 June, with Qantas Freight / Pionair Australia BAe 146-300(QT) VH-SQR making a surprise visit to Mackay Airport, arriving from Brisbane as QFA7298.  It later departed to Cairns as QFA7299.  There were no other flights into CQ.

And after diverting into Rockhampton Airport with a technical problem on Wednesday 7 June - see Blog post below - Alliance Airlines Fokker F-100 was potted receiving some maintenance attention before eventually departing to Brisbane later on Friday as UTY9810.

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

All photos taken by Trevor Hardsman  ©

Queensland Government Airwing (State of Queensland) Raytheon B300 Super King Air VH-SGQ Spotted at Rockhampton Airport - Plus More!

On Tuesday 30 May, Queensland Government Airwing (State of Queensland) Raytheon B300 Super King Air VH-SGQ was spotted visiting Rockhampton Airport.

It arrived from Cairns and Townsville and later returned directly to Carins.

VH-SGQ also visited Rockhampton Airport on Monday 29 May from Cairns as posted below.

Meanwhile, also on Tuesday 30 May, Brescon (Toowoomba) Beech B200 King Air VH-DYN visited the Labona Station Airstrip within Adani Australia's (Bravus Mining & Resources) Carmichael Coal Mine site from Toowoomba-Wellcamp.

Fellow Brescon Beech B200 King Air VH-XDW departed Wellcamp for Yellow Bank Junction, Rolleston Aerodrome and Chinchilla Aerodrome before returning to Wellcamp.

Southern Air Beech 1900 VH-VSO arrived into Moranbah Airport from Latrobe Valley and Bourke, before then departing back to Latrobe Valley and then eventually to Melbourne (Moorabbin).

DeGunst Transport P/L Textron (Cessna) 208 Caravan VH-NPZ completed its weekly FIFO run from Bundaberg Airport to Nebo Aerodrome but via Mackay Airport before returning to Bundy direct.

While Handel Aviation Cessna 402C VH-VID completing an aerial survey flight over Bundaberg Airport after earlier departing the Gold Coast.

And Aerlink (ex Hevilift) ATR 72-500 looked to call into Mackay Airport, flying from and back to Brisbane and Moranbah Airports as HT719/721/722/720.  That's different!

Finally, also on Tuesday 30 May, recently delivered Flight Options (Australia) Textron Aviation (Cessna) 525C CitationJet CJ4 VH-8CJ visited Cloncurry Airport from the Sunshine Coast.

Brisbane-based Teys Australia Cessna 525 Citation CJ2 bizjet VH-TEY visited Gladstone Airport from Archerfield (returning via Brisbane).

And Stroud Aviation and Transportation (Boonah) / Navair Flight Operations Cessna 510 Citation Mustang bizjet VH-SHI "Navair 125" visited Bundaberg Airport from Archerfield.

Photo taken by John Lee  ©

Textron Aviation (Cessna) 208B Grand Caravan EX N673EX Pops into Cloncurry Airport - Plus More!

On Friday 21 April, a nice visitor to the 'far-flung' corners of the region (!) in the form of new Textron Aviation (Cessna) 208B Grand Caravan EX N673EX which appears to be heading 'home' following two months of being 'down under' in the South-Pacific region, completing a demonstration tour of most parts of Australia and also New Zealand and some South-Pacific Island nations.

File photo

N673EX flew into Cloncurry Airport from Brisbane before then continuing to Darwin.  It is expected to depart overseas the next day.

N673EX had originally arrived into Australia back in mid-February and has since spent time in most states of Australia, New Zealand and some small South-Pacific Island nations.

Meanwhile, also on Friday 21 April, the Queensland Police Service (Airwing) Cessna 208 Caravan VH-PSV visited Rockhampton Airport from Cairns and Townsville.

And Skytrans Airlines Dash-8-100 VH-QQB as SKP779 flew up from Brisbane to the Labona Station Airstrip within Adani Australia's (Bravus Mining & Resources) Carmichael Coal Mine site before flying across to Rockhampton Airport and then back to Brisbane.

Finally, also on Friday 21 April, Machjet (Machjet International) Cessna 525A Citation CJ2 bizjet VH-ZIY was noted visiting Hamilton Island Airport again this time from the Sunshine Coast.

Fellow Machjet International Beech B200 King Air VH-ZPY also looked to visit Hamilton Island Airport but from Cairns.  It also appeared to visit Charters Towers Aerodrome the previous day.  

Plus fellow Machjet International Beech B200 King Air VH-ZSY looked to depart Labona for Townsville.

Gold Coast-based but American Registered Cirrus SF50 VisionJet bizjet N958AG flew down from Hamilton Island Airport to the Gold Coast and Maitland.  It looked to arrive from those places on Sunday 16 April.

Avcair (Avgunn) LearJet 60 bizjet VH-ILJ visited Mackay Airport from Brisbane.

AirMed Australia Cessna 510 Citation Mustang bizjet VH-PWX as "AirMed 998" flew into Hervey Bay (Fraser Coast) Airport from Bankstown before then departing to Coffs Harbour.

And overnight on Thursday 20 April and into Friday 21 April, LifeFlight (Aeromed) Canadair CL-600-2B16 Challenger 604 bizjet VH-OFB "Ambulance 624" flew up from Brisbane to Mackay Airport and then back to Brisbane.  

Photo taken by Tony Haynes  ©