DeGunst Transport P/L Textron (Cessna) 208 Caravan VH-NPZ Calls into Great Keppel Island - Plus More!

On Tuesday 24 December, DeGunst Transport P/L Textron (Cessna) 208 Caravan VH-NPZ flew up from Bundaberg Airport and landed on Great Keppel Island.  A bit later, it departed to Mackay Airport then back to Bundaberg Airport.

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Hughes Aviation Pilatus PC-12/47E VH-8HP hopped from Tierawoomba to Mackay Airport and this afternoon flew down to Bundaberg Airport then back to Mackay Airport.

While Julia Creek based Cessna U206G VH-WXJ was noted departing Mackay Airport for the West.

And Skyhook Helicopters (NSW) Eurocopter EC130B4 helicopter VH-VRD was noted departing Mackay Airport for the South.

Photo taken by Liam Richardson  ©

Execujet (Taverners Aviation) Raytheon Hawker 800XP Bizjet VH-RIU Arrives into Hamilton Island Airport - Plus More!

On Tuesday 26 December, Execujet (Taverners Aviation) Raytheon Hawker 800XP bizjet VH-RIU was noted arriving into Hamilton Island Airport from Sydney.  It looks to be staying.

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UPDATE!  On Wednesday 27 December, VH-RIU departed Hamilton Island Airport and flew down to the Gold Coast.  It later returned to Hamo.

UPDATE!  On Friday 29 December, VH-RIU finally departed Hamilton Island Airport and returned to Sydney.

Meanwhile, also on Tuesday 26 December, DeGunst Transport P/L Textron (Cessna) 208 Caravan VH-NPZ visited North Keppel Island from Bundaberg Airport.

Sydney-based Cessna 208 Caravan VH-FYC ferried down from the Lakeside Airpark to Caloundra.

AERgO Asset Management Beech B200 King Air VH-XGV as "Navair 173" visited the Whitsunday Airport at Shute Harbour from Archerfield.

And an interesting, possibly first visitor to the region, in the form of Skytrans Airlines Cessna 208B Caravan VH-XDU which visited Proserpine (Whitsunday Coast) Airport from Cairns as SKP951/2.

The Caravan previously was operated by West Wing Aviation.

Photo taken by 'AC'  ©

Visiting Royal New Zealand Air Force (RNZAF) Boeing P-8A Poseidon (B737-800A) NZ4804 "Kiwi 903" Assists with Rescue off the Keppels

On Saturday 21 October, a visiting Royal New Zealand Air Force (RNZAF) Boeing P-8A Poseidon (B737-800A) NZ4804 "Kiwi 903" had departed RAAF Base Amberley and was operating off the Central Queensland coast and heard a distress beacon.  They opted to locate it and found two people in the water wearing lifejackets East of the Keppels. 

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The Poseidon flew around them until the locally-based Capricorn Helicopter Rescue Service (CHRS) (Babcock Mission Critical Services Australasia) Agusta S.P.A. AW139 Helicopter VH-YXR "Rescue 300", and the Australian Maritime Safety Authority (AMSA) (Cobham SAR Services Pty Ltd) Bombardier CL-600-2B16 Challenger 604 bizjet VH-XNC as "Rescue 440" were on scene. 

VH-XNC "Rescue 440" had flown down from Cairns earlier to complete search operations near Longreach and had refuelled at Longreach Airport and had departed back to Cairns when it was re-tasked out to the search and rescue near the Keppels.  It eventually landed at Rockhampton Airport for fuel and then later returned to Cairns.

When they arrived NZ4804 "Kiwi 903" left and went back to what it was doing.  Of interest, it had also operated off the CQ Coast over the last couple of days.

Stroud Aviation and Transportation (Boonah) Cessna 510 Citation Mustang Bizjet VH-SHI Pops into Bundaberg Airport Again – Plus More!

On Sunday 23 January, Stroud Aviation and Transportation (Boonah) Cessna 510 Citation Mustang bizjet VH-SHI was noted visiting Bundaberg Airport again.

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It looked to fly up from Archerfield and then later return there.  VH-SHI had visited Bundaberg Airport - and other CQ Airports - during last week - see Blog posts below!

And during the late afternoon, Avcair (Avgunn) LearJet 60 bizjet VH-ILJ visited Rockhampton Airport from Brisbane.

VH-ILJ also popped into Mackay Airport from Brisbane but late on Saturday 22 January.  It then departed to the Gold Coast and then back to Brisbane.

Meanwhile, also on Sunday 23 January, locally-owned Aero Optics (General Aviation Maintenance operated) Aero Commander 500-S VH-JAJ looked to complete a local aerial survey flight out of and back to Rockhampton Airport.  It had arrived into Rockhampton Airport from Bankstown and then Archerfield over the previous couple of days.

While Machjet (Machjet International) Hawker Beechcraft B200 King Air VH-ZSY visited the Great Keppel Island Airport from its Sunshine Coast base.

And Brisbane-based Hewitt Cattle Australia P/L SOCATA TBM 700 VH-PGA looked to fly up from Archerfield to Mount Isa before it returned there but via Moura Airport.

Finally, also on Sunday 23 January, four Flight Training Adelaide (FTA) / Qantas Group Pilot Academy Diamond DA-40 Star training aircraft were noted visiting a couple of Central Queensland Airports.  VH-YTL, VH-YTW, VH-YTJ and VH-EQF all flew up from their Toowoomba-Wellcamp base to Hervey Bay (Fraser Coast) Airport and then Gladstone Airport.  They all the returned to Wellcamp.

Photo taken by 'JM'  ©

J Group Aviation (Business Aviation Solutions) Bombardier CL-600-2B16 Challenger 601-3A Bizjet VH-JEC Calls into Hamilton Island Airport - Plus More!

On Sunday 9 January, J Group Aviation (Business Aviation Solutions) Bombardier CL-600-2B16 Challenger 601-3A bizjet VH-JEC was noted visiting Hamilton Island Airport.

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It looked to arrive from and then later depart back to Melbourne (Essendon).

Meanwhile, also on Sunday 9 January, Aircair Aviation (Aircair Helicopters) Cessna 340A VH-MPQ returned back to Moree (Beela) from Richmond, again via Longreach Airport.  It flew up on Friday 7 January.

While DeGunst Transport P/L Textron (Cessna) 208 Caravan VH-NPZ flew up from its Bundaberg Airport base to Great Keppel Island and back to Bundy.

And Bev-Tech Engineering Beech 58 Baron VH-WRT arrived into Gladstone Airport from Archerfield.

Finally, also on Sunday 9 January, Wrightsair Gippsaero GA8 Airvan VH-WSU looked to fly up from the South-West via Longreach Airport to the Whitsunday Airport at Shute Harbour.

And New South Wales-based Amateur-built Searey VH-EGM departed the Whitsunday Airport at Shute Harbour for Rockhampton and Hervey (Fraser Coast) Airports.

Photo taken by Tony Haynes  ©

Adome P/L (Brisbane) Cessna 525 CitationJet M2 Bizjet VH-YWS Pops into Hamilton Island Airport - Plus More!

On Friday 24 September, Brisbane-based Cessna 525 CitationJet M2 bizjet VH-YWS was noted visiting Hamilton Island Airport.

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It looked to arrive from and then later depart back to its Archerfield base.

The familiar sight of Machjet (Machjet International) Cessna 525 Citation CJ1 bizjet VH-SIY was back in the region again on Friday 24 September, with it this time visiting Proserpine (Whitsunday Coast) Airport.  VH-SIY arrived from the Sunshine Coast and the Gold Coast and then later returned direct to the Sunshine Coast.

Meanwhile, also on Friday 24 September, Vanderfield Pilatus PC-12/47 VH-WPH returned to the air after around a month hangered at the Gold Coast.  It departed from there for Theodore and Emerald Airports before it then headed 'home' to Toowoomba.

In its absence, Vanderfield Cessna 210N VH-JSC has been busy flying all around the state and the Central Queensland region with it noted visiting Emerald Airport (amongst other places) across Tuesday 21 September and Wednesday 22 September.

Noted arriving into Rockhampton Airport, also on Friday 24 September, was MH5 Air (Sunshine Coast) SOCATA TB-20 Trinidad VH-CIL.  It arrived from Toowoomba.

VH-CIL has also visited Roma, Charleville and Proserpine (Whitsunday Coast) Airports in recent weeks.

While Hinterland Aviation Cessna 208 Caravan VH-CVN looked to complete a training flight out of Rockhampton Airport towards Gladstone and then Great Keppel Island and back to Rockhampton Airport.

And Awesome Aviation (of Perth in Western Australia) Beech 1900D VH-JYA was seemingly back on the Queensland Police Service flights, with it noted visiting Rockhampton Airport.  VH-JYA flew down from Cairns and Townsville to Brisbane before then calling into Rockhampton Airport.  It continued back up to Townsville and then Cairns.

Finally, also on Friday 24 September, Link Airways (Corporate Air / Vee H Aviation) Cessna 441 Conquest VH-VEH was noted operating out of Mackay Airport as "Survey 23".  It looked to arrive from Far North Queensland the previous day and on Friday, it completed a pair of aerial survey flights out of and back to Mackay Airport, around and to the North of Moranbah.

Of interest, fellow Link Airways (Corporate Air / Vee H Aviation) Cessna 441 Conquest VH-VEW as "Survey 24" has completed survey flights out of Archerfield over the South-East corner of the state over the latter part of this week.

Photo taken by Ryan Hothersall  ©

Link Airways (Corporate Air / Vee H Aviation) Metro 23 VH-VEK at Rockhampton Airport Again This Week - Plus More!

On Thursday 19 August, Link Airways (Corporate Air / Vee H Aviation) Metro 23 VH-VEK was again noted visiting Rockhampton Airport.  It flew up from and then returned to Brisbane.

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VH-VEK also visited Rockhampton Airport from Brisbane on Tuesday 17 August.

Are we seeing start of something 'regular'?

Meanwhile, also noted visiting Rockhampton Airport, also on Thursday 19 August, was Sling 4 VH-VWD which arrived from Heck Field and then departed to Moura Airport. 

Sunshine Coast-based Rockwell International 114 VH-KSW, which flew North last Friday 13 August, arrived back into Rockhampton Airport from the Whitsunday Airport at Shute Harbour before then departing 'home' to Caboolture. 

McDermott Aviation / Heli-Lift Australia Aerospatiale 365N2 Dauphin 2 helicopter N366SR flew up from Sunshine Coast to Gladstone Airport and then Hedlow Airfield.  It later returned South.

While fellow McDermott Bell Textron Helicopter 214B-1 Big Lifter helicopter VH-SEK arrived back into Rockhampton Airport from Innisfail and Townsville after heading North the previous day.

UPDATE!  On Friday 20 August, VH-SEK departed Rockhampton Airport for Hedlow Airfield and then back to Rocky.  It then departed to Gympie.

And locally-based Keppel High Wing Cessna 182T VH-LJE departed its Rockhampton Airport base for Blackall Airport before then returning using an "Angelflight" callsign - something not heard for some time.  

VH-LJE completed a similar flight last Thursday 12 August.

Finally, also on Thursday 19 August, West Coast Seaplanes (Broome, Western Australia) Textron (Cessna) 208 Caravan VH-NPZ, which currently appears to be based at Bundaberg Airport, flew up from there to Rockhampton Airport and then Great Keppel Island Airstrip and then back to Bundy.

Brisbane-based Henty Aviation Cessna 425 Conquest 1 VH-BSM popped into Emerald Airport from Archerfield.  It later departed to Mount Isa.

UPDATE!  On Friday 20 August, VH-BSM returned to Emerald Airport from Mount Isa before departing back to Archerfield.

And Brescon (Toowoomba) Beech B200 King Air VH-XDW flew up directly to the Labona Station Airstrip within Adani Australia's (Bravus Mining & Resources) Carmichael Coal Mine site from Toowoomba-Wellcamp Airport.  It was later noted returning to Wellcamp rather than spending the night.

Photo taken by Lloyd Fox  ©

Avcair Embraer 500 Phenom 100EV Bizjet VH-NJR Pops into Maryborough Airport - Plus More!

On Monday 21 June, Avcair Embraer 500 Phenom 100EV bizjet VH-NJR was noted arriving into Maryborough Airport from its Brisbane base. 

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It looks to be staying for at least the night.

UPDATE!  On Tuesday 22 June, VH-NJR departed Maryborough Airport and returned to Brisbane.

Also on Monday 21 June, Bowenville (near Toowoomba) based Cessna 525 CitationJet CJ1+ bizjet VH-JSZ arrived into Rockhampton Airport from Archerfield and Dalby.

UPDATE!  On Tuesday 22 June, VH-JSZ departed Rockhampton Airport for Natal Downs.

And Avcair (Avgunn) LearJet 60 bizjet VH-OLJ was noted flying down from Cairns and completing a low-level circuit of Great Keppel Island before it then climbed back up and continued on to Brisbane.

Meanwhile, up at the Whitsundays, also on Monday 21 June, Air Charter Services / Flight Options (Australia) Embraer EMB-505 Phenom 300 bizjet VH-VKX departed Hamilton Island Airport for the Gold Coast and Brisbane.  It had arrived into Hamo from those places on Friday 18 June.

And Walker Air Services (Sydney) Bombardier BD-700-1A10 Global Express bizjet VH-LAW finally departed Proserpine (Whitsunday Coast) Airport for Hamilton Island Airport before it then departed back to Sydney.  VH-LAW had arrived into Hamo and then Prosie from Sydney back on Friday 11 June.

Finally, on Sunday 20 June, the Queensland Police Service (Airwing) (State of Queensland) Cessna 208 Caravan VH-PSQ was noted passing through Rockhampton Airport while heading from Brisbane to Townsville.

And Seair Pacific / Istlecote Cessna 208 Caravan VH-LYT looked to fly from flew up from Hervey Bay (Fraser Coast) and Maryborough Airports to Biloela / Thangool and Middlemount Airports.  It then flew down to Rockhampton Airport before returning to Hervey Bay Airport.

Photo taken by David Geck  ©

Mitchell Water Cessna 525 Citation M2 Bizjet VH-WMY Arrives into Hamilton Island Airport - Plus More!

On Wednesday 10 March, Mitchell Water Cessna 525 Citation M2 bizjet VH-WMY was noted arriving into Hamilton Island Airport.

The little citation bizjet arrived into Hamo from its Melbourne (Moorabbin) base via Melbourne (Essendon) and Townsville where it is pictured arriving above.

At the time of writing, it appears that VH-WMY is staying at Hamo for at least the night.

UPDATE!  On Thursday 11 March, VH-WMY departed Hamilton Island Airport and returned to Essendon and then Moorabbin.

Meanwhile, as predicted, also on Wednesday 10 March, recently re-registered AAA Aircraft / Flight Options (Australia) Cessna 550 Citation Bravo bizjet VH-CCJ called into Emerald Airport.  It arrived from its now new Sunshine Coast base.

UPDATE!  On Thursday 11 March, VH-CCJ departed Emerald Airport and returned to the Sunshine Coast.

Also on Wednesday 10 March, Brisbane-based Pilatus PC-12/47E VH-AAC landed at Emerald Airport from a Station West of Mount Isa.  It then departed to Archerfield.

And Brescon (Toowoomba) Beech B200 VH-WXN flew up from Toowoomba-Wellcamp to Emerald Airport where it looked to be staying for the night.

UPDATE!  On Thursday 11 March, VH-WXN departed Emerald Airport and returned to Wellcamp.

Finally, also on Wednesday 10 March, Machjet (Machjet International) Beech B200 King Air VH-PUY called into Great Keppel Island Airport from its Sunshine Coast base.

Photo taken by Graham Aspinall  ©

Avia Aviation (Victoria) Cessna 510 Citation Mustang Bizjet VH-MSU Pops into Emerald Airport - Plus More!

On Wednesday 2 December, Avia Aviation (Victoria) Cessna 510 Citation Mustang bizjet VH-MSU made what appears to be its first visit to Central Queensland, popping into Emerald Airport.

VH-MSU at Adelaide Airport late last month

VH-MSU looked to touch down from Toowoomba after arriving there direct from its Melbourne (Moorabbin) base the previous day. It then departed Emerald Airport for Innisfail.

Meanwhile, also on Wednesday 2 December, the visiting UP Aviation (Victoria) Bombardier BD-700-1A10 Global Express 6000 bizjet VH-UBH was noted departing Rockhampton Airport for Townsville.  It had arrived during the previous afternoon - see Blog post below.

While slightly smaller, but also noted visiting Rockhampton Airport, also on Wednesday 2 December, was Seair Pacific / Istelcote De Havilland DHC-6-100 Twin Otter VH-ZKF which was again noted operating the weekly Fly-in Fly-out (FIFO) closed charter flight from the Gold Coast and Brisbane to Rocky then up to Collinsville Aerodrome and Townsville.  As usual, VH-ZKF later returned South over the same route.

While fellow Seair Pacific / Istlecote Cessna 208 Caravan VH-LYT was noted arriving into Rockhampton Airport from Hervey Bay (Fraser Coast) Airport.  

After spending the day parked, early on Thursday 3 December, VH-LYT is due to depart Rockhampton Airport for Middlemount Aerodrome.  It should then fly back to Maryborough and Hervey Bay Airports.

During the afternoon, also on Wednesday 2 December, the 'resident' Hinterland Aviation Cessna 208 Caravan VH-NDC departed Rockhampton Airport on what looked to be a training flight over the coast and Keppel Islands before returning back to Rockhampton Airport where it was heard to complete several circuits. 

UPDATE!  On Thursday 3 December, the other 'resident' Hinterland Aviation Cessna 208 Caravan VH-CVN departed Rockhampton Airport on a training flight as "Hinterland 815" to Gladstone Airport and back via several circuits at Rocky.

Finally, a couple of more bushfire fighting aircraft and helicopter movements included R-Mach Aviation Ayres S2R Turbine Thrush VH-NFF "Bomber 407" flying from Rockhampton Airport to Bundaberg Airport.  While Stirling Helicopters newly registered Eurocopter AS350B3 Squirrel helicopter VH-EUM arrived into Rockhampton Airport from its Dululu base as "Firebird 429".

UPDATE!  On Thursday 3 December, VH-EUM "Firebird 429" departed Rockhampton Airport for the South.

And Heli Qld Airbus Helicopters EC 130 T2 VH-WJY was noted visiting Rockhampton Airport once again while flying home to its Toowoomba base from the Whitsunday Airport at Shute Harbour.  It had flown North via Rocky at the end of last week.

Photo taken by Tony Haynes  ©

RAAF Boeing C-17A Globemaster III A41-207 Completes a Missed Approach at Rockhampton Airport - Plus a Tour of the Keppel Islands

On Sunday 15 November, Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) Boeing C-17A Globemaster III A41-207 was noted completing a missed approach at Rockhampton Airport.  It looked to fly up from RAAF Base Amberley and was heard to be flying as "Stallion 31".

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The C-17 then flew out from Rocky towards the Capricorn Coast where it completed a low level flight over the Keppel Islands.  It then returned back to overhead Rocky before climbing to flight levels and returning to Amberly.

Photo taken by Steve Vit  ©

Vistajet Bombardier Global 6000 Bizjet 9H-VJE "VistaJet 757" Pops into Bundaberg Airport

During the afternoon on Thursday 18 July, sleek Vistajet Bombardier BD-700-1A10 Global 6000 bizjet 9H-VJE was noted arriving into Bundaberg Airport.  It touched down at "VistaJet 757" from Sydney having earlier arrived there from Tokyo International Airport (Haneda Airport).

9H-VJE arrives into Brisbane from Bundaberg Airport

After spending the night on the ground at Bundy, on Friday 19 July, 9H-VJE "VistaJet 757" departed Bundaberg Airport for Brisbane (pictured) before it continued back to Haneda.

Meanwhile, also on Friday 19 July, privately owned Cessna 510 Citation Mustang bizjet VH-VSQ was noted arriving into the Whitsunday Airport at Shute Harbour from Bankstown.  It later returned to Bankstown.

Finally, also on Friday 19 July, only recently registered new Textron Aviation (Cessna) 208B Carvan VH-TLH of Seair Pacific / Istlecote was noted arriving into Great Keppel Island Aerodrome from the Gold Coast.

UPDATE!  VH-TLH departed Great Keppel Island for Lady Elliot Island and Caloundra on Sunday 21 July.

Nice!

Photo taken by Lloyd Fox  ©

Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) Beech B350 Super King Air A32-339 "Torch 36" Back CQ Airports Yet Again!

On Thursday 7 June, Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) Beech B350 Super King Air A32-339 "Torch 36" was back in the skies over Central Queensland once again.

It came up from the Sunshine Coast and completed a 'cross field' missed approach at Rockhampton Airport before it departed towards Great Keppel Island.  It then flew down to a position East of Gladstone and did some low-level airwork out over water.

After some time, A32-339 headed to Emerald Airport where it landed for some time.  It then departed back towards the coast and completed a missed approach at Gladstone Airport before flying South on an inland route at low level towards Monto and Murgon before it completed more airwork around Gayndah.  It then returned to the Sunshine Coast.

Photo taken by Kayanne Hardsman  ©

RAAF B737/E-7A Wedgetail A30-001 Missed Approach at Rockhampton and Mackay Airports - Plus Other RAAF Movements Around CQ

On Tuesday 5 June, Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) Boeing B737-7ES / E-7A Wedgetail Airborne Early Warning & Control (AEW&C) aircraft A30-001 was photographed by local plane spotter Kayanne H soon after it had completed a missed approach at Rockhampton Airport.

The Wedgetail, flying as "Mitchell 03" flew up from the South and completed a missed approach at the Gold Coast while on the way to Rocky.  After completing its airwork around Rockhampton Airport, A30-001 flew North and was then spotted completing multiple missed approaches at Mackay Airport.

After completing its airwork at Mackay Airport, it is believed that the Wedgetail then continued for a landing at Townsville.

Meanwhile, the Wedgetail wasn't the only RAAF aircraft to be noted flying around parts of CQ.  Earlier on Tuesday 5 June, a pair RAAF Canadair CL-600-2B16 Challenger 604 bizjets A37-001 "Wisdom 93" and A37-003 "Regent 94" of the VIP 34 Squadron in Canberra were noted visiting Blackall and Charleville Airports.  It appeared that A37-001 "Wisdom 93" later departed Charleville Airport for Brisbane.

Local news reports showed that Australian Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull was in town.

Over the last couple of days, RAAF Beech B350 Super King Air A32-339 has had a couple of busy days, noted completing airwork around different parts of CQ.  After flying up from RAAF Base East Sale in Victoria to the Sunshine Coast on Sunday 3 June, on Monday 4 June, A32-339, which has been flying as "Torch 36", flew from the Sunshine Coast direct to Townsville before later being heard to depart Hamilton Island Airport for the Fraser Coast where it descended and flew low level from Hervey Bay back to the Sunny coast.

Then on Tuesday 5 June, A32-339 "Torch 36" again departed the Sunshine Coast and was heard to complete a missed approach at Gladstone Airport before it continued further North and flew low-level around Emu Park and Capricorn Coast.  It then completed a very low-level circuit of Great Keppel Island before then heading to Townsville.  A32-339 has since returned once again to the Sunshine Coast.

Finally, the RAAF' Exercise High Sierra has kicked off in Townsville, and on Tuesday 5 June, more participants were noted flying through CQ destined for the North Queensland capital.  Two flights of two RAAF British Aerospace (BAe) Hawk 127 jets were heard flying as "Cougar 11" and "Cougar 91".  While in the early evening, three Dassault-Dornier Alpha Jet A aircraft were also heard to fly into Townsville flying in formation as "Goshawk".

Alpha Jet C-GLTO at Townsville Airport last year  (File photo)

Since March 2017, Air Affairs Australia Pty Ltd (Air Affairs) teamed with Discovery Air Defence Services Inc. (DA Defence), a wholly-owned subsidiary of Discovery Air Inc., to deliver a Fast Jet Adversary Air capability under Air Affairs’ existing Jet Air Support contract commencing in latter part of 2017.   The three fully crewed and maintained Alpha Jets - wearing Canadian registrations C-GITA, C-GJTA and C-GLTO - are based at RAAF Base Williamtown and provide 'Red Air' for RAAF training, Joint Terminal Attack Controller (JTAC) training for the Australian Army and anti-surface training for the Royal Australian Navy.  Operations, maintenance and logistics for Alpha Jets in Williamtown and at Albatross Aviation Technology Park (AATP) Nowra will be supported by an integrated Air Affairs and DA Defence team.

Photos taken by Kayanne Hardsman and Leroy  ©

And Royal Australian Navy (RAN) Bell 429 'Global Ranger' Helicopter N49-049 Also Arrives into Rockhampton Airport as "Medusa 49"

During the afternoon on Saturday 8 July a nice pair of of Australian Defence Force (ADF) helicopters touched down at Rockhampton Airport no doubt in support of joint Military Exercise Talisman Saber 2017 (TS17).

The second chopper was identified as Royal Australian Navy (RAN) Bell 429 'Global Ranger' helicopter N49-049(049), which touched down at Rockhampton Airport after completing airwork around Great Keppel Island.  It was heard to be using the radio callsign of "Medusa 49".

It has earlier flown up from the South also was noted also calling into Hervey Bay (Fraser Coast) and Gladstone Airports for fuel before continuing to Rocky.   As shown, "Medusa 49" took a parking spot beside Rocky's Cross Runway 04/22.

Of interest, the Bell 429 is one of four flown by 723 Squadron - a Royal Australian Navy Fleet Air Arm squadron - based at HMAS Albatross at Nowra in New South Wales.

Finally, in other helicopter movements around Rockhampton Airport on Saturday 8 July, one of the US Navy Seahawks departed, while another pair of visiting choppers flew across to the Talisman Saber 2017 Open Day at the Rockhampton Showgrounds - see Blog post above - coming soon!

The United States Army (US Army) Sikorsky UH-60M Blackhawk helicopter 12-20435 departed from 'Camp Rocky' to the Rockhampton Showgrounds and back using the radio callsign of "Wolfpack".  It was joined at the Showgrounds by  Australian Army NH Industries MRH-90 Multi-Role Helicopter A40-015 which flew across from Rockhampton Airport as "Destrier 15".  After being on display, the MRH-90 departed the Showgrounds directly for Townsville.

And one of the two United States Navy (USN) Sikorsky HH-60H Seahawk helicopters was heard to depart from Rockhampton Airport for Townsville.  I believe it to be 165121 / NW-313 which was heard using the radio callsign of "Firehawk 11".

UPDATE!  I've been informed that "Firehawk 11" returned to 'Camp Rocky' late on Saturday 8 July.

All photos taken by Daniel Bishop  ©

Queensland Government Raytheon Hawker 850XP VH-SGY and Business Aviation Solutions Challenger 604 VH-BLM Both at Bundaberg Airport

A couple of nice corporate bizjets were spotted at Bundaberg Airport on Sunday 4 June on what looked to be medical (organ) retrieval flights.

The Queensland Government Raytheon Hawker 850XP bizjet VH-SGY touched down at Bundy early on Sunday from Brisbane.

It returned to the capital in the early afternoon.

Just after lunch on Sunday, Business Aviation Solutions Bombardier CL-600-2B16 Challenger 604 bizjet VH-BLM also called into Bundaberg Airport but from its Gold Coast base.

After looking to be loaded with an esky, VH-BLM departed Bundaberg Airport flying direct to Auckland in New Zealand.

VH-BLM was later noted returning to the Gold Coast.

Finally, on the lighter side of General Aviation (GA) movements, an interesting arrival also on Sunday 4 June was Seair Pacific (Istlecote) Cessna 208 Caravan VH-LYT.  It touched down from Great Keppel Island where it looked to arrive from the Gold Coast and Archerfield on Friday 2 June.  VH-LYT then returned to Archerfield and the Gold Coast.

Sincere thanks to local plane spotter Micah S for taking the time to capture and send through these awesome photos of a couple of great visitors to the rum city!

All photos taken by Micah S  ©