Local Embraer EMB-550 Legacy 500 Bizjet N142GZ Back in The Air out of Mackay Airport - Plus More!

On Monday 26 January, the locally-based Embraer EMB-550 Legacy 500 bizjet N142GZ was back in the air out of Mackay Airport departing to Brisbane and then Sydney.

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While Homada Pty Ltd Cessna 560XL Citation XLS bizjet VH-XCU flew into Hamilton Island Airport from Melbourne (Moorabbin). It then departed to Melbourne (Essendon) and then back to Moorabbin.

Of interest, on Saturday 24 January, VH-XCU flew into Hamilton Island Airport from Melbourne (Moorabbin) and Melbourne (Essendon) before later departing back to Moorabbin.

And also on Saturday 24 January, Helibiz / Heli Lift Bell 205A-1 VH-WOC as "Helitack 420" departed Rockhampton Airport for the Whitsunday Airport at Shute Harbour.

Australian Country Choice Properties / Aero Corporate Charters Dassault Aviation Falcon 900EX Bizjet VH-KCL Pops into Hamilton Island Airport - Plus More!

On Wednesday 21 January, Australian Country Choice Properties / Aero Corporate Charters Dassault Aviation Falcon 900EX bizjet VH-KCL arrived into Hamilton Island Airport from Perth before departing to Brisbane.

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Air Gold Coast Cessna 525A CitationJet CJ2 bizjet VH-ZDM arrived into Hamilton Island Airport from Sydney before departing to the Gold Coast.

While ZephAir Australia - Aircraft Charters Piper PA-31 Navajo VH-AYT as 'ZD220' visited Clermont Aerodrome from Townsville.

And New South Wales based Bell 206L-3 LongRanger III VH-RKI as "Firebird 251" departed Rockhampton Airport to the South East and early afternoon returned to Rockhampton Airport before then departing Gympie. 

Plus Helibiz / Heli Lift Bell 205A-1 VH-WOC as "Helitack 420" departed Rockhampton Airport to the Barrage then flew up Fitzroy River and back down to land back at Rockhampton Airport.

Finally, also on Wednesday 21 January, Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) Boeing B737-7ES / E-7A Wedgetail Airborne Early Warning & Control (AEW&C) aircraft A30-003 as "Mitchel 10" flew up from RAAF Base Williamtown to complete a missed approach Rockhampton Airport before then flying back down to Williamtown.

And about the same time, fellow RAAF E-7A Wedgetail A30-004 as "Mitchel 11" flew up from Williamtown to overhead Roma Airport at flight levels before it then completed a missed approach at the Sunshine Coast and then Moree before heading back to Williamtown.

Plus after dark, Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) Alenia C-27J Spartan transport aircraft A34-005 as "Wallaby 35" was noted completing airwork at Miles Airport while on a flight out of and back to RAAF Base Amberley.

Of interest, fellow RAAF C-27J Spartans A34-004 "Wallaby 34" and A34-010 "Wallaby 55" were also in the air after dark noted completing airwork around Armidale in New South Wales while also on flights out of and back to Amberley.

Photos taken by Jonathan Williams and Scott Harris  ©

Aerotech Helicopters Pickering Aviation (Sikorsky) UH-60L Black Hawk Helicopter VH-L6H "Helitack 519" Arrives into Bundaberg Airport - Plus More!

On Monday 19 January, Aerotech Aircraft Holdings (Aerotech Helicopters) Pickering Aviation (Sikorsky) UH-60L Black Hawk helicopter VH-L6H "Helitack 519" arrived into Bundaberg Airport from Adelaide via Horsham, Mangalore, Wagga Wagga, Dubbo, Narrabri and Toowoomba.

ADL Plane Spotter / https://www.jetphotos.com/

UPDATE!  On Wednesday 21 January, VH-L6H "Helitack 519" departed Bundaberg Airport for Kingaroy, Moree and Dubbo.

Helibiz / Heli Lift Bell 205A-1 VH-WOC as "Helitack 420" flew down from the Whitsunday Airport at Shute Harbour to Mackay Airport and then Rockhampton Airport presumably on stand-by for the flooding event about to hit the beef capital.

While Henadeck (New South Wales) Cessna 525 Citation CJ1 bizjet VH-YNE departed Hamilton Island Airport for Bankstown. It had arrived from the Gold Coast last week.

McDermott Aviation Group / Machjet International Cessna 525A CitationJet CJ2 bizjet VH-SUY as "Machflight 421" flew from the Sunshine Coast to Wagga Wagga and then Bundaberg Airport before later returning to Sunny Coast.

And Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) Boeing B737-7ES / E-7A Wedgetail Airborne Early Warning & Control (AEW&C) aircraft A30-002 as "Wedgetail 01" was noted completing airwork at Hamilton Island Airport while on a flight out of and back to RAAF Base Williamtown.

Plus after dark, Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) Alenia C-27J Spartan transport aircraft A34-005 as "Wallaby 60" was noted completing airwork at Miles Airport while on a flight out of and back to RAAF Base Amberley.

Real Time Aviation (Brisbane) Cessna 525 CitationJet CJ1+ Bizjet VH-JSZ Calls into CQ Airports - Plus More!

On Wednesday 10 September, Bowenville based (operated by Real Time Aviation - Brisbane) Cessna 525 CitationJet CJ1+ bizjet VH-JSZ landed at Clermont Aerodrome from Archerfield and then later departed to Rockhampton Airport. 

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UPDATE!  On Thursday 11 September, VH-JSZ departed Rockhampton Airport for Dalby and then Archerfield.

Robindale Group / Air Link Cessna 510 Citation Mustang bizjet VH-CMK flew from Emerald Airport to Bundaberg Airport and then the Sunshine Coast and Orange in New South Wales.  It appears to have flown up to Emerald Airport on Monday 8 September. 

Tindal Air (NT) Embraer EMB-505 Phenom 300 bizjet VH-NNA visited Middlemount Aerodrome from Brisbane.

Meanwhile, also on Wednesday 10 September, Mandalay Two P/L Raytheon B300 Super King Air VH-SCQ visited Moura Aerodrome from Toowoomba.

UPDATE!  On Thursday 11 September, VH-SCQ was back in the region, calling into Longreach Airport from Toowoomba and Brisbane before it then continued to Mount Isa.  VH-SCQ later returned to Brisbane and Toowoomba.

Rural Funds Management (A.C.T.) Pilatus PC-12/47E VH-STE flew out from Bundaberg Airport to a property South-West of Rockhampton before then actually landing at Rockhampton Airport.

UPDATE!  On Thursday 11 September, VH-STE flew from Rockhampton Airport to a property and back before then departing to Bundaberg Airport.

While Seair Pacific / Istlecote Textron Aviation (Cessna) 208B Caravan VH-TLH flew up from Hervey Bay (Fraser Coast) Airport to Middlemount Aerodrome before then flying down to Rockhampton Airport, Maryborough Airport and then back to Hervey Bay Airport.

Newly registered Helibiz (Heli Lift) Agusta AW119 MkII Koala helicopter VH-A26 and Robinson R44 helicopter VH-WSR both arrived into Rockhampton Airport from the Sunshine Coast and then departed to the Whitsunday Airport at Shute Harbour. 

And Forest Air Helicopters (NSW) Bell 212 helicopter VH-JWV was noted flying into and around Clermont - possibly landing at being based at the locally-based Bush Heli-Services.

Finally, also on Wednesday 10 September, Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) Boeing B737-7ES / E-7A Wedgetail Airborne Early Warning & Control (AEW&C) aircraft A30-005 as "Wedgetail 11" flew up from RAAF Base Williamtown to complete a missed approach at the Sunshine Coast and then three at Bundaberg Airport before returning to Williamtown. 

Local Embraer EMB-550 Legacy 500 Bizjet N142GZ Back in The Air out of Mackay Airport - Plus More!

On Thursday 8 May, the locally-based Embraer EMB-550 Legacy 500 bizjet N142GZ was back in the air, noted departing Mackay Airport for Brisbane.  It later flew back to Mackay Airport.

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While Queensland Government (QGAir) Rescue (State of Queensland) Leonardo S.P.A. Helicopter (Agusta) AW139 helicopter VH-EGK ferried North from Archerfield to Townsville via Rockhampton Airport.

Finally, also on Thursday 8 May, what appeared to be a Heli-Biz helicopter safari departed the Whitsunday Airport at Shute Harbour for Charters Towers Aerodrome and points further to the North West.

Helicopters participating looked to include:

- Victoria-based Robinson R44s VH-NIK and VH-XUN and Robinson R66s VH-LHG, VH-IGP and VH-AD6.

- New South Wales-based Robinson R44s VH-KNK and VH-JGO and Robinson R66s VH-VVY and VH-E9S.

- Queensland-based Robinson R44 VH-8BT and Robinson R66 VH-CSG.

- Eurocopter EC120 VH-KHR was also part of the group.

Photo taken by Dan B  ©

Helibiz / Heli Lift Bell 205A-1 VH-WOC as "Helitak 420" Spotted at Rockhampton Airport - Plus More!

On Thursday 13 March, Helibiz / Heli Lift Bell 205A-1 VH-WOC as "Helitak 420" was passing through Rockhampton Airport. This is the second time in recent days that the big Bell Huey has been noted passing through the beef capital as it is deployed to various parts to assist with the clean-up following various disasters in the State.

On this occasion, VH-WOC "Helitak 420" arrived into Rockhampton Airport from Bundaberg Airport and then continued North up to Mackay Airport.

Meanwhile, another nice rescue helicopter to pass through Rockhampton Airport, also on Thursday 13 March, was Nautilus Aviation Bell Helicopter Textron Canada 412EP helicopter VH-ZVP "Rescue 421".  It too looked to arrive from Bundaberg Airport and then depart to Mackay Airport.

Finally, also on Thursday 13 March, Link Airways (Corporate Air / Vee H Aviation) Cessna 441 Conquest VH-VEH looked to fly up from Brisbane to Rolleston Aerodrome and then to Clermont Aerodrome. It then flew across to Oaky Creek Mine Site and then back to Brisbane.

Photo taken by Steve Vit  ©

Some Aerial Survey Aircraft Around CQ Airports - And Spotted Parked at the Whitsunday Airport at Shute Harbour - Plus More!

On Monday 10 June, a nice pair of Piper PA-31 Navajo aircraft were spotted parked at the Whitsunday Airport at Shute Harbour after completing big days of aerial survey flights.

Flight Testing Services Australia (Brisbane) PA-31/A1 Navajo VH-WHE arrived from Mackay Airport after completing surveying over Bowen.  It has been operating out of Mackay and Bundaberg Airports over the last week.

Brisbane-based Piper PA-31 Navajo VH-DEP also flew up from Mackay Airport and completed survey work at different parts between Mackay and the Whitsundays.  It had also been operating out of Gladstone Airport in recent days.

And also spotted at the Whitsunday Airport at Shute Harbour was Helibiz / Heli Lift Bell 205A-1 VH-WOC which arrived from the North over the weekend and is reportedly in town to complete some heavy-lift operations in the Whitsunday Islands.

Meanwhile, also on Monday 10 June, Nautilus Aviation Bell Textron 407GXi helicopter VH-JIW looked to fly down from Cairns and Townsville to Mackay Airport.

Seair Pacific / Istlecote Textron Aviation (Cessna) 208B Caravan VH-TLH flew up from Hervey Bay and Maryborough to Rocky and Middlemount then back to Hervey Bay.

Through the day the new Queensland Government (State of Queensland) Beech B300 King Air 350i VH-8TT was also completing aerial survey flights in the region.

Privately registered Piper PA-34-200T Seneca VH-DIG was seen overhead Clermont completing aerial surveying while on a flight out of Emerald Airport.

BPW Aviation / Airspeed Aviation Beech 58 Baron VH-KCN flew from Mackay Airport to Emerald Airport and the Charleville and Quilpie Airports before returning to Mackay Airport and flying down to Rockhampton Airport. It had left Rocky for Mackay late on Sunday.

Central Highlands Aerial Services (CHAS) SOCATA TBM 700 VH-FYN (ex N700RU) seemed to complete a local flight from and back to the company's landing strip near Emerald.

While Link Airways (Corporate Air / Vee H Aviation) Cessna 441 Conquest VH-VEJ completed its usual Monday morning run from Brisbane to my local Clermont Aerodrome before then returning to Brisbane.

And Port Macquarie Helicopters / Graham Aviation (Cairns) new Cessna 510 Citation Mustang bizjet VH-8DD flew up from the Sunshine Coast to Hervey Bay (Fraser Coast) Airport via some airwork at Maryborough Airport.

All photos taken by Lee Holloway  ©

Stroud Aviation and Transportation (Boonah) / Navair Flight Operations Cessna 510 Citation Mustang Bizjet VH-SHI "Navair 173" Hamilton Island Airport - Plus More!

On Saturday 8 June, Stroud Aviation and Transportation (Boonah) / Navair Flight Operations Cessna 510 Citation Mustang bizjet VH-SHI as "Navair 173" departed Hamilton Island Airport to Bankstown and Archerfield.  It had arrived from Bankstown early on Thursday 6 June and flew down from Archerfield the previous afternoon.

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Bowenville (near Toowoomba) based Cessna 525 CitationJet CJ1+ bizjet VH-JSZ arrived into Rockhampton Airport from Archerfield via Dalby and Bundaberg Airports.  It is due to depart back to those places on Sunday 9 June.

UPDATE!  On Sunday 9 June, VH-JSZ departed Rockhampton Airport and returned to Bundaberg Airport before continuing to Dalby and Archerfield. It then flew to Moura Aerodrome and onwards to Mount Isa.

And LifeFlight (Aeromed) Canadair CL-600-2B16 Challenger 604 bizjet VH-OFB "Ambulance 624" flew into Mackay Airport from Brisbane before then departing to Cairns.  It then returned to Mackay Airport and then back to Brisbane.

Meanwhile, also on Saturday 8 June, General Aviation Maintenance (GAM) Aero Commander 500-S VH-UJU flew down from Townsville to Mackay Airport via some aerial survey work.  It then completed a local flight out of and back to Mackay Airport again via some aerial surveying.

Flight Testing Services Australia (Brisbane) PA-31/A1 Navajo VH-WHE continued to complete aerial survey flights out of Bundaberg Airport.  It had flown up from Redcliffe last weekend and also operated out of Hervey Bay (Fraser Coast) Airport.

Brisbane-based Piper PA-31 Navajo VH-DEP flew from Gladstone Airport to Mackay Airport.  It has been operated daily aerial survey flights out of Gladstone and Rockhampton Airports after flying up Archerfield last weekend.

While Air Gold Coast Cessna 172RG VH-BCD arrived into Rockhampton Airport from Proserpine (Whitsunday Coast) Airport before then departing to Bundaberg Airport, the Sunshine Coast and the Gold Coast.  It looked to have flown up to Prosie the previous day flying up from the Gold Coast via Roma, Longreach and Bowen Airports.

Helibiz / Heli Lift Bell 205A-1 VH-WOC arrived into the Whitsunday Airport at Shute Harbour from the North.

Victoria-based Airbus Helicopters EC 130 T2 VH-BTC arrived into Rockhampton Airport from Archerfield and then departed to Townsville.

And Sunshine Coast registered Aerospatiale AS.350D Squirrel VH-PIH, which possibly arrived into Rockhampton Airport on Friday, operated several charter flights over Rocky.  It took off from outside the Rockhampton Aero Club, did a wide circuit over northside of the city, the direction varied according to traffic approaches and departures, then landed at a school on the western side of the river for a short stop, then did a short hop back to the Aero Club.  It flew over a dozen flights through the morning, finishing in the early afternoon.

Photo taken by Trevor Hardsman  ©

Photos of RAAF Boeing C-17A Globemaster III Transport Aircraft A41-212 "Stallion 30" and Other Aircraft Overhead Central Queensland Commemorations on ANZAC Day

Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) aircraft were spotted completing spectacular fly-overs throughout several different parts of Central Queensland during local commemorations on Sunday 25 April - ANZAC Day.

RAAF Boeing C-17A Globemaster III A41-212 "Stallion 30" was photographed as it passed overhead Bundaberg commemorations before it then completed spectacular low passes over commemorations in other towns including Gladstone.

It is believed that RAAF Boeing F/A-18F Super Hornet A44-203 "Cannon 12" completed a spectacular fly-by over parts of the Fraser Coast including Fraser Island before heading inland to Calliope and Monto.

Of interest, A44-203 joined fellow Super Hornet (or "Rhino") A44-218 "Cannon 11" in overflying the Brisbane Anzac Day parade and commemorations (as pictured), and they also both featured on the state-wide television coverage.

Meanwhile, another Super Hornet A44-201 "Buckshot" was earlier noted completing fly-overs of towns around the Queensland / New South Wales border before it then flew South into Northern New South Wales.

All three Super Hornets are flown by Number 1 Squadron also based at Amberley.

Sadly, for commemorations in the North, the planned fly-over of a RAAF Alenia C-27J Spartan didn't occur with A34-007 "Wallaby 56" suffering a technical problem and not being able to depart Cairns (where it had arrived the previous day).

The Spartan is shown at Cairns as it prepared to depart but it is believed that a short-time later, it taxied back to its parking position and shut its engines down.

Of interest, the C-27J Spartan battlefield airlifter is currently flown by Number 35 Squadron also based at Amberley.

Finally, it's worth sharing some non-RAAF local fly-over photos and information also on Sunday 25 April - ANZAC Day.  In the Fraser Coast region, Caboolture-based Commonwealth CA-16 Wirraway Mk3 VH-MFW was photographed also completing several fly-overs of commemorations at Bundaberg.

At the Airlie Beach commemoration, Helibiz Australia operated Bell UH-1H Iroquois 'Huey' helicopter VH-UHE 'Eagle One' and Whitsunday Tiger Moth Adventures DH-82A Tiger Moth VH-BOJ completed two passes over the local parade and commemorations.

And the Mackay Tiger Moth Museum De Havilland DH-82A Tiger Moth VH-IVN looked to fly over the local Mackay commemoration.

Sincere thanks to to all the local plane spotters for capturing these stunning photos and for allowing us to share them with you all!

Photos taken by Dan B, Jeffrey Li and Jonathan Williams  ©

Some Photos from the Whitsunday Airport Fly-in and Runway Dinner - Plus Photos of Fly-in Aircraft 'Stuck' at Proserpine (Whitsunday Coast) Airport.

On Saturday 24 April, we ventured to the Whitsunday Airport at Shute Harbour to take a few photos of the aircraft that were able to get in for their Fly-in and Runway Dinner.

Sadly though, the weather was pretty miserable, and as a consequence, a lot of aircraft that were planning on heading to Shute Harbour ended up arrived late or were forced to divert and stay at nearby airports such as Bowen, Hamilton Island and Proserpine (Whitsunday Coast) Airports.  Some even reportedly stayed further afield at places including Rockhampton and Emerald Airports.

Late arrivals into Shute on Saturday 24 April included:  Cessna 172 VH-EGL which arrived from Rockhampton, Lake LA-4-200 Buccaneer VH-TZT arrived from Old Station, Cirrus SR22 VH-KKY arrived from Emerald and Van's RV6 VH-MEK and Cessna 210 VH-CSD arrived from Pandora via Rockhampton (VH-MEK later departed back to Rocky and then Caboolture).

But still there was a good turn up of aircraft to take photos of with no doubt the star being the Cirrus Design Corp. SF50 Vision Jet wearing the American registration marking of N755DS.

As mentioned below, it arrived from ports South via Rockhampton Airport the previous day.

Fellow bizjet, Graham Aviation (Cairns) Cessna 510 Citation Mustang bizjet VH-FNI, was also parked across the airfield.  It appeared to arrive on Friday 23 April from Cairns.  Their Cessna T206H Float Plane VH-PXT was also at the Airport.

Nearby was Vanderfield Pilatus PC-12/47 VH-WPH.  It had arrived from its Toowoomba base also the previous day.

Several small Cirrus SR20 and SR22 aircraft were also parked at the Whitsunday Airport including Flight One Cirrus SR20 VH-FOH.

A couple of other Cirrus aircraft along with other light aircraft were also spotted across at Proserpine Airport including fellow Flight One Cirrus SR20 VH-FOL.

Also on the other side of the field were several Robinson and other model helicopters which had arrived at the end of the Heli-biz Australia annual Helicopter Safari which had started at Hervey Bay (Fraser Coast) Airport earlier in the week.  As posted below, the group had traveled up as far as Hamilton Island and even further North towards Townsville before returning South to Bowen and then the Whitsunday Airport on Thursday 22 April - see Blog post below!

Also parked were several amphibious and other float planes which had come to the Whitsunday Airport at Shute Harbour from all over Australia to participate in the annual  Seaplane Pilots Association Australia (SPAA) annual conference "Splashdown 2021".

The star arrival for the conference was undoubtedly the Paspaley Pearling Grumman G-73AT Turbo Mallard VH-PPT which arrived into the Whitsundays during the week, completing a safari all the way from its Darwin base via several stops.  It was based at the Proserpine (Whitsunday Coast) Airport for the duration of its stay.

The Mallard was also due to operate a series of scenic joyflights around the beautiful Whitsundays however the miserable weather conditions prevented this and instead the Mallard remained parked.

UPDATE!  On Sunday 25 April, VH-PPT departed Proserpine Airport for Burketown before returning to Darwin.  It was heard to be flying as "Pearling 66".  This was sadly early than expected due to the cancellation of its proposed tours around the Whitsundays.  Watch out for a future Blog post featuring more photos of this great classic aircraft - plus a quick look inside and in the cockpit!

It's also worth noting a couple of departures from Shute Harbour, also on Saturday 24 April, included:  Bankstown Helicopters Robinson R66 VH-LHG which departed to Mackay, Bundaberg and the Sunshine Coast, while Van's. RV7 VH-PSW departed to Bundaberg.

While Piper PA-32R-301 Saratoga VH-GKF and Piper PA-28-181 Cherokee VH-URD both departed Rockhampton for Hamilton Island Airport but both returned to Rocky (possibly) due to weather.  VH-URD later flew back at and landed at Proserpine (Whitsunday Coast) Airport.  And Piper Aircraft Corp PA-28-235 Dakota VH-KIF also flew up from Rocky to Shute but returned to Rocky.

 

Sincere thanks to Lee and Dan and all the staff at the Whitsunday Airport at Shute Harbour for their kind hospitality and allowing us to take photos at the airport of all of the participants at the Fly-in.