Helicorp Bell Helicopter Textron 412EP VH-LWF Spotted at Gladstone Airport Ferrying North - Plus More!

On Friday 19 December, Helicorp Bell Helicopter Textron 412EP VH-LWF was spotted passing through Gladstone Airport while looking to be on a ferry flight up to Far North Queensland and possibly further.

The Toll liveried helicopter arrived from its 'base' at the Oakey Army Aviation Centre and then departed to Proserpine (Whitsunday Coast) Airport and then Cairns.

UPDATE!  In early February 2026, the Bell 412EP helicopter emerged from the hangar at Cairns now wearing the Papua New Guinea registration marking of P2-HCH.

Meanwhile, also on Friday 19 December, recently delivered ADD Aviation Services (Victoria) Gulfstream G-IV-X G350 bizjet VH-TG4 flew up from Gold Coast to Proserpine (Whitsunday Coast) Airport and then down to Mackay Airport.  Later, it hopped back to Proserpine Airport and then returned to the Gold Coast.

VH-TG4 was registered and then delivered into Melbourne (Tullamarine) in late November.  It is photographed above at Wagga Wagga.

While re-registered Poolhurst Aviation Air Charter Services Pilatus PC-24 jet VH-VIF flew up from Melbourne (Essendon) to Hamilton Island Airport before then flying down to Archerfield. 

This is the first time that VH-VIF has visited with its new registration marking, changing at the end of October from VH-VTF.

Linfox Global Charter / Air National Australia Bombardier BD-700-1A10 Global 6000 bizjet VH-LEP flew up to Hamilton Island Airport from Melbourne (Avalon) and the Gold Coast.  It then flew across to Proserpine (Whitsunday Coast) Airport for parking.

UPDATE!  On Tuesday 23 December, VH-LEP hopped back from Proserpine Airport to Hamilton Island Airport before then flying down to Melbourne (Avalon).

And Mitchell Water Cessna 525 Citation M2 bizjet VH-WMY completed a late visit to Proserpine (Whitsunday Coast) Airport.  It flew up from Melbourne (Moorabbin), Melbourne (Essendon), Ararat and Tamworth before later departing to the Gold Coast.

Finally, also on Friday 19 December, Queensland Police Service (Airwing) / Queensland Government (State of Queensland) Beech B300 Super King Air 350i aircraft VH-8PD visited Rockhampton Airport from Mount Isa.

While Townsville Airlines Cessna 208B Grand Caravan VH-NXU completed the East Air flight EA1/2 run to Hamilton Island Airport from and back to Cairns.

And former QantasLink Dash-8-Q300 VH-TQE landed at Alice Springs from Tamworth.  It is reported to be the final Dash-8-Q300 to fly into Alice Springs from Tamworth for (temporary) storage.  As we have posted, some of them have ferried via Charleville Airport (and also Birdsville).

Photos taken by Jamie C and Robert Myers  ©

United States Air Force (USAF) Dornier C-146A (Dornier 328-120) 11-3097 "Cata 202" Spotted at Rockhampton Airport - Plus More!

On Thursday 4 December, United States Air Force (USAF) Dornier C-146A (Dornier 328-110) 'Wolfhound' wearing the serial number of 11-3097 was spotted visiting Rockhampton Airport.  

It was heard to be using the radio callsign of "Cata 202" and looked to touch down from Brisbane.

A short time later, the Dornier departed Rockhampton Airport for Cairns.

Of interest, the C-146A Wolfhound looks to be flown by the 524th Special Operations Squadron (524th SOS), located at Duke Field, Florida.  It is one of four flying squadrons within the 492nd Special Operations Wing. 

The squadron flies the C-146A Wolfhound in order to provide agile intra-theatre mobility support for special operations forces worldwide.

Meanwhile, also on Thursday 4 December, Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) Boeing B737-8 MAX BBJ A62-001 as  "Envoy 18" landed at Bundaberg Airport from Canberra and Coffs Harbour and a bit later departed to Hamilton Island Airport and then Cairns.

UPDATE!  On Friday 5 December, RAAF B737 A62-001 as Envoy 18 arrived into Rockhampton Airport from Cairns then departed to the Gold Coast.

While Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) Boeing C-17A Globemaster III A41-207 as "Stallion 20" flew up from RAAF Base Amberley to complete a missed approach Rockhampton Airport before it then flew back to complete a few more and then land at Amberley.

And Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) Boeing B737-7ES / E-7A Wedgetail Airborne Early Warning & Control (AEW&C) aircraft A30-002 as "Wedgetail 11" flew up from RAAF Base Williamtown to complete a missed approach at Gladstone Airport.  It then flew down to land at Amberley before eventually heading back to Williamtown.

Finally, also on Thursday 4 December,  Helicorp (Australian Army) Leonardo S.P.A. Helicopters (Agusta) AW139 helicopter VH-YQJ as "Rescue 901" flew down from Mount Isa to Longreach Airport, Roma Airport and the Oakey Army Aviation Centre this afternoon.

Sincere thanks to local plane spotter and photographer Scott H and Steve V for allowing us to share these great photos of a great visitor to Rocky!

Photos taken by Scott Harris and Steve Vit  ©

Private American-Registered Bizjets - Global 5000 N2QE and Global 7500 N444WT - Both Call into Hamilton Island Airport - Plus More!

On Wednesday 3 December, a nice pair of private American-registered Bombardier bizjets were noted and spotted at Hamilton Island Airport.

American registered Bombardier BD-700-1A11 Global 5000 bizjet N2QE arrived into Hamilton Island Airport from Hong Kong and Cairns (pictured).  It then returned to Cairns for parking.

UPDATE!  On Saturday 6 December, N2QE flew back to Hamilton Island Airport from Cairns and then departed Hamo for Brisbane.

While Privately-owned Bombardier BD-700-2A12 Global 7500 bizjet N444WT arrived into Hamilton Island Airport from Burbank (USA) and Cairns (pictured).  It looked to be staying parked at Hamo for at least the night.

UPDATE!  On Friday 5 December, N444WT looked to depart Hamilton Island Airport for the Gold Coast.

Meanwhile, also on Wednesday 3 December, GCH Jet Operations (New Zealand) Bombardier Challenger 604 bizjet ZK-JCJ flew over from Christchurch in New Zealand to the Sunshine Coast and then up to Hamilton Island Airport. It then down to Melbourne (Essendon).

Mitchell Water Cessna 525 Citation M2 bizjet VH-WMY flew up from Melbourne (Moorabbin) to Hamilton Island Airport, The Whitsunday Airport at Shute Harbour and Mackay Airport and this afternoon departed Mackay Airport to Melbourne (Essendon) and then back to Moorabbin.

Bowenville based (operated by Real Time Aviation - Brisbane) Cessna 525 CitationJet CJ1+ bizjet VH-JSZ visited Clermont Aerodrome from Archerfield.

UPDATE!  On Thursday 4 December, VH-JSZ visited my local Clermont Aerodrome again from Archerfield. It then visited Mackay Airport also from Archerfield.

And recently delivered NQ Heli-Worx (Townsville) Embraer EMB-500 Phenom 100 VH-8GK was noted completing airwork and then eventually landing at Mackay Airport while on a flight out of its Townsville base.  It later returned to Townsville.

UPDATE!  Over the next two days, VH-8GK completed more flying out of and back to Townsville down into some Central Queensland Airports with it noted visiting Emerald and Mackay Airports on Thursday 4 December and on Friday 5 December.

We believe this is the first time that the recently delivered Phenom bizjet has been in Central Queensland.  The Townsville-based bizjet was delivered via Darwin in early September as N64YP and was placed on the Australian Aircraft Register in late-September as VH-8GK.

Finally, also on Wednesday 3 December, beautiful Boeing A75N1 Stearman VH-AQF was spotted at Longreach Airport while flying down from Mareeba to its new owner at South Australia.

UPDATE!  VH-AQF was photographed later in December now at its new home at Naracoorte in South Australia.

While North Coast Aviation (Papua New Guinea) Pacific Aerospace (PAC) 750XL P2-NCA arrived into Rockhampton Airport from Caloundra and a bit later it departed to Mareeba.  It was due to continue North the next day.

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It appears that this aircraft had been undergoing extensive repairs at Caloundra following a runway excursion when landing at Bungawat Airstrip (AYUT), Kabwum, Morobe, in early January 2024.  All persons on board were not injured and the aircraft received substantial damage.

And Helicorp (Australian Army) Leonardo S.P.A. Helicopters (Agusta) AW139 helicopter VH-YQC as "Rescue 902" landed at Longreach Airport from the Oakey Army Aviation Centre and Roma Airport before it then departed to Mount Isa.

UPDATE!  On Thursday 4 December, VH-YQC "Rescue 902" continued to the North-West and eventually finished the day at Robertson Barracks in Darwin.

Photos taken by Kellie Leonard, Jonathan Williams and Drew Mackay  ©

Helicorp (Australian Army) Leonardo S.P.A. Helicopters (Agusta) AW139 helicopters VH-YQJ & VH-YQC Pass Through Longreach Airport - Plus More!

On Saturday 4 October, Helicorp (Australian Army) Leonardo S.P.A. Helicopters (Agusta) AW139 helicopter VH-YQJ as "Rescue 901" was spotted at Longreach Airport.

It looked to fly up from the Oakey Army Aviation Centre  to Longreach Airport before continuing to Mount Isa.

UPDATE!  On Sunday 5 October, VH-YQJ "Rescue 901" continued from Mount Isa to Mcarthur River Mine, RAAF Base Tindal and then Robertson Barracks.

UPDATE!  On Sunday 5 October, fellow Helicorp (Australian Army) Leonardo S.P.A. Helicopters (Agusta) AW139 helicopter VH-YQC as "Rescue 902" flew down from Mount Isa to Longreach Airport and then Roma Airport before landing at Oakey.  It had flown down from Robertson to Mount Isa on Saturday.

Meanwhile, also on Saturday 4 October, Business Aviation Solutions Bombardier BD-700-1A10 Global Express XRS bizjet VH-8MJ flew back into Hamilton Island Airport from Nadi, Fiji and Townsville. It flown out that way on Monday 29 September.

UPDATE!  On Wednesday 8 October, VH-8MJ departed Hamilton Island Airport for Sydney.

Finally, it's worth nothing that on Friday 3 October, Emerald Coaches (Emerald) Piper PA-46-350P Malibu Mirage VH-ZMM had a busy day of flying, visiting Longreach and Mackay Airports both arriving from and then departing back to its Emerald Airport base. It also visited Bowen Aerodrome in the days prior.

All photos taken by Liam Sellick  ©

Exercise Talisman Sabre 2025 - Many Photos from Rockhampton Airport incl BOTH RCAF CC-130J Hercs 130617 and 130606 - RAAF BAe Hawk 127 Jets Start Sorties - As do Air Affairs LearJets!

On Wednesday 16 July, not one, but BOTH Royal Canadian Air Force (RCAF) Lockheed CC-130J Super Hercules (C-130J-30) transports that have deployed to Australia wearing serials 130617 and 130606 called into Rockhampton Airport as 'CNUK61FLT' / "Canook 61 Flt". 

They arrived from RAAF Base Richmond via a position near Charters Towers and a bit later departed to Townsville. 

Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) Lockheed C-130J-30 Hercules transport aircraft A97-467 as "Kongo 03" visited Rockhampton Airport once again from Townsville.

Late on Tuesday 15 July, Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) Boeing B737-8 MAX BBJ A62-001 as "Envoy 59" departed Rockhampton Airport for Melbourne (Avalon) and Canberra.  It had arrived late on Monday.  

Fellow Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) Boeing B737-8 MAX BBJ A62-001 as "Envoy 36" departed Rockhampton Airport for Darwin early on Wednesday.  As mentioned below, it had arrived on Monday 14 July.

While two Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) British Aerospace (BAe) Hawk 127 jets - A27-23 and A27-08 - completed two sorties during the day out of and back to Rockhampton Airport as "Puma".

Similarly, the two Astra Aerospace / Air Affairs (Australia) Learjet 35A bizjets VH-LRH and VH-SLE also completed two sorties during the day out of and back to Rockhampton Airport but as "Blackjack".

A pair of Australian Army Boeing CH-47F Chinooks as "Stockman" went out from Rockhampton Airport to the Shoalwater Bay Training Area and then back into the nearby DSU and out again. 

United States Navy (USN) Sikorsky MH-60S Seahawk (Knighthawk) helicopter 167854 / RB-11 was spotted visiting Rockhampton Airport once again as "Valkyrie 62".

And Helicorp (Australian Army) Leonardo S.P.A. Helicopters (Agusta) AW139 helicopter VH-YQJ as "Rescue 901" was noted operating in the Shoalwater Bay Training Area and had arrived there from Townsville yesterday. 

Meanwhile, also on Wednesday 16 July, Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) Boeing B737-7ES / E-7A Wedgetail Airborne Early Warning & Control (AEW&C) aircraft A30-004 as "Wedgetail 10" flew up from RAAF Base Williamtown and was spotted completing a missed approach at Gladstone Airport before it then returned South.

And RAAF Dassault Falcon 7X bizjet A56-003 as "Envoy 77" landed at Longreach Airport from Canberra via Alice Springs.  It then departed back to Canberra via a missed approach at Charleville Airport.

Photo taken by Scott Harris, Darren Massie and Jaymee C  ©

Royal Australian Navy (RAN) Sikorsky MH-60R Seahawk 'Romeo' naval combat helicopter N48-002 (Code 902) as "Poseidon 02" Spotted at Rockhampton Airport - Plus More!

On Friday 11 July, Royal Australian Navy (RAN) Sikorsky MH-60R Seahawk 'Romeo' naval combat helicopter N48-002 (Code 902) as "Poseidon 02" was photographed into Rockhampton Airport from RAAF Base Amberley.

It then departed to Townsville.

Helicorp (Australian Army) Leonardo S.P.A. Helicopters (Agusta) AW139 helicopter VH-YQJ as "Rescue 901" was also photographed arriving into Rockhampton Airport but from the Oakey Army Aviation Centre.

It too then departed to Townsville.

And Australian Army Boeing CH-47F Chinook helicopter A15-309 as "Stockman 11" was photographed departing Rockhampton Airport for the Shoalwater Bay Training Area (SWBTA) before returning later in the day.

In the afternoon, Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) Boeing B737-8 MAX BBJ A62-002 as "Envoy 57" landed at Bundaberg Airport from Townsville and a bit later departed to Canberra.

Late morning, United States Navy (USN) Boeing P-8A Poseidon with serial number 169567 was heard to be flying as "Shiner 11", arrived into the Shoalwater Bay Training Area from RAAF Base Amberley where it is currently deployed.  After completing some airwork in the Bay area, it departed back to Amberley.

As shown, the Poseidon also has an AN/APS-154 Advanced Airborne Sensor (AAS).

And late in the day United States Marine Corps (USMC) Lockheed KC-130J Hercules 170275 (Tail Code QB-0275) as "Sumo 97" arrived into Rockhampton Airport from RAAF Base Amberley.

Photos taken by Steve Vit and Richard Ennis  ©