Two RAAF Boeing B737-7ES / E-7A Wedgetails A30-006 & A30-004 Complete Airwork at CQ Airports - Plus More!

On Monday 4 May, Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) Boeing B737-7ES / E-7A Wedgetail Airborne Early Warning & Control (AEW&C) aircraft A30-006 as "Wedgetail 02" flew up from RAAF Base Williamtown to complete a missed approach at Rockhampton Airport before returning South.

File photo

Later, A30-006 now as "Wedgetail 23" returned to the region, flying back up from Williamtown and completing a missed approach at Hervey Bay (Fraser Coast) Airport before returning once again to Williamtown.

Meanwhile, fellow Wedgetail A30-004 as "Wedgetail 03" flew up to complete a missed approach at Hamilton Island Airport before returning South again.

Finally, also on Monday 4 May, Execujet Australia Bombardier BD-700-1A10 Global 6000 bizjet VH-LEP flew up to Hamilton Island Airport from Melbourne (Essendon).

And USA-registered Quest Kodiak 100 N248QK was noted flying from Alice Springs into Charleville Airport.

Photo taken by Peter Sajko  ©

Stirling Helicopters Sikorsky UH-60L Black Hawk Helicopter N137WZ Calls into Rockhampton Airport - Plus More!

On Saturday 11 October, Stirling Helicopters Sikorsky UH-60L Black Hawk helicopter N137WZ was noted back in the region, arriving into Rockhampton Airport after flying down from Darwin via all stops including Mount Isa and Longreach Airports.

On Sunday 12 October, N137WZ departed Rockhampton Airport for Caboolture.

I believe that N137WZ headed up to Darwin from Rockhampton in early August.  Not sure what it did up there??

Also on Sunday 12 October, privately owned and operated Quest Kodiak 100 VH-84M was noted Longreach Airport from the North-West.

File photo taken by Steve Vit  ©

Capstone Aviation Services (Ballarat) SOCATA TBM 700 VH-KWH Spotted at Gladstone Airport - Plus More!

On Monday 15 September, sleek looking Capstone Aviation Services of Ballarat (Victoria) SOCATA TBM 700 VH-KWH was spotted at Gladstone Airport.

It appears to have arrived over the weekend from Ballarat and then departed back there via Bourke during Monday afternoon.

Also spotted was New South Wales-based Sling 4 TSi High Wing VH-8HW.  Its movements are not fully known.

While down at Bundaberg Airport, most of the fleet of fire fighting aircraft were spotted parked awaiting their next tasks.  

Canadian-based Conair Aerial Firefighting Dash-8-Q400MR C-FFQE "Bomber 141".

Aerotech Aircraft Holdings (Aerotech Helicopters) Pickering Aviation (Sikorsky) UH-60A Black Hawk helicopters VH-UHG "Helitak 515" and (UH-60L) VH-8UL "Helitak 517".

Microflite Pilatus PC-12/47E VH-8MF "Firescan 399".

And Perri Air / South Burnett Air Services Quest Kodiak 100 VH-8FV "Firescan 415".

Meanwhile, also on Monday 15 September, the locally-based Embraer EMB-550 Legacy 500 bizjet N142GZ was back in the air, noted departing Mackay Airport for Brisbane.

UPDATE!  On Friday 19 September, N142GZ returned to Mackay Airport from Brisbane.

Bowenville based (operated by Real Time Aviation - Brisbane) Cessna 525 CitationJet CJ1+ bizjet VH-JSZ flew out from Archerfield to Dalby then up to Clermont Aerodrome and Natal Downs and this afternoon reversed the flight. 

Vee H Aviation (Link Airways) Beech B200GT Super King Air 250 VH-VEW flew up from Brisbane to Oaky Creek Mine Site and then Clermont Aerodrome and then back to Brisbane.  It still visits the region several times each week.

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

Finally, also on Monday 15 September, Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) Boeing B737-7ES / E-7A Wedgetail Airborne Early Warning & Control (AEW&C) aircraft A30-003 as "Wedgetail 02" flew up from RAAF Base Williamtown to complete a couple of approaches at Hervey Bay (Fraser Coast) Airport before then flying South to complete more airwork at Coffs Harbour and then back to Williamtown. 

All photos taken by Swavek Topolski  ©

American-Registered Gold Coast-Based Cirrus SR22 N978BR Pops into Maryborough Airport - Plus More!

On Friday 18 April, American registered but seemingly Gold Coast-based Cirrus SR22 N978BR visited Maryborough Airport what appears to be its Southport base.

Another Cirrus SR22 VH-83A was noted flying down from the Whitsunday Airport at Shute Harbour to Roma Airport and then Camden in New South Wales.

Meanwhile, also on Friday 18 April, Multiquip Poultry / Navair Flight Operations Embraer EMB-500 Phenom 100EV bizjet VH-MQX as "Navair 129" flew up to Hamilton Island from Bankstown. 

UPDATE!  On Tuesday 22 April, VH-MQX "Navair 129" departed Hamilton Island Airport for Tamworth and  Bankstown.

While Perri Air / South Burnett Air Services Quest Kodiak 100 VH-8FV landed at Gladstone Airport from Charleville Airport and then departed to Dalby. 

And Seair Pacific / Istlecote Textron Aviation (Cessna) 208B Caravan VH-TLH landed at Gladstone Airport from Thargomindah and then departed to Lady Elliott Island. 

Finally, late on Thursday 17 April, Bowenville based (operated by Real Time Aviation - Brisbane) Cessna 525 CitationJet CJ1+ bizjet VH-JSZ visited Rockhampton Airport from Archerfield.

Australian Army (Helicorp) Leonardo (Agusta) AW139 Helicopters VH-YQJ & VH-YBG Both Call Into Rockhampton Airport - Plus More!

On Monday 20 January, a pair of Australian Army (Helicorp) Leonardo (Agusta) AW139 helicopters were noted passing through Rockhampton Airport.

File photo

They were identified as VH-YQJ, flying as "Warhorse 203" and VH-YBG as "Wombat".

Both helicopters arrived from Townsville and then later departed to the Oakey Army Aviation Centre.

Meanwhile, also on Monday 20 January, Robindale Group / Air Link Cessna 510 Citation Mustang bizjet VH-CMK flew up from Orange to the Sunshine Coast and then Bundaberg Airport. Later, it flew across to Emerald Airport.

UPDATE!  On Wednesday 22 January, VH-CMK departed Emerald Airport for Bundaberg Airport and then the Sunshine Coast and Orange.

Homada Pty Ltd Cessna 560XL Citation XLS bizjet VH-XCU flew into Hamilton Island Airport from Melbourne (Moorabbin). It later departed to Melbourne (Essendon). VH-XCU also visited Hamo last Monday 13 January.

While re-registered Gippsland GA-8 Airvan VH-88N arrived into Proserpine (Whitsunday Coast) Airport from Latrobe Valley via Dubbo and Saint George.  We presume it has arrived for local tourist operations.

Vee H Aviation (Link Airways) Beech B200GT Super King Air 250 VH-VEW flew up from Brisbane to the Oaky Creek Mine site and the Clermont Aerodrome before returning to Brisbane.

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

And late last week, Perri Air / South Burnett Air Services Quest Kodiak 100 VH-8FV looked to fly up from its Dalby base to land at the Central Highlands Aerial Services (CHAS) facility just North of Emerald.  It then looked to spend the weekend flying from there to places like Barcaldine, Longreach and Blackall Airports before returning to Dalby on Monday 20 January.

Photo taken by Scott Harris  ©

Raytheon Australia Learjet 35A Bizjet VH-ESM "Lyrebird 11" Completes a Sortie out of Townsville to the Whitsundays and Mackay Airport - Plus More!

On Sunday 26 November, Raytheon Australia Learjet 35A bizjet VH-ESM as "Lyrebird 11" 11 flew out of Townsville Airport and completed low-level airwork at Mackay Airport and then over water in the Whitsundays before it then returned to Townsville. It later flew down to RAAF Base Amberley.

While Air Charter Services / Flight Options (Australia) Embraer EMB-505 Phenom 300 bizjet VH-VKX flew into Hamilton Island Airport once again, this time from Brisbane and the Gold Coast.  It later returned directly to Brisbane.

And LifeFlight (Aeromed) Bombardier Challenger 604 bizjet VH-URR "Ambulance 604" was photographed at Gladstone Airport.  It arrived from and later departed back to Brisbane.

VH-URR "Ambulance 604" was also in the region on Saturday 25 November with it flying from Brisbane to Hervey Bay (Fraser Coast) Airport, the Sunshine Coast, Gladstone Airport, Emerald Airport, Rockhampton Airport and then back to Brisbane.

While also on Saturday 25 November, fellow LifeFlight (Aeromed) Canadair CL-600-2B16 Challenger 604 bizjet VH-OFA "Ambulance 614" flew down from Townsville to Rockhampton Airport and then Brisbane.  It then flew out to Longreach Airport and then back to Townsville.

And the locally-based Embraer EMB-550 Legacy 500 bizjet N142GZ departed Mackay Airport for the Gold Coast.

UPDATE!  On Wednesday 29 November, N142GZ departed the Gold Coast and returned to Mackay Airport but then departed and returned back to the Goldie.

UPDATE!  On Saturday 2 December, N142GZ finally returned to Mackay Airport from the Gold Coast.

Finally, also on Saturday 25 November, privately owned and operated Quest Kodiak 100 VH-84M was noted departing Roma Airport for the North-West.

And Emerald Coaches (Emerald) Piper PA-46-350P Malibu Mirage VH-ZMM departed Hamilton Island Airport for Gympie.

Photos taken by Graham Aspinall and Emily C  ©

Private Quest Kodiak 100 VH-84M at Mackay Airport - Plus More Arrivals into the Whitsunday Airport at Shute Harbour!

On Friday 1 September, privately owned and operated Quest Kodiak 100 VH-84M flew back into its Mackay Airport from Toowoomba. It appears to have arrived at Toowoomba the previous day.

File photo

Property Maintenance Australia P/L Pilatus PC-12/47E VH-WJA arrived into Rockhampton Airport from Dubbo before it then departed to Hicks Island.

UPDATE! On Tuesday 5 September, VH-WJA looked to pop back into Rockhampton Airport from Hicks Island before continuing back to Dubbo.

And Victoria based NZAI CT/4A Airtrainer flew down from Atherton and Charters Towers Aerodromes and landed at Emerald Airport before it continued to Charleville Airport. It looks to have flown North last weekend.

Meanwhile, also on Friday 1 September, Avcair (Avgunn) LearJet 60 bizjet VH-ILJ visited Hamilton Island Airport from Brisbane.

Microflite Pilatus PC-12/47E VH-8MF departed the Whitsunday Airport at Shute Harbour for Windorah. It had arrived on Wednesday 30 August.

And through the day several light planes and helicopters from all over Australia continued to fly up to the Whitsunday Airport at Shute Harbour for their annual fly-in and Runway Dinner.  Noted were:  Rans VH-RHM, Sling 4 VH-XHL, Seneca VH-SEN, RV6 VH-YLB, NSW based Bearhawk VH-YVL, NSW based R44s VH-HIX and VH-OLR, Qld based SR22 VH-LBQ, Victoria based R44 VH-HIE in company with Qld based R66 VH-YSE and Tasmania based R44 VH-MKR.

Photo taken by Mary Marshall  ©

Emerald-based Aero Professional Services Take Delivery of SOCATA TBM700 VH-VSV - Plus More!

We reported last week that Emerald-based aerial ag operator Aero Professional Services has taken delivery of former Brisbane-based (Bishopp Aviation) SOCATA TBM700 VH-VSV.  It arrived into their Denison Downs property last Monday 13 March.

https://www.facebook.com/aeroprofessionalservices

So, on Friday 24 March, VH-VSV was noted departing Denison Downs and heading West to complete airwork and then landing at Barcaldine Airport.  It later returned to the property.

UPDATE!  On Saturday 25 March, VH-VSV was back in the air, this time heading further West to Longreach Airport where it again completed airwork and landed for a short time.  It then returned to the Denison Downs property.

Meanwhile, also on Friday 24 March, South Australia-based Mooney M20P VH-FAF finally departed Longreach Airport for Roma Airport and Toowoomba.  It had arrived last Thursday 16 March when the Mooney Pilots Association of Australia annual fly-in happened at Longreach Airport.

Recently registered (to a property near Richmond in Queensland) Quest Kodiak 100 VH-84M looked to fly from Mackay Airport up to Proserpine (Whitsunday Coast) Airport and back to Mackay Airport.  It had arrived there on delivery from overseas in mid-January.

While new Bell Textron 407GXi helicopter VH-JUF flew up from Bankstown to Townsville via Gunnedah, Narrabri(?), Roma and Clermont Airports, presumably on delivery to Cairns-based Nautilus Aviation.

UPDATE!  On Saturday 25 March, VH-JUF indeed continued from Townsville to Cairns.

McDermott Aviation Group / Machjet International Beech B200 King Air VH-ZPY flew up from Sunshine Coast to the Labona Station Airstrip within Adani Australia's (Bravus Mining & Resources) Carmichael Coal Mine site before then flying across to Rockhampton Airport and then back to the Sunny Coast.  It had flown the reverse inbound flight at the start of the week.

Fellow Machjet (Machjet International) Hawker Beechcraft B200 King Air VH-ZSY flew down from Cairns to Labona then to Mackay Airport and then later back up to Cairns. 

And Hinterland Aviation Beech B200 King Air VH-HJS as HND626 flew down from Cairns to Labona then to Rockhampton Airport and then back to Cairns. 

Finally, also on Friday 24 March, Jetstream Aviation (Emprja P/L) Cessna 550 Citation II VH-VDF departed Proserpine (Whitsunday Coast) Airport and returned to the Sunshine Coast.

It had arrived at Prosie from the Sunny Coast on Wednesday 22 March.

Photo taken by 'AC'  ©

First Ever Alpha-numeric Aircraft Registration into CQ - Quest Kodiak 100 VH-84M Arrives into Mackay Airport - Plus More!

On Saturday 14 January, a first the region (that we know of!) with an aircraft touching down at a Central Queensland Airport wearing a new Australian alpha-numeric registration marking.

Only recently registered (to a property near Richmond in Queensland) Quest Kodiak 100 VH-84M arrived into Mackay Airport from Darwin (pictured), Mount Isa and Hughenden.  It had arrived into the country from overseas via Darwin the previous day.

The Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA) announced in June that aircraft registration marks in Australia were changing to include a new alpha-numeric system. The first release of 1500 new marks were made available from late September.

Initially, the new marks will only start with an X or 8, for example VH-8AB, VH-X9B, VH-X22.  Marks will not contain the numbers ‘0’ or ‘1’ to avoid conflict with these numbers and letters.  They also must contain a mix of alphanumeric characters - they cannot contain only numbers.

Introducing a 3-character alpha-numeric system will mean the availability of more than 20,000 additional registration marks.  This will give CASA enough marks for at least another 30 years.

Of interest, the very first alpha-numeric registration marking in Australia was believed to have been issued to a Rotorway Exec 90 helicopter in Western Australia as VH-X9O (Xray, Niner, Oscar).

Meanwhile, also on Saturday 14 January, Linfox Global Charter / Air National Australia Bombardier BD-700-1A10 Global 6000 bizjet VH-LEP finally departed Hamilton Island Airport.  It headed to the Gold Coast.

VH-LEP had arrived into Hamo from Melbourne (Essendon) and Melbourne (Avalon) on New Year's Day!

And after arriving two days prior, Bowenville (near Toowoomba) based Cessna 525 CitationJet CJ1+ bizjet VH-JSZ departed Mackay Airport and returned to Hamilton Island Airport.  It then departed to Archerfield.

Finally, also on Saturday 14 January, The Redcliffe Aero Club Vulcanair (Partenavia) P.68C VH-VMV completed its visit to CQ, departing Gladstone Airport for another six hour long aerial survey way out to sea.  It then landed down at the Sunshine Coast before returning to Redcliffe.

Toowoomba-based Beech 58 Baron VH-CLE departed Agnes Water Airstrip for Tara.  It was due to returned to Agnes Water Airstrip on Sunday 15 January.  It also looks like VH-CLE has completed a couple of similar flights in the previous couple of weeks.

Cirrus SR22 VH-YMI departed Rockhampton Airport for the Sunshine Coast.  It looks to have arrived two days prior also from the Sunny Coast.

And new Bell Textron 407GXi helicopter VH-JEV flew up from Bankstown to Emerald Airport, possibly on delivery to Nautilus Aviation.  It flew up via Gunnedah, Moree and Roma Airports.

UPDATE!  On Sunday 15 January, VH-JEV departed Emerald Airport and called into my local Clermont Aerodrome, Charters Towers Aerodrome, Townsville and Cairns at the completion of its delivery flight.

Plus Omni Executive (Canberra) / M.I. Helicopters (Roma) Bell 206L-3 LongRanger III VH-NPI was also noted departing Roma Airport around the same time, with it looking to head towards Gladstone Airport.

Photo taken by Mary Marshall  ©

Air Link (Dubbo) Textron Aviation (Cessna) 510 Citation Mustang Bizjet VH-SQV Pops into The Whitsunday Airport at Shute Harbour - Plus More!

On Wednesday 10 August, Metro Holdings Australia (Air Link - Dubbo) Textron Aviation (Cessna) 510 Citation Mustang bizjet VH-SQV flew up from Sydney to Shute Harbour then down to Archerfield. 

File photo

While Jampair P/L (Navair Flight Operations) Embraer EMB-505 Phenom 300E bizjet VH-NSQ finally departed Mackay Airport and flew up to Proserpine (Whitsunday Coast) Airport before then departing to Bankstown. 

And Mitchell Water Cessna 525 Citation M2 bizjet VH-WMY flew up to Mackay Airport from Archerfield and Chinchilla Airports.

UPDATE!  On Thursday 11 August, VH-WMY departed Mackay Airport for Miles Airport and then back to Archerfield. 

Meanwhile, also on Wednesday 10 August, RDO Equipment Co. (ex Vanderfield) Pilatus PC-12/47 VH-WPH departed finally Emerald Airport to Bundaberg, Gympie, Archerfield, Inverell and Toowoomba Airports.  It had arrived last weekend. 

Wagga Air Centre (Mabena) SOCATA TBM-850 VH-PVM as "Wagga Air 669" flew up to Proserpine (Whitsunday Coast) Airport from Wagga Wagga. 

UPDATE!  On Thursday 11 August, VH-PVM "Wagga Air 669" departed Prosie and returned to Wagga.

Brisbane-based Avcair Cessna 425 Conquest 1 VH-BSM flew up from Archerfield to Moura and then Emerald Airports.  It later returned to Archerfield.

Boomerang Pastoral P/L Quest Kodiak 100 VH-KKW was noted departing Longreach Airport.  It looked to have arrived there from Toowoomba over the weekend.

Bunderra Cattle Co (Rockhampton) Piper PA-46-350P Malibu Mirage VH-KNV flew from Rolleston Aerodrome to the Sunshine Coast and Rockhampton Airport.  It had flown from Rocky to Rolleston Aerodrome via the Sunny Coast at the start of the week.

And Edwards Coaches Cessna 441 VH-TAZ flew from the Gold Coast to Emerald Airport before departing to Archerfield.  Of interest, on Tuesday 9 August, VH-TAZ flew into Rockhampton Airport from Archerfield before departing to the Gold Coast.

Finally, also on Wednesday 10 August, Link Airways (Corporate Air / Vee H Aviation) Metro 23 VH-VEU flew out from Brisbane to Boulia then to Longreach Airport and back to Brisbane.

Photos taken by Lee Holloway and 'TM'  ©️

Quest Kodiak 100 Series II Turboprop N195KQ Calls into CQ Airports on Demo Tour - Photographed at Whitsunday Airport at Shute Harbour

As posted below, Quest Kodiak 100 Series II turboprop N195KQ is on an Australia-wide demonstration tour and has spent the previous couple of days stopping at some Central Queensland Airports.  It has visited Gladstone Airport, Rockhampton Airport (see below) and Hamilton Island Airport, and on Tuesday 12 March, N195KQ was photographed in stunning conditions at the Whitsunday Airport at Shute Harbour.

It was open for inspection outside the main terminal building at the Whitsunday Airport and proved quite popular with many local aviators and some curious onlookers taking the opportunity for a look through the Kodiak.

This particular airframe (C/N: 100-0195) has flown just over 100 hours.  It is currently set up inside with two seats in front and six seats in the main cabin, but can have two more seats.  The seats and carpet can also be removed to take cargo and the bottom side door can swing down level to allow a forklift in.  On the right wing there is the radar pod.

After being on display, N195KQ departed the Whitsundays for Cairns and Mareeba Airports where it was due to continue its tour in Far North Queensland before continuing onwards to Darwin in the Northern Territory.

The Kodiak 100 Series II is a high-wing, unpressurized, single-engine turboprop-powered fixed tricycle landing gear aircraft built by Quest Aircraft, a Japanese owned aircraft manufacturer based in the United States of America.  The Kodiak is described as a utilitarian air vehicle capable of carrying 10 or more persons, using aluminium construction, short-field capability, and good useful load.  Large contributors to the Kodiak's STOL performance are a fixed, discontinuous leading edge on the outboard wing and the high performance Pratt & Whitney Canada PT6 turbine engine.

A decade after the first delivery of the original Kodiak 100, the Series II introduces a range of enhancements. The standard equipment list has been expanded to include Garmin’s next generation G1000NXi, as well as an Angle-of-Attack indexer, digital 4-in-1 standby, Flight Stream 510 and a two-year subscription to the Kodiak Mobile App, backed by Garmin Pilot.

The Quest Aircraft Company website can be found at:  https://questaircraft.com/  or follow them on Facebook.

Photos and video used with permission  ©

Quest Kodiak 100 Series II Turboprop N195KQ Calls into CQ Airports on Demo Tour - Photographed at Rockhampton Airport

While on an Australia-wide demonstration tour, on Sunday 10 March, Quest Kodiak 100 Series II turboprop N195KQ was photographed at Rockhampton Airport.  It had arrived from Archerfield via a stop at Gladstone Airport.

After being refuelled, N195KQ was towed into the Peace Aviation hangar at Rockhampton Airport where it was open for inspection.  Local plane spotters Kayanne H and Trevor H were both on hand to capture some great photos and obtain information about the Kodiak.

This particular airframe (C/N: 100-0195) has flown just over 100 hours.  It is currently set up inside with two seats in front and six seats in the main cabin, but can have two more seats.  The seats and carpet can also be removed to take cargo and the bottom side door can swing down level to allow a forklift in.  On the right wing there is the radar pod.

After being on display, N195KQ departed Rockhampton Airport for Hamilton Island Airport.  From there it is then due to visit the Whitsunday Airport at Shute Harbour before continuing to Cairns, Mareeba and beyond to Darwin.

The Kodiak 100 Series II is a high-wing, unpressurized, single-engine turboprop-powered fixed tricycle landing gear aircraft built by Quest Aircraft, a Japanese owned aircraft manufacturer based in the United States of America.  The Kodiak is described as a utilitarian air vehicle capable of carrying 10 or more persons, using aluminium construction, short-field capability, and good useful load.  Large contributors to the Kodiak's STOL performance are a fixed, discontinuous leading edge on the outboard wing and the high performance Pratt & Whitney Canada PT6 turbine engine.

A decade after the first delivery of the original Kodiak 100, the Series II introduces a range of enhancements. The standard equipment list has been expanded to include Garmin’s next generation G1000NXi, as well as an Angle-of-Attack indexer, digital 4-in-1 standby, Flight Stream 510 and a two-year subscription to the Kodiak Mobile App, backed by Garmin Pilot.

The Quest Aircraft Company website can be found at:  https://questaircraft.com/  or follow them on Facebook.

Sincere thanks to Kayanne and Trevor for taking the time to capture and send through these great photos!

Photos taken by Kayanne Hardsman and Trevor Hardsman  ©