Showing posts with label Longreach. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Longreach. Show all posts

Thursday, July 9, 2026

Australian Country Choice Properties / Aero Corporate Charters P/L (Brisbane) Cessna 525B CitationJet CJ3 Bizjet VH-ACC Pops into Hamilton Island Airport - Plus More!

On Thursday 9 July, Australian Country Choice Properties / Aero Corporate Charters P/L (Brisbane) Cessna 525B CitationJet CJ3 bizjet VH-ACC popped into Hamilton Island Airport from Archerfield.

File photo

Parker Aviation Ventures (Sydney) / Air Link (Dubbo) Embraer EMB-500 Phenom bizjet VH-PNM which had landed at Proserpine (Whitsunday Coast) Airport at the start of the week, hopped from there to Hamilton Island Airport and then later departed to Canberra.

While Navair Flight Operations Embraer EMB-505 Phenom 300 bizjet VH-VKX flew up to Hamilton Island Airport from Newcastle (Williamtown).

And South Australia-based Hawker Beechcraft B300 Super King Air VH-UXF continues to make weekly visits up from Adelaide and Maitland to Collinsville Aerodrome (yesterday) and then Proserpine Airport (today) and back.

Meanwhile, on Wednesday 8 July, Mission Aviation Fellowship (MAF) GA8 Airvan VH-MFI and Cessna 172 VH-WMC landed at Longreach Airport from Barkley Wayside Inn and Mount Isa.

Finally, on Thursday 9 July, an ex-Jetstar Asia Airbus A320-200 N300XT departed storage at Alice Springs for Cairns and then the USA.  It was previously registered as 9V-JSY and 9V-TRD with Tigerair/Scoot and was ferried into Alice Springs in October 2025 with plans for it to be placed on the Australian Aircraft Register as VH-X3R and enter service with Jetstar Australia - which obviously did not occur.

Photo taken by Tony Haynes  ©

Tuesday, July 7, 2026

A Pair of Australian Army CH-47F Chinook Helicopters A15-307 "Salty 47" & A15-306 "Easy 328" Spotted at Mackay Airport - Plus More!

On Tuesday 7 July, a pair of Australian Army Boeing CH-47F Chinook helicopters were spotted at Mackay Airport.  They appear to have flown down from Townsville via completing air work individually in the Whitsundays – at Proserpine (Whitsunday Coast) Airport and Hamilton Island Airport – before continuing down to Mackay Airport.







The two Chinooks from the Army’s 5th Aviation Regiment based at Townsville, where identified as A15-307 which flew as "Salty 47" and A15-306 as "Easy 328".

After some time on the ground, both Chinooks departed for Townsville with A15-307 "Salty 47" again completing air work at Hamilton Island Airport.

Meanwhile, also on Tuesday 7 July, Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) Airbus A330-200 / KC-30A Multi Role Tanker Transport (MRTT) A39-003 as "Dragon 25" arrived into Rockhampton Airport from RAAF Base Amberley and parked on taxiway Juliet. A bit later it departed to the North and completed a missed approach at Townsville before then returning to Amberley.

Finally, on the civilian side of movements, also on Tuesday 7 July, McDermott Aviation Group / Machjet International Cessna 525C CitationJet CJ4 bizjet VH-PIY as "Machflight 41" flew up from the Sunshine Coast to Hamilton Island Airport before then flying across to Ayers Rock. It later returned to the Sunshine Coast.

Poolhurst Aviation Air Charter Services new Pilatus PC-24 jet VH-VTF flew up from Archerfield to Hamilton Island Airport before then flying down to Adelaide.

Port Macquarie Helicopters / Graham Aviation (Cairns) Cessna 510 Citation Mustang bizjet VH-8DD departed Hamilton Island Airport for the Sunshine Coast. It had arrived on Saturday 4 July from Port Macquarie and Rockhampton Airport.

Mabena P/L (Wagga Air Centre) Pilatus PC-12/47E NGX VH-A8K as "Wagga Air 669" appeared to fly South from a property near Dysart.  It had earlier flown up from Archerfield and also from Wagga Wagga the previous day.

UPDATE!  On Wednesday 8 July VH-A8L 'WA669' was again noted flying in the region ultimately arriving into Longreach Airport.  Then on Thursday 9 July, it departed Longreach Airport for Isisford, Wrotham Park and then Cairns.

Photos taken by Graham Kevin Jackson  ©

Monday, July 6, 2026

General Aviation Maintenance (GAM Group) (Team Global Express) Raytheon 1900D VH-YJD Calls into CQ Airports - Plus More!

On Monday 6 July, and possibly entering service in its own right, was General Aviation Maintenance (GAM Group) (Team Global Express) Raytheon 1900D VH-YJD.


It flew up from Brisbane to Rockhampton Airport and then Mackay Airport and Townsville as 'GA845' / "Gamair 845" and was due to return South from Townsville to Brisbane via only Mackay Airport on Monday evening as 'GA847'.

Of interest, VH-YJD has been noted completing several training and test flights between Brisbane and Maryborough Airport in recent weeks with still the occasional run out to Emerald Airport in place of the  Cessna 208 Caravan VH-UJK.

Meanwhile, also on Monday 6 July, Albury-based Cessna 525 CitationJet M2 bizjet VH-JSO visited the region again this time arriving into Rockhampton Airport from Canberra and Brisbane and then later departing to Bundaberg Airport.

Parker Aviation Ventures (Sydney) / Air Link (Dubbo) Embraer EMB-500 Phenom bizjet VH-PNM departed Archerfield for Canberra before then flying up to Hamilton Island Airport and then across to Proserpine (Whitsunday Coast) Airport.

While Arbormeta P/L (Byron Bay) Gippsaero GA8-TC 320 Airvan VH-AUM flew up from Ballina / Byron Bay Gateway to Emerald Airport before continuing to Mareeba and Cairns.

And Parklea (Air Services) (of Victoria) Leonardo AW109SP helicopter VH-87M was spotted at Longreach Airport after earlier arriving from Winton.


Photos taken by Lloyd Fox and Liam Sellick  ©

Sunday, May 3, 2026

Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) Alenia C-27J Spartan A34-002 "Ausy 517" Make Emergency Landing at Longreach Airport

On Sunday 3 May, Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) Alenia C-27J Spartan transport aircraft A34-002 flying as "Ausy 517" was flying down from Darwin to RAAF Base Amberley and suffered de-pressurisation and descended to low level then before making an emergency landing at Longreach Airport.


The aircraft had only just returned into Darwin from overseas.

After some time on the ground, A34-002 "Ausy 517" departed Longreach Airport and continued its planned flight to RAAF Base Amberley.

Photo taken by 'AC'  ©

Saturday, May 2, 2026

Gulf Coast Aviation Cessna 510 Citation Mustang Bizjet VH-KXM Pops into Longreach Airport - Plus More!

On Saturday 2 May, Gulf Coast Aviation Cessna 510 Citation Mustang bizjet VH-KXM flew up from Tamworth and Moree to Longreach Airport.  It then departed Vanrook Station near Normanton.

File photo

And Central Queensland Helicopter Rescue Service (CQ Rescue) / CQ Aeromedical Leonardo AW139 helicopter VH-XQ7 flew up from Melbourne (Essendon), Wagga Wagga and Dubbo to Roma Airport yesterday before then continuing up to Mackay Airport early on Saturday.

Photo taken by Nathan Pawley  ©

Friday, May 1, 2026

Australian Army Airbus Helicopters H135 'Juno' Training Helicopters N52-103 "Warhorse 29" & N52-101 "Jackal 11" Both Call into Hervey Bay (Fraser Coast) Airport - Plus More!

On Friday 1 May, a pair of Australian Army Airbus Helicopters H135 'Juno' training helicopters were noted visiting Hervey Bay (Fraser Coast) Airport.  They were identified as N52-103 as "Warhorse 29" and N52-101 as "Jackal 11" and looked to fly up from Enoggera Army Barracks.  

Defence image...

N52-103 "Warhorse 29" later flew to the Oakey Army Aviation Centre while N52-101 "Jackal 11" returned to Enoggerra.

And Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) Boeing B737-7ES / E-7A Wedgetail Airborne Early Warning & Control (AEW&C) aircraft A30-006 as "Mitchel 12" complete airwork also at Hervey Bay (Fraser Coast) Airport while on a flight out of and back to RAAF Base Williamtown.

Meanwhile, also on Friday 1 May, Gulf Aircraft Cessna 680 Citation Sovereign bizjet VH-PYN arrived into Emerald Airport from the North-West before later departing to Brisbane. It had started its day at Melbourne (Essendon).

And it seems that the aircraft used for the skydiving out of Lakeside Airpark was swapped over with Sydney Skydivers Pacific Aerospace PAC 750XL VH-XLC noted operating and then departing to Caloundra while the usual Cessna 208B Supervan 900 Skydiving Aircraft VH-XLF returned to Lakeside Airpark late in the day from Bankstown via Wilton.

Finally, on a quiet Thursday 30 April, Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) Beech B350 Super King Air A32-651 as "Hudson 01" flew down from Cairns to complete a missed approach at Hamilton Island Airport and then land at Longreach Airport.  It then departed to the South.  The Super King Air had flown across from Alice Springs to Cairns the previous day.

And Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) Airbus A330-203 / KC-30A Multi Role Tanker Transport (MRTT) A39-006 as "Dragon 40" was noted completing a missed approach at Rockhampton Airport.  Like all other flights this week, it arrived from RAAF Base Amberley and then departed to Brisbane Airport.

Wednesday, April 29, 2026

Transwisata Prima Aviation (Indonesia) Gulfstream IV-SP (G-IV) Bizjet PK-TWY at Emerald Airport - Plus More!

A real beaut bizjet that was almost missed but was spotted late on Wednesday 29 April was Transwisata Prima Aviation Gulfstream IV-SP (G-IV) bizjet PK-TWY.  It was spotted below departing to Brisbane.



It appears that PK-TWY brought high-ranking mining officials to town with the sleek Gulfstream looking to have arrived the previous day from Jakarta (Halim) via Darwin.

Meanwhile, a blast from the past with former Bundaberg-based - now Indi Flight of West Bathurst (NSW) - Cessna 414A VH-CBT noted departing Longreach Airport for Kempsey.  It looked to have flown down from Darwin and Mount Isa into Longreach Airport late on Tuesday 28 April.

Finally, late on Wednesday 29 April, there were more Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) training flights into Rockhampton and Bundaberg Airport - as there has been each night this week so far!

RAAF Airbus A330-200 / KC-30A Multi Role Tanker Transport (MRTT) A39-002 as "Dragon 65" called into Rockhampton Airport while on a flight out of RAAF Base Amberley and then to Brisbane Airport.

And a pair of RAAF Alenia C-27J Spartan transport aircraft A34-001 as "Kaos 33" and A34-010 as "Wallaby 41" were noted completing airwork at Bundaberg Airport while on flights out of and back to Amberley.

Photos taken by 'AC'  ©

Thursday, April 23, 2026

Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) Boeing B737-8 MAX BBJ A62-002 "Envoy 66" Calls into Gladstone Airport - Plus More!

On Thursday 23 April, Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) Boeing B737-8 MAX BBJ A62-002 as Envoy 66 flew into Gladstone Airport from Townsville.  It then departed to RAAF Base Amberley.

File photo

It appeared to have flown up to Townsville from Canberra via Amberley the previous day.

Fellow RAAF Beech Super King Air A32-021 as "Hudson 07" flew up from RAAF Base East Sale and Orange to Proserpine (Whitsunday Coast) Airport before it then flew down to Hervey Bay (Fraser Coast) Airport.

UPDATE!  On Friday 24 April, A32-021 "Hudson 07" departed Hervey Bay Airport and flew to RAAF Base Amberley and then back to East Sale.

Meanwhile, also on Thursday 23 April, Microflite (Moorabbin) Airbus Helicopters MBB-BK117 D-3 helicopter VH-8JJ landed at Longreach Airport from Melbourne (Moorabbin), Griffith and Charleville Airports.

UPDATE!  On Friday 24 April, the BK117 VH-8JJ departed Longreach Airport for Charters Towers Aerodrome and then Cairns.

Vee H Aviation (Link Airways) Beech B200GT Super King Air 250 VH-VEW visited Clermont Aerodrome once again on the triangle run between Brisbane and the Oaky Creek Mine Site.  It also visited as per usual on Monday 20 April.

Also on Monday 20 April, NQ Goldfields Beech 58 Baron VH-SNZ visited Clermont Aerodrome from Charters Towers Aerodrome again.

Then on Tuesday 21 April, Consolidated Pastoral Company P/L Cessna 421C Golden Eagle VH-UTC was noted visiting Middlemount Aerodrome and Longreach Airport before continuing up to Mount Isa and Darwin.

Angel Flight Cessna 402C VH-AF3 flew into Longreach Airport from Jundah before continuing to Townsville.  It had flown down also via Longreach Airport the previous day.

And Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) Boeing C-17A Globemaster III A41-209 as "Stallion 57" flew up from RAAF Base Amberley to complete a missed approach at Rockhampton Airport before it then back to Amberley.

Photo taken by Michael Mc  ©

Friday, April 17, 2026

Nioa Aviation (Avcair) Embraer EMB-505 Phenom 300 Bizjet VH-NJR Spotted at Maryborough Airport - Plus More!

On Friday 17 April, Nioa Aviation (Avcair) Embraer EMB-505 Phenom 300 bizjet VH-NJR was photographed on the ground at Maryborough Airport. 


While Careflight (NT) Hawker Beechcraft B200 King Air VH-ZCN as "Careflight 27" landed at Longreach Airport from Toowoomba before it then departed to Mount Isa and Darwin.

LifeFlight (Aeromed) Bombardier Challenger 604 bizjet VH-URR "Ambulance 604" landed at Mackay Airport from Townsville and then departed to Brisbane.  It and sister-ships are still making mutiple visits to CQ Airports each week.

And National Jet Express Dash-8-Q400 Next Gen VH-IYJ flew into Rockhampton Airport from Brisbane as 'JTE452'.

UPDATE!  On Saturday 18 April, VH-IYJ as 'JTE444' departed Rockhampton Airport for Townsville and is due back later in the night.  Looks like another Rugby League football charter flight.

Finally, on a quiet Thursday 16 April, Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) Boeing B737-7ES / E-7A Wedgetail Airborne Early Warning & Control (AEW&C) aircraft A30-006 as "Wedgetail 04" was noted completing a missed approach at Rockhampton Airport.  It flew up from RAAF Base Williamtown via a missed approach at the Gold Coast before then returning direct to Williamtown.

Photo taken by Josh Matica  ©

Thursday, April 9, 2026

VistaJet Bombardier BD-700-1A10 Global 6000 Bizjet 9H-VJX 'VJT972' Pops into Hamilton Island Airport - Plus More!

On Thursday 9 April, VistaJet Bombardier BD-700-1A10 Global 6000 bizjet 9H-VJX as 'VJT972' / "Vistajet 972" was noted visiting Hamilton Island Airport.



It flew down from Cairns and then departed to Townsville where it was photographed above and seemingly staying for parking.

UPDATE!  On Sunday 12 April, 9H-VJX as 'VJT972' / "Vistajet 972" returned to Hamilton Island Airport from Townsville before then departing to Sydney.

While Mitchell Water Cessna 525 Citation M2 bizjet VH-WMY hopped from Mackay Airport to the Whitsunday Airport at Shute Harbour before it then departed to the Sunshine Coast, Gold Coast, Swan Hill, Horsham and Waikerie.  It was due to fly back to the Sunshine Coast later. 

Bowenville based (operated by Real Time Aviation - Brisbane) Cessna 525 CitationJet CJ1+ bizjet VH-JSZ flew up to Natal Downs from Archerfield and Toowoomba-Wellcamp and this afternoon returned to those places. 

And Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) Alenia C-27J Spartan transport aircraft A34-009 as "Wallaby 43" flew into Bundaberg Airport from RAAF Base Amberley. The same Spartan A34-009 but as "Wallaby 41" was noted completing a low level flight up the Fraser Coast out of RAAF Base Amberley but on Wednesday 8 April.

Finally, also on a quiet Wednesday 8 April, re-registered Pilatus PC-12/47E NGX VH-NFH was noted departing Longreach Airport for the South.  It had arrived from Moree and Toowoomba the previous day.

Of interest, it appears VH-NFH was only placed on the Australian Aircraft register late last month and was previously registered as VH-DNG.

UPDATE!  In mid-May 2026, VH-NFH was re-registered to Gulf Coast Aviation at Moree.

Photos taken by 'AC'  ©

Thursday, April 2, 2026

LifeFlight and QGAir Rescue Helicopters Pass Through CQ Airports Heading to All Corners of the State - Plus a Few Bizjets Around too!!

On Wednesday 1 April, LifeFlight Leonardo SPA Helicopters AW139 helicopter VH-LF4 landed at Longreach Airport from Archerfield and Roma Airports and then departed to Mount Isa.  It will operated there as "Rescue 400".


Then on Thursday 2 April, fellow LifeFlight AW139 helicopter VH-LF3 also passed through Longreach Airport arriving from Mount Isa and departing for Roma Airport and the Sunshine Coast.

While also on Wednesday 1 April, Queensland Government (QGAir) Rescue (State of Queensland) Agusta AW139 helicopter VH-ESZ arrived into Rockhampton Airport from Townsville and then departed to Archerfield.  It will operate there as "Rescue 521".

Then on Thursday 2 April, fellow QGAir AW139 helicopter VH-EZJ also passed through Rockhampton Airport arriving from Archerfield and departing to Townsville.

Meanwhile, also on Thursday 2 April, there were several corporate bizjets noted around various Central Queensland Airports.

 Graham Aviation (Cairns) Cessna 510 Citation Mustang bizjet VH-FMZ departed Longreach Airport for Cairns and Mareeba.  It appears to have arrived from those places on Tuesday 31 March and was photographed below on Wednesday 1 April.


Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) Dassault Falcon 7X A56-001 "Envoy 18" popped into Charleville Airport arriving from Canberra and departing to Moree and then back to Canberra.

Poolhurst Aviation Air Charter Services new Pilatus PC-24 jet VH-VTF arrived into Rockhampton Airport from Archerfield and then departed to Hamilton Island Airport - BUT it diverted into Proserpine (Whitsunday Coast) Airport before then departing there and heading back to Archerfield. 

Nioa Aviation (Avcair) Embraer EMB-505 Phenom 300 bizjet VH-NJR visited Hamilton Island Airport from Brisbane.

Linfox Global Charter / Air National Australia Bombardier BD-700-1A10 Global 6000 bizjet VH-LEP arrived into Hamilton Island Airport from Melbourne (Essendon). 

Mitchell Water Cessna 525 Citation M2 bizjet VH-WMY flew into Proserpine (Whitsunday Coast) Airport from the Sunshine Coast.  It then departed to Melbourne (Essendon).

And McDermott Aviation Group / Machjet International Beech B200 King Air VH-ZPY as "Machflight 73/121" visited Hamilton Island Airport from Cairns.

Finally, on a relatively quiet Wednesday 1 April, Bowenville based (operated by Real Time Aviation - Brisbane) Cessna 525 CitationJet CJ1+ bizjet VH-JSZ, which landed at Natal Downs on Monday, hopped to Clermont Aerodrome and then Emerald Airport before later returning to Clermont Aerodrome and then departing there to Archerfield.

All photos taken by Liam Sellick  ©

Tuesday, March 31, 2026

Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) Boeing B737-8 MAX BBJ A62-001 "Envoy 12" Spotted at Rockhampton Airport

On Tuesday 31 March, Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) Boeing B737-8 MAX BBJ A62-001 was spotted on the ground at Rockhampton Airport.


It was flying as "Envoy 12" and arrived from Canberra and RAAF Base Williamtown then departed back to Williamtown.

Meanwhile, also on Tuesday 31 March, National Jet Express Dash-8-Q400 Next Gen VH-8QB as "Jetex 440" arrived into Rockhampton Airport from Brisbane and then departed to Cairns and Horn Island as "Jetex 442" on a school holiday charter.  Later it returned to Townsville as "Jetex 445".

And Brescon (Toowoomba) Beech B200 King Air VH-WXB flew out from Sunshine Coast to Rolleston Aerodrome and then down to Injune Aerodrome and then back to the Sunshine Coast.

Finally, on Monday 30 March, NQ Goldfields Beech 58 Baron VH-SNZ visited Clermont Aerodrome from Charters Towers Aerodrome again.

Vee H Aviation (Link Airways) Beech B200GT Super King Air 250 VH-VEW also made its usual Monday run up from Brisbane to the Oaky Creek Mine Site and then Clermont Aerodrome and then back to Brisbane.

And Consolidated Pastoral Company P/L Cessna 421C Golden Eagle VH-UTC landed at Longreach Airport from Mount Isa then departed to Archerfield.

Tuesday, March 24, 2026

American-Registered Cirrus SR22T N312GM pops into Bundaberg Airport - Plus More!

On Tuesday 24 March, American-Registered Cirrus SR22T N312GM was noted visiting Bundaberg Airport from the Sunshine Coast.


Of interest, over the weekend, another Cirrus SR22 VH-SRY flew across from Exmouth in Western Australia to Newman and Ayers Rock before it then continued to Longreach Airport and the Whitsunday Airport at Shute Harbour.

Finally, also on Tuesday 24 March, Yak 52 Aerostar (Yakovlev) YAK-52 VH-YDB completed a run out of Rockhampton Airport to the Capricorn Coast and back.

Monday, March 23, 2026

Two Australian Army UH-60M Black Hawk Helicopters - A60-006 & A60-009 as "Valkyrie" Return South via CQ Airports After Exercises in Townsville - Plus More!

On Monday 23 March, the two Australian Army UH-60M Black Hawk Helicopters that deployed to Townsville a couple of weeks ago, were noted flying back South to the Oakey Army Aviation Centre from there via Mackay, Rockhampton and Bundaberg Airports.  They were identified as A60-006 and A60-009 and were heard flying together as "Valkyrie".

Defence image...

The two UH-60M Black Hawk helicopters from the 16th Aviation Brigade were in Townsville to participate in Exercise Valkyrie Crawl at Townsville Field Training Area.  This training saw infantry soldiers integrate with the Black Hawk helicopters to conduct familiarisation training which enables them to support future operations.

Meanwhile, also on Monday 23 March, Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) Dassault Falcon 7X bizjet A56-003 as "Envoy 83" flew up from Canberra to complete a missed approach at Longreach Airport before then flying back to Canberra.

And RAAF Lockheed C-130J-30 Hercules transport aircraft A97-448 as "Trojan 74" visited Williamson Airfield within the Shoalwater Bay Training Area (SWBTA) from RAAF Base Richmond.

Wednesday, March 18, 2026

Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) Dassault Falcon 7X Bizjet A56-002 "Envoy 72" Calls into Bundaberg Airport - Plus More!

On Wednesday 18 March, Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) Dassault Falcon 7X bizjet A56-002 flying  as "Envoy 72" was noted visiting Bundaberg Airport from Canberra

File photo

While Alenia C-27J Spartan transport aircraft A34-010 as "Kaos 73" landed at Longreach Airport from RAAF Base Edinburgh and then departed to RAAF Base Amberley.

Meanwhile, also on Wednesday 18 March, Pilatus Australia (South Australia) Pilatus PC-24 Super Versatile Jet VH-DMS visited Mackay Airport from Cessnock.

Angel Flight Australia Cessna Cessna 402C VH-AF3 (ex VH-TFK) departed Clermont Aerodrome to Normanton.

Navajo ZephAir Australia - Aircraft Charters Piper PA-31 Navajo VH-AYT as 'ZD220' visited Clermont Aerodrome from Townsville on its regular weekly flight. We probably won’t mention it much more!

Cirrus SR22 VH-ZYH (ex N191CP) was spotted at Gladstone Airport.


And Kimberley Air Cessna 208B Grand Caravan VH-TWX landed at Longreach Airport from Redcliffe and then departed to Mount Isa.

Finally, late on Wednesday 18 March, McDermott Aviation Group / Machjet International Cessna 525C CitationJet CJ4 bizjet VH-PIY "Machflight 01" and S&S Aviation / Business Aviation Solutions Bombardier CL-600-2B16 Challenger 604 bizjet VH-XPA both landed at Gladstone Airport from Roma Airport.

Photos taken by Daniel Gorza and Swavek Topolski  ©

Tuesday, March 17, 2026

Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) Lockheed C-130J-30 Hercules A97-465 "Trojan 53" Missed Approach at Charleville Airport - Plus More!

On Tuesday 17 March, Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) Lockheed C-130J-30 Hercules transport aircraft A97-465 as "Trojan 53", which yesterday had flown from RAAF Base Richmond to Launceston via a missed approach at Canberra and low level work in northeast Tasmania, flew up from Launceston to a missed approach each at RAAF Base East Sale, Griffith, Walgett and Charleville Airports and then up to land at Cairns (pictured).


While RAAF Beech B350 Super King Air A32-675 as "Dingo 02" landed at Longreach Airport from Darwin and then departed to RAAF Base East Sale.

And RAAF Boeing B737-7ES / E-7A Wedgetail Airborne Early Warning & Control (AEW&C) aircraft  A30-001 as "Wedgetail 17" flew up from RAAF Base Williamtown to complete a missed approach at the Sunshine Coast then up to complete four at Rockhampton Airport before it then returned south.

Meanwhile, also on Tuesday 17 March, South Australia-based Hawker Beechcraft B300 Super King Air VH-UXF flew up from Cessnock to Collinsville Aerodrome then hopped to Proserpine (Whitsunday Coast) Airport and back. This seems to be a now regular flight.

And Austrek Aviation Beech B200 Super King Air VH-ZGD departed Longreach Airport for Isisford and Archerfield. It actually landed at Isisford yesterday too.

UPDATE!  On Wednesday 18 March, VH-ZGD visited Moura Aerodrome from Archerfield.

Photo taken by Jonathan Williams  ©

Monday, March 16, 2026

'Red Rock' Station (Comet) Based PA-32-300 Cherokee Six VH-DDJ Out and About at CQ Airports - Plus More!

On Monday 16 March, 'Red Rock' Station (Comet) Based PA-32-300 Cherokee Six VH-DDJ flew from Hedlow Airfield to 'Red Rock' and back before later departing Hedlow to Proserpine (Whitsunday Coast) Airport and back. 

'JB' / https://www.jetphotos.com/

Of interest, their 'usual' ride of Cessna 208 Caravan VH-RTC has reportedly been parked at Archerfield since October last year. 

While Piper PA-46-350P Malibu Mirage VH-AYL into Rockhampton Airport from Redcliffe.

And Seair Pacific (Istlecote) Cessna 208B Grand Caravan EX VH-LYI flew up from Hervey Bay (Fraser Coast) Airport and Maryborough Airport to Middlemount Aerodrome before then flying back to Hervey Bay Airport.

Meanwhile, also on Monday 16 March, Poolhurst Aviation Air Charter Services new Pilatus PC-24 jet VH-VTF flew up from Archerfield and Sydney to Hamilton Island Airport before then flying back down to Archerfield. 

And Avcair LearJet 60 bizjet VH-AVL  made a late visit to Longreach Airport arriving from Brisbane.  It then flew across to Rockhampton Airport and down to Gladstone Airport and then back to Brisbane.

Friday, March 13, 2026

Kirsh Air (NSW) Cessna 340A VH-DRA Calls into Hamilton Island Airport - Plus More!

On Friday 13 March, NSW based Kirsh Air (NSW) Cessna 340A VH-DRA flew up to Hamilton Island Airport from the Gold Coast.  It had flown into the Goldie from its Bankstown base the previous day.

File photo

UPDATE!  On Tuesday 17 March, VH-DRA finally departed Hamilton Island Airport and returned to the Gold Coast and Bankstown.

Meanwhile, also on Friday 13 March, the locally-based Embraer EMB-550 Legacy 500 bizjet N142GZ flew from Mackay Airport to Melbourne (Essendon).

And Mitchell Water Cessna 525 Citation M2 bizjet VH-WMY flew up from Melbourne (Moorabbin) and Melbourne (Essendon) to Roma Airport and then the Whitsunday Airport at Shute Harbour.  It then returned directly to Moorabbin.

Finally, also on Friday 13 March, LifeFlight Agusta Westland AW139 helicopter VH-XIA flying as "Rescue 599" flew up to Longreach Airport from the Sunshine Coast and Roma Airport.

Of interest, fellow LifeFlight Leonardo S.P.A. Helicopters (Agusta) AW139 helicopter VH-XIU as "Guardian 10" looks to be still operating out of Bundaberg Airport after arriving in the middle of the week from the Sunshine Coast via Gladstone Airport.

UPDATE!  Over the weekend, VH-XIU "Guardian 10" departed Bundaberg Airport for Archerfield.

Photo taken by Brodie Lawson  ©

Wednesday, March 11, 2026

McDermott Aviation Bell 214ST helicopter N724HT at Emerald Airport - Plus More!

On Wednesday 11 March, McDermott Aviation Bell 214ST helicopter N724HT departed Emerald Airport for Bundaberg Airport.  It had arrived late last week.


UPDATE!  On Thursday 12 March, N724HT arrived back into Emerald Airport from Bundaberg Airport before it then departed to Longreach Airport.


Meanwhile, also on Wednesday 11 March, Bowenville based (operated by Real Time Aviation - Brisbane) Cessna 525 CitationJet CJ1+ bizjet VH-JSZ flew up from Archerfield to Emerald Airport and then Rockhampton Airport and this afternoon departed to Coffs Harbour.

Sharp Airlines Metro 23 Freighter VH-HPE visited Emerald Airport from Brisbane as TFX172/3.  Fellow Sharp Airlines Metro Freighters VH-UZN and VH-UZP also operated the 'usual' week-daily freight services passing through Rockhampton and Mackay Airports.

Hewitt Agribusiness (Brisbane) Pilatus PC-12/47E VH-8HG visited Moura Aerodrome from Archerfield.

And Flight One (Services) Raytheon B300 Super King Air VH-UVH flew up from Archerfield to the Labona Station Airstrip within Adani Australia's (Bravus Mining & Resources) Carmichael Coal Mine site and then down to Clermont Aerodrome and then back to Labona.

UPDATE!  On Thursday 12 March, VH-UVH departed Labona and was spotted at Bowen Aerodrome - see Blog Post above.  It later departed back to Archerfield.

Photos taken by 'AC'  ©

Monday, March 2, 2026

RAAF Boeing B737-7ES / E-7A Wedgetail A30-001 "Mitchel 11" Completes Airwork at Hervey Bay (Fraser Coast) Airport - Plus More!

On Monday 2 March, Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) Boeing B737-7ES / E-7A Wedgetail Airborne Early Warning & Control (AEW&C) aircraft A30-001 as "Mitchel 11" flew up from RAAF Base Williamtown and was noted to complete a couple of missed approaches at Hervey Bay (Fraser Coast) Airport before it then flew back to Williamtown.

File photo

Meanwhile, also on Monday 2 March, RAAF Beech B350 Super King Air A32-675 as "Dingo 02" arrived into Longreach Airport from RAAF Base East Sale before it then continued to Darwin.

And fellow RAAF Super King Air A32-021 as "Hudson 02" also flew up to Longreach Airport also from RAAF Base East Sale before it then continued up to Darwin.

Of interest, a third RAAF Super King Air A32-651 has been operating up at Darwin as "Dingo 01" and looked to fly down to Alice Springs and East Sale on Tuesday 3 March.

Photo taken by Scott Harris  ©