McDermott Aviation / Heli-Lift Australia Aerospatiale 365N2 Dauphin 2 Helicopter N366SR Pops into CQ Airports Again!

On Thursday 2 July, McDermott Aviation / Heli-Lift Australia Aerospatiale 365N2 Dauphin 2 helicopter N366SR was noted visiting a couple of Central Queensland Airports while heading back South from a Far North Queensland resort.

File photo

It was noted calling into Proserpine (Whitsunday Coast) Airport from Tully before it then departed to Gladstone Airport.  N366SR then continued to Gympie.

N366SR had flown North from there, again via Gladstone and Proserpine Airports, back on Thursday 25 June.  It was then noted continuing to Bedarra Island Resort near Dunk Island in Far North Queensland.

Meanwhile, also on Thursday 2 July, Heli-Aust Whitsundays Eurocopter EC135 P2+ helicopter VH-XUV was noted flying back to Mackay Airport after a period of time operating out of Melbourne (Avalon) Airport.  It flew North from Avalon over a couple of days via Albury, Parkes, Tamworth, Lismore, Sunshine Coast and Gladstone Airports.

Sincere thanks to the Sunshine Coast Plane Spotting Facebook page for allowing us to share their great photo of N366SR!

New Heli-Aust Whitsundays (of Mackay) EC135 Helicopter VH-XUY Spotted at Mackay Airport

During the course of this week, a sleek new EC135 helicopter emerged from the hangar at Mackay Airport, with it being spotted and noted flying around Mackay Airport and other North Queensland Airports.

On Thursday 2 April, Heli-Aust Whitsundays brand new Airbus Helicopters EC135 P3 VH-XUY emerged from their hangar at Mackay Airport and started completing a series of test flights including to Charters Towers and Townsville Airports on Sunday 5 April.

VH-XUY was registered to the company at the start of March after being imported into the country and assembled at the Heli-Aust Whitsundays hangar at Mackay Airport.

UPDATE!  It appears that VH-XUY has ferried over the Western Australia with it noted flying around Port Hedland on Monday 13 April.

The Aviator Group / Heli-Aust Whitsundays operates a fleet of Airbus EC135 helicopters in Central Queensland at Gladstone Airport (Gladstone Helicopters) and out of Mackay Airport and the Hay Point Coal Terminal South of Mackay (Whitsunday Helicopters).  They also operate marine pilot transfer flights out of Port Hedland in Western Australia.

Sincere thanks to local plane spotter 'JM' for taking the time to capture and send through these great photos of another sleek new chopper for Heli-Aust Whitsundays!

All photos taken by 'JM'  ©

Corporate Aviation Bell 429 Global Ranger Helicopter VH-EQP Back in CQ at Gladstone and Emerald Airports

On Monday 13 May, the familiar sight of Corporate Aviation Bell 429 Global Ranger helicopter VH-EQP was back in Central Queensland.  It departed its Southport base for a refuel at Gladstone Airport before continuing to Emerald Airport.

File photo

At the time of writing, VH-EQP appears to be staying at Emerald Airport for at least the night.

UPDATE!  It appears that on Tuesday 14 May, VH-EQP completed a flight from Emerald Airport to Middlemount Aerodrome and back.

UPDATE!  On Wednesday 15 May, VH-EQP departed Emerald Airport and returned to its Southport base, via a fuel stop at Biloela / Thangool Airport.

Meanwhile, also noted at Gladstone Airport over the last week or so was Heli-Aust Whitsundays Eurocopter EC135 P2+ helicopter VH-XUV.  It appeared to be operating the regular marine pilot transfer flights in place of sister-ship Airbus Helicopters EC135 P3 (CPDS) VH-ZGP.

On Monday 13 May, VH-XUV was noted returning to Mackay Airport from Gladstone Airport.

Photo taken by Anthony Schulz  ©

New Heli-Aust Whitsundays (Whitsunday Helicopters) Agusta A109E VH-KZX Spotted at Mackay Airport

A new helicopter to be recently spotted at Mackay Airport is Heli-Aust Whitsundays (Whitsunday Helicopters) Agusta A109E VH-KZX.  It appears to have been registered in February but only delivered to Mackay Airport in recent weeks.

It joins fellow Whitsunday Helicopters A109E choppers VH-KZD and VH-TRW, plus Aerospatiale/Eurocopter AS350 Squirrel choppers VH-DKA and VH-HBZ at Mackay Airport operating marine pilot transfer flights to and from the Blossom Banks.

The Aviator Group - trading as Heli-Aust Whitsundays - operates both Whitsunday Helicopters and Mackay Helicopters from Mackay and also Gladstone Airports on specialist helicopter services including Marine Pilot Transfer, Search and Rescue (SAR), Executive Charter, Utility, Contract Services, Electronic News Gathering, Tourism, as well as Film and Photographic work.

The Aviator Group / Heli-Aust Whitsundays also operates helicopters at Port Hedland in Western Australia.

To find out more about The Aviator Group, visit:  http://www.aviatorgroup.com.au/

American Registered Bombardier BD-700-1A10 Global 6000 Bizjet N60XC - Plus Flight Options (Australia) Cessna 560 Citation Ultra Bizjet VH-MMC - Both Back at Emerald Airport

During a quick visit to Emerald Airport on Thursday 28 February, I was surprised to see and photograph American registered Bombardier BD-700-1A10 Global 6000 N60XC sitting on the main parking apron.  It appeared to arrive from Brisbane late on Wednesday 27 February.

N60XC is a regular visitor to CQ and last called into Emerald Airport at the start of February.  Moreover, it appears that N60XC has remained in Australia throughout the month, operating from both Brisbane and Sydney Airports.

At the time of writing, and after spending the day parked, it appears that N60XC is spending at least another night on the ground at Emerald Airport.

UPDATE!  N60XC departed Emerald Airport and returned to Brisbane on Friday 1 March.

Meanwhile, also photographed parked at Emerald Airport, also on Thursday 28 February, was Mackellar Mining Equipment / Flight Options (Australia) Cessna 560 Citation Ultra bizjet VH-MMC.

It flew across from Biloela / Thangool Airport earlier in the morning after arriving there early on Wednesday 27 February - see Blog post below.

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

UPDATE!  On Friday 1 March, VH-MMC departed Emerald Airport and returned to Biloela / Thangool Airport before then later returning to the Sunshine Coast.

Finally, a couple of aircraft noted ferrying through Emerald Airport also on Thursday 28 February were Colville Aviation Services (Torres Strait Air) Pilatus Britten-Norman BN2A-21 Islander VH-WQA which was noted ferrying to Archerfield from Cairns. While Heli-Aust Whitsundays' Airbus Helicopters EC135 T3 VH-XUU was noted departing Emerald Airport for Gladstone Airport on what looked to be the conclusion of a ferry flight from Port Hedland in Western Australia.

As we reported below, fellow Heli-Aust Whitsundays' Airbus Helicopters EC135 P3 VH-XUW ferried over to Port Hedland from Mackay Airport over the last couple of weeks.

A Pair of New Heli-Aust Whitsundays (of Mackay) EC135 Helicopters VH-XUV & VH-XUW Spotted at CQ Airports

A couple of sleek new EC135 helicopters have been noted flying around Mackay Airport and other Central Queensland Airports in recent weeks with one now on a cross-county trek over to Western Australia.  They appear to have been prepared for flight in the Heli-Aust Whitsundays hangar at Mackay Airport.

Eurocopter EC135 P2+ helicopter VH-XUV was spotted resting outside the hangar at Mackay Airport during the week.  It appears to continue to operate local test flights and was also recently noted spending a couple nights at Gladstone Airport where it replaced fellow Heli-Aust Whitsundays Airbus Helicopters EC135 P3 (CPDS) VH-ZGP which currently operates with Gladstone Helicopters on marine transfer flights to and from the Gladstone Harbour.

Meanwhile, fellow recently registered Airbus Helicopters EC135 P3 VH-XUW has also recently spent a lot of time completing local test flights out of Mackay Airport and was noted commencing a cross-country flight to Port Hedland in Western Australia on Saturday 16 February via Gladstone Airport.

VH-XUW has since been photographed several times (as above) operating at the Adelaide Harbour where it appears to be completing demonstration flights for local operators including winching exercises since arriving in the area at the start of the week.

VH-XUW is expected to continue to Port Hedland in Western Australia where another Heli-Aust Whitsundays Airbus Helicopters EC135 T3 VH-XUU has operated since May 2018.

Photos taken by 'JM' and Tony Haynes  ©

Former Heli-Aust Whitsundays (Mackay Helicopters) Bell 430 VH-HIA Departs Australia for good with PNG Rego P2-MUM!

It appears that a former Central Queensland-based helicopter has finally departed Australia for good following a period of storage at the Whitsunday Airport at Shute Harbour.

Former Heli-Aust Whitsundays (Mackay Helicopters) Bell 430 helicopter VH-HIA was noted ferrying North into Cairns on Sunday 30 December.  It then continued to Lockhart River and points North on Wednesday 2 January.

VH-HIA on approach to Mackay Airport  (File photo)

The Bell 430 has been placed on the Papua New Guinea aircraft register as P2-MUM and looks to be registered to Manolos Aviation of New Rabaul in PNG.

It follows the departure of fellow former Heli-Aust Whitsundays (Mackay Helicopters) Bell 222 helicopter VH-TOR which also looked to the depart the Whitsunday Airport at Shute Harbour but in March 2018.  

VH-TOR at Mackay Airport  (File photo)

It also headed to Manolos Aviation in Papua New Guinea but with the registration marking of P2-HOT.

New Heli-Aust Whitsundays Airbus Helicopters EC135 T3 VH-XUU at Mackay Airport - Off to WA This Week

Spotted during the latter part of this week outside their hangar at Mackay Airport was Heli-Aust Whitsundays' brand new Airbus Helicopters EC135 T3 VH-XUU.

VH-XUU (s/n 1261) is a brand new 2018-model and literally has less than 10 hours on the motor.  It was noted completing test flights around Mackay Airport on Friday 25 May.

It was believed that on Saturday 26 May, VH-XUU was due to be flown across to Port Hedland in Western Australia where it is due to commence operating for Port Hedland Helicopters on marine pilot transfer and other flights.

I presume the delivery and subsequent transfer of VH-XUU to Port Hedland is to replace fellow Heli-Aust Whitsundays Eurocopter EC135 P2+ VH-ZGA which sadly ditched into water as it approached a bulk-carrier ship, North-West of Port Hedland in March this year.

All photos taken by 'JM'  ©

Former Heli-Aust Whitsundays (Mackay Helicopters) Bell 222 VH-TOR Departs Australia for good with PNG Rego P2-HOT!

It appears that a former Central Queensland-based helicopter has finally departed Australia for good following a period of storage at the Whitsunday Airport at Shute Harbour.

Former Heli-Aust Whitsundays (Mackay Helicopters) Bell 222 helicopter VH-TOR was recently noted as being cancelled from the Australian aircraft register and being placed on the Papua New Guinea aircraft register.  It appears to have ferried out of the Whitsundays via Cairns and and points North sometime during March.

VH-TOR at Mackay Airport  (File photo)

The Bell 222 has been placed on the Papua New Guinea aircraft register as P2-HOT and looks to be registered to Manolos Aviation of New Rabaul in PNG.

Fellow former Heli-Aust Whitsundays (Mackay Helicopters) Bell 430 helicopter VH-HIA appears - at this stage - to be remaining in storage at the Whitsunday Airport at Shute Harbour.

VH-HIA on approach to Mackay Airport  (File photo)

It has been reported that it too will eventually head to Papua New Guinea so it will interesting to see if it heads to the same operator!

Heli-Aust Whitsundays Eurocopter EC135 P2+ VH-ZGA Crashes into Water off Port Hedland in Western Australia

Really saddened to read over the weekend that Heli-Aust Whitsundays Eurocopter EC135 P2+ VH-ZGA ditched into water as it approached a bulk-carrier ship, North-West of Port Hedland in Western Australia, on Wednesday 14 March.  Two pilots were on board.

VH-ZGA approaches Mackay Airport  (File photo)

One of the pilots managed to escape soon after the crash, however the other was missing until sadly, his body was found, along with the wreckage, on Saturday 17 March.

The Australian Transport Safety Bureau (ATSB) is investigating.

VH-ZGA (along with sister-ship VH-ZGZ) are pictured below in March last year at Mackay Airport as they prepared for departure to Port Hedland where they have been operating for Port Hedland Helicopters on marine pilot transfer and other flights.

File photo

Our thoughts and prayers go to the victims and their families and friends.

Photos taken by 'AC'  ©

A Pair of Australian Defence Force (ADF) Helicopter Aircrew Training System (HATS) Airbus Helicopters H135 (EC135 T2+) Choppers Pop into Gladstone and Mackay Airports

An interesting pair of helicopters were spotted calling into Gladstone Airport on Sunday 10 September in the form of Australian Defence Force (ADF) Helicopter Aircrew Training System (HATS) Airbus Helicopters H135 (EC135 T2+) choppers N52-006 (Cab no. 846) and N52-012 (852).  They both flew in the from the Oakey Army Aviation Centre, and after taking on fuel, they departed for Mackay Airport.

Of interest, both choppers were flying together and were heard to be using the radio callsign of "Cobra Black".

UPDATE!  On Monday 11 September, both choppers departed Mackay Airport for Townsville.

They are two of 15 Airbus Helicopters H135 (EC135 T2+) that are based at HMAS Albatross at Nowra in New South Wales where Boeing Defence Australia is contracted for the $600 million HATS contract to train Royal Australian Navy and Australian Army pilots.

Both H135 helicopters carry an ADF serial and cab number as well as civilian registration markings.  They also wear ‘NAVY’ and ‘ARMY’ titles on the port and starboard sides of the vertical fin, respectively, above a fanged Taipan emblem, the unofficial emblem of Navy’s 723 Squadron.

The first H135 – N52-001 – made its first flight in 2015 and was delivered to HMAS Albatross in March 2016 after flying in from the Airbus Helicopters’ facility at Bankstown Airport.  It had previously spent time at Airbus Helicopters’ in Donauwörth, Germany, training initial Boeing Defence Australia and ADF aircrews and technicians.

The 15th and final H135 was delivered during the early part of 2017.

Of interest, when at Gladstone and then Mackay Airports, both choppers parked at Heli-Aust Whitsundays - Gladstone Helicopters and Mackay Helicopters - which also operate Airbus Helicopters H135 (EC135 T2+) choppers VH-ZGH and VH-ZGP.  It was observed that the engineers at both facilities were very interested to look over the ADF choppers during their visit!

Sincere thanks to local plane spotter Michael F for taking the time to capture and send through these great photos at Gladstone Airport!

All photos taken by Michael Fleetwood  ©

And Photos of New Heli-Aust Whitsundays (of Mackay) Airbus Helicopters EC135 P3 (CPDS) VH-ZGH Operating at Port of Hay Point Near Mackay

Also this week, we have been very fortunate to receive some great photos captured by Rockhampton-based plane spotter Daniel B who visited the Hay Point Coal Export Loading Point (South of Mackay) on Wednesday 31 May and spotted Heli-Aust Whitsundays (based at Mackay Airport) Airbus Helicopters EC135 P3 (CPDS) VH-ZGH departing on a local flight.

As mentioned below, VH-ZGH, along with with VH-ZGP, are a pair of brand new 2017-build Airbus Helicopters EC135 P3 (CPDS) helicopters that were unveiled at Mackay Airport recently for marine pilot operations with the locally-based Heli-Aust Whitsundays (Mackay Helicopters).

Of interest, the Port of Hay Point is one of the largest coal export ports in the world and is located about 40 kilometres south of Mackay.

The port comprises of two separate coal export terminals: Dalrymple Bay Coal Terminal (DBCT) which is leased from the State Government by DBCT Management Pty Ltd and the Hay Point Coal Terminal (HPCT) which is owned by BHP Billiton Mitsubishi Alliance and operated by Hay Point Services. Together, these coal terminals service the mines in the Bowen Basin in Central Queensland. The mines are linked to the port terminals through an integrated rail-port network.

https://nqbp.com.au/

Both terminals have purpose-built, rail in-loading facilities, onshore stockpile yards and offshore wharves. The offshore wharves are serviced by conveyor systems, supported on jetties, which run out to sea and allow loading in deep water.

Sincere thanks to Daniel B for taking the time to capture and send through these great photos!

Photos taken by Daniel Bishop  ©