Townsville Airlines Cessna 208 Caravan VH-NXU Pops into Mackay Airport - Plus More Light Movements!

On Wednesday 24 September, Townsville Airlines Cessna 208 Caravan VH-NXU flew down from Cairns to Mackay Airport.  It then departed to Townsville.

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Seair Pacific / Istlecote Cessna 208 Caravan VH-TQI flew up from Hervey Bay (Fraser Coast) Airport to Middlemount Aerodrome.  It then flew down to Maryborough Airport and then back to Hervey Bay Airport.

Colville Aviation Services / Torres Strait Air Pilatus Britten-Norman BN-2B-20 Islander VH-PSX looked to fly up from Watts Bridge to Charters Towers Aerodrome and then Cairns.

New South Wales based Beechcraft Corporation G58 Baron VH-8DC visited Clermont Aerodrome from Fairy Bower (near Coonamble in New South Wales). 

ZephAir Australia - Aircraft Charters Piper PA-31 Navajo VH-AYT as ZD220 landed at Clermont from Townsville then departed back to there.  It then flew to Mackay Airport.

Fellow ZephAir Australia Piper PA-31-350 VH-MJA as ZD110 departed Mackay Airport for Townsville.

RDO Equipment Co. Pilatus PC-12/47 VH-WPH arrived into Emerald Airport from Townsville and later departed there to Bundaberg Airport and then back to Toowoomba. It was also noted visiting Mackay Airport from Toowoomba at the start of the week.

Rural Funds Management (A.C.T.) Pilatus PC-12/47E VH-STE landed at Longreach Airport from Brisbane then departed to Mount Isa, Avon Downs and Brunette Downs. 

UPDATE!  On Friday 29 September, VH-STE landed at Emerald Airport from Canobie and then departed to Goonoo Feedlot near Comet. 

Vee H Aviation (Link Airways) Beech B200GT Super King Air 250 VH-VEW departed Mackay to the Newlands Coal Mine site and Collinsville Aerodrome then down to Goulburn.  VH-VEW had arrived into Mackay Airport from Brisbane, Oaky Creek, Clermont Aerodrome and the Newlands Coal Mine site at the start of the week.

UPDATE!  On Thursday 25 September and Friday 26 September, fellow Corporate Air / Vee H Aviation Cessna 441 Conquest II VH-VEY completed the charter operators flights into CQ including to Emerald Airport, Clermont Aerodrome, Rolleston Aerodrome and Oaky Creek Mine site.

And the Queensland Government (State of Queensland) Beech B300 King Air 350i VH-8TT was noted completing aerial survey work around Bundaberg.

Photo taken by Brodie Lawson  ©

Careflight (NSW) Raytheon / Beech 400XT Nextant Bizjet VH-OVS as "Careflight 46" Pops into Mackay Airport - Plus More!

On Monday 17 March, Careflight (NSW) Raytheon / Beech 400XT Nextant bizjet VH-OVS as "Careflight 46" was noted visiting Mackay Airport.

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It looked to arrive from Bankstown and then depart to Newcastle (Williamtown).

While Bowenville based (operated by Real Time Aviation - Brisbane) Cessna 525 CitationJet CJ1+ bizjet VH-JSZ also flew up to Mackay Airport but from Brisbane.

UPDATE!  On Tuesday 18 March, VH-JSZ departed Mackay Airport for my local Clermont Aerodrome and then to Dalby.

UPDATE!  On Wednesday 19 March, VH-JSZ flew back up from Dalby to Clermont Aerodrome and then Mackay Airport before flying down to Archerfield.

Vee H Aviation (Link Airways) Beech B200GT Super King Air 250 VH-VEW was back on the run up to the coalfields, flying into Rockhampton Airport from Brisbane before then heading out to Oaky Creek Mine site, Clermont Aerodrome and Collinsville Aerodrome.  It then continued to the Newlands Coal Mine site and then back to Brisbane.

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.  It then flew back down to Hervey Bay Airport.

Photos taken by Duncan Kirk  ©️

Australian Army Boeing CH-47F Chinook Helicopter A15-312 "Madcow 362" Spotted at Mackay Airport on Rescue Mission for Army Tiger ARH Helicopter at Clairview

On Sunday 23 February, Australian Army Boeing CH-47F 'Foxtrot' Chinook helicopter A15-312 as "Madcow 362" flew down from Townsville to Clairview between Rockhampton and Mackay.  

It is believed that it flew down the coast at low level and landed at Clairview to assist with getting a stranded Australian Army Eurocopter (ARH) Tiger Armed Reconnaissance Helicopter A38-007 "Marlin 11" back in the air after a forced landed on Friday 21 February.  The Tiger was one of two that flew North on Friday from the Oakey Army Aviation Centre to Rockhampton Airport and then Townsville.

Later, A15-302 "Madcow 362" flew into Mackay Airport where it was photographed above.  It later departed back down to Clairview before later flying back to Townsville in company with the Tiger A38-007 "Marlin 11" which also headed up to Townsville.

Meanwhile, also on Sunday 23 February, Darwin-based Lloyd Aviation Jet Charter Dassault Falcon 900 bizjet VH-PPD flew into Hamilton Island Airport from Ayres Rock.  It had flown there from Melbourne (Essendon) a couple days prior

UPDATE!  On Wednesday 26 February, VH-PPD departed Hamo for Sydney.

Vee H Aviation (Link Airways) Beech B200GT Super King Air 250 VH-VEW flew up from Brisbane to the Newlands Coal Mine site and then down to Rockhampton Airport and back to Brisbane. 

UPDATE!  On Monday 24 February, VH-VEW landed at Clermont Aerodrome from Brisbane before then heading to the Newlands Coal Mine site and then down to Moree. 

Finally, on Saturday 22 February, Alliance Airlines Fokker F-100 VH-XWO completed a sports charter flight from Cairns to Rockhampton Airport and then back as UTY3381/2.

And Skytrans Airlines Cessna 208 Caravan VH-XDU as 'SKP591' passed through Rockhampton Airport while flying down from Cairns to Redcliffe.

NSW-based CJ Aerospace Raytheon B200 King Air VH-EEL Pops into Longreach Airport Again on Its Weekly Charter Flight - Plus More!

On Wednesday 11 December, NSW-based CJ Aerospace Raytheon B200 King Air VH-EEL landed at Longreach Airport from Toowoomba then departed to Borroloola.  It later reversed this flight.  This seems to be a weekly flight.

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Southern Air Beech 1900C VH-VSO visited Emerald Airport from Archerfield.  This is also a weekly closed charter flight.

Link Airways (Corporate Air / Vee H Aviation) Cessna 441 Conquest VH-VEH flew up from Brisbane to the Newlands Coal Mine site and then down to Newcastle (Williamtown). 

And Whitsunday Tiger Moth Adventures (Airlie Beach) Gippsland Aeronautics GA-8-TC 320 Airvan VH-IDM was noted departing the Whitsunday Airport at Shute Harbour for Proserpine (Whitsunday Coast) Airport and then South to Roma Airport and then Parkes and Latrobe Valley.

Meanwhile, also on Wednesday 11 December, newly registered and delivered Australian Country Choice Properties / Aero Corporate Charters P/L (Brisbane) Cessna 525B CitationJet CJ3 bizjet VH-ACC was noted completing circuits at Chinchilla Aerodrome while on a flight out of and back to Archerfield.

VH-ACC was registered and then delivered into Bankstown from overseas in early October and was previously registered D-CUBA.  It looks to now be based at Archerfield and has completed various test flights since last month.

The Citation CJ3 bizjet replaces a Textron (Cessna) 680A Citation Latitude bizjet which also wore the registration marking of VH-ACC and was de-registered in February 2024 before leaving Australia wearing the American Aircraft Registration marking of N680LF.

And after arriving two days prior, Robindale Group / Air Link Cessna 510 Citation Mustang bizjet VH-CMK departed Emerald Airport for Bundaberg Airport.  It then flew down to the Sunshine Coast and Orange.

Photo taken by Tim Burnett  ©

Whitsunday Air Services (Tasmanian Seaplanes) De Havilland DHC-2 Beaver Float Plane VH-OHD Arrives into the Whitsundays - Plus More!

On Monday 25 November, Tasmanian Seaplanes owned and operated since last Monday by Whitsunday Air Services, De Havilland DHC-2 Beaver float plane VH-OHD arrived into Rockhampton Airport from the Gold Coast and Hervey Bay (Fraser Coast) Airports.  It then departed to Mackay Airport. It had flown north to Gold Coast over the weekend. 

https://www.instagram.com/hamiltonislandair/

It is possibly heading up to replace fellow Whitsunday Air Services Viking Air Limited (De Havilland) DHC-2 MK I Beaver VH-OHU which crashed in the Whitsundays late in October.

Meanwhile, also on Monday 25 November, Kelsall P/L (Aeronautics and Technology Holdings) Pilatus PC-12/45 VH-PID arrived into Rockhampton Airport from Toowoomba.

UPDATE!  On Tuesday 26 November, VH-PID departed Rockhampton Airport for Barcaldine Airport.  It then departed to the South East and eventually returned to Toowoomba.

Link Airways (Corporate Air / Vee H Aviation) Cessna 441 Conquest VH-VEH visited my local Clermont Aerodrome from Brisbane.  It later flew up from Brisbane to the Newlands Coal Mine site and then across to Mackay Airport and back to Brisbane.

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

Southern Air Beech 1900C VH-VSO completed its weekly Fly-in Fly-out (FIFO) charter flight into Moranbah Airport from Toowoomba-Wellcamp.

Queensland Government (QGAir) Rescue (State of Queensland) Agusta AW139 helicopter VH-ESH arrived into Rockhampton Airport from Archerfield and then departed to Townsville. 

Timberline Helicopters (USA) Sikorsky UH-60A Black Hawk helicopter N274TH as "Helitak 290" was once again noted landing at private property at Kabra, near Rockhampton.  It is returning South from a deployment to Far North Queensland and arrived from Mareeba and Bowen Aerodromes. 

Elite Aviation Group (Elite Helicopters) Aerospatiale (Now Airbus Helicopters) AS350 B2 VH-XCO as "Firebird 415" arrived into Rockhampton Airport from Mackay Airport and then departed to Gayndah Aerodrome. 

And LifeFlight (Aeromed) Canadair CL-600-2B16 Challenger 604 bizjet VH-OFA "Ambulance 614" flew up from Brisbane to Hervey Bay (Fraser Coast) Airport before continuing to Cairns.  It then flew to Townsville and then down to Mackay Airport before returning to Brisbane.

A Couple of Flight One (Services) Cirrus Lighties - VH-FOE & VH-FOJ - at a Couple of CQ Airports - Plus More!

On Tuesday 9 July, Flight One (Services) Cirrus SR20 VH-FOE was spotted parked at Emerald Airport.  It was visiting from Archerfield.

And up the road at my local Clermont Aerodrome, fellow Flight One (Services) Cirrus SR22 VH-FOJ visited also from Archerfield.

Meanwhile, also on Tuesday 9 July, Link Airways (Corporate Air / Vee H Aviation) Cessna 441 Conquest VH-VEJ flew up from Emerald Airport and Rolleston to Aerodrome to my local Clermont Aerodrome.  It then completed a return flight to the Oaky Creek Mine Site and back.  

VH-VEJ had arrived into Emerald Airport on Monday 8 July from Brisbane via Rolleston Aerodrome after earlier completing its 'usual' weekly flight into Clermont Aerodrome from and back to Brisbane.

UPDATE!  On Wednesday 10 July, VH-VEJ flew from Clermont Aerodrome to the Newlands Mine Site and then Brisbane.

NSW based Piper PA-32R-301 Saratoga VH-SMY departed Rockhampton Airport for Townsville.  It had arrived from Wannervale and Goondiwindi over the weekend.

Brescon (Toowoomba) Beech B200 King Air VH-WXB arrived into Rockhampton Airport from Toowoomba-Wellcamp and Thargomindah then departed to Wellcamp. 

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

Photo taken by Swavek Topolski  ©

Burbank Homes / Business Aviation Solutions Raytheon Hawker 850XP Bizjet VH-BMW Pops into Hamilton Island Airport - Plus More!

On Thursday 27 July, Burbank Homes / Business Aviation Solutions Raytheon Hawker 850XP bizjet VH-BMW was noted arriving into Hamilton Island Airport from Melbourne (Tullamarine).

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UPDATE!  On Monday 31 July, VH-BMW departed Hamilton Island Airport for Brisbane.

Bowenville (near Toowoomba) based Cessna 525 CitationJet CJ1+ bizjet VH-JSZ returned to Rockhampton Airport directly from Darwin before then continuing down to Archerfield.  It had flown up there on Tuesday 25 July.

MT Air Charters / Pilatus Australia Pilatus PC-24 Super Versatile Jet VH-PIL landed at Longreach Airport after flying down from Darwin.  It later departed to Bankstown.

Cirrus (Australia) / Navair Flight Operations Cessna 510 Citation Mustang bizjet VH-NFP looked to depart Bundaberg Airport for Moree, Wagga Wagga and Launceston.  It had arrived into Bundy from Mackay Airport the previous day.

Avcair (Avgunn) LearJet 60 bizjet VH-ILJ flew out from Brisbane to Emerald Airport and then across to Rockhampton Airport.  It then returned to Brisbane.

And LifeFlight (Aeromed) Canadair CL-600-2B16 Challenger 604 bizjet VH-OFC "Ambulance 634" flew up to Mackay Airport from Brisbane.  It then continued to Townsville.

Meanwhile, also on Thursday 27 July, Beech 58 Baron VH-PRB visited Bundaberg Airport from its Lismore (New South Wales) base. 

UPDATE!  On Friday 28 July, VH-PRB made another visit to Bundy, again arriving from and later departing back to Lismore.

Machjet International Beech B200 King Air VH-SUW as "Machflight 121" landed at Emerald Airport from Archerfield before it then departed to Suttor Creek, South of Newlands Coal.

Microflite Pilatus PC-12/47E VH-8MF flew up from Melbourne (Moorabbin) to Mildura and then the Whitsunday Airport at Shute Harbour.

UPDATE!  On Monday 31 July, VH-8MF looked to depart back to Mildura and then Moorabbin.

The Queensland Government Airwing (State of Queensland) Raytheon B300 Super King Air VH-SGQ visited Rockhampton Airport from Mount Isa.  

And Great Western Aviation Beech B200 King Air VH-XGV landed at the Labona Station Airstrip within Adani Australia's (Bravus Mining & Resources) Carmichael Coal Mine site from Archerfield.  It then returned there via the Sunshine Coast.

Plus Flight One (Services) Beech B200 King Air VH-FON also called into Labona but from Archerfield via the Sunshine Coast.  It then returned to Archerfield direct.

Photo taken by Tony Haynes  ©

Numerous Fixed-Wing and Rotary-Wing Aircraft and Helicopters Come to the Fraser Coast to Search for Missing People - Plus More!

On Monday 15 May, a search for two missing persons brought several fixed-wing and rotary-wing aircraft to the Fraser Coast region and specifically, at least, Bundaberg Airport.

Australian Maritime Safety Authority (AMSA) (Cobham SAR Services Pty Ltd) Bombardier CL-600-2B16 Challenger 604 bizjet VH-XNC as "Rescue 440" flew down from Cairns to complete and coordinate Search and Rescue operations North of Fraser Island 

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It acted as overseer for search helicopters, LifeFlight Bell 412s VH-XCI "Rescue 522" and VH-XCK "Rescue 511", plus Heli-Aust Whitsundays (Gladstone Helicopters) Airbus Helicopters EC135 P3 (CPDS) VH-ZGH, and McDermott Aviation / Heli-Lift Australia Eurocopter AS365N3 Dauphin helicopter N365JA and Aerospatiale AS.355F1 Squirrel helicopters VH-YUR and VH-YEU.

During the afternoon, VH-XNC "Rescue 440" called into Bundaberg Airport for fuel before then returning to Cairns.

Of interest, Brisbane-based Heli Support (Aust) / Aviation Utilities Eurocopter AS.350B3 Squirrel helicopter VH-HTV "Media 48" was also in the area covering the search for television media.

Meanwhile, also on Monday 15 May, Seair Pacific (Istlecote) Cessna 208 Caravan VH-TFB arrived into Rockhampton Airport from Maryborough Airport then flew to Middlemount Aerodrome and back to Rockhampton Airport before departing to Lady Eliott Island. 

As usual, Brisbane-based Crockett Aviation Group Beech B200 King Air VH-FAQ looked to head up to the Labona Station Airstrip within Adani Australia's (Bravus Mining & Resources) Carmichael Coal Mine site from Archerfield and the Sunshine Coast.  But due to inclement weather in the area, it stopped in at my local Clermont Aerodrome before eventually continuing to Labona.  VH-FAQ then returned to the Sunshine Coast and Archerfield.

While also calling into Clermont Aerodrome were Link Airways (Corporate Air / Vee H Aviation) Cessna 441 Conquest VH-VEJ which flew up from Brisbane to the Newlands Coal Mine site and then across to Mackay Airport and back to Newlands.  It then flew down to Clermont Aerodrome.

UPDATE!  On Tuesday 16 May, VH-VEJ made an early departure from Clermont Aerodrome for Emerald Airport.  It then remained parked all day and then on Wednesday 17 May, VH-VEJ departed to Rolleston Aerodrome and then back to Brisbane.

Plus Crowfly P/L (of South Australia) Amateur-built Vans RV-9A VH-VRH landed at Clermont Aerodrome from Cairns. 

Navair Flight Operations Embraer EMB-500 Phenom 100 bizjet VH-LXZ as "Navair 131" flew up from Bankstown to Mackay and then Hamilton Island Airports.  It then returned to Bankstown.

And fellow Navair Flight Operations Embraer EMB-500 Phenom 100 VH-HQK as "Navair 141" flew from Dubbo and Newcastle (Williamtown) to Brisbane and then Moranbah Airport.  It then departed to the Sunshine Coast before returning to Newcastle and Dubbo.

Finally, also on Monday 15 May, NSW based Purdy Aviation Bell Helicopter Textron 505 VH-IHH flew down from the Whitsunday Airport at Shute Harbour to Mackay, Rockhampton, Gladstone and then Agnes Water Airports.

UPDATE!  Over the course of the rest of the week, VH-IHH flew down to the Sunshine Coast and then onwards to Bankstown.

The less-than-a-year old helicopter looked to complete a tour of Far North Queensland and Whitsundays, and looked to fly North via the Central Queensland Coast just short of a fortnight ago.

Nice!