Air New Zealand Airbus A320-271N (A320neo) ZK-NHB Surprise Diversion into Rockhampton Airport - Plus More!

On Sunday 23 November, a nice surprise visitor touched down at Rockhampton Airport on a diversion from Brisbane which was experiencing rain storms with Air New Zealand Airbus A320-271N (A320neo) ZK-NHB touching down as ANZ271 from Wellington in New Zealand.

After taking on fuel, ZK-NHB departed Rockhampton Airport for Brisbane again as ANZ271.

Meanwhile, also on Sunday 23 November, Special Mining Services / Flight Options (Australia) Embraer EMB-505 Phenom 300 bizjet VH-87X  visited Hamilton Island Airport from Sydney.

Southern Air Beech 1900 VH-VSO flew down from Cairns to Charters Towers Aerodrome and then to Archerfield.

Emerald-based Cessna 177B VH-UGS was noted flying West of Mackay.

Re-registered Aero Facilities (SA) / Alamah (NSW) EADS SOCATA TBM700 VH-PGA as "Birddog 376" departed Bundaberg Airport for the Gold Coast.

NSW based Amateur Built Lancair IV-P VH-XL7 flew up to Hamilton Island from Port Lincoln.

UPDATE!  On Monday 24 November, VH-XL7 departed Hamo for Murwillumbah.

R-Mach Aviation Extra EA 300L VH-LXT and Cessna 185A Skywagon VH-YME both returned to Rockhampton Airport from The Old Station.  They flew down there the other day.

Brisbane based Cessna A185F Skywagon VH-OZA was also noted at The Old Station.

And sadly, also at The Old Station Farm, Private Van's RV-8 VH-YGY experienced an engine failure shortly after take-off and made an emergency landing in a field and hit a fallen tree and caught fire.

The pilot suffered life-threatening burning injuries and the aircraft was destroyed by the post impact fire.

Finally, on Saturday 22 November, Homada Pty Ltd Cessna 560XL Citation XLS bizjet VH-XCU flew up from Melbourne (Moorabbin) and Sydney to Hamilton Island Airport before later returning to Moorabbin.

Sincere thanks local plane spotters Scott H and Michael M for taking the time to capture and send through these great photos!

Photos taken by Scott Harris and Michael Mallick  ©

Bowenville based (operated by Real Time Aviation - Brisbane) Cessna 525 CitationJet CJ1+ Bizjet VH-JSZ Calls into CQ Airports - Plus More!

On Thursday 20 November, Bowenville based (operated by Real Time Aviation - Brisbane) Cessna 525 CitationJet CJ1+ bizjet VH-JSZ flew up from Archerfield to Clermont Aerodrome and Rockhampton Airport before it then flew back to Archerfield.

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While during the afternoon, R-Mach Aviation Cessna 185A Skywagon VH-YME and R-Mach Extra EA 300L VH-LXT departed Rockhampton Airport in formation to The Old Station as "Gravity Flight".

Finally, also on Thursday 20 November, Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) Boeing B737-7ES / E-7A Wedgetail Airborne Early Warning & Control (AEW&C) aircraft A30-001 as "Wedgetail 31" and A30-006 as "Wedgetail 32" both in turn flew up from RAAF Base Williamtown to Townsville and then flew South and were spotted each completed missed approaches at Hamilton Island Airport before then returning back to Williamtown.

McDermott Aviation Group Transall C-160D Transport Aircraft VH-RPR at Old Station Airshow - Plus More!

On Saturday 24 May, and before we prepare our official Blog post on the Old Station Airshow, it was awesome to see McDermott Aviation Group Transall C-160D transport aircraft VH-RPR arrive into The Old Station Farm at Raglan from Scone in New South Wales.

The massive aircraft made a spectacular low pass over Old Station before coming back around and parking for the weekend.

UPDATE!  On Monday 26 May, VH-RPR departed the Old Station and returned to Scone - where the other two Transall C-160D aircraft - VH-TIT and VH-RFW - are all presented stored.

Stand-by for more from the Old Station Airshow!

Meanwhile, also on Saturday 24 May, Skytrans Airlines Dash-8-100 VH-QQI completed a sports charter into Rockhampton Airport from and back to Cairns as SKP841/2.

Brisbane-based Crockett Aviation Group Beech B200 King Air VH-FAQ as "Navair 173" landed at Bundaberg Airport from Archerfield and Brisbane.  It then departed back to Archerfield.

While the Queensland Government Airwing (State of Queensland) Raytheon B300 Super King Air VH-SGQ, which had flown up to Emerald Airport from Brisbane yesterday, flew across to Alpha Aerodrome and later departed there back to Brisbane.

And Homada Pty Ltd Cessna 560XL Citation XLS bizjet VH-XCU flew up from Melbourne (Moorabbin) to Hamilton Island Airport before flying down to Melbourne (Essendon) and back to Moorabbin.

Photos taken by Jo AwBlake  ©

New Zealand-based American-registered Cessna T206H N63PH Pops into a Couple of CQ Airports - Plus More!

On Friday 23 May, New Zealand-based American-registered Cessna T206H N63PH was noted calling into a couple of Central Queensland Airports.  It looked to fly up from the Gold Coast to land at Gladstone Airport and then Hamilton Island Airport.  It looks to have arrived into the Gold Coast from New Zealand earlier in the week.

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UPDATE!  On Monday 26 May, N63PH departed Hamilton Island Airport for Normanton.

UPDATE!  On Wednesday 11 June, after completing a flight up to Darwin, N63PH returned to the region, landing at Longreach Airport from Mount Isa.  It then flew down to Roma Airport.  On Thursday 12 June, N63PH departed Roma Airport for the Gold Coast before eventually returning 'across the ditch'.

Meanwhile, also on Friday 23 May,  Townsville Airlines Beech 1900D VH-RUE arrived into Rockhampton Airport from Cairns and Townsville and then departed back to Cairns.

Torres Strait Air Britten-Norman BN-2B-20 Islander VH-BNC landed at Biloela / Thangool Airport from Charters Towers Aerodrome and then departed to the Sunshine Coast and Watts Bridge.  It had flown down from Horn Island yesterday. 

Machjet International Hawker Beechcraft (Beech) B200 King Airs VH-8UY as "Machflight 242" and VH-PUY as "Machflight 11" arrived into Rockhampton Airport from Horn Island and are staying the night. 

UPDATE!  On Sunday 25 May, it appears that VH-PUY "Machflight 11" departed Rockhampton Airport to Horn Island and VH-8UY "Machflight 242" departed to Cairns. 

And finally, some notable General Aviation (GA) aircraft that landed at the Old Station Farm today for the fly-in and Airshow this weekend included:  Nanchang CJ-6A VH-XXB, Brisbane-based North American P51-D-30NT Mustang VH-FST, and the Paul Bennet Airshows contingent arrived led by Amateur-built Wolf Pitts Pro VH-PVB.

Volkswagen Air Service (Germany) Dassault Falcon 7X Bizjet D-AGBF Departs Hamilton Island Airport - Plus More!

On Thursday 22 May, Volkswagen Air Service (Germany) Dassault Falcon 7X bizjet D-AGBF as BTX6F made a before dawn departure from Hamilton Island Airport for Darwin and then overseas.  As posted below, it had arrived into Hamo on Tuesday 20 May from overseas via Townsville.

And Mitchell Water Cessna 525 Citation M2 bizjet VH-WMY flew up from Melbourne (Essendon) to Ararat and then the Whitsunday Airport at Shute Harbour.  It then flew down to Chinchilla Aerodrome and back to Essendon. 

Meanwhile, also on Thursday 22 May, Queensland Government (State of Queensland) Beech B300 Super King Air 350i aircraft VH-8PD arrived into Rockhampton Airport from Cairns, Townsville and Mackay Airport before it then departed to Brisbane.  It then flew up to Hervey Bay (Fraser Coast) Airport and back to Brisbane.

These Queensland Government Super King Air are definitely becoming familiar sights in Central Queensland with VH-8PF flying North via Rockhampton Airport yesterday.

Comet-registered Cessna 208B Grand Caravan VH-RTC hopped from Hedlow Airfield to Rockhampton Airport and then flew the FIFO to North Curtis Island along with Peace Aviation Beech A36 Bonanza VH-MMB which flew to North Curtis Island and back to Rockhampton Airport.  VH-RTC then returned to Hedlow. 

FKG Air (Redjet Aviation) Hawker Beechcraft B200GT VH-FKB visited Rolleston Aerodrome from Toowoomba.

And Brisbane-based Caboolture-based North American T-28B Trojan VH-RPX flew up from there to the Old Station Farm for the fly-in and Airshow this weekend.  Several other light General Aviation (GA) aircraft also landed there.

Plus Rockhampton Helicopters Robinson R44 Raven II VH-TBT also flew down to the Old Station Farm where it will operate joyflights over the weekend.

Finally, also on Thursday 22 May, Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) Dassault Falcon 7X bizjet A56-003 as "Envoy 99" landed at Bundaberg Airport from Canberra and Tamworth and a bit later departed to Hamilton Island Airport.  It then flew up to Cairns and back down to Townsville. 

UPDATE!  On Friday 23 May, RAAF Falcon 7X A56-003 again as "Envoy 99" flew down from Townsville to complete a missed approach at Proserpine (Whitsunday Coast) Airport and then to land at Gladstone Airport. A bit later it departed to the Gold Coast and Roma Airport and then back to Canberra. 

Photo taken by Gerard Collins  ©

Helicorp (Australian Army) Leonardo (Agusta) AW139 Helicopter VH-YQJ Ferries North via Rockhampton Airport - Plus More!

On Sunday 18 May, Helicorp (Australian Army) Leonardo S.P.A. Helicopters (Agusta) AW139 helicopter VH-YQJ as "Finch 23" was noted visiting Rockhampton Airport.  It arrived from the Oakey Army Aviation Centre and later departed to Townsville.

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While Central Queensland Helicopter Rescue Service (CQ Rescue) / CQ Aeromedical Leonardo AW139 helicopter VH-XQ9 was noted ferrying down from Mackay Airport to Archerfield via Bundaberg Airport.

And former Rockhampton resident, Emma MacDonald flew down to Old Station from Rockhampton Airport in her Extra 300 VH-LXT.  She later returned to Rockhampton Airport and did some flying to the West of the airport.

Photo taken by Steve Vit  ©

AirMed Australia (Metro Holdings) (New South Wales) Cessna 510 Citation Mustang Bizjet VH-SQY Pops into Rockhampton Airport - Plus More!

On Thursday 24 April, AirMed Australia (Metro Holdings) (New South Wales) Cessna 510 Citation Mustang bizjet VH-SQY as "Airmed 984" was noted visiting Rockhampton Airport from Archerfield.

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Meanwhile, also on Thursday 24 April, Stirling Helicopters Piper PA-23-250 Aztec VH-EQD flew up from Archerfield to Rockhampton Airport before then flying back to Archerfield but via Roma Airport.

Austrek Aviation Beech B200 Super King Air VH-ZGD visited Rockhampton Airport from Toowoomba and Brisbane.

And McDermott Aviation Group / Machjet International Beech B200 King Air VH-ZPY as "Machflight 86" landed at The Old Station farm at Raglan from Cairns via Proserpine (Whitsunday Coast) Airport before it then departed to Sunshine Coast.

Photo taken by 'TM'  ©

Nice Capital Jet Charter (A.C.T.) Pilatus PC-24 Bizjet VH-88M Pops into Hamilton Island Airport - Plus More!

On Monday 7 October, nice Capital Jet Charter (A.C.T.) Pilatus PC-24 bizjet VH-88M flew up from Canberra to Hamilton Island Airport before then flying down to Sydney and back to Canberra.

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Meanwhile, also on Monday 7 October, National Jet Express Dash-8-Q400 Next Gen VH-IYK is back in the region flying out to Roma Airport from Brisbane and the Sunshine Coast as JTE442/4.  It then flew up from Brisbane to Cairns and then down to Moranbah Airport and back to Cairns and Brisbane as JTE508/258/259/509.  Welcome back!

VH-IYK had arrived into Brisbane from Perth and Adelaide over the weekend, while fellow NJE Dash-8-Q400 Next Gen VH-8QB returned to Perth from Brisbane and Adelaide over the weekend.

Southern Air Beech 1900 VH-VSO flew up from Melbourne (Moorabbin) to Toowoomba-Wellcamp and then Moranbah Airport before then flying back to Wellcamp and then onwards to Archerfield.

Atlass-Aerometrex Vulcanair (Partenavia) P.68C VH-KBO has been spotted and noted completing aerial survey flights out of Rockhampton Airport around Central Queensland.

New South Wales based Amateur-built Van's RV7 VH-ZEE flew up from Heck Field to the Old Station Farm and then the Whitsunday Airport at Shute Harbour. 

Tasmania-based Amateur-built Lancair Legacy VH-LNZ flew down from the Whitsunday Airport at Shute Harbour to Walgett, Merinbula and Devonport. 

And New South Wales based Amateur-built Lancair Legacy VH-ZYA flew down from Shute Harbour to Narrabri and Wedderburn.

Finally, also on Monday 7 October, a bushfire just West of Maryborough saw both Aerotech Aircraft Holdings (Aerotech Helicopters) Pickering Aviation (Sikorsky) UH-60A Black Hawk helicopters VH-UHR "Helitack 515" and VH-8UH "Helitack 516" along with Avalon Aviation (Executive Helicopters) Eurocopter EC130B4 VH-EHY as "Firebird 404" flew out of and back to Bundaberg Airport.

It appears that VH-8UH had arrived into Bundy over the weekend after ferrying all the way up from South Australia via all stops.

Photo taken by Mike Didsbury  ©

Wieland Aviation / McDermott Aviation Group Transall C-160D Transport Aircraft VH-RFW Arrives into the Old Station Farm at Raglan for Storage

On Monday 18 December, and after two days worth of delays, Wieland Aviation / McDermott Aviation Group Transall C-160D transport aircraft VH-RFW arrived into The Old Station Farm at Raglan from Townsville.

The ex-Luftwaffe (German Air Force) Transall C-160D was acquired by and ferried from Germany by New South Wales-based Wieland Aviation and is one of three C-160s they have brought to Australia.  The planes will become part of the country's National Aerial Firefighting Fleet (NAFC).

VH-RFW (msn D-125) (ex 50+88) flew out of Kiel in Germany during August and September and is planned to be operated from the Sunshine Coast Airport by local operator McDermott Aviation Group.  It flew into Townsville from Darwin at the end of November.

Meanwhile, the arrival of VH-RFW into The Old Station now sees two of the Transall C-160D aircraft stored there with it joining VH-RPR which arrived there at the end of November.  The third Transall C-160D VH-TIT is still currently parked at the Sunshine Coast Airport.

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Sincere thanks to local plane spotter Graham A for allowing us to share these great photos of the Transall in Townsville.

Photos taken by Graham Aspinall  ©️

Wieland Aviation / McDermott Aviation Group Transall C-160D Transport Aircraft VH-RPR Arrives into the Old Station Farm at Raglan for Storage

On Thursday 30 November, what a sight to see Wieland Aviation / McDermott Aviation Group Transall C-160D transport aircraft VH-RPR photographed at The Old Station Farm at Raglan after arriving from Townsville.

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The Transall is looking resplendent in its new colours after emerging from the Flying Colours Aviation hangar at Townsville.

The ex-Luftwaffe (German Air Force) Transall C-160D was acquired by and ferried from Germany by New South Wales-based Wieland Aviation and is one of three C-160s they hope to bring to Australia.  The planes will become part of the country's National Aerial Firefighting Fleet (NAFC).

VH-RPR (msn D-120) (ex 50+83) flew out of Kiel in Germany during August and September and is planned to be operated from the Sunshine Coast Airport by local operator McDermott Aviation Group.  It flew into Townsville from the Sunshine Coast during October.

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The other two C-160s are registered VH-RFW (msn D-125) (ex 50+88) and VH-TIT (msn D-077) (ex 50+55).  

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VH-TIT was delivered and re-painted first in Townsville during October and November and was photographed ferrying in from Germany (above) in mid-October, and then photographed ferrying out to the Sunshine Coast a fortnight ago (below).

 

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VH-RPR and VH-TIT were manufactured in 1970, while VH-RFW was built in 1971. Rolls-Royce Tyne Mak 22 engines power both engines. It is believed they are the only civilian C-160s anywhere in the world. 

The Luftwaffe had used some of the C-160s as firefighters during the 1980s, equipping two with 12,000 litre tanks. It retired the last of the type in 2021. Wieland's three planes, which each have a payload capacity of 16 tonnes, began the conversion process into aerial firefighters in Germany last year.

Based at a Warnervale Aerodrome, around 90 minutes drive north of Sydney, Wieland Aviation has extensive experience supplying helicopter and fixed-wing capacity to government firefighting agencies.

The NAFC contracts approximately 150 aircraft for Australian state and territory governments. The NAFC supplements the fleet by hiring additional state-owned and state-chartered aircraft to meet peak demand across Australia. In total, over 500 aircraft, provided by over 150 operators, are available for firefighting across Australia. The NAFC is currently preparing for the upcoming 2023/24 fire season.

Pionair Australia (Skyforce Cargo) British Aerospace BAe 146-200QT VH-SFV Calls into Longreach Airport - Plus More!

On Saturday 11 March, Pionair Australia (Skyforce Cargo) British Aerospace BAe 146-200QT VH-SFV was noted visiting Longreach Airport twice while on a closed freight charter flight from Brisbane to The Monument (a.k.a. Phosphate Hill Airport) in Western Queensland.

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It flew as SFZ914/915 and later departed Longreach Airport for Bankstown.

Meanwhile, also on Saturday 11 March, Gulf Aircraft Textron Aviation (Cessna) 208 Caravan VH-PYO looked to also depart Longreach Airport but for Caloundra.  It seems to have arrived a couple of days prior.

Central Highlands Aerial Services (CHAS) Cessna 208 Caravan VH-LMZ flew back from Adelaide (Parafield) via Charleville Airport to its Emerald landing site.  It looked to have flown down there to South Australia last year!

And Stirling Helicopters Eurocopter AS350B3 Squirrel helicopter VH-EUM flew up from Redcliffe to Bundaberg Airport, The Old Station, Rockhampton Airport, the Whitsunday Airport at Shute Harbour and finally, Mareeba.

UPDATE!  On Sunday 12 March, VH-EUM continued up to Papua New Guinea (PNG) via a few stops in Far North Queensland.

Finally, also on Saturday 11 March, Alliance Airlines Fokker F-100 VH-UQA completed a sports charter into Rockhampton Airport from and back to Cairns as UTY3385/6.

And LifeFlight (Aeromed) Canadair CL-600-2B16 Challenger 604 bizjet VH-OFB "Ambulance 624" called into Rockhampton Airport, arriving from Brisbane and Toowoomba (Wellcamp) and later departing to Townsville.

Photo taken by 'TM'  ©

RDO Equipment Co. (ex Vanderfield) Pilatus PC-12/47 VH-WPH Calls into Emerald Airport - Plus More!

On Friday 3 June, RDO Equipment Co. (ex Vanderfield) Pilatus PC-12/47 VH-WPH was noted back in the region, this time visiting Emerald Airport.

It looked to arrive from and then later depart back to its Toowoomba base.

UPDATE!  On Saturday 4 June, VH-WPH returned to Emerald Airport, again arriving from and later departing back to Toowoomba.

Torres Strait Air Pilatus Britten-Norman BN-2A-27 Islander VH-TRS departed Emerald Airport for the North after arriving the previous day from Watts Bridge. 

Meanwhile, also on Friday 3 June, Inverted Downunder / Matt Hall Racing Extra EA-300L VH-IOG and MX Aircraft MXS VH-CQE both departed Rockhampton Airport for Archerfield.

Both aircraft have been in the region for the past week, visiting the Old Station Fly-in and Airshow (as shown), as well as operating joyflights from Rockhampton Airport.  Both aircraft flew in formation as "Silver Formation".

Photos taken by Dan B and Liz Barratt  ©

McDermott Aviation Group / Machjet International Cessna 525C CitationJet CJ4 Bizjet VH-PIY Calls into Rockhampton Airport - Plus More!

On Monday 30 May, McDermott Aviation Group / Machjet International recently delivered Cessna 525C CitationJet CJ4 bizjet VH-PIY was noted visiting Rockhampton Airport.  

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It looked to arrive from the Sunshine Coast and Brisbane and later depart back to Brisbane.

UPDATE!  On Tuesday 31 May, VH-PIY was back in the region, popping into Mackay Airport from Brisbane and Archerfield before later departing to Cairns.

And early in the morning, Australian Maritime Safety Authority (AMSA) (Cobham SAR Services Pty Ltd) Bombardier CL-600-2B16 Challenger 604 bizjet VH-XND "Rescue 660" flew down from Cairns to the Northern tip of Fraser Island to provide aerial support to the Bundaberg-based LifeFlight Bell 412EP VH-XCI "Rescue 522" which was on a search and rescue task.

Meanwhile, also on Monday 30 May, Seair Pacific / Istlecote Cessna 208B Grand Caravan VH-TFB  flew up from Hervey Bay (Fraser Coast) and Maryborough Airports to Biloela / Thangool Airport and then Middlemount Aerodrome.  It then flew back down to Hervey Bay Airport. 

Auscott P/L Beechcraft B200GT King Air VH-NMW visited Bundaberg Airport from Toowoomba. 

While at Rockhampton Airport, Piper PA-46R-350T Malibu VH-SOG looked to arrive from its Toowoomba base.  It is due to return there early on Tuesday 31 May.

Austrek Aviation Cessna 310 VH-DZX flew up from Toowoomba to Roma and then Rockhampton Airports.

UPDATE!  On Tuesday 31 May, VH-DZX departed Rockhampton Airport for Dalby.  Then on Wednesday 1 June, it returned to Roma and then Toowoomba.

Victoria-based Piper PA-39 Twin Comanche VH-ICS called into Rockhampton Airport from Bankstown and Moree before it then departed to the Whitsunday Airport at Shute Harbour.

And Schultz Equipment (Marburg) Bell 206B helicopter VH-ITM departed Rockhampton Airport for Bundaberg, Redcliffe, Archerfield and Gold Coast Airports.

Finally on Sunday 29 May, Inverted Downunder / Matt Hall Racing Extra EA-300L VH-IOG and MX Aircraft MXS VH-CQE both arrived back into Rockhampton Airport from the Old Station and once again parked on the General Aviation (GA) Apron.  On Monday 30 May, VH-IOG was noted completing joyflights out of Rockhampton Airport.

Photo taken by Dan B  ©

The Old Station Fly-in and Heritage Show 2022 at Raglan - Many Photos from a Wonderful Long Weekend!

What a wonderful long weekend!

The Old Station Fly-in and Heritage Show at Raglan was held over the long weekend of Friday 27 May to Sunday 29 May, with 1000's of people from all over the region in attendance over the three days enjoying the sights and sounds as over 200 aircraft and helicopters flew in from all parts of Queensland and interstate! There was also an impressive truck show, some classic cars, and plenty of new and old machinery. Meanwhile, the tractor pulling was extremely popular with big crowds enjoying the action during the weekend!

The entire weekend was hosted by the Creed Family and the Old Station Flying Club. There was support from numerous sponsors and various charity organisations, along with other local flying groups, who not only had their aircraft on display, but also assisted with the ground marshalling, parking all the visiting aircraft and helicopters.

Most aircraft had arrived by Friday with pilots enjoying dinner and entertainment on Friday night.  From early on Saturday, one of biggest crowds seen at the Old Station Farm came to and wandered amongst the visiting aircraft (with even more arrivals!) and enjoyed car and truck displays, market stalls, various machinery and of course, the tractor pulling!

For most of the weekend, the crowd was entertained by some spectacular Warbirds which operated regular aerobatic joyflights out of the Old Station.  

Paul Bennet Airshows had all their 'regular' aircraft in attendance - plus their merchandise truck!

Inverted Downunder / Matt Hall Racing Extra EA-300L VH-IOG and MX Aircraft MXS VH-CQE also operated several aerobatic joyflights during the weekend.

Slightly more sedate was Rockhampton Helicopters Robinson R44 helicopter which also operated joyflights over the Old Station and surrounds.

While McDermott Aviation Group / Machjet International are always great supporters of the Old Station Fly-in and this time they sent three helicopters - new registered Bell Helicopter Textron 214B-1 Biglifter VH-SUF and Aerospatiale / Eurocopter Dauphins N365JA and N366SR.

During the middle of Saturday afternoon, the crowds settled in for a spectacular airshow which featured aerobatic displays by Paul Bennet Airshows and Australia's own Top Gun pilot Matt Hall.

The skies above the Old Station came alive as the airshow started with a four-ship formation featuring Paul Bennet and Gary Graham in Wolf Pitts Pro VH-PVB and 'new' Edge-540 VH-PBU, along with Matt Hall and Emma McDonald in MX Aircraft MXS VH-CQE and Extra EA-300L VH-IOG.  They then performed a missing-man flight in memory of late Old Station Flying Club president Allan 'Kiwi' Andrew who recently passed away.

This was followed by a patriotic parachute drop from Skydive OZ Cessna U206F VH-OZP with the parachutist accompanied on his descent by Paul Bennet himself in his Wolf Pitts Pro VH-PVB.

Matt Hall and Emma McDonald in MX Aircraft MXS VH-CQE and Extra EA-300L VH-IOG then completed a display with Matt Hall later returning to the skies to complete a spectacular solo display.

The Old Station's own Bell 47G-2A-1 helicopter VH-AKN then took to the sky to complete a spirited display.

It was followed by the unmistakable Grumman TBM-3E Avenger Warbird VH-MML.

And then Paul Bennet returned to the skies putting his Amateur-built Wolf Pitts Pro VH-PVB through its paces with a truly spectacular aerobatic display which had the massive crowds buzzing!

Caboolture-based Commonwealth CA-16 Wirraway Mk3 VH-MFW was next up completing several nice flypasts.

The ever popular North American T-28 Trojan VH-TRO then put on a great display featuring several flypasts.

Performance Aero / Flying Fighters Museum (Brisbane) Aero Vodochody L-39C Albatros VH-SIC then completed a spectacular high-speed display.

Rockhampton-based R-Mach Aviation PZL Warszawa-Okecie M-18B Dromader VH-MDR and Ayres S2R Turbine Thrush VH-NFF then put on a great combined handling and then water-bombing and spraying display.

New Zealand Aerospace Industries Ltd CT-4A Airtrainer VH-CTQ then took the skies over Old Station.

And finally, Paul Bennet and Gary Graham in Wolf Pitts Pro VH-PVB and 'new' Edge-540 VH-PBU flew together for the last act of the day. 

In all, a 2-and-a-half hour airshow. 

After the airshow, the people that stayed at the Old Station - including a large amount of on-site campers - were entertained with live music, bonfires and a spectacular fireworks display.

It was a wonderful weekend with most aircraft departing for their home airfields during a cool but clear morning on Sunday.

It should be pointed out that all proceeds from the weekend - from admissions, auctions, food and drink sales, and part of the joyflights - will be given back to all the volunteer associations that assisted with the weekend.  This includes the Capricorn Helicopter Rescue Service (CHRS) and as always, the CHRS (Babcock Mission Critical Services Australasia) Agusta S.P.A. AW139 Helicopter VH-YXR proved again to be a popular visitor on the Saturday after it flew down from Rockhampton Airport as "Rescue 300".

Finally, one other touching tribute to the late Leonie Creed was seen with a lovely gathering area and lookout over the entrance to the farm bearing her name.

We would like to congratulate the Creed Family and the Old Station Flying Club for running yet another very successful weekend! Their hard work and commitment are remarkable and should be heartily congratulated!

Sincere thanks to the local plane spotters for their help in compiling this article!