A Pair of RAAF Alenia C-27J Spartan Transport Aircraft Complete Airwork at CQ Airports - A34-001 "Wallaby 16" & A34-004 "Wallaby 17" - Plus More!

On Friday 10 April, a pair of Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) Alenia C-27J Spartan transport aircraft were noted completing airwork at a couple Central Queensland Airports.

File photo

Spartan A34-001 as "Wallaby 16" flew up from RAAF Base Amberley to complete a missed approach at Gladstone Airport before then completing a couple more at Bundaberg Airport and then Hervey Bay (Fraser Coast) Airport before then returning to Amberley.

At the same time, A34-004 as "Wallaby 17" flew up to a missed approach at Bundaberg Airport before then flying low level down the Burnett River to the coast and up to Agnes Water before it climbed and flew west to Thangool and then flew low level back to Amberley where it completed more approaches there. 

Meanwhile, also on Friday 10 April, Belle Boats P/L (Victoria) Cirrus SF50 bizjet VH-L4S visited Hervey Bay (Fraser Coast) Airport from Archerfield. 

After arriving over a week ago, Linfox Global Charter / Air National Australia Bombardier BD-700-1A10 Global 6000 bizjet VH-LEP finally departed Hamilton Island Airport for Melbourne (Avalon).

Revesco Aviation (Western Australia) Embraer EMB-505 Phenom 300 bizjet VH-NJC flew into Mackay Airport from Perth via Mount Isa.

UPDATE!  On Sunday 12 April, VH-NJC departed Mackay Airport and returned West via Mount Isa.  It was spotted above during its stay!

National Jet Express Dash-8-Q400 Next Gen VH-IYJ flew into Mackay Airport from Brisbane as 'JTE440'.

UPDATE!  On Saturday 11 April, VH-IYJ again as 'JTE440' departed Mackay Airport for Cairns.  It later returned to Mackay Airport and then back to Brisbane but as 'JTE441'.  The flights are believed to the rugby league football charter flights.

And three Queensland Police Service (Airwing) / Queensland Government (State of Queensland) Beech B300C Super King Air 350 Kingair turboprop aircraft have all been in and out of Central Queensland Airports over the course of the week.

On Friday, VH-8PD visited Rockhampton Airport from Mount Isa.

 

VH-8PH visited Rockhampton Airport from Townsville.

And VH-8PE has also been around this week too!

Photos taken by Scott Harris and 'AC'  ©

NQ Heli-Worx (Townsville) Embraer EMB-500 Phenom 100 Bizjet VH-8GK at Hamilton Island Airport Multiple Times Over the Weekend! - Plus More!

Across the weekend, on both Saturday 21 February and Sunday 22 February, NQ Heli-Worx (Townsville) Embraer EMB-500 Phenom 100 bizjet VH-8GK was noted completing three flights between Townsville and Hamilton Island Airport.

File photo

UPDATE!  Over the next week (and more) VH-8GK continued to complete daily (or more) runs between Townsville and Hamilton Island Airport.

Meanwhile, also on Saturday 21 February, Graham Aviation (Cairns) Cessna 510 Citation Mustang bizjet VH-FMZ visited Hamilton Island Airport from Mareeba and Cairns.

McDermott Aviation Group / Machjet International Cessna 525A CitationJet CJ2 bizjet VH-SUY as "Machflight 38" completed airwork at Maryborough Airport and Hervey Bay (Fraser Coast) Airport while on a flight out of and back to the Sunshine Coast.

Gold Coast-based Rockwell Commander 114 VH-AYH visited Rockhampton Airport from Archerfield.

Alliance Airlines Fokker F-100 VH-UQC completed a rugby league charter flight to Rockhampton Airport from and back to Brisbane as UTY500/1.

R-Mach Aviation Extra EA 300L VH-LXT arrived back into Rockhampton Airport from the South. It had flown out of Rockhampton Airport to Redcliffe during the week.

And across the last couple of days and into the weekend, Hughes Aviation (Hughes Pastoral Group) (Gympie) Pilatus PC-12/47E NGX VH-8HP flew up from Archerfield to Emerald Airport and then further to Julia Creek, Longreach, Winton and Mount Isa Airports before then heading to Alpurrurulam and Tennant Creek.  It then flew West from Tenant Creek to Inverway then back East to Alpurrurulam and Mount Isa and before flying down from there to Caldervale Station then Archerfield.  It then returned to Caldervale Station. 

UPDATE!  On Monday 23 February,  PC-12 VH-8HP departed Caldervale Station to Emerald Airport and then Tierawoomba where it stayed. 

Finally, also on Sunday 22 February, the Queensland Police Service (Airwing) / Queensland Government (State of Queensland) Beech B300 King Air 350i VH-8TT flew up from Brisbane to survey work around the Rockhampton area before landing Rockhampton Airport for fuel before then departing back to Brisbane. 

And Hewitt Agribusiness (Brisbane) Pilatus PC-12/47E VH-8HG (ex N175NG) landed at Degunnie from Archerfield.

UPDATES!  On Monday 23 February, PC-12 VH-8HG departed Degunnie to Longreach Airport and then Alice Springs.  Over the next few days, it then completed flights between Alice Springs and Roma Airport before then returning to Archerfield from Alice Springs on Friday 27 February.

Photo taken by Tony Haynes  ©

SHM Aviation Textron Aviation (Cessna) 525B CitationJet CJ3 Bizjet VH-TCS Calls into CQ Airports - Plus More!

On Thursday 19 February, SHM Aviation (Gold Coast) Textron Aviation (Cessna) 525B CitationJet CJ3 Bizjet VH-TCS flew up from Archerfield and Toowoomba to Roma Airport and then Bundaberg Airport before it then flew down to the Sunshine Coast and Archerfield.

File photo

While Bundaberg-based Piper PA-34-200T Seneca VH-DIG visited Nebo Aerodrome from Bundaberg Airport.  Much like DeGunst Transport P/L Textron (Cessna) 208 Caravan VH-NPZ which also completes weekly Fly-in Fly-out (FIFO) flights between Bundy and Nebo Aerodrome each Tuesday.

While Special Mining Services / Flight Options (Australia) Embraer EMB-505 Phenom 300 bizjet VH-87X visited Emerald Airport from Bankstown.

And Mitchell Water Cessna 525 Citation M2 bizjet VH-WMY flew up from Melbourne (Moorabbin) and Ararat to Roma Airport before then flying up to Mackay Airport.

UPDATE!  On Friday 20 February, VH-WMY departed Mackay Airport for Roma Airport and Miles Airport before it then flew down to Melbourne (Essendon).

Finally, also on Thursday 19 February, a couple of Queensland Police Service (Airwing) / Queensland Government (State of Queensland) Beech B300C Super King Air 350 VH-8PE arrived into Rockhampton Airport from Cairns, Townsville and Mackay Airports and then departed to Brisbane.

UPDATE!  On Friday 20 February, VH-8PE visited Rockhampton Airport from Brisbane.

And fellow Police Super King Air VH-8PH arrived into Rockhampton Airport from Mount Isa and then departed to Doomadgee.

Queensland Police Service (Airwing) / Queensland Government (State of Queensland) Beech B300C Super King Air 350 VH-8PF Spotted at Mackay Airport - Plus More!

On Friday 9 January, Queensland Police Service (Airwing) / Queensland Government (State of Queensland) Beech B300C Super King Air 350 VH-8PF was spotted visiting Mackay Airport from Mount Isa.

https://www.instagram.com/mas_kentungs2/

And fellow Police Super King Air VH-8PD was noted visiting Rockhampton Airport from Cairns.

Meanwhile, also on Friday 9 January, the locally-based Embraer EMB-550 Legacy 500 bizjet N142GZ was photographed also arriving back into Mackay Airport from the Gold Coast after it flew down there earlier in the week.

https://www.instagram.com/mas_kentungs2/

And Mitchell Water Cessna 525 Citation M2 bizjet VH-WMY flew up from Melbourne (Moorabbin) to the Whitsunday Airport at Shute Harbour.  It then flew down to Gold Coast, Sunshine Coast, Ararat and Melbourne (Essendon) and then Moorabbin. 

Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) Alenia C-27J Spartan transport aircraft A34-005 as "Wallaby 21" flew up from RAAF Base Amberley to complete airwork at Hervey Bay (Fraser Coast) Airport before it then returned to Amberley.

Arcturus Group P/L / Flight Options (Australia) Dassault Falcon 2000EX Bizjet VH-EWB Pops into Hamilton Island Airport - Plus More!

On Monday 29 December, Arcturus Group P/L / Flight Options (Australia) Dassault Falcon 2000EX bizjet VH-EWB flew up from Hobart to Hamilton Island Airport before then flying down to Sydney.

File photo

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

Machjet (Machjet International) Bombardier CL-600-2B16 Challenger 605 bizjet N605JL as "Machflight 01" visited Hamilton Island Airport from Sydney.

Hughes Aviation (Hughes Pastoral Group) (Gympie) Pilatus PC-12/47E NGX VH-8HP flew up from Archerfield to Bundaberg Airport and Mackay Airport and this afternoon reversed the flight.

And Queensland Police Service (Airwing) / Queensland Government (State of Queensland) Beech B300C Super King Air 350 VH-8PE flew into Rockhampton Airport from Cairns and Townsville before later returning to Cairns.

Photo taken by Glenn Lloyd  ©

Machjet (Machjet International) Bombardier CL-600-2B16 Challenger 605 Bizjet N605JL Pops into Hamilton Island Airport - Plus More!

On Friday 26 December, Machjet (Machjet International) Bombardier CL-600-2B16 Challenger 605 bizjet N605JL as "Machflight 01" flew up from Sunshine Coast to Hamilton Island Airport and then West to Ayers Rock and then down to Brisbane.

File photo

UPDATE!  On Saturday 27 December, N605JL again as "Machflight 01" returned to Hamilton Island Airport from Brisbane before again flying out to Ayres Rock.

UPDATE!  On Monday 29 December, N605JL yet again as "Machflight 01" flew into Hamilton Island Airport from Sydney before it then flew down to the Sunshine Coast.

Meanwhile, also on Friday 26 December, D & G Jet Leasing / Essendon Aviation Services Cessna 525 CitationJet CJ1 bizjet VH-VOF flew up from Adelaide and Kingscote to Charleville Airport and then Hamilton Island Airport.  It then hopped to Proserpine (Whitsunday Coast) Airport for parking.

And McDermott Aviation Group / Machjet International Cessna 525C CitationJet CJ4 bizjet VH-PIY "Machflight 41" flew up from the Sunshine Coast to Ayers Rock and then across to Hamilton Island Airport before later returning to the Sunny Coast.

Finally, also on Friday 26 December, FlyPelican (Pelican Airlines) British Aerospace BAe Jetstream 3206 (Jetstream 32) turboprop aircraft VH-NTL visited Emerald Airport from Archerfield and Toowoomba-Wellcamp. It is also due to visit Emerald Airport again from these places on Saturday 27 December.

The rare National Jet Express Dash-8-Q402 VH-IYH visited Moranbah Airport from Brisbane.

Poolhurst Aviation Air Charter Services Pilatus PC-12/47E VH-PDE visited Hamilton Island Airport from Archerfield. 

Queensland Police Service (Airwing) / Queensland Government (State of Queensland) Beech B300C Super King Air 350 VH-8PE arrived into Rockhampton Airport from Cairns and departed to Brisbane.

Townsville Airlines Cessna 208B Grand Caravan VH-NXU completed the East Air flight EA1/2 run yet again to Hamilton Island Airport from and back to Cairns.

And Seair Pacific / Istlecote Cessna 208 Caravan VH-TQI, which was flying up from Gold Coast to Lady Elliott Island, was just to the South of there when they activated their Emergency Beacon, which was immediately heard by a passing Jetstar plane.  They also called a "Mayday" as their Engine Fire light came on. They assessed there was no actual trouble and continued to and landed safely at Lady Elliott Island.

UPDATE!  VH-TQI remained on Lady Elliott Island until Friday 2 December when it finally departed to Hervey Bay (Fraser Coast) Airport.

National Jet Express Dash-8-Q402 VH-IYH Spotted Making First Visit to CQ at Emerald Airport - Plus More!

On Wednesday 24 December, National Jet Express Dash-8-Q402 VH-IYH was spotted making what we believe was its first ever visit to Central Queensland visiting Emerald Airport from Brisbane on a fly-in fly-out (FIFO) charter flight as JTE358/9.

It looked to fly across from Adelaide into Brisbane via Prominent Hill on Friday 19 December.

FlyPelican (Pelican Airlines) British Aerospace BAe Jetstream 3206 (Jetstream 32) turboprop aircraft VH-NTL flew down from Emerald Airport to Toowoomba-Wellcamp as PE746.  It had arrived the previous day from Archerfield as PE606.

Flight One (Services) Raytheon B300 Super King Air VH-UVH was spotted visiting Emerald Airport from Archerfield.

Meanwhile, also on Wednesday 24 December, re-registered Poolhurst Aviation Air Charter Services Pilatus PC-24 jet VH-VIF flew up from Archerfield to Hamilton Island Airport before then flying down to Ballina / Byron Bay Gateway Airport.

De Group Air / Business Aviation Solutions Embraer EMB-545 Praetor 500 bizjet VH-8DE visited Hamilton Island Airport from Sydney.

McDermott Aviation Group / Machjet International Cessna 525C CitationJet CJ4 bizjet VH-PIY "Machflight 41" flew up to Hamilton Island from the Sunshine Coast and Melbourne (Essendon) before returning to the Sunny Coast later.

The locally-based Embraer EMB-550 Legacy 500 bizjet N142GZ flew back to Mackay Airport after flying down to Brisbane last week - as posted below! It then flew back down to Brisbane.

UPDATE!  On Sunday 28 December, N142GZ returned to Mackay Airport from Brisbane.

And Bowenville based (operated by Real Time Aviation - Brisbane) Cessna 525 CitationJet CJ1+ bizjet VH-JSZ visited my local Clermont Aerodrome from Archerfield and Dalby.

Finally, also on Wednesday 24 December, Smartlynx Australia (Skytrans) Dash-8-100 VH-QQB as SKP531 arrived into Rockhampton Airport from Cairns and this afternoon fellow Dash-8-100 VH-QQI departed Rockhampton Airport as SKP532 to Cairns.

And Queensland Police Service (Airwing) / Queensland Government (State of Queensland) Beech B300C Super King Air 350 VH-8PD visited Rockhampton Airport from Mount Isa.

Photos taken by 'AC'  ©

Eagle One Aviation (Navair Flight Operations) Cessna 525B CitiationJet CJ3+ Bizjet VH-X8X "Navair 143" Spotted at Bundaberg Airport - Plus More!

On Tuesday 23 December, Eagle One Aviation (Navair Flight Operations) Cessna 525B CitiationJet CJ3+ Bizjet VH-X8X as "Navair 143" was spotted at Bundaberg Airport.  It looked to fly up from Bankstown and Archerfield and then later departed to Melbourne (Essendon).

https://www.facebook.com/Bundaberg.Aviation.Fuel

And Bowenville based (operated by Real Time Aviation - Brisbane) Cessna 525 CitationJet CJ1+ bizjet VH-JSZ flew into Hervey bay (Fraser Coast) Airport from Archerfield before then flying down to Ballina / Byron Bay Gateway Airport and back to Archerfield.

Meanwhile, also on Tuesday 23 December, re-registered Hewitt Agribusiness (Brisbane) Pilatus PC-12/47E VH-8HG flew down from Julia Creek to Moura Aerodrome and then Archerfield.  It had flown up from there the previous day.

VH-8HG was only registered 13 days ago and was previously registered N175NG which we have seen a couple of times in Central Queensland.

While Queensland Police Service (Airwing) / Queensland Government (State of Queensland) Beech B300C Super King Air 350 VH-8PF visited Rockhampton Airport from Brisbane.

And Alliance Airlines Embraer E-190 VH-A2S as UTY9810 flew a test flight out of and back to Rockhampton Airport before later departing to Brisbane as UTY9820.

D & G Jet Leasing / Essendon Aviation Services Cessna 525 CitationJet CJ1 Bizjet VH-VOF Arrives into Proserpine (Whitsunday Coast) Airport - Plus More!

On Monday 22 December, D & G Jet Leasing / Essendon Aviation Services Cessna 525 CitationJet CJ1 bizjet VH-VOF was noted arriving into Proserpine (Whitsunday Coast) Airport from Melbourne (Essendon) and Charleville Airport.

UPDATE!  On Wednesday 24 December, VH-VOF departed Proserpine Airport for Broken Hill and Adelaide.

While Machjet (Machjet International) Bombardier CL-600-2B16 Challenger 605 bizjet N605JL as "Machflight 01" was noted completing airwork around Mackay Airport after flying up from the Sunshine Coast via Biloela / Thangool Airport.  It then continued North to Townsville and Cairns.

UPDATE!  On Thursday 23 December, N605JL again as 'MC01' flew down from Cairns to Emerald Airport and then across to Bundaberg Airport. It then flew to the Sunshine Coast.

And Queensland Police Service (Airwing) / Queensland Government (State of Queensland) Beech B300C Super King Air 350 VH-8PE visited Rockhampton Airport from Cairns.

Photo taken by James Kirk  ©

Helicorp Bell Helicopter Textron 412EP VH-LWF Spotted at Gladstone Airport Ferrying North - Plus More!

On Friday 19 December, Helicorp Bell Helicopter Textron 412EP VH-LWF was spotted passing through Gladstone Airport while looking to be on a ferry flight up to Far North Queensland and possibly further.

The Toll liveried helicopter arrived from its 'base' at the Oakey Army Aviation Centre and then departed to Proserpine (Whitsunday Coast) Airport and then Cairns.

UPDATE!  In early February 2026, the Bell 412EP helicopter emerged from the hangar at Cairns now wearing the Papua New Guinea registration marking of P2-HCH.

Meanwhile, also on Friday 19 December, recently delivered ADD Aviation Services (Victoria) Gulfstream G-IV-X G350 bizjet VH-TG4 flew up from Gold Coast to Proserpine (Whitsunday Coast) Airport and then down to Mackay Airport.  Later, it hopped back to Proserpine Airport and then returned to the Gold Coast.

VH-TG4 was registered and then delivered into Melbourne (Tullamarine) in late November.  It is photographed above at Wagga Wagga.

While re-registered Poolhurst Aviation Air Charter Services Pilatus PC-24 jet VH-VIF flew up from Melbourne (Essendon) to Hamilton Island Airport before then flying down to Archerfield. 

This is the first time that VH-VIF has visited with its new registration marking, changing at the end of October from VH-VTF.

Linfox Global Charter / Air National Australia Bombardier BD-700-1A10 Global 6000 bizjet VH-LEP flew up to Hamilton Island Airport from Melbourne (Avalon) and the Gold Coast.  It then flew across to Proserpine (Whitsunday Coast) Airport for parking.

UPDATE!  On Tuesday 23 December, VH-LEP hopped back from Proserpine Airport to Hamilton Island Airport before then flying down to Melbourne (Avalon).

And Mitchell Water Cessna 525 Citation M2 bizjet VH-WMY completed a late visit to Proserpine (Whitsunday Coast) Airport.  It flew up from Melbourne (Moorabbin), Melbourne (Essendon), Ararat and Tamworth before later departing to the Gold Coast.

Finally, also on Friday 19 December, Queensland Police Service (Airwing) / Queensland Government (State of Queensland) Beech B300 Super King Air 350i aircraft VH-8PD visited Rockhampton Airport from Mount Isa.

While Townsville Airlines Cessna 208B Grand Caravan VH-NXU completed the East Air flight EA1/2 run to Hamilton Island Airport from and back to Cairns.

And former QantasLink Dash-8-Q300 VH-TQE landed at Alice Springs from Tamworth.  It is reported to be the final Dash-8-Q300 to fly into Alice Springs from Tamworth for (temporary) storage.  As we have posted, some of them have ferried via Charleville Airport (and also Birdsville).

Photos taken by Jamie C and Robert Myers  ©

The Queensland Police Service (Airwing) / Queensland Government (State of Queensland) Beech B300 King Air 350i VH-8TT Spotted at Rockhampton Airport - Plus More!

On Monday 15 December,  the Queensland Police Service (Airwing) / Queensland Government (State of Queensland) Beech B300 King Air 350i VH-8TT was spotted landing back at Rockhampton Airport.  It had completed yet another aerial survey flight out of and back to Rockhampton Airport.

VH-8TT had originally looked to arrive into Rockhampton Airport late last week and returned on Sunday 14 December via yet more aerial surveying in the area.

UPDATE!  On Tuesday 16 December, VH-8TT departed Rockhampton Airport to complete yet more survey work over the Rocky area and then to the South before it then continued to land down at Brisbane.

Meanwhile, also on Monday 15 December, Alliance Airlines (ex JetBlue Airways - USA) Embraer ERJ-190AR VH-A2S (ex N274JB) arrived back into Rockhampton Airport from Wagga Wagga as UTY9826.

As shown, it has been re-painted in full Alliance Airlines livery having flown down there in a basic JetBlue Airways livery in late November.

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

UPDATE!  On Wednesday 24 December, N142GZ returned to Mackay Airport from Brisbane but then turned around and returned to the capital!

UPDATE!  On Sunday 28 December, N142GZ returned to Mackay Airport from Brisbane.

While Auslink Aviation / Aircrew Training and Support Diamond DA-40 VH-END flew up from Archerfield to Cairns via Rockhampton, Mackay and Townsville Airports.

UPDATE!  On Thursday 18 December, VH-END, flew back down from Cairns to Archerfield, again via Townsville, Mackay and Rockhampton Airports.

Western Downs Civil (Chinchilla) Raytheon B200 King Air VH-85H flew up from Chinchilla Aerodrome to The Whitsunday Airport at Shute Harbour.

And Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) Alenia C-27J Spartan transport aircraft A34-008 as "Wallaby 33" was noted completing airwork around Monto Aerodrome while on a flight out of and back to RAAF Base Amberley.

UPDATE!  On Tuesday 16 December, A34-008 but as "Wallaby 34" completed another flight in the region out of and back to Amberley.

All photos taken by Steve Vit  ©

A Pair of Queensland Police Service (POLAIR) / Jet Aviation (NSW) Bell Textron 429 Global Ranger Helicopters VH-4QP and VH-5QP Ferry North via CQ Airports - Plus More!

On Thursday 11 December, a Pair of Queensland Police Service (POLAIR) / Jet Aviation (NSW) Bell Textron 429 Global Ranger helicopters VH-4QP and VH-5QP were noted ferrying North to Townsville via a couple of Central Queensland Airports.

File photo

Bell 429 VH-4QP was flying as "Polair 4" and arrived into Rockhampton Airport from Redcliffe and then departed to Townsville.

Later Bell 429 VH-5QP also flew up from Redcliffe but via Gladstone Airport and Mackay Airport to Townsville.

Of interest, the Queensland Police Service (QPS) has recently taken delivery of three Bell 429 Global Ranger helicopters and will now be operating six Bell helicopters, making it Australia's largest Bell law enforcement fleet.

In 2022, contract provider Surf Life Saving Queensland (SLSQ) signed for three Bell 429s, operating the QPS POLAIR fleet responsible for patrolling and supporting on-ground policing efforts in southeast Queensland.  They are registered VH-XP7, VH-XP8 and VH-XP9.

The new batch of Bell 429s is part of a POLAIR service provision contract between QPS and Townsville-based Meridian Helicopters to provide a similar airborne law enforcement capability in north Queensland for the next 10 years.

Meanwhile, also on Thursday 11 December, the Queensland Police Service (Airwing) / Queensland Government (State of Queensland) Beech B300 King Air 350i VH-8TT, which had flown from Brisbane to complete a few hours of survey over the Rocky area, eventually landed at Rockhampton Airport.

UPDATE!  Across the next few days, VH-8TT completed several hours of aerial survey flights, each time taking off and then landing back at Rockhampton Airport.

Finally, also on Thursday 11 December, Mitchell Water Cessna 525 Citation M2 bizjet VH-WMY  flew up from the Gold Coast to The Whitsunday Airport at Shute Harbour. It then flew down to Roma Airport and Melbourne (Essendon) and Melbourne (Moorabbin).

And Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) Alenia C-27J Spartan transport aircraft A34-009 as "Wallaby 24" completed airwork at Bundaberg Airport while on a flight out of and back to RAAF Base Amberley.

Photo taken by Wayne Bass  ©

Poseidon Aviation Group Gulfstream Aerospace G650ER (G-VI) Bizjet N968FA Calls into Hamilton Island Airport - Plus More!

On Thursday 13 November, Poseidon Aviation Group Gulfstream Aerospace G650ER (G-VI) bizjet N968FA flew up from Sunshine Coast to Hamilton Island Airport. It had arrived into the Sunny Coast the previous day from Melbourne.

File photo

Mitchell Water Cessna 525 Citation M2 bizjet VH-WMY flew up from Melbourne (Essendon) to Miles Airport and then to the Gold Coast. It then flew up to the Whitsunday Airport at Shute Harbour and then back down to Archerfield and Essendon.

Graham Aviation (Cairns) Cessna 510 Citation Mustang bizjet VH-FMZ flew down from Brisbane to Moree then up to Emerald Airport and then further North.

The Queensland Police Service (Airwing) (State of Queensland) Cessna 208 Caravan VH-PSQ flew up from Brisbane to Mackay Airport and then Cairns.

Southern Airlines Piper PA-31-350 Navajo Chieftain VH-LCE was noted completing aerial survey flights out of and back to Gladstone Airport after arriving there from Archerfield earlier in the week.

UPDATE!  Over the next weekend, VH-LCE moved its operations to Bundaberg Airport where it continued to operate local aerial survey flights.

While Alliance Airlines Fokker F-100 jet VH-UQN visited Hamilton Island Airport on what seemed to be a charter flight from and back to Brisbane as UTY550/1.

And FlyPelican (Pelican Airlines) British Aerospace BAe Jetstream 3206 (Jetstream 32) turboprop aircraft VH-OTE was noted on the Fly-in Fly-out (FIFO) run between Archerfield and Toowoomba-Wellcamp and Emerald Airport both today and last night.

Photo taken by Lloyd Fox  ©

Multiple QantasLink / Alliance Airlines Embraer E-190 and Other Aircraft and Helicopters Continue to Escape TC Alfred to Rockhampton Airport - Plus More!

On Thursday 6 March, Tropical Cyclone Alfred continued to bear down on the South East Queensland coast and as a result, flights in and out of the major Airports down there have all been cancelled causing most aircraft and helicopters to escape the region to safer places including into Central Queensland.  And with the massive hangar and additional parking space available, many Alliance Airlines / QantasLink Embraer E-190 jets landed at Rockhampton Airport mostly from Brisbane for parking while the Cyclone passes.

VH-XVO arrived on the scheduled QFA1986 flight.  

VH-UZI arrived as QFA6293.

VH-XVQ arrived as QFA6284 and was one of three to be parked on Taxiway Juliette.

VH-UZQ arrived as QFA6289.

VH-XVS arrived as QFA6281.

VH-XVX arrived as UTY6296/QFA1942 from Brisbane via Gladstone Airport.

VH-UZF arrived as QFA6288.

And Fokker F-70 VH-NKU flew from Brisbane to Emerald Airport as VOZ1265 then to Rockhampton Airport as UTY9820. 

Plus QantasLink (Alliance Airlines) E-190 VH-UYR flew down from Townsville to Rockhampton Airport and then Brisbane as QFA6295 - presumably to transport crews back to Brisbane.

Meanwhile, also on Thursday 6 March, there was some movement with the McDermott Aviation Group / Machjet International Cessna Citation bizjets that arrived into Rockhampton Airport yesterday.

Cessna 525A Citation CJ2 VH-ZIY as "Machflight 74" departed to Brisbane. SUY was 74 yesterday and ZIY was 421. PIY was 41.  And Cessna 525A CitationJet CJ2 VH-SUY as "Machflight 74" also departed to Brisbane

Finally, also on Thursday 6 March, Linfox Global Charter / Air National Australia Bombardier BD-700-1A10 Global 6000 bizjet VH-LEP flew up from Melbourne (Essendon) to Hamilton Island Airport before then flying down to Rockhampton Airport seemingly also for parking - UPDATED with photo!

UPDATE!  On Saturday 8 March, VH-LEP departed Rockhampton Airport and returned to Hamilton Island Airport before then flying down to Melbourne (Avalon).

Fellow Linfox Express Charter / Air National Australia Canadair CL-600-2B16 Challenger 605 VH-LEF also arrived into Hamilton Island Airport but from Essendon via Sydney.  It looked to remain parked on Hamo.

UPDATE!  On Monday 10 March, VH-LEF departed Hamilton Island Airport for Sydney.

While new Pilatus Australia (South Australia) Pilatus PC-24 Super Versatile Jet VH-DMS looked to visit Mackay Airport from Cessnock.

And three Queensland Government (State of Queensland) aircraft looked to visit Rockhampton Airport.  

Beech B300C Super King Air 350s VH-8PE and VH-8PH visited from Cairns and Brisbane respectively.

UPDATE!  On Friday 7 March, VH-8PE arrived into Rockhampton Airport once again from Cairns and Townsville before later returning direct to Cairns.

Plus the Queensland Police Service (Airwing) (State of Queensland) Textron Aviation (Cessna) 208B Caravan VH-PQX also visited Rockhampton Airport from Cairns.

UPDATE!  On Friday 7 March, VH-PQX visited Rockhampton Airport once again from Cairns.

Sincere thanks to the local plane spotters for their help in gathering information for this historic post - and of course for allowing us to share these great photos!

Photos taken by Nigel Tuckwood, Scott Harris, Steve Vit and Phil M  ©

Colourful Babcock Mission Critical Services Australasia Leonardo AW139 Helicopter VH-8HD Spotted at Rockhampton Airport - Plus More!

On Wednesday 27 November, Babcock Mission Critical Services Australasia Leonardo AW139 helicopter VH-8HD was spotted departing Rockhampton Airport for Archerfield.  It had arrived late yesterday from Cairns and Townsville.  The colourful rescue helicopter is one of two operated out of Horn Island by Babcock along with VH-8HB. 

While Heli Holdings P/L / Stirling Helicopters Eurocopter AS 350 B3 Squirrel VH-XBO was also spotted departing Rockhampton Airport on a local flight.

And the new Queensland Police Service / Surf Life Saving Queensland (SLSQ) Eurocopter EC135 P2+ helicopter VH-NVF was photographed at Hervey Bay (Fraser Coast) Airport. 

Meanwhile, also on Wednesday 27 November, Comet-registered Cessna 208B Grand Caravan VH-RTC flew down from Hedlow Airfield to Consuelo and later returned to Hedlow. 

RDO Equipment Co. Pilatus PC-12/47 VH-WPH visited Emerald Airport from Toowoomba. 

Poolhurst Aviation Air Charter Services Pilatus PC-12/47E VH-PDE landed at Planet Downs from Archerfield and later returned back to there. 

And Pilatus PC-12/47E VH-VLQ of Ipswich-based Airborne P/L (Palm Lake Works) visited Bundaberg Airport from the Gold Coast.

Finally, also on Wednesday 27 November, Brenzil Dassault Aviation Falcon 7X bizjet VH-CRW visited Hamilton Island Airport from Brisbane.

LifeFlight (Aeromed) Canadair CL-600-2B16 Challenger 604 bizjet VH-OFA "Ambulance 614" arrived into Rockhampton Airport from Brisbane and then departed to Mount Isa and Cairns. 

Victorian-based but American-registered Embraer EMB-505 Phenom 300 N227SL arrived into Rockhampton Airport from Townsville and then later departed to Archerfield. 

And Machjet (Machjet International) Bombardier CL-600-2B16 Challenger 605 bizjet N605JL which had flew up to Hamilton Island Airport from Sunshine Coast this morning, flew down to the Gold Coast and back to Sunshine Coast.

Photos taken by John Lee and James Hackett  ©

Poolhurst Aviation Air Charter Services Pilatus PC-24 jet VH-VTF Calls into CQ Airports - Plus More!

On Monday 28 October, Poolhurst Aviation Air Charter Services Pilatus PC-24 jet VH-VTF arrived into Rockhampton Airport from Archerfield.  It later departed to Hervey Bay (Fraser Coast) Airport and then back to Archerfield.

File photo

While Bowenville (near Toowoomba) based Cessna 525 CitationJet CJ1+ bizjet VH-JSZ flew up from Archerfield and Dalby to Natal Downs before then flying down to my local Clermont Aerodrome and then back to Archerfield.

LifeFlight (Aeromed) Canadair CL-600-2B16 Challenger 604 bizjet VH-OFC "Ambulance 634" visited Gladstone Airport from Brisbane.

And the locally-based Embraer EMB-550 Legacy 500 bizjet N142GZ flew up from Brisbane back to Mackay Airport.  It looks to have flown down last Thursday 24 October.

Meanwhile, also on Monday 28 October, Fly Weel Pilatus PC-12/47E VH-KWZ landed at Emerald Airport from the Gold Coast and then departed to Mackay Airport.  It then returned to the Gold Coast. 

The Queensland Police Service (QPS) / Queensland Government (State of Queensland) Textron Aviation B300C Super King Air 350 VH-8PD visited Rockhampton Airport from Cairns and Townsville.

Aero Professional Services SOCATA TBM700 VH-VSV visited Bundaberg Airport from its Denison Downs (Emerald) base.

UPDATE!  VH-VSV completed two similar flights from Denison Downs to Bundy and back on both Saturday 2 November and Sunday 3 November.

Link Airways (Corporate Air / Vee H Aviation) Cessna 441 Conquest VH-VEJ flew up from Brisbane to the Oaky Creek Mine Site and then my local Clermont Aerodrome before then heading back to Brisbane. 

And Southern Air Beech 1900C VH-VSO looked to complete the weekly visit to Moranbah Airport, arriving from Melbourne (Moorabbin) and Toowoomba-Wellcamp and then departing back to Wellcamp.

Photo taken by Ryan Hothersall  ©

Central Queensland Helicopter Rescue Service (CQ Rescue) Takes Delivery of their New Leonardo AW139 Helicopter VH-XQ8 at Mackay Airport - Plus More!

On Wednesday 28 August, the nice new Central Queensland Helicopter Rescue Service (CQ Rescue) / CQ Aeromedical Leonardo AW139 helicopter VH-XQ8 was officially delivered to CQ Rescue at Mackay Airport.

https://www.facebook.com/CQRescue/

https://www.facebook.com/CQRescue/

It flew up from Caloundra via the Sunshine Coast and a fuel stop at Gladstone Airport where it was also photographed below.

The brand-new helicopter (msn 32053) was registered in May this year and flew into Caloundra Aerodrome in July for fit-out following some time being prepared and painted at Melbourne (Essendon) Airport.

VH-XQ8 is the first of three Leonardo AW139 helicopters (the others are already registered as VH-XQ7 and VH-XQ9 but yet to arrive into Australia) that will be operated by the Mackay Airport based CQ Rescue as they commence operations with their own CASA Air Operator Certificate, without the need to out-source this to another company.

The 'official' arrival of VH-XQ8 also revealed the stunning new orange and blue colour scheme adopted by CQ Rescue to coincide with their new naming rights sponsor of the BHP Mitsubishi Alliance (BMA).

Meanwhile, also on Wednesday 28 August, another helicopter on delivery to a Far North Queensland helicopter rescue service was Babcock Mission Critical Services Australasia Leonardo AW139 helicopter VH-8HD.  It flew up from Redcliffe to Cairns via Rockhampton and Townsville Airports.

It is assumed that VH-8HD will join VH-8HB which arrived up into Cairns also from Redcliffe via Rockhampton and Townsville Airports back in June.

Finally, also on Wednesday 28 August, Robindale Group / Air Link Cessna 510 Citation Mustang bizjet VH-CMK flew from Emerald Airport to Bundaberg Airport.  It then flew to the Sunshine Coast and to its Orange base.  It appears to have flown up from Orange over the same route the previous day.

MT Air Charters / Pilatus Australia Pilatus PC-24 Super Versatile Jet VH-PIL visited Hamilton Island Airport again this time from Newcastle (Williamtown). 

Bowenville (near Toowoomba) based Cessna 525 CitationJet CJ1+ bizjet VH-JSZ arrived into Rockhampton Airport from Archerfield and my local Clermont Aerodrome.  It then departed to Archerfield.

Western Down Civil (Chinchilla) Raytheon B200 King Air VH-85H flew from Roma Airport to Toowoomba.  

Kelsall P/L (Aeronautics and Technology Holdings) Pilatus PC-12/45 VH-PID which had arrived into Rockhampton Airport on Monday, departed there to the South. 

The Queensland Government Airwing (State of Queensland) Raytheon B300 Super King Air VH-SGQ arrived into Rockhampton Airport from Brisbane and then departed to Mackay, Townsville and Cairns. 

UPDATE!  On Thursday 29 August, VH-SGQ arrived into Rockhampton Airport from Cairns, Townsville and Mackay Airports and then departed to Brisbane.

The Queensland Police Service (Airwing) (State of Queensland) Cessna 208 Caravan VH-PSQ flew up from Brisbane to Mackay Airport.

NSW based Beech A36 Bonanza VH-BIG arrived into Rockhampton Airport from Port Macquarie and then departed to Hamilton Island Airport. 

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

Rural Funds Management (A.C.T.) Pilatus PC-12/47E VH-STE departed Emerald Airport to Rolleston Aerodrome and then to Kaluroo and then Ballina.  It looks to have flown up to Emerald Airport from Canberra via Griffith the previous day.

UPDATE!  On Thursday 29 August, VH-STE flew up to Bundaberg Airport from Ballina.

UPDATE!  On Friday 30 August, VH-STE flew from Bundaberg Airport to Maryborough Airport and then Brisbane, Ballina and back to Canberra.

Photos taken by Jamie C and Graham Aspinall  ©️

MacKellar Mining Equipment Pty Ltd (Revesco Aviation) Cessna 680 Citation Sovereign VH-MMC Calls into the Labona Airstrip at the Carmichael Mine - Plus More!

On Tuesday 27 August, MacKellar Mining Equipment Pty Ltd (Revesco Aviation) Cessna 680 Citation Sovereign bizjet VH-MMC visited the Labona Station Airstrip within Adani Australia's (Bravus Mining & Resources) Carmichael Coal Mine site from the Sunshine Coast.

File photo

Poolhurst Aviation Air Charter Services Pilatus PC-12/47E VH-PDE landed at Planet Downs from Archerfield and later returned back to there. 

The Queensland Police Service (Airwing) Cessna 208 Caravan VH-PSY arrived into Rockhampton Airport from Cairns and then departed to Brisbane.

And Helicorp (Australian Army) Leonardo (Agusta) AW139 helicopter VH-YQC as "Rescue 902" flew out from The Glen Airfield within the Shoalwater Bay Training Area (SWBTA) and landed at my local Clermont Aerodrome. It then departed to Townsville.

UPDATE!  Over the next couple of days, VH-YQC "Rescue 902" continued from Townsville to Darwin in the Northern Territory.

It was believed that there was an Australian Army training exercise on within the Shoalwater Bay Training Area so VH-YQC "Rescue 902" was no doubt on site to provide aero-medical support.

Finally, also on Tuesday 27 August, Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) Beech B350 Super King Air A32-671 as "Beaufort 15" landed at Longreach Airport from the North and then departed to Sydney and RAAF Base East Sale.  It had flown up to Cape York from East Sale the previous day.

Private American Registered Dassault Falcon 7X Bizjet N997X at Hamilton Island Airport - Plus More!

On Monday 26 August, private American registered Dassault Falcon 7X bizjet N997X flew South from Hamilton Island.   It looked to have arrived on Thursday 22 August after flying over from New Zealand and then up from the Sunshine Coast.

File photo

The Falcon 7X seems to be based 'Down Under' with it spending a lot of time flying around both Australia and New Zealand.  It was reportedly re-painted and re-registered in mid-2023 after previously wearing the American Registration marking of N656FN.

While MT Air Charters / Pilatus Australia Pilatus PC-24 Super Versatile Jet VH-PIL departed Hamilton Island Airport for Bankstown.  It seems to have arrived from there last Friday 23 August.  VH-PIL then flew back up to Archerfield and then back up to Hamilton Island Airport before then flying down to Sydney.

Air Charter Services / Flight Options (Australia) Embraer EMB-505 Phenom 300 bizjet VH-VKX visited Hamilton Island Airport from Brisbane. 

McDermott Aviation Group / Machjet International Cessna 525A CitationJet CJ2 bizjet VH-SUY as "Machflight 41" flew up from the Sunshine Coast to Mackay Airport.  It then continued to Townsville and then Cairns.

And Metro Holdings Australia (Air Link - Dubbo) Textron Aviation (Cessna) 510 Citation Mustang bizjet VH-SQV visited Rockhampton Airport from the Sunshine Coast.

Meanwhile, also on Monday 26 August, Pilatus PC-12/45 VH-PID of Kelsall P/L (Aeronautics and Technology Holdings) arrived into Rockhampton Airport from the South. 

Queensland Police Service (QPS) / Queensland Government (State of Queensland) Textron Aviation B300C Super King Air 350 VH-8PD arrived into Rockhampton Airport from Cairns and then departed to Brisbane.  It returned North later. 

Fellow QPS B300C Super King Air 350 VH-8PE also arrived into Rockhampton Airport but from Mount Isa before it then too departed to Cairns.

And Southern Air Beech 1900C VH-VSO visited Moranbah Airport from Archerfield.  It appeared to fly up to Archerfield from Melbourne (Moorabbin) yesterday.

Sincere thanks to Sydney-based specialist aviation photographer Grahame Hutchison for allowing us to share this great photo!

Do check out more of Grahame's fantastic images on his well-known Sydney Airport based website http://www.16right.com/

Photo taken by Grahame Hutchison  ©

Orange Helicopters (NSW) Kawasaki BK117 B-2 helicopter VH-VCB Passes Through CQ Airports on way to PNG - Plus More!

On Saturday 3 August, Orange Helicopters (NSW) Kawasaki BK117 B-2 helicopter VH-VCB was noted passing through some Central Queensland Airports while reportedly heading up to Papua New Guinea (PNG).

It arrived into Bundaberg Airport from Southport and then departed to Rockhampton Airport and Whitsunday Airport at Shute Harbour before finishing the day at Townsville.

VH-VCB is due to depart further to Carins and Far North Queensland before heading up to PNG on Sunday 4 August.

Meanwhile, also on Saturday 3 August, CHC Helicopters Australia / Lloyd Helicopters Agusta AW139 helicopter VH-RQY as "Choppa 41" landed at Longreach Airport from Mount Isa then departed to Roma Airport and RAAF Base Amberley.

And six Victoria based and two Queensland based helicopters landed at Agnes Water, flying up via Orchid Beach.  Locally-based AS350 Squirrel VH-WMW and Eurocopter EC130 VH-EHY were joined by Victoria-based Robinson R44s VH-LLZ and VH-CMS, Robinson R66 VH-VVU, AMT OH-58A Kiowa VH-DJW, Bell 505 VH-ZVJ and Bell 206B VH-NXZ.

Finally, also on Saturday 3 August, LifeFlight (Aeromed) Canadair CL-600-2B16 Challenger 604 bizjet VH-OFA "Ambulance 614" flew up to Rockhampton Airport from Brisbane before then departing for Cairns.

While Regional Express (REX) Airlines SAAB 340+ VH-ZLA visited Moranbah Airport from Cairns as RXA9472/3.

The Queensland Police Service (Airwing) (State of Queensland) Cessna 208 Caravan VH-PSQ landed at Bundaberg Airport from Brisbane and then departed to complete airwork East of there. 

Aero Express Investments (Brisbane) Diamond DA62 VH-8R8 flew up to Hamilton Island Airport from Archerfield. 

And Piper PA-34-200 Seneca VH-IAJ arrived into Springsure Aerodrome from Tamworth. 

Photo taken by Arthur Scharf  ©