Scenic Flights and Other Services with Queensland Helicopters at Longreach Airport

Often overlooked in favour of the well-known Qantas Founders Museum, locally owned and operated Queensland Helicopters operates local scenic joyflights and other services out of Longreach Airport in the Central West of Queensland.

Queensland Helicopters was established in 1974 with its main base initially at Mount Isa and servicing the nearby mining and pastoral industries. In 1993, Tim Rayner, the chief Pilot for Queensland Helicopters, took over the company, basing the operation in Longreach, the hub of the Central West.

Queensland Helicopters currently operates a fleet of Robinson R44 and R22 helicopters along with a larger Bell 206 Jetranger.  Their hangar and office and located at Longreach Airport on the Eastern side of the General Aviation (GA) parking apron.

Queensland Helicopters core business is charter, aerial mustering, tourism and various types of aerial survey work such as aerial helicopter work, powerline patrols and pole inspections, film and photography work and geological work for future mining exploration.

Brisbane-based plane spotter Brandon G had the pleasure of jumping aboard one of Queensland Helicopters' scenic flights where he was able to view some of the spectacular scenery that the Queensland Outback has to offer.

Queensland Helicopters offers a fantastic 10 minute scenic flight around Longreach and over the Thomson River - viewing the famous Stockman’s Hall of Fame and of course the QANTAS Museum and the aircraft on display at the airport. The scenic flight includes a pilot commentary on the area.  An extended scenic flight - of 20 minutes - is also available.

Queenland Helicopters also have a spectacular sunset flight of 20 minutes where passengers can view a spectacular sunset from a totally different perspective on board the Robinson R44 helicopter.  Passengers are also treated to a pre flight drink (18+) whilst relaxing under a Poinciana tree at Longreach Airport, in anticipation of a show that can only be surpassed by mother nature. (Minimum of 2 passengers per flight. Bookings are essential. Sunset quality varies from day to day.)

Queensland Helicopters has a long tradition of providing quality service to the Central West and further.  Joining one of their spectacular scenic flight is certainly a must when visiting Longreach.  For more information on Queensland Helicopters - or to view their spectacular photo gallery - you can visit their website (http://www.queenslandhelicopters.com.au/) or alternatively check out their Facebook page (http://www.facebook.com/pages/Queensland-Helicopters/).

Photos taken by Brandon Giacomin  ©

A Few Plane Spotting Photos from Longreach Airport

During our recent stay at Longreach, I was able to spend a little bit of time capturing some of the visiting aircraft at Longreach Airport, including a nice pair of the regular passenger transport (RPT) movements that touch down in the Central Western town.

On Tuesday 8 April, I captured Regional Express (REX) SAAB 340B VH-ZLW as it touched down at Longreach as RXA5203.

REX operates twice-weekly into Longreach from Townsville via Winton each Tuesday and Thursday.

QantasLink operates into Longreach from Brisbane on a daily basis using a mix of Dash-8-Q300 and Dash-8-Q400 aircraft.  Flights to Longreach route via Blackall and Barcaldine.  On Tuesday 8 April, I captured Dash-8-Q300 VH-TQL touching down as QLK2532 from Barcaldine and Brisbane.

Incidentally, I discovered that Longreach Airport has undergone some major redevelopment with a completely new terminal building opened in 2012.  The older and smaller building remains under the control of the local Council and will most likely be utilised by the Qantas Founders Museum (QFOM) as a function room.

Meanwhile, parked nearby on the General Aviation (GA) apron, was Royal Flying Doctor Service (RFDS) Raytheon B200 VH-FDZ which arrived on Monday 7 April from Barcaldine and Roma as "FlyDoc458".

The Rockhampton Aero Club's Cessna 172 VH-ZDX was parked on the GA Apron.

Locally-based Beech A36 Bonanza VH-PRI and Piper PA-32-300 VH-HGR were also spotted.

VH-HGR is one of several aircraft that are registered to local company Bowden Industries.

Queensland Helicopters is also a locally-based company with hangar and office facilities at Longreach Airport.  I was able to spot most of their helicopters including Robinson R44 VH-OCL and Bell 206B VH-YEC, along with their Cessna 172 VH-CEV.

Finally, one of the more interesting arrivals on Tuesday 8 April was Victorian-registered Amateur-built Thorp T-18 VH-WSJ.

As shown below on Wednesday 9 April, the Thorp also wears the American registration of N98BJ.

A source indicates that VH-WSJ / N98BJ was manufactured in the United States in 1979 and first registered as N98BJ in San Bernardino.

Certainly a great couple of days at Longreach - and such a lovely scenic drive from Clermont to get there heading West along the Capricorn Highway.