Showing posts with label Rockhampton. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Rockhampton. Show all posts

Tuesday, July 7, 2026

A Pair of Australian Army CH-47F Chinook Helicopters A15-307 "Salty 47" & A15-306 "Easy 328" Spotted at Mackay Airport - Plus More!

On Tuesday 7 July, a pair of Australian Army Boeing CH-47F Chinook helicopters were spotted at Mackay Airport.  They appear to have flown down from Townsville via completing air work individually in the Whitsundays – at Proserpine (Whitsunday Coast) Airport and Hamilton Island Airport – before continuing down to Mackay Airport.







The two Chinooks from the Army’s 5th Aviation Regiment based at Townsville, where identified as A15-307 which flew as "Salty 47" and A15-306 as "Easy 328".

After some time on the ground, both Chinooks departed for Townsville with A15-307 "Salty 47" again completing air work at Hamilton Island Airport.

Meanwhile, also on Tuesday 7 July, Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) Airbus A330-200 / KC-30A Multi Role Tanker Transport (MRTT) A39-003 as "Dragon 25" arrived into Rockhampton Airport from RAAF Base Amberley and parked on taxiway Juliet. A bit later it departed to the North and completed a missed approach at Townsville before then returning to Amberley.

Finally, on the civilian side of movements, also on Tuesday 7 July, McDermott Aviation Group / Machjet International Cessna 525C CitationJet CJ4 bizjet VH-PIY as "Machflight 41" flew up from the Sunshine Coast to Hamilton Island Airport before then flying across to Ayers Rock. It later returned to the Sunshine Coast.

Poolhurst Aviation Air Charter Services new Pilatus PC-24 jet VH-VTF flew up from Archerfield to Hamilton Island Airport before then flying down to Adelaide.

Port Macquarie Helicopters / Graham Aviation (Cairns) Cessna 510 Citation Mustang bizjet VH-8DD departed Hamilton Island Airport for the Sunshine Coast. It had arrived on Saturday 4 July from Port Macquarie and Rockhampton Airport.

Mabena P/L (Wagga Air Centre) Pilatus PC-12/47E NGX VH-A8K as "Wagga Air 669" appeared to fly South from a property near Dysart.  It had earlier flown up from Archerfield and also from Wagga Wagga the previous day.

UPDATE!  On Wednesday 8 July VH-A8L 'WA669' was again noted flying in the region ultimately arriving into Longreach Airport.  Then on Thursday 9 July, it departed Longreach Airport for Isisford, Wrotham Park and then Cairns.

Photos taken by Graham Kevin Jackson  ©

Monday, July 6, 2026

General Aviation Maintenance (GAM Group) (Team Global Express) Raytheon 1900D VH-YJD Calls into CQ Airports - Plus More!

On Monday 6 July, and possibly entering service in its own right, was General Aviation Maintenance (GAM Group) (Team Global Express) Raytheon 1900D VH-YJD.


It flew up from Brisbane to Rockhampton Airport and then Mackay Airport and Townsville as 'GA845' / "Gamair 845" and was due to return South from Townsville to Brisbane via only Mackay Airport on Monday evening as 'GA847'.

Of interest, VH-YJD has been noted completing several training and test flights between Brisbane and Maryborough Airport in recent weeks with still the occasional run out to Emerald Airport in place of the  Cessna 208 Caravan VH-UJK.

Meanwhile, also on Monday 6 July, Albury-based Cessna 525 CitationJet M2 bizjet VH-JSO visited the region again this time arriving into Rockhampton Airport from Canberra and Brisbane and then later departing to Bundaberg Airport.

Parker Aviation Ventures (Sydney) / Air Link (Dubbo) Embraer EMB-500 Phenom bizjet VH-PNM departed Archerfield for Canberra before then flying up to Hamilton Island Airport and then across to Proserpine (Whitsunday Coast) Airport.

While Arbormeta P/L (Byron Bay) Gippsaero GA8-TC 320 Airvan VH-AUM flew up from Ballina / Byron Bay Gateway to Emerald Airport before continuing to Mareeba and Cairns.

And Parklea (Air Services) (of Victoria) Leonardo AW109SP helicopter VH-87M was spotted at Longreach Airport after earlier arriving from Winton.


Photos taken by Lloyd Fox and Liam Sellick  ©

Wednesday, May 6, 2026

Eagle One Aviation (Navair Flight Operations) Cessna 525B CitiationJet CJ3+ Bizjet VH-X8X as "Navair 151" at CQ Airports - Plus More!

On Wednesday 6 May, Eagle One Aviation (Navair Flight Operations) Cessna 525B CitiationJet CJ3+ bizjet VH-X8X as "Navair 151" flew down from Mackay Airport to Bankstown.

https://www.facebook.com/flindersaviation

The sleek Citation bizjet - which has just undergone a major repaint - see photo above - flew up from Bankstown on Tuesday 5 May to Moranbah Airport and then Mackay Airport.

While Wrightsair / Wave Air (Whitsunday Tiger Moth Adventures) Cessna 208B Caravan VH-NGS flew down from the Whitsunday Airport at Shute Harbour to Roma Airport and then Gunnedah and Wollongong (Shellharbour).

Meanwhile, also on Wednesday 6 May, Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) Boeing C-17A Globemaster III transport aircraft A41-206 as "Stallion 31" flew up from RAAF Base Amberley to a planned hold at Rockhampton Airport where it then completed a missed approach before then returning to Amberley.  

Late this afternoon RAAF Boeing B737-7ES / E-7A Wedgetail Airborne Early Warning & Control (AEW&C) aircraft  A30-004 as "Wedgetail 13" flew up from RAAF Base Williamtown to complete a missed approach at the Sunshine Coast and then one at Rockhampton Airport before then returning South.

Friday, May 1, 2026

Australian Army Airbus Helicopters H135 'Juno' Training Helicopters N52-103 "Warhorse 29" & N52-101 "Jackal 11" Both Call into Hervey Bay (Fraser Coast) Airport - Plus More!

On Friday 1 May, a pair of Australian Army Airbus Helicopters H135 'Juno' training helicopters were noted visiting Hervey Bay (Fraser Coast) Airport.  They were identified as N52-103 as "Warhorse 29" and N52-101 as "Jackal 11" and looked to fly up from Enoggera Army Barracks.  

Defence image...

N52-103 "Warhorse 29" later flew to the Oakey Army Aviation Centre while N52-101 "Jackal 11" returned to Enoggerra.

And Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) Boeing B737-7ES / E-7A Wedgetail Airborne Early Warning & Control (AEW&C) aircraft A30-006 as "Mitchel 12" complete airwork also at Hervey Bay (Fraser Coast) Airport while on a flight out of and back to RAAF Base Williamtown.

Meanwhile, also on Friday 1 May, Gulf Aircraft Cessna 680 Citation Sovereign bizjet VH-PYN arrived into Emerald Airport from the North-West before later departing to Brisbane. It had started its day at Melbourne (Essendon).

And it seems that the aircraft used for the skydiving out of Lakeside Airpark was swapped over with Sydney Skydivers Pacific Aerospace PAC 750XL VH-XLC noted operating and then departing to Caloundra while the usual Cessna 208B Supervan 900 Skydiving Aircraft VH-XLF returned to Lakeside Airpark late in the day from Bankstown via Wilton.

Finally, on a quiet Thursday 30 April, Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) Beech B350 Super King Air A32-651 as "Hudson 01" flew down from Cairns to complete a missed approach at Hamilton Island Airport and then land at Longreach Airport.  It then departed to the South.  The Super King Air had flown across from Alice Springs to Cairns the previous day.

And Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) Airbus A330-203 / KC-30A Multi Role Tanker Transport (MRTT) A39-006 as "Dragon 40" was noted completing a missed approach at Rockhampton Airport.  Like all other flights this week, it arrived from RAAF Base Amberley and then departed to Brisbane Airport.

Wednesday, April 29, 2026

Transwisata Prima Aviation (Indonesia) Gulfstream IV-SP (G-IV) Bizjet PK-TWY at Emerald Airport - Plus More!

A real beaut bizjet that was almost missed but was spotted late on Wednesday 29 April was Transwisata Prima Aviation Gulfstream IV-SP (G-IV) bizjet PK-TWY.  It was spotted below departing to Brisbane.



It appears that PK-TWY brought high-ranking mining officials to town with the sleek Gulfstream looking to have arrived the previous day from Jakarta (Halim) via Darwin.

Meanwhile, a blast from the past with former Bundaberg-based - now Indi Flight of West Bathurst (NSW) - Cessna 414A VH-CBT noted departing Longreach Airport for Kempsey.  It looked to have flown down from Darwin and Mount Isa into Longreach Airport late on Tuesday 28 April.

Finally, late on Wednesday 29 April, there were more Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) training flights into Rockhampton and Bundaberg Airport - as there has been each night this week so far!

RAAF Airbus A330-200 / KC-30A Multi Role Tanker Transport (MRTT) A39-002 as "Dragon 65" called into Rockhampton Airport while on a flight out of RAAF Base Amberley and then to Brisbane Airport.

And a pair of RAAF Alenia C-27J Spartan transport aircraft A34-001 as "Kaos 33" and A34-010 as "Wallaby 41" were noted completing airwork at Bundaberg Airport while on flights out of and back to Amberley.

Photos taken by 'AC'  ©

Tuesday, April 28, 2026

Robindale Group / Air Link Cessna 510 Citation Mustang Bizjet VH-CMK Pops into CQ Airports - Plus More!

On Tuesday 28 April, Robindale Group / Air Link Cessna 510 Citation Mustang bizjet VH-CMK flew up from Orange to the Sunshine Coast before it then continued to Bundaberg Airport and Emerald Airport.

File photo

UPDATE!  On Thursday 30 April, VH-CMK departed Emerald Airport and returned to Bundaberg Airport and then the Sunshine Coast and Orange.

While in the evening, Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) Airbus A330-200 / KC-30A Multi Role Tanker Transport (MRTT) A39-002 as "Dragon 63" was noted completing a missed approach at Rockhampton Airport while on a flight out of RAAF Base Amberley and then to Brisbane Airport.

And Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) Alenia C-27J Spartan transport aircraft A34-009 as "Kaos 34" was noted completing airwork at Bundaberg Airport while also on an evening flight out of and back to Amberley.

Photo taken by Ross Huntington  ©

Monday, April 27, 2026

National Jet Express Dash-8-Q400 Next Gen VH-8QB Pops into Hervey Bay (Fraser Coast) Airport - Plus More!

On Monday 27 April, National Jet Express Dash-8-Q400 Next Gen VH-8QB was spotted visiting Hervey Bay (Fraser Coast) Airport.

Photo contributed...

It seemed to be a closed charter flight with it arriving from and then departing back to Brisbane as WO454/3.

Also at Hervey Bay Airport, American Registered but Australian based Pilatus PC-12/47E N81DW was noted visiting.  It arrived from the Sunshine Coast and departed to Roma Airport.

Mitchell Water Cessna 525 Citation M2 bizjet VH-WMY arrived into the Whitsunday Airport at Shute Harbour from Mackay Airport before departing to Ararat and Melbourne (Essendon).

VH-WMY had arrived into the Whitsunday Airport at Shute Harbour last Thursday 23 April after flying up from Melbourne (Moorabbin), Ararat, Tamworth and the Gold Coast before it then hopped down to Mackay Airport for parking.

VH-WMY also appeared to visit Roma and Chinchilla Airports early last week as well.

Finally, late on Monday 27 April, Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) Airbus A330-200 / KC-30A Multi Role Tanker Transport (MRTT) A39-005 as "Dragon 60" was noted visiting Rockhampton Airport.  It arrived from RAAF Base Amberley and then flew to Brisbane Airport.

And a pair of Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) Alenia C-27J Spartan transport aircraft A34-005 as "Kaos 04" and A34-001 as "Wallaby 06" were both noted completing airwork at Bundaberg Airport while on flights out of and back to RAAF Base Amberley.

Thursday, April 23, 2026

Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) Boeing B737-8 MAX BBJ A62-002 "Envoy 66" Calls into Gladstone Airport - Plus More!

On Thursday 23 April, Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) Boeing B737-8 MAX BBJ A62-002 as Envoy 66 flew into Gladstone Airport from Townsville.  It then departed to RAAF Base Amberley.

File photo

It appeared to have flown up to Townsville from Canberra via Amberley the previous day.

Fellow RAAF Beech Super King Air A32-021 as "Hudson 07" flew up from RAAF Base East Sale and Orange to Proserpine (Whitsunday Coast) Airport before it then flew down to Hervey Bay (Fraser Coast) Airport.

UPDATE!  On Friday 24 April, A32-021 "Hudson 07" departed Hervey Bay Airport and flew to RAAF Base Amberley and then back to East Sale.

Meanwhile, also on Thursday 23 April, Microflite (Moorabbin) Airbus Helicopters MBB-BK117 D-3 helicopter VH-8JJ landed at Longreach Airport from Melbourne (Moorabbin), Griffith and Charleville Airports.

UPDATE!  On Friday 24 April, the BK117 VH-8JJ departed Longreach Airport for Charters Towers Aerodrome and then Cairns.

Vee H Aviation (Link Airways) Beech B200GT Super King Air 250 VH-VEW visited Clermont Aerodrome once again on the triangle run between Brisbane and the Oaky Creek Mine Site.  It also visited as per usual on Monday 20 April.

Also on Monday 20 April, NQ Goldfields Beech 58 Baron VH-SNZ visited Clermont Aerodrome from Charters Towers Aerodrome again.

Then on Tuesday 21 April, Consolidated Pastoral Company P/L Cessna 421C Golden Eagle VH-UTC was noted visiting Middlemount Aerodrome and Longreach Airport before continuing up to Mount Isa and Darwin.

Angel Flight Cessna 402C VH-AF3 flew into Longreach Airport from Jundah before continuing to Townsville.  It had flown down also via Longreach Airport the previous day.

And Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) Boeing C-17A Globemaster III A41-209 as "Stallion 57" flew up from RAAF Base Amberley to complete a missed approach at Rockhampton Airport before it then back to Amberley.

Photo taken by Michael Mc  ©

Sunday, April 19, 2026

Photos of Qantas Airways Boeing B737-800 VH-VXT 'QFA705' Emergency Landing at Rockhampton Airport - Fellow B737-800 VH-VZW Sent as Rescue Plane

Late on Saturday 18 April, Qantas Airways Boeing B737-800 VH-VXT as QFA705' was on its way from Cairns to Melbourne (Tullamarine) where near Alpha it declared an emergency and diverted to Rockhampton Airport.




Later, fellow Qantas Airways Boeing B737-800 VH-VZW flew up to Rockhampton Airport from Brisbane as QFA6116 before it then departed back to Brisbane but as QFA1005.


At the time of writing, VH-VXT remains parked at Rockhampton Airport.

UPDATE!  Late morning on Sunday 19 April, VH-VXT as QFA6117 departed Rockhampton Airport to Brisbane.

Photos taken by John Lee  ©

Friday, April 17, 2026

Nioa Aviation (Avcair) Embraer EMB-505 Phenom 300 Bizjet VH-NJR Spotted at Maryborough Airport - Plus More!

On Friday 17 April, Nioa Aviation (Avcair) Embraer EMB-505 Phenom 300 bizjet VH-NJR was photographed on the ground at Maryborough Airport. 


While Careflight (NT) Hawker Beechcraft B200 King Air VH-ZCN as "Careflight 27" landed at Longreach Airport from Toowoomba before it then departed to Mount Isa and Darwin.

LifeFlight (Aeromed) Bombardier Challenger 604 bizjet VH-URR "Ambulance 604" landed at Mackay Airport from Townsville and then departed to Brisbane.  It and sister-ships are still making mutiple visits to CQ Airports each week.

And National Jet Express Dash-8-Q400 Next Gen VH-IYJ flew into Rockhampton Airport from Brisbane as 'JTE452'.

UPDATE!  On Saturday 18 April, VH-IYJ as 'JTE444' departed Rockhampton Airport for Townsville and is due back later in the night.  Looks like another Rugby League football charter flight.

Finally, on a quiet Thursday 16 April, Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) Boeing B737-7ES / E-7A Wedgetail Airborne Early Warning & Control (AEW&C) aircraft A30-006 as "Wedgetail 04" was noted completing a missed approach at Rockhampton Airport.  It flew up from RAAF Base Williamtown via a missed approach at the Gold Coast before then returning direct to Williamtown.

Photo taken by Josh Matica  ©

Tuesday, April 14, 2026

Pilatus Australia (South Australia) Pilatus PC-24 Super Versatile Jet VH-DMS Calls into Mackay Airport - Plus More!

On Tuesday 14 April, Pilatus Australia (South Australia) Pilatus PC-24 Super Versatile Jet VH-DMS flew up to Mackay Airport from Cessnock and in the afternoon it flew across to Mount Isa.

File photo

NQ Heli-Worx (Townsville) Embraer EMB-500 Phenom 100 VH-8GK was noted flying out of Hamilton Island Airport. It seems to have completed a couple of flights between Townsville and Hamo over the last couple of days.

Bowenville based (operated by Real Time Aviation - Brisbane) Cessna 525 CitationJet CJ1+ bizjet VH-JSZ flew up to Clermont Aerodrome from Archerfield and Dalby.  It then continued to Natal Downs.

UPDATE!  On Thursday 16 April, flew up from Archerfield to Emerald Airport and the Clermont Aerodrome.  It then flew down to Sydney and then back to Clermont and Emerald Airports before returning again to Archerfield.  A big day!

While Little Wings Beech 58 Baron VH-LW4 visited Moura Aerodrome from Archerfield.

Finally, also on Tuesday 14 April, Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) Boeing C-17A Globemaster III transport aircraft A41-209 as "Stallion 27" flew down from Townsville to complete a missed approach at Proserpine (Whitsunday Coast) Airport and then to land at Rockhampton Airport.  It later departed to complete another missed approach at the Sunshine Coast and then several circuits at RAAF Base Amberley.

Photo taken by 'AC'  ©

Monday, April 13, 2026

Special Mining Services / Flight Options (Australia) Embraer EMB-505 Phenom 300 Bizjet VH-87X Pops into Hervey Bay (Fraser Coast) Airport - Plus More!

On Monday 13 April, Special Mining Services / Flight Options (Australia) Embraer EMB-505 Phenom 300 bizjet VH-87X was spotted visiting Hervey Bay (Fraser Coast) Airport.


It arrived from and then later departed back to the Sunshine Coast.

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

Like many of the other Fly-in Fly-out (FIFO) charter fights into CQ, we probably won’t report on these much anymore.

And Torres Strait Air Britten-Norman (Bembridge) BN-2A-26 Islander VH-IZH flew up from Watts Bridge following planned maintenance to land at Biloela / Thangool Airport, Emerald Airport, Charters Towers Aerodrome and then Cairns.

Finally, also on Monday 13 April, Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) Boeing C-17A Globemaster III A41-209 as "Stallion 27" flew out from RAAF Base Amberley to complete a missed approach at Charleville Airport and up to Rockhampton Airport where it landed for a bit.  It then departed up to Mackay Airport where it completed another missed approach before then landing at Townsville.

Photo taken by Fraser Coast Aviation and Plane Spotting  ©

Thursday, April 9, 2026

United States Marine Corps (USMC) Bell Boeing MV-22B Osprey 168681 (YZ-00) 'KONA41' Spotted at Rockhampton Airport Heading to Darwin

On Thursday 9 April, United States Marine Corps (USMC) Bell Boeing MV-22B Osprey tilt-rotor aircraft with serial number 168681 (YZ-00) as 'KONA41' was spotted at Rockhampton Airport.




It arrived from Toowoomba-Wellcamp via overhead Miles and Theodore along the highway from Toowoomba to Mount Morgan and then departed to Mount Isa and Darwin.

Of interest, on Wednesday 8 April, KONA42 flew up to Darwin yesterday via Cloncurry Airport.

Photos taken by Darren Massie  ©

Tuesday, April 7, 2026

Real Time Aviation - Brisbane - Cessna 525 CitationJet CJ1+ Bizjet VH-JSZ Calls into my local Clermont Aerodrome - Plus Much More!

On Tuesday 7 April, Bowenville based (operated by Real Time Aviation - Brisbane) Cessna 525 CitationJet CJ1+ bizjet VH-JSZ visited Clermont Aerodrome from Archerfield and Dalby. 

File photo

McDermott Aviation Group / Machjet International Raytheon B200 King Air VH-NSN as "Machflight 242" flew up to Hamilton Island Airport from the Sunshine Coast. 

Poolhurst Aviation Air Charter Services new Pilatus PC-24 jet VH-VTF flew up from Archerfield to Hamilton Island Airport and then flew down to Rockhampton Airport and then back to Archerfield.

This is the reverse a flight it did late last week.

Meanwhile on Monday 6 April, NQ Heli-Worx (Townsville) Embraer EMB-500 Phenom 100 VH-8GK visited Hamilton Island Airport possibly from Townsville.  It also possibly completed a similar flight the previous day and possibly also mid-last week.

Fellow NQ Heli-Worx (Meridan Helicopters) Aerospatiale AS350 B2 Squirrel helicopter VH-MHE as "Energy 401" has been operating out of Rockhampton Airport around the Stanwell Power House over the weekend. 

And Brisbane based Beech 58 Baron VH-L2G, which flew up to Proserpine (Whitsunday Coast) Airport last Friday, returned South to Bundaberg Airport and then Toowoomba. 

Finally, very late on Friday 3 April, Air Link (Dubbo) Cessna 510 Citation Mustang bizjet VH-SEQ flew up from Brisbane and Archerfield to Hervey Bay (Fraser Coast) Airport - touching down just after midnight on Saturday 4 April.  It then departed back to Archerfield.  Sneaky!

Thursday, April 2, 2026

LifeFlight and QGAir Rescue Helicopters Pass Through CQ Airports Heading to All Corners of the State - Plus a Few Bizjets Around too!!

On Wednesday 1 April, LifeFlight Leonardo SPA Helicopters AW139 helicopter VH-LF4 landed at Longreach Airport from Archerfield and Roma Airports and then departed to Mount Isa.  It will operated there as "Rescue 400".


Then on Thursday 2 April, fellow LifeFlight AW139 helicopter VH-LF3 also passed through Longreach Airport arriving from Mount Isa and departing for Roma Airport and the Sunshine Coast.

While also on Wednesday 1 April, Queensland Government (QGAir) Rescue (State of Queensland) Agusta AW139 helicopter VH-ESZ arrived into Rockhampton Airport from Townsville and then departed to Archerfield.  It will operate there as "Rescue 521".

Then on Thursday 2 April, fellow QGAir AW139 helicopter VH-EZJ also passed through Rockhampton Airport arriving from Archerfield and departing to Townsville.

Meanwhile, also on Thursday 2 April, there were several corporate bizjets noted around various Central Queensland Airports.

 Graham Aviation (Cairns) Cessna 510 Citation Mustang bizjet VH-FMZ departed Longreach Airport for Cairns and Mareeba.  It appears to have arrived from those places on Tuesday 31 March and was photographed below on Wednesday 1 April.


Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) Dassault Falcon 7X A56-001 "Envoy 18" popped into Charleville Airport arriving from Canberra and departing to Moree and then back to Canberra.

Poolhurst Aviation Air Charter Services new Pilatus PC-24 jet VH-VTF arrived into Rockhampton Airport from Archerfield and then departed to Hamilton Island Airport - BUT it diverted into Proserpine (Whitsunday Coast) Airport before then departing there and heading back to Archerfield. 

Nioa Aviation (Avcair) Embraer EMB-505 Phenom 300 bizjet VH-NJR visited Hamilton Island Airport from Brisbane.

Linfox Global Charter / Air National Australia Bombardier BD-700-1A10 Global 6000 bizjet VH-LEP arrived into Hamilton Island Airport from Melbourne (Essendon). 

Mitchell Water Cessna 525 Citation M2 bizjet VH-WMY flew into Proserpine (Whitsunday Coast) Airport from the Sunshine Coast.  It then departed to Melbourne (Essendon).

And McDermott Aviation Group / Machjet International Beech B200 King Air VH-ZPY as "Machflight 73/121" visited Hamilton Island Airport from Cairns.

Finally, on a relatively quiet Wednesday 1 April, Bowenville based (operated by Real Time Aviation - Brisbane) Cessna 525 CitationJet CJ1+ bizjet VH-JSZ, which landed at Natal Downs on Monday, hopped to Clermont Aerodrome and then Emerald Airport before later returning to Clermont Aerodrome and then departing there to Archerfield.

All photos taken by Liam Sellick  ©

Tuesday, March 31, 2026

Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) Boeing B737-8 MAX BBJ A62-001 "Envoy 12" Spotted at Rockhampton Airport

On Tuesday 31 March, Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) Boeing B737-8 MAX BBJ A62-001 was spotted on the ground at Rockhampton Airport.


It was flying as "Envoy 12" and arrived from Canberra and RAAF Base Williamtown then departed back to Williamtown.

Meanwhile, also on Tuesday 31 March, National Jet Express Dash-8-Q400 Next Gen VH-8QB as "Jetex 440" arrived into Rockhampton Airport from Brisbane and then departed to Cairns and Horn Island as "Jetex 442" on a school holiday charter.  Later it returned to Townsville as "Jetex 445".

And Brescon (Toowoomba) Beech B200 King Air VH-WXB flew out from Sunshine Coast to Rolleston Aerodrome and then down to Injune Aerodrome and then back to the Sunshine Coast.

Finally, on Monday 30 March, NQ Goldfields Beech 58 Baron VH-SNZ visited Clermont Aerodrome from Charters Towers Aerodrome again.

Vee H Aviation (Link Airways) Beech B200GT Super King Air 250 VH-VEW also made its usual Monday run up from Brisbane to the Oaky Creek Mine Site and then Clermont Aerodrome and then back to Brisbane.

And Consolidated Pastoral Company P/L Cessna 421C Golden Eagle VH-UTC landed at Longreach Airport from Mount Isa then departed to Archerfield.

Sunday, March 29, 2026

North Queensland Warbirds 1969-built Beech H18 VH-MBU Spotted at Emerald Airport - Plus More!

On Sunday 29 March, North Queensland Warbirds 1969-built Beech H18 VH-MBU was spotted at Emerald Airport.  It had arrived from Port MacQuarrie.


UPDATE!  On Monday 30 March, VH-MBU departed Emerald Airport for Mareeba.

And Pilatus Australia (South Australia) Pilatus PC-24 Super Versatile Jet VH-DMS departed Hervey Bay (Fraser Coast) Airport for Toowoomba and Cessnock.  It appears to have arrived from those places on Friday 27 March.

Meanwhile, on Saturday 28 March, Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) Alenia C-27J Spartan transport aircraft A34-007 as "Aussie 495" flew up from RAAF Base Amberley to complete a missed approach at Emerald Airport before it then continued on to Townsville.

Whitsunday Helicopter Group / Heli-Aust Whitsundays (Mackay) Eurocopter EC135 P2 helicopter VH-ZGZ departed Gladstone Airport to Toowoomba, Armidale and Dyke Point/Newcastle.

And during the evening, Skytrans Dash-8-200B VH-TQX as "Skytrans 552" arrived into Rockhampton Airport from Cairns and then departed to Sydney.

Of interest, Skytrans, which took the SmartLynx brand in July last year to bring it into alignment with other airlines in the Avia Solutions Group, has recently brought back its former branding following the collapse of SmartLynx Latvia at the end of November.

Finally, also on Saturday 28 March, Jetstar Airways Airbus A320-200 VH-YXW departed Australia for good.  It departed Darwin for Senai International Airport (Johor Bahru) in Malaysia as "Southern Cross 2611". 

It is reportedly due to continue to Toulouse in France via Gaya (India) and Tashkent (Uzbekistan).

Of interest, VH-YXW made its final visit to Central Queensland on last visit on Wednesday 28 January as JST832/3 into Proserpine (Whitsunday Coast) Airport from and back to Melbourne (Tullamarine).

VH-YXW then ferried from Tulla to Singapore the next day on Thursday 29 January before returning to Melbourne at the start of March and the next day, ferrying to Alice Springs for storage.

Photo taken by 'AC'  ©

Friday, March 27, 2026

McDermott Aviation Group / Machjet International Cessna 525A CitationJet CJ2 Bizjet VH-SUY as "Machflight 421" Pops into Mackay Airport - Plus More!

On Friday 27 March, McDermott Aviation Group / Machjet International Cessna 525A CitationJet CJ2 bizjet VH-SUY as "Machflight 421" flew up from Port MacQuarrie to Mackay Airport and then down to Sunshine Coast.

File photo

Rural Funds Management (A.C.T.) Pilatus PC-12/47E VH-STE departed to Emerald Airport to Young and Canberra.

It had arrived into CQ from Canberra at the start of the week and has spent the week visiting Rockhampton, Rolleston, Emerald, Bundaberg and Maryborough Airports - with some multiple visits!

Austrek Aviation Beech B200 King Air VH-ZMW arrived into Rockhampton Airport from Townsville and then departed to Brisbane.

And Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) Beech B350 Super King Air A32-003 as "Hudson 07" flew up to Mackay Airport from RAAF Base East Sale and Coffs Harbour.

UPDATE!  On Saturday 28 March, RAAF Super King Air A32-003 "Hudson 07" flew down from Mackay Airport to Birdsville and Port Lincoln.

Photo taken by Steve Vit  ©

Tuesday, March 24, 2026

American-Registered Cirrus SR22T N312GM pops into Bundaberg Airport - Plus More!

On Tuesday 24 March, American-Registered Cirrus SR22T N312GM was noted visiting Bundaberg Airport from the Sunshine Coast.


Of interest, over the weekend, another Cirrus SR22 VH-SRY flew across from Exmouth in Western Australia to Newman and Ayers Rock before it then continued to Longreach Airport and the Whitsunday Airport at Shute Harbour.

Finally, also on Tuesday 24 March, Yak 52 Aerostar (Yakovlev) YAK-52 VH-YDB completed a run out of Rockhampton Airport to the Capricorn Coast and back.

Monday, March 23, 2026

Surveillance Australia (Leidos SAR Services Pty Ltd) Bombardier CL-600-2B16 Challenger 604 Bizjet VH-XNC as "Rescue 440" Pops into Rockhampton Airport - Plus More!

On Monday 23 March, Surveillance Australia (Leidos SAR Services Pty Ltd) Bombardier CL-600-2B16 Challenger 604 bizjet VH-XNC as "Rescue 440" arrived into Rockhampton Airport from Cairns via Search ops off the Central coast and after a refuel it departed back to the search area and then back to Cairns.

File photo

Mitchell Water Cessna 525 Citation M2 bizjet VH-WMY flew up from Melbourne (Moorabbin) to the Whitsunday Airport at Shute Harbour then down to Stawell and back to Moorabbin.

McDermott Aviation Group / Machjet International Cessna 525C CitationJet CJ4 bizjet VH-PIY as "Machflight 06" departed Mackay Airport for the Sunshine Coast.  It had earlier flown up from Brisbane.

Careflight (NT) Hawker Beechcraft B200 King Air VH-ZCX as "Careflight 24" flew into Hervey Bay (Fraser Coast) Airport from Port Macquarie.  It later departed to Bankstown.

And GBR Helicopters Bell 206B JetRanger III VH-YEC arrived into Rockhampton Airport from Cairns, Townsville and Mackay Airports.

UPDATE!  On Thursday 2 April, VH-YEC departed Rockhampton Airport and returned to Cairns again via Mackay and Townsville Airports.

Finally, late last Friday 20 March, Air Link (Dubbo) Cessna 510 Citation Mustang bizjet VH-SEQ arrived into Rockhampton Airport from Brisbane and then departed to Gladstone Airport and then departed back to Brisbane now in the wee small hours of Saturday 21 March.

Photo taken by Wally H  ©