Two Australian Army UH-60M Black Hawk Helicopters - A60-006 & A60-009 as "Valkyrie" Return South via CQ Airports After Exercises in Townsville - Plus More!

On Monday 23 March, the two Australian Army UH-60M Black Hawk Helicopters that deployed to Townsville a couple of weeks ago, were noted flying back South to the Oakey Army Aviation Centre from there via Mackay, Rockhampton and Bundaberg Airports.  They were identified as A60-006 and A60-009 and were heard flying together as "Valkyrie".

Defence image...

The two UH-60M Black Hawk helicopters from the 16th Aviation Brigade were in Townsville to participate in Exercise Valkyrie Crawl at Townsville Field Training Area.  This training saw infantry soldiers integrate with the Black Hawk helicopters to conduct familiarisation training which enables them to support future operations.

Meanwhile, also on Monday 23 March, Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) Dassault Falcon 7X bizjet A56-003 as "Envoy 83" flew up from Canberra to complete a missed approach at Longreach Airport before then flying back to Canberra.

And RAAF Lockheed C-130J-30 Hercules transport aircraft A97-448 as "Trojan 74" visited Williamson Airfield within the Shoalwater Bay Training Area (SWBTA) from RAAF Base Richmond.

Two Australian Army UH-60M Black Hawk Helicopters - A60-006 & A60-009 as "Valkyrie" Call into CQ Airports Heading North - Plus More!

On Tuesday 10 March, two Australian Army UH-60M Black Hawk Helicopters were noted flying North from the Oakey Army Aviation Centre to Townsville via Bundaberg, Rockhampton and Mackay Airports.  They were identified as A60-006 and A60-009 and were heard flying together as "Valkyrie".

They were photographed above as they arrived into Townsville where they are believed to be staying for a week with reports they will fly back South again via CQ next week some time.

Meanwhile, also on Tuesday 10 March, Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) Boeing B737-8 MAX BBJ A62-001 as "Envoy 44" landed at Bundaberg Airport from Canberra and Coffs Harbour and a bit later departed back South, calling into Albury before returning to Canberra.

Sincere thanks to local plane spotters Graham A and Gillian T for allowing us to share these great photos from Townsville and from Bundaberg today!

Photos taken by Graham Aspinall and Gillian Tulk  ©️

Aerotech Helicopters Pickering Aviation (Sikorsky) UH-60L Black Hawk Helicopter VH-L6H "Helitack 519" Arrives into Bundaberg Airport - Plus More!

On Monday 19 January, Aerotech Aircraft Holdings (Aerotech Helicopters) Pickering Aviation (Sikorsky) UH-60L Black Hawk helicopter VH-L6H "Helitack 519" arrived into Bundaberg Airport from Adelaide via Horsham, Mangalore, Wagga Wagga, Dubbo, Narrabri and Toowoomba.

ADL Plane Spotter / https://www.jetphotos.com/

UPDATE!  On Wednesday 21 January, VH-L6H "Helitack 519" departed Bundaberg Airport for Kingaroy, Moree and Dubbo.

Helibiz / Heli Lift Bell 205A-1 VH-WOC as "Helitack 420" flew down from the Whitsunday Airport at Shute Harbour to Mackay Airport and then Rockhampton Airport presumably on stand-by for the flooding event about to hit the beef capital.

While Henadeck (New South Wales) Cessna 525 Citation CJ1 bizjet VH-YNE departed Hamilton Island Airport for Bankstown. It had arrived from the Gold Coast last week.

McDermott Aviation Group / Machjet International Cessna 525A CitationJet CJ2 bizjet VH-SUY as "Machflight 421" flew from the Sunshine Coast to Wagga Wagga and then Bundaberg Airport before later returning to Sunny Coast.

And Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) Boeing B737-7ES / E-7A Wedgetail Airborne Early Warning & Control (AEW&C) aircraft A30-002 as "Wedgetail 01" was noted completing airwork at Hamilton Island Airport while on a flight out of and back to RAAF Base Williamtown.

Plus after dark, Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) Alenia C-27J Spartan transport aircraft A34-005 as "Wallaby 60" was noted completing airwork at Miles Airport while on a flight out of and back to RAAF Base Amberley.

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

On Wednesday 17 December, Nioa Aviation (Avcair) Embraer EMB-505 Phenom 300 bizjet VH-NJR looked to complete a couple of visits to Maryborough Airport flying between there and Brisbane and also Canberra.

File photo

Robindale Group / Air Link Cessna 510 Citation Mustang bizjet VH-CMK flew up from Orange, Tamworth and Archerfield to Bundaberg Airport before later returning back down over the same route.

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

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

Angel Flight Australia Cessna 414A Chancellor VH-AF4 visited Theodore Aerodrome from Archerfield.

And Aerotech Aircraft Holdings (Aerotech Helicopters) Pickering Aviation (Sikorsky) UH-60L Black Hawk helicopter VH-8UL "Helitak 517", which arrived into Rockhampton Airport from Bundaberg Airport late yesterday, departed back to Bundy.

Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) Pilatus PC-21 A54-045 "Tester 33" Noted Around Fraser Island and Possible Airwork at Hervey Bay (Fraser Coast) Airport - Plus More!

On Friday 5 December, Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) Pilatus PC-21 A54-045 as "Tester 33" was noted completing low level operations over Fraser Island and possibly completed a missed approach at Hervey Bay (Fraser Coast) Airport.

File photo

It looked to complete the flight out of and back to RAAF Base Amberley.

Meanwhile, also on Friday 5 December, Royal Australian Navy (RAN) Sikorsky MH-60R Seahawk 'Romeo' naval combat helicopter N48-009 (Code 909) was also noted flying around Fraser Island. It was noted to be flying as "TIGR09".

Photo taken by Tony Haynes  ©

QantasLink Dash-8-Q400 VH-84P 'Dasher-8' in Special Christmas Colour Scheme First Flight into CQ at Bundaberg Airport - Plus More!

On Tuesday 25 November, QantasLink Dash-8-Q400 VH-84P was revealed as having special Christmas themed stickers added and was spotted visiting Bundaberg Airport from Brisbane as QLK2322/3.  It has previously been operating in Far North Queensland and so is assumed that it had the decals applied up there over the last few days.

https://www.facebook.com/onlyplanesnet

VH-84P was then due to head to Moranbah Airport.

VH-84P has been dubbed 'Dasher-8' and is designed to bring festive flair to passengers during the months of November and December.

A Qantas Boeing B737-800 dubbed 'Roo-dolph' will also feature special Christmas stickers - VH-XZP. Frequent Flyers travelling on either aircraft will receive double Qantas Points!

A Qantas Freight Airbus A321PF freighter aircraft VH-XF4 will also be decorated with ‘Santa’s Freight’ livery is also set to transport thousands of presents and festive fare across the country in the coming weeks.

Nice!

Meanwhile, also on Tuesday 25 November, Bowenville based (operated by Real Time Aviation - Brisbane) Cessna 525 CitationJet CJ1+ bizjet VH-JSZ flew up from Archerfield and Dalby to Longreach Airport and then to Natal Downs.  It then flew back down to Dalby and Archerfield.

Tindal Air (NT) Embraer EMB-505 Phenom 300 bizjet VH-NNA flew into Barcaldine Airport on Monday from Brisbane via Biloela / Thangool Airport and then returned to Brisbane today.

While late in the day, Cirrus SR22T N51GH was tracking from Dili and Darwin to the Gold Coast but due to weather out West, it diverted into Longreach Airport.

UPDATE!  On Wednesday 26 November, Cirrus SR22T N51GH departed Longreach Airport for the Gold Coast.

And Kahu NZ Sikorsky EH-60A Black Hawk helicopter ZK-HKU also made a late arrival into Longreach Airport from the North-West.  It is assumed that it is heading back down South.

Finally, also on Tuesday 25 November, Alliance Airlines (ex JetBlue Airways - USA) Embraer ERJ-190AR VH-A2S (ex N274JB) departed Rockhampton Airport for Wagga Wagga (pictured) as UTY9810.

It had arrived into Rockhampton Airport in a full JetBlue Airways livery in mid-August.  It is assumed that the aircraft will be painted into the standard Alliance Airlines livery while at Wagga Wagga.

While National Jet Express Dash-8-Q400 Next Gen VH-IYK was spotted at Rockhampton Airport.

It arrived from Brisbane and departed to Cairns and Horn Island as JTE444/6.  It then returned to Cairns as JTE447. 

And Aerlink ATR 72-500 VH-FVI was scheduled to make a late visit into Mackay Airport from Brisbane as AL520/1.

Photos taken by Robert Myers, 'AC' and Liam Sellick  ©

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

On Tuesday 18 November, Poseidon Aviation Group Gulfstream Aerospace G650ER (G-VI) bizjet N968FA flew down from Hamilton Island Airport to the Sunshine Coast and Sydney before it was later spotted departing the country.

https://www.sydsquad.com.au/

https://www.sydsquad.com.au/

It had arrived late last week.

Edwards Coaches Cessna 650 Citation VII bizjet VH-LYM visited Bundaberg Airport from Armidale and Sydney.

Australian Country Choice Properties / Aero Corporate Charters P/L (Brisbane) Cessna 525B CitationJet CJ3 bizjet VH-ACC visited Bundaberg Airport from Archerfield.

Recently re-registered (registration marking) Vanguard Aviation (Machjet International) Cessna 525 CitationJet1 bizjet VH-A74 (ex VH-DAA) as "Machflight 74" also visited Bundaberg Airport but from the Gold Coast and Archerfield.

Meanwhile, also on Tuesday 18 November, Australian-based but American-registered Cessna A185F Skywagon N185MW which had landed back in Australia from overseas on Sunday, flew down from Cairns to Bundaberg Airport before it then continued down to Tyagarah.

Stirling Helicopters Sikorsky UH-60L Black Hawk helicopter N137WZ departed Rockhampton Airport for Archerfield.

And home-built ultralight Sonex 19-1654 flew up from Gympie to Rockhampton Airport but ran out of fuel south of Rocky and made a "Pan Pan" call. The duty runway at Rockhampton Airport was Runway 15 but it was directed to approach straight in Runway 33 but did not make it and glided around to find and land in a paddock. Although the plane was damaged, the pilot was okay.

Finally, also on Tuesday 18 November, Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) Boeing B737-7ES / E-7A Wedgetail Airborne Early Warning & Control (AEW&C) aircraft A30-001 as "Wedgetail 06" flew up from RAAF Base Williamtown to complete a missed approach at Gladstone Airport before returning South to Williamtown via another missed approach at Port MacQuarie.

FlexJet / Corporate Wings (USA) Gulfstream G700 (GVIII-G700) Bizjet N136ZC 'LXJ95' Calls into Hamilton Island Airport - Plus More!

On Saturday 15 November, FlexJet / Corporate Wings (USA) Gulfstream G700 (GVIII-G700) bizjet N136ZC, which was flying as 'LXJ95' / "Flexjet 95" flew up to Hamilton Island Airport from Sydney.

Victor Pody / https://www.planespotters.net/

This is a brand new aircraft and only delivered late last month.  It replaces another Gulfstream bizjet of the same registration marking.

UPDATE!  On Sunday 16 November, N136ZC 'LXJ95' / "Flexjet 95" departed Hamilton Island Airport for Brisbane and then overseas.

Meanwhile, also on Saturday 15 November, Orange Helicopters operated Pickering Aviation (Sikorsky) UH-60L Black Hawk helicopter N711BF departed Rockhampton Airport for Toowoomba, Armidale and further South.  It had arrived less than a month ago!

Pilatus Australia (South Australia) Pilatus PC-24 Super Versatile Jet VH-DMS Pops into a Couple of CQ Airports - Plus More!

On Monday 27 October, Pilatus Australia (South Australia) Pilatus PC-24 Super Versatile Jet VH-DMS flew up from Cessnock to the Gold Coast and then Emerald Airport before flying up to Mackay Airport.  It later returned to Cessnock.

File photo

While Mitchell Water Cessna 525 Citation M2 bizjet VH-WMY flew up from Melbourne (Moorabbin) and Melbourne (Essendon) to Miles Airport and then Whitsunday Airport at Shute Harbour.  It then hopped down to Mackay Airport and then across to Adelaide (Parafield) before returning to Moorabbin.

Bowenville based (operated by Real Time Aviation - Brisbane) Cessna 525 CitationJet CJ1+ bizjet VH-JSZ flew up from Archerfield to Dalby and then Natal Downs before flying down to Bundaberg Airport and then back to Dalby and Archerfield.

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

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

Link Airways (Corporate Air / Vee H Aviation) Metro 23 turboprop VH-VEK visited Clermont Aerodrome from Brisbane.  This was possibly replacing their Beech B200GT Super King Air 250 VH-VEW.

And Stirling Helicopters Sikorsky UH-60L Black Hawk helicopter N137WZ as "Helitak 415" flew two flights up to the North West and back to Rockhampton Airport.

Finally, also on Monday 27 October, Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) Boeing B737-7ES / E-7A Wedgetail Airborne Early Warning & Control (AEW&C) aircraft A30-002 as "Wedgetail 02" flew up from RAAF Base Williamtown to complete a missed approach at the Sunshine Coast and then Rockhampton Airport before flying back down to Williamtown.

Alliance Airlines (ex JetBlue Airways - USA) Embraer ERJ-190AR N247JB Arrives into Rockhampton Airport - Plus More!

On Wednesday 22 October, Alliance Airlines (ex JetBlue Airways - USA) Embraer ERJ-190AR N247JB arrived into Rockhampton Airport at the end of a delivery flight as 'SXI2542' / "Southern Cross 2542".

It arrived from Brisbane having started its delivery flight at San Jose (Costa Rica) and flying via Oakland, Hawaii and the Marshall Islands.

File photo

As shown, N247JB was delivered in full Alliance Airlines livery and looks to be going to be placed on the Australian Aircraft register as VH-A2J - as shown on the front of the aircraft.

N247JB was promptly parked inside the Alliance Airlines hangar at Rockhampton Airport.

Meanwhile, also on Wednesday 22 October, Hinterland Aviation Cessna 208B Caravan VH-KNQ was spotted on the run between Mackay Airport and the Labona Station Airstrip within Adani Australia's (Bravus Mining & Resources) Carmichael Coal Mine site.  It flew down from Townsville to Labona and then across to Mackay Airport and back to Labona and Townsville.

Of interest, on Tuesday 21 October, VH-KNQ flew down from Townsville to Mackay Airport and then out to Labona and back to Mackay Airport and then Townsville.

Hinterland Aviation has been completing this run between Townsville, Mackay and Labona for some time now.

The Cessna 208B Caravan VH-KNQ was acquired by Hinterland Aviation in December 2024 and this is the first time we have certainly spotted the Caravan in CQ - although I think it has visited the region once before!

SmartLynx Australia Dash-8-100 VH-QQB as SKP531 arrived into Rockhampton Airport from Townsville while fellow Dash-8-100 VH-QQC departed Rockhampton Airport to Townsville as SKP532.

ZephAir Australia - Aircraft Charters Piper PA-31 Navajo VH-AYT as 'ZD220' visited Clermont Aerodrome from Townsville.

McDermott Aviation Group / Machjet International Cessna 525C CitationJet CJ4 bizjet VH-PIY "Machflight 06" arrived into Rockhampton Airport from Townsville.  It then departed to Brisbane and the Sunshine Coast.

UPDATE!  On Thursday 23 October, VH-PIY again as "Machflight 06" looked to fly into Mackay Airport from the Sunshine Coast and Brisbane before then departing up to Ingham.

UPDATE!  On Friday 24 October, VH-PIY 'MC06' popped into Maryborough Airport from Ingham and Townsville before departing to the South.

Mitchell Water Australia Cessna 525 Citation M2 bizjet VH-WMY flew up from Melbourne (Moorabbin) and Stawell to the Gold Coast before then continuing up the Whitsunday Airport at Shute Harbour.  It later flew back direct to Moorabbin.

Brisbane-based Australian Agricultural Company Pilatus PC-12/47E VH-AAC landed at Goonoo Feedlot from Dalgonally Station.

UPDATE!  On Thursday 23 October, VH-AAC departed Goonoo Feedlot for Brisbane.

Stirling Helicopters Piper PA-23-250 Aztec VH-EQD flew up from Archerfield to Rockhampton Airport before then flying down to Caboolture and then back to Archerfield.

And Orange Helicopters operated Pickering Aviation (Sikorsky) UH-60L Black Hawk helicopter N711BF arrived into Rockhampton Airport from Caboolture and Bundaberg Airports.  It parked on Taxiway Charlie.

It joins the locally-based Stirling Helicopters Sikorsky UH-60L Black Hawk helicopter N137WZ which as mentioned below arrived back into Rockhampton Airport yesterday!

Photos taken by Michael Malick, Nick Dean, 'AC' and Neil Richardson  ©

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

On Tuesday 21 October, Bowenville based (operated by Real Time Aviation - Brisbane) Cessna 525 CitationJet CJ1+ bizjet VH-JSZ flew up from Archerfield to Dalby, Natal Downs and Clermont Aerodrome and then during the afternoon onwards to Emerald Airport and then back to Archerfield.

File photo

UPDATE!  On Wednesday 22 October, VH-JSZ once again flew up from Archerfield to Clermont Aerodrome before then flying to Einasleigh and Natal Downs.  During the afternoon, it flew down from there to St George and back to Natal Downs.

UPDATE!  On Thursday 23 October, VH-JSZ flew down from Natal Downs to Emerald Airport and back to Natal Downs.

While the Queensland Government Airwing (State of Queensland) Raytheon B300 Super King Air VH-SGQ  flew up from Brisbane to Mackay Airport then down to Rockhampton Airport and then back to Brisbane.

UPDATES!  On Wednesday 22 October, VH-SGQ arrived into Rockhampton Airport from Brisbane and then departed to Mackay Airport.  And on Thursday 23 October, VH-SGQ flew down from Cairns, Townsville and Mackay Airports to Brisbane.

And Stirling Helicopters Sikorsky UH-60L Black Hawk helicopter N137WZ arrived back into Rockhampton Airport from Caboolture.

It had flown down there a couple of weeks ago and was photographed with another Black Hawk helicopter in the form of Orange Helicopters operated Pickering Aviation (Sikorsky) UH-60L Black Hawk helicopter N711BF.

Photos taken by James Saunders  ©

Kahu NZ Sikorsky EH-60A Black Hawk Helicopter ZK-HKU Spotted at Longreach Airport - Plus More!

On Friday 17 October, Kahu NZ Sikorsky EH-60A Black Hawk helicopter ZK-HKU was spotted passing through Longreach Airport while flying up from Roma to Burketown.  It reportedly left New Zealand on Wednesday, and is off to fight bushfires in Indonesia.

And New Zealand-based Tecnam P2002 Sierra Mk II ZK-EVE which landed at Agnes Water yesterday from Boonah and Southport, departed there to the Whitsunday Airport at Shute Harbour.

UPDATE!  On Sunday 19 October, ZK-EVE departed Shute Harbour for Cooktown.

UPDATE!  Over the weekend on Saturday 25 and Sunday 26 October, ZK-EVE was noted visiting Longreach Airport and then Roma Airport while seemingly returning to Boonah.

Meanwhile, also on Friday 17 October, Stroud Aviation and Transportation (Boonah) / Navair Flight Operations Cessna 510 Citation Mustang bizjet VH-SHI as "Navair 173" arrived in Proserpine (Whitsunday Coast) Airport from Archerfield.  It then departed to Newcastle (Williamtown) before returning to Archerfield.

Australian based but American registered Eclipse Aviation EA550 Very Light jet (VLJ) bizjet N771MT  flew up from Sunshine Coast to the Whitsunday Airport at Shute Harbour.

UPDATE!  On Sunday 19 October, N771MT departed Shute Harbour for Bankstown.

While Narrabri based Betty Freckle Aviation Cessna A185F VH-FIB visited Rockhampton Airport from Warialda.

Cleveland Bay Aviation (Townsville) Piper PA-31 Navajo VH-CYY flew up to Townsville from Bankstown via Roma Airport.  It flew down over the same route the previous day.

Edwards Coaches Cessna 441 Conquest II VH-OXY flew up to Hervey Bay (Fraser Coast) Airport from Armidale before then flying down to Warrnambool and then back to Armidale.

And Aero Logistics / Bayswater Road Aerial Surveys Reims Cessna F406 Caravan II VH-AL3 flew up to Mackay Airport from Archerfield.

Photo taken by Liam Sellick  ©

Stirling Helicopters Sikorsky UH-60L Black Hawk Helicopter N137WZ Calls into Rockhampton Airport - Plus More!

On Saturday 11 October, Stirling Helicopters Sikorsky UH-60L Black Hawk helicopter N137WZ was noted back in the region, arriving into Rockhampton Airport after flying down from Darwin via all stops including Mount Isa and Longreach Airports.

On Sunday 12 October, N137WZ departed Rockhampton Airport for Caboolture.

I believe that N137WZ headed up to Darwin from Rockhampton in early August.  Not sure what it did up there??

Also on Sunday 12 October, privately owned and operated Quest Kodiak 100 VH-84M was noted Longreach Airport from the North-West.

File photo taken by Steve Vit  ©

Capstone Aviation Services (Ballarat) SOCATA TBM 700 VH-KWH Spotted at Gladstone Airport - Plus More!

On Monday 15 September, sleek looking Capstone Aviation Services of Ballarat (Victoria) SOCATA TBM 700 VH-KWH was spotted at Gladstone Airport.

It appears to have arrived over the weekend from Ballarat and then departed back there via Bourke during Monday afternoon.

Also spotted was New South Wales-based Sling 4 TSi High Wing VH-8HW.  Its movements are not fully known.

While down at Bundaberg Airport, most of the fleet of fire fighting aircraft were spotted parked awaiting their next tasks.  

Canadian-based Conair Aerial Firefighting Dash-8-Q400MR C-FFQE "Bomber 141".

Aerotech Aircraft Holdings (Aerotech Helicopters) Pickering Aviation (Sikorsky) UH-60A Black Hawk helicopters VH-UHG "Helitak 515" and (UH-60L) VH-8UL "Helitak 517".

Microflite Pilatus PC-12/47E VH-8MF "Firescan 399".

And Perri Air / South Burnett Air Services Quest Kodiak 100 VH-8FV "Firescan 415".

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

UPDATE!  On Friday 19 September, N142GZ returned to Mackay Airport from Brisbane.

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

Vee H Aviation (Link Airways) Beech B200GT Super King Air 250 VH-VEW flew up from Brisbane to Oaky Creek Mine Site and then Clermont Aerodrome and then back to Brisbane.  It still visits the region several times each week.

And Seair Pacific / Istlecote Textron Aviation (Cessna) 208B Caravan VH-TLH flew up from Hervey Bay (Fraser Coast) Airport and Maryborough Airport to Rockhampton Airport and then to Middlemount Aerodrome before then flying down to Lady Elliott Island.

Finally, also on Monday 15 September, Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) Boeing B737-7ES / E-7A Wedgetail Airborne Early Warning & Control (AEW&C) aircraft A30-003 as "Wedgetail 02" flew up from RAAF Base Williamtown to complete a couple of approaches at Hervey Bay (Fraser Coast) Airport before then flying South to complete more airwork at Coffs Harbour and then back to Williamtown. 

All photos taken by Swavek Topolski  ©

American-registered Gulfstream Aerospace G650ER (G-VI) Bizjet N988NC Pops into Whitsunday Airports - Plus More!

On Friday 29 August, American-registered (News Corporation) Gulfstream Aerospace G650ER (G-VI) bizjet N988NC was noted arriving into Hamilton Island Airport from Sydney. It then flew across to Proserpine (Whitsunday Coast) Airport for parking before later returning to Hamo.

File photo

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

UPDATE!  Across the weekend, on both Saturday 30 August and Sunday 31 August, it looked like VH-NJR visited Maryborough Airport on both days from Brisbane.

SG Aviation Australia / Business Aviation Solutions Gulfstream G-VI (G650ER) bizjet VH-SGA looked to visit Hamilton Island Airport from Melbourne (Essendon).

Mitchell Water Cessna 525 Citation M2 bizjet VH-WMY flew down from the Whitsunday Airport at Shute Harbour to Roma Airport and Chinchilla Aerodrome before flying down to Melbourne (Essendon) and then Melbourne (Moorabbin).  It looked to have arrived yesterday. 

And the locally-based Embraer EMB-550 Legacy 500 bizjet N142GZ was back in the air departing Mackay Airport for Brisbane.

UPDATE! On Sunday 31 August, N142GZ returned to Mackay Airport from Brisbane.

Meanwhile, also on Friday 29 August, SmartLynx Australia (Skytrans Airlines) Dash-8-100 VH-QQC as 'SKP531' arrived into Rockhampton Airport from Cairns while fellow Dash-8-100 VH-QQB then departed Rockhampton Airport for Cairns as 'SKP532'.

Of interest, SmartLynx' Dash-8-300s VH-QQL and VH-QQM swapped at the Labona Station Airstrip within Adani Australia's (Bravus Mining & Resources) Carmichael Coal Mine site between Rockhampton Airport and Townsville.

And Aerotech Aircraft Holdings (Aerotech Helicopters) Pickering Aviation (Sikorsky) UH-60A Black Hawk helicopter VH-UHG "Helitak 515" arrived into Bundaberg Airport from Goondiwindi and Toowoomba ahead of the Queensland bushfire season.

It is expected that the Canadian-based Conair Aerial Firefighting Dash-8-Q400MR C-FFQE "Bomber 141" and possibly another Black Hawk helicopter - plus support aircraft - will arrive into Bundaberg Airport in the coming days.

Finally, also on Friday 29 August, Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) Boeing B737-7ES / E-7A Wedgetail Airborne Early Warning & Control (AEW&C) aircraft A30-004 as "Wedgetail 22" flew up to Rockhampton Airport from RAAF Base Williamtown and was spotted as it completed 4 low over-shoot approaches.

It then returned to Williamtown.

Photos taken by Grahame Hutchison and Trevor Hardsman  ©

Exercise Talisman Sabre 2025 - A Busy Saturday at Rockhampton Airport including Multiple USAF C-17 Globemaster Transports Visiting

On Saturday 19 July, Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) Alenia C-27J Spartan transport aircraft A34-004 as "Valour 11" arrived into Rockhampton Airport from RAAF Base Amberley then flew out to the North East over water and back.  It then returned to Amberley.

Air Affairs (Australia) LearJet 35A VH-SLD as 'AJAX14' arrived into Rockhampton Airport from Kununurra. 

While Royal Australian Navy (RAN) Sikorsky MH-60R Seahawk 'Romeo' naval combat helicopter N48-002 (Code 902) as "Poseidon 02" was photographed arriving into Rockhampton Airport from its ship.

Australian Army Boeing CH-47F Chinook helicopter A15-305 as "Stockman" departed to Townsville. 

RAAF Rescue Agusta AW139 helicopter VH-RQW as CHOP21 arrived into Rockhampton Airport from Townsville and then departed to the Gold Coast and Ballina. 

Finally, late on Saturday 19 July, United States Air Force (USAF) Boeing C-17A Globemaster III 09-9206 flew into Rockhampton Airport from Darwin.

It later departed to Cairns.

Also noted at Rockhampton Airport was USAF C-17 09-9208 as 'LAVA93'.

USAF C-17 05-5150 as Lava 91 flew down from Darwin to Amberley.  It may have also possibly visited Rockhampton Airport after dark.

And USAF C17 05-5146 as 'LAVA97' flew East from Townsville and at low-level around the Whitsundays.

Photo taken by Darren Massie and Steve Vit  ©