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  ©

A Couple of Nice Bizjets Noted Visitng Bundaberg Airport - Falconair Dassault 900 Falcon Mystere VH-CAD & Avcair (Avgunn) LearJet 60 VH-ILJ - Plus More!

On Tuesday 7 December, a couple of nice corporate bizjets were noted visiting a couple of Central Queensland Airports including a nice pair that called into Bundaberg Airport.

File photo

Falconair (NSW) Dassault 900 Falcon Mystere bizjet VH-CAD looked to visit from Ballina / Byron Bay Gateway and Brisbane Airports.

While Avcair (Avgunn) LearJet 60 bizjet VH-ILJ arrived from Brisbane and later departed to Cairns.

And Poolhurst Aviation Air Charter Services Pilatus PC-24 jet VH-VTF flew up from Archerfield to Proserpine (Whitsunday Coast) Airport.  It then flew South down to Warwick before returning to Archerfield.   It had also visited on Saturday 3 December - see Blog post below!

Meanwhile, also on Tuesday 7 December, the Queensland Police Service (Airwing) (State of Queensland) Cessna 208 Caravan VH-PSQ arrived into Rockhampton Airport from Brisbane.  It was then noted completing a couple of sorties around Rocky.

UPDATE!  On Wednesday 8 December, VH-PSQ completed a couple more sorties around the local area during the day on flights out of and back to Rockhampton Airport.

While Sling 4 Tsi VH-MIK arrived into Gladstone Airport from Heck Field on the Gold Coast.  It then continued up to Hamilton Island Airport.

Finally, also on Tuesday 7 December, Brisbane-based FIFO Jet P/L Beech B200 King Air VH-FAQ flew into Rockhampton Airport from Archerfield and then completed two flights to the Labona Station Airstrip within Adani Australia's (Bravus Mining & Resources) Carmichael Coal Mine site and back to Rockhampton Airport before it then departed Rocky and returned to Archerfield.

And Skytrans Airlines Dash-8-100 VH-QQC also completed a flight to Labona and back to Rockhampton Airport as SKP771/2.  It arrived into Rocky from Brisbane on Monday 6 December and also completed a flight to Labona and back to Rocky all as SKP783.

Photo taken by Micah S  ©

Link Airways (Corporate Air / Vee H Aviation) Metro 23 VH-VEK at Rockhampton Airport Again This Week - Plus More!

On Thursday 19 August, Link Airways (Corporate Air / Vee H Aviation) Metro 23 VH-VEK was again noted visiting Rockhampton Airport.  It flew up from and then returned to Brisbane.

File photo

VH-VEK also visited Rockhampton Airport from Brisbane on Tuesday 17 August.

Are we seeing start of something 'regular'?

Meanwhile, also noted visiting Rockhampton Airport, also on Thursday 19 August, was Sling 4 VH-VWD which arrived from Heck Field and then departed to Moura Airport. 

Sunshine Coast-based Rockwell International 114 VH-KSW, which flew North last Friday 13 August, arrived back into Rockhampton Airport from the Whitsunday Airport at Shute Harbour before then departing 'home' to Caboolture. 

McDermott Aviation / Heli-Lift Australia Aerospatiale 365N2 Dauphin 2 helicopter N366SR flew up from Sunshine Coast to Gladstone Airport and then Hedlow Airfield.  It later returned South.

While fellow McDermott Bell Textron Helicopter 214B-1 Big Lifter helicopter VH-SEK arrived back into Rockhampton Airport from Innisfail and Townsville after heading North the previous day.

UPDATE!  On Friday 20 August, VH-SEK departed Rockhampton Airport for Hedlow Airfield and then back to Rocky.  It then departed to Gympie.

And locally-based Keppel High Wing Cessna 182T VH-LJE departed its Rockhampton Airport base for Blackall Airport before then returning using an "Angelflight" callsign - something not heard for some time.  

VH-LJE completed a similar flight last Thursday 12 August.

Finally, also on Thursday 19 August, West Coast Seaplanes (Broome, Western Australia) Textron (Cessna) 208 Caravan VH-NPZ, which currently appears to be based at Bundaberg Airport, flew up from there to Rockhampton Airport and then Great Keppel Island Airstrip and then back to Bundy.

Brisbane-based Henty Aviation Cessna 425 Conquest 1 VH-BSM popped into Emerald Airport from Archerfield.  It later departed to Mount Isa.

UPDATE!  On Friday 20 August, VH-BSM returned to Emerald Airport from Mount Isa before departing back to Archerfield.

And Brescon (Toowoomba) Beech B200 King Air VH-XDW flew up directly to the Labona Station Airstrip within Adani Australia's (Bravus Mining & Resources) Carmichael Coal Mine site from Toowoomba-Wellcamp Airport.  It was later noted returning to Wellcamp rather than spending the night.

Photo taken by Lloyd Fox  ©

Beef Australia 2021 (Beef Week) Arrivals and Visitors to Rockhampton Airport on Wednesday

As Beef Australia 2021 (Beef Week) continues, some more nice bizjets and light General Aviation (GA) aircraft continued to call into Rockhampton Airport on Wednesday 5 May.

Air Central West Beech 58 Baron VH-TNR departed to Townsville and returned to Rocky during the afternoon. It appeared to arrive from its Longreach Airport base late the previous day.

Brisbane-based Hewitt Cattle Australia P/L SOCATA TBM 700 VH-PGA departed Rockhampton Airport for Longreach and Alice Springs Airports.

Springsure based Cessna 182 VH-VCP arrived from there and this afternoon departed to Rolleston Aerodrome.

Sling 4 Tsi VH-MIK arrived from Heck Field on the Gold Coast.

Mackellar Mining Equipment / Flight Options (Australia) Cessna 560 Citation Ultra bizjet VH-MMC arrived from Sunshine and then departed to Emerald Airport where it looked to stay.

Crown Cattle P/L Textron Aviation (Cessna) 208 VH-MGC arrived from Orielton Homestead, South of Hughenden.

Avcair (Avgunn) LearJet 60 bizjet VH-OLJ arrived from and later departed back to Brisbane.

After arriving on Sunday 2 May, Moorabbin Aviation Services (Victoria) Cessna S550 Citation SII bizjet VH-JLU departed to Proserpine (Whitsunday Coast) Airport before then continuing down to Roma Airport and then Sydney and Melbourne (Essendon).

Malarga Pastoral Co (Brooweena) Piper PA-32R-300 Cherokee VH-LJC arrived from the South.

Cessna 182 VH-DGS departed to its Dalby base.

FKG Air (Redjet Aviation) Hawker Beechcraft B200GT VH-FKB arrived from and later departed back to its Toowoomba base.

Edwards Coaches Cessna 525 Citation CJ1 bizjet VH-KXL arrived from Armidale, Tamworth and the Clarence Valley Regional Airport at Grafton.

Walgett based Cirrus SR22 VH-KKY arrived from Dirranbandi.

Vanderfield Pilatus PC-12/47 VH-WPH departed to Toowoomba.

Muirhead Pastoral Co Cessna 182 VH-WTO departed to Biloela / Thangool Airport.

During the afternoon, Brisbane-based Cessna 182 VH-YLU arrived from Dalgonally.

Austrek Aviation Cessna 310 VH-DZX visited Rocky from its Toowoomba base.

Paraway Pastoral Co Cessna 182 VH-YDP arrived from Davenport Downs again.

Finally, Bowenville (near Toowoomba) based Cessna 525 CitationJet CJ1+ bizjet VH-JSZ and CromAir Cessna 414A Chancellor VH-CBT both departed Bundaberg Airport for Rolleston Aerodrome.  VH-JSZ then flew to Roma and Bankstown Airports, while VH-CBT then flew to Rockhampton Airport.

All photos taken by Trevor Hardsman  ©️

REM Falcon / Flight Options (Australia) Dassault Falcon 2000EX Bizjet VH-EWB Calls into Hamilton Island Airport - Plus More!

During the afternoon on Thursday 22 April, REM Falcon / Flight Options (Australia) Dassault Falcon 2000EX bizjet VH-EWB was noted visiting Hamilton Island Airport.  It arrived from and later departed back to Sydney.

File photo

Meanwhile, a lot earlier in the day, also on Thursday 22 April, Seair Pacific / Istlecote Cessna 208 Caravan VH-LYT flew up from Hervey Bay (Fraser Coast) Airport to Wanella Station (near Coppabella) before flying back down to Maryborough Airport and then Hervey Bay Airport.

And Brescon (Toowoomba) Beech B200 VH-WXN arrived into Emerald Airport from Toowoomba-Wellcamp Airport.  It is due to return to Wellcamp early on Friday 23 April.

Finally, throughout the day, also on Thursday 22 April, yet more light General Aviation (GA) aircraft were noted flying through the region while heading up to the Whitsunday Airport at Shute Harbour for this weekend's fly-in and Runway Dinner event.

Amateur-built Sling 4 ultralight VH-VAZ flew up from Heck Field via Gladstone Airport.

Chaika LLC L65 Sea Bear amphibious aircraft VH-OMS looked to depart Saint George for Injune and Dingo Roadhouse before it continued to Shute Harbour.

Classic 1953-build Cessna 195A VH-ONV flew up from Toowoomba past Rockhampton Airport but turned back due to inclement weather to land at Rocky.

While more Cirrus SR20 and SR22 aircraft were also noted flying up to the Whitsundays.  SR22 VH-VHJ flew up from Bankstown via Roma Airport.  Cirrus SR22 VH-CFD flew up from Ballina via Bundaberg Airport to land at Hamilton Island Airport.  Cirrus SR20 VH-DRK flew up from Archerfield to Shute Harbour.  Cirrus SR22 VH-XGR flew up from Southport to Shute Harbour.  And Cirrus SR22 VH-CDT was also noted flying into Hamilton Island Airport from Charters Towers Aerodrome. 

And some of the 19-strong Helibiz Australia safari which departed Hervey Bay (Fraser Coast) Airport earlier in the week were noted landing on the Bowen water-front.

It appears that they Safari group will head down to the Whitsunday Airport at Shute Harbour on Friday 23 April.

Photos taken by 'JM' and Trevor Hardsman  ©

SG Aviation / Business Aviation Solutions Global Express XRS Bizjet VH-SGA Spotted at Bundaberg Airport - Plus More!

On Thursday 11 February, SG Aviation Australia / Business Aviation Solutions Bombardier BD-700-1A10 Global Express XRS VH-SGA was spotted parked up at Bundaberg Airport.

It looked to fly up from Melbourne (Essendon) and later depart to Newcastle (Willamtown).

Also at Bundaberg Airport, also on Thursday 11 February, Ipswich-based Pilatus PC-12/47E VH-PLE was noted visiting from the Gold Coast.  

And also on Thursday 11 February, Seair Pacific / Istlecote Textron Aviation (Cessna) 208B Caravan VH-TLH flew into Middlemount Aerodrome from Hervey Bay (Fraser Coast) Airport before later flying back there via Maryborough Airport.

Meanwhile, also on Thursday 11 February, Albury (New South Wales) based Cessna 525 CitationJet CJ1+ bizjet VH-JSZ was noted visiting Charters Towers Aerodrome from Archerfield.

And after arriving at the end of last weekend, the often visiting American-registered Eclipse EA500 bizjet N257AK was noted departing the Whitsunday Airport at Shute Harbour for Archerfield, also on Thursday 11 February.

While late on Wednesday 10 February, the locally-operated Skydive Airlie Beach but Wollongong-registered Cessna 208 Caravan VH-DNK was noted departing the Whitsunday Airport at Shute Harbour for the Sunshine Coast.

It appears to have been replaced by another Cessna 208 Caravan, VH-DZZ, of the Skydive the Beach Group, with it arriving from Tully and Cairns also on Wednesday 10 February and now taking up operations with Skydive Airlie Beach on Thursday.

Of interest, another Cessna 208 Caravan, VH-DZQ, of Australia Skydive, flew up from the Sunshine Coast to Cairns via the Whitsunday Airport at Shute Harbour, also on Thursday 11 February.

Finally, also on Thursday 11 February, there were a few other light General Aviation (GA) aircraft to be noted coming and going at various Central Queensland Airports.

Armidale (New South Wales) based Cessna 310Q VH-RFA visited Rockhampton Airport from the Sunshine Coast.

Sling 4 Tsi VH-MIK also visited Rockhampton Airport but from Heck Field on the Gold Coast.

While the Redcliffe Aero Club's Cessna 182 VH-ROC called into Hervey Bay (Fraser Coast) and Rockhampton Airports on a flight from and back to Redcliffe.

And FKG Air (Redjet Aviation) Hawker Beechcraft B200GT VH-FKB visited Hamilton Island Airport from Toowoomba and Archerfield.

Sincere thanks once again to local plane spotter Peter S for taking the time to capture and send through these great photos!

All photos taken by Peter Sajko  ©

Clive Palmer's Mineralogy Company Bombardier Global Express XRS Bizjet VH-UPH Departs Hamilton Island Airport - Plus More!

After arriving at the end of last week, on Monday 21 September, Clive Palmer's Mineralogy Company's registered Bombardier BD-700-1A10 Global Express XRS bizjet VH-UPH was noted departing Hamilton Island Airport for the Gold Coast.

File photo

VH-UPH had arrived into Hamo from there last Friday 18 September.

Meanwhile, noted arriving into Hamilton Island Airport, also on Monday 21 September, was Corporate Aviation Bell 429 Global Ranger helicopter VH-EQP.  It arrived from its Southport base via Gladstone Airport.

While Sling 4 Tsi VH-MIK also arrived into Hamo but from Heck Field on the Gold Coast also via Gladstone Airport.

Finally, also on Monday 21 September, Graham Aviation (Cairns) Cessna 510 Citation Mustang bizjet VH-FNI was noted passing through Longreach Airport.  It arrived from its Mareeba base via Weipa and then departed to Sydney.

While passing through Emerald Airport was Moree-based Cessna 340 VH-MPQ.  It landed from Mallowa and then departed to Pinnarendi. During the afternoon, it returned to Emerald Airport then on to Roma Airport and Mallowa.

Photo taken by Lloyd Fox  ©

Balmoral Air Dassault Falcon 2000LX Bizjet VH-WIO Pops into Hamilton Island Airport - Plus Sling 4's VH-VAZ & VH-VWC Depart

On Sunday 7 January, Balmoral Air Dassault Falcon 2000LX bizjet VH-WIO was noted making yet another visit to Hamilton Island Airport.  As per usual, it touched down from Bankstown and was noted returning there later in the day.

File photo

Meanwhile, early on Friday 5 January, the visiting pair of Amateur-built Sling 4 ultralight aircraft registered VH-VWC and VH-VAZ that arrived at Hamilton Island Airport in late December, were noted departing Hamo for their Archerfield base, again via a fuel stop at Gladstone Airport.

Photo taken by 'AC'  ©

American Registered Bombardier BD-100-1A10 Challenger 300 Bizjet N1013 at Hamilton Island and Mackay Airports - Plus More!

On Wednesday 27 December, nice American registered Bombardier BD-100-1A10 Challenger 300 bizjet N1013 was noted arriving into Hamilton Island Airport from the Gold Coast.

After parking for around an hour, it departed to Mackay Airport where it looked to be parking up for a couple of days.

Also at Hamilton Island Airport, also on Wednesday 27 December, Gandel Investments (The Gandel Group) Bombardier BD-700-1A10 Global Express VH-TGG was noted visiting for a couple of hours from its Melbourne (Essendon) base.

While a familiar corporate helicopter in the form form of Corporate Aviation Bell 429 helicopter VH-EQP touched down at Hamo also on Wednesday 27 December from its Southport Base via a fuel stop at Gladstone Airport.

VH-EQP at Mackay Airport recently  (File photo)

On Tuesday 26 December, Business Aviation Solutions Dassault Mystere Falcon 50 VH-FJQ was noted arriving into Hamilton Island Airport from Bankstown via Bathurst in New South Wales. It appears to have remained parked over on Hamo.

While another nice helicopter was spotted calling into both Mackay and Gladstone Airports also on Tuesday 26 December, in the form of Skyhook Helicopters (of Salamander Bay in New South Wales) Eurocopter EC130B4 helicopter VH-JRD.

Finally, on the very lighter side of aviation movements - and maybe not quite corporate movements but private movements none-the-less - a pair of Amateur-built Sling 4 ultralight aircraft registered VH-VWC and VH-VAZ were noted arriving into Hamilton Island Airport from their Archerfield base via a fuel stop at Gladstone Airport also on Thursday 29 December.

File photo

Both look to have remained parked on Hamo as well.

Nice!

Photos taken by 'AC', Col B and Simon Coates  ©