Gulf Coast Aviation Cessna 510 Citation Mustang Bizjet VH-KXM Pops into Emerald Airport - Plus More!

On Tuesday 6 July, Gulf Coast Aviation Cessna 510 Citation Mustang bizjet VH-KXM was noted visiting Emerald Airport.

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It arrived from the Sunshine Coast and Toowoomba-Wellcamp Airports before then later departing to Vanrook Station up near Normanton.

Meanwhile, also on Tuesday 6 July, BHMM Aviation Cessna 650 Citation VII bizjet VH-SSZ was noted departing Hamilton Island Airport for the Gold Coast.  It then completed a return trip to Melbourne (Avalon) and back to the Goldie.

VH-SSZ had arrived into Hamo from Avalon and the Gold Coast last Friday 2 July.

Finally, a trio of King Airs also noted in the region, also on Tuesday 6 July, included Kirkhope Aviation (of Melbourne) Beech B200 King Air VH-ZOK which departed Longreach Airport for Ingelara.  It had arrived on Sunday 4 July from Far North Queensland.

Flight One (Services) Beech B200 King Air VH-FON flew up from Archerfield to a position North of Shoalwater Bay and East of St Lawrence to complete a "survey of ships in the area".  VH-FON then called into Rockhampton Airport before flying back to Archerfield.

And Brescon (Toowoomba) Beech B200 King Air VH-XDW flew up from Toowoomba-Wellcamp to Chinchilla, Rolleston and Injune Airports before returning to Chinchilla and then Wellcamp.

Photo taken by Russell Prothero  ©

Gulf Coast Aviation Cessna 510 Citation Mustang Bizjet VH-KXM Spotted at Rockhampton Airport - UPDATED! - Plus More!

On Tuesday 27 October, the visiting Gulf Coast Aviation Cessna 510 Citation Mustang bizjet VH-KXM was noted departing Rockhampton Airport for the Sunshine Coast.

It had arrived into Rockhampton Airport from Cairns, Mareeba and Maramie (Dorunda) over the weekend.

UPDATE!  VH-KXM was spotted (above) arriving back into Rockhampton Airport from the Sunshine Coast but on Wednesday 28 October.  It then departed to Maramie (Dorunda) and Cairns.

Meanwhile, also noted departing Rockhampton Airport, also on Tuesday 27 October, and also after arriving over the weekend, was Gulf Aircraft Textron Aviation (Cessna) 208 Caravan VH-PYO which departed back to Donors Hill (south of Normanton).

While Hinterland Aviation Cessna 208 Caravan VH-TFQ arrived into Rockhampton Airport from Cairns as HND790.  It then started operating on the Fly-in Fly-out (FIFO) charter flight run from Rockhampton Airport to and from the Labona Station Airstrip within Adani Australia's Carmichael Coal Mine site - joining the recently arrived VH-LZK.

Fellow Hinterland Aviation Cessna 208 Caravan VH-ETF - which has been based at Rockhampton Airport for some time - then departed Rocky for Cairns as HND790.

Finally, Fly Weel Pilatus PC-12/47E VH-KWZ flew up to St Lawrence Airstrip from the Gold Coast, Lismore and Bundaberg Airport. This afternoon it reversed this flight. 

While Great Western Aviation Beech B200 VH-XGV made its weekly visit to my local Clermont Aerodrome also on Tuesday 27 October.  It arrived from and later departing back to Brisbane.

Photo taken by Steve Vit  ©

Machjet (Machjet International) Cessna 525 Citation CJ1 Bizjet VH-SIY Arrives into Rockhampton Airport

On Friday 8 May,  Machjet (Machjet International) Cessna 525 Citation CJ1 bizjet VH-SIY was noted touching down at Rockhampton Airport after flying North from Archerfield.  It appears to have earlier flown there from its Sunshine Coast base.

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At the time of writing, it appears that VH-SIY is staying at Rockhampton Airport for at least the night.

UPDATE!  On Saturday 9 May, VH-SIY departed Rockhampton Airport and returned to Archerfield and then the Sunshine Coast.

Meanwhile, also on Friday 8 May, Australian Country Choice Properties (Brisbane) Cessna 560 Citation V Encore bizjet VH-ACC was noted back in the region.  It flew up from Archerfield to 'Dooloogarah', just off the North-West corner of Carnarvon National Park.  It then departed there to Roma Airport before flying up to a short stop at Biloela / Thangool Airport before returning to Archerfield.

On the lighter side of corporate General Aviation (GA) movements, also on Friday 8 May, Fly Weel  Pilatus PC-12/47E VH-KWZ flew into Bundaberg Airport from its Gold Coast base.  It then flew across to Theodore Airport before heading North to St Lawrence Aerodrome.  VH-KWZ then returned to Bundaberg Airport and the Gold Coast.

While fellow Pilatus PC-12/45 VH-PID was noted departing Barcaldine Airport for Scone and its Toowoomba base also on Friday 8 May.  It appears to have arrived into Barcy earlier in the week.

Finally, also on Friday 8 May, FKG Air (Redjet Aviation) Hawker Beechcraft B200GT VH-FKB was back in the region yet again, flying up from Toowoomba to Mackay Airport and then Williamson Airfield within the Shoalwater Bay Training Area (SWBTA).  It then departed there to Archerfield and Toowoomba.

While Beech 58 Baron VH-JCJ departed Emerald Airport for Toowoomba also on Friday 8 May.  It had arrived there from Toowoomba and Rockhampton Airports the previous day.

Photo taken by Russell Prothero  ©

Greensill Aviation Cessna 550 Citation Bravo Bizjet VH-CCJ Yet Again Out and About From Bundaberg Airport This Week

The locally-based Greensill Aviation Cessna 550 Citation Bravo bizjet VH-CCJ has yet again been noted flying out and about from Bundaberg Airport this week.

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On Monday 10 February, it was noted departing Bundy for Sydney and then Whyalla in South Australia.  After spending the night, VH-CCJ returned from Whyalla to Sydney and then Brisbane.

Then on Wednesday 12 February, VH-CCJ flew back to Bundaberg Airport from Brisbane before completing a return flight to the Queensland capital and back to Bundy.

UPDATES!  On Thursday 13 February, VH-CCJ departed Bundaberg Airport for Brisbane.  It then returned to Bundaberg Airport on Friday 14 February.

Meanwhile, also on Wednesday 12 February, another familiar bizjet in the form of Mitchell Water Cessna 525 Citation M2 bizjet VH-WMY was noted back in Central Queensland, visiting the Whitsunday Airport at Shute Harbour during a busy day of flying out of and back to Melbourne (Moorabbin) via Archerfield.

It's worth noting that also visiting the Whitsunday Airport at Shute Harbour, but late on Tuesday 11 February, was a nice corporate turboprop in the form of Victorian-based SOCATA TBM700 VH-CEA.  It flew up from and then later returned to its Melbourne (Essendon) base.

Finally, at Rockhampton Airport this week, on Tuesday 11 February, the Queensland Government Airwing (State of Queensland) Raytheon B300 Super King Air VH-SGQ visited while flying from Brisbane to Townsville. While Cessna 208 Caravan VH-DJG was noted arriving from its Natal Downs base via St Lawrence.  It later departed to Dalby.

RAAF Challenger 604 A37-002 & Qld Govt Hawker 850XP VH-SGY Highlight Another Day of Comings and Goings at Rockhampton Airport for Beef Australia 2018

On Wednesday 9 May, Beef Australia 2018 - Australia’s national beef expo - continued at the Rockhampton Showgrounds and at Rockhampton Airport several more General Aviation (GA) aircraft and helicopters, along with a couple of awesome Government bizjets, were noted and spotted calling in.

Perhaps the two highlights of the day were the visits at Rockhampton Airport by Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) Canadair CL-600-2B16 Challenger 604 bizjet A37-002 and Queensland Government Airwing (State of Queensland) Raytheon Hawker 850XP bizjet VH-SGY.

A37-002 looked to arrive into Rocky from Canberra as "Regent 26" and looked to bring to Beef Australia 2018 the Federal Government Minister for Agriculture and Water Resources, David Littleproud.

Interestingly A37-002 then departed Rockhampton Airport on what looked to be a training flight as "Regent 52".  It looked to land briefly at Hamilton Island Airport before then completing airwork at Emerald Airport including at least one missed approach.  A37-002 then returned to Rockhampton Airport.  At the time of writing, it was due to depart Rockhampton Airport and return to Canberra.

Meanwhile, VH-SGY touched down in the beef capital during the late afternoon from Brisbane.  It looked to bring Queensland Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk to town to attend Beef Australia 2018.  VH-SGY then made the short hop down to Gladstone Airport where it appeared to be parking for the night.  At the time of writing, VH-SGY was due to return to Rockhampton Airport early on Thursday 10 May.

Finally, also on Wednesday 9 May, another nice mix of light General Aviation (GA) aircraft and helicopters continued to pop in and out of Rockhampton Airport.

After some morning fog cleared, around mid-morning, Brisbane-based Piper PA-31-350 VH-RPV departed Bundaberg Airport again on what appears to be a daily 'shuttle' to Rockhampton Airport.  However, due to the fog it had to divert to Gladstone Airport for some time before eventually landing at Rocky.

Gold Coast-based Hawker Beechcraft B300 Super King Air VH-OXF arrived from the South - only after being forced to hold for around at hour due to the fog.  It later departed to the Sunshine Coast.

After arriving earlier in the week, Brisbane-based Pilatus PC-12/47E VH-AAD departed to Archerfield.

Cessna 208 Caravan VH-DJG departed Rockhampton Airport for Saint Lawrence. It later returned to Rocky before then departing to Archerfield.

Another nice visitor in the form of Brescon P/L Beech B200 King Air VH-WXB arrived from the Toowoomba West Wellcamp Airport.  After spending much of the day parked, VH-WXB returned to Wellcamp as the sun was setting.

Springsure-based Cessna 182Q VH-WNJ arrived from there via a fog diversion to Gladstone Airport.  It was noted returning to Springsure during the afternoon.

BPW Aviation (of Scone in New South Wales) Beech 58 Baron VH-SQC returned to Rockhampton Airport from Gladstone Airport after flying there earlier in the week.  It then proceeded to complete some airwork around Rocky including a couple of touch-and-go's.  In the early afternoon, VH-SQC departed to Roma Airport.

Brisbane-based Beech A36 Bonanza VH-RMM arrived from Redcliffe via a fog diversion to Gladstone Airport.

Swan Hill (near Blackall) Cessna T210N VH-CRL departed 'home' to Blackall.

Armidale Aero Club Cessna 172M VH-WYZ arrived into Rocky from the South-West.

Usually Maryborough-based Cessna 172N VH-DZW arrived into Rockhampton Airport from the South.  After refuelling, it departed to Gladstone Airport where it presently seems to be operating from.

Another nice arrival in the form of newly delivered SOCATA TBM 700 N700BK touched down from Archerfield.

Julia Creek-based Piper PA-32R-301T Saratoga VH-NXT arrived from Townsville.

Beech F33A Bonanza VH-ZWB departed home to its Capella base. It is pictured after it had arrived yesterday.

And Piper PA-46R-350T Malibu Mirage VH-NYG finally touched down in the beef capital from its home base at Dalby.

Sincere thanks to local plane spotters 'IAD', Kayanne H and Trevor H for supplying the photos and information in this post!

Photos taken by Trevor Hardsman and Kayanne Hardsman  ©

Yet More Light GA and Corporate Bizjet Aircraft and Helicopters Call into Rockhampton Airport for Beef Australia 2018

On Tuesday 8 May, Beef Australia 2018 - Australia’s national beef expo - continued at the Rockhampton Showgrounds and at Rockhampton Airport several more General Aviation (GA) and another corporate bizjet aircraft and helicopters were noted and spotted calling in.

Brisbane-based Piper PA-31-350 VH-RPV made another early morning arrival from Bundaberg Airport.  Again, after spending the day on the ground at Rocky, VH-RPV returned once again to Bundaberg Airport.

Urella Station (near Clermont) Robinson R44 VH-DLY looked to arrive at Rockhampton Airport from Alton Downs.  It soon departed to Saint Lawrence in company with Rockhampton Aero Club's Pilatus Britten-Norman BN2A-8 Islander VH-SLM in association with Beef Australia 2018.

Both VH-DLY and VH-SLM returned to Rocky from Saint Lawrence, along with Mareeba-based Robinson R22 Beta VH-EGQ.  VH-DLY then returned to Alton Downs, while VH-EGQ departed to Bundaberg Airport.

Walhallow Pastoral Co (Northern Territory) Cessna 182T VH-ZJD arrived into Rocky from Arcturus Downs.

Swan Hill (near Blackall) Cessna T210N VH-CRL arrived from there.

Blackwater-based Cessna 210N VH-JSC arrived into Rocky from Toowoomba and departed back there during the  afternoon.

UPDATE!  VH-JSC may in fact now be based at Toowoomba with Vanderfield Pty Ltd, joining their Pilatus PC-12/47 VH-WPH.

One final Cessna 210N VH-FXC of Crown Cattle departed Rocky for its Hughenden base.

Beech F33A Bonanza VH-ZWB arrived into Rockhampton Airport from its Capella base.

After visiting the previous day, Cloncurry-based Pilatus PC-12/47E VH-MDH returned to Rocky from its Devoncourt Station home.

Cessna 208 Caravan VH-DJG arrived back into Rockhampton Airport from Brisbane via Saint Lawrence.  It also visited over the weekend.

Perhaps the 'star' visitor into Rocky on Tuesday 8 May was Gulf Aircraft Cessna 680 Citation Sovereign bizjet VH-PYN.

It arrived into Rockhampton Airport from Brisbane and appears to have remained on the ground.

Perhaps not associated with Beef Australia 2018, Wolff Aviation Hawker Beechcraft C90GTi VH-VWG popped into Rockhampton Airport from Wanella Station near Coppabella.  It then departed to its Toowoomba base.

Finally, the visiting Cessna 560 Citation Encore bizjet VH-YUL of the Yulgibar Pastoral Company (of Montmorency, Victoria) departed to Melbourne (Moorabbin).

VH-YUL had arrived into Rockhampton Airport the previous day from Baryulgil in Northern New South Wales via the Gold Coast.

Sincere thanks to local plane spotters Kayanne H and Trevor H for supplying the photos and information in this post!

Photos taken by Trevor Hardsman and Kayanne Hardsman  ©