A Pair of Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) Pilatus PC-21 Forward Air Control Aircraft A54-047 & A54-046 Complete Airwork in the Shoalwater Bay Training Area (SWBTA) - Plus More!

On Tuesday 4 August, a pair of Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) Pilatus PC-21 Forward Air Control Aircraft were noted completing airwork in the Shoalwater Bay Training Area (SWBTA).  They were noted to be A54-046 and A54-047 and were heard to be flying as "Reaper".

Both PC-21s are presently deployed to Townsville (pictured) where they arrived a few days ago from RAAF Base Williamtown.

UPDATE!  Later in the week, PC-21s A54-047 as "Rake 11" and A54-046 as "Rake 12" again flew down from Townsville and operated in the Shoalwater Bay area before returning north.  They also returned as "Reaper" once again.

Meanwhile, also on Tuesday 4 August, RAAF Boeing C-17A Globemaster III transport aircraft A41-211 as "Stallion 34" flew up from RAAF Base Amberley to complete a missed approach at Hamilton Island Airport and then at Emerald and Roma Airports before then returning back to Amberley.

Finally, on a quiet Monday 3 August, Albury-based Textron (Cessna) 525 CitationJet M2 bizjet VH-JSO landed at Emerald Airport from Bankstown.  It then hopped down to Rolleston Aerodrome.

Photo taken by Graham Aspinall  ©

Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) Dassault Falcon 7X Bizjet A56-001 as "Envoy 57" Completes Airwork at Bundaberg Airport - Plus More!

On Tuesday 28 July, Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) Dassault Falcon 7X bizjet A56-001 as "Envoy 57" flew up from RAAF Base Amberley and completed three training approaches at Bundaberg Airport before it then returned to Amberley.

File photo

Meanwhile, also on Tuesday 28 July, Albury-based Textron (Cessna) 525 CitationJet M2 bizjet VH-JSO landed at Bundaberg Airport from Canberra.

UPDATE!  On Wednesday 29 July, VH-JSO departed Bundaberg Airport for Toowoomba (City) and Canberra.  

Bowenville based (operated by Real Time Aviation - Brisbane) Cessna 525 Citation Jet CJ1+ bizjet VH-JSZ flew up to Mackay Airport from Dalby. VH-JSZ also appeared to visit my local Clermont Aerodrome over the previous weekend.

And Avcair LearJet 60 bizjet VH-AVL Hervey Bay (Fraser Coast) Airport arrived from Townsville and departed to Brisbane.

Photo taken by Peter Sajko  ©

Textron Aviation (Cessna) 208B Grand Caravan EX N512EX Calls into Emerald Airport - Plus More!

On Saturday 11 July, Textron Aviation (Cessna) 208B Grand Caravan EX N512EX was noted landing at Emerald Airport from Archerfield.  It then headed South-East to a nearby property for a demonstration before returning to Emerald Airport and then up to Cairns.

UPDATE!  On Sunday 12 July, N512EX looked to return to Emerald Airport where it then stayed until early August!

While Leppington Pastoral Co. (NSW) Beech B300 Super King Air 350i VH-JET departed Longreach Airport for the North-West.  It subsequently ended up at Hamilton Island Airport.

And Queensland Police Service (Airwing) / Queensland Government (State of Queensland) Beech B300 King Air 350i VH-8TT is currently based out of Rockhampton Airport and completed local aerial survey flights.  It appears to have arrived the previous day from Brisbane.

UPDATE!  On Sunday 12 July, VH-8TT completed more aerial survey flights out of and back to Rockhampton Airport.

Photo taken by 'AC'  ©

Albury-based Textron (Cessna) 525 CitationJet M2 Bizjet VH-JSO Calls into CQ Airports - Plus More!

On Wednesday 1 July, Albury-based Textron (Cessna) 525 CitationJet M2 bizjet VH-JSO arrived into Rockhampton Airport from Canberra.

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UPDATE!  On Thursday 2 July, VH-JSO departed Rockhampton Airport for Bundaberg Airport. 

UPDATE!  On Friday 3 July, VH-JSO departed Maryborough Airport for Canberra.

Meanwhile, also on Wednesday 1 July, Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) Dassault Falcon 7X bizjet A56-001 as "Envoy 99" flew up from Canberra to a missed approach at Emerald Airport and then returned to Canberra.

Finally, very late on Tuesday 30 June, Southern Air Services Cessna 525 CitationJet CJ1 bizjet VH-APJ arrived into Longreach Airport from Dubbo.

Photo taken by Tony Haynes  ©

National Jet Express Dash-8-Q400 Next Gen VH-8QB Diverts into Rockhampton Airport with Hydraulic Problem - Plus More!

On Monday 22 June, National Jet Express Dash-8-Q400 Next Gen VH-8QB as JTE342 flying up from Brisbane to Moranbah Airport but after holding due to low cloud there, then diverted to Rockhampton Airport with a reported hydraulic problem on the left side. It landed safely with the local fire trucks on standby and they followed it from touchdown to the Bay. Later the aircraft was towed to the Alliance Airlines Hanger.

File photo

During the afternoon National Jet Express Dash-8-Q400 Next Gen VH-8QA as JTE504 arrived into Rockhampton Airport from Brisbane and then departed to Moranbah Airport as JTE342 before returning to Brisbane as JTE505.  Fellow NJE Dash-8-Q400 VH-IYK also completed a run to Moranbah Airport from and back to Brisbane as JTE352/3.

UPDATE!  On Tuesday 23 June, VH-8QB departed Rockhampton Airport for Brisbane as JTE505.

Meanwhile, also on Monday 22 June, re-registered SHM Aviation P/L / LifeFlight Commercial Ltd Cessna 525B CitationJet CJ3+ VH-SHM visited Maryborough Airport from Archerfield.

Of interest VH-SHM was previously registered as VH-TCS and was re-registered across March and April this year.

UPDATE!  On Tuesday 23 June, VH-SHM visited Mackay Airport also from Archerfield.

Australian Country Choice Properties / Aero Corporate Charters P/L (Brisbane) Cessna 525B CitationJet CJ3 bizjet VH-ACC had a busy day, flying up to Blackall Airport from Archerfield and Roma Airports before then returning to Archerfield.  It then departed to Dubbo before returning to Blackall Airport and then flying back to Archerfield. 

Bowenville based (operated by Real Time Aviation - Brisbane) Cessna 525 Citation Jet CJ1+ bizjet VH-JSZ flew up to Clermont Aerodrome from Archerfield. 

UPDATE!  On Tuesday 23 June, VH-JSZ departed Clermont Aerodrome to Natal Downs and then down to Dalby and Archerfield.

Stroud Aviation and Transportation (Boonah) / Navair Flight Operations Cessna 510 Citation Mustang bizjet VH-SHI as "Navair 173" flew up from Archerfield to Bundaberg Airport and then Hamilton Island Airport before later reversing the flight.

And Queensland Government (QGAir) Rescue (State of Queensland) Agusta AW139 helicopter VH-EZJ arrived into Rockhampton Airport from Townsville and then departed to Archerfield.

Plus LifeFlight Agusta A109SP helicopter VH-XNR was noted flying out of Maryborough Airport.

Finally, over the weekend on Saturday 20 June, McDermott Aviation Group / Machjet International Cessna 525C CitationJet CJ4 bizjet VH-PIY as "Machflight 06" visited Mackay Airport from Brisbane.  It also visited Hamilton Island Airport from the Sunshine Coast on Friday 19 June. 

And McDermott Aviation Group / Machjet International Cessna 525A CitationJet CJ2 bizjet VH-SUY as "Machflight 41" visited Roma Airport from the Sunshine Coast.

Photo taken by Steve Vit  ©

Albury-based Textron (Cessna) 525 CitationJet M2 Bizjet VH-JSO Calls into Rolleston Aerodrome - Plus More!

On Thursday 18 June, Albury-based Textron (Cessna) 525 CitationJet M2 bizjet VH-JSO landed at Rolleston Aerodrome from Canberra and the Sunshine Coast. 

File photo

UPDATE!  On Friday 19 June, Citation VH-JSO departed Rolleston Aerodrome for Emerald Airport and then back down to Canberra.

While Aerlink ATR 72-500 VH-FVY as 'AL416' / "Aerolink 416" arrived into Rockhampton Airport from Brisbane before it then departed to Horn Island as 'AL878'.  It later flew to Cairns and back to Brisbane as AL879/880.

And Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) Boeing B737-7ES / E-7A Wedgetail Airborne Early Warning & Control (AEW&C) aircraft A30-005 as "Mitchell 06" flew up from RAAF Base Williamtown to complete to a missed approach at Rockhampton Airport and then down to one at Tamworth and back to Williamtown. 

Photo taken by Tony Haynes  ©

XPJet / Australian Corporate Jet Centres Raytheon Hawker 800XP Bizjet VH-OTK Arrives into Hamilton Island Airport - Plus More!

On Tuesday 12 May, XPJet / Australian Corporate Jet Centres Raytheon Hawker 800XP bizjet VH-OTK was noted arriving into Hamilton Island Airport from Melbourne (Essendon).

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UPDATE!  On Thursday 14 May, VH-OTK departed Hamilton Island Airport and returned to Essendon.

Navair Flight Operations P/L new Pilatus PC-24 bizjet VH-DMS also flew up to Hamilton Island Airport but from Cessnock.  It then returned to Cessnock.  Of interest, this is the first time we've seen the most recent version of the PC-24 VH-DMS with this airframe (cn 614) only registered and delivered at the start of this month.

And Indara Holdings / Corporate and Luxury Air Charter Textron (Cessna) 525 CitationJet M2 VH-8RT visited Emerald Airport from the Sunshine Coast. 

Meanwhile, also on Tuesday 12 May, Cirrus SR22 N312GM arrived visited Rockhampton Airport from the Sunshine Coast. 

DeGunst Transport P/L Textron (Cessna) 208 Caravan VH-NPZ landed at Rockhampton Airport from Bundaberg Airport and then continued to Nebo Aerodrome on its usual Tuesday Fly-in Fly-out (FIFO) run up there and back.

Finally, over the weekend, on Sunday 10 May, Microflite (Moorabbin) Pilatus PC-12/47E VH-8MI was noted flying up from Charleville Airport to Cairns.

And on Saturday 9 May, Careflight Kawasaki BK117 B-2 helicopter VH-IME as "Careflight 2" departed Longreach Airport for the North.

Photo taken by Tony Haynes  ©

Stroud Aviation and Transportation / Navair Flight Operations Cessna 510 Citation Mustang Bizjet VH-SHI "Navair 173" Pops into Rockhampton Airport - Plus More!

On Friday 8 May, Stroud Aviation and Transportation (Boonah) / Navair Flight Operations Cessna 510 Citation Mustang bizjet VH-SHI as "Navair 173" visited Rockhampton Airport from Archerfield.

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Hodson Asset Hire P/L Cessna 510 Citation Mustang bizjet VH-VSQ landed at Emerald Airport from Dalby then departed to Cairns.

Poolhurst Aviation Air Charter Services new Pilatus PC-24 jet VH-VTF was due to arrive into Hamilton Island Airport from Toowoomba (Wellcamp).

UPDATE!  On Monday 11 May, VH-VTF departed Hamo for the Gold Coast.

Southern Air Services Cessna 525 CitationJet CJ1 bizjet VH-APJ flew up from Melbourne (Moorabbin) to the Whitsunday Airport at Shute Harbour then down to Gold Coast.

I also note that Mitchell Water Cessna 525 Citation M2 bizjet VH-WMY was at the Whitsunday Airport at Shute Harbour on Thursday 7 May and departed to Melbourne (Essendon).

While new Wave Air (Whitsunday Tiger Moth Adventures) Textron 208B Grand Caravan EX VH-IHS flew up from Hervey Bay (Fraser Coast) Airport  to Gladstone Airport and the Whitsunday Airport at Shute Harbour.

The Grand Caravan was only registered in mid-April and was previously on the New Zealand Aircraft register as ZK-SDA.  

And Trans Wonderland Holdings P/L Cessna 208 Caravan I Blackhawk VH-FLL flew up to Mackay Airport from Archerfield.

Photo taken by Trevor Hardsman  ©

South Australia-based Hawker Beechcraft B300 Super King Air VH-UXF Pops into CQ Airports - Plus More!

On Tuesday 24 February, South Australia-based Hawker Beechcraft B300 Super King Air VH-UXF flew up from Cessnock to Collinsville Aerodrome and then across to Proserpine (Whitsunday Coast) Airport. It then returned over the same route back to Cessnock.

File photo

While RDO Equipment Co. Pilatus PC-12/47 VH-WPH visited Emerald Airport from Toowoomba.

And Mitchell Water Cessna 525 Citation M2 bizjet VH-WMY flew up from Archerfield to Chinchilla Aerodrome and then Mackay Airport. It then flew back South. VH-WMY had flown up from Melbourne (Essendon) to Chinchilla Aerodrome and down to Archerfield on Monday 23 February.

UPDATE!  VH-WMY visited Roma Airport during a busy day of flying on Thursday 26 February.

Finally, on Monday 23 February, the locally-based Embraer EMB-550 Legacy 500 bizjet N142GZ was back in the air, flying up from Sydney to Mackay Airport and then down to Brisbane. It had originally flown down to Sydney from Mackay Airport back on Australia Day.

And SHM Aviation (Gold Coast) Textron Aviation (Cessna) 525B CitationJet CJ3 bizjet VH-TCS flew up from Archerfield to Roma Airport and then to Townsville.

Photo taken by Tony Haynes  ©

SHM Aviation Textron Aviation (Cessna) 525B CitationJet CJ3 Bizjet VH-TCS Calls into CQ Airports - Plus More!

On Thursday 19 February, SHM Aviation (Gold Coast) Textron Aviation (Cessna) 525B CitationJet CJ3 Bizjet VH-TCS flew up from Archerfield and Toowoomba to Roma Airport and then Bundaberg Airport before it then flew down to the Sunshine Coast and Archerfield.

File photo

While Bundaberg-based Piper PA-34-200T Seneca VH-DIG visited Nebo Aerodrome from Bundaberg Airport.  Much like DeGunst Transport P/L Textron (Cessna) 208 Caravan VH-NPZ which also completes weekly Fly-in Fly-out (FIFO) flights between Bundy and Nebo Aerodrome each Tuesday.

While Special Mining Services / Flight Options (Australia) Embraer EMB-505 Phenom 300 bizjet VH-87X visited Emerald Airport from Bankstown.

And Mitchell Water Cessna 525 Citation M2 bizjet VH-WMY flew up from Melbourne (Moorabbin) and Ararat to Roma Airport before then flying up to Mackay Airport.

UPDATE!  On Friday 20 February, VH-WMY departed Mackay Airport for Roma Airport and Miles Airport before it then flew down to Melbourne (Essendon).

Finally, also on Thursday 19 February, a couple of Queensland Police Service (Airwing) / Queensland Government (State of Queensland) Beech B300C Super King Air 350 VH-8PE arrived into Rockhampton Airport from Cairns, Townsville and Mackay Airports and then departed to Brisbane.

UPDATE!  On Friday 20 February, VH-8PE visited Rockhampton Airport from Brisbane.

And fellow Police Super King Air VH-8PH arrived into Rockhampton Airport from Mount Isa and then departed to Doomadgee.

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

On Tuesday 20 January, Robindale Group / Air Link Cessna 510 Citation Mustang bizjet VH-CMK flew up from Orange and the Sunshine Coast to Bundaberg Airport, Emerald Airport and then Mackay Airport.

File photo

UPDATE!  On Thursday 22 January, VH-CMK returned South from Mackay Airport to Emerald Airport and then Bundaberg Airport, the Sunshine Coast and Orange.

While McDermott Aviation Group / Machjet International Cessna 525C CitationJet CJ4 bizjet VH-PIY "Machflight 41" arrived into Rockhampton Airport from the Sunshine Coast and Archerfield.

UPDATE!  On Wednesday 21 January, Citation PIY “Machflight 41” departed Rockhampton Airport for Archerfield and the Sunshine Coast.

A regular visitor in the form of Archer Aviation Service Cirrus SR22 VH-JCK visited my local Clermont Aerodrome from Archerfield.

And DeGunst Transport P/L Textron (Cessna) 208 Caravan VH-NPZ completed another weekly Fly-in Fly-out (FIFO) charter flight to Nebo Aerodrome from and back to Bundaberg Airport - albeit returning via Rockhampton Airport.  It also appears that VH-NPZ completed a run to North Curtis Island earlier in the day as well as another on Sunday 18 January.

Finally, also on Tuesday 20 January, Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) Boeing B737-7ES / E-7A Wedgetail Airborne Early Warning & Control (AEW&C) aircraft A30-004 as "Wedgetail 06" flew up from RAAF Base Williamtown to complete a missed approach at Rockhampton Airport before then returning South to complete more airwork at Coffs Harbour and then back to Williamtown.

Photo taken by Ross Huntington  ©

Careflight (NT) Hawker Beechcraft B200 King Air VH-ZCN as "Careflight 27" Pops into Longreach Airport - Plus More!

On Friday 16 January, Careflight (NT) Hawker Beechcraft B200 King Air VH-ZCN as "Careflight 27" popped into Longreach Airport from Toowoomba before then departing to Mount Isa and Darwin.  It looked like it flew down from Darwin last week.

File photo

While after arriving at Mackay Airport from Gympie the previous day, Emerald Coaches (Emerald) Piper PA-46-350P Malibu Mirage VH-ZMM departed there to Emerald Airport.  It then flew back to Mackay Airport before then flying down to Clermont Aerodrome where it looked to stay for the night.

And the visiting Nautilus Aviation helicopters sent down to the region for possible flood relief operations - Bell Helicopter Textron Canada 412EP helicopter VH-ZVP and Bell 407 VH-VPE - both departed Mackay Airport heading home to Cairns via Townsville.

Finally, also on Friday 16 January, a pair of Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) Boeing B737-7ES / E-7A Wedgetail Airborne Early Warning & Control (AEW&C) aircraft were noted completing airwork at a couple of Central Queensland Airports.

A30-003 as "Mitchel 06" flew up from RAAF Base Williamtown to complete a missed approach at Mackay Airport before then completing another down at RAAF Base Amberley before then heading back to Williamtown.

And at about the same time, A30-006 as "Wedgetail 07" flew up from Williamtown to complete a missed approach at Hervey Bay (Fraser Coast) Airport before then completing more and then landing at Amberley.  It later returned to Williamtown.

Photo taken by Jonathan Williams  ©

Queensland Premier David Crisafulli Calls into Clermont Aerodrome on Crockett Aviation Group Beech B200 King Air VH-FAQ "Navair 173" - Plus More!

On Tuesday 13 January, Crockett Aviation Group Beech B200 King Air VH-FAQ as "Navair 173" landed at Clermont from Archerfield and Brisbane and this afternoon departed back to these places.

It brought the Queensland Premier David Crisafulli to town to inspect the clean-up efforts following the massive flooding event that hit Clermont on Monday 12 January.

Meanwhile, also on Tuesday 13 January, several helicopters were noted and spotted flying around the skies of Clermont and other parts of the region which are also experiencing flood emergencies in the after-math of Ex Tropical Cyclone Koji passing through Central Queensland.

Nautilus Aviation Bell Helicopter Textron Canada 412EP helicopter VH-ZVP, which landed at Mackay Airport from Townsville yesterday as "Helitak 421", flew out from there and landed at Clermont Hospital.  

Later, it hopped to Clermont Aerodrome to refuel before then departing back to Mackay Airport.

Dwyer Aviation (Tude's Choppers) Services Bell Helicopter Textron 407 VH-XFN continued to fly around the Clermont area and seemed to be based at the Bush Heli Services facility on the outskirts of the Clermont township.

UPDATE!  On Wednesday 14 January, VH-XFN was noted flying out of Emerald Airport to local mine sites.

While Bush Heli Services Bell Helicopter Textron 407 VH-PUM also flew around the Clermont area.

GB Helicopters Guimbal Cabri G2 VH-8GB looked to head North around parts of the Suttor River and Belyando River.

Elsewhere, Heli Qld Airbus Helicopters EC 130 T2 VH-WJY flew up from Toowoomba to Roma Airport and then Barcaldine Airport and Emerald Airport.  

Brisbane-based Helibras AS350B2 Esquilo VH-EQP followed a similar flight path, arriving into Emerald Airport from Toowoomba via Roma Airport.

UPDATE!  It appears that VH-WJY and VH-EQP are both currently based out of the Calibre Aviation (Central Queensland Aviation) facility just the South of the Emerald township and they looked to be completing flights to and from local mine sites.

Executive Helicopters Eurocopter AS 350 B3 Squirrel helicopter VH-YQK also arrived into Emerald Airport but from Archerfield via (possibly) Monto Aerodrome.

UPDATE!  On Wednesday 14 January, VH-YQK was also noted flying to local mine sites from and back to Emerald Airport.

Heliservices Queensland (Innisfail) Bell Helicopter Textron 206L-3 VH-HHU also arrived into Emerald Airport from Roma Airport.  It is reportedly due to continue North to Clermont.

While Nautilus Aviation Bell Helicopter Textron 212 helicopter VH-T53 was spotted at Barcaldine Airport.  It arrived from Longreach Airport and was due to depart but low cloud prevented this.

And Executive Helicopters Eurocopter AS 350 B3 Squirrel helicopter VH-DTS flew out of Mackay Airport and headed West before then flying up to the Whitsundays region.

Plus Townsville-based Forster Helicopters Bell Helicopter Textron 407 helicopter VH-DMF was also noted flying around Mackay.

Finally, also on Tuesday 13 January, Vee H Aviation (Link Airways) Beech B200GT Super King Air 250 VH-VEW visited Clermont Aerodrome from Brisbane.

Henadeck (New South Wales) Cessna 525 Citation CJ1 bizjet VH-YNE flew up to Hamilton Island Airport from the Gold Coast.  It had flown down from Hamo to the Goldie at the end of last week.

And the Central Queensland Helicopter Rescue Service (CQ Rescue) / CQ Aeromedical Leonardo AW139 helicopter VH-XQ8 flew down from Mackay Airport to Gladstone Airport and Archerfield.

Major Flooding in Central Queensland - Including in my Home Town of Clermont - Means Multiple Helicopter Movements into Local Airports - Plus More!

On Monday 12 January, the remnants of ex-Tropical Cyclone Koji have dumped massive rainfall and produced destructive winds across the Whitsundays, Mackay region and into the Central Highlands - including where I am based at Clermont.  Consequently, several helicopters and fixed wing aircraft have been noted flying around these places in support roles.

Townsville-based Forster Helicopters Bell Helicopter Textron 407 helicopter VH-DMF around Mackay.

Nautilus Aviation Bell Helicopter Textron Canada 412EP helicopter VH-ZVP flew down from Cairns and Townsville to Mackay Airport.

Nautilus Aviation Bell Helicopter Textron 212 VH-T53 was noted arriving into Longreach Airport.

And around Clermont was Bush Helicopters / Qld Helicopters Bell 407 VH-PUM and GB Helicopters Guimbal Cabri G2 VH-8GB which were both involved with airlift stranded residents on outlying properties.

Nautilus Aviation Bell 407 VH-VPE brought swift water rescue personnel from Mackay Airport.

And Dwyer Aviation Services Bell 407 helicopter VH-XFN also popped in.

Meanwhile, also on Monday 12 January, Western Downs Civil (Chinchilla) Raytheon B200 King Air VH-85H as "Navair 173" flew down from Bowen Aerodrome (pictured) to Mackay Airport.  It had flown up to Bowen Aerodrome from Brisbane the previous day.

After some the ground, VH-85H "Navair 173" departed Mackay Airport and returned to Brisbane. It is rumoured to have brought the Queensland Premier David Crisafulli to town.

Finally, also on Monday 12 January, Executjet Australia Bombardier CL-600-2B16 Challenger 604 bizjet VH-L2B arrived into Hamilton Island Airport from Sydney and then departed to the Shellharbour Airport at Wollongong.

Pilatus Australia (South Australia) Pilatus PC-24 Super Versatile Jet VH-DMS flew back up to Hamilton Island Airport from Toowoomba before then hopping down to Mackay Airport and then back to Hamo.  It had originally flown up from the Gold Coast over the weekend.

UPDATE!  On Wednesday 14 January, VH-DMS completed another hop to Mackay Airport and back to Hamilton Island Airport.

And Avcair LearJet 60 bizjet VH-AVL made a late visit to Longreach Airport from Brisbane.

Photo taken by James Kirk  ©

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

On Wednesday 7 January, Special Mining Services / Flight Options (Australia) Embraer EMB-505 Phenom 300 bizjet VH-87X was noted visiting Proserpine (Whitsunday Coast) Airport.

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It looked to arrive from Bankstown and then depart Melbourne (Essendon). 

And Gulf Aircraft Textron Aviation (Cessna) 208 Caravan VH-PYO landed at Longreach Airport from Mount Isa before it then departed to Bundaberg Airport.  I think I also saw this Caravan at Emerald Airport in the days prior.

Photo taken by Glenn Lloyd  ©

Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) Alenia C-27J Spartan A34-002 "Envoy 79"Calls into Longreach Airport - Plus More!

On Tuesday 6 January, Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) Alenia C-27J Spartan A34-002 as "Envoy 79" landed at Longreach Airport from RAAF Base Amberley.

Defence image.

UPDATE!  On Wednesday 7 January, C-27J A34-002 "Envoy 79" departed Longreach Airport for Cloncurry Airport and then later departed to Richmond and later departed to Brisbane. 

While Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) Boeing B737-8 MAX BBJ A62-002 as "Envoy 76" flew up from Canberra to Mount Isa and this afternoon departed there to Sydney.

Finally, also on Tuesday 6 January, the locally-based Embraer EMB-550 Legacy 500 bizjet N142GZ flew down from Mackay Airport to the Gold Coast.

UPDATE!  On Friday 9 January, N142GZ flew back to Mackay Airport from the Goldie.

Avcair LearJet 60 bizjet VH-AVL arrived into Gladstone Airport from Brisbane and then later departed to Cairns and Townsville before returning to the capital.

Graham Aviation (Cairns) Cessna 510 Citation Mustang bizjet VH-FMZ was noted visiting Hamilton Island Airport from Mareeba and Cairns.

Re-registered Hewitt Agribusiness (Brisbane) Pilatus PC-12/47E VH-8HG (ex N175NG) flew up from Archerfield to Julia Creek before later flying down to Longreach Airport and then back to Archerfield.

While DeGunst Transport P/L Textron (Cessna) 208 Caravan VH-NPZ is still completing weekly Fly-in Fly-out (FIFO) charter flights to Nebo Aerodrome from and back to Bundaberg Airport.  It also appears that VH-NPZ visited Rockhampton Airport from Bundy on Monday 5 January.

And also Link Airways (Corporate Air / Vee H Aviation) SAAB 340B+ turboprop aircraft looked to continue FIFO charter flights into Theodore Aerodrome from and back to Brisbane via the Sunshine Coast.  On Tuesday VH-VEB operated the flight.

UPDATE!  On Wednesday 7 January, VH-VEF operated the flight.  And on Thursday 8 January, VH-VEC operated the flight.

Helicorp Bell Helicopter Textron 412EP VH-LWF Spotted at Gladstone Airport Ferrying North - Plus More!

On Friday 19 December, Helicorp Bell Helicopter Textron 412EP VH-LWF was spotted passing through Gladstone Airport while looking to be on a ferry flight up to Far North Queensland and possibly further.

The Toll liveried helicopter arrived from its 'base' at the Oakey Army Aviation Centre and then departed to Proserpine (Whitsunday Coast) Airport and then Cairns.

UPDATE!  In early February 2026, the Bell 412EP helicopter emerged from the hangar at Cairns now wearing the Papua New Guinea registration marking of P2-HCH.

Meanwhile, also on Friday 19 December, recently delivered ADD Aviation Services (Victoria) Gulfstream G-IV-X G350 bizjet VH-TG4 flew up from Gold Coast to Proserpine (Whitsunday Coast) Airport and then down to Mackay Airport.  Later, it hopped back to Proserpine Airport and then returned to the Gold Coast.

VH-TG4 was registered and then delivered into Melbourne (Tullamarine) in late November.  It is photographed above at Wagga Wagga.

While re-registered Poolhurst Aviation Air Charter Services Pilatus PC-24 jet VH-VIF flew up from Melbourne (Essendon) to Hamilton Island Airport before then flying down to Archerfield. 

This is the first time that VH-VIF has visited with its new registration marking, changing at the end of October from VH-VTF.

Execujet Australia Bombardier BD-700-1A10 Global 6000 bizjet VH-LEP flew up to Hamilton Island Airport from Melbourne (Avalon) and the Gold Coast.  It then flew across to Proserpine (Whitsunday Coast) Airport for parking.

UPDATE!  On Tuesday 23 December, VH-LEP hopped back from Proserpine Airport to Hamilton Island Airport before then flying down to Melbourne (Avalon).

And Mitchell Water Cessna 525 Citation M2 bizjet VH-WMY completed a late visit to Proserpine (Whitsunday Coast) Airport.  It flew up from Melbourne (Moorabbin), Melbourne (Essendon), Ararat and Tamworth before later departing to the Gold Coast.

Finally, also on Friday 19 December, Queensland Police Service (Airwing) / Queensland Government (State of Queensland) Beech B300 Super King Air 350i aircraft VH-8PD visited Rockhampton Airport from Mount Isa.

While Townsville Airlines Cessna 208B Grand Caravan VH-NXU completed the East Air flight EA1/2 run to Hamilton Island Airport from and back to Cairns.

And former QantasLink Dash-8-Q300 VH-TQE landed at Alice Springs from Tamworth.  It is reported to be the final Dash-8-Q300 to fly into Alice Springs from Tamworth for (temporary) storage.  As we have posted, some of them have ferried via Charleville Airport (and also Birdsville).

Photos taken by Jamie C and Robert Myers  ©

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.

A Pair of Queensland Police Service (POLAIR) / Jet Aviation (NSW) Bell Textron 429 Global Ranger Helicopters VH-4QP and VH-5QP Ferry North via CQ Airports - Plus More!

On Thursday 11 December, a Pair of Queensland Police Service (POLAIR) / Jet Aviation (NSW) Bell Textron 429 Global Ranger helicopters VH-4QP and VH-5QP were noted ferrying North to Townsville via a couple of Central Queensland Airports.

File photo

Bell 429 VH-4QP was flying as "Polair 4" and arrived into Rockhampton Airport from Redcliffe and then departed to Townsville.

Later Bell 429 VH-5QP also flew up from Redcliffe but via Gladstone Airport and Mackay Airport to Townsville.

Of interest, the Queensland Police Service (QPS) has recently taken delivery of three Bell 429 Global Ranger helicopters and will now be operating six Bell helicopters, making it Australia's largest Bell law enforcement fleet.

In 2022, contract provider Surf Life Saving Queensland (SLSQ) signed for three Bell 429s, operating the QPS POLAIR fleet responsible for patrolling and supporting on-ground policing efforts in southeast Queensland.  They are registered VH-XP7, VH-XP8 and VH-XP9.

The new batch of Bell 429s is part of a POLAIR service provision contract between QPS and Townsville-based Meridian Helicopters to provide a similar airborne law enforcement capability in north Queensland for the next 10 years.

Meanwhile, also on Thursday 11 December, the Queensland Police Service (Airwing) / Queensland Government (State of Queensland) Beech B300 King Air 350i VH-8TT, which had flown from Brisbane to complete a few hours of survey over the Rocky area, eventually landed at Rockhampton Airport.

UPDATE!  Across the next few days, VH-8TT completed several hours of aerial survey flights, each time taking off and then landing back at Rockhampton Airport.

Finally, also on Thursday 11 December, Mitchell Water Cessna 525 Citation M2 bizjet VH-WMY  flew up from the Gold Coast to The Whitsunday Airport at Shute Harbour. It then flew down to Roma Airport and Melbourne (Essendon) and Melbourne (Moorabbin).

And Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) Alenia C-27J Spartan transport aircraft A34-009 as "Wallaby 24" completed airwork at Bundaberg Airport while on a flight out of and back to RAAF Base Amberley.

Photo taken by Wayne Bass  ©

Re-Registered SHM Aviation Textron Aviation (Cessna) 525B CitationJet CJ3 Bizjet VH-TCS Calls into Bundaberg Airport - Plus More!

On Wednesday 10 December, re-registered SHM Aviation (Gold Coast) Textron Aviation (Cessna) 525B CitationJet CJ3 Bizjet VH-TCS was noted visiting Bundaberg Airport from Archerfield.

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VH-TCS was re-registered to SHM Aviation of Robina on the Gold Coast in late October after previously being operated out of Canberra.

UPDATE!  VH-TCS returned to Bundy on Friday 12 December again visiting from Archerfield.

Meanwhile, also on Wednesday 10 December, Townsville Airlines (Flightech Air Logistics) Cessna 402C Utiliner/Businessliner VH-UCM visited Hamilton Island Airport from Cairns on the scheduled EA1/2 flight service for East Air.

UPDATE!  VH-UCM operated the same flight into Hamo also on Friday 12 December.

While former QantasLink Dash-8-Q300 VH-SBT ferried up to Alice Springs from Tamworth via Charleville Airport.

And CHC Helicopters Australia / Lloyd Helicopters Agusta AW139 helicopter VH-RQY as "Choppa 41" flew down from Townsville to Mackay and Gladstone Airports before continuing to RAAF Base Amberley.

Finally, on a quiet Tuesday 9 December, Air Gold Coast Cessna 525A CitationJet CJ2 bizjet VH-ZDM landed at Biloela / Thangool Airport from the Gold Coast and Newcastle (Williamtown) before it then departed back to the Gold Coast.