Jetstar Airways New Airbus A320neo (A320-251N) VH-A5E First Visit to Central Queensland at Hervey Bay (Fraser Coast) Airport

On Monday 28 July, Jetstar Airways brand new Airbus A320neo (A320-251N) VH-A5E was noted making its first visit into Central Queensland at Proserpine (Whitsunday Coast) Airport. It operated as JST832/1 from and back to Melbourne (Tullamarine).

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VH-A5E was delivered into Melbourne (Tullamarine) from Toulouse in the first week of July and entered service on Friday 11 July.

Meanwhile, the collapse of Jetstar Asia has reportedly seen five of their Airbus A320 ‘classic’ aircraft about to join (or for three of them re-join) the Jetstar Australia fleet. They are all currently planned to be placed into storage at Alice Springs where they will be placed on the Australian Aircraft Register. The aircraft include: 9V-JSM (ex VH-XNN) which is to become VH-X3D, 9V-JSN (ex VH-XNI) which is to become VH-X3E, 9V-JSP (ex VH-XNP) which is to become VH-X3L, 9V-JSO which is to become VH-X3F, and 9V-JSX (ex 9V-TAZ with Tigerair and Scoot) which will become VH-X3P.

Photo taken by Tony Haynes  ©

Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) Boeing B737-7ES / E-7A Wedgetail A30-004 "Wedgetail 12" Completes Airwork at Hervey Bay (Fraser Coast) Airport - Plus More!

On Thursday 27 February, Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) Boeing B737-7ES / E-7A Wedgetail Airborne Early Warning & Control (AEW&C) aircraft A30-004 as "Wedgetail 12" was noted completing airwork, including a missed approach, at Hervey Bay (Fraser Coast) Airport.

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It looked to flew up from RAAF Base Williamtown via a missed approach at Coffs Harbour before then flying back to Williamtown.

Meanwhile, also on Thursday 27 February, the two Australian Army Eurocopter (ARH) Tiger Armed Reconnaissance Helicopters A38-007 and A38-008 that flew North a week or-so prior, returned to Rockhampton Airport from Townsville again as "Marlin 11". They then departed to the Oakey Army Aviation Centre.

And Australian Army (Helicorp) Leonardo S.P.A. Helicopters (Agusta) AW139 helicopter VH-YBF was spotted at Rockhampton Airport while ferrying South from Townsville to the Oakey Army Aviation Centre.

It was heard to be flying as "Warhorse 1".

Sincere thanks to local photographer Steve V for allowing us to share these great photos!

Photos taken by Scott Harris and Steve Vit  ©

Australian Army Boeing CH-47F Chinook Helicopter A15-312 "Madcow 362" Spotted at Mackay Airport on Rescue Mission for Army Tiger ARH Helicopter at Clairview

On Sunday 23 February, Australian Army Boeing CH-47F 'Foxtrot' Chinook helicopter A15-312 as "Madcow 362" flew down from Townsville to Clairview between Rockhampton and Mackay.  

It is believed that it flew down the coast at low level and landed at Clairview to assist with getting a stranded Australian Army Eurocopter (ARH) Tiger Armed Reconnaissance Helicopter A38-007 "Marlin 11" back in the air after a forced landed on Friday 21 February.  The Tiger was one of two that flew North on Friday from the Oakey Army Aviation Centre to Rockhampton Airport and then Townsville.

Later, A15-302 "Madcow 362" flew into Mackay Airport where it was photographed above.  It later departed back down to Clairview before later flying back to Townsville in company with the Tiger A38-007 "Marlin 11" which also headed up to Townsville.

Meanwhile, also on Sunday 23 February, Darwin-based Lloyd Aviation Jet Charter Dassault Falcon 900 bizjet VH-PPD flew into Hamilton Island Airport from Ayres Rock.  It had flown there from Melbourne (Essendon) a couple days prior

UPDATE!  On Wednesday 26 February, VH-PPD departed Hamo for Sydney.

Vee H Aviation (Link Airways) Beech B200GT Super King Air 250 VH-VEW flew up from Brisbane to the Newlands Coal Mine site and then down to Rockhampton Airport and back to Brisbane. 

UPDATE!  On Monday 24 February, VH-VEW landed at Clermont Aerodrome from Brisbane before then heading to the Newlands Coal Mine site and then down to Moree. 

Finally, on Saturday 22 February, Alliance Airlines Fokker F-100 VH-XWO completed a sports charter flight from Cairns to Rockhampton Airport and then back as UTY3381/2.

And Skytrans Airlines Cessna 208 Caravan VH-XDU as 'SKP591' passed through Rockhampton Airport while flying down from Cairns to Redcliffe.

A Pair of Australian Army Tiger ARH Helicopters Pass Through Rockhampton Airport Heading North - But One Makes Forced Landing near Clairview

On Friday 21 February, a pair of Australian Army Eurocopter (ARH) Tiger Armed Reconnaissance Helicopters were spotted passing through Rockhampton Airport. They were identified as A38-008 and A38-007 and looked to arrive from the Oakey Army Aviation Centre.

Both Tigers later departed heading to Townsville, but it seems only A38-008 made it with A38-007 seemingly making a forced landed around the Clairview area, mid-way between Rockhampton and Mackay.

Of interest, the two Tigers were heard to be using the radio callsign of "Marlin" ("Marlin 11/12") which of reportedly of the Australian Army's 162 Reconnaissance Squadron, which forms part of the Army’s 1st Aviation Regiment (1 AVN) based at Robertson Barracks in Darwin.

Sincere thanks to local photographer Steve V for allowing us to share these great photos!

All photos taken by Steve Vit  ©

Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) Dassault Falcon 7X Bizjet A56-003 "Envoy 64" Calls into CQ Airports - Plus More!

On Thursday 15 February, Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) Dassault Falcon 7X bizjet A56-003 was noted arriving at Bundaberg Airport from Canberra and Coffs Harbour as "Envoy 64".

File photo taken by Hayden Matthew Alexander  ©️

It later departed to Hamilton Island Airport and Cairns.

UPDATE!  On Friday 16 February, RAAF Falcon A56-003 as "Envoy 64" flew down from Cairns and Proserpine (Whitsunday Coast) Airport and then Gladstone Airport. A bit later it departed to Gold Coast and then back to Canberra.

Meanwhile, also on Thursday 15 February, Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) Lockheed C-130J-30 Hercules transport aircraft A97-447 as "Trojan 49" flew up from RAAF Base Richmond and RAAF Base Williamtown to complete airwork at Charters Towers Aerodrome and the land at Williamson Airfield within the Shoalwater Bay Training Area (SWBTA).

While Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) Alenia C-27J Spartan transport aircraft A34-007 as "Wallaby 12" departed Rockhampton Airport for RAAF Base Amberley.  As mentioned, it arrived into Rocky the previous day from Wagga Wagga.

And an unidentified Australian Army Eurocopter (ARH) Tiger Armed Reconnaissance Helicopter as "Ghost 11", was noted operating west of Longreach and this afternoon it landed at Roma Airport then departed to Oakey.

Republic of Singapore Air Force (RSAF) Boeing AH-64D Apache & Boeing CH-47F Chinook Helicopters Depart Rockhampton Airport for Oakey - Via Bundaberg Airport!

Some spectacular photos on Monday 16 October, as just about all the Republic of Singapore Air Force (RSAF) helicopters departed Rockhampton Airport and 'Warriors Camp' at the conclusion of the Singapore Armed Forces Exercise Wallaby 2023 (XWB23).

The four Boeing AH-64D Apache helicopters departed in a spectacular flight of four as "Aspen Flight" and called into Bundaberg Airport to refuel.  Local plane spotters were out in force in Bundy to capture photos and videos of the unusual visitors!

The four Apaches - serials 056, 063, 064, and 069 - then continued down to the Oakey Army Aviation Centre where they are believed to be completing more flying operations with Australian Army Eurocopter Tiger ARH helicopters.

While six of the eight RSAF Boeing CH-47F 'Foxtrot' Chinook helicopters also departed Rockhampton and flew down to Oakey direct.

They complete the flight in two groups with "Celtic" departing first - 1 & 2 from the Camp and 3 & 4 from Rockhampton Airport - followed by "Concorde" - 1 from the Camp and 1 from Rockhampton Airport.

There are two remaining RSAF Chinooks which are seemingly planned to depart to Oakey on Tuesday 17 October.

All the helicopters had arrived into Rockhampton Airport back at the end of August / start of September with the Apaches freighted in on the Antonov AN-124.

Exercise Wallaby is over for another year, and we look forward to seeing both the Apaches and Chinooks back at Rockhampton Airport again in 2024!

Sincere thanks to the local plane spotters for allowing us to share these great photos and videos from both Rockhampton Airport and Bundaberg Airport!

Photos and videos taken by Daniel Gorza and Kayanne Hardsman  ©

RAAF British Aerospace (BAe) Hawk 127 Jets Depart Rockhampton Airport for Longreach Airport and Further West at the end of Exercise Talisman Sabre 2023 (TS23) - Plus More!

On Saturday 5 August, the four Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) British Aerospace (BAe) Hawk 127 lead-in fighter jet aircraft that had deployed to Rockhampton Airport for joint military Exercise Talisman Sabre 2023 (TS23) made a spectacular early morning departure from Rockhampton Airport to Longreach Airport on the first leg of their journey back to Western Australia.

At Longreach Airport, flight crews were quite accommodating as curious locals turned out by the dozens for a closer look at the Hawk jets.

After taking on fuel, the four Hawks then departed Longreach Airport for Alice Springs.

As previously mentioned, the four that deployed were A27-19, A27-02, A27-20, A27-15 and are flown by the RAAF's Number 79 Squadron at RAAF Base Pearce near Perth in Western Australia.  They were heard to use the one formation callsign of "Raptor".

Meanwhile, later on Saturday 5 August, CHC Helicopters Australia / Lloyd Helicopters Agusta AW139 helicopter VH-SYV as "Choppa 42" was also spotted at Longreach Airport, soon after arriving from RAAF Base Tindal via Tennant Creek and Mount Isa, also following a deployment in support of Exercise Talisman Sabre 2023.

It is scheduled to depart Longreach Airport to Roma Airport and then RAAF Base Amberley early on Sunday 6 August.

Finally, also on Saturday 5 August, Helicorp (Toll) Leonardo S.P.A. Helicopters (Agusta) AW139 helicopter VH-XIU "Rescue 902" took to the air from Camp Growl / The Glen Airfield within the Shoalwater Bay Training Area (SWBTA) for Townsville, also following is deployment also in support of Exercise Talisman Sabre 2023.

UPDATE!  Across Thursday 10 August and Friday 11 August, VH-XIU "Rescue 902" flew from Townsville back to Darwin via Mount Isa and Tennant Creek, along with the deployed Australian Army Eurocopter Tiger attack helicopters, which also returned to the Army's Robertson Barracks in Darwin from Townsville.

Photos taken by Steve Vit, Dan Oakey and Allan Abbott  ©

And RAAF C-17 Globemaster A41-208 - Plus a Pair of Australian Army Tiger ARH Helicotpers - All Spotted at Proserpine (Whitsunday Coast) Airport - Plus More!

Also on Sunday 30 July, there were a couple of interesting visitors to Proserpine (Whitsunday Coast) Airport that were photographed during the day.

Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) Boeing C-17A Globemaster III A41-208 as "ASY 667" appears to have visited from Canberra.

Presumably this visit is in support of the ongoing search and rescue efforts following the crash of the Australian Army MRH-90 helicopter "Bushman 83" on Friday night.

UPDATE!  News reports late on Sunday 30 July show the wreckage to have been found and the crashed MRH-90 to A40-040.

While photographed also on Sunday 30 July, soon after arriving into Proserpine Airport from Townsville, were a pair of Australian Army Eurocopter (ARH) Tiger Armed Reconnaissance Helicopters.

Their serials are a mystery but they were heard to fly down as "Angry 11" and "Angry 12".

Local media during the day also showed images of an Australian Army Boeing CH-47F Foxtrot Chinook helicopter at the Whitsunday Airport at Shute Harbour.

Again, I presume this visit to be in support of the search and rescue efforts of the crashed MRH-90 helicopter.

Finally, also late on Sunday 30 July, it is believed that United States Air Force (USAF) Lockheed MC-130J Commando II Hercules aircraft 11-5731 landed at Rockhampton Airport.

All photos taken by Kieran Hogan and Nigel Nona  ©

Helicorp (Toll) Leonardo S.P.A. Helicopters (Agusta) AW139 Helicopter VH-XIU Arrives into Rockhampton Airport as "Rescue 902"

Seemingly on a deployment to Rockhampton Airport for upcoming joint military exercises, on Monday 3 July, Helicorp (Toll) Leonardo S.P.A. Helicopters (Agusta) AW139 helicopter VH-XIU was spotted arriving from Townsville as "Rescue 902".

VH-XIU "Rescue 902" looks to be currently supporting Australian Army helicopter operations as it usually operates from the Army's Robertson Barracks in Darwin which is the home of 1st Aviation Regiment which operates Eurocopter Tiger attack helicopters.

Indeed over the weekend, VH-XIU "Rescue 902" flew over from Darwin to Townsville with as many as five Australian Army Eurocopter Tiger (ARH) Armed Reconnaissance Helicopters which all ferried across via RAAF Base Tindal and Mount Isa.

The Tigers remain at Mount Isa and in Townsville but are reportedly due to fly into Rockhampton Airport prior to the start of the upcoming joint military exercises.

Sincere thanks to local plane spotter Scott H for taking the time to capture and send through these great photos!

All photos taken by Scott Harris  ©️

Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) Alenia C-27J Spartan Transport Aircraft A34-002 "Wallaby 42" and A34-010 "Wallaby 67" Both Call into Rockhampton Airport

On Monday 16 May, a pair of Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) Alenia C-27J Spartan transport aircraft were both spotted visiting Rockhampton Airport.

Spartan A34-002 as "Wallaby 42" flew up from RAAF Base Amberley to land at Rockhampton Airport.

It then departed, bound for Darwin, but was re-tasked to RAAF Base Tindal at Katherine.  It later continued to Darwin.

Later, Spartan A34-010 as "Wallaby 67" was also spotted arriving into Rockhampton Airport.  It arrived from Townsville.

It then returned to Townsville before completing a return flight to Charters Towers Aerodrome and then back to Townsville.

Over the next upcoming couple of weeks, Charters Towers Aerodrome will host elements of the Australian Army’s aircraft wing, including its advanced attack helicopters, during advanced training exercises in North Queensland.  

Defence Image...

Exercise Vigilant Scimitar 2022 is the annual 16th Aviation Brigade Foundation War Fighting activity, with aircraft and personnel operating in and around Charters Towers, Hinchinbrook and Lower Cassowary Coast from over the next two weeks.  The activity practices flying operations utilising ARH Tigers, CH-47F Chinooks and MRH90 Taipans in collective war fighting scenarios that are coordinated by elements of 1st Division. Elements of 3rd Brigade, 7th Brigade and 17th Sustainment Brigade as well as Royal Australian Air Force and other contributing force elements will be supporting the activities.

Sincere thanks to the local plane spotter Scott H for taking the time capture and send through these great photos!

All photos taken by Scott Harris  ©