Air New Zealand Airbus A320-271N (A320neo) ZK-NHB Surprise Diversion into Rockhampton Airport - Plus More!

On Sunday 23 November, a nice surprise visitor touched down at Rockhampton Airport on a diversion from Brisbane which was experiencing rain storms with Air New Zealand Airbus A320-271N (A320neo) ZK-NHB touching down as ANZ271 from Wellington in New Zealand.

After taking on fuel, ZK-NHB departed Rockhampton Airport for Brisbane again as ANZ271.

Meanwhile, also on Sunday 23 November, Special Mining Services / Flight Options (Australia) Embraer EMB-505 Phenom 300 bizjet VH-87X  visited Hamilton Island Airport from Sydney.

Southern Air Beech 1900 VH-VSO flew down from Cairns to Charters Towers Aerodrome and then to Archerfield.

Emerald-based Cessna 177B VH-UGS was noted flying West of Mackay.

Re-registered Aero Facilities (SA) / Alamah (NSW) EADS SOCATA TBM700 VH-PGA as "Birddog 376" departed Bundaberg Airport for the Gold Coast.

NSW based Amateur Built Lancair IV-P VH-XL7 flew up to Hamilton Island from Port Lincoln.

UPDATE!  On Monday 24 November, VH-XL7 departed Hamo for Murwillumbah.

R-Mach Aviation Extra EA 300L VH-LXT and Cessna 185A Skywagon VH-YME both returned to Rockhampton Airport from The Old Station.  They flew down there the other day.

Brisbane based Cessna A185F Skywagon VH-OZA was also noted at The Old Station.

And sadly, also at The Old Station Farm, Private Van's RV-8 VH-YGY experienced an engine failure shortly after take-off and made an emergency landing in a field and hit a fallen tree and caught fire.

The pilot suffered life-threatening burning injuries and the aircraft was destroyed by the post impact fire.

Finally, on Saturday 22 November, Homada Pty Ltd Cessna 560XL Citation XLS bizjet VH-XCU flew up from Melbourne (Moorabbin) and Sydney to Hamilton Island Airport before later returning to Moorabbin.

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

Photos taken by Scott Harris and Michael Mallick  ©

New Zealand-registered Cessna T210N Turbo Centurion ZK-ETP Calls into Longreach Airport - Plus More!

On Friday 12 September, New Zealand-registered Cessna T210N Turbo Centurion ZK-ETP landed at Longreach Airport from the southwest. 

https://nzcivair.blogspot.com/

UPDATE!  On Saturday 13 September, ZK-ETP departed Longreach Airport for Roma Airport and the Gold Coast. 

Of interest, ZK-ETP participated in the 2025 Red Planet Outback Air Race with the 40 participants raising funds for the Royal Flying Doctor Service of Australia (RFDS).  ZK-ETP carries its Race #16 and was entered as the "Kiwi Flyer" team coming 12th in the overall results.

The race commenced on Sunday 24 August at Yulara in the Northern Territory and finished some 3800km later on Sunday 7 September at Carnarvon in Western Australia. 

There was another participant in the race from New Zealand in the form of NZ Aero's PAC 750XL ZK-EPO.

Meanwhile, also on Friday 12 September, Angel Flight Australia Cessna 414A Chancellor VH-AF4 visited Biloela / Thangool Airport from Archerfield.

Of interest, VH-AF4 was registered in July 2025 and is ex VH-FKH which was a common visitor to the region.

And Stroud Aviation and Transportation (Boonah) / Navair Flight Operations Cessna 510 Citation Mustang bizjet VH-SHI landed at Longreach Airport from Archerfield and then departed to Tenant Creek. 

Finally, during the afternoon, also on Friday 12 September, several light aircraft including at least six Comanches landed at Emerald Airport via an approach at Rolleston.  These look like they included:

- Deniliquin (NSW) based Piper PA-30 VH-8MN

- Victoria-based Amateur built Glasair III SH-3R VH-TOD

- Gigoomgan (Qld) Piper PA-24-260 VH-NEC

- Sydney based Piper PA-24-260 VH-YER

- Victoria based Piper PA-24-260 VH-MCO

- Armidale (NSW) based Piper PA-39 VH-TDL

- Kinkuna (Qld) Piper PA-24 VH-FFE

- Rockhampton based Piper PA-24-250 VH-CDA

- New South Wales based Cessna LC41-550FG VH-CSV

- Victoria based Amateur built Van's RV-12 VH-MAW

Nice!

Nice Capital Jet Charter (A.C.T.) Pilatus PC-24 Bizjet VH-88M Pops into Hamilton Island Airport - Plus More!

On Monday 7 October, nice Capital Jet Charter (A.C.T.) Pilatus PC-24 bizjet VH-88M flew up from Canberra to Hamilton Island Airport before then flying down to Sydney and back to Canberra.

File photo

Meanwhile, also on Monday 7 October, National Jet Express Dash-8-Q400 Next Gen VH-IYK is back in the region flying out to Roma Airport from Brisbane and the Sunshine Coast as JTE442/4.  It then flew up from Brisbane to Cairns and then down to Moranbah Airport and back to Cairns and Brisbane as JTE508/258/259/509.  Welcome back!

VH-IYK had arrived into Brisbane from Perth and Adelaide over the weekend, while fellow NJE Dash-8-Q400 Next Gen VH-8QB returned to Perth from Brisbane and Adelaide over the weekend.

Southern Air Beech 1900 VH-VSO flew up from Melbourne (Moorabbin) to Toowoomba-Wellcamp and then Moranbah Airport before then flying back to Wellcamp and then onwards to Archerfield.

Atlass-Aerometrex Vulcanair (Partenavia) P.68C VH-KBO has been spotted and noted completing aerial survey flights out of Rockhampton Airport around Central Queensland.

New South Wales based Amateur-built Van's RV7 VH-ZEE flew up from Heck Field to the Old Station Farm and then the Whitsunday Airport at Shute Harbour. 

Tasmania-based Amateur-built Lancair Legacy VH-LNZ flew down from the Whitsunday Airport at Shute Harbour to Walgett, Merinbula and Devonport. 

And New South Wales based Amateur-built Lancair Legacy VH-ZYA flew down from Shute Harbour to Narrabri and Wedderburn.

Finally, also on Monday 7 October, a bushfire just West of Maryborough saw both Aerotech Aircraft Holdings (Aerotech Helicopters) Pickering Aviation (Sikorsky) UH-60A Black Hawk helicopters VH-UHR "Helitack 515" and VH-8UH "Helitack 516" along with Avalon Aviation (Executive Helicopters) Eurocopter EC130B4 VH-EHY as "Firebird 404" flew out of and back to Bundaberg Airport.

It appears that VH-8UH had arrived into Bundy over the weekend after ferrying all the way up from South Australia via all stops.

Photo taken by Mike Didsbury  ©

Victorian-based Embraer EMB-505 Phenom 300 Bizjet N227SL Pops into Mackay Airport - Plus More!

On Friday 30 August, Victorian-based but American-registered Embraer EMB-505 Phenom 300 N227SL flew down from Townsville to Mackay Airport and then later down to Archerfield. 

File photo

While the sleek SG Aviation Australia / Business Aviation Solutions Gulfstream G-VI (G650ER) bizjet VH-SGA looked to fly up to Hamilton Island Airport from Melbourne (Essendon).  It then flew down to Hervey Bay (Fraser Coast) Airport and then back to Essendon.

And MT Air Charters / Pilatus Australia Pilatus PC-24 Super Versatile Jet VH-PIL visited Hamilton Island Airport once again this time arriving from Adelaide.  

UPDATE!  On Saturday 31 August, VH-PIL departed Hamo and flew down to Archerfield, Newcastle (Williamtown) and then back to Adelaide.

Meanwhile, also on Friday 30 August, Comet-registered Cessna 208B Grand Caravan VH-RTC departed its 'Red Rock' base to Archerfield.  It had flown across to there from Hedlow Airfield the previous day.

Brescon (Toowoomba) Beech B200 King Air VH-WXB arrived into Rockhampton Airport from Toowoomba-Wellcamp and then departed to Thargomindah and then back to Wellcamp. 

McDermott Aviation Group / Machjet International Beech B200 King Air VH-ZPY as 'MC121' arrived into Rockhampton Airport from Cairns and Townsville and then departed to Mackay Airport before returning back up to Townsville and Cairns.

And Aerotech Aircraft Holdings (Aerotech Helicopters) Pickering Aviation (Sikorsky) UH-60A Black Hawk helicopters VH-UHR as "Helitack 515" was noted flying out of Bundaberg Airport for the first time this fire season.  It looked to have arrived the previous day from the South-West flying in via Toowoomba.

And finally, also on Friday 30 August, several light General Aviation (GA) aircraft were noted flying up to the Whitsunday Airport at Shute Harbour for their annual fly-in and Runway Dinner event being held over the weekend.  These included:

Arrow VH-RMW, Cessna 210 VH-TQC, Cirrus SR20 VH-DRK, Sling VH-XHL, Cirrus SR22 VH-XAP, Searay VH-XWW, Commanche VH-TSJ, Van's RV6 VH-DWC, Van's RV10 VH-APU, Van's RV7 VH-NRT, Cessna 182 VH-SFH, Seneca VH-SEN, Cessna 177 VH-EJB, Cirrus SR22 VH-PAS, Van's RV7 VH-BZL, Yak 18T VH-BVT, Cirrus SR20 VH-MUE and King Air VH-85H from Toowoomba and Chinchilla.  

UPDATE!  On Saturday 31 August, another nice arrival into the Whitsunday Airport at Shute Harbour was Graham Aviation Cessna T206H Float Plane VH-FNB which flew down from Cairns.

Looks it will be a good weekend!

Photo taken by John Lee  ©

Machjet International Cessna 525A CitationJet CJ2 bizjet VH-SUY & Beech B200 King Air VH-ZSY at CQ Airports - Plus More!

On Friday 9 August, Machjet International Beech B200 King Air VH-ZSY as "Machflight 73" arrived into Rockhampton Airport from Cairns and then departed back to there. This afternoon it repeated the flight.  Of interest, VH-ZSY has recently been re-painted into an all-white livery - no more 'bumble bee'!

While After arriving the previous day, McDermott Aviation Group / Machjet International Cessna 525A CitationJet CJ2 bizjet VH-SUY as "Machflight 41" flew up from Bundaberg Airport to Cairns.  It later flew down from Cairns to Mackay Airport and then Brisbane and the Sunshine Coast.

And LifeFlight (Aeromed) Canadair CL-600-2B16 Challenger 604 bizjet VH-OFC "Ambulance 643" flew from Bundaberg Airport to Brisbane.

Meanwhile, also on Friday 9 August, Regional Express Airlines (REX) SAAB 340B VH-ZLF flew up from Sydney and Ballina / Byron Bay Gateway Airport to Proserpine (Whitsunday Coast) Airport as PFY9362.  It then flew down to Brisbane as PFY9863.

Townsville based (West Wing Aviation / Helicopters Townsville) Beech 58 Baron VH-ABP visited Mackay Airport from Townsville.

Seair Pacific / Istlecote Textron Aviation (Cessna) 208B Caravan VH-TLH landed at Longreach Airport from Winton. 

The Queensland Government (State of Queensland) Beech B300 Super King Air 350i aircraft VH-8PF arrived into Rockhampton Airport from Townsville and then departed to Brisbane. 

Fellow Queensland Government B300 Super King Air VH-8PD also arrived into Rockhampton Airport but from Brisbane before it then departed to Cairns.  Both new aircraft were on the deck at Rocky at the same time. 

Finally, also on Friday 9 August, several small light aircraft were noted flying around the region - some to the Whitsunday Airport at Shute Harbour and many more to and passing through Longreach Airport - all from various locations.  

NSW based PA-28-161 Warrior II VH-CGO landed at Emerald Airport from Roma Airport then departed to Shute Harbour. 

Victoria based PA-28R-201 Arrow III VH-NEB and Tasmania based PA-28R-200 Arrow II VH-IGL which had landed at Longreach Airport on Wednesday, departed there to Shute Harbour. 

Tasmania based SOCATA TB-10 Tobago VH-XYD flew up to Shute Harbour from Bundaberg Airport. 

Tasmania based Jabiru J430s VH-LWM and VH-TJX landed at Longreach Airport from Winton. 

And a flight of eight New South Wales based light aircraft landed at Longreach Airport from Mitchel.  Later, they departed to Cloncurry.  These were: Mooney M20s VH-MKP and VH-MZG, Glasair Super 11FT VH-MHM, Amateur-built Sportsman 2+2 VH-XPF, Van's RV10 VH-KLN, Cessna 177 VH-CRD, Piper PA-28R-201 Arrow IV VH-PAR and Robinson R66 helicopter VH-8C4. 

Photos taken by Lloyd Fox  ©️

South Australian-based Cessna 525A Citation CJ2 Bizjet VH-IYG Pops into Longreach Airport - Plus More!

On Monday 22 July, South Australian-based Cessna 525A Citation CJ2 bizjet VH-IYG popped into Longreach Airport.  It appears to have arrived from Adelaide and then departed to Winton. 

File photo

UPDATE!  On Wednesday 24 July, VH-IYG was noted departing Longreach Airport again this time to Quilpie before it then flew back to Adelaide. 

And LifeFlight (Aeromed) Canadair CL-600-2B16 Challenger 604 bizjet VH-OFA "Ambulance 614" flew from Brisbane to Mackay Airport.

Meanwhile, also on Monday 22 July, Seair Pacific / Istlecote Textron Aviation (Cessna) 208B Caravan VH-TLH arrived into Rockhampton Airport from Hervey Bay (Fraser Coast) and Maryborough Airports before then continuing to Middlemount Aerodrome.  It then flew to Middlemount Aerodrome and back to Rockhampton Airport before it then departed to Lady Elliott Island. 

Hughes Aviation (Hughes Pastoral Group) (Gympie) Pilatus PC-12//47E NGX VH-8HP flew down from Tierawoomba to Archerfield and back. 

NSW based Vans RV-10 VH-XRK flew down from Hamilton Island Airport to Bankstown.  It appears to have flown up to Hamo from there last Friday 19 July.

While Link Airways (Corporate Air / Vee H Aviation) Cessna 441 Conquest VH-VEJ flew up from Brisbane to Clermont Aerodrome and this afternoon flew on to Collinsville Aerodrome.

UPDATE!  Over the next couple of days, VH-VEJ departed Collinsville Aerodrome and visited Emerald Airport, as well as the Newlands Coal and Oaky Creek Coal Mine Sites before returning to Brisbane on Thursday 25 July. 

And Queensland Government (QGAir) Rescue Agusta AW139 helicopter VH-EZJ flew down from Townsville to Emerald Airport and Archerfield. 

Finally, also on Monday 22 July, three McDermott Aviation Group / Machjet International Beech B200 King Airs VH-NSN as "Machflight 242", VH-ZSY as "Machflight 121" and VH-PUY as "Machflight 55" all looked to fly into Charters Towers Aerodrome from Horn Island before then departing to Cairns.

Photo taken by Brodie Lawson  ©

Falconair (NSW) Dassault 900 Falcon Mystere Bizjet VH-CAD Spotted at Mackay Airport - Plus More!

On Thursday 5 October, the visiting Falconair (NSW) Dassault 900 Falcon Mystere bizjet VH-CAD departed Mackay Airport and returned to Proserpine (Whitsunday Coast) Airport.   It then returned to Newcastle and Bankstown.

It had arrived from these places at the start of the week.

Meanwhile, also on Thursday 5 October, Air Link (Dubbo) Beech B200 King Air VH-ISS and re-registered AERgO Asset Management Beech B200 King Air VH-XGV as "Navair 173" visited Emerald Airport from Archerfield. 

Brisbane-based Crockett Aviation Group Beech B200 King Air VH-FAQ as "Navair 170" visited the Labona Station Airstrip within Adani Australia's (Bravus Mining & Resources) Carmichael Coal Mine site from Archerfield.  It later returned there via the Sunshine Coast.

While Flight One (Services) Beech B200 King Air VH-FON also visited Labona but from Archerfield via the Sunshine Coast.  It returned to Archerfield direct.

Machjet International Beech B200 King Air VH-ZSY as "Machflight 242", which had landed at Labona from Cairns on Monday, arrived into Rockhampton Airport from Labona and then departed back to there.

Victoria based Amateur Built Van's RV12 VH-TAO departed Longreach Airport to Charleville Airport and Walgett. 

Regional Express (REX) SAAB 340B VH-ZLW operated another charter flight into Rockhampton Airport from and back to Brisbane as RXA9392/3. 

Re-registered Snowhawk Aviation (ACT) Piper PA-34-200T Seneca VH-SUM arrived into Rockhampton Airport from Longreach Airport. 

UPDATE!  On Saturday 7 October, VH-SUM departed Rockhampton Airport for the Sunshine Coast.

And after arriving into Rockhampton Airport earlier in the week, McDermott Aviation / Heli-Lift Australia helicopters Bell 214B-1 Biglifter helicopter VH-SUH "Helitack 417" went out and back to the North before later departing to the Sunshine Coast. 

Finally, also on Thursday 5 October, Australian Army Aviation operated (Tillair Services / Omni Aviation Services) Cessna 208B Caravan VH-POV as "Waler 22" landed at Longreach Airport from Archerfield and then departed to Mount Isa. 

And a privately registered Pilatus PC-12/47E VH-YKG was heard to fly as "Firetail 16" and land at Boulia from Alice Springs and Birdsville.  It then departed to Mount Isa. 

This aircraft was recently up at Darwin.  

As mentioned previously, the "Firetail" callsign is of the Australian Army Aviation Corps. 

Photo taken by Jake Weir  ©

Local Embraer EMB-550 Legacy 500 Bizjet N142GZ Back in The Air out of Mackay Airport - Plus More!

On Sunday 24 September, the locally-based Embraer EMB-550 Legacy 500 bizjet N142GZ was noted departing its Mackay Airport Base for the Gold Coast.

File photo

UPDATE!  On Monday 25 September, N142GZ returned to Mackay Airport from the Goldie.

And Shortstop Jet Charter Dassault Falcon 900C bizjet VH-OAA was spotted soon after it arrived into Proserpine (Whitsunday Coast) Airport from Cairns.  

It later departed to Sydney.

Meanwhile, also on Sunday 24 September, Van's RV14 VH-TRV arrived into Mackay Airport from Southport.

MH George Properties Cessna 340A VH-SPS departed the Whitsunday Airport at Shute Harbour for Archerfield.  It looked to have flown in on Wednesday 20 September.

And at Bundaberg Airport, Mike Tango Operations (Toowoomba) Textron Aviation (Beech) B200GT Super King Air 260 VH-8MT visited from Toowoomba.

Bendigo (Victoria) based Piper PA-34-220T Seneca V VH-LMI departed to the Gold Coast.  It seems to have arrived on Saturday 23 September.

Plus New South Wales-based Beech 58 Baron VH-JML visited from its Lismore base.

Photo taken by 'JM'  ©

Brisbane-based Crockett Aviation Group Beech B200 King Air VH-FAQ "Navair 173" Calls into a Couple of CQ Airports - Plus More!

On Wednesday 6 September, Brisbane-based Crockett Aviation Group Beech B200 King Air VH-FAQ as "Navair 173" flew into the Labona Station Airstrip within Adani Australia's (Bravus Mining & Resources) Carmichael Coal Mine site from Townsville before it then flew down to Rockhampton Airport and then Archerfield. It had flown North from Archerfield the previous day.

File photo

Austrek Aviation Beech B200 Super King Air VH-ZGD visited Moura Aerodrome from Toowoomba.

And Helicorp (of Essendon in Victoria) Bell 412EP VH-LWF landed at Charleville Airport after flying up from the Oakey Army Aviation Centre.  It then continued to Winton and points to the North-West.

UPDATE!  On Thursday 7 September, VH-LWF was noted arriving into RAAF Base Tindal at Katherine and then Darwin in the Northern Territory.

Meanwhile, also on Wednesday 6 September, MacKellar Mining Equipment Pty Ltd (Revesco Aviation) Cessna 680 Citation Sovereign bizjet VH-MMC visited Labona from the Sunshine Coast.

Bowenville (near Toowoomba) based Cessna 525 CitationJet CJ1+ bizjet VH-JSZ made a late arrival into Rockhampton Airport from Dalby.  It then looked to fly down to Sydney and then to Archerfield.

Finally, also on Wednesday 6 September, through the morning and early afternoon a lot of Western Australia based lighties landed at Longreach Airport from Birdsville. These included Bonanza VH-LRP, Baron VH-OVP, Trinidad VH-LQC, Jabiru 19-4046, Vans RV14s VH-FNE and VH-IFC, Vans RV7s VH-VTL, VH-OCH, VH-UWF and VH-MRV, Cessna 172 VH-ZDR, Saratoga VH-LPW, Vans RV8 VH-TZK and Vans RV6 VH-DUO. 

Also noted arriving into Longreach Airport were New South Wales based Beech Duchess VH-BFP, Cessna 182 VH-SHN and Cessna 172 VH-WYZ which all arrived from Roma Airport, plus Saratoga VH-LTC which arrived from the Gold Coast. 

UPDATE!  On Thursday 7 September, the NSW aircraft at Longreach Airport departed there to Townsville.

UPDATE!  On Friday 8 September, the WA aircraft at Longreach Airport departed there to Boulia. Another one in that group was Cessna 182 VH-UCV for a total of 15.

Photo taken by Steve Vit  ©

Jet City (Melbourne) Cessna 750 Citation X Bizjet VH-XCJ Pops into Longreach Airport - Plus More!

On Monday 22 May, Jet City (Melbourne) Cessna 750 Citation X bizjet VH-XCJ was noted arriving into Longreach Airport from its Melbourne (Essendon) base via Newcastle (Williamtown).

File photo

At the time of writing, it appears to be staying for at least the night.

UPDATE!  On Tuesday 23 May, VH-XCJ departed Longreach Airport for Alice Springs.

Meanwhile, also on Monday 22 May, Brisbane-based Crockett Aviation Group Beech B200 King Air VH-FAQ visited the Labona Station Airstrip within Adani Australia's (Bravus Mining & Resources) Carmichael Coal Mine site from Archerfield and the Sunshine Coast.

Link Airways (Corporate Air / Vee H Aviation) Cessna 441 Conquest VH-VEJ visited the Oaky Creek Coal Mine site from Brisbane.

UPDATE!  It made two more similar visits on Wednesday 24 May and Friday 26 May.

Victoria-based Amateur-built Van's RV-12 VH-MAW flew across from Bundaberg Airport to Emerald Airport and then Longreach Airport.  It looked to fly up from its Bendigo base late last week and spent the weekend at the Rum City - including a run to Monduran Airfield on Sunday 21 May.

The Queensland Government Airwing (State of Queensland) Raytheon B300 Super King Air VH-SGQ flew up from Brisbane to Hervey Bay (Fraser Coast) Airport and then Longreach Airport before finishing the day at Mount Isa.

And MKR Choppers Bell Helicopter Textron 407 VH-LEC was seen flying around Emerald Airport.

Photo taken by Alan Macdonald  ©

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

On Wednesday 17 May, Gulf Coast Aviation Cessna 510 Citation Mustang bizjet VH-KXM was noted visiting Longreach Airport.

File photo

It looked to arrive from Armidale and Walgett and later depart to Vanrook Station and then Cairns.

Meanwhile, also on Wednesday 17 May, Australian Maritime Safety Authority (AMSA) (Cobham SAR Services Pty Ltd) Bombardier CL-600-2B16 Challenger 604 bizjet VH-XNC as "Rescue 440" flew down from Cairns to complete and coordinate Search and Rescue operations North-East of Gladstone.

It acted as overseer for LifeFlight Bell 412s VH-XCI "Rescue 522" which flew up from Bundaberg Airport to Gladstone Airport before then heading out to the search area.  It later returned to Gladstone Airport and then back to Bundy.

VH-XNC "Rescue 440" returned to Cairns.

Finally, also on Wednesday 17 May, Beech A36 Bonanza VH-ILG flew up to Mackay from the Sunshine Coast.  VH-ILG usually frequents Mackay and also Emerald Airports but of late, it has been on some adventurous flights to Western Australia and most recently, South Australia.

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

While Van's RV14 VH-TRV flew down from Mareeba to Blackall Airport before then departing to Cobar and Benalla.  VH-TRV is registered in Malaysia but shows with a Victorian operator.  Indeed it has been noted visiting several places since arriving into Australia from Malaysia earlier in the month.

And Link Airways (Corporate Air / Vee H Aviation) Cessna 441 Conquest VH-VEH as "Survey 23" flew down from Mackay Airport to complete airwork near Emerald before then landing at Emerald Airport.  It then departed for more airwork before then returning back to Mackay Airport.

Photo taken by Nathan Pawley  ©

Navair Flight Operations Embraer EMB-500 Phenom 100EV Bizjet VH-MQX Calls into Hamilton Island Airport - Plus More!

On Friday 31 March, Multiquip Poultry / Navair Flight Operations Embraer EMB-500 Phenom 100EV bizjet VH-MQX as "Navair 131" was noted arriving into Hamilton Island Airport from Bankstown.

File photo

UPDATE!  On Sunday 2 April, VH-MQX "Navair 131" departed Hamilton Island Airport and returned to Bankstown.

And Bowenville (near Toowoomba) based Cessna 525 CitationJet CJ1+ bizjet VH-JSZ flew up from Archerfield to also land at Hamilton Island Airport.  It later departed to Rockhampton Airport.

UPDATE!  On Saturday 1 April, VH-JSZ departed Rockhampton Airport for Archerfield.

Meanwhile, also on Friday 31 March, Brescon (Toowoomba) Beech B200 King Air VH-DYN arrived into Rockhampton Airport from Toowoomba-Wellcamp before departing to Thargomindah and then back to Welllcamp. 

Brisbane-based Beech A36 Bonanza VH-OUD was noted visiting Gladstone Airport.

Daniel Livestock P/L (Dalby) Piper PA-34-200T Seneca VH-MRW flew up from Archerfield to Mackay Airport and Normanton. 

RDO Equipment Co. Cessna 182 VH-JQC departed Emerald Airport for Saint George.  It then looked to return to Emerald Airport.  VH-JQC had flown up from Toowoomba the previous day.

Gympie-based Amateur-built Van's RV-7 VH-VNM visited Clermont Aerodrome.  While locally-based Cessna R182RG VH-BAE was also noted flying out of and back to Clermont Aerodrome this week.

And also locally-based (but Mackay-registered) Mooney M20J VH-NWF departed Clermont Aerodrome for Mackay Airport and then Winton.

UPDATE!  On Tuesday 4 April, VH-NWF returned to Clermont Aerodrome from Mackay Airport after returning there from Winton on Saturday 1 April.

Finally, also on Friday 31 March, Sharp Airlines Metro 23 VH-UZN finally departed Rockhampton Airport for Mackay Airport as 'Sharp 102F'.  It had arrived into Rockhampton Airport early on Thursday 30 March from Brisbane as 'Sharp 162' but then broke down.

And Babcock Mission Critical Services Australasia Agusta AB412 (Bell 412) VH-LSV, which had flown down from Horn Island to Cairns yesterday, arrived into Rockhampton Airport from Cairns, Townsville and Mackay Airports.

UPDATE!  Over subsequent days, VH-LSV flew down to Adelaide where it has taken up operations with local emergency services.

Photos taken by Tony Haynes and John Lee  ©

Mitchell Water Cessna 525 Citation M2 Bizjet VH-WMY Calls into a Couple of Central Queensland Airports - Plus More!

On Sunday 13 November, Mitchell Water Cessna 525 Citation M2 bizjet VH-WMY was noted visiting a couple of Central Queensland Airports during a busy day of flying.  It flew up from Melbourne (Moorabbin), Melbourne (Essendon) and Ballarat to Roma Airport before it then continued to the Whitsunday Airport at Shute Harbour.  

File photo

While Gulf Coast Aviation Cessna 510 Citation Mustang bizjet VH-KXM arrived into Rockhampton Airport from Cairns before later departing to Vanrook Station. Later, VH-KXM then flew from there to Hughenden and Armidale.

Graham Aviation (Cairns) Cessna 510 Citation Mustang bizjet VH-FMZ looked to visit Hamilton Island Airport from Cairns.

And Australian-based - operated by Pratt Aviation (Pratt Industries) - TVPX Aircraft Solutions Inc (America) Bombardier BD-700-1A10 Global 6000 bizjet N880X departed Hamilton Island Airport for Melbourne (Essendon).  It had arrived into Hamo from Essendon on Friday 11 November.

Meanwhile, also on Sunday 13 November, Handel Aviation (New South Wales) Cessna 210 VH-ZIK departed Gladstone Airport and completed an aerial survey flight through part of the region which then saw it later land at Mackay Airport.

VH-ZIK had arrived into Gladstone Airport on Saturday 12 November at the completion of an aerial survey flight out of the Gold Coast.

UPDATE!  On Monday 14 November, VH-ZIK departed Mackay Airport and flew back South, completing aerial survey work once again, before eventually returning to the Gold Coast.

Sydney-based JJ Air Textron (Cessna) 208 Amphibious Caravan VH-JLK looked to fly down from Cairns to Mackay Airport and the Coffs Harbour before flying onwards to Bankstown.  VH-JLK had flown North a week earlier.

 
Locally-based Amateur-built Van's RV-10 VH-OBZ looked to complete a local flight out of the Whitsunday Airport at Shute Harbour.

And on Saturday 12 November, Liddle's Air Service Partenavia P.68C VH-PNW was noted arriving into the Whitsunday Airport at Shute Harbour from Townsville.  It has since completed some aerial survey flights out of and back to Shute Harbour over the weekend.  

At the time of writing, it is due to depart the Whitsunday Airport at Shute Harbour for Mackay Airport early on Monday 14 November with it also planned to later complete an aerial survey flight.

Photo taken by James Kirk  ©

The Lottery Office Outback Air Race 2022 Kicks off and Calls into The Whitsunday Airport at Shute Harbour

The 11th Lottery Office Outback Air Race 2022 kicked off from Darwin Airport in the Northern Territory on Monday 29 August with some 31 light General Aviation (GA) aircraft taking to the air to not only compete but also raise money for the Royal Flying Doctor Service of Australia (RFDS).

While not technically a 'race', the aircraft and aviators compete in a GPS-based navigation time trial which will take them through Far North Queensland, Central Queensland and ultimately finishing at Coffs Harbour.

During each leg, pilots nominate an elapsed time between two visual waypoints, receiving points for both time and location accuracy.

On Saturday 3 September, it looked like 28 aircraft departed Karumba in Far North Queensland in fixed-time intervals, venturing via an inland route - including some via a fuel stop at Hughenden - to the Whitsunday Airport at Shute Harbour where most were photographed arriving or parked up on Sunday 4 September as the competitors enjoyed a ‘rest day’.

The Race will continue on Monday 5 September with competitors flying from Shute Harbour to Gladstone Airport for another two-night stay before then heading to Roma Airport on Wednesday 7 September.  The Race will then continue to Goondiwindi and ultimately Coffs Harbour where the Race will conclude.

The Outback Air Race has raised funds for the Royal Flying Doctor Service of Australia. Since 1996. Competitors and spectators have raised over $3.1 million. Funds from each race go towards outfitting RFDS aircraft with essential medical equipment, vital for treating sick and injured patients across Australia.

You can check out some great photos and other highlights of the entire race on the SOAR website: https://outbackairrace.com.au/

We wish all the participants the very best of luck in their flights and urge you to support this great cause!

Sincere thanks to Lee Holloway at the Whitsunday Airport at Shute Harbour for sending through these great photos!

All photos taken by Lee Holloway  ©