North Queensland Warbirds 1969-built Beech H18 VH-MBU Spotted at Emerald Airport - Plus More!

On Sunday 29 March, North Queensland Warbirds 1969-built Beech H18 VH-MBU was spotted at Emerald Airport.  It had arrived from Port MacQuarrie.

UPDATE!  On Monday 30 March, VH-MBU departed Emerald Airport for Mareeba.

And Pilatus Australia (South Australia) Pilatus PC-24 Super Versatile Jet VH-DMS departed Hervey Bay (Fraser Coast) Airport for Toowoomba and Cessnock.  It appears to have arrived from those places on Friday 27 March.

Meanwhile, on Saturday 28 March, Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) Alenia C-27J Spartan transport aircraft A34-007 as "Aussie 495" flew up from RAAF Base Amberley to complete a missed approach at Emerald Airport before it then continued on to Townsville.

Whitsunday Helicopter Group / Heli-Aust Whitsundays (Mackay) Eurocopter EC135 P2 helicopter VH-ZGZ departed Gladstone Airport to Toowoomba, Armidale and Dyke Point/Newcastle.

And during the evening, Skytrans Dash-8-200B VH-TQX as "Skytrans 552" arrived into Rockhampton Airport from Cairns and then departed to Sydney.

Of interest, Skytrans, which took the SmartLynx brand in July last year to bring it into alignment with other airlines in the Avia Solutions Group, has recently brought back its former branding following the collapse of SmartLynx Latvia at the end of November.

Finally, also on Saturday 28 March, Jetstar Airways Airbus A320-200 VH-YXW departed Australia for good.  It departed Darwin for Senai International Airport (Johor Bahru) in Malaysia as "Southern Cross 2611". 

It is reportedly due to continue to Toulouse in France via Gaya (India) and Tashkent (Uzbekistan).

Of interest, VH-YXW made its final visit to Central Queensland on last visit on Wednesday 28 January as JST832/3 into Proserpine (Whitsunday Coast) Airport from and back to Melbourne (Tullamarine).

VH-YXW then ferried from Tulla to Singapore the next day on Thursday 29 January before returning to Melbourne at the start of March and the next day, ferrying to Alice Springs for storage.

Photo taken by 'AC'  ©

McDermott Aviation / Heli-Lift Australia Aerospatiale 365N2 Dauphin 2 Helicopter N366SR Pops into CQ Airports Again!

On Thursday 2 July, McDermott Aviation / Heli-Lift Australia Aerospatiale 365N2 Dauphin 2 helicopter N366SR was noted visiting a couple of Central Queensland Airports while heading back South from a Far North Queensland resort.

File photo

It was noted calling into Proserpine (Whitsunday Coast) Airport from Tully before it then departed to Gladstone Airport.  N366SR then continued to Gympie.

N366SR had flown North from there, again via Gladstone and Proserpine Airports, back on Thursday 25 June.  It was then noted continuing to Bedarra Island Resort near Dunk Island in Far North Queensland.

Meanwhile, also on Thursday 2 July, Heli-Aust Whitsundays Eurocopter EC135 P2+ helicopter VH-XUV was noted flying back to Mackay Airport after a period of time operating out of Melbourne (Avalon) Airport.  It flew North from Avalon over a couple of days via Albury, Parkes, Tamworth, Lismore, Sunshine Coast and Gladstone Airports.

Sincere thanks to the Sunshine Coast Plane Spotting Facebook page for allowing us to share their great photo of N366SR!

New Heli-Aust Whitsundays (of Mackay) EC135 Helicopter VH-XUY Spotted at Mackay Airport

During the course of this week, a sleek new EC135 helicopter emerged from the hangar at Mackay Airport, with it being spotted and noted flying around Mackay Airport and other North Queensland Airports.

On Thursday 2 April, Heli-Aust Whitsundays brand new Airbus Helicopters EC135 P3 VH-XUY emerged from their hangar at Mackay Airport and started completing a series of test flights including to Charters Towers and Townsville Airports on Sunday 5 April.

VH-XUY was registered to the company at the start of March after being imported into the country and assembled at the Heli-Aust Whitsundays hangar at Mackay Airport.

UPDATE!  It appears that VH-XUY has ferried over the Western Australia with it noted flying around Port Hedland on Monday 13 April.

The Aviator Group / Heli-Aust Whitsundays operates a fleet of Airbus EC135 helicopters in Central Queensland at Gladstone Airport (Gladstone Helicopters) and out of Mackay Airport and the Hay Point Coal Terminal South of Mackay (Whitsunday Helicopters).  They also operate marine pilot transfer flights out of Port Hedland in Western Australia.

Sincere thanks to local plane spotter 'JM' for taking the time to capture and send through these great photos of another sleek new chopper for Heli-Aust Whitsundays!

All photos taken by 'JM'  ©

New Heli-Aust Whitsundays (Whitsunday Helicopters) Agusta A109E VH-KZX Spotted at Mackay Airport

A new helicopter to be recently spotted at Mackay Airport is Heli-Aust Whitsundays (Whitsunday Helicopters) Agusta A109E VH-KZX.  It appears to have been registered in February but only delivered to Mackay Airport in recent weeks.

It joins fellow Whitsunday Helicopters A109E choppers VH-KZD and VH-TRW, plus Aerospatiale/Eurocopter AS350 Squirrel choppers VH-DKA and VH-HBZ at Mackay Airport operating marine pilot transfer flights to and from the Blossom Banks.

The Aviator Group - trading as Heli-Aust Whitsundays - operates both Whitsunday Helicopters and Mackay Helicopters from Mackay and also Gladstone Airports on specialist helicopter services including Marine Pilot Transfer, Search and Rescue (SAR), Executive Charter, Utility, Contract Services, Electronic News Gathering, Tourism, as well as Film and Photographic work.

The Aviator Group / Heli-Aust Whitsundays also operates helicopters at Port Hedland in Western Australia.

To find out more about The Aviator Group, visit:  http://www.aviatorgroup.com.au/

American Registered Bombardier BD-700-1A10 Global 6000 Bizjet N60XC - Plus Flight Options (Australia) Cessna 560 Citation Ultra Bizjet VH-MMC - Both Back at Emerald Airport

During a quick visit to Emerald Airport on Thursday 28 February, I was surprised to see and photograph American registered Bombardier BD-700-1A10 Global 6000 N60XC sitting on the main parking apron.  It appeared to arrive from Brisbane late on Wednesday 27 February.

N60XC is a regular visitor to CQ and last called into Emerald Airport at the start of February.  Moreover, it appears that N60XC has remained in Australia throughout the month, operating from both Brisbane and Sydney Airports.

At the time of writing, and after spending the day parked, it appears that N60XC is spending at least another night on the ground at Emerald Airport.

UPDATE!  N60XC departed Emerald Airport and returned to Brisbane on Friday 1 March.

Meanwhile, also photographed parked at Emerald Airport, also on Thursday 28 February, was Mackellar Mining Equipment / Flight Options (Australia) Cessna 560 Citation Ultra bizjet VH-MMC.

It flew across from Biloela / Thangool Airport earlier in the morning after arriving there early on Wednesday 27 February - see Blog post below.

At the time of writing, it appears that VH-MMC is also staying for at least the night.

UPDATE!  On Friday 1 March, VH-MMC departed Emerald Airport and returned to Biloela / Thangool Airport before then later returning to the Sunshine Coast.

Finally, a couple of aircraft noted ferrying through Emerald Airport also on Thursday 28 February were Colville Aviation Services (Torres Strait Air) Pilatus Britten-Norman BN2A-21 Islander VH-WQA which was noted ferrying to Archerfield from Cairns. While Heli-Aust Whitsundays' Airbus Helicopters EC135 T3 VH-XUU was noted departing Emerald Airport for Gladstone Airport on what looked to be the conclusion of a ferry flight from Port Hedland in Western Australia.

As we reported below, fellow Heli-Aust Whitsundays' Airbus Helicopters EC135 P3 VH-XUW ferried over to Port Hedland from Mackay Airport over the last couple of weeks.

A Pair of New Heli-Aust Whitsundays (of Mackay) EC135 Helicopters VH-XUV & VH-XUW Spotted at CQ Airports

A couple of sleek new EC135 helicopters have been noted flying around Mackay Airport and other Central Queensland Airports in recent weeks with one now on a cross-county trek over to Western Australia.  They appear to have been prepared for flight in the Heli-Aust Whitsundays hangar at Mackay Airport.

Eurocopter EC135 P2+ helicopter VH-XUV was spotted resting outside the hangar at Mackay Airport during the week.  It appears to continue to operate local test flights and was also recently noted spending a couple nights at Gladstone Airport where it replaced fellow Heli-Aust Whitsundays Airbus Helicopters EC135 P3 (CPDS) VH-ZGP which currently operates with Gladstone Helicopters on marine transfer flights to and from the Gladstone Harbour.

Meanwhile, fellow recently registered Airbus Helicopters EC135 P3 VH-XUW has also recently spent a lot of time completing local test flights out of Mackay Airport and was noted commencing a cross-country flight to Port Hedland in Western Australia on Saturday 16 February via Gladstone Airport.

VH-XUW has since been photographed several times (as above) operating at the Adelaide Harbour where it appears to be completing demonstration flights for local operators including winching exercises since arriving in the area at the start of the week.

VH-XUW is expected to continue to Port Hedland in Western Australia where another Heli-Aust Whitsundays Airbus Helicopters EC135 T3 VH-XUU has operated since May 2018.

Photos taken by 'JM' and Tony Haynes  ©

New Whitsunday Air Services Eurocopter EC120B Helicopter VH-FNQ Spotted at Mackay Airport

A nice chopper spotted passing through Mackay Airport on Friday 24 August was Whitsunday Air Services recently acquired Eurocopter EC120B helicopter VH-FNQ.

The sleek black machine reportedly arrived from the South, and after it collected a passenger, departed to the North.

Meanwhile, last Tuesday 14 August, a nice familiar chopper in the form of Corporate Aviation Bell 429 Global Ranger helicopter VH-EQP was also spotted at Mackay Airport.

It's exact movements ate not fully known but it has reportedly called into several CQ Airports over the previous couple of days.  It appeared to return to its Southport base from Biloela / Thangool Airport on Wednesday 15 August.

All photos taken by 'AC'  ©

New Heli-Aust Whitsundays Airbus Helicopters EC135 T3 VH-XUU at Mackay Airport - Off to WA This Week

Spotted during the latter part of this week outside their hangar at Mackay Airport was Heli-Aust Whitsundays' brand new Airbus Helicopters EC135 T3 VH-XUU.

VH-XUU (s/n 1261) is a brand new 2018-model and literally has less than 10 hours on the motor.  It was noted completing test flights around Mackay Airport on Friday 25 May.

It was believed that on Saturday 26 May, VH-XUU was due to be flown across to Port Hedland in Western Australia where it is due to commence operating for Port Hedland Helicopters on marine pilot transfer and other flights.

I presume the delivery and subsequent transfer of VH-XUU to Port Hedland is to replace fellow Heli-Aust Whitsundays Eurocopter EC135 P2+ VH-ZGA which sadly ditched into water as it approached a bulk-carrier ship, North-West of Port Hedland in March this year.

All photos taken by 'JM'  ©

Heli-Aust Whitsundays Eurocopter EC135 P2+ VH-ZGA Crashes into Water off Port Hedland in Western Australia

Really saddened to read over the weekend that Heli-Aust Whitsundays Eurocopter EC135 P2+ VH-ZGA ditched into water as it approached a bulk-carrier ship, North-West of Port Hedland in Western Australia, on Wednesday 14 March.  Two pilots were on board.

VH-ZGA approaches Mackay Airport  (File photo)

One of the pilots managed to escape soon after the crash, however the other was missing until sadly, his body was found, along with the wreckage, on Saturday 17 March.

The Australian Transport Safety Bureau (ATSB) is investigating.

VH-ZGA (along with sister-ship VH-ZGZ) are pictured below in March last year at Mackay Airport as they prepared for departure to Port Hedland where they have been operating for Port Hedland Helicopters on marine pilot transfer and other flights.

File photo

Our thoughts and prayers go to the victims and their families and friends.

Photos taken by 'AC'  ©

ATSB Investigating a Recent Pair of Incidents with Local Helicopters - Bell 206 VH-SDZ Crashed near Emerald Airport - R-44 VH-WRR Ditches into Water near Hamilton Island Airport

The Australian Transport Safety Bureau (ATSB) is investigating a collision with terrain involving Bell 206B VH-SDZ near Emerald Airport Saturday 18 November.

Mike Didsbury / https://www.flickr.com/

The ATSB reports that "During aerial work, the pilot detected an abnormal noise and conducted a precautionary landing. As it landed, the helicopter rolled onto its side, resulting in substantial damage."

Meanwhile, a couple of other nasty helicopter incidents that have also occurred this year continue to be investigated or have had their final report released by the ATSB.

On Wednesday 8 November, Whitsunday Air Services Robinson R-44 VH-WRR ditched into water some 49km North of Hamilton Island Airport.

https://twitter.com/7NewsBrisbane/

The ATSB reports that "During cruise, the engine lost partial power and the helicopter was unable to maintain altitude. The pilot conducted an autorotation and deployed the emergency flotation system, landing on water. The crew and passengers were not injured  and were rescued by a local vessel. The helicopter was subsequently submerged in the water."

Finally, on Friday 17 March, Agusta AB206A (Bell 206) helicopter VH-DPU crashed while on a flight from Caboolture Aerodrome to Curtis Island, between Gladstone and Rockhampton, with only the pilot and one other passenger on board.

File photo

The ATSB's final report states that "The pilot reported that they tracked along the coast at about 500 ft and then turned the helicopter to the left from the coast to identify their planned landing site. The pilot was uncertain of the number of turns conducted near the landing site, but believed that it was during the second turn at about 50 ft and 40–60 kt that they suddenly felt there was ‘no power’. The pilot reported that the helicopter made one uncontrolled turn through about 360° during the descent, and at some stage they lowered the collective with the assumption the engine had failed. The helicopter initially impacted upright in the water before the airframe separated from the helicopter skids, turned through 180° and rolled onto its left side."

You can read more on the ATSB website at:  https://www.atsb.gov.au/publications/investigation_reports/2017/aair/ao-2017-033/

New Heli-Aust Whitsundays (of Mackay) Airbus Helicopters EC135 P3 (CPDS) VH-ZGH & VH-ZGP at Mackay and Gladstone Airports

During the early part of this week, a pair of brand new 2017-build Airbus Helicopters EC135 P3 (CPDS) helicopters were unveiled at Mackay Airport for marine pilot operations with the locally-based Heli-Aust Whitsundays (Mackay Helicopters).  It appears that they have taken up the registration markings of VH-ZGH and VH-ZGP.

Then on Wednesday 19 April, VH-ZGH flew direct to Gladstone Airport from Mackay to provide marine pilot transfer flights and training.  It is shown above soon after arriving in the port city.

Then on Friday 21 April, VH-ZGH returned to Mackay Airport from Gladstone and in its place, Whitsunday Helicopters' Agusta A109E Power VH-KZD flew South from Mackay into Gladstone Airport.

It was spotted (above) on Saturday 22 April preparing to depart on a local marine pilot transfer flight.

Of interest and as posted below, a pair of Heli-Aust Whitsundays Eurocopter EC135 P2 helicopters VH-ZGA and VH-ZGZ departed Mackay Airport just under a month ago for operations in Western Australia.

They have since been noted operating out of Port Hedland with the locally-based Port Hedland Helicopters.

Photos taken by Col and 'AC'  ©

More Virgin Australia Flight Cancellations sees Boeing B737-800 VH-VUF Call into Gladstone Airport enroute to Rockhampton

It was another interesting day with a couple of interesting arrivals into Gladstone Airport on Tuesday 21 March.  In the late afternoon, Virgin Australia Boeing B737-800 VH-VUF was spotted arriving into Gladstone Airport as VOZ1245 from Brisbane.

This service usually flys direct to Rockhampton Airport, however, on this occasion, due to a cancelled flight in and out of Gladstone Airport, the larger jet was substituted and completed the 'triangular pattern' of flying from Brisbane to Gladstone and then Rocky.

After the sun had set, VH-VUF departed Gladstone for Rockhampton Airport, continuing as VOZ1245.  It later departed Rocky for Brisbane on the delayed VOZ1248 service.

Meanwhile, another interesting helicopter arrival into Gladstone Airport on Tuesday 21 March was Whitsunday Helicopters' Agusta A109E Power VH-KZD.

It looked to fly in direct from its Mackay Airport base and appeared to be spending the night at Gladstone Airport.

UPDATE!  VH-KZD was noted returning to Mackay from Gladstone Airport on Wednesday 22 March.

All photos taken by 'Mick'  ©