Yet More Corporate Comings and Goings at Hamilton Island Airport

Over the course of the last few days, there has yet again been a few corporate turboprop and bizjet movements in and out of Hamilton Island Airport.

On Sunday 28 August, Trump Aviation / Australian Corporate Jet Centres 560 Citation Ultra bizjet VH-WFE touched down at Hamo from Melbourne (Essendon) Airport.  It looks to still be parked on the Island.

VH-WFE at Hamo on a previous visit  (File photo)

Over the course of both Sunday 28 August and Saturday 27 August, Balmoral Air Dassault Falcon 2000LX VH-WIO operated a pair of return flights to the Balina / Byron Gateway Airport in Northern New South Wales and back to Hamilton Island Airport.  VH-WIO had arrived on Hamo last Friday 19 August from Bankstown.

Before dawn on Saturday 27 August, Sundown Pastoral Company (of Bonogin in the Gold Coast Hinterland) Raytheon B300 Super King Air VH-NSI was noted arriving into Hamo from the Gold Coast.  It departed back there after a very brief time on the ground.

Another corporate King Air in the form of Alizzi Aviation Beech B200 VH-ZOS also called into Hamilton Island Airport on Saturday 27 August but from its Ballarat (Victoria) base.

Back to the bizjets with Business Aviation Solutions Cessna 650 Citation VII VH-DHN departing Hamilton Island Airport also on Saturday 27 August for the Gold Coast.  It has been parked at Hamo since arriving from the there last Thursday 18 August.

Meanwhile, on the mainland at Proserpine / Whitsunday Coast Airport, Marcplan Charter Embraer EMB-135BJ Legacy bizjet VH-VLT touched down from Cairns also on Saturday 27 August.  It departed to the South on Sunday 28 August.

On Friday 26 August, Brenzil Dassault Falcon 7X VH-CRW returned once again to Hamilton Island Airport from Brisbane.

Also on Friday 26 August, Silver Linings Aviation Cessna 680 Citation Sovereign VH-ZEK departed Hamo for Bankstown.  It had arrived from there on Wednesday 24 August.

VH-ZEK at Hamo on a previous visit  (File photo)

On Thursday 25 August, Marcplan Charter Gulfstream G-IV-X (G450) VH-MBP made yet another visit to Hamilton Island Airport.

And also on Thursday 25 August, an interesting (and unknown) diversion into Hamilton Island Airport by QantasLink (Cobham Aviation) Boeing B717-200 VH-NXQ which was operating as QJE1768 from Brisbane to Mackay.  After a short time on the ground at Hamo, VH-NXQ departed back to Mackay before returning to Brisbane as the scheduled QJE1769.

Back on the mainland again, this time at Rockhampton Airport, LifeFlight (ex Careflight Queensland) (Aeromed) LearJet 45 bizjet VH-VVI visited late on Thursday 25 August, calling in from Brisbane as "Ambulance 451".  After nearly an hour on the ground, it returned to the capital.

Finally, Brisbane-based Cessna 525A CitationJet2 bizjet VH-MOR returned to the Whitsunday Airport at Shute Harbour on Wednesday 24 August.

VH-MOR at the Whitsunday Airport  (File photo)

Like its visit on Monday 22 August, VH-MOR arrived from, and later departed back to, its Archerfield base.

Photos taken by 'AC' and Lee Holloway  ©

Skytrans Dash-8-100 VH-QQG Visits Rockhampton Airport on Saturday

Noted arriving into Rockhampton Airport during the afternoon on Saturday 27 August was Skytrans Airlines Dash-8-100 VH-QQG.  It touched down from Cairns as SKP9003. 

VH-QQG on a previous visit to Rockhampton Airport  (File photo)

It appears that it may have transported players and support staff of the Cairns-based Northern Pride Rugby League team who had a hard fought win against the Rockhampton-based Central Capras in the Queensland Rugby League's Instrust Super Cup.

After the sun had set, VH-QQG returned North to Townsville and then Cairns as SKP9004/9005.

Meanwhile, a couple of interesting light General Aviation (GA) visitors to Rockhampton Airport over the last couple of days included Henty Aviation Cessna 425 VH-BSM which visited on Saturday 27 August.  Its exact movements are not known but I believe it is the second time in a few days that it has visited Rocky with it reportedly also visiting the beef capital on Thursday 25 August.

And Toowoomba-based Piper PA-31-350 Navajo VH-TTX called in once again from Toowoomba on Friday 26 August before departing to Bowen Airport.  It looked to return to Rocky from Bowen a little while later.

Photo taken by Kayanne Hardsman  ©

Sunshine Coast Teenager Lachlan Smart Sets Record as Youngest Pilot to Fly Solo Around the World in Cirrus SR22 VH-IBC

Sunshine Coast teenager Lachlan Smart created history early on Saturday 27 August when he touched down at the Sunshine Coast Airport, becoming the youngest person in history to complete a solo circumnavigation of the world in a single engine aircraft.  The seven-week odyssey in his Cirrus SR22 VH-IBC will see him enter the Guinness World Records book.

http://www.wingsaroundtheworld.com.au/

Lachie departed the Sunshine Coast on Monday 4 July, stopping at some 24 locations in 15 countries along the way.

The previous benchmark was set by American Matt Guthmiller, who completed his circumnavigation when he was 19 years, 7 months and 15 days. Lachie is 18 years, 7 months and 21 days today.

Lachie departed on the last leg of his journey earlier on Saturday 27 August from Bundaberg Airport - the place where has done much of his flight training since the dream of taking on the record breaking flight began two and a half years ago.

Local plane spotter Micah S was on hand at Bundaberg Airport for the Central Queensland Plane Spotting on Thursday 25 August as Lachie arrived in the Rum City in VH-IBC from Longreach Airport.

A small crowd had gathered at Bundaberg Airport to welcome Lachie to Bundy - along with local media for which Lachie was most obliging in giving interviews and recounting stories about his journey.

Lachie was then guest of honour at the Hinkler Hall of Aviation in Bundaberg on Friday 26 August as quite a few people came and listened as he told of this record-breaking trip.

https://www.facebook.com/HinklerAviation/

But back at the Sunshine Coast Airport on Saturday 27 August, a special welcome was prepared and crowd of hundreds of supporters that included family, friends, official partners, government officials and the adoring public gathered to welcome Lachie home.

“What a welcome,” Lachie said soon after touching down.

“The support I have received from family, friends, the local Sunshine Coast council and community and people around the world that I have never even met has been incredible from the first moment we spoke about this journey.

“To actually be here, having flown around the world, for over 24,000 nautical miles (45,000km) is just a great relief.

“I can’t wait to spend some time with my family and sleep in my own bed.”

While setting the Guinness World Record was key to Lachie’s journey, there has always been an ulterior, more honourable reason for taking on the gargantuan task of flying around the world alone.

“I have always, for as long as I can remember, wanted to inspire others, particularly young people, to chase their dreams,” he said.

“Until a few years ago I wasn’t sure how, or what, I was going to do to make that happen and then the idea of this flight came along and my team and I have dedicated almost every waking moment to it for those two and a half years.

“Age is just a number, and really, if we want to achieve something, in most situations it shouldn’t be a barrier to success.

“This trip wasn’t just the flight itself, it was creating a dream, building a team, raising funds and spreading the message of youth achievement to people all around the world. It has been an amazing journey and something I am very proud of.”

As part of the homecoming celebrations Lachie was presented the Keys to the City by Sunshine Coast Mayor Mark Jamieson and a handwritten letter from Bert Hinkler, passed on by a relative of the aviation legend.

Ryan Campbell, the Australian who set the same world record and was the first teenager to achieve the massive feat when he completed Teen World Flight in 2013, was also on hand to congratulate Lachie. Campbell has been part of the massive support network for Lachie over the two months of the record bid.

Lachie plans to debrief his flight and get some well-earned rest before announcing the next stage of his plans to inspire and help young people achieve more than they thought possible.

From all at the Central Queensland Plane Spotting Blog, a massive congratulations to Lachie on the completion of his remarkable journey!

Thanks too to local plane spotter Micah S who was on hand at Bundaberg Airport on Thursday for taking time to capture and send through these fantastic photos!

Photos taken by Micah S  ©

C.P. Group (Thailand) Dassault Falcon 2000EX Bizjet N688CP Calls into Bundaberg Airport Thursday

A couple of nice arrivals into Bundaberg Airport on Thursday 25 August with one of the highlights definitely being a visit by C.P. Group (Thailand) Dassault Falcon 2000EX bizjet N688CP.

The sleek bizjet touched down in the Rum City from Cairns where it had previously arrived from Don Muang International Airport in Thailand.

After around three hours on the ground, N688CP continued South to Brisbane.

A quick search reveals that the C.P. Group (or Charoen Pokphand Group) is a Thailand-based conglomerate company located in Bangkok. It is Thailand's largest private company and is one of world's largest conglomerates. It consists of three core businesses that operate in agribusiness and food, retail and distribution, and the telecommunications industries with investments in over 20 countries. Founded in 1921, the C.P. Group currently employs, through its subsidiaries, over 500,000 people with offices and factories worldwide.

Sincere thanks to local plane spotter Micah S for his great coverage of a great day for aviation in Bundaberg!

All photos taken by Micah S  ©

Mount Isa Based Royal Flying Doctor Service (RFDS) Beech B200 King Air VH-FDO "FlyDoc 489" Calls into Mackay Airport

Early on Saturday 27 August, Royal Flying Doctor Service (RFDS) Beech B200 King Air VH-FDO "FlyDoc 489" made a surprise but most welcome visit to Mackay Airport.

File photo taken by Anthony Schulz  ©

It called in from its Mount Isa base and later returned there.

VH-FDO wears the name "Cooee" which was added to the front of the King Air after a competition.

Regional Express (REX) SAAB 340B VH-ZRI Touches Down at Biloela / Thangool Airport

An interesting arrival into Biloela / Thangool Airport on Friday 26 August was Pel Air / Regional Express (REX) SAAB 340B VH-ZRI which touched down from Brisbane on what looked to be a charter flight as PFY9208.

VH-ZRI at Townsville  (File photo)

At the time of writing, the SAAB remains parked at Bilo.

UPDATE!  VH-ZRI returned to Brisbane as PFY9209 on Sunday 28 August.

Meanwhile, Pel-Air SAAB 340A Freighter VH-KDB operated the evening freight run from Mackay to Rockhampton Airport as PFY7415 late on Wednesday 24 August and possibly broke down at Rocky.  VH-KDB was noted positioning back to Mackay Airport from Rocky as PFY9874 on Thursday 25 August before later operating the scheduled PFY7415/7417 back to Rockhampton Airport and then Brisbane.

A Couple of Maintenance Issues for Virgin Australia Embraer E-190 Jets at Hervey Bay (Fraser Coast) Airport This Week

There has been a couple of flight cancellations affecting passengers travelling with Virgin Australia to Sydney from Hervey Bay (Fraser Coast) Airport.

A Virgin Australia E-190 at Hervey Bay Airport  (File photo)

On Monday 22 August, Virgin Australia Embraer E-190 VH-ZPH touched down at Hervey Bay as VOZ1555 from Sydney.  The return VOZ1556 service was cancelled due to the aircraft breaking down.  VH-ZPH remained parked at Hervey Bay until after dark on Tuesday 23 August when it positioned empty to Brisbane as VOZ9914.

Then on Wednesday 23 August, Virgin Australia Embraer E-190 VH-ZPQ touched down at Hervey Bay as VOZ1555 from Sydney.  The return VOZ1556 service was also cancelled due to the aircraft breaking down.  VH-ZPT departed for Brisbane empty as VOZ9936 in the early evening of Wednesday 23 August.

Photo taken by Brendan Berry  ©

A Few Light GA Aircraft Call into Longreach Airport incl Record-breaking Around-the-World Pilot Lachie Smart in his Cirrus SR22 VH-IBC

As we've been reporting on our Facebook page, 18-year-old Lachlan Smart is in the final stages of a record-breaking solo around-the-world flight in Cirrus SR22 VH-IBC.  On Tuesday 23 August, Lachie piloted VH-IBC into Longreach Airport from Darwin.

He is expected to complete media and other commitments including a meet-and-greet at the Qantas Founders Museum at Longreach on Wednesday 24 August before departing to Bundaberg Airport on Thursday 25 August.

Lachie is expected to touch down in the rum city in VH-IBC at around 12.00pm on Thursday.  He will be giving a presentation of his world record breaking flight at the Hinkler Hall of Aviation in Bundaberg on Friday 26 August at 3.30pm.

Lachie will then head 'home' to the Sunshine Coast early on Saturday 27 August, completing his record-breaking solo circumnavigation of the globe.

Lachie will be 18 years, 7 months and 21 days when he touches down back at the Sunny Coast.  While the record is key to this journey, it was never the motivation for Smart to pack his life into a single engine plane to fly across vast masses of water, stopping in 24 locations and 15 countries along the way.

Read more about this remarkable young man at:  http://www.wingsaroundtheworld.com.au/

Meanwhile, several light General Aviation (GA) aircraft have also called into Longreach Airport over the last couple of days including Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) Beech B350 Super King Air A32-670 which touched down on Tuesday 23 August from Canberra as "Consort 89".  It looked to depart to Townsville later in the evening before returning to Longreach on Wednesday 24 August from Winton and then later departing to Charleville and points towards the South-East.

A couple of other Super King Air turboprops in the form of AirServices Australia / Pearl Aviation Hawker Beechcraft B300 VH-FIY and Queensland Government (State of Queensland) Raytheon B300 VH-SGQ also called into Longreach Airport on Tuesday 23 August.

VH-FIY arrived from Brisbane and later departed to Tennant Creek, while VH-SGQ arrived from Toowoomba and stayed for the night.  It departed to Brisbane on Wednesday 24 August.

Also visiting Longreach Airport on Wednesday 24 August were New South Wales based Beech 58 Baron VH-JML which arrived from Charleville, while New South Wales-based Rockwell 685 Commander VH-NJT departed Longreach for Blackall, Charleville, Dubbo and Bankstown.  VH-NJT looked to arrive at Longreach Airport on Monday 22 August.

Seen on the ground at Longreach Airport on Tuesday 23 August was Corporate Air / Vee H Aviation SAAB 340B VH-VEM, while Air Queensland Piper PA-31-350 VH-XLB was also noted visiting Longreach Airport on Tuesday 23 August.  It arrived from Mareeba and later departed to Roma and its Redcliffe base.

Of interest, VH-XLB is pictured above at Gladstone Airport on Sunday 21 August.  It had earlier arrived from Redcliffe and departed to Mackay and Townsville.

On Monday 22 August, Georgetown-based Piper PA-46-500TP Malibu VH-TPM arrived into Longreach Airport from Maungindi.  It later departed to Burketown and Groote Eylandt (Northern Territory).  And locally-based Air Central West Beech 58 Baron VH-TNR departed Longreach Airport for Kingaroy and Roma.

Finally, on Sunday 21 August, and for the second Sunday in-a-row, Hawker Beechcraft C90GTi King Air VH-JJU called into Longreach Airport while flying from Brisbane to its Cloncurry home.

Photos taken by 'AC' and Michael Fleetwood  ©

Alliance Airlines Fokker F-70 VH-JFB at Rockhampton Airport for Virgin Australia

On Wednesday 24 August, Alliance Airlines Fokker F-70 VH-JFB was photographed by local plane spotter 'IAD' visiting Rockhampton Airport.

VH-JFB was noted operating the scheduled VOZ1245/1248 mid-afternoon service from and back to Brisbane.

Meanwhile, a little earlier on Wednesday 24 August, 'IAD' spotted a couple of nice light General Aviation (GA) visitors at Rockhampton Airport in the form of New South Wales-based SOCATA TBM-850 VH-KOF which had earlier arrived from Maitland.  It later departed to Archerfield.

Parked nearby was Brescon Beech B200 King Air VH-WXN which visited from the Brisbane West Wellcamp Airport.

Finally, the Queensland Police Service (Airwing) Cessna 560 Citation Ultra bizjet VH-PSU has been back at Rockhampton Airport (amongst other CQ Airports) on both Wednesday 24 August and Monday 22 August.

Sincere thanks to 'IAD' for taking the time to capture and send through these great photos!

All photos taken by 'IAD'  ©

Some Photos from the Heli-biz Australia (Airlie Beach) Helicopter Safari to Cape York

Recently we received some wonderful photos as the annual Heli-biz Australia Helicopter Safari departed the Whitsunday Airport at Shute Harbour late last week.

This year the group of 30 people and their 11 helicopters are off to Cape York.

The participating helicopters have been identified as:  Agusta AW119 VH-WJY, Robinson R44s VH-MES, VH-CLS, VH-YZD, VH-TIB, VH-NVM, VH-TEO, VH-PFF, VH-XPL, Robinson R66 VH-OTA and Bell 407 VH-CMI.

To check out more photos from the Safari to this very picturesque part of Australia, keep an eye on the Heli-biz Australia Facebook page - https://www.facebook.com/Helibiz/

Safe flying everyone :)

Photos taken by Lee Holloway  ©