Alliance Airlines Operating Extra Flights for Virgin Australia into Mackay Airport

It's been interesting to note over the last week or so that Alliance Airlines Fokker F-100 jets VH-XWO and VH-XWT have been operating flights into Mackay Airport on behalf of Virgin Australia.

VH-XWT parked at the Virgin Australia terminal at Brisbane Airport this week

On Saturday 24 December, VH-XWT was noted operating on the VOZ607/610 rotation - it has also operated the VOZ613/616 rotation at times over the last week too.

Alliance Airlines continues to operate services for Virgin Australia into Emerald Airport with Fokker F-70 jet VH-QQX noted operating scheduled services on Saturday 24 December, while noted operating as UTY4080/4081 on what looks like a Fly-in Fly-out (FIFO) charter flight to Emerald Airport and back to Brisbane (returning via the Sunshine Coast).

VH-QQX parked at the Virgin Australia terminal at Brisbane Airport this week

Of interest, Alliance Airlines has also recently been noted operating services on behalf of Virgin Australia into Mount Isa, Cloncurry and Townsville.

Some Pre-Christmas Bizjet Action at Hamilton Island Airport and Other Places!

It looks like the annual Christmas corporate action over at Hamilton Island is happening again with a couple of nice bizjets visiting the Great Barrier Reef Airport on Saturday 24 December.

American registered Bombardier BD-700-1A11 Global 5000 N2QE departed for Sydney.

We have been very fortunate to receive some great photos from the flightdeck of N2QE shortly after it arrived from Sydney on Wednesday 21 December - the bizjet is also photographed in Sydney as it departed to Hamo.

Also visiting on Saturday 24 December was Execujet Australia Bombardier BD-700-1A10 Global 6000 VH-IEJ which looked to arrive from and later depart back to Sydney.   UPDATE!  We have received some photos of VH-IEJ on the ground at Hamo!

While AAA Aircraft / Flight Options (Australia) Cessna 650 Citation III bizjet VH-SPJ arrived at Hamo from Bankstown and Hobart.  It later departed to Bankstown.

Also as we mentioned below, Execujet Australia Bombardier CL-600-2B16 Challenger 604 bizjet VH-VSZ departed Hamilton Island Airport for Sydney on Thursday 22 December.  It had arrived from there on Monday 19 December.

Meanwhile, the Christmas rush has seen Qantas Airways operate additional services into Hamilton Island Airport from and back to Sydney.  On Friday 23 December, Boeing B737-800 VH-VXP operated as QFA1172/1173, while on Saturday 24 December, VH-VXL operated as the same.  This was in addition to B737-800 VH-VXP operating the usual QFA866/867 service from and back to Sydney.

And over the last week, Regional Air Piper PA-31-350 VH-RKD has flown into Hamilton Island Airport from its Mackay Airport base three times, visiting on Saturday 24 December, Thursday 22 December and last Sunday 18 December.

Finally, on Thursday 22 December, a couple of familiar bizjets called into other CQ Airports.  The Queensland Government Raytheon Hawker 850XP bizjet VH-SGY visited Mackay and Rockhampton Airports while on a busy day of flying out of Brisbane. While recently re-registered Brisbane-based Cessna 525A CitationJet2 bizjet VH-MOR was noted flying from Longreach Airport to Emerald Airport. It had earlier flown into Longreach from its Archerfield base. After spending a couple of hours on the ground at Emerald, VH-MOR returned to Archerfield.

Photos taken by 'AC'  ©

American Registered Bombardier Global 5000 Bizjet N2QE Arrives at Hamilton Island Airport

Certainly a nice bizjet arrival into Hamilton Island Airport on Wednesday 21 December with American registered Bombardier BD-700-1A11 Global 5000 N2QE touching down from Sydney.

While plane spotting in Sydney from the Rydges Sydney Airport Hotel, I was fortunate enough to capture the smart looking bizjet as it arrived from Hong Kong and then departed to Hamo a short while later.

Also on Wednesday 21 December, Pegasus Air / Agile Aviation (of South Australia) Pilatus PC-12/47E VH-TCP also visited Hamilton Island Airport, arriving from Bankstown and later departing to Charleville and then Adelaide.

On Tuesday 20 December, Balmoral Air Dassault Falcon 2000LX bizjet VH-WIO made yet another visit arriving from and later departing back to Bankstown.

Finally, after arriving at Hamo from Sydney on Monday 19 December, Execujet Australia Bombardier CL-600-2B16 Challenger 604 bizjet VH-VSZ is due to depart back there on Thursday 22 December.

Jayrow Helicopters Sets Up at Mackay Airport with New Marine Pilot Transfer Contract

Over the last month or so I've noticed that four helicopters have flown into Mackay Airport and are now operating out of there on flights to positions out to sea off Mackay.  The four helicopters are operated by Jayrow Helicopters and reports suggest that Jayrow has recently been awarded a contract to operate marine pilot transfer flights from Mackay Airport to the Blossom Banks and White Tip Reef Base.

The first chopper to arrive was former Melbourne (Essendon) based Agusta A109E VH-XUM.  It was then joined by fellow A109E VH-RUA.

Over the last couple of weeks, a pair of Bell 206s have arrived into Mackay Airport with VH-DPS followed by VH-NEW both arriving from Emerald.

It has been interesting to note that VH-XUM, VH-RUA and VH-DPS are being used on flights out to sea from Mackay Airport with VH-NEW soon to follow.

Jayrow Helicopters was established in 1965, and is regarded as a leader in the helicopter industry.  They are the oldest helicopter company in Australia and currently has established bases in Victoria, Northern Territory and Western Australia.  They can operate all over Australia and hold many firsts pioneering many uses for helicopters in Australia.

Jayrow was the first off-shore operator, the first heli-firefighter, the first to support the mining industry, the first helicopter operator on the Antarctic, the first heli-ambulance, the list goes on.  In fact, Jayrow Helicopters is no stranger to Central Queensland having operated Sikorsky S-76A VH-JRD for the Rockhampton-based Capricorn Helicopter Rescue Service (CHRS) during recent times.

File photo

Check out the Jayrow Helicopters website:  http://www.jayrow.com.au/Default.php

Torres Strait Air Pilatus Britten-Norman BN2B-20 Islander VH-WZP Passes Through Mackay Airport

On Wednesday 21 December, Torres Strait Air Pilatus Britten-Norman BN2B-20 Islander VH-WZP was noted passing through Mackay Airport while heading South for maintenance.

https://www.facebook.com/torresair/

It arrived from its Cairns base and later departed to Archerfield where it is expected that planned maintenance will be carried out.

The Islander appears to be once of the recent acquisitions for the Far North Queensland operator which now operates seven aircraft on passenger and freight charters throughout the Torres Strait and the Northern Peninsula Region. including Cessna 208 Grand Caravan VH-TLZ which joined the fleet in August this year.

https://www.facebook.com/torresair/

Torres Strait Air also operates one Aero Commander 500, four Islanders, and one Cessna (single piston) U206G.

https://www.facebook.com/torresair/

Torres Strait Air's website can be found at:  http://www.torres-strait-air.com.au/

Or, they can be found on Facebook:  https://www.facebook.com/torresair/

A Few Photos as Amateur-Built Supermarine Spitfire Mk.26 VH-DLH Completes Test Flights from Maryborough Airport - More to Come!

On Tuesday 20 December, the 80% replica Amateur-Built Supermarine Spitfire Mk.26 VH-DLH was photographed completing its second test flight out of Maryborough Airport.  It arrived from the owner's property late last week and is temporarily based at Maryborough Airport while it undertakes a number of test flights over this week.  Reports suggest another test flight is planned for Wednesday 21 December.

As mentioned in a previous Blog post (below) VH-DLH is powered by an Isuzu 3.5-Litre V6 petrol engine (6VE1), identical to the engine fitted under the bonnet of the Holden Rodeo Utility in the 1990's.

The aircraft was assembled by a farmer who lives near Maryborough and is painted in the same colours and markings as the owners World War II namesake, John Kellman.

To learn more about replica Spitfire kits that are produced by Supermarine Aircraft for completion by amateur aircraft builders, as well as technical detail about the available aircraft, you will find the following link of interest: http://www.supermarineaircraft.com/ .

Sincere thanks to David G of Maryborough Aviation Services for providing the information and photos of  VH-DLH at Maryborough Airport.

Maryborough Aviation Services is based at Maryborough Airport and provides a comprehensive range of aircraft maintenance and refurbishment services, including repainting of aircraft, upholstery renewal/re-trim, avionics upgrades as well as pre-purchase and end-of-lease inspections to name only a few.  Check out their Facebook page at:  https://www.facebook.com/Maryborough-Aviation-Services/

All photos taken by David Geck  ©

Photos of Australian Maritime Safety Authority (AMSA) (Cobham SAR Services Pty Ltd) Bombardier CL-600-2B16 Challenger 604 Bizjet VH-XND at Rockhampton Airport

As reported on our Facebook page, on Tuesday 20 December, Australian Maritime Safety Authority (AMSA) (Cobham SAR Services Pty Ltd) Bombardier CL-600-2B16 Challenger 604 bizjet VH-XND made what appears to be an unscheduled landing at Rockhampton Airport after earlier departing from its Cairns base for destination Nadi in Fiji.

It was parked on the Northern end of the Rockhampton Airport apron.

After taking on fuel, VH-XND returned to Cairns, seemingly without any issues.

VH-XND is the first of four that Cobham Aviation Services has now started operating under contract for the Australian Maritime Safety Authority (AMSA).  VH-XND officially commenced operations for AMSA out of Cairns Airport on Friday 16 December.

In October 2014, Cobham secured a 12-year, $640 million contract to supply and operate search and rescue aircraft for AMSA. The jets will replace the Aero Pearl-operated (Aerorescue) Dornier 328-100 turboprop aircraft which were a common sight in CQ.

Under the new deal, Cobham will operate the four special mission jets that have been modified for search and rescue for AMSA. One aircraft will be based at three locations around Australia – Perth, Melbourne and Cairns – with a fourth serving as an operational spare.

Sincere thanks to local plane spotter Kayanne H for taking the time to capture and send through these great photos of the first visit by the new AMSA Challenger bizjet to Rocky!

Photos taken by Trevor Hardsman and Kayanne Hardsman  ©

Amateur-Built Supermarine Spitfire Mk.26 VH-DLH Arrives at Maryborough Airport

A nice arrival into Maryborough Airport late last week was this 80% replica Amateur-Built Supermarine Spitfire Mk.26 VH-DLH.  It will reportedly be temporarily based at Maryborough Airport while it undertakes a number of test flights over the next week or so.

VH-DLH is reportedly powered by an Isuzu 3.5-Litre V6 petrol engine (6VE1), identical to the engine fitted under the bonnet of the Holden Rodeo Utility in the 1990's.  The aircraft was assembled by a farmer who lives near Maryborough and its flight from the owner's property to Maryborough Airport was in fact it maiden flight.

Of interest, VH-DLH is painted in the same colours and markings as the owners World War II namesake, John Kellman.

To learn more about replica Spitfire kits that are produced by Supermarine Aircraft for completion by amateur aircraft builders, as well as technical detail about the available aircraft, you will find the following link of interest: http://www.supermarineaircraft.com/ .

Sincere thanks to David G of Maryborough Aviation Services for providing the information and photos of  VH-DLH as it arrived at Maryborough Airport last week.

Maryborough Aviation Services is based at Maryborough Airport and provides a comprehensive range of aircraft maintenance and refurbishment services, including repainting of aircraft, upholstery renewal/re-trim, avionics upgrades as well as pre-purchase and end-of-lease inspections to name only a few.  Check out their Facebook page at:  https://www.facebook.com/Maryborough-Aviation-Services/

All photos taken by David Geck  ©

Execujet Australia Challenger 604 Bizjet VH-VSZ Arrives at Hamilton Island Airport - Plus More!

On Monday 19 December, Execujet Australia Bombardier CL-600-2B16 Challenger 604 bizjet VH-VSZ touched down at Hamilton Island Airport from Sydney.  It appears to be staying for at least the night.

VH-VSZ at Rockhampton Airport  (File photo)

Meanwhile, also at Hamo, on Sunday 18 December, Shortstop Jet Charter British Aerospace BAe-125-1000B bizjet VH-LMP visited briefly yet again from Melbourne (Essendon).

And on Saturday 17 December, Brisbane-based PC-12/47E VH-VTF called into Hamilton Island Airport from Adelaide.  It departed a short time later for Archefield.

Photo taken by 'IAD'  ©

Another New Royal Flying Doctor Service (RFDS) Beech B300C Super King Air VH-FDF "FlyDoc 449" Visits CQ Airports

A nice surprise to see another one of the new Royal Flying Doctor Service (RFDS) Beech B300C Super King Air VH-FDF "FlyDoc 449" visit some Central Queensland Airports for the first time ever over the last week.

VH-FDF arrives in Cairns on delivery in 2015  (File photo)

VH-FDF is one of four new Beech / Textron Aviation B300C Super King Air turboprops that the RFDS has acquired - along with VH-FDC, VH-FDD and VH-FDN.  VH-FDN "FlyDoc 493" has recently been spotted also making its first visit around several CQ Airports - see Blog post HERE.

VH-FDF was delivered to the RFDS Base in Cairns in September 2015 (as shown above).  It appears that VH-FDF has spent some time in the hangar before operating mostly out of Cairns and Townsville.  It recently flew to Brisbane where it seems to be operating from.

VH-FDF is believed to have made its first visit to CQ on Wednesday 14 December when it visited both Roma and Blackall Airports, flying in from Brisbane via the Brisbane West Wellcamp Airport.  On Thursday 15 December, VH-FDF then visited Hervey Bay (Fraser Coast) and Bundaberg Airports from Brisbane and on Saturday 17 December, it arrived at Rockhampton Airport from Townsville before later departing to Brisbane.

Photo taken by FNQ Skies Blog  ©