Coming up! Wings, Wheels and Rugby Union at Rolleston on Saturday 10 June!

On Saturday 10 June, the small Rolleston community is hosting the inaugural Wings, Wheels and Rugby Union Day at the Rolleston Airport and Sportsgrounds in Rolleston which is around 90 minutes South of Emerald and 3-and-a-half hours West of Rockhampton.

The day kicks off at 9am and it is anticipated that over 80 aircraft will be in attendance, not only on static display as well as offering joyflights, and skydiving.  There will also be live aircraft and helicopter demonstrations including from a Chinook!

The locally-based historic aircraft collection of Ross Smith will also be on display including his Lockheed L-12A Electra Junior VH-ABH.

Many street cars, drag cars, along with classic and vintage cars and motorbikes will be on display.

During the afternoon, the action will move to the Rolleston Sportsgrounds adjacent to the Airport when the local Rolleston Roos take on the Blackwater Basiliks at 4pm in the latest round of the Central Highlands Rugby Union (CHRU) Competition.

Throughout the whole day there will be market and food stalls and a bar, as well as live entertainment.

All proceeds from the day go to the Royal Flying Doctor Service (RFDS) and the Rolleston Health Centre.

Contact Nick McDonald on 0488 651 665 for further information.

Looks like a great day!

File photo taken by Simon Coates  ©

Australian Army Commonwealth CA-32 (Bell 206B/OH-58A) Kiowa Helicopters Pop back into Rockhampton Airport as "Breaker"

After heading North a week earlier, on Sunday 28 May, a pair of Australian Army Commonwealth CA-32 (Bell 206B/OH-58A) Kiowa helicopters were heard passing back through Rockhampton Airport heading back to the South as "Breaker".  I presume that they were the same two that passed through Rocky last week - A17-015 and A17-039.

"Breaker" arrives into Rockhampton Airport last week  (File photo)

Meanwhile, on Saturday 27 May, an unidentified Royal Australian Navy (RAN) NH Industries MRH-90 Multi-Role Helicopter was heard to depart Rockhampton Airport using the radio callsign of "Poseidon 06".  I presume that the MRH-90 was A40-006.

Photo taken by Kayanne Hardsman  ©

Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) Roulettes Aerobatic Display Team Members Land at Rockhampton Airport before heading to Old Station

On Friday 26 May, seven Pilatus PC-9/A's of  the Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) elite formation aerobatic display team - The Roulettes - were photographed soon after arriving into Rockhampton Airport from RAAF Base Amberley.

The Roulettes' primary role is to showcase the flying skills of the RAAF to the Australian public through aerobatic displays at major events and airshows.  After spending the night at Rockhampton Airport, six of the seven aircraft were expected to put on a display at the Old Station Fly-in and Heritage Show at Raglan on Saturday 27 May.

The team members of the Roulettes are flying instructors at the RAAF's Central Flying School based at RAAF Base East Sale in Victoria. These experienced RAAF pilots fly the aircraft that comprise the team as a secondary role to their instructional tasks.

The seven aircraft that were spotted at Rockhampton Airport appeared to be A23-052, A23-037, A23-027, A23-012, A23-051, A23-025 and A23-050 which was 'Roulette 7', or the 'spare' aircraft.

Of interest, RAAF Beech B350 Super King Air A32-350 was noted arriving with The Roulettes as a support aircraft.  It was using the radio callsign of "Beaufort 46".

UPDATE!  On Saturday 27 May, The Roulettes completed a spectacular display at The Old Station Fly-in and Heritage Show which was sadly cut short when it appeared that A23-025 reported a warning alarm and returned to Rockhampton Airport along with A23-027 to accompany it.  A23-052, A23-037, A23-012 and A23-051 all landed at the Old Station and remained parked for the night.

UPDATE!  Late morning on Sunday 28 May, the four PC-9/A's that stayed at The Old Station returned to Rockhampton Airport and in the early afternoon, it was noted that six of the seven aircraft all departed to RAAF Base Amberley.  It appears that A23-025 may have stayed at Rockhampton Airport to receive further attention.  It also appeared that Super King Air A32-350 also remained at Rocky on Sunday 28 May.

UPDATE!  On Tuesday 30 May, the final unknown RAAF PC-9/A departed Rockhampton Airport for RAAF Base Amberley as "Aladdin 67".

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

Photos taken by 'IAD'  ©

More Great Photos as Royal Air Force (RAF) Airbus KC2 Voyager (A330-243MRTT) ZZ330 Comes and Gos at Rockhampton Airport Last Week

Perhaps the movement of the year thus far into Central Queensland was the Royal Air Force (RAF) Airbus KC2 Voyager (A330-243MRTT) ZZ330 which touched down at Rockhampton Airport on Wednesday 17 May as "Ascot 2136" direct from Hickam Field (Hickam Air Force Base) in Hawaii.

After staying for the night, ZZ330 was loaded with personnel and their cargo before departing a rain-soaked Rockhampton Airport early on Thursday 18 May as "Ascot 2137" for Brunei. 

The RAF Voyager appears to have collected personnel which may have been involved with exercises with local troops in the Shoalwater Bay Training Area (SWBTA).  It seems they arrived into Townsville in early April on board another RAF KC2 Voyager ZZ335.

The RAF Voyager is based on the Airbus A330-200 passenger aircraft and provides the RAF with Strategic Air Transport and Aeromedical capabilities. In addition, the Voyager is an extremely effective Air-to-Air Refuelling aircraft, which is utilised to enable a variety of RAF aircraft to operate for extended periods.  It is currently flown by both No. 10 and No. 101 Squadrons based at RAF Brize Norton in England and replaced the RAF's Vickers VC10 C1K and Lockheed L1011 Tristar fleets at RAF Brize Norton.

It’s interesting to note that there are two types of RAF Voyager aircraft – the KC2 which is a two-point tanker, equipped with 1 FRL Mk32B 900E pod under each wing – and the KC3 which is a three-point tanker with an additional centre line hose for larger ‘receiver’ aircraft. It is also capable of providing transport for up to 291 personnel, while the cargo hold areas remain available for freight on either military or civil pallets.

The visit by the RAF Voyager was a very pleasant surprise and great warm-up for the coming months when Rockhampton Airport is expected to play a significant support role during the Australian and American joint Military Exercise Talisman Sabre 2017.

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

All photos taken by Scott Harris  ©

Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) Airbus A330-203 / KC-30A (MRTT) A39-004 Calls into Rockhampton Airport Late Thursday

As we mentioned on our Facebook page, after the sun had set on Thursday 25 May, Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) Airbus A330-203 / KC-30A (MRTT) A39-004 was spotted on the ground at Rockhampton Airport.  The KC-30A landed at Rocky after departing RAAF Base Amberley and completing airwork the South-East Queensland coast.

After parking on the Southern end of the Rockhampton Airport aircraft parking apron and looking to complete a crew change, the KC-30 departed back to Amberley.  A39-004 was heard to be using the radio callsign of "Dragon 40".

Sincere thanks to local photographer Colleen H from Charlee Photography for taking the time to capture and send through these great photos which is certainly a departure from the norm for her, as Charlee Photography is actually one of the Rockhampton region's favourite newborn and maternity photography businesses.  Colleen even admitted that capturing the KC-30A was a rarity for her as she normally specialises in capturing special events and precious moments.  Colleen can be contacted by phone on:  0414 707 927, or by email:  colleen@charleephotography.com.au .  Charlee Photography's website is:  http://www.charleephotography.com.au .

All photos taken by Colleen Harris  ©

First Photos of JetGo Australia Embraer ERJ-140LR Regional Jet VH-ZJE at Rockhampton Airport

Making its second visit to Central Queensland on Thursday 25 May was JetGo Australia Embraer ERJ-140LR (ERJ-135KL) regional jet VH-ZJE.  It was operating the JG70/73 scheduled service from Townsville to Rocky and the Gold Coast and back.

It was the second visit by the ERJ-140 with VH-ZJE after surprising local plane spotters by calling in on Monday 22 May on the JG73 service from the Gold Coast to Rockhampton Airport and then Townsville.  It had earlier positioned from Brisbane to the Gold Coast as JG91.

VH-ZJE replaced Embraer E-135LR VH-JGB based out of Townsville and is now operating JetGo's various Fly-in Fly-out (FIFO) charters as well as the JG70/73 Regular Passenger Transport (RPT) services from the Northern capital.

Of interest, VH-ZJE was delivered to JetGo Australia in Brisbane in mid-January as N295SK.  It was the second  of two 44-seat Embraer ERJ-140LR (ERJ-135KL) regional jet aircraft delivered to the airline after VH-ZJG (ex N297SK) was delivered in October 2016.

File photo

JetGo is also reportedly due to take delivery of a larger 50-seat Embraer ERJ-145LR during this year.  The aircraft is reported to be N577RP which is also operated for Republic Airways Holdings.

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

Photos taken by Kayanne Hardsman and Lloyd Fox  ©

Historic Lockheed Super Constellation Aircraft Arrives at Qantas Founders Museum at Longreach Airport

Late on Wednesday 24 May, a piece of Qantas history from the 1940s in the form of a Lockheed C-121J Super Constellation, aircraft arrived at the Qantas Founders Museum at Longreach Airport.  The 'Connie' - as the Super Constellation is fondly referred to - was shipped from the Philippines to Townsville before being trucked to Longreach.

In 2014, the Qantas Founders Museum was the successful bidder on the Super Constellation - a Lockheed C-121J Super Constellation wearing the registration marking of N4247K - through an auction organised by the Manila International Airport Authority.  The aircraft had been grounded in Manila for 25 years but had previously been used by World Fish and Agriculture Corp. to transport fish cargo.  Due to the condition of the Super Constellation, it will not be restored to be airworthy but instead, it will be displayed as part of the Museums's aircraft collection at Longreach.

https://qfom.com.au/

The Connie was first used by Qantas in the late 1940s for the longest air service in the world, the so-called kangaroo route between Sydney and London.  It was also the first flight to feature flight attendants and the airline's first pressurized aircraft, greatly improving the comfort of passengers.  It holds a special place in Qantas's history.

https://qfom.com.au/

The Super Constellation will join the Museum's fleet of planes which includes an Avro, Catalina, Boeing 707 and Boeing 747 which are already at the Museum.

Volunteers at the Qantas Founders Museum will now reportedly spend two years reassembling and repainting the plane before visitors are allowed inside.

Photos taken by Calen Harvey  ©