Machjet (Machjet International) Cessna 525A Citation CJ2 Bizjet VH-ZIY Also Spotted at Gladstone Airport - Plus More!

Also on Wednesday 15 June, Machjet (Machjet International) Cessna 525A Citation CJ2 bizjet VH-ZIY was also spotted visiting Gladstone Airport.

It looked to arrive from the Sunshine Coast and Brisbane before later departing to the North - possibly to Cairns.

Meanwhile, also on Wednesday 15 June,  Poolhurst Aviation Air Charter Services Pilatus PC-24 jet VH-VTF was noted visiting my local Clermont Aerodrome.  It arrived from Archerfield before later departing to Charleville and Adelaide Airports.

Flylink Aviation College Diamond DA 40 VH-EUU flew into Longreach Airport from Archerfield via Roma Airport.

UPDATE!  On Friday 17 June, VH-EUU departed Longreach Airport for Proserpine (Whitsunday Coast) Airport and then the Whitsunday Airport at Shute Harbour.

Brisbane-based Australian Agricultural Company Pilatus PC-12/47E VH-AAC arrived into Bundaberg Airport from Archerfield before later departing to the Gold Coast.

While Brisbane-based Avcair Cessna 425 Conquest 1 VH-BSM flew into Proserpine (Whitsunday Coast) Airport from Archerfield and Collinsville Airports.  It then returned to Collinsville Airport where it appears to be overnighting.  VH-BSM is scheduled to return to Archerfield on Thursday 16 June.

Navair Flight Operations Embraer EMB-500 Phenom 100 bizjet VH-LXZ looked to visit Mackay Airport once again from Bankstown and Maitland. 

Pilatus PC-12/45 VH-PID of Kibble (Aeronautics and Technology Holdings) looked to visit Mackay Airport from Toowoomba.

And Pionair Australia British Aerospace BAe 146-200QC VH-SAZ visited Mackay Airport on its weekly Fly-in Fly-out (FIFO) charter flight.  It arrived from and later departing back to Brisbane as SFZ667/8.

Finally, also on Wednesday 15 June, Link Airways (Corporate Air / Vee H Aviation) Metro 23 VH-VEK called into Longreach Airport from Brisbane before later returning there but via Boulia.

Fellow Link Airways Cessna 441 Conquest VH-VEJ flew up from Brisbane to Oaky Creek Mine Site and Clermont Aerodrome.  It then returned to Brisbane. 

And Link Airways SAAB 340B VH-VEM was noted visiting Theodore Airport from Brisbane and the Sunshine Coast.

Photo taken by 'AC'  ©

Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) Boeing B737-7DT(BBJ) A36-001 "Envoy 73" Spotted at Gladstone Airport - Plus More!

On Wednesday 15 June, Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) Boeing B737-7DT(BBJ) A36-001 was spotted visiting Gladstone Airport.  As widely reported, Prime Minister Anthony Albanese came to town to host a meeting of Federal Cabinet, as well as participating in other engagements.

A36-001 was heard to be using the radio callsign "Envoy 73" and looked to arrive from Brisbane and later depart to Canberra.

Meanwhile, also on Wednesday 15 June, RAAF Alenia C-27J Spartan transport aircraft A34-002 as "Kaos 55" flew up from RAAF Base Amberley to complete airwork at Wondai before continuing at low level up to complete more airwork at Bundaberg Airport.  It then flew down to the Sunshine Coast and then back to Amberley.

A34-002 later did more airwork but at Miles Airport while on a flight out of and back to Amberley this time as "Kaos 57".

Photo taken by 'AC'  ©

McDermott Aviation Group / Machjet International Cessna 525C CitationJet CJ4 Bizjet VH-PIY Calls into Bundaberg Airport - Plus More!

On Tuesday 14 June, McDermott Aviation Group / Machjet International recently delivered Cessna 525C CitationJet CJ4 bizjet VH-PIY was noted visiting Bundaberg Airport.  

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It looked to arrive from the Sunshine Coast and Sydney and later depart back to the Sunshine Coast.

Meanwhile, also on Tuesday 14 June, DeGunst Transport P/L Textron (Cessna) 208 Caravan VH-NPZ made its weekly flight from Bundaberg to Nebo Aerodrome and back - but via Rockhampton Airport.

Of interest, VH-NPZ looked to visit Gladstone Airport on Monday 13 June.

While Lancair LC40-550FG VH-XTU visited Gladstone Airport from its Sunshine Coast base.

Locally-based Horizon Airways Piper PA-31-325 Navajo Chieftain VH-LWW departed Mackay Airport for Cairns.

Fly Weel Pilatus PC-12/47E VH-KWZ was noted visiting Hamilton Island Airport from the Gold Coast.

And MT Air Charters / Pilatus Australia Pilatus PC-12/47E VH-JMU arrived into Mackay Airport from the Sunshine Coast.  It had earlier flown across from Darwin and Mount Isa.

UPDATE!  On Wednesday 15 June, VH-JMU departed Mackay Airport for Miranda Downs.

Finally, also on Tuesday 14 June, Altitude Aviation Beech B200 King Air VH-ISS departed Archerfield for Blackall and Longreach Airports.

UPDATE!  On Wednesday 15 June, departed Longreach Airport for Brisbane and then back to Archerfield.

While at Emerald Airport, Southern Airlines Beech 1900 VH-VSO was photographed as it was parked up for the night after earlier arriving from Melbourne (Moorabbin), West Sale and Bourke.

UPDATE!  On Wednesday 15 June, VH-VSO departed Emerald Airport for West Sale and Moorabbin.

And Cessna 210 VH-KTE arrived into Emerald Airport from its Gladstone Airport base.

UPDATE!  On Friday 17 June, VH-KTE returned to Gladstone Airport before continuing to Caloundra.

Photo taken by 'AC'  ©

Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) Boeing B737-7ES / E-7A Wedgetail A30-002 Completes Airwork at Hervey Bay (Fraser Coast) Airport

On Tuesday 14 June, Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) Boeing B737-7ES / E-7A Wedgetail Airborne Early Warning & Control (AEW&C) aircraft A30-002 was noted completing airwork, including several missed approaches, at Hervey Bay (Fraser Coast) Airport.

File photo

A30-002 was flying as "Wedgetail 01" and looked to fly up from RAAF Base Williamtown near Newcastle in New South Wales, to Hervey Bay where it then completed its airwork.  A30-002 then returned South to complete another missed approach at Coffs Harbour before then returning to Williamtown.

Meanwhile, also on Tuesday 14 June, RAAF Alenia C-27J Spartan transport aircraft A34-002 was noted completing airwork - and several touch-and-go landings - at Bundaberg Airport.  It was flying as "Wallaby 46" and looked to originally depart RAAF Base Amberley.  

The Spartan returned to Amberley from Bundy but via another missed approach at Kingaroy.

Photo taken by Steve Vit  ©

Remembering the Crash of a USAF B-17C Flying Fortress at Bakers Creek near Mackay on 14 June 1943

During the Second World War, the United States Army Air Corps established rest and recreation facilities in Mackay. From the end of January 1943 until early 1944, thousands of United States servicemen were ferried almost daily from New Guinea to Mackay by air transport to spend around 10 days R&R. They were usually carried by two B-17 Flying Fortresses converted for transport duties and an LB-30 (civil transport version of the B-24 Liberator bomber), stationed in Mackay with the 46th Troop Carrier Squadron, whose parent Unit was stationed in Townsville, Queensland.

On Monday 14 June 1943, just before dawn, at about 6 a.m., Boeing B-17C, Serial/Tail Number 40-2072, known as "Miss Every Morning Fixin", took off from Mackay headed for Port Moresby. There were six crew and 35 passengers aboard. A few minutes after take-off, it crashed, at Bakers Creek, 8km South of Mackay, killing all but one of those on board.

The cause of the crash remains a mystery. The aircraft took off into fog and, soon after, made a turn at low altitude. The crash remains Australia's worst air disaster.

The sole survivor was Foye Kenneth Roberts who died at Wichita Falls, Texas on 4 February 2004.

Local residents gathered at the Bakers Creek Memorial site to commemorate the 70th anniversary of the crash in 2013, and to mark the occasion, a booklet titled 'Biosketches of the Fallen', has been published.

The memorial was constructed in Bakers Creek in 1981 consisting of two brick columns aligned northwards on which are mounted flag poles and two brass plaques facing eastwards. Between the columns is a large aircraft propeller of a type fitted to Douglas C-47/DC-3/Dakota airplanes that was supplied by the Royal Australian Air Force. The plaques describe the crash and list the men known to have perished as well as the sole survivor. Fixed above the propeller is a bronze model of a Flying Fortress aircraft that was added on 13 June 2003.

Another memorial located behind the Australian embassy in Washington D.C. commemorates the accident. Because embassies are considered foreign soil, the Bakers Creek Memorial Association petitioned American lawmakers to relocate the memorial. After several years of negotiation, a dedication ceremony took place 11 June 2009 at the memorial's new home just north-west of the Selfridge Gate in Fort Myer, Virginia.

More information can be found at Peter Dunn's Australia At War website (www.ozatwar.com).

Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) Boeing C-17A Globemaster III A41-206 "Stallion 61" Completes Airwork at CQ Airports - Plus More!

On Monday 13 June, Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) Boeing C-17A Globemaster III A41-206 was spotted and noted completing airwork, including missed approaches at a couple of Central Queensland Airports.

A41-206 was flying as "Stallion 61" and looked to originally depart RAAF Base Amberley and head out over water for air-to-air refueling exercises before it then flew up to Bundaberg Airport where it completed a missed approach.  The Globemaster then flew up to Rockhampton at a fairly low level and was then spotted (above) completing a missed approach at Rockhampton Airport.

A41-206 "Stallion 61" then returned to Amberley.

It seems that it was completing air-to-air refueling exercises with RAAF Airbus A330-200 / KC-30A Multi Role Tanker Transport (MRTT) A39-004 "Dragon 40".

Meanwhile, also on Monday 13 June, Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) Alenia C-27J Spartan transport aircraft A34-002 was noted completing airwork - and several landings - at Bundaberg Airport.  It looked to fly up from and then return to Amberley.

A34-002 was heard to be flying as "Wallaby 44".

Sincere thanks to local plane spotter Scott H who was at the right place at the right time to capture these great photos!

All photos taken by Scott Harris  ©️

Execujet Challenger 604 VH-VSZ and Divair CitationJet CJ3 VH-NNE Both Depart Proserpine (Whitsunday Coast) Airport - Plus More!

On Monday 13 June, Execujet Australia Bombardier CL-600-2B16 Challenger 604 bizjet VH-VSZ was noted departed Proserpine Airport for Sydney.  It had arrived into Prosie from Sydney on Friday 10 June.

While Divair (Air Link) Cessna 525B CitationJet CJ3 bizjet VH-NNE popped across from Proserpine Airport to the Whitsunday Airport at Shute Harbour before then flying down to Bankstown and Orange.  It had arrived from those places after dark on Thursday 9 June. 

Both bizjets were photographed parked up on Saturday 11 June.

And Cessna 182P VH-RYZ flew up from Bankstown to Townsville via Caloundra, Hervey Bay (Fraser Coast), Proserpine Mackay (diversion) Airports.

UPDATE!  On Tuesday 14 June, VH-RYZ looked to continue from Townsville to Innisfail where it looked to have started parachuting operations.

Meanwhile, also on Monday 13 June, Seair Pacific / Istlecote Cessna 208 Caravan VH-TQW flew up from Hervey Bay (Fraser Coast) and Maryborough Airports to Middlemount Aerodrome.  It then flew to Rockhampton Airport and then Lady Elliot Island.

Altitude Aviation Beech B200 King Air VH-ISS also popped into Rockhampton Airport but from Archerfield and Brisbane

While the Queensland Police Service (Airwing) (State of Queensland) Raytheon B1900D VH-PSK flew down from Cairns and Townsville to call into Rockhampton Airport before it later departed to Brisbane.  VH-PSK later returned directly to Townsville and Cairns.

And Trans Communications (Brisbane) Piper PA-46-350P VH-UWM arrived into Rockhampton Airport from Cairns before heading down to Redcliffe base.  It looked to also pass through Rocky while heading North last Friday 10 June.

Finally, also on Monday 13 June, FKG Air (Redjet Aviation) Hawker Beechcraft B200GT VH-FKB flew up from Toowoomba to Hamilton Island Airport.  It later departed to Archerfield before returning to Toowoomba.

While ZephAir Australia - Aircraft Charters Piper PA-31 Navajo VH-AYT visited Mackay Airport from Townsville.

And New South Wales-based Beech 58 Baron VH-JML visited Bundaberg Airport, flying up from and later back to its Lismore base.

All photos taken by Matt Midgley  ©

LifeFlight (Aeromed) Bombardier Challenger 604 Bizjet VH-URR "Ambulance 604" Pops into Rockhampton Airport

Late on Sunday 12 June, LifeFlight (Aeromed) Bombardier Challenger 604 bizjet VH-URR "Ambulance 604" was noted arriving into Rockhampton Airport from Brisbane.

File photo

After over an hour on the ground, VH-URR "Ambulance 604" departed Rockhampton Airport and returned to Brisbane.

Photo taken by John Lee  ©

Recently Delivered Air Link (Dubbo) Cessna 510 Citation Mustang Bizjet VH-SEQ Calls into Hamilton Island Airport - Plus More!

On Sunday 12 June, recently delivered Cirrus Australia (Air Link - Dubbo) Cessna 510 Citation Mustang bizjet VH-SEQ was noted making its first ever visit into Central Queensland, calling into Hamilton Island Airport from Brisbane and Archerfield.

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After some time on the ground, VH-SEQ departed Hamo and returned to Archerfield.

UPDATE!  On the following Sunday 19 June, VH-SEQ returned to Hamilton Island Airport from Archerfield before later returning there and then back to Brisbane.

VH-SEQ only arrived into Australia at the end of May from North Carolina in the USA.

Meanwhile, also on Sunday 12 June, BPW Aviation / Airspeed Aviation Cessna 441 Conquest II VH-EQU popped into Emerald Airport.  It arrived from Tamworth via Newcastle (Williamtown) and later returned directly to Tamworth.

Royal Australian Navy (RAN) Sikorsky MH-60R Seahawk 'Romeo' Helicopter N48-010(910) "Tiger 10" Calls into Rockhampton Airport

On Sunday 12 June, Royal Australian Navy (RAN) Sikorsky MH-60R Seahawk 'Romeo' naval combat helicopter N48-010 (Code 910) "Tiger 10" was spotted visiting Rockhampton Airport.

It is unclear where it arrived from - possibly a ship - but it departed to the Shoalwater Bay Training Area (SWBTA), North of Rockhampton Airport.  The Seahawk later returned to Rockhampton Airport and then departed once again to Shoalwater Bay.

It is believed that N48-010 (Code 910) "Tiger 10" is currently embarked on the Royal Australian Navy (RAN) Anzac-class frigate HMAS Warramunga (II) (FFH 152).

Sincere thanks to local plane spotter Michael M for taking the time to capture and send through there great photos!

All photos taken by Michael Malick  ©