More Great Photos as Bizjets Hawker 850XP VH-BMW and Citation Sovereign VH-EXQ Depart Gladstone Airport Monday

Local plane spotters Jamie and Tash have sent through some lovely photos as the visiting pair of corporate bizjets departed Gladstone Airport on Monday 2 June for Roma.

The sleek little black and silver Gojet Raytheon Hawker 850XP VH-BMW firstly taxied from its parking spot on the Western edge of the Airport and positioned on to the Gladstone Airport apron where it joined the bigger Mitchell Air / Australian Corporate Jet Centres' Cessna 680 Citation Sovereign VH-EXQ in waiting for its passengers.

VH-EXQ departed Gladstone first, destined for Roma.

Then VH-BMW departed - believed to be destined for Roma as well.

A great couple of visitors, and some great photos taken by Jamie and Tash!

Thanks guys for sending them through!

Photos taken by Jamie and Tash  ©

Australian Army Blackhawk A25-107 and RAAF C-130 Hercules A97-466 & A97-467 Call into Rockhampton Airport

A great day for military movements in CQ was also topped off by the visit of an Australian Army Blackhawk and a pair of RAAF C-130 Hercules transport aircraft into Rockhampton Airport on Monday 2 June.

Australian Army Sikorsky S-70A-9 Blackhawk Helicopter A25-107 called in briefly into Rockhampton Airport, eventually heading South towards Bundaberg as "Redback 107".

As evening fell, Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) Lockheed C-130J-30 Hercules transport aircraft A97-466 and A97-467 both called into Rockhampton Airport.  A97-466 (shown below) - "Mambo 32" - reportedly took on fuel at Rocky and soon after departed to Williamson Airfield in the Shoalwater Bay Training Area (SWBTA).  A97-467 - "Mambo 33" - arrived at Rocky from Williamson.

Incidentally, A97-466 has been spotted in Townsville over the last week, and it was also heard to be calling into Williamson as "Trojan 55" last Wednesday 28 May.  Fellow RAAF C-130 A97-464 was also been heard flying into Williamson on Thursday 29 May as "Mentor 26".

Thanks to Phil M at Rocky for sending through these great photos!

All photos taken by Phil M  ©

Fog on Monday Morning Causes Diversions from Interior Parts of CQ - Emerald and Moranbah Airports

Early on Monday 2 June, fog and low cloud rolled into parts of Central Queensland causing some minor disruptions to operations, including a couple of diversions from Moranbah and Emerald Airports.

VH-UZI diverted into Gladstone earlier this year  (File photo taken by Jamie  ©)

At Moranbah, at least two QantasLink Dash-8-Q400 flights diverted to Mackay after being unable to land due to the fog, while the morning Virgin Australia Regional Airlines (VARA) ATR 72 services spent significant time in holding patterns before landing.

From various Internet resources it appears VH-LQB (QLK2452) and VH-QOT (QLK2448) both diverted to Mackay, and both later positioned back to Brisbane empty.  VARA ATR 72-500s VH-FVL (VOZ1661) and VH-FVM (VOZ1663) spent time circling Moranbah before landing.  Other flights appeared to be unaffected.

At Emerald, the early morning QantasLink Dash-8-Q400 service, along with the early Toll Freight Aviation flight from Biloela / Thangool Airport, were both unable to land and both diverted to Rockhampton Airport.  Another QantasLink Dash-8-Q400 VH-QOD (QLK2402) and a VARA ATR 72 were also noted to hold away from the field before landing.

QantasLink Dash-8-Q400 VH-QOS operating as QLK2400 diverted to Rocky.  It then flew to Emerald, before returning to Brisbane as QLK2401.  Toll Metro III Expeditor VH-UZI - operating as TFX108 - also diverted to Rockhampton and later flew to Emerald.

The diversions into Moranbah and Emerald all caused flow on effects on the QantasLink and Virgin Australia schedules during the day with some delays noted on flights out of Brisbane.

Great Photos as a Nice Pair of Bizjets Call into Gladstone Airport - Hawker 850XP VH-BMW & Citation VH-EXQ

Local plane spotter Michael F ventured out to Gladstone Airport late on Sunday 1 June as a slightly unexpected pair of bizjets called into the industrial city from Adelaide.

First to touch down - rather unexpectedly - was Gojet Raytheon Hawker 850XP VH-BMW.  As it can't be tracked on usual Internet resources, its arrival from Adelaide was a a very nice surprise.

Then - as expected - Mitchell Air / Australian Corporate Jet Centres' Cessna 680 Citation Sovereign VH-EXQ also called in from Adelaide.

VH-BMW initially parked on the lower apron at Gladstone Airport - as shown in Michael's spectacular photos - before being re-positioned to the Western edge of the Airport.  VH-EXQ was parked on the upper parking apron of the Gladstone Airport terminal.

Around the middle of the day on Monday 2 June, both bizjets were noted being prepared for departure, presumably to Roma, where VH-EXQ was 'scheduled' to depart to.

Sincere thanks to Michael for capturing and sending through these fantastic photos!

All photos taken by Michael Fleetwood  ©

Fantastic! RAAF Boeing B737-7ES / E-7A A30-002 "Wedgetail 2" Missed Approach at Gladstone Airport Monday

Local plane spotters Jamie and Tash have captured some great photos 'history making' photos as Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) Boeing B737-7ES / E-7A Wedgetail Airborne Early Warning & Control (AEW&C) aircraft - A30-002 - performed not one but two spectacular missed approaches at Gladstone Airport on Monday 2 June.

No you haven’t read incorrectly!  The first ever visit by a Wedgetail to the port city saw it carry out two missed approaches at Gladstone Airport - initially an ILS approach then overshoot on Runway 10, followed by a VOR approach then overshoot on Runway 28.

A30-002 was noted to fly up to Gladstone from the South, and when finished its airwork, it departed back the South towards Newcastle (Williamtown).  It was heard to be using the radio callsign of “Wedgetail 2”.

Thanks to the very lucky Jamie and Tash for capturing and sending through these stunning images of a great movement in the skies about Gladstone!

Photos taken by Jamie and Tash  ©

REMINDER! Callide Dawson Flying Group (CDFG) 25th Anniversary Fly-In at Biloela / Thangool Airport THIS WEEKEND!

A big reminder that the Callide Dawson Flying Group (CDFG) 25th Anniversary Fly-In is being held at the Biloela / Thangool Airport over the coming Queen's Birthday Long Weekend - 7-9 June 2014.

The CDFG hopes to make this an event that caters for all ages with a particular focus on encouraging families to have a day out.

Along with the usual attractions for plane spotters and aviation enthusiasts - including joyflights and TIFs - the Group also plans to have general interests like market stalls, jumping castles, kiddie rides, bus tours, camel rides, flight simulator, vintage car displays and much more!

To fill the tummies the Group are working towards having pies, hamburgers, drinks, ice cream, popcorn, hot chips, sandwiches and more, plus a dining tent catering for breakfasts, lunches and dinners. Entertainment and a BBQ on the Sunday night.

The program - above - shows that aircraft arrivals are expected on Saturday. culminating with the Fly-in Dinner at the Red Steer Hotel.  On Sunday, there is a memorial flight departing at 10am, and following scheduled RPT movements, the official opening at 1pm.  Aircraft are expected to be heading home on Monday, following the early morning RPT arrivals.

There has been a small band of volunteer Group members working at bringing this event together, and any offers of help and assistance in the week preceding, in the way of setting up, and also the clean-up afterwards will be gladly accepted.

The next area of importance is during the event where volunteers are required to assist with plane parking and general light duties throughout the 3 days. They need as many volunteers as can be available because with the responses already received it is expected to be a biog event! The more volunteers, the shorter the stints of duty. YOU DO NOT NEED TO HAVE HAD ANY EXPERIENCE…..ALL VOLUNTEERS WILL BE BRIEFED ON WHAT THEY ARE REQUIRED TO DO.

Dave See will be looking after the duty rosters.  Please phone him 0414832946 or email cdfg.recreational@gmail.com asap.  A couple of hours of your time will be great more would be even better.

With this fly in the Club hopes to raise funds towards the building of an amenities block for the CDFG as well as the funds being raised for RFDS and Angel Flight.

Royal Flying Doctor Service (RFDS) (Western Operations) to Launch Pilatus PC-24 Versatile Light Jet

The Royal Flying Doctor Service (RFDS) (Western Operations) will become launch customer for the yet to fly Pilatus PC-24 versatile light jet.  The announcement was made at the recent European Business Aviation Conference & Exhibition (EBACE) event in Switzerland with the local manufacturer delighted to mark the event with an order for 3 aircraft and option on 1 to be operated by the RFDS Western Operations.

http://www.pilatus-aircraft.com/

The RFDS has a long history of operating Pilatus aircraft and currently has 31 PC-12 in operation across the country.

RFDS PC-12 VH-NQB at Rockhampton Airport  (File photo taken by 'IAD'  ©)

Pilatus conducted extensive market research before launching the new PC-24, consulting PC-12 fleet operators, including the RFDS.  The PC-24 is designed to perform the same mission as smaller turboprops, carrying as many as ten passengers in a high-density seating configuration. Pilatus considers that the PC-24 is in a category of its own, known as the 'Super Versatile Jet' (SVJ).

The PC-24, which is powered by two Williams FJ 44-4A turbofan engines, has been designed to operate from unpaved runways as short as 820 metres (2,690 feet). Pilatus claims it can access more than 21,000 airports worldwide, 100% more than current jet aircraft. Pilatus also boasts that no other business jet offers this much cabin space (14.2m³) at this price level, or a large cargo door as standard (1.30 x 1.25 metres) for ease of loading. Range with 4 passengers and reserves is 1,950 nautical miles (3,610 km).

The aircraft is still in development with FAA and EASA certification expected in 2017.  First flight is scheduled for late-2014.  Deliveries are expected to start in 2017.

CQ Plane Spotting Historic Spot - Jetstar Airways Celebrates 10 Years in the Air

During the last week in May, Jetstar Airways celebrated 10 years in the air and 10 years of low fares.

On 25 May 2004, Boeing 717-231 VH-VQI touched down in Melbourne from Newcastle (Williamtown) as JQ371 completing Jetstar's inaugural flight.  It had also operated a 'promotional' flight into Mackay from Sydney on 21 May 2004.  VH-VQI was captured by me at the Gold Coast in July 2004.

Jetstar Airways was set up as Qantas's low fare and low cost airline.  It commenced operations with a fleet of 14 Boeing 717 aircraft, some of which Qantas had acquired through the acquisition of Impulse Airlines. Jetstar was set up with the backing and expertise of its parent company Qantas to help compete against other low cost airlines.  Its headquarters were in Melbourne.

Jetstar currently operates regular services from Brisbane, Sydney and Melbourne into most major Central Queensland Airports including Mackay, Proserpine / Whitsunday Coast and Hamilton Island Airports.  It will commence services from the Gold Coast to Mackay in June this year, while services into Rockhampton ceased some time ago.

As well as the B717s, Jetstar also received the first of an initial order of 23 Airbus A320 aircraft in 2004.  The first - VH-JQG - arrived in Melbourne on 21 June 2004. I also captured VH-JQG at the Gold Coast also in 2004.

VH-JQG was delivered from Toulouse as JQ7990 on delivery flight to Australia, departing 18 June 2004, and routing Toulouse - Dubai - Phuket - Darwin - Rockhampton - Coolangatta - Melbourne, arriving on 21 June 2004.  VH-JQG operated a series of route proving and training flights, commencing on 27 June 2004.  It finally operated its first revenue service for Jetstar as JQ702, operating from Sydney to Hamilton Island on 21 July 2004.

Over the last 10 years, Jetstar has operated as many as 65 A320s, with - according to http://www.airfleets.net/ - 56 still in service with the airline, including VH-VFN, which was delivered in 2013 and was the first Australian-based A320SL to feature blended winglets known as 'Sharklets'.  VH-VFN also wears special 100th aircraft / 100 millionth passenger in the Jetstar Group fleet.

To celebrate 10 years of service, the airline recently rolled out A320 VH-VGF in a very striking special livery. The Far North Queensland Skies Blog recently also captured VH-VGF as it called into Cairns on Wednesday 28 May.

As shown, the starboard side of the fuselage features text saying 'Low fares forever', while the port side has the phrase '#jetstargeneration' to signify the generation of travellers who have taken advantage of the low fares Jetstar has brought to the Australian market.

The Jetstar fleet today now consists of Airbus A320s, A321s, A330-200s and Boeing 787-8 Dreamliners. The Jetstar brand has also expanded to include Jetstar Asia (Singapore), Jetstar Pacific (Vietnam), Jetstar Japan and more recently Jetstar Hong Kong.

Sincere thanks to the Far North Qld Skies Blog for allowing us to share their fantastic photos of VH-VFN and of VH-VGF both captured at Cairns recently!

Do check out this excellent blog HERE!

Photo taken by the FNQ Skies Blog  ©