RACQ Careflight Sunshine Coast Helicopter Rescue Service (SCHRS) BK117 B-2 VH-EHQ Calls Into Biloela / Thangool Airport

Noted calling into Biloela / Thangool Airport on Thursday 5 June was the RACQ Careflight / Sunshine Coast Helicopter Rescue Service (SCHRS) Kawasaki BK117 B-2 helicopter VH-EHQ.

Alan Macdonald / http://flightaware.com/

It called in from its Bundaberg base and later departed to Moura.  From Moura, VH-EHQ - "Rescue 522" - flew direct to Bundaberg Hospital presumably completing a med-evac mission.

The SCHRS operates two BK117 helicopters through the Wide Bay region - including Bundaberg, Maryborough and Hervey Bay - with VH-EHQ joined by VH-BKV ("Rescue 511").

The SCHRS - formally known as AGL Action Rescue - merged with CareFlight Group Queensland in July 2013.  The SCHRS and the iconic RACQ CareFlight Rescue now come under the umbrella of CareFlight Group Queensland.

Check out the CareFlight Group website at:  http://www.careflightgroup.com/

Incidentally, one other interesting movement through Biloela / Thangool Airport in recent days was the visit of New South Wales-based Wettenhall Air Service Swearingen SA226T Merlin III VH-SSL.

The Merlin initially called in from Griffith and its Deniliquin base on Sunday 1 June.  After staying overnight, it ventured North to Ayr before returning later on Monday 2 June.  It then departed back to Deniliquin via Griffith.

Some More Plane Spotting Photos from Gladstone Airport incl Around Australia Seaplane Adventure for the Make-a-wish Foundation

Last Thursday 29 May, some special visitors called into Gladstone Airport, and local plane spotters Jamie and Tash were on hand to capture some of the action.  The three seaplanes that called into Gladstone were taking part in the Australian Seaplane Adventures 2014 Around Australia Seaplane Adventure fundraiser for the Make-a-wish Foundation of Australia.

The three seaplanes included New South Wales-based Lake LA-4-200 Buccaneer VH-EZC.

Brisbane-based Amateur-built Progressive Aerodyne SeaRey LSX VH-XWW.

And fellow Amateur-built Progressive Aerodyne SeaRey LSX VH-SEY which is registered in Maryborough.

The three seaplanes reportedly arrived at Gladstone after an overnight stay on Great Keppel Island and were captured by Jamie and Tash departing for Maryborough.

For information can be found at:  http://www.everydayhero.com.au/australianseaplaneadventure

Meanwhile, earlier on Thursday 29 May, Alliance Airlines Fokker F-100 VH-XWR departed Gladstone Airport for Brisbane as UTY651.  It had arrived the previous evening operating the regular Fly-in Fly-out (FIFO) charter flight from Brisbane as UTY650.

Finally, on Friday 30 May, Corporate Air / Vee H Aviation SAAB 340B VH-VEP was spotted by Jamie and Tash departing Gladstone Airport after arriving the previous evening.

Some great photos from Gladstone - thanks guys!

Photos taken by Jamie and Tash  ©

Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) Balloon - VH-LVD - in the Skies over Central Queensland This Week

I've only just heard on the local ABC radio that the Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) hot-air balloon - Kavanagh Balloons B-105 VH-LVD - is in the skies over Central Queensland this week.

 https://www.facebook.com/RAAF.Balloon

On Wednesday 4 June, the Balloon is making a flight over Gladstone - lifting off from one of the suburban parks in the port city, and drifting slowly in a South-West direction.

 https://www.facebook.com/RAAF.Balloon

I'm told that the RAAF Balloon will then be heading North - by road(!) - and be on display for the remainder of the week at Rockhampton.  The exact location of the Balloon's take-off and display points are not known at this stage, but according to the ABC radio, the Balloon will take to the air each morning over Thursday 5 June and Friday 6 June.

The RAAF will also be offering tethered flights in the afternoon/evening, offering locals the chance to climb in the basket under the Balloon, and rising to around 20-30 metres above ground, to give passengers a 'bird's-eye' view of the beef capital.

The exact location of where the RAAF Balloon will set up in Rockhampton is not known at this stage.

Incidentally, the RAAF Balloon was in the skies over Maryborough on Tuesday 3 June.

 https://www.facebook.com/RAAF.Balloon

From the RAAF Balloon Facebook page, it states:  "Beginning before dawn east of Maryborough, the Air Force Balloon crew provided a free flight display over the city followed by visits to Albert Street State School and Mungar State Primary School. Maryborough West Primary School students also helped out in packing the Balloon after landing from the morning flight. Conditions were excellent for the overflight and allowed additional track miles and viewing time for many of Maryborough's residents."

 https://www.facebook.com/RAAF.Balloon

After Rockhampton, the RAAF Balloon will be heading back down the Central Queensland coast to Hervey Bay and Bundaberg.

For more information and great photos do check out the RAAF Balloon Facebook page at:  https://www.facebook.com/RAAF.Balloon

A Couple More Photos of RAAF Hercules A97-466 - and a Few Other Aircraft - at Rockhampton Airport

As posted below, Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) Lockeed C-130J-30 Hercules transport aircraft A97-466 called into Rockhampton Airport on Tuesday 3 June.

Local plane spotter Phil M was also on hand and also captured some great images as "Mambo 32" called into Rocky for fuel.

Earlier on Tuesday 3 June, Phil also captured a photo of the visiting Mackay-based Raytheon 390 Premier 1 bizjet N7088S, which called in late on Monday 2 June.  It later departed back to Mackay.

And he also captured a great shot as QantasLink Dash-8-Q400 Next Gen VH-LQL lifted-off Rocky's Runway 15 bound for Mackay as QLK2300.

Later on Tuesday 3 June, as the Herc was refuelling, Virgin Australia Boeing B737-800 VH-YVC was captured by Phil as it departed Rocky for Brisbane as VOZ1248. 

Meanwhile, Virgin Australia Regional Airlines (VARA) ATR 72-500 VH-FVI was photographed by Phil visiting the beef capital last week on a scheduled service from and back to Brisbane.

Some great photos from Phil, and I'd like to thank him sincerely for taking the time to send them through!

All photos taken by Phil M  ©

A Couple More Delays and Diversions in and out of CQ Airports on Tuesday Morning

There was more fog in Queensland on Tuesday 3 June and this time the delays weren't only in CQ.  There were flight delays at Moranbah Airport and Clermont Aerodrome (only with the two Skytrans FIFO departures), but also Brisbane Airport travellers suffered delays as several flights were diverted after thick fog rolled in around 7am.

File photo

Of the CQ-originating flights, Alliance Airlines (on behalf of QantasLink) UTY2643 MKY-BNE Fokker 100 VH-XWR diverted to Maroochydore, while QantasLink QF2371 HVB-BNE Dash 8-300 VH-SCE also diverted to Maroochydore.

The flow-on effect of the delays were still evident into the afternoon!

Re-painted Virgin Australia Boeing B737-800 VH-VUI Calls into Rockhampton Airport Tuesday

Noted touching down at Rockhampton Airport on Tuesday 3 June was re-painted Virgin Australia Boeing B737-800 VH-VUI.  It operated the VOZ1235/1238 service from and back to Brisbane.

VH-YVC at Rockhampton Airport also on Tuesday  (Photo taken by Phil M  ©)

It only emerged from the hangar at Townsville and re-entered service on Tuesday.

It is believed that fellow B737-800 VH-VUJ has now ferried to Townsville for re-painting.  Interestingly, it also called into Rockhampton Airport but on Monday 2 June, operating as VOZ1245/1248 during the afternoon.  It then flew on to Townsville.

Virgin Embraer E-190 VH-ZPI is still overseas receiving maintenance and re-painting.

And Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) Lockeed C-130J-30 Hercules A97-466 Called into Rockhampton Airport Again!

Local plane spotter Kayanne H was on hand late on Tuesday 3 June to capture the arrival into Rockhampton Airport of Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) Lockeed C-130J-30 Hercules A97-466.

This the second day in-a-row that A97-466 has called into Rocky, with the Herc again using the radio callsign of "Mambo 32".  Interestingly, after A97-466 landed on Runway 15, it stopped briefly on Taxiway Kilo, and then reversed itself into its parking position on Taxiway Juliette at Rockhampton Airport.

After taking on fuel, A97-466 was heard to depart to the Samuel Hill Airfield in the Shoalwater Bay Training Area (SWBTA).

There is clearly an Australian Defence Force (ADF) Exercise on at Shoalwater Bay, with locals also spotting several Australian Army vehicles passing through Rockhampton in recent days.

Thanks to Kayanne for sending through these great photos!

All photos taken by Kayanne Hardsman  ©

Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) Boeing B737-7ES / E-7A Wedgetail A30-002 Spotted at Rockhampton Airport Tuesday

For the second straight day this week, Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) Boeing B737-7ES / E-7A Wedgetail Airborne Early Warning & Control (AEW&C) aircraft - A30-002 - has been spotted in the skies above Central Queensland.

On Tuesday 3 June, A30-002 was captured by local plane spotter 'IAD' as it performed a missed approach on Runway 15 at Rockhampton Airport.

The Wedgetail was noted to come up to Rocky from the South, and after conducting the missed approach, it was noting flying back to the South.  It was heard to be using the radio callsign of "Wedgetail 04".

Thanks to 'IAD' for sending through these great photos!

All photos taken by 'IAD'  ©