A Few Other Plane Spotting Photos from Mackay Airport over the Last Few Days

As mentioned below, I ventured to Mackay late last week for some cricket commitments, but in between those, I managed some time a bit of plane spotting at Mackay Airport and here are some of the photos of the aircraft and helicopters I captured.

On Friday 31 October, Virgin Australia Embraer E-190 VH-ZPR was captured arriving from Brisbane as VOZ607.

I managed to capture a nice pair of Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) movements into Mackay Airport on Friday 31 October in the form of RAAF Search and Rescue (CHC Helicopters) Sikorsky S-76A VH-HRP - "Choppa 3" - along with RAAF Beech B350 Super King Air A32-426 - "Dingo 64" - which completed airwork during the afternoon.  See Blog post from Friday here - http://cqplanespotting.blogspot.com.au/2014/11/mackay-airport-on-friday-raaf-rescue-s.html

Also on Friday afternoon, Victoria-based Interair / Photomapping Services Cessna 404 VH-TTZ arrived from Gladstone after completing an aerial survey flight up the coast and then around Mackay city before landing.

The last arrival I spotted on Friday was QantasLink (Cobham Aviation) Boeing B717-200 VH-NXI which arrived from Brisbane as QJE1768. 

Early the next morning on Saturday 1 November I spotted fellow QantasLink B717-200 VH-NXN arriving also from Brisbane as QJE1760.

After a busy day of cricket, I managed to photograph a couple of late Saturday afternoon departures from Mackay Airport from my hotel!  Jetstar Airways Airbus A320SL VH-VFV departed to Brisbane as JST889, while QantasLink Dash-8-Q300 VH-TQM departed to Townsville operating the QLK2308 'milk run' from Brisbane to Cairns via Gladstone, Rockhampton, Mackay and Townsville.

On Sunday 2 November, Surveillance Australia / Australian Customs and Border Protection Service (Cobham Aviation) Dash-8-202 VH-ZZB and Pel-Air SAAB 340A Freighter VH-EKT were photographed resting on the Northern end of the Mackay Airport apron.  VH-ZZB later departed on a sortie as "Customs 22".

After cricket on Sunday, I had a pleasant surprise of capturing Virgin Australia Embraer E-190 VH-ZPL departing Mackay for Brisbane as VOZ614.  It was the first time that I photographed VH-ZPL since it has returned to Australia in the new Virgin livery.

Finally, on Monday 3 November, Virgin Australia Boeing B737-700 VH-VBZ was captured as VOZ601 as it arrived from Brisbane.  It's always great to see a Virgin aircraft in the old Virgin Blue livery which, from a recent rumour I've heard, which will be gone by mid-2015.

Over the entire weekend, Mackay Helicopters (Aviation Tourism Australia) had one of their Bell 222 helicopters - VH-HBA - out flying over the weekend flying to Blossom Banks and other marine transfers.  VH-HBA wears 'Helicopter Support' titles.

Finally, I managed a quick photo showing the early stages in construction of the recently announced 152 room on-airport hotel at Mackay,  This is the first of several major construction projects planned at Mackay Airport.

The hotel is the first step in fulfilling the 20 year vision for Mackay Airport which includes around $900 million construction projects to create a Terminal Business Zone and Commercial and Aviation Precincts on the Mackay Airport land holdings.  Read more HERE.

It was a great (long) weekend!

Finally! 'New' QantasLink Dash-8-Q400 Next Gen VH-LQQ Visits CQ!

On Sunday 2 November, QantasLink Dash-8-Q400 VH-LQQ finally visited Central Queensland, calling into Gladstone Airport from Brisbane as QLK2346.

VH-LQQ at Sydney Airport in late August

Since its delivery in early August, VH-LQQ has been operating out of Sydney and Melbourne, with the occasional trip to Adelaide.  Its visit to Gladstone on Sunday was its first ever revenue flight into Queensland.

After staying the night at Gladstone, VH-LQQ then operated into Rockhampton twice, and then Emerald, on Monday 3 November.

Some Great Photos of Virgin Australia Regional Airlines (VARA) ATR 72-600 VH-VPI Departing Runway 14 at Bundaberg Airport

Local plane spotter Micah S recently tried something a little 'different' at Bundaberg Airport...  He decided to venture to the end of Bundy's Runway 14 to capture some photos of Virgin Australia Regional Airlines (VARA) as it departed to Brisbane on a scheduled Virgin service.

I think you'll agree that this different perspective on plane spotting at Bundaberg Airport has certainly yielded some great photos!

Thanks Micah for sending them through!

All photos taken by Micah S  ©

And RACQ Capricorn Helicopter Rescue Family Fun Open Day Saturday 8 November at Rockhampton Airport Hangar

And, the RACQ Capricorn Rescue Helicopter Service (CHRS) is also pleased to announce that they will host a Family Fun Open Day, in conjunction with Rescue Chopper Day, at the their Hangar at Rockhampton Airport on Saturday 8 November from 10am-2pm.

Mark this date on your calendar and come along and join in the fun!

The doors of the CHRS hangar and chopper will open to the public for just a few hours. Come along and speak with the crew, have a photo taken with the CHRS Bell 412EP, ask the team of volunteers if they need help raising funds and grab a snow cone. There will be the opportunity for community groups to have their team photos taken with our crew and chopper just before doors open upon prior arrangement.

Donation on the day is greatly appreciated.

RACQ-CQ Rescue Community Open Day Saturday 8 November at Mackay Airport Hangar

CQ Rescue are excited to announce they will be hosting a Community Open Day in conjunction with Rescue Chopper Day at the their Hangar at Mackay Airport on Saturday 8 November from 9-11am. Mark this date on your calendar and come along and join in the fun!

Please share this post and encourage your family and friends to come along and support a great cause!

Mackay Airport on Friday - RAAF Rescue S-76A VH-HRP - RAAF Super King Air A32-426

I've ventured to Mackay for the weekend and managed to find some time on Friday 31 October to spend some plane spotting time at Mackay Airport - and I wasn't disappointed with a nice pair of Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) aircraft calling in - amongst others!.

Late-morning, RAAF Search and Rescue (CHC Helicopters) Sikorsky S-76A VH-HRP "Choppa 3" called in from Townsville.  After taking on fuel it departed further to South - possibly Gladstone.

Then later in the afternoon, RAAF Beech B350 Super King Air A32-426 - flying as "Dingo 64" - completed some airwork at Mackay Airport - including three missed touch-and-go's.

After its final approach to Mackay Airport, A32-426 departed to Townsville, via further airwork at Hamilton Island.

Of interest, late on Wednesday 29 October, fellow RAAF Super King Air A32-675 was noted departing Longreach also as "Dingo 64".

And, on Thursday 30 October, RAAF Boeing C-17A Globemaster III A41-210 was heard completing low level flight operations around Fraser Island, Bundaberg and Gayndah before being cleared to return to RAAF Base Amberley.  The Globemaster was heard to be using the callsign of "Stallion 41".

CQ Plane Spotting Historic Spot - The Special Colours Worn by Qantas B737-800s

With a nice pair of its current special coloured Boeing B737-800s calling into Hamilton Island Airport over recent weeks, and with the recent announcement that Qantas will reveal its first 'retro' aircraft livery marking 70 years of the 'flying kangaroo', I thought for this month we'd take a look back at all the special liveries to be applied to various Qantas Airways Boeing B737-800 aircraft over the years.

The most striking Qantas B737-800 to wear a special livery was VH-VXB which was delivered in 2001 wearing the aboriginal 'Yananyi Dreaming' livery.  Of interest, VH-VXB has only recently been re-painted into standard Qantas colours.

In May 2003, VH-VXP was delivered with a "75th Anniversary of first Transpacific Flight of Charles Kingsford Smith in the 'Southern Cross' May 31 - June 09, 1928" sticker on the rear of the fuselage.

In 2004, VH-VXO had 'Sharing the Spirit' titles added.  'Sharing the Spirit' with Qantas was via a series of programs and events designed to help Australians connect with their heroes, their loved ones and their dreams.

In mid-2005, VH-VYE entered service after having 'Melbourne Commonwealth Games 2006' titles applied during pre-service maintenance.  The aircraft was renamed 'Karak' (the Games mascot).

In early-2011, VH-VZD was unveiled with 'Qantas Frequent Flyer / Optus Mobile' titles and decals.

In mid-2011, VH-VZO was rolled out and dedicated at a special ceremony with 'Prostate Cancer Foundation of Australia' stickers.  Of interest, in each November VH-VZO usually also wears a 'mo' during 'Movember' which is the annual event involving the growing of moustaches during the month of November to raise awareness of men's health issues, such as prostate cancer and other male cancers, and associated charities.

Shortly after its delivery in September 2012, VH-XZA was one of two aircraft that had special "Spirit of Australians' titles and a 'You're The Reason We Fly' livery applied to the aircraft where various names written on the fuselage of the aircraft.

In early 2013, VH-VXG was unveiled in a 'Bring It On' livery designed to promote to upcoming British 'Lions' rugby union tour of Australia.

In March 2013, special 'Qantas Loves Ellen' titles were applied to a pair of Qantas aircraft - including B737-800 VH-VZU - promoting the Ellen Degeneres Show during her visit to Australia for filming.

Christopher Cundle / http://www.flickr.com/

Later in 2013, VH-VXA had special 'Now It's On Our Turf' decals applied for Cricket Australia and the Australia versus England Ashes Test Match series.

In late 2013, VH-XZJ was delivered to Qantas wearing a special Aboriginal art colour scheme called 'Mendoowoorrji'.

File photo taken by FNQ Skies Blog  ©

Continuing the cross promotion with US-based television shows, in February 2014, special 'Modern Family Flyer' titles were applied to a pair of Qantas aircraft - including new B737-800 VH-XZK - promoting the Comedy show Modern Family as it filmed a special episode in Australia.  VH-XZK carried the cast and crew to Hamilton Island Airport from Sydney on Tuesday 25 February to film scenes for the special episode.

File photo taken by Bernie Proctor  ©

The new Qantas B737-800, due to be registered VH-XZP and due to arrive in Australia in mid-November, will be the 75th B737-800 to join the Qantas fleet, and its painting in an as yet undisclosed retro scheme featuring the flying kangaroo will mark the 70th anniversary of the kangaroo appearing on a Qantas aircraft for the first time.

The design shown above has appeared on a few well-known Internet websites but we await to see an actual photos of VH-XZP.