More Helicopters Spotted at Rockhampton Airport on Tuesday incl WAVE R44 VH-WOD Heading Home to Shute Harbour

Local plane spotters Kayanne H and Trevor H were on hand at Rockhampton Airport on Tuesday 3 May to also capture the arrival of four lovely helicopters as they called in for fuel while on a journey from the Wings Over Illawarra Airshow in New South Wales to the Whitsunday Airport at Shute Harbour.

And making it a busy time at Rockhampton Airport on Tuesday afternoon, the four choppers arrived as the Columbia Helicopters Boeing-Vertol 107-II helicopter P2-CHE was on the ground being refuelled before it departed to Bundaberg.

The four helicopters that called into Rocky in very quick succession were Robinson R44 II helicopters VH-WOD, VH-NEM and VH-TWS, along with Agusta AB 206A VH-YBB. 

As shown, VH-YBB parked on the Eastern grass helicopter parking area while the four Robi 44s all parked near the fuel bowser to be refuelled.

Finally, Trevor also captured Stirling Helicopters (Stirling Consolidated) Bell 206B (II) VH-JAQ soon after it arrived into Rockhampton Airport from parts unknown.

A great afternoon of helicopter spotting action and we sincerely thank Kayanne and Trevor for taking the time to capture and send through these great photos!

Photos taken by Kayanne Hardsman and Trevor Hardsman  ©

PNG Registered Columbia Helicopters (USA) Boeing-Vertol 107-II Helicopter P2-CHE Passes Through CQ Airports Tuesday

A great visitor to Central Queensland Airports on Tuesday 3 May with Papua New Guinea (PNG) registered Columbia Helicopters Boeing-Vertol 107-II helicopter P2-CHE ferrying from Cairns to Bundaberg via Townsville, Mackay and Rockhampton Airports.  It was noted ferrying into Cairns from Cooktown on Monday 2 May.

Local plane spotters Kayanne H and Trevor H were on hand to capture some great photos as the tandem rotor chopper called into Rockhampton Airport for fuel while on its journey South.

P2-CHE departed to Bundaberg Airport where local plane spotter Tom H captured a quick photo shortly after its arrival.  He reports that it looked like the Vertol was being prepared to stay the night.

P2-CHE (C/N 108) is a 1964 build tandem rotor chopper that is leased by Columbia Helicopters (PNG) from Columbia Helicopters Inc (CHI) in the USA.  It is one of several based in the Southern Highlands base of Moro that reportedly work on petroleum exploration operations in PNG, flying entire petroleum drilling rigs piece by piece over the top of PNG's ecologically sensitive rain forests.  See more at: http://www.colheli.com/aerial/oil-and-gas/#sthash.FnNsZ37T.dpuf

Columbia Helicopters Inc (CHI) is an aircraft manufacturing and operating company based in Aurora, Oregon, in the United States of America (USA). They are known for operating tandem rotor helicopters - presently the Boeing Vertol 107 and Boeing 234. These helicopters are primarily used in stream restoration and forestry operations including heli-logging, oil exploration, fire suppression, construction, government support, film production, disaster response and many other activities. In addition the company operates a large FAA Repair Station supporting customers around the world.

Sincere thanks to the local plane spotters for taking the time to capture and send through these great photos of a great helicopter to visit CQ!

Photos taken by Kayanne Hardsman, Trevor Hardsman and Tom Houghton  ©

Police Cessna 560 Citation Ultra Bizjet VH-PSU Surprise Visit to Gladstone Airport due Fog at Rockhampton

Early on Tuesday 3 May, the Queensland Police Service (Airwing) Cessna 560 Citation Ultra bizjet VH-PSU made a surprise early visit to Gladstone Airport after being unable to land at its intended destination of Rockhampton Airport due to a blanket of fog which covered the beef capital.

It departed a short while later for Townsville.  VH-PSU was yet again on prisoner transfer duties, completing flights up and down the Queensland coast.

Meanwhile, also spotted arriving into Gladstone Airport early on Tuesday 3 May was Virgin Australia Embraer E-190 jet VH-ZPR which was operating the VOZ1707/1710 rotation from and back to Brisbane.

Finally, in the wee small hours of Tuesday 3 May, Careflight Queensland (Aeromed) LearJet 45 VH-VVI called into Gladstone Airport seemingly a med-evac transfer flight from and back to Brisbane.  It was using its usual callsign of "Ambulance 451".

VH-VVI at Gladstone Airport in 2015 in its 'Retro' colour scheme!  (File photo)

I really did like the silver colour scheme that this aircraft previous wore!

Of interest, VH-VVI was also noted to have visited Rockhampton Airport in the very wee small hours of Monday 3 May flying from and then back to Brisbane as well.

Thanks to Col for sending through these great photos on Tuesday morning!

Photos taken by Col and Anthony Schulz  ©

Eclipse EA500 Bizjet N570RG Back in Australia and Passing Through Longreach Airport Monday - Plus More!

The smart little Eclipse EA500 bizjet N570RG that passed through Australia, calling into Proserpine Airport, while heading to New Zealand in mid-March, seems to be returning 'home' after it called into Longreach Airport on Monday 2 May from the Gold Coast while heading to Darwin, also via Mount Isa.

N570RG flew into the Gold Coast on Saturday 30 April after completing the trans-Tasman flight from Auckland via Norfolk Island and Lord Howe Island.

N570RG was believed to be heading to New Zealand in mid-March to attend the 'Warbirds Over Wanaka International Airshow 2016'.  As the photo shows above, it was certainly spotted at Wanaka Airport during the airshow!

Meanwhile, departing Longreach Airport on Monday 2 May were the the Queensland Government (State of Queensland) Raytheon Hawker 850XP bizjet VH-SGY and Raytheon B300 Super King Air VH-SGQ.

VH-SGY departed to Barcaldine and then Brisbane, while VH-SGQ departed direct to Brisbane during the mid-afternoon.

Meanwhile, yet another bizjet to visit Longreach Airport in recent days is Cessna 510 Citation Mustang bizjet VH-NEQ, which called in from Cairns late on Monday 2 May.  After taking on fuel, it continued to Melbourne (Moorabbin) Airport.

Finally, on the lighter side of aircraft movements on Monday 2 May, former long-time Rockhampton resident Piper PA-PA-23-250 Aztec VH-EQD called in from its (now) Archerfield home before continuing to Mount Isa and Mornington Island.  And what looks to be a fly-away or air safari of Cirrus owners touched down at Longreach Airport with a few of little single-engine aircraft noted arriving both from Broken Hill or Bourke during the late afternoon.  The Cirrus aircraft arriving looked to include:  SR20 VH-TEL, SR22 VH-SDA, SR22 VH-TTV, SR22 VH-CFD, and SR22 VH-EET.

Another Nice Pair of Bizjets Call into Hamilton Island Airport - Challenger VH-LEF and Falcon 2000LX VH-WIO

Another day and yet more nice bizjet visitors to Hamilton Island!

This time on Monday 2 May, Balmoral Air Dassault Falcon 2000LX bizjet VH-WIO touched down at Hamilton Island Airport once again from Bankstown.

File photo taken by Sydney Airport Flyways  ©

Meanwhile, a little later in the morning, Linfox Express Charter / Air National Australia Canadair CL-600-2B16 Challenger 604 bizjet VH-LEF also called into Hamo but from its Melbourne (Essendon) base.

At the time of writing, both bizjets appear to be staying on the Island!

Finally, after arriving on Saturday 30 April, Brisbane-based Cessna 340 VH-LKM was noted departing Hamilton Island Airport for Archerfield also on Monday 2 May.

Regional Air - CQ's Newest Airline - Offering General Charter Flights from Mackay Airport with PA-31-350 Navajo VH-RKD

I recently had the pleasure of capturing some photos of Piper PA-31-350 VH-RKD which is being operated out of Mackay Airport by Regional Air - Central Queensland's newest airline.  They have taken up residence at Mackay Airport on Mike Jones St (next to RACQ CQ Rescue) near the Western General Aviation (GA) Apron.

A 1981-build  Navajo Chieftain, VH-RKD was delivered to Regional Air after flying for some time in Western Australia.  It now wears a smart corporate livery and has been adorned with the titles and logo of Regional Air.  It has also had extensive work on the interior - including have all the cabin windows replaced - and can seat a maximum of eight passengers in air-conditioned comfort.

Regional Air commenced operations in March this year and offer general charter and Fly-in Fly-out (FIFO) charter services, along with special $149 flights from Mackay to Hamilton Island (amongst other packages).

Early feedback suggests that Mackay locals are certainly showing some interest in taking up the offer of flying across to Hamilton Island for a day or for a night!  In fact, one recent trip from Hamo back to Mackay Airport had a flight time just over 20 minutes - which when compared to a two-hour plus ferry ride and drive - is ultra convenient and smart!

Keep an eye on their Facebook page for latest deals and special announcements:  https://www.facebook.com/FlyRegionalAir

Their website has a lot more information on their travel packages:  http://regionalair.com.au/

Alternatively, you can call them for information to make a booking on:  1300 359 734 (1300 FLY REG) or by sending an email to:  bookings@regionalair.com.au

Our sincere thanks to Martin at Regional Air for allowing us to come and take some photos of VH-RKD!  We wish him and everyone at Regional Air all the very best for the future of this venture!

Shortstop Jet Charter Learjet 31ER VH-OVX Calls into Hamilton Island Airport - And Falcon 7X HB-JSN Departs!

On Sunday 1 May, Shortstop Jet Charter Learjet 31ER VH-OVX was noted calling into Hamilton Island Airport.  It touched down and then later returned to its Melbourne (Essendon) base.

VH-OVX at Adelaide recently  (File photo)

Meanwhile, the late on Sunday 1 May, the visiting DASNAIR (of Switzerland) Dassault Falcon 7X HB-JSN departed Hamo for Darwin and Muscat (Oman).  Of interest the flight to Oman is scheduled to take some ten-and-a-half hours!

File photo

HB-JSN had arrived at Hamilton Island Airport from Sydney on Friday 29 April.

Photos taken by Tony Haynes and 'AC'  ©

A Couple of Bizjets and a Couple of Air Link Navajos at Longreach Airport Over the Weekend

Over the weekend, it was interesting to note a couple of familiar bizjets and light General Aviation (GA) aircraft called into Longreach Airport on various flights around the region.  

File photo

As we mentioned on our Facebook page, the Queensland Government (State of Queensland) Raytheon B300 Super King Air VH-SGQ arrived at Longreach Airport on Saturday 30 April from Brisbane and Eromanga.  It then operated a return flight to Barcaldine Airport where it dropped off Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk who came to town for the The Tree of Knowledge Festival and Labour Day on Monday 2 May.

As the evening wore on, Air Link Piper PA-31-350 VH-MZF called into Longreach Airport from Dubbo and Charleville. It later departed further North to Karumba where it arrived in the early hours of Sunday 1 May.

File photo

Then around mid-morning on Sunday 1 May, fellow Air Link Navajo VH-DVW flew in the opposite direction, arriving into Longreach Airport from Karumba before departing onward to Dubbo via Charleville.

This saw yet another swap of aircraft by the Dubbo-based regional airline which looks to be operating regular flights between Karumba (previously Normanton) and Mornington Island.  Air Link is also a member of the Regional Express (REX) group.

Also during the morning on Sunday 1 May, the Queensland Government Raytheon Hawker 850XP bizjet VH-SGY arrived at Longreach Airport from Brisbane.  It looked to be staying the night.

File photo

Finally, in the early afternoon on Sunday 1 May, Gulf Coast Aviation Cessna 510 Citation Mustang bizjet VH-KXM once again called into Longreach Airport, this time heading back South to Bankstown from Vanrook Station.  It had flown North via Longreach earlier last week.

A busy couple of days!

Photos taken by 'AC'  ©

Alliance Airlines Fokker F-70 Jet VH-JFB Calls into Rockhampton Airport Saturday

Spotted parked at Rockhampton Airport on Saturday 30 April was Alliance Airlines Fokker F-70 jet VH-JFB.  It had touched down from Brisbane just before lunchtime, flying in as UTY550.  I assume that it came to the beef capital on a closed charter - possibly yet another sporting charter?

VH-JFB continues to wear a sticker promoting the Breast Cancer Network Australia (BCNA).  BCNA works to ensure that Australians affected by breast cancer receive the very best support, information, treatment and care appropriate to their individual needs.  It is the peak national organisation for Australians affected by breast cancer, and consists of a network of more than 100,000 members and 300 Member Groups. More than 90 per cent of their members have had a diagnosis of breast cancer, and the remaining members have had a personal experience with breast cancer through a family member or friend.

They are represented by the 'Pink Lady' silhouette, symbolic of their focus on the women diagnosed with breast cancer and all those around her. See more at: https://www.bcna.org.au/

UPDATE!  After staying parked for a couple of days, VH-JFB departed back to Brisbane on Monday 2 May as UTY551.

Thanks to local plane spotter 'IAD' for taking the time to capture and send through his great photos!

All photos taken by 'IAD'  ©

Machjet Cessna Citation Bizjet VH-SQM Airwork at Gladstone and Rockhampton Airports Saturday

On Saturday 30 April, McDermott Aviation Group / Machjet International Cessna S550 Citation S/2 VH-SQM was noted in the air above Gladstone Airport completing what looked to be a practice ILS approach followed by an overshoot.  It had flown up from its Sunshine Coast base.

VH-SQM then continued further North to Rockhampton Airport where it landed for a couple of hours after again completing some airwork in the circuit area.  It was captured parked on the General Aviation (GA) apron by local plane spotter 'IAD'.

VH-SQM then appeared to depart back to towards Gladstone and then further South on return to the Sunny Coast.

Finally, it's worth noting that on Friday 29 April the Queensland Police Service (Airwing) Cessna 560 Citation Ultra bizjet VH-PSU called into Rockhampton Airport twice while on a busy day of flying looking to be transferring prisoners up and down the Queensland coast.

Thanks to Michael F and 'IAD' for capturing and sending through these great photos!

Photo taken by Michael Fleetwood and 'IAD'  ©