LifeFlight (Aeromed) Canadair Challenger 604 Bizjet VH-OFA "Ambulance 614" Pops into Moranbah Airport

Before dawn on Wednesday 3 March, LifeFlight (Aeromed) Canadair CL-600-2B16 Challenger 604 bizjet VH-OFA "Ambulance 614" was noted visiting Moranbah Airport.

File photo

The Challenger looked to arrive from and then later depart back to its Townsville base.

Photo taken by 'AC'  ©

Four Australian Army NH Industries MRH-90 Multi-Role Helicopters Complete Airwork at Chinchilla Airport

Certainly interesting to note over the last couple of days that Australian Army NH Industries MRH-90 Multi-Role Helicopters operating out of the Oakey Army Aviation Centre have been completing airwork in the 'Southern' parts of Central Queensland.  And on Tuesday 2 March, no less than four of the Army's Taipan helicopters were noted completing airwork, including missed approaches, at Chinchilla Airport.

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A40-015 as "Monarch 73" flew from Oakey to Chinchilla Airport and then back but via Kingaroy.

A40-009 as "Saxon 48" did the same.  Later, A40-009 returned to Chinchilla Airport from Oakey but as "Saxon 88" before returning back to Oakey again via Kingaroy.

And A40-022 as "Saxon 42" flew from Oakey to Warwick and then to Chinchilla Airport before returning to Oakey.

Of interest, the Oakey Army Aviation Centre (IATA: OKY, ICAO: YBOK) is situated approximately 3km from the town centre of Oakey. It provides a training establishment for Australian Army Aviation, and also hosts the Republic of Singapore Air Force's "Cougar" 126 Squadron. The Defence name for the facility is Swartz Barracks, named for prominent politician, Army Aviation advocate, and ex-POW Sir Reginald Swartz.

Part of the facilities at the Centre include The Australian Army Flying Museum which was reopened in September 2005 in new buildings on land adjacent to the Airport, after a grant was provided by the Australian Government. The purpose-built facility includes many historical aircraft tracing the history of the Aviation Corps in the Australian Army and back to the Australian Flying Corps during World War I. 

Featured types in the collection of aircraft include Bell 47, Bell OH-58 Kiowa, GAF Nomad, Pilatus PC-6 Porter, and Cessna 180. The museum also maintains a significant collection of artefacts dating from the inception of the Army Flying Corps and WWI to the present day.

The Australian Army Flying Museum is a sub-unit of the Army History Unit, a direct command unit of the Australian Army Headquarters.

Moorabbin Aviation Services (Victoria) Cessna S550 Citation SII Bizjet VH-JLU Departs Emerald Airport - Plus More

After arriving the previous day, on Tuesday 2 March, the visiting Moorabbin Aviation Services (Victoria) Cessna S550 Citation SII bizjet VH-JLU was noted departing Emerald Airport for Melbourne (Essendon), flying via Biloela / Thangool Airport, then Griffith and Bendigo.

It had arrived into Emerald Airport from Bendigo via Biloela / Thangool Airport on Monday 1 March and was photographed above a little later in the day parked up as it prepared for its overnight stay.

Albury (New South Wales) based Cessna 525 CitationJet CJ1+ bizjet VH-JSZ called into Charters Towers Aerodrome also on Tuesday 2 March.  It arrived from Archerfield and departed to Brisbane.

Meanwhile, also on Tuesday 2 March, Beech 95-B55 VH-MYM flew out from its Gayndah Airport base to Roma and Emerald Airports.  It later returned to Gayndah Airport.

Brescon (Toowoomba) Beech B200 VH-WXN was noted departing Toowoomba-Wellcamp and flying up to Rolleston Aerodrome via Chinchilla and Yellow Bank Airports.  It then returned to Chinchilla Airport and Wellcamp.

And Great Western Aviation Beech B200 VH-XGV made its weekly visit to my local Clermont Aerodrome.  It arrived from and later departed back to Brisbane.

While Cessna 210L VH-PVW flew into Tartrus Airstrip from Noosa before then heading West to Emerald Airport.

UPDATE!  On Wednesday 3 March, VH-PVW returned direct to Noosa from Emerald Airport.

Finally, also on Tuesday 2 March, Townsville Airlines Beech 1900D VH-RUE called into Rockhampton Airport from Cairns.  It later departed to Proserpine (Whitsunday Coast) Airport, Townsville and back to Cairns.

Photo taken by 'AC'  ©

Australian Maritime Safety Authority (AMSA) (Cobham SAR Services Pty Ltd) Bombardier Challenger 604 Bizjet VH-XNE "Rescue 330" at Mackay Airport

Late on Monday 1 March, Australian Maritime Safety Authority (AMSA) (Cobham SAR Services Pty Ltd) Bombardier CL-600-2B16 Challenger 604 bizjet VH-XNE was noted arriving into Mackay Airport. It flew down from Cairns and was heard to be using the radio callsign of "Rescue 330".

VH-XNE was photographed above still parked on the Mackay Airport parking apron early on Tuesday 2 March.  It was noted departing Mackay Airport later in the morning for Cairns, flying again as "Rescue 330".

Of interest, fellow AMSA Challenger 604 bizjet VH-XNC "Rescue 440" was noted flying from and back to Cairns Airport in mid-February , while VH-XND "Rescue 660" seems to be currently based at Melbourne (Essendon) and VH-XNF "Rescue 550" is currently based at Perth.

As we've previously reported, Cobham SAR Services Pty Ltd (Cobham) was contracted in 2014 to provide a new new search and rescue agreement for AMSA using four Bombardier Challenger CL-604 bizjets from late 2016 for a period of 12 years.

Another Hinterland Aviation Cessna 208 Caravan Aircraft Swap at Rockhampton Airport - VH-CVN Back in - VH-TFS out Again!

Barely a week after the exact same aircraft were swapped over, on Tuesday 2 March, Hinterland Aviation Cessna 208 Caravan VH-TFS was noted departing Rockhampton Airport for Cairns as 'HND720' / "Hinterland 720".

VH-TFS only arrived into Rocky last Wednesday 24 February - see Blog post below - but has seemingly had some maintenance issues in recent days.

It appears that fellow Cessna 208 Caravan VH-CVN flew into Rockhampton Airport from Labona late on Monday 1 March as HND371 to be the replacement for VH-TFS.

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As also mentioned below, VH-CVN only just ferried out of Rocky also last Wednesday.

It appears that fellow Cessna 208 Caravan VH-NDC still remains at Rockhampton Airport will now be joined by VH-CVN in operating the 2-3 times daily Fly-in Fly-out (FIFO) flights from Rocky to the Labona Station Airstrip within Adani Australia's (Bravus Mining & Resources) Carmichael Coal Mine site.

A Report from the Callide Dawson Flying Group (CDFG) Fly Away to Smoky Creek on Sunday - 'Smoko and Smoky'

An update on last Saturday 27 February from Dave See......

My weekend flyaway to Smoky Creek went something like this...... I pre-flighted my trusty LightWing and was in the air by 7.10am. Climbed to 2 and a half and it was the smoothest flight I've had all year. 15 minutes later I was in circuit for 16 at Moura Airport. Reef and his mum were there waiting for me as planned. Back in the air 5 minutes later with Reef in the co-pilot's seat and climbed to 3 and a half on track for Smoky Creek which took us over the half-way mark between the Jambin Pub and Rhett Joyce's place. Again it was a very smooth flight except for joining circuit for 03 at Smoky where we got a bit of rapid movement over the ridges at the start of the downwind leg. I was somewhat surprised to see no other aircraft on the ground. Landed, taxied in to where JR (Rasso) had an area set aside for parking, because I could take my pick, I put the LightWing smack in the middle, leaving plenty of room for other aircraft to park either side.

JR and Lenny had been there from early on, hosed the dust off the hangar floor, cleaned and checked the toilets, set up a couple of tables with the cups, tea, coffee, sugar, milk etc and a couple of jars of biscuits to top off for smoko. We spent the morning in the hangar, drank tea and coffee, ate some bikkies and talked really good blokey stuff about aeroplanes.

Jodie Wilson (who along with her husband Rob now owns Smoky Creek) came in with an armful of cakes that she and her boys had made for our smoko and stayed and chatted for a while.

Ray Wenck had driven in before I arrived and Alan Collett drove in about an hour after I got there. In all there was Rasso, Lenny, Ray, Al, Reef Bazaitis and myself enjoying 'SMOKO @ SMOKY'. After hearing numerous times over the last few years "I wonder if we'll ever get to fly in to Smoky Creek again" I was surprised and a bit disappointed that the numbers were lower than I'd anticipated. Al Wilson phoned during the morning to ask how many flew in. He was disappointed that he had to work and therefore just couldn't make it.

Sometimes, unfortunately, no matter how much organizing is done...... on the day, the dots just don't fall into place for everyone at the same time.

Anyway, about midday, as much as I was enjoying the company and place I was at, I decided I'd better think of making a move as the weather was expected to change in the early afternoon. Said my farewells and appreciation to all and lifted off somewhere between 12.30 and 1 o'clock and headed for Tony DeGit's strip at Dakenba. Reef and I bounced and wobbled our way over to there, landed for a 10 minute chat then took off for Moura.

Experienced quite a bit of sink on climbout which had my full attention for a bit. It was hot and rough all the way back to Moura. Then, had a challenge getting down. Even with a big side slip, we didn't touch down until almost half way between the piano keys and the exit to the terminal. Reef's mum was waiting there to pick him up, a two minute chat with Trish and took off for home. Climbed out quite well and straight up to 3 and a half, flew over the mine for a look and turned south towards home......then the rough stuff started!

Flew at 1,000ft (500 AGL) where it wasn't quite as rough but bloody hot! Even the water temp was up 10 degrees above normal. In circuit above Bauhinia Park (home) and saw that the windsock was limp and not even moving! Should have flown home at treetop height. A smooth landing that ended the day off nicely, tucked the LightWing into bed and closed the hangar door at 2.30pm.

We do hope to be able to have another opportunity to fly into Smoky Creek. Hopefully it will fit in with more people on the day.

I want to finish my report with a special thank you to John Rassmussen for organizing the day and to Rasso and Len Neale for the great effort they both put in to prepare Smoky as the venue for our club flyaway weekend for February 2021 and to extend our appreciation to Jodie and Rob Wilson for making it possible.

Regards to you all........ Dave See

PS Flyaway weekends are planned for the 4th weekend of each month. Sometimes it is just for the one day or sometimes both days depending on the preference of the host/s. At present we have Balantree, Rocky Bar, Rodds Bay and Old Station in the pipeline for sometime in the future.

If you have a usable airstrip and would consider hosting a smoko, lunch or overnight stay, then ring the secretary (my lovely wife) and she and the social flying co-ordinators will help you with details....it's very easy and always great to get together with our like minded friends.

Local Embraer EMB-550 Legacy 500 Bizjet N142GZ Returns to Mackay Airport

After just over a month in Sydney, reportedly undergoing planned maintenance, on Monday 1 March, the locally-based Embraer EMB-550 Legacy 500 bizjet N142GZ was noted flying back into Mackay Airport from the New South Wales capital.

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N142GZ had departed to Sydney from Mackay Airport back on Wednesday 27 January.

AAA Aircraft / Flight Options (Australia) Cessna 550 Citation II Bravo Bizjet VH-HVM Pops into Bundaberg Airport - Plus More!

On Monday 1 March, AAA Aircraft / Flight Options (Australia) Cessna 550 Citation II Bravo bizjet VH-HVM was noted arriving into Bundaberg Airport from the Sunshine Coast.  After a very short time on the ground, it returned to its Sunny Coast base.

File photo

Of interest, the locally-based Greensill Aviation Cessna 550 Citation Bravo bizjet VH-CCJ remained parked at the Sunshine Coast after departing Bundaberg Airport in late January.  I've read, sadly, that Greensill Capital is preparing to file for insolvency in the UK.

Meanwhile, also on Monday 1 March, Moorabbin Aviation Services (Victoria) Cessna S550 Citation SII bizjet VH-JLU was noted arriving into Emerald Airport from Bendigo via a stop at Biloela / Thangool Airport.

Of interest, VH-JLU was previously operated by McDermott Aviation Group / Machjet International but transferred down to Victoria in September 2019.

UPDATE!  On Tuesday 2 March, VH-JLU departed to Melbourne (Essendon) from Emerald Airport, again flying via Biloela / Thangool Airport and then via Griffith and Bendigo.

While Vanderfield Cessna 210N VH-JSC was also noted arriving into Emerald Airport also from Biloela / Thangool Airport, after earlier flying up from its Toowoomba base. 

UPDATE!  On Tuesday 2 March, VH-JSC departed Emerald Airport for Toowoomba.

Finally, also on Monday 1 March, the Queensland Police Service (Airwing) (State of Queensland) Raytheon B1900D VH-PSK was noted arriving into Maryborough Airport from Cairns and Townsville.  It later departed to Brisbane before then returning North to Cairns.

BPW Aviation / Airspeed Aviation Beech 58 Baron VH-SQC arrived into Rockhampton Airport from Tamworth.

And Dubbo-based Cessna 182P VH-HXI also passed through Emerald Airport while flying from Orange to Townsville.

Queensland Government (QGAir) Rescue Agusta AW139 Helicopter VH-ESH Flys South via Rockhampton Airport

On Monday 1 March, Queensland Government (QGAir) Rescue (State of Queensland) Agusta AW139 helicopter VH-ESH was photographed as it arrived into Rockhampton Airport while ferrying South from Townsville to Archerfield.

VH-ESH has operating out of both Cairns and Townsville Airports since late 2020 and so it is presumed that it has ferried from Townsville to Archerfield for planned maintenance.

As we have reported previously, this 'rotational system' of airframes that QGAir utilises ensure the even distribution of flying hours on each of the their Rescue helicopters. This system avoids the need to have multiple helicopters offline for simultaneous scheduled maintenance.

Sincere thanks to local photographer Steve V for allowing us to share these great photos!

All photos taken by Steve Vit  ©

Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) Boeing C-17A Globemaster III A41-211 Spotted Completing Missed Approach at Rockhampton Airport - Plus More!

On Monday 1 March, Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) Boeing C-17A Globemaster III A41-211 was spotted completing a missed approach at Rockhampton Airport.

The C-17 departed RAAF Base Amberley and flew up to Rocky where it completed the missed approach.  It then flew South to complete another missed approach at the Sunshine Coast before it then returned to Amberley.

A41-211 was noted flying as "Stallion 21".

Meanwhile, also on Monday 1 March, Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) Boeing B737-7ES / E-7A Wedgetail Airborne Early Warning & Control (AEW&C) aircraft A30-005 was noted completing airwork at Hervey Bay (Fraser Coast) Airport.

It flew up to Hervey Bay Airport from RAAF Base Williamtown via a missed approach at Coffs Harbour.  After completing the airwork, A30-005 returned to Williamtown via another missed approach at the Gold Coast.

A30-005 was noted flying as "Wedgetail 02".

Finally, also on Monday 1 March, Australian Army NH Industries MRH-90 Multi-Role Helicopter A40-020 as "Destrier 112" visited Proserpine (Whitsunday Coast) Airport, arriving from and later departing back to Townsville.

While fellow Australian Army MRH-90 helicopter A40-022 but as "Saxon 42" flew out of the Oakey Army Aviation Centre to Roma Airport where it completed a missed approach.  It then returned to Oakey.

Photo taken by Steve Vit  ©