Mackellar Mining Equipment / Flight Options (Australia) Cessna 560 Citation Ultra Bizjet VH-MMC Calls into Emerald Airport - Plus More!

On Thursday 27 May, Mackellar Mining Equipment / Flight Options (Australia) Cessna 560 Citation Ultra bizjet VH-MMC was back in Central Queensland yet again, this time noted arriving into Emerald Airport direct from its Sunshine Coast base.

VH-MMC at Clermont Aerodrome last week  (File photo)

At the time of writing, it appears to be staying for at least the night.

UPDATE!  After spending the night, VH-MMC departed Emerald Airport for Brisbane and the Sunshine Coast on Friday 28 May.

Meanwhile, also on Thursday 27 May, Brescon (Toowoomba) Beech B200 King Air VH-WXB flew up directly to the Labona Station Airstrip within Adani Australia's (Bravus Mining & Resources) Carmichael Coal Mine site from Toowoomba-Wellcamp Airport.  The company usually flys one of their King Air turboprops to either Emerald or Clermont Airports for the night.

UPDATE!  On Friday 28 May, VH-WXB departed Labona and returned to Wellcamp.

While Austrek Aviation Beech B200 Super King Air VH-ZGD looked to arrive into Longreach Airport from Cooktown, Cairns and Laura.

Finally, also on Thursday 27 May, Bowenville (near Toowoomba) based Cessna 525 CitationJet CJ1+ bizjet VH-JSZ was noted visiting Charters Towers Aerodrome.  It arrived from Archerfield and Dalby and later departed to Townsville.

And the locally-based Embraer EMB-550 Legacy 500 bizjet N142GZ was back in the air, noted departing Mackay Airport for Brisbane.

UPDATE!  On Friday 28 May, N142GZ returned to Mackay Airport from the capital.

Four Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) Pilatus PC-21 Forward Air Control Aircraft Call into Rockhampton Airport Returning from Exercise Black Dagger 21-1

Certainly a great sight and sound at Rockhampton Airport on Thursday 27 May, with all four Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) Pilatus PC-21 Forward Air Control Aircraft from No. 4 Squadron calling while returning home to RAAF Base Williamtown following a deployment to the Northern Territory where they participated in the RAAF' Exercise Black Dagger 21-1.

The four PC-21s flew into Rockhampton Airport from Mount Isa as two pairs with A54-046 & A54-047 flying as "Mayhem" and A54-048 & A54-049 flying as "Reaper".

All four aircraft taxied in and were refuelled.  They later departed to Williamtown, again flying in their pairs.

This is the first time that any of the RAAF's PC-21 turboprop aircraft has called into Rockhampton Airport.  The RAAF acquired 49 new Pilatus PC-21 aircraft and 7 flight simulators as part of the AIR 5428 Pilot Training System project, with the PC-21 aircraft replacing the RAAF's current Pilatus PC-9/A aircraft.  They are mostly based at RAAF Base East Sale in Victoria and RAAF Base Pearce in Western Australia.

Meanwhile, Exercise Black Dagger 21-1 is a field training Exercise lead by Number 4 Squadron, held at the Delamere Air Weapons Range in the Northern Territory and based out of RAAF Base Tindal over the early part of May 2021.  

The Exercise is the final component of the No. 67 Joint Terminal Attack Controller (JTAC) course.  The course is a crucial activity in preparing graduates to execute the planning, briefing, controlling and reporting required to conduct close air support on the battlefield. 

Supporting the Exercise are F/A-18A/B Hornet aircraft from the RAAF's No.75 Squadron, PC-21 Forward Air Control aircraft from the RAAF's No.4 Squadron, Tiger ARH from the Australian Army's 1st Aviation Regiment and 81mm Mortars from the Australian Army's 5th Battalion Royal Australian Regiment.

Finally, it's worth noting that also in the Northern Territory, the RAAF has deployed approximately 50 aircraft and more than 500 personnel to the 'Top End' for Exercise Arnhem Thunder 21.

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It is one of the RAAF’s largest domestic training exercises for 2021 and provides important force generation training, focusing on high-end collective training and involving multiple Force Element Groups (FEGs).

Arnhem Thunder 21 will be conducted from RAAF Bases Darwin and Tindal during May and June 2021 and will use the Mount Bundey Training Area and Delamere Air Weapons Range.

Aircraft deployed to the exercise include the F-35A Lightning II, F/A-18F Super Hornet, EA-18G Growler, F/A-18A/B Hornet, Hawk 127, C-130J Hercules, C-17A Globemaster, C-27J Spartan, KC-30A Multi-Role Tanker Transport, and E-7A Wedgetail.

Arnhem Thunder 21 sees the F-35A Lightning II operate out of RAAF Base Darwin for the very first time as shown above.

Sincere thanks to local plane spotters Trevor H and Kayanne H for taking the time to capture and send through these great photos!

Photos taken by Trevor Hardsman and Kayanne Hardsman  ©

Jetstar Airways Airbus A320 VH-VGN Touches Down at Hervey Bay (Fraser Coast) Airport Marking Resumed Services from Sydney

For the first time since 2009, a Jetstar Airways flight has touched down at the Hervey Bay (Fraser Coast) Airport bringing passengers and much needed tourist dollars to the beautiful Fraser Coast region!

https://www.facebook.com/FraserCoastCouncil

On Wednesday 26 May, Jetstar Airways Airbus A320 VH-VGN touched down at Hervey Bay (Fraser Coast) Airport direct from Sydney as JST890.

Later it departed back to Sydney but as JST891.

Jetstar flights between Sydney and Hervey Bay (Fraser Coast) Airport will be operating three times a week, on Wednesday, Friday and Sunday with tourists able to visit attractions across the region such as Fraser Island and heritage destinations in Maryborough.

Jetstar first flew its jets between the two cities in the early 2000s but the route wasn’t as profitable as hoped and was cancelled in 2009.

Virgin Australia had been the only airline flying between Sydney and Hervey Bay (Fraser Coast) Airport for many years but it pulled out in 2020 amid financial distress and the COVID-19 fallout.

QGAir Rescue (State of Queensland) Leonardo S.P.A. Helicopters (Agusta) AW139 Helicopter VH-EGK Ferries South via Mackay and Gladstone Airports

On Wednesday 26 May, Queensland Government (QGAir) Rescue (State of Queensland) Leonardo S.P.A. Helicopter (Agusta) AW139 helicopters VH-EGK was noted ferrying South from Cairns to Archerfield via Mackay and Gladstone Airports.

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VH-EGK has been operating out of Cairns Airport in recent weeks as "Rescue 510" and has seemingly ferried South to Archerfield to complete planned maintenance.

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

It will be interesting to see if another QGAir Rescue helicopter ferries North to replace VH-EGK.

Photo taken by Scott Harris  ©

Navair Flight Operations Embraer EMB-500 Phenom 100 Bizjet VH-LXZ Back at CQ Airports Once Again - Plus More!

On Wednesday 26 May, Navair Flight Operations Embraer EMB-500 Phenom 100 bizjet VH-LXZ was noted visiting a couple of Central Queensland Airports during a busy day of flying.

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It looked to arrive into Middlemount Aerodrome from Bankstown and Cessnock before then flying across to Emerald Airport.  VH-LXZ then returned to Middlemount Aerodrome before then flying back to Bankstown via Archerfield and Cessnock.

Also on Wednesday 26 May, Machjet (Machjet International) Cessna 525A Citation CJ2 bizjet VH-ZIY was noted visiting Hamilton Island Airport.  It looked to arrive from and depart back to its Sunshine Coast base.

As mentioned below, it appeared that VH-ZIY visited Hamilton Island and Hervey Bay (Fraser Coast) Airports on Monday 24 May.

And Avcair (Avgunn) LearJet 60 bizjet VH-ILJ looked to call into Proserpine (Whitsunday Coast) Airport from Brisbane.  It later departed to Townsville before then calling into Rockhampton Airport on the way back to Brisbane.

Meanwhile, slightly smaller light General Aviation (GA) visitors around the region, also on Wednesday 26 May, included the Queensland Government Airwing (State of Queensland) Raytheon B300 Super King Air VH-SGQ.  It departed Emerald Airport for Brisbane.

VH-SGQ had flown into Rockhampton Airport from Brisbane on Tuesday 25 May, before it then flew across to Emerald Airport.

While Vanderfield Pilatus PC-12/47 VH-WPH flew up from Toowoomba to Theodore Airport before continuing to Biloela / Thangool and Capella Airports.  It then reversed the flights during the afternoon.

Wagga Air Centre (Mabena) SOCATA TBM-850 VH-PVM was noted arriving into Longreach Airport from Birdsville as "Wagga Air 669".

UPDATE!  VH-PVM "Wagga Air 669" continued to Mount Isa from Longreach Airport on Friday 28 May.

Brisbane-based Bishopp Aviation SOCATA TBM-700 VH-VSV flew into Mackay Airport from Archerfield.

UPDATE!  VH-VSV returned to Archerfield from Mackay Airport on Thursday 27 May.

And noted visiting Emerald Airport was BK Hire (Toowoomba) Piper PA-31-350 Navajo VH-TTX which completed its weekly flight from Toowoomba up to Collinsville Aerodrome via Emerald Airport and back.

Finally, only a couple of movements yesterday on Tuesday 25 May, including Corporate Aviation Bell 429 VH-EQP which landed at Mackay Airport from Southport via Caboolture and Biloela / Thangool Airports.

While Austrek Aviation Beech B200 King Air VH-WXO was noted flying out of Stokes / Warrenvale Station to Blackall Airport before continuing to Archerfield and then Toowoomba.

It had flown up to Stokes / Warrenvale Station over the same route on Monday 24 May.

Photo taken by Steve Vit  ©

LifeFlight (Aeromed) Canadair Challenger 604 Bizjet VH-OFC "Ambulance 634" Overnight Visit to Rockhampton Airport

In the wee small hours of Wednesday 26 May, LifeFlight (Aeromed) Canadair CL-600-2B16 Challenger 604 bizjet VH-OFC "Ambulance 634" was noted visiting Rockhampton Airport.

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It looked to arrive from and then later depart back to Brisbane.

Photo taken by Steve Vit  ©️

Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) Alenia C-27J Spartan Transport Aircraft A34-010 "Wallaby 20" Does a Touch-and-Go at Gladstone Airport

On Monday 24 May, Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) Alenia C-27J Spartan transport aircraft A34-010 was noted completing a touch-and-go at Gladstone Airport.

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Sadly. at the of writing, the exactly tracking of the Spartan is not known but it is assumed it flew out of and back to RAAF Base Amberley.

A30-010 was heard to be using the radio callsign of “Wallaby 20”.

Photo taken by David Geck  ©

Re-Registered SG Aviation / Business Aviation Solutions Global Express XRS Bizjet VH-SJE (ex VH-SGA) Pops into CQ Airports - Plus More!

On Monday 24 May, recently re-registered SG Aviation Australia / Business Aviation Solutions Bombardier BD-700-1A10 Global Express XRS bizjet VH-SJE was noted visiting a couple of Central Queensland Airports on what is its first visit since its recent registration marking change.

It looked fly up from Sydney and Brisbane to Hamilton Island Airport before then heading down to Mackay Airport.  VH-SJE then flew up to Townsville and Cairns (pictured) before it then flew back down to Brisbane.

VH-SJE was only re-registered from VH-SGA late last week.  The marking VH-SGA has now been taken up by a Gulfstream G-VI (G650ER) registered and operated by to the same organisations.

Also calling into Hamilton Island Airport, also on Monday 24 May, was Silver Linings Aviation Cessna 680 Citation Sovereign bizjet VH-ZEK.  It arrived from Bankstown and appears to have stayed.

UPDATE! On Friday 28 May, VH-ZEK departed Hamilton Island Airport and returned to Bankstown.

And Air Gold Coast Cessna 525 Citation CJ1 bizjet VH-CDG flew up from Gold Coast to Hamilton Island Airport and also appeared to stay.

UPDATE! On Saturday 29 May, VH-CDG departed Hamilton Island Airport and returned to the Gold Coast.

While Homada Pty Ltd Cessna 560XL Citation XLS bizjet VH-XCU departed Hamilton Island Airport and flew to Melbourne (Essendon) before continuing to Melbourne (Moorabbin).  It had flown into Hamo from there last Friday 21 May and completed a return flight to Gove (Northern Territory) and back on Saturday 22 May.

Meanwhile, also on Monday 24 May, Machjet (Machjet International) Cessna 525A Citation CJ2 bizjet VH-ZIY arrived into Proserpine (Whitsunday Coast) Airport from the South before then flying down to Hervey Bay (Fraser Coast) Airport.  It then flew back to the Sunshine Coast.

Avcair (Avgunn) LearJet 60 bizjet VH-ILJ landed at Hervey Bay (Fraser Coast) Airport from Brisbane.  It then departed to the North before later returning to Brisbane.

And Australian Country Choice Properties (Brisbane) Cessna 560 Citation V Encore bizjet VH-ACC departed Wellclose for Babbiloora before it then departed to Brisbane.  It appears that VH-ACC had originally departed Brisbane last Friday 21 May.

Finally, also on Monday 24 May, Seair Pacific / Istlecote Cessna 208 Caravan VH-LYT looked to fly from Hervey Bay (Fraser Coast) and Maryborough Airports to Middlemount Aerodrome before later returning to Hervey Bay Airport but via Biloela / Thangool Airport.

Finally , also on Monday 24 May, Skydive Australia Cessna 208B Grand Caravan VH-SKR departed Emerald Airport for Gunnedah, Bankstown and the Shellharbour Airport at Wollongong where it appears to be based on parachuting operations.  It had arrived into Emerald Airport in the wee small hours of Monday 24 May, flying up from Wollongong and Bankstown.

Photo taken by Jonathan Williams  ©️

Isle of Man-Registered Bombardier Global 5000 Bizjet M-CVGL Departs Proserpine (Whitsunday Coast) Airport

On Sunday 23 May, Isle of Man registered Bombardier BD-700-1A11 Global 5000 bizjet M-CVGL was noted to finally departing the Proserpine (Whitsunday Coast) Airport after spending over a week parked up.

M-CVGL at Prosie last Sunday  (File photo)

It departed from Prosie direct to the Sunshine Coast.

M-CVGL had arrived into the Whitsundays from the Sunshine Coast last Saturday 15 May, touching down first at Hamilton Island Airport before then flying across to Proserpine (Whitsunday Coast) Airport for parking.

Photo taken by James Kirk  ©️

RACQ CQ Rescue Emergency Services Day at Harrup Park Mackay with Bell 412EP helicopter VH-VAU "Rescue 412" and Australian Army Boeing CH-47F Chinook A15-302

It was a big day on Sunday 23 May at the annual RACQ Central Queensland Rescue (CQ Rescue) Emergency Services Day with more than 5000 people estimated to have passed through the gates at Harrup Park Country Club in Mackay.

Some of the aviation action included the CQ Rescue (Babcock Mission Critical Services Australasia) Bell 412EP helicopter VH-VAU making the short hop across from Mackay Airport and landing at Harrup Park.

It was joined by Australian Army Boeing CH-47F 'Foxtrot' Chinook helicopter A15-302 which flew down from Townsville and also landed at Harrup Park.

During the day, both helicopters were open for public inspection and proved quite popular with the queue for the Chinook stretching some metres!

The Australian Army also had vehicles and trucks on display - and there was also displays from all the emergency services, the State Emergency Service (SES) and more!

The CQ Rescue Emergency Services Day attracted more than 5000 people through the gates at Harrup Park and it was an awesome day and a fantastic opportunity to catch a moment with, and say "thanks" to the men and women who keep us safe!