History Made as the First Ever Garuda Indonesia Touches Down at Rockhampton Airport - Boeing B777-300 PK-GIF - Plus Royal Brunei Boeing B787-8 Dreamliner V8-DLE Also Calls in!

In the early hours of Thursday 7 September, history was made at Rockhampton Airport when the first ever Garuda Indonesia Airlines aircraft touched down into a Central Queensland Airport.

Garuda Indonesia, Boeing B777-3U3(ER) PK-GIF arrived direct from Singapore's Changi Airport as GIA7760. It taxied in to park on the gate six after holding for some time on taxiway Juliet.

The aircraft was somewhat delayed out of Singapore after earlier diverting into Kuala Lumpur while on a flight from Jakarta to Singapore, presumably due to weather and other factors at Singapore.

The Garuda B777-300 had to hold on taxiway Juliet to allow the earlier arrived Royal Brunei Airlines Boeing B787-8 Dreamliner V8-DLE to be serviced after it too had arrived from Singapore's Changi Airport but as RBA4272, having earlier flown across from Brunei as RBA4271.

Both aircraft came to Rockhampton Airport from Singapore in support of the Singapore Armed Forces' Exercise Wallaby 2023 (XWB23), which has kicked off this week in the nearby Shoalwater Bay Training Area (SWBTA).  Both aircraft unloaded full flights of personnel and equipment, and eventually were refuelled and both departed back to Singapore's Changi Airport with the Royal Brunei Dreamliner departing as RBA4273, while the Garuda Indonesia Boeing B777-300 departed to Denpasar (Bali) and then Singapore as GIA7761/8421.

Both of these aircraft are expected to return to Rockhampton Airport again from Singapore's Changi Airport in the wee small hours of Friday 8 September, with reports suggesting that the Royal Brunei Dreamliner will also make another visit before dawn on Saturday 9 September.

Stay tuned to the CQ Plane Spotting Blog for all the latest news and updates via our Facebook page:  https://www.facebook.com/cqplanespotting/

Sincere thanks to the local playing spotters for taking the time to capture and sent through these great photos of a couple of historic visitors to Rockhampton Airport.

Photos taken by John Lee and Scott Harris  ©

Brisbane-based Crockett Aviation Group Beech B200 King Air VH-FAQ "Navair 173" Calls into a Couple of CQ Airports - Plus More!

On Wednesday 6 September, Brisbane-based Crockett Aviation Group Beech B200 King Air VH-FAQ as "Navair 173" flew into the Labona Station Airstrip within Adani Australia's (Bravus Mining & Resources) Carmichael Coal Mine site from Townsville before it then flew down to Rockhampton Airport and then Archerfield. It had flown North from Archerfield the previous day.

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Austrek Aviation Beech B200 Super King Air VH-ZGD visited Moura Aerodrome from Toowoomba.

And Helicorp (of Essendon in Victoria) Bell 412EP VH-LWF landed at Charleville Airport after flying up from the Oakey Army Aviation Centre.  It then continued to Winton and points to the North-West.

UPDATE!  On Thursday 7 September, VH-LWF was noted arriving into RAAF Base Tindal at Katherine and then Darwin in the Northern Territory.

Meanwhile, also on Wednesday 6 September, MacKellar Mining Equipment Pty Ltd (Revesco Aviation) Cessna 680 Citation Sovereign bizjet VH-MMC visited Labona from the Sunshine Coast.

Bowenville (near Toowoomba) based Cessna 525 CitationJet CJ1+ bizjet VH-JSZ made a late arrival into Rockhampton Airport from Dalby.  It then looked to fly down to Sydney and then to Archerfield.

Finally, also on Wednesday 6 September, through the morning and early afternoon a lot of Western Australia based lighties landed at Longreach Airport from Birdsville. These included Bonanza VH-LRP, Baron VH-OVP, Trinidad VH-LQC, Jabiru 19-4046, Vans RV14s VH-FNE and VH-IFC, Vans RV7s VH-VTL, VH-OCH, VH-UWF and VH-MRV, Cessna 172 VH-ZDR, Saratoga VH-LPW, Vans RV8 VH-TZK and Vans RV6 VH-DUO. 

Also noted arriving into Longreach Airport were New South Wales based Beech Duchess VH-BFP, Cessna 182 VH-SHN and Cessna 172 VH-WYZ which all arrived from Roma Airport, plus Saratoga VH-LTC which arrived from the Gold Coast. 

UPDATE!  On Thursday 7 September, the NSW aircraft at Longreach Airport departed there to Townsville.

UPDATE!  On Friday 8 September, the WA aircraft at Longreach Airport departed there to Boulia. Another one in that group was Cessna 182 VH-UCV for a total of 15.

Photo taken by Steve Vit  ©

Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) Boeing C-17A Globemaster III A41-211 "Stallion 27" Completes Airwork at Bundaberg Airport

On Wednesday 6 September, Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) Boeing C-17A Globemaster III A41-211 was noted completing airwork at Bundaberg Airport.

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A41-211 was flying as "Stallion 27" and looked to depart RAAF Base Amberley to fly up and complete a missed approach at Bundaberg Airport.  It then flew back South, eventually landing back at Amberley.

Photo taken by Steve Vit  ©

Navair Flight Operations Embraer EMB-500 Phenom 100 Bizjet VH-LXZ Calls into Mackay Airport - Plus More!

On Tuesday 5 September, Navair Flight Operations Embraer EMB-500 Phenom 100 bizjet VH-LXZ flew up to Mackay from Bankstown and Cessnock. It later returned to these places.

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Robindale Group / Air Link Cessna 510 Citation Mustang bizjet VH-CMK landed at Emerald Airport from Orange and then Sunshine Coast.

UPDATE!  On Thursday 7 September, VH-CMK departed Emerald Airport and returned to the Sunshine Coast and Orange.  

While SG Aviation Australia / Business Aviation Solutions Gulfstream G-VI (G650ER) bizjet VH-SGA departed Hamilton Island Airport for Melbourne (Essendon). It had arrived into Hamo from there on Sunday 3 September.

Navair Flight Operations Embraer EMB-500 Phenom 100 VH-HQK as "Navair 141" arrived into Rockhampton Airport from Archerfield.

UPDATE!  On Wednesday 6 September, VH-HQK "Navair 141" departed Rockhampton Airport for Archerfield.

Air Charter Services / Flight Options (Australia) Embraer EMB-505 Phenom 300 bizjet VH-VKX arrived into Rockhampton Airport from Brisbane and later departed to Townsville.

And LifeFlight (Aeromed) Canadair CL-600-2B16 Challenger 604 bizjet VH-OFA "Ambulance 614" visited Rockhampton Airport from Townsville.  

Meanwhile, also on Tuesday 5 September, Rural Funds Management (A.C.T.) Pilatus PC-12/47E VH-STE arrived into Rockhampton Airport from Toowoomba.

UPDATE!  On Wednesday 6 September, VH-STE departed to Taroo, just North-West of Rockhampton.  It then departed there to Natal Downs and then flew down to Emerald Airport.

UPDATE!  On Thursday 7 September, VH-STE flew down to Bundaberg Airport from Emerald Airport.

UPDATE!  On Friday 8 September, VH-STE flew down to the Sunshine Coast and other parts to the South.  

Property Maintenance Australia P/L Pilatus PC-12/47E VH-WJA arrived into Rockhampton Airport from Lochart River before it then departed to Dubbo.  It flew North also via Rockhampton Airport last Friday 1 September.

And Beech 95-B55 Baron VH-8D8 visited Emerald Airport from Toowoomba.

Photo taken by 'JM'  ©

Balmoral Air Dassault Falcon 2000LX Bizjet VH-WIO Pops into Hamilton Island Airport - Plus More!

On Monday 4 September, Balmoral Air Dassault Falcon 2000LX bizjet VH-WIO flew up from Bankstown to Hamilton Island Airport.  It then flew down to Coffs Harbour and then back to Bankstown.

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Meanwhile, also on Monday 4 September, McDermott Aviation Group / Machjet International Beech B200 King Air VH-ZPY as "Machflight 73" flew up from the Sunshine Coast to the Labona Station Airstrip within Adani Australia's (Bravus Mining & Resources) Carmichael Coal Mine site and then to Townsville. During the afternoon it flew back to Labona where it seemed to be spending the night.

UPDATE!  VH-ZPY as "Machflight 73" flew from Labona to Rockhampton Airport on Tuesday (pictured), Wednesday and Thursday before then flying from Labona to Cairns on Friday 8 September.

Brisbane-based Crockett Aviation Group Beech B200 King Air VH-FAQ as "Navair 173" flew up to Labona from and back to Sunshine Coast.

Seair Pacific / Istlecote Textron Aviation (Cessna) 208B Caravan VH-TLH flew up from Hervey Bay (Fraser Coast) and Maryborough Airports to Middlemount Aerodrome.  It then flew to Rockhampton Airport.

UPDATE!  On Tuesday 5 September, VH-TLH departed Rockhampton Airport and flew to Labona and back before it then departed to Lady Elliott Island.

Gulf Aircraft Textron Aviation (Cessna) 208 Caravan VH-PYO landed at Emerald Airport from Brisbane before then departing further to the North-West.

UPDATE!  It appears that VH-PYO returned to Emerald Airport on Thursday 7 September before then departing back to Brisbane.

Microflite Pilatus PC-12/47E VH-8MF flew down from Shute Harbour to Melbourne (Moorabbin).  It appears to have flown back into Shute Harbour the previous day after heading South-West a couple days prior.

RDO Equipment Co. Pilatus PC-12/47 VH-WPH visited Emerald Airport from Toowoomba.

And Sky Mountain Aviation (NSW) Beech E55 Baron VH-ANR flew into Rockhampton Airport from Bankstown and Orange.  At the time of writing, it is due to return to Orange on Tuesday 5 September.

Finally also on Monday 4 September, several helicopters were noted flying through the region after departing the Whitsunday Airport at Shute Harbour following their very successful annual fly-in and Runway Dinner over the weekend.

Robinson R44 VH-HIX arrived into Rockhampton Airport and then departed to Gayndah Aerodrome. Robinson R44s VH-KNK and VH-NIK, as well as Robinson R66 VH-ESJ and Eurocopter EC120B VH-KHR all flew West from Shute Harbour.  While it appeared Robinson R44s VH-CMS, VH-OLR and VH-HIE all flew West from Daydream Island with them. 

While Gulf Coast Aviation Robinson R22 VH-8GC flew up from Gladstone Airport to Mackay Airport.

Koolardie Aviation (Townsville Helicopters) Robinson R44 helicopter VH-HLM arrived into Rockhampton Airport from Hervey Bay (Fraser Coast) Airport before it then departed to Mackay Airport.

Photos taken by 'AC' and Trevor Hardsman  ©

SG Aviation Australia / Business Aviation Solutions Gulfstream G-VI (G650ER) Bizjet VH-SGA Arrives into Hamilton Island Airport Again - Plus More!

On Sunday 3 September, SG Aviation Australia / Business Aviation Solutions Gulfstream G-VI (G650ER) bizjet VH-SGA was again noted arriving into Hamilton Island Airport from Melbourne (Essendon).

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The sleek bizjet also looked to visit Hamo last weekend.

UPDATE!  On Tuesday 5 September, VH-SGA departed Hamilton Island Airport and returned to Essendon.

While also at Hamilton Island Airport, Arcturus Group P/L / Flight Options (Australia) Dassault Falcon 2000EX bizjet VH-EWB departed for Proserpine (Whitsunday Coast) Airport and then down to Sydney. It looks to have arrived into Hamo directly from Sydney on Friday 1 September.

UPDATE!  VH-EWB also visited Hamilton Island Airport from Sydney over the period Friday 8 September to Monday 11 September.

Darwin-based Lloyd Aviation Jet Charter Dassault Falcon 900 bizjet VH-PPD visited Hamilton Island Airport from Brisbane.

Stroud Aviation and Transportation (Boonah) / Navair Flight Operations Cessna 510 Citation Mustang bizjet VH-SHI "Navair 125" flew down from Hamilton Island Airport to Gold Coast and then Archerfield. It appears to have arrived into Hamo from those places on Thursday 31 August.

And LifeFlight (Aeromed) Canadair CL-600-2B16 Challenger 604 bizjet VH-OFA "Ambulance 614" arrived into Rockhampton Airport from Townsville. It then departed to Brisbane.

Meanwhile, also on Sunday 3 September, some of the light aircraft and helicopters that had flown up to the Whitsunday Airport at Shute Harbour for their annual fly-in and Runway Dinner, started to return to their homes.

On Saturday 2 September, the few arrivals included NSW based Cirrus SR22 VH-FIF which flew via Rockhampton Airport and had the locally-based Cessna 210 VH-CSD fly up with it.

Robinson R66 helicopter VH-ESJ also flew up to Shute Harbour from Gladstone Airport via Mackay Airport.

Finally, also on Saturday 2 September, Cessna 206 VH-SQ arrived into Emerald Airport from Cairns before departing to Bourke. 

Photos taken by Tony Haynes and Trevor Hardsman  ©

FOUR MORE (!) Republic of Singapore Air Force (RSAF) Boeing CH-47F 'Foxtrot' Chinook Helicopters Touch Down at Rockhampton Airport for Exercise Wallaby 2023 - A Record EIGHT on the Ground!!

On Friday 1 September, four more Republic of Singapore Air Force (RSAF) Boeing CH-47F 'Foxtrot' Chinook helicopters arrived into Rockhampton Airport ahead of the Singapore Armed Forces' Exercise Wallaby 2023 (XWB23).  

They arrived as one flight of four, flying up direct from their base at Oakey.  They were identified as 88166 then 88168, 88169, 88171, and were heard to use the radio callsign of "Conorde".

This brings a total of eight RSAF Chinooks on the ground at Rockhampton Airport for this year's Exercise which is most definitely a record number!

As mentioned below, the Chinook helicopters are flown by the RSAF's 127 Helicopter Squadron which is based at the Sembawang Air Base (SBAB) in Singapore, however as mentioned, with a detachment at Oakey.

The squadron goes by the motto of "Strength, Courage, Swiftness", the motto is supported by the squadron motif, a white horse in full battle armour.

And as mentioned below, the four RSAF Boeing AH-64D Apache helicopters delivered earlier in the week on board the Antonov An-124 have had their rotor blades attached and should be heading off for test flights in the coming days.

Sincere thanks again to local plane spotter John L for taking the time to capture and send through these great photos!

All photos taken by John Lee  ©

Private Quest Kodiak 100 VH-84M at Mackay Airport - Plus More Arrivals into the Whitsunday Airport at Shute Harbour!

On Friday 1 September, privately owned and operated Quest Kodiak 100 VH-84M flew back into its Mackay Airport from Toowoomba. It appears to have arrived at Toowoomba the previous day.

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Property Maintenance Australia P/L Pilatus PC-12/47E VH-WJA arrived into Rockhampton Airport from Dubbo before it then departed to Hicks Island.

UPDATE! On Tuesday 5 September, VH-WJA looked to pop back into Rockhampton Airport from Hicks Island before continuing back to Dubbo.

And Victoria based NZAI CT/4A Airtrainer flew down from Atherton and Charters Towers Aerodromes and landed at Emerald Airport before it continued to Charleville Airport. It looks to have flown North last weekend.

Meanwhile, also on Friday 1 September, Avcair (Avgunn) LearJet 60 bizjet VH-ILJ visited Hamilton Island Airport from Brisbane.

Microflite Pilatus PC-12/47E VH-8MF departed the Whitsunday Airport at Shute Harbour for Windorah. It had arrived on Wednesday 30 August.

And through the day several light planes and helicopters from all over Australia continued to fly up to the Whitsunday Airport at Shute Harbour for their annual fly-in and Runway Dinner.  Noted were:  Rans VH-RHM, Sling 4 VH-XHL, Seneca VH-SEN, RV6 VH-YLB, NSW based Bearhawk VH-YVL, NSW based R44s VH-HIX and VH-OLR, Qld based SR22 VH-LBQ, Victoria based R44 VH-HIE in company with Qld based R66 VH-YSE and Tasmania based R44 VH-MKR.

Photo taken by Mary Marshall  ©

And LifeFlight Agusta Westland AW139 Helicopter VH-XIA "Guardian 10" Arrives into Rockhampton Airport in Support of Exercise Wallaby 2023

An interesting but returning visitor into Rockhampton Airport on Thursday 31 August was LifeFlight Agusta Westland AW139 helicopter VH-XIA.  It flew down from Townsville via Mackay Airport.

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VH-XIA was heard using its now familiar radio callsign of "Guardian 10".

It seems that like in the previous couple of years, VH-XIA "Guardian 10" has been deployed to Rockhampton Airport in support of the Singapore Armed Forces' Exercise Wallaby 2023 (XWB23) which is due to kick off in the coming days.

UPDATE!  On Friday 1 September, VH-XIA "Guardian 10" was spotted parked up at then of the line-up of RSAF helicopters.

VH-XIA at the end of the line-up of RSAF helicopters

UPDATE!  On Saturday 2 September, VH-XIA "Guardian 10" looked to depart Rockhampton Airport for the Shoalwater Bay Training Area (SWBTA).

Photos taken by Steve Vit and John Lee  ©