Bushfires in the Region Sees a Number Aerial Firefighting Aircraft and Helicopters Come and Go at Bundaberg Airport - Plus More!

On Monday 11 September, bushfires in the region saw a number of firefighting aircraft and helicopters coming and going from Bundaberg Airport, including:

Aerotech Aircraft Holdings (Aerotech Helicopters) Pickering Aviation (Sikorsky) UH-60A Black Hawk helicopter VH-UHR "Helitack 516".

Avalon Aviation (Executive Helicopters) Eurocopter EC130B4 VH-EHY as "Firebird 404".

Kennedy Aviation / Kennedy Air-Ag Air Tractor AT-802A 'Fire Boss' water bombing aircraft - VH-XAT as "Bomber 288" and VH-XAJ as "Bomber 455".

Canadian-based Conair Aerial Firefighting Dash-8-Q400MR C-FFQE as "Bomber 141".

Agair Logistics P/L Gulfstream Aerospace (Aero Commander) 695-A JetProp 1000 VH-LMC as "Birddog 125" 

UPDATE!  On Tuesday 12 September, Victorian-based Agair Logistics P/L Gulfstream American Corporation 695A Jetprop Commander 1000 VH-HPY as "Birddog 370" was also noted in the region.

Meanwhile, also on Monday 11 September, Navair Flight Operations Embraer EMB-500 Phenom 100 bizjet VH-LXZ visited Mackay Airport from Bankstown and Cessnock.

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

Execujet (Taverners Aviation) Raytheon Hawker 800XP bizjet VH-RIU departed Hamilton Island Airport for Melbourne (Essendon).  It seems to have arrived into Hamo from Cairns last Thursday 7 September.

Arcturus Group P/L / Flight Options (Australia) Dassault Falcon 2000EX bizjet VH-EWB departed Hamilton Island Airport for Sydney after flying up from there last Friday.

McDermott Aviation Group / Machjet International Cessna 525A CitationJet CJ2 bizjet VH-SUY as "Machflight 41" departed Proserpine (Whitsunday Coast) Airport for Brisbane and the Sunshine Coast.  It had flown up last Friday.

And Brisbane-based Teys Australia Cessna 525 Citation CJ2 bizjet VH-TEY visited Charters Towers Aerodrome from Archerfield.

Finally, also on Monday 11 September, Telford Aviation Beech A36 Bonanza VH-MPT arrived into my local Clermont Aerodrome from Archerfield and then Collinsville Aerodrome.

UPDATE!  On Thursday 14 September, VH-MPT departed Clermont Aerodrome for the Whitsunday Airport at Shute Harbour.

And Brisbane-based Crockett Aviation Group Beech B200 King Air VH-FAQ as "Navair 170" visited the Labona Station Airstrip within Adani Australia's (Bravus Mining & Resources) Carmichael Coal Mine site from Archerfield and the Sunshine Coast.

Photos taken by Hayden Matthew Alexander and Jan Kretschmer  ©

Mackay Remembers Royal Navy Corsair Plane Crash

Barely a month after the official Japanese surrender ended World War II, some Mackay residents witnessed the unusual spectacle of a war plane crashing into the sea and exploding into flames.

The crash occurred on 11 September 1945, when a Royal Navy (Great Britain) Chance Vought F4U Corsair crashed in the sea near Flat Top after the pilot had bailed out.

The Corsair was one of a flight of four Corsairs which had taken off from a Royal Navy aircraft carrier cruising off the coast and they while they were on a goodwill visit to Mackay.

Photo sourced from: http://ww2eagles.blogspot.com.au/2014/08/royal-navy-corsair-photogallery.html

Jetstream Aviation (Emprja P/L) Cessna 550 Citation II VH-VDF Calls into Proserpine (Whitsunday Coast) Airport - Plus More!

On Sunday 10 September, Jetstream Aviation (Emprja P/L) Cessna 550 Citation II VH-VDF was noted arriving into Proserpine (Whitsunday Coast) Airport from the Sunshine Coast.  It then departed to Mareeba, Lockhart River and Cairns.

File photo

UPDATE!  On Wednesday 13 September, VH-VDF returned to Prosie from Lockhart River before then returning to the Sunshine Coast.

And LifeFlight (Aeromed) Canadair CL-600-2B16 Challenger 604 bizjet VH-OFA "Ambulance 614" flew down from Townsville and Mount Isa to Mackay Airport and then Brisbane.

Meanwhile, also on Sunday 10 September, Microflite Pilatus PC-12/47E VH-8MF flew up from Melbourne (Moorabbin) to the Whitsunday Airport at Shute Harbour.  It later returned to Moorabbin.

And Auscott P/L Beechcraft B200GT King Air VH-NMW landed at Moura Aerodrome from Toowoomba.

UPDATE!  On Monday 11 September, VH-NMW departed Moura Aerodrome for Moree, Archerfield and Toowoomba. 

Photo taken by 'AC'  ©

Private American Registered IAI Gulfstream G280 Bizjet N308KB Arrived into Hamilton Island Airport - Plus More!

On Saturday 9 September, private American Registered IAI Gulfstream G280 bizjet N308KB arrived into Hamilton Island Airport from Cairns.

File photo

It's exact movements are not fully known, but it is assumed it arrived from overseas earlier in the day.

UPDATE!  On Friday 15 September, N308KB departed Hamilton Island airport for Darwin and Singapore (Seletar).

Also arriving into Hamilton Island Airport, also on Saturday 9 September, was Multiquip Poultry / Navair Flight Operations Embraer EMB-500 Phenom 100EV bizjet VH-MQX.  It arrived from Bankstown as "Navair 188".

UPDATE!  On Wednesday 13 September, VH-MQX "Navair 187" departed Hamo for Bankstown.

And Bowenville (near Toowoomba) based Cessna 525 CitationJet CJ1+ bizjet VH-JSZ arrived into Rockhampton Airport from Archerfield and Sydney before then departing back to Archerfield.

Meanwhile, also on Saturday 9 September, Brisbane-based Hewitt Cattle Australia P/L SOCATA TBM 700 VH-PGA departed Rockhampton Airport for Mareeba before returning later in the day.  It then departed to the Sunshine Coast.  It had arrived the previous day from the Gold Coast.

Southern Airlines Rockwell 690A Turbo Commander VH-SOU, which has been flying out of Rockhampton Airport in recent days and weeks, departed to Theodore, Roma and Archerfield Airports before later flying back up to Bundaberg Airport.

Brisbane-based Piper PA-31-350 VH-RPV departed Longreach Airport for Roma Airport and then Archerfield.  It looked to be completing an outback adventure flight which started from Archerfield on Monday 4 September.

While three Airflite / Commonwealth of Australia (Cadets Branch - Air Force) Diamond DA 40 NG Star aircraft VH-UEL, VH-UEM and VH-UEZ all operated out of and back to Hervey Bay (Fraser Coast) Airport through the day with 'Astra' callsigns.  They had arrived from RAAF Base Amberley via Redcliffe on Friday 8 September.

UPDATE!  On Sunday 10 September, VH-UEM "Astra 205" departed to the Fraser Coast Wings and Wheels at Maryborough Airport.  VH-UEZ "Astra 202" departed back to Amberley.

UPDATE!  On Thursday 14 September, VH-UEL "Astra 230" finally departed to Redcliffe and Amberley.

And joining the three Diamonds was Piper PA-38-112 Tomahawk VH-UAL of the Australian Air Force Cadets (Air Cadets School of Aviation) which also arrived into Hervey Bay Airport on Friday and also completed flights over the weekend.

Photo taken by Garth Coad  ©

Some Photos of The Republic of Singapore Air Force (RSAF) Helicopters Operating out of Rockhampton Airport and Warriors Camp as Exercise Wallaby 2023 (XWB23) Kicks Off

This week, the latest iteration of the Singapore Armed Force’s Exercise Wallaby 2023 (XWB23) looked to kick off in the Shoalwater Bay Training Area (SWBTA) with the various Republic of Singapore Air Force (RSAF) helicopters completing systems check and familiarisation flights around and out of Rockhampton Airport.

Local photographer Steve V has been on hand at Rockhampton Airport at various times during this week and has captured some great photos as the RSAF helicopters took to the air.

Originally completing systems check and familiarisation flights earlier in the week, the RSAF Boeing AH-64D Apache helicopters have started completing sorties to Shoalwater Bay and back, flying in pairs or threes during the afternoon and evening.

The Apaches were again heard to be using their ‘usual’ radio callsign of "Avon" and "Astro".

As also mentioned previously, all four Apache helicopters are flown by the RSAF's 120 Squadron "Kestrel" (also known as the "Red Hawks") based at Sembawang Air Base in Singapore. The Squadron is the first and oldest RSAF operational squadron in service, first formed in 1969. The squadron goes by the motto of "Strive To Achieve".

And after deploying direct from their base at Oakey, the RSAF Boeing CH-47F 'Foxtrot' Chinook helicopters also have been completing sorties to Shoalwater Bay and back in various flight formations. These flights also seem to occur from lunchtime through to the evening.

One flight of three returned from Shoalwater Bay and landed at 'Warriors Camp' near Rockhampton Airport suggesting that it will again be utilised as a helicopter landing area during Exercise Wallaby 2023.

It is also believed that two Chinooks have deployed to The Glen Airfield within the Shoalwater Bay Training Area (SWBTA) to act as medical evacuation aircraft.

The Chinooks have been heard to be using their 'usual' radio callsign of "Celtic".

Also as mentioned previously, 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.

Finally, it is believed that some RSAF General Dynamics (Lockheed Martin) F-16 Fighting Falcon jets and a RSAF Lockheed C-130H Hercules are still to 'deploy' to and remain at Rockhampton Airport for part of the Exercise.

We've also seen that heavy jet troop charter flights have started with as many as 10 more flights expected to bring personnel and equipment in and out of Rockhampton Airport over the coming weeks. It is being reported that Royal Brunei Airlines and Garuda Indonesia will continue with these charters, with the odd Qantas Airways and Singapore Airlines arrival thrown into the mix.

Exercise Wallaby first started in 1990 in Rockhampton and is a Singapore Army exercise based within the Shoalwater Bay Training Area (SWBTA) as well as at Rockhampton Airport. This year will reportedly see as many as 4000 Singapore Armed Forces personnel participate in the Exercise.

Be sure to 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 local photographer Steve V for allowing us to share these great photos!

All photos taken by Steve Vit  ©

A More Plane Spotting Photos from Rockhampton Airport incl QGAir Rescue Leonardo S.P.A. Helicopter (Agusta) AW139 Helicopter VH-EGK - Plus More!

It was certainly a busy morning at Rockhampton Airport on Friday 8 September, and as well as spotting the two visiting heavy jet charter aircraft, local plane spotter John L also managed to capture quite a bit more of the aviation action.

Queensland Government (QGAir) Rescue (State of Queensland) Leonardo S.P.A. Helicopter (Agusta) AW139 helicopter VH-EGK flew down from Townsville and Mackay Airports to Rockhampton Airport before then continuing to Archerfield where it will undergo planned maintenance.  It was supposed to land at Gladstone Airport but diverted to Rockhampton Airport due to weather.

Babcock Mission Critical Services Australasia Agusta AB412 (Bell 412) VH-LSV continues to operate for the locally-based Capricorn Helicopter Rescue Service (CHRS) as "Rescue 300".

LifeFlight (Aeromed) Canadair CL-600-2B16 Challenger 604 bizjet VH-OFC "Ambulance 634" visited Rockhampton Airport from Brisbane.

Alliance Airlines Fokker F-70 jet VH-KBX was also photographed still in open storage.  It has also spent some time inside the new Alliance Airlines hangar but has since been towed back outside.  

And Brescon (Toowoomba) Beech B200 King Air VH-WXN visited Rockhampton Airport from Toowoomba.

Meanwhile, also on Friday 8 September, New Capital Jet Charter (A.C.T.) Pilatus PC-24 bizjet VH-88M flew from Taroom to Roma Airport and then Canberra.  It appears to have flown North from the Nation's capital the previous day.

McDermott Aviation Group / Machjet International Cessna 525A CitationJet CJ2 bizjet VH-SUY as "Machflight 41" flew up to Proserpine (Whitsunday Coast) Airport from Brisbane and the Sunshine Coast.

UPDATE!  On Monday 11 September, VH-SUY "Machflight 41" departed Proserpine Airport and returned to Brisbane and Sunshine Coast.

Arcturus Group P/L / Flight Options (Australia) Dassault Falcon 2000EX bizjet VH-EWB flew up to Hamilton Island Airport from Sydney.

UPDATE!  On Monday 11 September, VH-EWB departed Hamo and returned to Sydney.

SG Aviation Australia / Business Aviation Solutions Gulfstream G-VI (G650ER) bizjet VH-SGA departed Hamilton Island Airport for Melbourne (Essendon).  It had arrived from there via Hervey Bay (Fraser Coast) Airport on Wednesday 6 September (looks like we missed it!).

While Rural Funds Management (A.C.T.) Pilatus PC-12/47E VH-STE flew down from Bundaberg Airport to the Sunshine Coast and then Canberra.  It had flown North earlier in the week - see Blog post below!  

Seair Pacific / Istlecote Cessna 208 Caravan VH-TQI departed Hervey Bay (Fraser Coast) Airport and was on the way to the Whitsunday Airport at Shute Harbour but returned South near Mackay to land at Rockhampton Airport and then Lady Elliott Island.

Aurora Park Aviation (New South Wales) Beech A36 Bonanza VH-FCT arrived into Rockhampton Airport from Caloundra.

And Gatton based Amateur Built Europa (single wheel) VH-KTI arrived into Rockhampton Airport from Emerald.  

Finally, also Friday 8 September, Canadian-based Conair Aerial Firefighting Dash-8-Q400MR C-FFQE as "Bomber 141" flew out from Bundaberg Airport to work in the Kumbarilla State Forest, South-West of Dalby and back several times. 

It was joined by Agair Logistics P/L Gulfstream Aerospace (AeroCommander) 695-A JetProp 1000 VH-LMC "Birddog 125" which also flew down to there from Bundy.

Elite Helicopters (Archerfield) Eurocopter AS 350 B3 Squirrel VH-YQK was heard to be operating there also.

All photos taken by John Lee  ©

Garuda Indonesia Boeing B777-300 PK-GIF & Royal Brunei Boeing B787-8 Dreamliner V8-DLE Back at Rockhampton Airport Again!

In the very wee small hours of Friday 8 September, both heavy jets from the previous day returned to Rockhampton Airport, completing another pair of charter flights in support of the Singapore Armed Forces Exercise Wallaby 2023 (XWB23).

Royal Brunei Airlines Boeing B787-8 Dreamliner V8-DLE was first to arrive from Singapore's Changi Airport, this time as RBA4273.

After unloading a full flight of personnel and equipment, it departed back to Singapore but as RBA4283.

UPDATE!  In the darkness very early on Saturday 9 September, V8-DLE returned to Rockhampton Airport one final time, this as RBA4274 once again from Singapore.  It then departed to Brunei as RBA4274.

While the Garuda Indonesia Boeing B777-3U3(ER) PK-GIF flew back into Rockhampton Airport on Friday morning, also from Singapore's Changi Airport, but as GIA7760.  

As shown, it was parked on Taxiway Juliette and was unloaded and services there, rather than being forced to wait for a Gate on the parking apron.

Once it too had unloaded a full flight and was serviced, including taking on several tankers full of fuel, PK-GIF departed Rockhampton Airport for Jakarta as GIA7761.

Information suggests that this is the end of the first 'wave' of charter flights with the next wave due to take place in around three weeks' time.  Word is again it will feature Royal Brunei Airlines and Garuda Indonesia operating the flights with perhaps a one-off visit by a Qantas Airways aircraft!

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 plane spotters for taking the time to capture and send through these great photos of a couple of great visitors to Rockhampton Airport.

Photos taken by John Lee  ©

Kirkhope Aviation (Victoria) Cessna 208B Grand Caravan VH-PRK and Piper PA-31 Navajos VH-ZUM and VH-HXN All Arrive into the Whitsunday Airport at Shute Harbour - Plus More!

On Thursday 7 September, a trio of Kirkhope Aviation (Victoria) aircraft in the form of Cessna 208B Grand Caravan VH-PRK and Piper PA-31 Navajos VH-ZUM and VH-HXN, all flew down to the Whitsunday Airport at Shute Harbour from Cooktown.  They had flown up the inland to Horn Island last week.

File photo

UPDATE!  On Friday 8 September, all three aircraft departed the Whitsunday Airport at Shute Harbour for Bundaberg Airport with VH-ZUM popping into Rockhampton Airport while on the way.

UPDATE!  On Sunday 10 September, all three aircraft departed Bundaberg Airport and returned to Melbourne (Moorabbin) base.

Meanwhile, also on Thursday 7 September, Brisbane-based Crockett Aviation Group Beech B200 King Air VH-FAQ as "Navair 170" visited the Labona Station Airstrip within Adani Australia's (Bravus Mining & Resources) Carmichael Coal Mine site from Archerfield.

Flight One (Services) Beech B200 King Air VH-FON also visited Labona but from the Sunshine Coast.

Hughes Aviation (Hughes Pastoral Group) (Gympie) Pilatus PC-12//47E NGX VH-8HP departed Mackay Airport to the South-West.

While MacKellar Mining Equipment Pty Ltd (Revesco Aviation) Cessna 680 Citation Sovereign bizjet VH-MMC flew up to Mackay Airport from the Sunshine Coast before later returning back to there.

And Bowenville (near Toowoomba) based Cessna 525 CitationJet CJ1+ bizjet VH-JSZ arrived into Rockhampton Airport from Archerfield before it then departed to Dalby and back to Archerfield.  

Finally, also on Thursday 7 September, Regional Express (REX) SAAB 340B VH-ZLC 'RXA9392' arrived into Rockhampton Airport from Brisbane and later departed back to there as 'RXA9393'.  This seems to be a now weekly flight.

Photo taken by John Maloney  ©

RAAF Boeing B737-7ES / E-7A Wedgetail A30-003 "Wedgetail 13" Completes Airwork at Emerald Airport - Plus More!

On Thursday 7 September, Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) Boeing B737-7ES / E-7A Wedgetail Airborne Early Warning & Control (AEW&C) aircraft A30-003 as "Wedgetail 13" flew up from RAAF Base Williamtown to complete a missed approach at Emerald Airport.  It then returned South. 

File photo

However, on climbing to flight levels and just passing 20,000 feet, they called up to descend to 19,000 feet as they had some decompression problems and started to descend.  They then called a "Pan" for a decompression leak and made a quick descent to 10,000 and flew to RAAF Base Amberley, ops normal, where they made a safe landing.

Meanwhile, also on Thursday 7 September, Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) Boeing C-17A Globemaster III A41-210 as "Stallion 33" flew down from Townsville to land at Rockhampton Airport.

It later departed to Amberley.

Photo taken by John Lee  ©