Isle of Man-Registered Bombardier Global 5000 Bizjet M-CVGL Spotted at Mackay Airport - Plus More!

On Friday 1 November, Isle of Man registered Bombardier BD-700-1A11 Global 5000 bizjet M-CVGL departed Mackay Airport for the Sunshine Coast and Brisbane.

It had arrived late the previous afternoon from Melbourne (Essendon) and the Sunshine Coast and was photographed parked on the Mackay Airport parking apron soon after its arrival on Thursday 31 October.

Poolhurst Aviation Air Charter Services Pilatus PC-24 jet VH-VTF visited Hamilton Island Airport from Archerfield.

Homada Pty Ltd Cessna 560XL Citation XLS bizjet VH-XCU visited Hamilton Island Airport from Melbourne (Moorabbin) via Melbourne (Essendon).

De Group Air / Business Aviation Solutions Embraer EMB-545 Praetor 500 bizjet VH-8DE also arrived into Hamilton Island Airport but from Melbourne (Essendon) via the Gold Coast.

And New South Wales Rural Fire Service / Coulson Aviation (Australia) Cessna 560 Citation V bizjet VH-VJT as "Firescan 200" looked to fly from Charleville Airport to Townsville.

Meanwhile, also on Friday 1 November, the Queensland Government (State of Queensland) Beech B300 Super King Air 350i aircraft VH-8PD arrived into Rockhampton Airport from Cairns and then departed to Brisbane.

Link Airways (Corporate Air / Vee H Aviation) Cessna 441 Conquest VH-VEJ flew up from Brisbane to the Oaky Creek Coal Mint site and then Clermont Aerodrome before then returning back to Brisbane.

And Heli-Aust Whitsundays Airbus EC135P3H helicopter VH-ZFD flew up from Redcliffe to Gladstone Airport and then Mackay Airport.

https://www.facebook.com/Bundaberg.Aviation.Fuel

Photos taken by 'AC'  ©

Exercise Wallaby 2024 - Royal Brunei Airlines Boeing B787-8 Dreamliner V8-DLE (with 'RB50' logo) Calls Into Rockhampton Airport as Fourth and Final Wave of Heavy Jet Passenger Charter Flights Begin!

On Friday 1 November, the 'extended' fourth and final wave of heavy jet passenger charter flights in and out of Rockhampton Airport in support of the Singapore Armed Forces Exercise Wallaby 2024 (XWB24) commenced as personnel and equipment headed home following the end of the third and final phase of the Exercise.

Royal Brunei Airlines Boeing B787-8 Dreamliner V8-DLE touched down at Rockhampton Airport, flying in direct from Bandar Seri Begawan in Brunei as RBA4361.

V8-DLE is one of two Royal Brunei B787-8 Dreamliners to wear the airline's 'RB50' emblem, commemorating their 50-year legacy of connecting Brunei with the world.

The Dreamliner was parked on Gate 6 on the Southern end of the Rockhampton Airport parking apron and looked to load a fairly full flight of personnel and their bags.

The Royal Brunei Airlines B787-8 Dreamliner V8-DLE eventually departed Rockhampton Airport to Singapore's Changi Airport as RBA4362.

Information suggests that on Saturday 2 November, the Royal Brunei Dreamliner V8-DLE will again arrive into and then depart Rocky for Changi at similar times to Friday.  It also appears that a second Royal Brunei Dreamliner will also visit Rockhampton Airport on Saturday but arriving in the late afternoon and then departing later that evening.  The same pair of Dreamliners will make similar visits also on Sunday 3 November and also into the new week.

Of interest, some flights in this wave will be bring in personnel and equipment to participate in a short follow-up joint military exercise with the Singapore Armed Forces joining elements of the Australian Defence Force (ADF) for Exercise Trident again in the Shoalwater Bay Training Area (SWBTA).

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 plane spotter Katrina A for allowing to share these great photos!

All photos taken by Katrina Millhouse  ©

VIP Aviation (A.C.T.) / Australian Corporate Jet Centres (Melbourne) Cessna 680 Citation Sovereign Bizjet VH-EXG Pops into Mackay Airport - Plus More!

On Thursday 31 October, VIP Aviation (A.C.T.) / Australian Corporate Jet Centres (Melbourne) Cessna 680 Citation Sovereign bizjet VH-EXG arrived into Mackay Airport from Brisbane before then departing to Archerfield and Melbourne (Essendon).

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And Nioa Aviation (Avcair) Embraer EMB505 Phenom 300 bizjet VH-NJR visited Moranbah Airport from its Brisbane base.

Meanwhile, also on Thursday 31 October, American Registered but Australian based Pilatus PC-12/47E N81DW flew up to Mackay Airport from Adelaide.  It later departed to the Sunshine Coast.

Austrek Aviation Beech B200 King Air VH-ZMW arrived into Rockhampton Airport from Toowoomba and Goondiwindi then departed back to Toowoomba. 

While re-registered Townsville Airlines Raytheon B1900D VH-PSK arrived into Rockhampton Airport from Cairns and Townsville and then departed to Mackay Airport and back North.  This was the former Queensland Police Service (Airwing) (State of Queensland) registered aircraft that looks to have been re-registered in June this year.

And Mackay based Cessna R172K VH-SPW visited my local Clermont Aerodrome from the Marian Airfield.

Photo taken by Brodie Lawson  ©

Poolhurst Aviation Air Charter Services Pilatus PC-24 jet VH-VTF Spotted at Mackay Airport - Plus More!

On Wednesday 30 October, Poolhurst Aviation Air Charter Services Pilatus PC-24 jet VH-VTF was spotted parked at Mackay Airport.  It had earlier flown up from Archerfield and Cessnock and then during the afternoon, it returned to those places.

LifeFlight (Aeromed) Canadair CL-600-2B16 Challenger 604 bizjet VH-OFB "Ambulance 624" made an early visit to Rockhampton Airport from Brisbane.

Bowenville (near Toowoomba) based Cessna 525 CitationJet CJ1+ bizjet VH-JSZ arrived into Rockhampton Airport from Archerfield.  It then departed to my local Clermont Aerodrome, Dalby and then Sydney. 

UPDATE!  On Thursday 31 October, VH-JSZ flew up from Sydney to Clermont Aerodrome and then onwards to Natal Downs and then to Rockhampton Airport and Archerfield.

While Mitchell Air / Australian Corporate Jet Centres Bombardier BD-700-1A10 Global 6000 bizjet VH-OFX flew up to Hamilton Island Airport from Melbourne (Essendon).  It later departed to Brisbane.

Possibly Australian based but American registered Bombardier BD-700-1A10 Global Express bizjet N5883 departed Hamilton Island Airport for Sydney.  As mentioned below, it had arrived from there on Sunday 27 October.

Metro Holdings Australia (Air Link - Dubbo) Cessna 525A CitationJet2 Bizjet VH-EJT also departed Hamilton Island Airport for Bankstown.  It too had flown up from there last Sunday 27 October.

And Arcturus Group P/L / Flight Options (Australia) Dassault Falcon 2000EX bizjet VH-EWB also departed Hamilton Island Airport for Sydney.  It had arrived from there last Friday 25 October.

Meanwhile, also on Wednesday 30 October, Hughes Aviation (Hughes Pastoral Group) (Gympie) Pilatus PC-12//47E NGX VH-8HP flew West from Tierawoomba to Keeroongooloo then to Emerald Airport. 

UPDATE!  On Thursday 31 October, VH-8HP flew from Emerald Airport to Keeroongooloo and back

Finally, also on Wednesday 30 October, Aerotech Aircraft Holdings (Aerotech Helicopters) Pickering Aviation (Sikorsky) UH-60A Black Hawk helicopter VH-8UH as "Helitack 516" flew up from Bundaberg Airport to Rockhampton Airport.  It then continued to Proserpine (Whitsunday Coast) Airport and then Townsville (pictured) and Mareeba.

Subsequent social media posts suggest that it has deployed up to Far North Queensland for the local bushfire season.

Photos taken by Swavek Topolski and Graham Aspinall  ©

Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) Airbus A330-203 / KC-30A (MRTT) A39-005 "Thumper 11" Missed Approach at Rockhampton Airport - Plus More!

On Wednesday 30 October, Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) Airbus A330-203 / KC-30A Multi Role Tanker Transport (MRTT) A39-005 as "Thumper 11" was spotted completing a missed approach at Rockhampton Airport.

The KC-30A had been earlier operating out overhead Western Queensland with fellow RAAF KC-30A A39-007 as "Thumper 12" which completed its flight from and back to RAAF Base Amberley direct.

A39-005 "Thumper 11" flew to Rockhampton Airport to complete a missed approach before it then returned to Amberley. 

Meanwhile, also on Wednesday 30 October, Australian Army Boeing CH-47F 'Foxtrot' Chinook A15-305 as "Crow 327" was spotted quickly at Mackay Airport.

It looked to complete a flight from and back to Townsville.

Photos taken by Steve Vit and 'AC'  ©

Recently Acquired Alliance Airlines (Virgin Australia) Fokker F-100 VH-FNC Makes First Visit into Central Queensland at Mackay Airport - Plus More!

On Tuesday 29 October, recently acquired Alliance Airlines Fokker F-100 VH-FNC made its first visit into Central Queensland, arriving into Mackay Airport from Brisbane operating on behalf of Virgin Australia Airlines as VOZ609.  It later departed back to the capital as VOZ610.  VH-FNC had earlier completed a flight to Canberra and back also on behalf of Virgin.

The Fokker which had been operating over in Perth, Western Australia for some time, flew across to Brisbane on delivery to Alliance Airlines on Thursday 24 October as UTY9822.

The 33-year-old Fokker F-100 (c/n 11334) has had a fascinating history, arriving into Australia in 2008 after being sold to Virgin Australia which then operated the aircraft for Skywest Airlines in Perth, Western Australia.  It had previously been operated by US Airways as N882US and Germania (Air Berlin) as D-AGPO.

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Following the full acquisition of Skywest Airlines by Virgin in 2012/3, VH-FNC was then re-painted into Virgin livery and was operated by the newly named Virgin Australia Regional Airlines (VARA).  VH-FNC was finally withdrawn from use in April 2024 and temporarily stored at Perth.

Meanwhile, also on Tuesday 29 October, Air Gold Coast Cessna 525A CitationJet CJ2 bizjet VH-ZDM flew up from the Gold Coast and Ballina to Hamilton Island Airport.  It later flew back down to the Gold Coast.

Robindale Group / Air Link Cessna 510 Citation Mustang bizjet VH-CMK flew up from Orange to the Sunshine Coast and then Bundaberg Airport.  Later, it flew across to Emerald Airport.

UPDATE!  On Thursday 31 October, VH-CMK departed Emerald Airport for Bundaberg Airport before then continuing to the Sunshine Coast and home to Orange.  Interesting to note VH-CMK did a similar pattern of flights a fortnight ago!

And Brisbane-based Piper PA-31 Navajo VH-DEP visited my local Clermont Aerodrome from Archerfield and Emerald Airports.

Photos taken by 'AC' and David Rowcroft  ©

Poolhurst Aviation Air Charter Services Pilatus PC-24 jet VH-VTF Calls into CQ Airports - Plus More!

On Monday 28 October, Poolhurst Aviation Air Charter Services Pilatus PC-24 jet VH-VTF arrived into Rockhampton Airport from Archerfield.  It later departed to Hervey Bay (Fraser Coast) Airport and then back to Archerfield.

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While Bowenville (near Toowoomba) based Cessna 525 CitationJet CJ1+ bizjet VH-JSZ flew up from Archerfield and Dalby to Natal Downs before then flying down to my local Clermont Aerodrome and then back to Archerfield.

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

And the locally-based Embraer EMB-550 Legacy 500 bizjet N142GZ flew up from Brisbane back to Mackay Airport.  It looks to have flown down last Thursday 24 October.

Meanwhile, also on Monday 28 October, Fly Weel Pilatus PC-12/47E VH-KWZ landed at Emerald Airport from the Gold Coast and then departed to Mackay Airport.  It then returned to the Gold Coast. 

The Queensland Police Service (QPS) / Queensland Government (State of Queensland) Textron Aviation B300C Super King Air 350 VH-8PD visited Rockhampton Airport from Cairns and Townsville.

Aero Professional Services SOCATA TBM700 VH-VSV visited Bundaberg Airport from its Denison Downs (Emerald) base.

UPDATE!  VH-VSV completed two similar flights from Denison Downs to Bundy and back on both Saturday 2 November and Sunday 3 November.

Link Airways (Corporate Air / Vee H Aviation) Cessna 441 Conquest VH-VEJ flew up from Brisbane to the Oaky Creek Mine Site and then my local Clermont Aerodrome before then heading back to Brisbane. 

And Southern Air Beech 1900C VH-VSO looked to complete the weekly visit to Moranbah Airport, arriving from Melbourne (Moorabbin) and Toowoomba-Wellcamp and then departing back to Wellcamp.

Photo taken by Ryan Hothersall  ©

American Registered Bombardier BD-700-1A10 Global Express Bizjet N5883 Calls into Hamilton Island Airport - Plus More!

On Sunday 27 October, possibly Australian based but American registered Bombardier BD-700-1A10 Global Express bizjet N5883 was noted arriving into Hamilton Island Airport from Sydney.

It had appeared to arrive into Australia from overseas late on Friday night.

UPDATE!  On Wednesday 30 October, N5883 departed Hamilton Island Airport and returned to Sydney.

Reports suggest that this colourful bizjet could in fact be Sydney-based and research reveals that until 2022, it was on the Australian Aircraft register as VH-SPJ.

While Metro Holdings Australia (Air Link - Dubbo) Cessna 525A CitationJet2 Bizjet VH-EJT also flew into Hamilton Island Airport but from Bankstown.

Jampair P/L (Navair Flight Operations) Embraer EMB-505 Phenom 300E bizjet VH-NSQ as "Navair 188" flew down from Proserpine (Whitsunday Coast) Airport to the Gold Coast and then Bankstown. It had originally arrived into Prosie from those places on Friday 25 October before departing to Cairns and Brisbane and then returning to Proserpine (Whitsunday Coast) Airport on Saturday.

And LifeFlight (Aeromed) Canadair CL-600-2B16 Challenger 604 bizjet VH-OFB "Ambulance 624" flew down from Townsville to Rockhampton Airport and then Brisbane.  

Plus fellow And LifeFlight (Aeromed) Canadair CL-600-2B16 Challenger 604 bizjet VH-OFC "Ambulance 634" visited Mackay Airport from Brisbane.  It also visited Mackay Airport and Rockhampton Airport on Saturday 26 October. 

Finally, also on Sunday 27 October, re-registered LifeFlight Australia (Cronin Aviation Services) Bell 412EP helicopter VH-EPH was spotted passing through Longreach Airport.  It looked to arrive from Mount Isa and departed to Emerald Airport and the Bundaberg Airport.

VH-EPH seems to be returning from a 'deployment' over the in Western Australia.

UPDATE!  On Monday 28 October, VH-EPH departed Bundaberg Airport for Archerfield.

Of interest, fellow LifeFlight Rescue Bell 412EP VH-XCY flew across to Kununurra in Western Australia from the Sunshine Coast via Bundaberg, Emerald, Longreach and Mount Isa Airports at the end of last week.

Sincere thanks to Sydney-based specialist aviation photographer Grahame Hutchison for allowing us to share these great photos of a great looking bizjet!

Do check out more of Grahame's fantastic images on his well-known Sydney Airport based website http://www.16right.com/

Photos taken by Grahame Hutchison and 'AC'  ©

Cloncurry Bushfire Sees a Number of Firefighting Aircraft Pass Through Longreach Airport - Plus More!

On Saturday 26 October, a couple of aerial firefighting aircraft were noted and spotted passing through the region, including at Longreach Airport, while heading up towards Cloncurry where a large bushfire continues to burn outside of the town.

Kennedy Aviation (Kennedy Air Services) North American Rockwell 500S VH-XAS "Birddog 444"  arrived into Longreach Airport from Toowoomba and then departed to Cloncurry.

Meandarra Aerial Spraying Air Tractor AT-802A VH-SDJ "Bomber 424" and VH-NFY "Bomber 426" were spotted taking on fuel at Longreach Airport before departing towards Cloncurry.

It is also believed that Kennedy Aviation / Kennedy Air-Ag Air Tractor AT-802A 'Fire Boss' water bombing aircraft VH-XAJ "Bomber 455" also passed through Longreach Airport heading up to Cloncurry.

And the Bundaberg Airport based Conair Aerial Firefighting Dash-8-Q400MR C-FFQE "Bomber 141" and Agair Logistics P/L Gulfstream Aerospace (AeroCommander) 695-A JetProp 1000 VH-LMC "Birddog 125" both returned to Bundy from a night up at Townsville, flying back via a water-drop at Cloncurry.

Meanwhile, also on Saturday 26 October, Interair (based at Essendon) Beech B200 King Air VH-ITH passed through Longreach Airport arriving from Melbourne (Essendon) and Bourke and departing to Atherton.

MacKellar Mining Equipment Pty Ltd (Revesco Aviation) Cessna 680 Citation Sovereign bizjet VH-MMC flew up to Hamilton Island Airport from the Sunshine Coast. 

UPDATE!  On Monday 28 October, VH-MMC returned to the Sunny Coast from Hamo.

And Inverted Downunder / Matt Hall Racing MX Aircraft MXS VH-CQE was noted arriving into Rockhampton Airport from Melbourne (Moorabbin), Dubbo and Archerfield.

UPDATE!  On Monday 28 October, Matt Hall on board VH-CQE departed Rockhampton Airport for Hamilton Island Airport where he landed and then completed a performance during the early afternoon - photos added below!  He then landed again and then returned to Rockhampton Airport.

UPDATE!  On Tuesday 29 October, VH-CQE departed Rockhampton Airport and returned to its Lake Macquarie base.

Photos taken by Drew Mackay and Glen Bradford  ©

Whitsunday Air Services Viking Air Limited (De Havilland) DHC-2 MK I Beaver VH-OHU Crashes in Waters Adjacent to Whitehaven Beach

On Saturday 26 October, the sad sight of Whitsunday Air Services Viking Air Limited (De Havilland) DHC-2 MK I Beaver VH-OHU has crashed into the water adjacent to Whitehaven Beach in the Whitsundays.

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Reports say the Seaplane crashed upon landing in the water adjacent to Whitehaven Beach at around 8.30am Saturday morning. 

According to eyewitnesses the plane’s pilot was attempting a water landing near the beach when it "nose dived into the water and flipped upside down". 

The crash will be subjected to a full investigation.

It is believed all five people (1 pilot and 4 passengers) aboard the plane which, escaped serious injury. 

A barge was dispatched from Hamilton Island to recover the aircraft.