United States Marine Corps (USMC) Bell Boeing MV-22B Osprey Tilt-rotor Aircraft 168655 (EP-08) 'ODIN21' Spotted at Rockhampton Airport - Plus More!

On Monday 30 June, the lead-up to the combined Military Exercise Talisman Sabre 2025 (TS25) continued with United States Marine Corps (USMC) Bell Boeing MV-22B Osprey tilt-rotor aircraft 168655 (EP-08) spotted visiting Rockhampton Airport.

It looked to arrive from and then depart back to the United States Navy ship USS America and was heard to use the radio callsign of 'ODIN21'.

Of interest, the Osprey is of VMM-265 'Dragons' and is presently embarked on board the United States Navy (USN) amphibious assault ship USS America (LHA-6) which is in waters off Shoalwater Bay.

Meanwhile, also on Monday 30 June, United States Marine Corps (USMC) Lockheed KC-130J Hercules 170285 (Tail Code QD-0285) as 'SUMO88' flew up to the Shoalwater Bay Training Area (SWBTA) from Brisbane. 

The Herc, which is of the Marine Aerial Refueller Transport Squadron 152 (VMGR-152) the "Sumos", is pictured (above) parked at Brisbane Airport before it then flew up to RAAF Base Darwin on Tuesday 1 July.

Finally, also on Monday 30 June, Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) Dassault Falcon 7X bizjet A56-001 as "Envoy 25" landed at Hervey Bay (Fraser Coast) Airport from Canberra and a bit later departed back to there.

Photos taken by Scott Harris and Dylan Hardie  ©

Skytrans Airlines (now SmartLynx Australia) Starts Flights to Moranbah Airport from Cairns with Dash-8-100 VH-QQI

On Monday 30 June, Skytrans Airlines started flying between Cairns and Moranbah Airport with the first flight being operated by Dash-8-100 VH-QQI as SKP101/2.

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The flights are only Fly-in Fly-out (FIFO) charter flights and operate each Monday and Tuesday.

At the time of writing, VH-QQI was due to fly back to Moranbah Airport twice from and back to Cairns on Tuesday 1 July as SKP103/4/5/6.

UPDATE!  In late July, Skytrans, part of the world’s largest ACMI (Aircraft, Crew, Maintenance, and Insurance) provider Avia Solutions Group, will now be known as SmartLynx Australia.  Avia Solutions Group acquired Skytrans in March 2024.

UPDATE!  From Monday, 22 September, SmartLynx Australia, in partnership with Whitehaven Coal, opened part of its FIFO charter services to the public, providing new travel opportunities for the Moranbah community. Ten seats on selected services between Cairns and Moranbah are available for community members at a fare of $299 each way.

Photo taken by Steve Vit  ©

Australian Country Choice Properties / Aero Corporate Charters P/L (Brisbane) Cessna 525B CitationJet CJ3 Bizjet VH-ACC Pops into Roma Airport - Plus More!

On Sunday 29 June, Australian Country Choice Properties / Aero Corporate Charters P/L (Brisbane) Cessna 525B CitationJet CJ3 bizjet VH-ACC flew into Roma Airport from Archerfield. It then continued to the North West.

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S&S Aviation / Business Aviation Solutions Bombardier CL-600-2B16 Challenger 604 bizjet VH-XPA visited Hamilton Island Airport from the Gold Coast.

Re-registered Cleveland Bay Aviation (Townsville) Piper PA-31 Navajo VH-CYY visited the Whitsunday Airport at Shute Harbour from Townsville.

And M. D. H. P/L (Cloncurry) Pilatus PC-12/47E VH-MDH departed Proserpine (Whitsunday Coast) Airport for Archerfield. It appears to have arrived the previous day.

Finally, also on Saturday 28 June, Machjet International Hawker Beechcraft (Beech) B200 King Air VH-8UY as "Machflight 55" visited Hamilton Island Airport from Cairns.

Photo taken by Tony Haynes  ©

United States Marine Corps (USMC) Bell Boeing MV-22B Osprey Tilt-rotor Aircraft 168217 (EP-01) 'ODIN21' Spotted at Rockhampton Airport - Plus More!

On Friday 27 June, the lead-up to the combined Military Exercise Talisman Sabre 2025 (TS25) continued with United States Marine Corps (USMC) Bell Boeing MV-22B Osprey tilt-rotor aircraft 168217 (EP-01) spotted visiting Rockhampton Airport.

It looked to arrive from and then depart back to the Shoalwater Bay Training Area (SWBTA) and was heard to use the radio callsign of 'ODIN21'.

Of interest, the Osprey is of VMM-265 'Dragons' and is presently embarked on board the United States Navy (USN) amphibious assault ship USS America (LHA-6) which is in waters off Shoalwater Bay.

Meanwhile, also on Friday 27 June, United States Marine Corps (USMC) Lockheed KC-130J Hercules 170285 as 'SUMO88' operated out off the coast from Shoalwater Bay while on a flight from and back to RAAF Base Amberley.

At the same time, fellow USMC KC-130J 170272 as 'HCLS51' flew up from Amberley to Port Moresby.

Plus United States Navy (USN) Lockheed KC-130T Hercules 162311 as "Bonow 405" flew up from Brisbane to Darwin.

Finally, on Thursday 26 June, it is believed that United States Navy (USN) Sikorsky MH-60S Seahawk (Knighthawk) helicopter 167873 / RB-01 visited Rockhampton Airport once again as "Valkyrie 62".

Sincere thanks to local plane spotter 'IAD' for taking the time to capture and send through these great photos!

All photos taken by 'IAD'  ©

Textron Aviation Inc (Wichita, Kansas) Cessna 208B Grand Caravan EX N813EX at Rockhampton Airport - Plus More!

Late on Thursday 26 June, Textron Aviation Inc of Wichita, Kansas Cessna 208B Grand Caravan EX N813EX arrived into Rockhampton Airport from Katherine and Mount Isa. 

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Then on Friday 27 June, N813EX flew to Rolleston Aerodrome and back and this afternoon departed Rockhampton Airport for the Gold Coast. 

Meanwhile, also on Friday 27 June, Townsville Airlines Beech 1900D VH-JYA arrived into Rockhampton Airport from Cairns and Townsville.  It then departed back to Cairns.

And Scone (NSW) based Textron Aviation B200GT King Air VH-8PO landed at Emerald Airport from Scone and then departed to Lizard Island. 

UPDATE!  On Monday 30 June, VH-8PO looked to fly back South, again calling into Emerald Airport.

Finally, also on Friday 27 June, Cirrus Design Corp. SF50 Vision Jet N616TS landed at Gladstone Airport from the Whitsunday Airport at Shute Harbour before then departing back to there. 

Brisbane-based Adome P/L (Air Link, Dubbo) Cessna 525 CitationJet M2 bizjet VH-YWS flew up from Archerfield and Warwick to Alpha Aerodrome.  Races this weekend!

UPDATE!  On Sunday 29 June, VH-YWS departed Alpha Aerodrome for Roma Airport and then back to Warwick and Archerfield.

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

Of interest, over the last couple of weeks, VH-OFB "Ambulance 624" has also visited Gladstone, and Longreach Airports, and made mutiple visits to Mackay and Rockhampton Airports.

While sistership  VH-OFC "Ambulance 634" did some cross-country and international flights.  And VH-OFA "Ambulance 614" mostly remained in the hangar at Brisbane.

Photos taken by Tony Haynes  ©

Metro Holdings Australia (Air Link - Dubbo) Cessna 525A CitationJet2 Bizjet VH-EJT Pops into Roma Airport - Plus More!

On Thursday 26 June, Metro Holdings Australia (Air Link - Dubbo) Cessna 525A CitationJet2 bizjet VH-EJT flew down from Cairns to Roma Airport and then Bankstown.  It had flown North also via Roma Airport on Monday 23 June.

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And Mitchell Water Cessna 525 Citation M2 bizjet VH-WMY flew up from Melbourne (Moorabbin) and Melbourne (Essendon) to the Whitsunday Airport at Shute Harbour before it then returned to Moorabbin.

Meanwhile, also on Thursday 26 June, McDermott Aviation Group / Machjet International Beech B200 King Air VH-NSN as "Machflight 11" arrived into Rockhampton Airport from Cairns and Townsville before it then departed back to Cairns. 

Queensland Government (State of Queensland) Beech B300 Super King Air 350i aircraft VH-8PD visited Rockhampton Airport from Mount Isa. 

And Comet-registered Cessna 208B Grand Caravan VH-RTC departed Hedlow Airfield for Croydon.  It returned to Hedlow later in the day, flying via Gladstone Airport. 

Finally, also on Thursday 26 June, Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) Search and Rescue (CHC Helicopters Australia / Lloyd Helicopters) Agusta AW139 helicopter VH-SYZ as "Choppa 22" finally departed Emerald Airport for Roma Airport and then RAAF Base Amberley.

As mentioned below, on Friday 13 June, it made an emergency landing at Emerald Airport and has been undergoing maintenance ever since.

Photo taken by Tony Haynes  ©

FlyPelican (Pelican Airlines) British Aerospace BAe Jetstream 3206 (Jetstream 32) Turboprop VH-OTE Spotted at Emerald Airport - Plus More!

Late on Wednesday 25 June, FlyPelican (Pelican Airlines) British Aerospace BAe Jetstream 3206 (Jetstream 32) turboprop aircraft VH-OTE was spotted visiting Emerald Airport on what seems to now be a permanent Fly-in Fly-out (FIFO) charter flight from Archerfield and Toowoomba-Wellcamp Airport.

VH-OTE arrived from there and departed back as PE745/6 and is expected to return to Emerald Airport again on Thursday 26 June from Archerfield and Wellcamp but as PE743/4.

Meanwhile, also on Wednesday 25 June, Brescon (Toowoomba) Beech B200 King Air VH-WXN landed at Longreach Airport from Toowoomba and Roma Airports.  It then departed to Burketown before later returning back to Roma Airport and then Toowoomba. 

While  NSW based Whitestar Aviation Diamond 62 VH-TZI landed at Longreach Airport from Ballina and Roma Airports before it then departed to Mount Isa. 

And during the afternoon, Central Queensland Helicopter Rescue Service (CQ Rescue) / CQ Aeromedical Leonardo AW139 helicopter VH-XQ9 flew down from Mackay Airport to Bundaberg Airport and Archerfield.  Given that CQ Rescue has taken delivery of VH-XQ7 in full new livery - see Blog post below - this could be the last time we see VH-XQ9 in the region.

The other AW139 helicopter that CQ Rescue operates in its full new livery is VH-XQ8 which is currently at Archerfield and presumably will return North tomorrow. 

UPDATE!  Indeed on Thursday 26 June, AW139 helicopter VH-XQ8 flew up to Mackay Airport from Archerfield via Bundaberg Airport. 

Photo taken by 'AC'  ©️

United States Marine Corps (USMC) Bell Boeing MV-22B Osprey 168220 / EP-00 "ODIN21" Pops into Rockhampton Airport - Plus More!

Late on Tuesday 24 June, the attractive United States Marine Corps (USMC) Bell Boeing MV-22B Osprey tilt-rotor aircraft 168220 / EP-00 was a surprise arrival into Rockhampton Airport.

US DoD Image...

It was believed to be conducting a medical evacuation flight from and back to the USS America (LHA-6) which is in waters off the Shoalwater Bay Training Area (SWBTA).

And fellow US Marines Lockheed Martin KC-130J as "Hercules 51" flew up from RAAF Base Amberley to complete air-to-air refuelling work off the Shoalwater Bay coast.  It then returned to Amberley.

And also on late on Tuesday 24 June,  Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) Alenia C-27J Spartan transport aircraft A34-004 was noted completing airwork around Roma Airport while on a flight out of and back to RAAF Base Amberley.

Three Shell Aviation Dassault Falcon 8X Bizjets - VQ-BXH & VQ-BXG at Gladstone Airport - VQ-BXD at Miles Airport - Plus More!

On Tuesday 24 June, three Shell Aviation Dassault Aviation Falcon 8X bizjets were noted and spotted visiting a couple of Central Queensland Airports in spectacular fashion.  Two of them - VQ-BXH as 'Pexan 57H' and VQ-BXG as 'Pexan 32G' both landed at Gladstone Airport from Brisbane.

They later returned Brisbane.

At around the same time as these two were flying, the third Shell Falcon 8X - VQ-BXD as 'Pexan 49D' landed at Miles Airport also from Brisbane and then later returned back to the capital - as shown below.

Of interest, they had all arrived from Japan over the weekend.

Meanwhile, also on Tuesday 24 June, Machjet (Machjet International) Cessna 525 Citation CJ1 bizjet VH-SIY as "Machflight 86" visited Rockhampton Airport from the Sunshine Coast.

Australian Corporate Jet Centres' operated Embraer EMB-135BJ Legacy bizjet VH-VLT flew down from Hamilton Island Airport to the Sunshine Coast.  It appears to have arrived into Hamo from Melbourne (Tullamarine) over the weekend. 

And Homada Pty Ltd Cessna 560XL Citation XLS bizjet VH-XCU flew up from Melbourne (Moorabbin) to Hamilton Island Airport before flying down to and Melbourne (Essendon) and then back to Moorabbin.

Finally, also on Tuesday 24 June, Austrek Aviation Beech B200 King Air VH-ZMW landed at Longreach Airport from Toowoomba and then departed to Normanton.  It was due to return South the next day.

Hughes Aviation (Hughes Pastoral Group) (Gympie) Pilatus PC-12/47E NGX VH-8HP flew down from Mackay Airport to Keeroongooloo and Archerfield. 

And Easternwell Group (Ven Air P/L) Beech B200 King Air VH-HPP visited Rolleston Aerodrome from Toowoomba.

Photos taken by Genn Lloyd,  Jamie C and Lloyd Fox  ©

Graham Aviation (Cairns) Cessna 510 Citation Mustang Bizjet VH-FMZ Pops into Hamilton Island Airport - Plus More!

On Monday 23 June, Graham Aviation (Cairns) Cessna 510 Citation Mustang bizjet VH-FMZ visited Hamilton Island Airport from Mareeba - returning via Cairns.

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Re-registered Flight Options (Australia) LearJet 45 bizjet VH-LJX visited Emerald Airport from its new Sunshine Coast base.

Pilatus Australia (South Australia) Pilatus PC-24 Super Versatile Jet VH-DMS arrived into Mackay Airport from Cessnock. It then looked to continue to Alice Springs.

Southern Air Services Cessna 525 CitationJet CJ1 bizjet VH-APJ flew up from Warrnambool and Ballarat to Roma Airport.

And McDermott Aviation Group / Machjet International Cessna 525A CitationJet CJ2 bizjet VH-SUY as "Machflight 421" looked to fly into Moura Aerodrome from the Sunshine Coast.

Meanwhile, also on Monday 23 June, Townsville Airlines Beech 1900D VH-RUE arrived into Rockhampton Airport from Cairns and Townsville and then departed to Brisbane before later returning back to Cairns.

Edwards Coaches Cessna 441 Conquest II VH-OXY landed at Longreach Airport from Armidale and Goondiwindi then departed to the North-West.

Armada Aviation (of Ringwood in Victoria) Pilatus PC-12/45 turboprop VH-XAQ, which landed at Longreach Airport from Cooktown yesterday, departed there to Bankstown.