Exercise Wallaby 2025 - Royal Brunei Airlines Boeing B787-8 Dreamliners V8-DLA and V8-DLD Back at Rockhampton Airport

As predicted, on Sunday 7 September, both Royal Brunei Airlines Boeing B787-8 Dreamliner aircraft - V8-DLA and V8-DLD - both called back into Rockhampton Airport again transporting personnel and equipment into Rocky in support of the Singapore Armed Forces Exercise Wallaby 2025 (XWB25).

V8-DLA arrived from Singapore's Changi Airport as RBA4210.  It then departed back to Changi as RBA4211.

UPDATE!  V8-DLA returned to Rockhampton Airport one more time on Monday 8 September, arriving from Changi as RBA4212 and departing to Brunei as RBA4214.

And V8-DLD arrived into Rocky also from Changi but as RBA4204.  

It then departed to Brunei as RBA4206.

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 spotters 'IAD' and Scott H for allowing us to share these great photos!

Photos taken by 'IAD' and Scott Harris  ©

Exercise Wallaby 2025 - Royal Brunei Airlines Boeing B787-8 Dreamliners V8-DLD and V8-DLA Both Call into Rockhampton Airport

On Saturday 6 September, two Royal Brunei Airlines Boeing B787-8 Dreamliner aircraft both called into Rockhampton Airport to transport personnel and equipment into Rocky in support of the Singapore Armed Forces Exercise Wallaby 2025 (XWB25) which 'officially' kicked off today.

During the morning, Dreamliner V8-DLD arrived into Rockhampton Airport touching down from Brunei and Singapore's Changi Airport as RBA4201/2.  It later departed back to Changi but as RBA4203.

Later, fellow Dreamliner V8-DLA also touched down at Rockhampton Airport, also from Brunei and Singapore's Changi Airport but as RBA4207/8.

It also later departed back to Singapore but as RBA4209.

It is expected that both V8-DLA and V8-DLD will return to Rockhampton Airport on Sunday 7 September and again on Monday 8 September (only V8-DLA returned - oops!) which will then see the conclusion of the first 'wave' of charter flights in support of the Singapore Armed Forces Exercise Wallaby 2025 (XWB25).

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 and photographers for allowing us to share these great photos!

Photos taken by Steve Vit and 'IAD'  ©

LifeFlight Leonardo / Agusta Helicopters VH-XIU "Guardian 20" & VH-XIA "Guardian 10" Pop into Rockhampton Airport - Plus More!

On Friday 5 September, a pair of LifeFlight helicopters called into Rockhampton Airport.

Leonardo S.P.A. Helicopters (Agusta) AW139 helicopter VH-XIU as "Guardian 20" (pictured) and Agusta Westland AW139 helicopter VH-XIA as "Guardian 10" came in together from Williamson Airfield within the Shoalwater Bay Training Area (SWBTA) with VH-XIU landing at Rockhampton Airport and VH-XIA flying a circuit of the Rockhampton Base Hospital Heli-Pad.

Both then returned to Shoalwater Bay.

Meanwhile, also on Friday 5 September, newly registered Heli-Aust Whitsundays Airbus Helicopters EC135P3H H135 helicopter VH-XV7 landed at Gladstone Airport from Redcliffe.  It then departed to Mackay Airport.

Of interest, fellow Heli-Aust Whitsundays Eurocopter EC135 P2+ helicopter VH-XUV has recently returned to the region, flying into Gladstone Airport mid-way through August and taking up operations there.  It had previously been operating around the Newcastle area in New South Wales.

And Queensland Government (QGAir) Rescue (State of Queensland) Leonardo S.P.A. Helicopter (Agusta) AW139 helicopter VH-EGK ferried South from Townsville to Archerfield via Emerald Airport.

Finally, also on Friday 5 September, LifeFlight (Aeromed) Canadair CL-600-2B16 Challenger 604 bizjet VH-OFC "Ambulance 634" flew down from Townsville to Mackay Airport and Rockhampton Airport before then flying down to Brisbane.

Of interest, over the last couple of weeks, VH-OFC "Ambulance 634" has made mutiple visits to Rocky and Mackay Airports - as well as making visits to Bundaberg, Longreach and Moranbah Airports.

Sistership VH-OFB "Ambulance 624" has also been busy, also making multiple visits to Rockhampton and Mackay Airports as well as also visiting Longreach, Blackall, Bundaberg and Hervey Bay (Fraser Coast) Airports.

And VH-URR "Ambulance 604" visited Mackay Airport on multiple occasions, as well as visiting Hervey Bay, Rockhampton and Emerald Airports.

While VH-OFA "Ambulance 614" continues to operate out of Singapore (Seletar).

Photo taken by Darren Massie  ©

RAAF Boeing B737-7ES / E-7A Wedgetail Airborne Early Warning & Control (AEW&C) Aircraft A30-005 "Wedgetail 14" Missed Approaches at Gladstone Airport

On Friday 5 September,  Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) Boeing B737-7ES / E-7A Wedgetail Airborne Early Warning & Control (AEW&C) aircraft A30-005 was spotted completing airwork at Gladstone Airport.

It was flying as "Wedgetail 14" and looked to fly up to Gladstone Airport from RAAF Williamtown to complete the airwork which included several missed approaches.  It then departed back to Williamtown via more airwork at Coffs Harbour.

Sincere thanks to local plane spotter Jamie C who was at the right place at the right time and shares with us these great photos!

All photos taken by Jamie C  ©

Six Republic of Singapore Air Force (RSAF) Boeing CH-47F Chinook Helicopters Touch Down at Rockhampton Airport for Exercise Wallaby 2025

On Friday 5 September, six Republic of Singapore Air Force (RSAF) Boeing CH-47F Chinook helicopters arrived into Rockhampton Airport ahead of the Singapore Armed Forces' Exercise Wallaby 2025 (XWB25).

They arrived in two flights - one flight of four and the second flight of two - flying up direct from their base at Oakey.  They were identified as 88163, 88167, 88169 and 88168 which were heard to use the radio callsign of "Celtic", while 88165 and 88171 flew up as "Concorde".

They all landed at various spots around 'Warriors Camp' adjacent to Rockhampton Airport.

Of interest, 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.

Meanwhile, it appears that 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 to the local plane spotters for taking the time to capture and send through these great photos!

Photos taken by John Lee  ©

Link Airways (Corporate Air / Vee H Aviation) SAAB 340B+ VH-VEZ (ex N450XJ, N350AG) First Visit to CQ at Theodore Aerodrome - Plus More!

On Thursday 4 September, a surprise arrival into the region, and making what we believe is its first ever visit, was Link Airways (Corporate Air / Vee H Aviation) SAAB 340B+ turboprop VH-VEZ, which flew up from Brisbane and the Sunshine Coast to land at Theodore Aerodrome on a Fly-in Fly-out (FIFO) closed charter flight.

File photo

It later returned to the Sunshine Coast and Brisbane.

Since the SAAB was delivered to Link Airways, it has primarily been operating on regional Regular Passenger Transport (RPT) routes in New South Wales, Victoria and Tasmania.  The airline also operates some flights on behalf of Virgin Australia Airlines.

Of interest, VH-VEZ previously operated in the USA with Mesaba Airlines for Northwest Airlines and Delta Airlines as N450XJ, but most recently, it flew with Florida-based Silver Airways as N350AG.

It was flown into Australia with that American registration marking in November 2022 and was re-registered and delivered to Link Airways (Corporate Air / Vee H Aviation) as VH-VEZ. It entered service on Monday 20 February 2023 on behalf of Virgin Australia on the link between Canberra and Sydney - which it has operated quite a bit over the years!

VH-VEZ was one of three four most recently acquired SAAB 340s, and as far as we are aware,  two of the other four which were acquired about this time - VH-VEA and VH-VEQ - are still yet to make an appearance in Central Queensland.  VH-VER has been into CQ about two years ago.

Meanwhile, also on Thursday 4 September, Southern Air Beech 1900 VH-VSO arrived into Rockhampton Airport from Cairns and Townsville before it then departed to Brisbane.  It later returned to Cairns. 

And Torres Strait Air (Collville Aviation Services) Britten Norman (Bembridge) BN-2A-27 Islander VH-89M landed at Emerald Airport from the South and then departed to Cairns. 

Finally, also on Thursday 4 September, SG Aviation Australia / Business Aviation Solutions Gulfstream G-VI (G650ER) bizjet VH-SGA looked to visit Hamilton Island Airport once again from Melbourne (Essendon).

Plus on Wednesday 3 September, re-registered Equipment Holding (WA) / Aeronautics and Technology Holdings P/L (NSW) Cessna 501 Citation I/SP VH-XJI made its first visit into the region visiting Emerald Airport from Cessnock.  Research reveals that this Citation was previously registered N501AF and was placed on the Australian Aircraft Register last year.

Southern Air Services Cessna 525 CitationJet CJ1 bizjet VH-APJ landed at Blackall Airport from Dalby.

Henadeck (New South Wales) Cessna 525 Citation CJ1 bizjet VH-YNE arrived into Hamilton Island Airport from Bankstown.

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

UPDATE!  On Tuesday 9 September, N142GZ returned to Mackay Airport from Brisbane.

Photos taken by Tony Haynes, Brian Kenney, Chris Hall and Brian Gibbens  ©

Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) Boeing C-17A Globemaster III A41-208 "Stallion ??" Missed Approaches at Emerald Airport

On Wednesday 3 September, Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) Boeing C-17A Globemaster III transport aircraft A41-208 was noted completing several missed approaches at Emerald Airport.

File photo

The Globemaster flew out from RAAF Base Amberley to overhead Roma before it then tracked North at low level to Emerald Airport and did three missed approaches.

It then towards Rockhampton again at low level but on passing Blackwater, they changed their mind and turned to head back to Amberley and climbed up to flight level to there.

Photo taken by Steve Vit  ©

Exercise Wallaby 2025 - Republic of Singapore Air Force (RSAF) Lockheed C-130H Hercules Transport Aircraft '735' Arrives into Rockhampton Airport

On Wednesday 3 September, The Republic of Singapore Air Force (RSAF) Lockheed C-130H Hercules transport aircraft '735' was noted arriving into Rockhampton Airport after flying down from Darwin as 'SAF9569'.

The Herc had arrived into Darwin from Singapore the previous day.

UPDATE!  On Thursday 4 September, The RSAF C-130H Hercules '735' again as '9569' departed Rockhampton Airport for Darwin and then eventually back to Singapore.

Of interest, the Hercs are part of six C-130H aircraft which are flown by the RSAF's 122 Squadron 'Condors' based at the Paya Lebar Air Base (PLAB) in Singapore.

The squadron goes by the motto of "Dependable".

Sincere thanks to local photographer Steve V for allowing us to share these great photos!

All photos taken by Steve Vit  ©

Royal Flying Doctor Service (RFDS) - South-Eastern Section - Textron B300C Super King Air VH-MQK "FlyDoc 229" Arrives into Rockhampton Airport - Plus More!

On Tuesday 2 September, Royal Flying Doctor Service (RFDS) - South-Eastern Section - Textron B300C Super King Air VH-MQK as "FlyDoc 229" was noted arriving into Rockhampton Airport from Melbourne (Essendon).

File photo

UPDATE!  On Wednesday 3 September, VH-MQK but as "Ambulance 793" departed Rockhampton Airport for Dubbo and then Melbourne (Essendon).

While Tasmania based Cirrus SR22 VH-WEE flew down from Cairns and Hamilton Island Airport and then Bundaberg Airport - seemingly still heading home from a trip to Darwin.

And Executive Helicopters Eurocopter EC130B4 VH-EHY as "Firebird 404" flew up from Bundaberg Airport to over the Berserkers fire area.  It then landed at Rockhampton Airport to refuel before then returning to Bundy.

Meanwhile, also on Tuesday 2 September, SG Aviation Australia / Business Aviation Solutions Gulfstream G-VI (G650ER) bizjet VH-SGA was noted departing Hamilton Island Airport for Melbourne (Essendon).  It appears to have arrived into Hamo from there on Sunday 31 August.

And now-Queensland based American-registered Embraer EMB-505 Phenom 300 N227SL arrived into Rockhampton Airport from Archerfield and later departed to Townsville.  It later returned to Archerfield.

It seems N227SL is now based at Archerfield.  The former Victoria based Phenom has been 'replaced' by another American-registered Embraer 505 Phenom 300E bizjet N227SJ.

Finally, also on Tuesday 2 September, Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) Boeing B737-7ES / E-7A Wedgetail Airborne Early Warning & Control (AEW&C) aircraft A30-004 as "Wedgetail 17" was noted completing airwork, including a missed approach, at Hervey Bay (Fraser Coast) Airport.  It looked to fly up from and then return to RAAF Base Williamtown.

Photo taken by Ryan Hothersall  ©

Vee H Aviation (Link Airways) Beech B200GT Super King Air 250 VH-VEW at Clermont Aerodrome Yet Again! - Plus More!

On Monday 1 September, and as it continues to do each week, Vee H Aviation (Link Airways) Beech B200GT Super King Air 250 VH-VEW visited my local Clermont Aerodrome from Brisbane.

File photo

Peace Aviation Beech A36 Bonanza VH-MMB flew out from Rockhampton Airport to Emerald Airport and then Clermont Aerodrome.  It then flew up to Richmond.  At the time of writing, VH-MMB is due to return to Rockhampton Airport over the reverse route on Tuesday 2 September.

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

UPDATE!  On Tuesday 2 September, VH-TLH was back in the region, flying up from Lady Elliot Island to Mackay Airport and before then later flying down to the Labona Airstrip and then back to Mackay Airport. 

UPDATE!  On Wednesday 3 September, VH-TLH completed another flight from Mackay Airport to Labona and back before then flying down to Hervey Bay Airport.

**It seems the Seair Caravan VH-TLH may have replaced a similar run operated by Hinterland Aviation and one of their Cessna Caravans(??) 

And Machjet (Machjet International) Hawker Beechcraft B200 King Air VH-ZSY as "Machflight 121" visited Rockhampton Airport from Cairns and Townsville. 

UPDATE!  On Tuesday 2 September, VH-ZSY but as "Machflight 73" called back into Rockhampton Airport from Cairns and Townsville and then departed to Brisbane.

Meanwhile, also on Monday 1 September, Mitchell Water Cessna 525 Citation M2 bizjet VH-WMY flew up from Melbourne (Moorabbin) and Melbourne (Essendon) to Chinchilla Aerodrome and then the Whitsunday Airport at Shute Harbour.  It then flew back to Moorabbin via Charleville and Ararat Airports. 

Finally, also on Monday 1 September, Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) Lockheed C-130J-30 Hercules transport aircraft A97-450 as "Trojan 10" flew up from RAAF Base Richmond to complete a missed approach at Coffs Harbour, the Sunshine Coast and then Rockhampton Airport before then continuing up and landing at Townsville.

UPDATE!  On Tuesday 2 September, A97-450 "Trojan 10" flew down from Townsville to complete a touch and go at Emerald Airport before it then flew back to RAAF Base Richmond.