Yulgibar Pastoral Company Cessna 560 Citation Encore Bizjet VH-YUL Pops into Emerald Airport - Plus More!

On Tuesday 29 August, a nice corporate bizjet we haven't seen for a while in the form of Yulgibar Pastoral Company (of Montmorency, Victoria) Cessna 560 Citation Encore bizjet VH-YUL was noted visiting Emerald Airport.

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It looked to fly in from Baryulgil having started a busy day of flying much earlier in the day at Melbourne (Moorabbin).

UPDATE!  On Thursday 31 August, VH-YUL departed Emerald Airport for Toowoomba-Wellcamp.

Navair Flight Operations Embraer EMB-500 Phenom 100 bizjet VH-LXZ as "Navair 131" visited Mackay Airport from Bankstown and Maitland.

SG Aviation Australia / Business Aviation Solutions Gulfstream G-VI (G650ER) bizjet VH-SGA departed Hamilton Island Airport for Sydney.  It had arrived last Friday 25 August.

And McDermott Aviation Group / Machjet International Cessna 525A CitationJet CJ2 bizjet VH-SUY as "Machflight 41" visited Hamilton Island Airport from the Sunshine Coast.  Plus fellow Machjet (Machjet International) Beech B200C King Air VH-PUY as "Machflight 242" landed at Maryborough Airport from the Sunshine Coast before it then departed to Cairns. 

Meanwhile, also on Tuesday 29 August, the Queensland Police Service (Airwing) (State of Queensland) Raytheon B1900D VH-PSK called into Rockhampton Airport from Cairns and Townsville.  It then departed to Brisbane before later returning to Rockhampton Airport and then back to Cairns.

M. D. H. P/L (Cloncurry) Pilatus PC-12/47E VH-MDH landed at Longreach Airport from Devoncourt and Iffley before then returning to Devoncourt. 

And Nautilus Aviation Bell Helicopter Textron Canada 412EP helicopter VH-ZVP landed at Gladstone Airport from Cairns, Townsville and Mackay Airport before it then departed to Oakey. 

Photo taken by Lloyd Fox  ©

RAAF Boeing B737-7ES / E-7A Wedgetail Airborne Early Warning & Control (AEW&C) Aircraft A30-005 "Wedgetail 05" Missed Approach at Hervey Bay (Fraser Coast) Airport

On Tuesday 29 August, Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) Boeing B737-7ES / E-7A Wedgetail Airborne Early Warning & Control (AEW&C) aircraft A30-005 was noted completing airwork at Hervey Bay (Fraser Coast) Airport.

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It was flying as "Wedgetail 05" and looked to fly up from RAAF Williamtown to complete the airwork which included a couple of circuits and missed approaches.  It then departed to RAAF Base Amberley before later returning to Williamtown.

UPDATE!  On Wednesday 30 August, RAAF Wedgetail A30-005, this time as "Wedgetail 12", was back completing more airwork at Hervey Bay Airport while on a flight out of Williamtown and then back there but via further airwork at Coffs Harbour.

A Pair of Republic of Singapore Air Force (RSAF) Lockheed C-130H Hercules Transport Aircraft '731' & '735' Also Arrive at Rockhampton Airport

Also on Tuesday 29 August, a pair of Republic of Singapore Air Force (RSAF) Lockheed C-130H Hercules transport aircraft were also spotted calling into Rockhampton Airport.  They were identified as '735' and '731' and flew together down from Darwin as SAF6339 and SAF6340 respectively.

Both Hercs had arrived into Darwin from Singapore the previous afternoon.

Both Hercs have come to Rockhampton Airport in support of the Singapore Armed Force's Exercise Wallaby 2023 (XWB23) which was due to 'start' today.  They both look to be staying at Rockhampton Airport for at least the night.

UPDATE!  Early on Wednesday 30 August, both Hercs departed Rockhampton Airport and returned to Darwin.

Of interest, the Hercs are two 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".

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.  

It will also see a deployment to Rockhampton Airport of RSAF General Dynamics (Lockheed Martin) F-16D Block 52 Version Fighting Falcon jets, flying in company with an Airbus A330-243 Multi Role Tanker Transport (A330-MRTT) aerial refuelling aircraft (which will be based at RAAF Base Amberley).

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 the local plane spotters for taking the time to capture and send through these great photos!

Photos taken by Scott Harris  ©️

Antonov Airlines (Antonov Design Bureau) AN-124-100M-150 UR-82029 Calls into Rockhampton Airport with Four RSAF AH-64D Apache Helicopters

Early on Tuesday 29 August, a large crowd of onlookers were on hand to see the arrival into Rockhampton Airport of Antonov Airlines (Antonov Design Bureau) AN-124-100M-150 UR-82029 from Paya Lebar Air Base in Singapore as ADB3584.

The giant aircraft taxied onto Gate 6 at the Southern end of the Rockhampton Airport apron and almost immediately commenced unloading its cargo.  The massive Antonov was placed into its unique 'kneeling' position - with its front landing gear raised - to allow the unloading of its cargo.

On this flight, four Republic of Singapore Air Force (RSAF) Boeing AH-64D Apache helicopters were unloaded and parked at Rockhampton Airport.  Their serial numbers are believed to be 056, 063, 064, and 069.

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".

It is expected that the Apaches will soon be re-assembled and then test flown ahead of their participation in the Singapore Armed Force's Exercise Wallaby 2023 (XWB23) which is expected to kick-off in the next week or so.

Meanwhile, after all four Apache helicopters were unloaded, UR-82029 was closed up parked for the night.  It is expected to depart from Rockhampton Airport early on Wednesday 30 August.

UPDATE!  Indeed, early on Wednesday 30 August, UR-82029 departed Rockhampton Airport bound for as Johor Bahru ADB398F.

Be sure to stay tuned to the CQ Plane Spotting Blog for all the latest news and updates on Exercise Wallaby 2023 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 the Antonov AN-124 at Rockhampton Airport!

Photos taken by John Lee, Trevor Hardsman and Scott Harris  ©

Virgin Australia Boeing B737-700 VH-NHW Now Painted and Made its First Visit to Central Queensland at Mackay Airport

On Tuesday 29 August, Virgin Australia Boeing B737-700 VH-NHW made its first visit into Central Queensland since it was finally painted into the Virgin Australia livery at the Flying Colours facility at Townsville.

VH-NHW was noted operating into Mackay Airport on two occasions, both from and back to Brisbane, as VOZ601/4/9/10.

VH-NHW entered the paint-shop on Friday 18 August - ironically after earlier operating into Mackay Airport twice again as VOZ601/4/9/10.  It then flew up to Townsville.

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VH-NHW departed Townsville last Friday 25 August in full Virgin Australia livery. It has also been named 'Manly Beach'.

Of interest, VH-NHW was delivered to Virgin Australia in December 2022 and has flown since then in a plain white livery. It is ex PH-BGU of KLM (Royal Dutch Airlines).

Photos taken by Lloyd Fox  ©

Conair Aerial Firefighting Dash-8-Q400MR C-FFQE - Plus Aerotech UH-60A Black Hawk Helicopter VH-UHR - Both Arrive into Bundaberg Airport for the 2023 Bushfire Season

On Tuesday 29 August, Canadian-based Conair Aerial Firefighting Dash-8-Q400MR C-FFQE was spotted soon after arriving into Bundaberg Airport ahead the upcoming Queensland bushfire season. It touched down direct from Melbourne (Avalon) where it has been stored since February.

This is the fourth year that the Canadian aircraft and crew members of the Large Air Tanker (LAT) have been deployed to Bundaberg Airport, meaning the state will again not have to borrow aircraft from other states to fight dangerous bushfires.

Again this year, the Dash-8 will be based at Bundaberg Airport and take up the radio callsign of "Bomber 141".  It will be based in Bundaberg for Queensland’s bushfire season and will be sent to Victoria again for its fire season, which coincides with Queensland’s wet season.

The Dash-8 has a 670km/h travel time meaning the bomber can quickly reach other parts of the state if needed, potentially saving lives and communities all over Queensland. It is able to fly the 300-kilometre direct journey from Bundaberg to Brisbane in 30 minutes at top speed.

Meanwhile, also noted arriving into Bundaberg Airport, also on Tuesday 29 August, was a new aerial firefighting helicopter to make a first first into the region in the form of Aerotech Aircraft Holdings (Aerotech Helicopters) Pickering Aviation (Sikorsky) UH-60A Black Hawk helicopter VH-UHR.

It arrived from its Adelaide (Parafield) base via Mildura, Griffith, Dubbo, Moree, Toowoomba and the Sunshine Coast.  It looks to be assigned the radio callsign of "Helitak 516".

Of interest, the Black Hawk is one of four acquired by Aerotech that were previously flown by the United States Army.  VH-UHR (Serial 70-343) was previously flown as 81-23621 with US Army Aviation and was reportedly flown by Company C, 1-168th AVN, California Army National Guard.

VH-UHR was registered and delivered to Aerotech at Parafield in January this year.  It was noted that the Black Hawk carried the US registration marking N60004 before having the Australian registration marking VH-UHR applied to its side prior to delivery.

VH-UHR is the 3rd flyable UH-60 for Aerotech and will eventually join sisterships VH-UHG and VH-UHS in service.  There's a 4th Black Hawk that was delivered to Aerotech in 2022 that is to be used for spare parts for the others.

UPDATE!  On Thursday 31 August, Agair Logistics P/L Gulfstream Aerospace (AeroCommander) 695-A JetProp 1000 VH-LMC "Birddog 125" was noted arriving into Bundaberg Airport from Stawell in Victoria.  It is assumed that it will again provide airborne support for C-FFQE - and possibly VH-UHR - during this coming bushfire season.

Photos taken by Jan Kretschmer, Hayden Matthew Alexander and Daniel Gorza  ©

Aerlink ATR 72-500 Turboprop VH-FVR Makes First Visit to CQ at Moranbah Airport

On Tuesday 29 August, Aerlink (formerly Hevilift) ATR 72-500 VH-FVR was noted making what is believed to be its first ever visit into Central Queensland, operating a closed Fly-in Fly-out (FIFO) charter flight in and out of Moranbah Airport.

It arrived from Brisbane as HT720 and later departed back to the capital as HT719.

Of interest, VH-FVR was delivered to Aerlink in Brisbane at the end of May as 2-NEIL.  It had previously operated for low-cost carrier subsidiary of Malaysia Airlines, Firefly, as 9M-FYA.

Of further interest, the registration marking of VH-FVR was previously worn by a Virgin Australia ATR 72-600.  After a period of storage at Mareeba and then Cairns in Far North Queensland, VH-FVR left Australia at the start of 2022.  It was then re-painted into the colours of Greece-based Olympic Air and was registered as SX-OBM.

It appears to still be operating with Olympic Air and also operates alongside fellow former Virgin Australia ATR 72-600s VH-FVY (now SX-OBN) and VH-FVQ (now SX-OBO).

Finally, as mentioned previously, during 2022, the Brisbane-based Hevilift Australia (Fixed Wing Division) was reported to have re-branded as Aerlink. However, it wasn’t until mid-January 2023 that Hevilift official ceased operations and Aerlink commenced operations with the fleet of ATR 42 and ATR 72 turboprop aircraft transferring over.

Photos taken by Lloyd Fox, Paul Watson, Daniel Follett and A1 Aviation (via Flickr)  ©

Air Link (Dubbo) Beech B200 King Air VH-ISS Spotted at Gladstone Airport - Plus More!

On Monday 28 August, Air Link (Dubbo) Beech B200 King Air VH-ISS was spotted visiting Gladstone Airport.

It looked to fly up from and then later return to Archerfield via Brisbane.

Meanwhile, also on Monday 28 August, Re-registered AERgO Asset Management Beech B200 King Air VH-XGV as "Navair 173" visited the Labona Station Airstrip within Adani Australia's (Bravus Mining & Resources) Carmichael Coal Mine site from Archerfield and the Sunshine Coast.

Seair Pacific / Istlecote Cessna 208 Caravan VH-TQI arrived into Rockhampton Airport from Hervey Bay (Fraser Coast) Airport.

Fellow Seair Pacific / Istelcote De Havilland DHC-6-100 Twin Otter VH-ZKF arrived into Labona from Hervey Bay (Fraser Coast) Airport.

UPDATE!  On Wednesday 30 August, VH-TQI flew from Rockhampton Airport to Labona before then both VH-TQI and VH-ZKF flew from Labona to Townsville and back.  VH-ZKF then flew back to Hervey Bay Airport, while VH-TQI flew to Middlemount Aerodrome and then to Maryborough and Hervey Bay Airports.

Recently re-registered (to Emerald Coaches, in Emerald) Piper PA-46-350P Malibu Mirage VH-ZMM flew down from Emerald Airport to Gympie.  It had flown in from Kununurra and Cloncurry Airports the previous day.

And re-registered Geeair (Lara, Victoria) Pilatus PC-12/47E VH-UJM landed at Barcaldine Airport from Lethbridge Park. 

UPDATE!  On Wednesday 30 August, VH-UJM departed Barcaldine Airport and returned to Lethbridge Park.

Finally, also on Monday 28 August, Darwin-based Lloyd Aviation Jet Charter Dassault Falcon 900 bizjet VH-PPD made the short hop from Mackay Airport to Hamilton Island Airport before then flying down to Brisbane.  It had arrived into Mackay Airport from Brisbane via Proserpine (Whitsunday Coast) Airport last Friday 25 August.

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

Photo taken by Emily C  ©️

American Registered Daher TBM-940 (ex SOCATA and Mooney) N507AH Calls into Hamilton Island Airport - Plus More! - UPDATED!!

On Sunday 27 August, a nice private overseas visitor in the form of American registered Daher TBM-940 (ex SOCATA and Mooney) N507AH flew up to Hamilton Island Airport from the Gold Coast.  It flown up from Hobart the previous day.

UPDATE!  On Wednesday 30 August, N507AH looked to fly down to Mackay Airport and then back up to the Whitsunday Airport at Shute Harbour.  Then on Thursday 31 August, it looks like N507AH departed the Whitsunday Airport at Shute Harbour for Lord Howe Island and then New Zealand - as pictured above!  

Meanwhile, also on Sunday 27 August, Balmoral Air Dassault Falcon 2000LX bizjet VH-WIO finally departed Hamilton Island Airport for Bankstown after arrived from there last Saturday 19 August.

Bowenville (near Toowoomba) based Cessna 525 CitationJet CJ1+ bizjet VH-JSZ flew down from Hamilton Island Airport to Archerfield.  It looked to have flown up from there on Thursday 24 August.

Avcair (Avgunn) LearJet 60 bizjet VH-ILJ visited Hamilton Island Airport from Brisbane.

While ZephAir Australia - Aircraft Charters Piper PA-31 Navajo VH-AYT as ZD220 visited Hamilton Island Airport from its Townsville base.

And Beech 58 Baron VH-JCJ departed Bundaberg Airport for Archerfield and its Toowoomba base.  It seems to have flown up on Saturday 26 August.

Finally, also on Saturday 26 August, Brenzil Dassault Aviation Falcon 7X bizjet VH-CRW visited Hamilton Island Airport once again from Brisbane.  It also visited Hamo from Brisbane during the middle of this last week.

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

On Friday 25 August, SG Aviation Australia / Business Aviation Solutions Gulfstream G-VI (G650ER) bizjet VH-SGA was noted arriving into Hamilton Island Airport from Melbourne (Essendon) and Sydney.

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UPDATE!  On Tuesday 29 August, VH-SGA departed Hamilton Island Airport for Sydney, Adelaide and back to Essendon.

Late Darwin-based Lloyd Aviation Jet Charter Dassault Falcon 900 bizjet VH-PPD arrived into Proserpine (Whitsunday Coast) Airport from Brisbane and then made the short hop down to Mackay Airport.

UPDATE!  On Sunday 27 August, VH-PPD departed Mackay Airport for Hamilton Island Airport and then Brisbane.

Late Avcair (Avgunn) LearJet 60 bizjet VH-ILJ made a late visit to Mackay Airport from Brisbane.

While overnight on Thursday 24 August, LifeFlight (Aeromed) Canadair CL-600-2B16 Challenger 604 bizjet VH-OFB "Ambulance 624" visited Emerald Airport from Brisbane.

Meanwhile, also on Friday 25 August, the Queensland Police Service (Airwing) (State of Queensland) Raytheon B1900D VH-PSK arrived into Rockhampton Airport from Townsville before it then departed to Brisbane.  VH-PSK later arrived back into Rockhampton Airport from Brisbane before it then departed to Cairns.

Southern Airlines Rockwell 690A Turbo Commander VH-SOU arrived into Rockhampton Airport from Bundaberg Airport via an aerial survey flight.

And Piper PA-28-140 VH-MFV flew across from Longreach Airport to my local Clermont Aerodrome.

Photos taken by Tony Haynes and Trevor Hardsman  ©