AirMed Australia (Metro Holdings) (New South Wales) Cessna 510 Citation Mustang Bizjet VH-SQY Spotted at Emerald Airport - Plus More!

On Tuesday 17 June, AirMed Australia (Metro Holdings) (New South Wales) Cessna 510 Citation Mustang bizjet VH-SQY as "Airmed 962" was spotted visiting Emerald Airport.

It arrived from Bankstown via Roma Airport and then departed to Townsville.

Machjet (Machjet International) Bombardier CL-600-2B16 Challenger 605 bizjet N605JL as "Machflight 01" arrived into Gladstone Airport from Brisbane.

UPDATE!  On Wednesday 18 June, N605JL "Machflight 01" departed Gladstone Airport for Townsville.

And Mitchell Water Cessna 525 Citation M2 bizjet VH-WMY flew down from the Whitsunday Airport at Shute Harbour to Chinchilla and Roma Airports. It then continued to Adelaide (Parafield), Melbourne (Essendon) and Melbourne (Moorabbin). It appears that VH-WMY flew up to Shute Harbour the previous day.

UPDATE!  On Thursday 19 June, VH-WMY was back in the region, flying into Mackay Airport from Moorabbin and Ararat. It then flew down to Chinchilla and Roma Airports before returning to Moorabbin.

Meanwhile, also on Tuesday 17 June, RDO Equipment Co. Pilatus PC-12/47 VH-WPH was spotted visiting Bowen Aerodrome from Archerfield.

Air Link (Dubbo) Beech B200 King Air VH-ISS arrived into Rockhampton Airport from Cairns and Townsville and then departed to Cairns.

While Kirkhope Aviation newish Textron (Cessna) 208B Caravan VH-TKA landed at Longreach Airport from Cooktown and Hughenden.

And Nauru Airlines B737-300 VH-XNU visited Mackay Airport from Brisbane as RON635/6

Finally, on Monday 16 June, Parker Aviation Ventures (Sydney) / Air Link (Dubbo) Embraer EMB-500 Phenom bizjet VH-PNM flew up to Hamilton Island Airport from the Sunshine Coast.

Photos taken by 'AC' and James Kirk  ©

Central Queensland Helicopter Rescue Service (CQ Rescue) Takes Delivery of their THIRD New Leonardo AW139 Helicopter VH-XQ7 at Mackay Airport - Plus More!

On Tuesday 17 June, the Central Queensland Helicopter Rescue Service (CQ Rescue) / CQ Aeromedical welcomed their THIRD new Leonardo AW139 helicopter VH-XQ7 with it being officially delivered to CQ Rescue at Mackay Airport.  It flew up from Caloundra (pictured below prior to its medevac fit-out) via the Sunshine Coast and a fuel stop at Gladstone Airport.

VH-XQ7 arrives at Caloundra in April

The brand-new helicopter (msn 32117) was registered in February this year and flew into Caloundra Aerodrome in April for fit-out following some time being prepared and painted at Melbourne (Essendon) Airport.

VH-XQ7 is the third new Leonardo AW139 helicopter (the others being VH-XQ8 and VH-XQ9) that are being operated by the Mackay Airport based CQ Rescue after they commenced operations with their own CASA Air Operator Certificate, without the need to out-source this to another company.

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As seen, VH-XQ7 is also the second of their helicopters to wear the stunning new orange and blue colour scheme adopted by CQ Rescue to coincide with their new naming rights sponsor of the BHP Mitsubishi Alliance (BMA).

Photo taken by Danie Wilson  ©

Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) Boeing B737-7ES / E-7A Wedgetail A30-004 Completes Airwork at CQ Airports - Plus More!

On Tuesday 17 June, Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) Boeing B737-7ES / E-7A Wedgetail Airborne Early Warning & Control (AEW&C) aircraft A30-004 as "Wedgetail 06" was noted completing airwork, including a missed approach, at Bundaberg Airport.

File photo

It looked to flew up from RAAF Base Williamtown to Bundy before then flying back to Williamtown.

Later, A30-004 - now as "Wedgetail 07" - then returned to the region from Williamtown, completing a missed approach at Hervey Bay (Fraser Coast) Airport before yet again returning to Williamtown.

Meanwhile, also on Tuesday 17 June, RAAF Alenia C-27J Spartan transport aircraft A34-001 'KAOS43' and A34-010 'KAOS44' flew up through CQ flying from RAAF Base Amberley to Townsville.

UPDATE!  On Wednesday 18 June, both C-27J Spartans flew down from Townsville back to Amberley and then back to Townsville. It was also noted that fellow C-27J Spartan A34-009 as "Wallaby 15" completed a flight to Miles Airport out of and back to Amberley.

Finally, also on Tuesday 17 June,  Helicorp (Australian Army) Leonardo (Agusta) AW139 helicopter VH-YQC as "Rescue 902", which flew down from Robertson Barracks at Darwin yesterday, this morning departed Mount Isa to Longreach Airport but after departure, reported they had an issue and landed back at Mount Isa. This afternoon they flew down to Longreach Airport and then onwards to Rockhampton Airport.

UPDATE!  On Wednesday 18 June, VH-YQC as "Rescue 902" departed Rockhampton Airport to the Glen Airfield within the Shoalwater Bay Training Area (SWBTA). 

Photo taken by Scott Harris  ©

Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) Boeing C-17A Globemaster III A41-207 "Stallion 60" Completes Airwork at Rockhampton Airport

On Monday 16 June, Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) Boeing C-17A Globemaster III A41-207 as "Stallion 60" was noted completing airwork at Rockhampton Airport.

File photo

It had flown up from RAAF Base Amberley and then continued up to Townsville.

Nice!

Photo taken by 'AC'  ©

Stirling Helicopters Take Delivery of Sikorsky UH-60L Black Hawk Helicopter N137WZ at Rockhampton Airport - Plus More!

On Sunday 15 June, a nice arrival into Rockhampton Airport in form of Sikorsky UH-60L Black Hawk helicopter N137WZ which arrived at the locally-based Stirling Helicopters hangar.

N137WZ touched down at Rocky from Bankstown, flying up via Port Macquarie, Brisbane and Bundaberg Airports - originally departing three days earlier.

Research reveals that N137WZ is a former US Army Black Hawk that wore the serial 84-24002 (MSN 70843).

It was shipped across from the USA to the docks at Sydney before being trucked to Bankstown where it was re-built and test flown prior to its delivery flight.

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Over the next week or so, it is reported that N137WZ will undertake a series of test and training flights out of Rockhampton Airport to the Hedlow Airfield where it will also complete water drops in preparation for it to join the aerial firefighting fleet in Australia (and maybe overseas?).

Meanwhile, also on Sunday 15 June, Mineralogy Bombardier BD-700-1A10 Global Express 6000 bizjet VH-VQN was noted departing Proserpine (Whitsunday Coast) Airport for Brisbane and Sydney. It had arrived the previous day from Brisbane.

The Mineralogy Agusta A119 'Koala' helicopter VH-KOL was also noted flying out of and back to Proserpine (Whitsunday Coast) Airport.

And Armada Aviation (of Ringwood in Victoria) Pilatus PC-12/45 turboprop VH-XAQ flew into Charleville Airport from Bankstown. It then departed to Winton.

Finally, also on Saturday 14 June, Stroud Aviation and Transportation (Boonah) / Navair Flight Operations Cessna 510 Citation Mustang bizjet VH-SHI as "Navair 173" visited Bundaberg Airport from Archerfield.

Photo taken by Nathan Pawley  ©

Royal New Zealand Air Force (RNZAF) Lockheed Martin C-130J-30 Super Hercules NZ7011 'KIW339' Departs Rockhampton Airport

On Sunday 15 June, the visiting Royal New Zealand Air Force (RNZAF) new Lockheed Martin C-130J-30 Super Hercules NZ7011 'KIW339' eventually departed Rockhampton Airport for Port Moresby in Papua New Guinea (PNG).

Of interest, after visiting Rocky over the previous couple of days, fellow RNZAF C-130J Hercules NZ7012 - this time as 'KIW729' was noted also flying up to Port Moresby from Christchurch which is where is ended up yesterday after departing Rockhampton Airport.

Photo taken by 'IAD'  ©

Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) Boeing B737-8 MAX BBJ A62-002 as "Envoy 86" Pops into Bundaberg Again! - Plus More!

On Saturday 14 June, and for the second day in a row, Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) Boeing B737-8 MAX BBJ A62-002 - this time as "Envoy 86" - called into Bundaberg Airport.

As with the previous day, it flew up from Canberra and Coffs Harbour to Bundaberg and later departed back to Canberra via airwork at Tamworth.

Meanwhile, also on Saturday 14 June, Helicorp (Australian Army) Leonardo S.P.A. Helicopters (Agusta) AW139 helicopter VH-YQJ as "Wombat" was noted visiting Rockhampton Airport. It arrived from Townsville and then departed to the Oakey Army Aviation Centre.

RNZAF Lockheed C-130J-30 Hercules Transports NZ7012 'KIW352' & NZ7011 'KIW339' Go and Come at Rockhampton Airport

After arriving the previous day, on Saturday 14 June, Royal New Zealand Air Force (RNZAF) Lockheed Martin C-130J-30 Super Hercules NZ7012 'KIW352' departed Rockhampton Airport for Christchurch.

While later in the day, fellow RNZAF Lockheed Martin C-130J-30 Super Hercules NZ7011 as 'KIW339' also touched down at Rockhampton Airport.  

It too arrived from RNZAF Base Ohakea via RAAF Base Amberley.

It appears that this second C-130J Herc is also staying for the night at Rocky.

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

All photos taken by Steve Vit  ©

Remembering the Crash of a USAF B-17C Flying Fortress at Bakers Creek near Mackay on 14 June 1943

During the Second World War, the United States Army Air Corps established rest and recreation facilities in Mackay. From the end of January 1943 until early 1944, thousands of United States servicemen were ferried almost daily from New Guinea to Mackay by air transport to spend around 10 days R&R. They were usually carried by two B-17 Flying Fortresses converted for transport duties and an LB-30 (civil transport version of the B-24 Liberator bomber), stationed in Mackay with the 46th Troop Carrier Squadron, whose parent Unit was stationed in Townsville, Queensland.

On Monday 14 June 1943, just before dawn, at about 6 a.m., Boeing B-17C, Serial/Tail Number 40-2072, known as "Miss Every Morning Fixin", took off from Mackay headed for Port Moresby. There were six crew and 35 passengers aboard. A few minutes after take-off, it crashed, at Bakers Creek, 8km South of Mackay, killing all but one of those on board.

The cause of the crash remains a mystery. The aircraft took off into fog and, soon after, made a turn at low altitude. The crash remains Australia's worst air disaster.

The sole survivor was Foye Kenneth Roberts who died at Wichita Falls, Texas on 4 February 2004.

Local residents gathered at the Bakers Creek Memorial site to commemorate the 70th anniversary of the crash in 2013, and to mark the occasion, a booklet titled 'Biosketches of the Fallen', has been published.

The memorial was constructed in Bakers Creek in 1981 consisting of two brick columns aligned northwards on which are mounted flag poles and two brass plaques facing eastwards. Between the columns is a large aircraft propeller of a type fitted to Douglas C-47/DC-3/Dakota airplanes that was supplied by the Royal Australian Air Force. The plaques describe the crash and list the men known to have perished as well as the sole survivor. Fixed above the propeller is a bronze model of a Flying Fortress aircraft that was added on 13 June 2003.

Another memorial located behind the Australian embassy in Washington D.C. commemorates the accident. Because embassies are considered foreign soil, the Bakers Creek Memorial Association petitioned American lawmakers to relocate the memorial. After several years of negotiation, a dedication ceremony took place 11 June 2009 at the memorial's new home just north-west of the Selfridge Gate in Fort Myer, Virginia.

More information can be found at Peter Dunn's Australia At War website (www.ozatwar.com).

Queensland Government (QGAir) Rescue (State of Queensland) Agusta AW139 Helicopters VH-ESH & VH-EZJ Spotted at Emerald Airport - Plus More!

On Friday 13 June, a pair of Queensland Government (QGAir) Rescue (State of Queensland) Agusta AW139 helicopters were spotted at Emerald Airport.  VH-ESH flew down from Townsville and then onwards to Archerfield, while VH-EZJ arrived from Archerfield and departed to Townsville.  

A bit unusual to see both stopped at Emerald Airport at the same time. 

While Hughes Aviation (Hughes Pastoral Group) (Gympie) Pilatus PC-12/47E NGX VH-8HP flew up from the Gold Coast to Mackay Airport and then down to Archerfield and late this afternoon is heading back to Mackay Airport. 

Comet-registered Cessna 208B Grand Caravan VH-RTC departed Hedlow Airfield for Blackall Airport and then Birdsville. 

Southern Air Beech 1900 VH-YSO flew down from Mackay Airport to Brisbane.

And AirServices Australia / Pearl Aviation Hawker Beechcraft B300 Super King Air VH-FIY landed at Longreach Airport from Brisbane and then departed to Alice Springs. 

Meanwhile, also on Friday 13 June, McDermott Aviation Group / Machjet International Cessna 525A CitationJet CJ2 bizjet VH-SUY as "Machflight 41" landed at Jundah from Brisbane and then departed to Thargomindah and back to Brisbane. 

Private American-Registered Gulfstream Aerospace G650 (GLF6) bizjet N720LE arrived into Hamilton Island Airport again from Sydney.

UPDATE!  Monday 16 June, N720LE departed Hamo and returned to Sydney.

And LifeFlight (Aeromed) Canadair CL-600-2B16 Challenger 604 bizjet VH-OFC "Ambulance 634" arrived into Rockhampton Airport from Townsville and Cairns and then departed to Brisbane.  It then flew up to Longreach Airport and back to Townsville.

Of interest, since the start of the month, VH-OFC "Ambulance 634" has also visited Gladstone, Barcaldine and Mackay Airports with a couple of repeated visits.

While sistership VH-OFB "Ambulance 624" visited Mackay, Rockhampton, Gladstone and Hervey Bay (Fraser Coast) Airports.  And VH-OFA "Ambulance 614" remained in the hangar at Brisbane.

Photo taken by 'AC'  ©