Singapore-based Diamond DA-42 NG Twin Star N25HS Calls into Longreach and Bundaberg Airports

Interesting to note that on Monday 24 September was (presumably) Singapore-based Diamond DA-42 NG Twin Star N25HS looked to call into both Longreach and Bundaberg Airports.  It looked to start the day flying out of Cairns after it arrived there over the weekend from the North.

Darius Ang / https://www.jetphotos.com/

The little American-registered Diamond looks to be based at Singapore (where it is pictured) but is flying around Australia since arriving into Broome in Western Australia from Bali (Denpasar) Airport in Indonesia during the early part of August.

N25HS then spent time at Jandakot (Perth) before heading into the Northern Territory in the latter part of August.  It then flew into Far North Queensland and ventured South Bundaberg Airport from Cairns via Longreach Airport.

On Tuesday 25 September, N25HS was noted departing Bundaberg Airport flying South.  It looks to have eventually landed at Bankstown.

American Registered Gulfstream Aerospace G-VI (G650ER) N720LF Departs Hamilton Island Airport

On Tuesday 25 September, American-registered but Australian-based Gulfstream Aerospace G-VI (G650ER) bizjet N720LF was noted departing Hamilton Island Airport for Sydney.

N720LF at Sydney Airport last year  (File photo)

N720LF had arrived from there last Friday 21 September.

Photo taken by Grahame Hutchison  ©

Brisbane-based Cessna 525A CitationJet2 Bizjet VH-MOR Pops into Rockhampton and Hamilton Island Airports

During the afternoon on Monday 24 September, Brisbane-based Cessna 525A CitationJet2 bizjet VH-MOR was spotted visiting Rockhampton Airport.

VH-MOR arrived from its Archerfield base and was later photographed departing to Hamilton Island Airport.

At the time of writing, VH-MOR seems to be staying on Hamo for at least the night.

Of interest, it appears that VH-MOR ventured to Theodore Airport from Archerfield and Brisbane last Wednesday 19 September.  After staying for the night, it returned to Brisbane and Archerfield on Thursday 20 September.

All photos taken by Russell Prothero  ©

Exercise Wallaby 2018 - Some Great Photos of the Republic of Singapore Air Force (RSAF) Helicopters Operating at Rockhampton Airport and 'Warriors Camp'

As the Singapore Armed Force's Exercise Wallaby 2018 swings up a gear, we've been very lucky to receive some great photos as the visiting Republic of Singapore Air Force (RSAF) helicopters operate flights to the Shoalwater Bay Training Area (SWBTA) from and back to Rockhampton Airport and now 'Warriors Camp'.

Like previous years, the RSAF helicopters are utilising the space to land their helicopters inside the Australian Army Defence Support Group (DSG) 'Camp Rocky' which is adjacent to Rockhampton Airport.  The RSAF has re-named the DSG as 'Warriors Camp' while they utilise the facility to launch and park some of their helicopters.

During the afternoon on Monday 24 September, local plane spotter 'IAD' was at the right place at the right time to capture a pair of RSAF Boeing CH-47D Chinook helicopters returning to 'Warriors Camp' from Shoalwater Bay as "Cyclops".

The two Chinooks were identified as 88183 and 88182 and then left separately as "Concorde" and "Celtic" respectively.

Then, a formation of three RSAF Boeing AH-64D Apache helicopters were spotted also arriving into 'Warriors Camp' also from Shoalwater Bay but as "Avon Formation".

While late last week, local photographer Russell P was also at the right place at the right time to capture the departure from Rockhampton Airport of three Apache helicopters to Shoalwater Bay also as "Avon".

Of interest, the RSAF Apaches also have been using the radio callsigns of "Atom" and "Astro".

And also a pair of RSAF Aerospatiale / Eurocopter AS332M Super Puma helicopters were also spotted departing Rockhampton Airport also for Shoalwater Bay but as "Diamond".

The Super Pumas have also been heard using the radio callsigns of "Ruby" and "Starling".

Sincere thanks to 'IAD' and Russell P for taking the time to capture and send through these great photos!

Photos taken by 'IAD' and Russell Prothero  ©

Bushfire Fighting Aircraft and Helicopters Spotted at Bundaberg Airport

Local plane spotter Dan B has shared with us some great photos and video from Bundaberg Airport and surrounds in recent days with a nasty grass fire breaking out at Fairymead.

Assisting in the efforts to control and ultimately extinguish the fire were McDermott Aviation Group / Machjet International Aerospatiale AS.355F1 Squirrel helicopter VH-HRU and Bell 214B-1 Biglifter helicopter N281JL.

Also Kennedy Aviation (of Gunnedah in New South Wales) Air Tractor AT-802 VH-XAY has been spotted parked at Bundaberg Airport.

The grass fire burnt out a large area near Bush Paddock Road and Fairymead Road at Fairymead near Bundaberg.

Sincere thanks to Dan from Dan Beck Photography for allowing us to share this great photo of a great visitor to CQ!

All photos and video taken by Dan B  ©