Air Charter Services / Flight Options (Australia) Embraer EMB-505 Phenom 300 Bizjet VH-VKX Pops into Theodore Aerodrome - Plus More!

On both Saturday 10 December and Sunday 11 December, Air Charter Services / Flight Options (Australia) Embraer EMB-505 Phenom 300 bizjet VH-VKX was noted visiting Theordore Aerodrome.

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On Saturday, VH-VKX arrived from Brisbane and departed to the Gold Coast.  On Sunday, VH-VKX returned from the Gold Coast and then departed to the Sunshine Coast.

Meanwhile, also on Sunday 11 December, Graham Aviation (Cairns) Cessna 510 Citation Mustang bizjet VH-FMZ visited Hamilton Island Airport from Mareeba and Cairns.

And locally-based Embraer EMB-550 Legacy 500 bizjet N142GZ departed Mackay Airport for the Gold Coast.

UPDATE!  On Monday 12 December, N142GZ returned to Mackay Airport.

Finally, also on Sunday 11 December, recently registered (to 'Red Rock' near Comet) Cessna 208B Grand Caravan VH-RTC flew into Rockhampton Airport from Gladstone Airport after earlier flying across from Tobermorey in the Northern Territory.

BK Hire (Toowoomba) Piper PA-31-350 Navajo VH-TTX looked to fly out from Bundaberg Airport to Hervey Bay (Fraser Coast) Airport and then Toowoomba.  It looked to fly up from Toowoomba on Friday 9 December.

New South Wales-based Cessna 182 VH-RDC departed Rockhampton Airport for Warren.  It looked to arrive from there via Roma Airport on Wednesday 7 December.

Cessna 208B Supervan 900 Skydiving Aircraft VH-XLF looked to depart the Lakeside Airpark for Hervey Bay (Fraser Coast) and Caloundra Airports before continuing further South.  It has been operating out of Lakeside Airpark and the nearby Laguna Quays Resort.

And there was a swap of skydiving aircraft at the Whitsunday Airport at Shute Harbour with Skydive Airlie Beach but Wollongong-registered Cessna 208 Caravan VH-DNK departing for Tully and Australia Skydive Cessna 208 Caravan VH-YMV arriving from Tully.

Photo taken by John Lee  ©

Avcair (Avgunn) LearJet 60 Bizjet VH-ILJ Pops into Mackay Airport - Plus More!

On Saturday 10 December, Avcair (Avgunn) LearJet 60 bizjet VH-ILJ was noted popping into Mackay Airport from Brisbane and Toowoomba-Wellcamp Airports.  It then continued up to Cairns before then returning to Brisbane.

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While LifeFlight (Aeromed) Bombardier Challenger 604 bizjet VH-URR "Ambulance 604" flew down from Townsville to land at Mackay Airport.  It then continued down to Brisbane.  Later, VH-URR "Ambulance 604" departed Brisbane and called into Hervey Bay (Fraser Coast) Airport before returning to Brisbane.  It later returned to Townsville.

Meanwhile, also on Saturday 10 December, WDC Equipment and Contracting Raytheon 58 Baron VH-EZR flew up from Archerfield to the Whitsunday Airport at Shute Harbour before then flying down to Chinchilla Aerodrome and back to Archerfield.

Finally, also on Saturday 10 December, it was interesting to note that DeGunst Transport P/L Textron (Cessna) 208 Caravan VH-NPZ completed a flight from Hervey Bay (Fraser Coast) Airport to Lady Elliot Island and back.  

Perhaps it is being used by Seair Pacific / Istlecote during the busy Christmas holiday period?

UPDATE!  It completed more flights to Lady Elliot Island on Saturday 17 December and Monday 19 December, flying between its Bundaberg Airport base, as well as Hervey Bay Airports.

Of interest, Seair Pacific / Istlecote Cessna 208 Caravans VH-TFB, VH-LMD, VH-TQW, VH-TQI and VH-TLH were also noted flying between Hervey Bay Airport and Lady Elliott Island.

Photo taken by Steve Vit  ©️

American-Registered Eclipse EA500 Bizjet N257AK Completes Airwork at Maryborough and Hervey Bay (Fraser Coast) Airports - Plus More!

On Friday 9 December, a nice little corporate bizjet that we haven't seen around the region for a little while in the form of American-Registered Eclipse EA500 Bizjet N257AK, was noted completing airwork at both Maryborough and Hervey Bay (Fraser Coast) Airports while on a flight out of and back to Archerfield.

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Meanwhile, also on Friday 9 December, a couple of other familiar bizjets to be noted visiting around the region included Navair Flight Operations Embraer EMB-500 Phenom 100 bizjet VH-LXZ as "Navair 131" which flew down from Mackay Airport to Cessnock.  It looked to have arrived the previous day from Bankstown via Cessnock.

Fellow Jampair P/L (Navair Flight Operations) Embraer EMB-505 Phenom 300E bizjet VH-NSQ as "Navair 129" was noted departing Hamilton Island Airport for Bankstown.  It too flew up the previous day.

Shortstop Jet Charter Dassault Falcon 900C bizjet VH-OAA visited Hamilton Island Airport once again.  This time, it looked to arrive from and then later depart back its Melbourne (Essendon) base.

While Bowenville (near Toowoomba) based Cessna 525 CitationJet CJ1+ bizjet VH-JSZ flew up from Archerfield to Rockhampton Airport before flying down to Dalby and Armidale and then back to Archerfield.

And LifeFlight (Aeromed) Bombardier Challenger 604 bizjet VH-URR "Ambulance 604" popped into Hervey Bay (Fraser Coast) Airport during the evening, while flying up from Brisbane to Townsville.

Finally, also on Friday 9 December, the Queensland Government Airwing (State of Queensland) Raytheon B300 Super King Air VH-SGQ arrived into Rockhampton Airport from Cairns and Townsville and later departed to Brisbane. It then returned directly to Townsville and Cairns.

New South Wales-based Piper PA-30 Twin Comanche VH-UQR flew back down from the Whitsunday Airport at Shute Harbour to Roma Airport and then back to Bankstown.  It had flown up earlier in the week.

And Clermont-based (but Mackay-registered) Mooney M20J VH-NWF departed Clermont Aerodrome for Archerfield.

UPDATE!  On Monday 12 December, VH-NWF flew up to Rockhampton Airport from Caboolture.  It flew up to there from Archerfield on Sunday 11 December.

UPDATE!  On Saturday 17 December, VH-NWF returned to Clermont Aerodrome from Rockhampton Airport - see Blog post above for a photo!  (Finally!!)

McDermott Aviation Group / Machjet International Beech B200 King Air VH-ZPY (ex F-HEAL) Pops into CQ Airports - Plus More!

Noted possibly making its first visit into Central Queensland on Thursday 8 December, was recently delivered McDermott Aviation Group / Machjet International Beech B200 King Air VH-ZPY.   It flew down from Cairns to Labona Station Airstrip within Adani Australia's (Bravus Mining & Resources) Carmichael Coal Mine, before then flying across to Rockhampton Airport.  VH-ZPY then returned to Labona and then flew up Townsville and then back to Cairns.

F-HEAL arrives at Machjet's base at the Sunshine Coast  (https://www.facebook.com/machjetinternational)

Of interest, VH-ZPY was registered to Machjet International at the start of December and the aircraft was delivered before that to their Sunshine Coast base (pictured) wearing the French Registration marking F-HEAL of the aircraft's previous operator Air Loyauté. 

Meanwhile, also on Thursday 8 December, Brisbane-based Crockett Aviation Group Beech B200 King Air VH-FAQ also visited the Labona Station Airstrip within Adani Australia's (Bravus Mining & Resources) Carmichael Coal Mine site but from Archerfield and the Sunshine Coast.  This looks to be a weekly Fly-in Fly-out (FIFO) run.

Brisbane-based Avcair Cessna 425 Conquest 1 VH-BSM visited Middlemount Aerodrome from its Archerfield base.

Handel Aviation (New South Wales) Vulcanair (Partenavia) P.68C VH-TAV completed an aerial survey flight out of and back to Gladstone Airport that saw it also saw it land at Mackay Airport.  It had arrived into Gladstone Airport from the Gold Coast the previous day.

UPDATE!  On Friday 9 December, VH-TAV looked to depart Gladstone Airport and return to the Gold Coast.

The Queensland Government Airwing (State of Queensland) Raytheon B300 Super King Air VH-SGQ arrived into Rockhampton Airport from Cairns and Townsville.  It then departed to Brisbane before later returning up to Townsville and Cairns.

And Link Airways (Corporate Air / Vee H Aviation) Metro 23 turboprop VH-VET landed at Biloela / Thangool Airport on their scheduled service from Brisbane but then departed to Gladstone Airport (as shown below) to refuel before later returning to Brisbane.

Finally, also on Thursday 8 December, a few bizjets noted around the region included Special Mining Services / Flight Options (Australia) Embraer EMB-505 Phenom 300E bizjet VH-UYX which departed Emerald Airport for Newcastle (Williamtown) and Sydney.  It had arrived from those places on Wednesday 7 December.

Multiquip Poultry / Navair Flight Operations Embraer EMB-500 Phenom 100EV bizjet VH-MQX as "Navair 169" visited Hamilton Island Airport from Bankstown.  It appears to have visited Moranbah Airport, also from Bankstown, but on Wednesday 7 December!  

Jampair P/L (Navair Flight Operations) Embraer EMB-505 Phenom 300E bizjet VH-NSQ as "Navair 129" also flew into Hamilton Island Airport from Bankstown but stayed.

UPDATE!  On Friday 9 December, VH-NSQ "Navair 129" departed Hamilton Island Airport for Bankstown.

While Avcair (Avgunn) LearJet 60 bizjet VH-ILJ visited Gladstone Airport from Brisbane.

And the locally-based Embraer EMB-550 Legacy 500 bizjet N142GZ departed its Mackay Airport base for Brisbane.  It returned to Mackay Airport later in the day.

Photo taken by 'AC'  ©️

Stroud Aviation and Transportation / Navair Flight Operations Cessna 510 Citation Mustang Bizjet VH-SHI "Navair 125" Pops into CQ Airports - Plus More!

On Wednesday 7 December, Stroud Aviation and Transportation (Boonah) / Navair Flight Operations Cessna 510 Citation Mustang bizjet VH-SHI as "Navair 125" was noted visiting a couple of Central Queensland Airports.

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It flew up from Archerfield to Gladstone Airport before then flying across to Chinchilla Aerodrome.  VH-SHI then returned to its Archerfield base.

And LifeFlight (Aeromed) Canadair CL-600-2B16 Challenger 604 bizjet VH-OFA "Ambulance 614" looked to fly down from Townsville to Mackay Airport before then flying down to Brisbane.  It then appears that VH-OFA "Ambulance 614" returned to Mackay Airport before flying back North.

Meanwhile, also on Wednesday 7 December, recently registered (to 'Red Rock' near Comet) Cessna 208B Grand Caravan VH-RTC flew up from Archerfield to the property, which is near Comet, near Emerald.

UPDATE!  On Thursday 8 December, VH-RTC departed there to Longreach Airport and further West out towards the Queensland and Northern Territory border.

New Curley Equipment P/L Textron (Cessna) 208B Grand Caravan EX VH-CUY flew up from Blackall Airport to Charters Towers Aerodrome.  It had flown across from its Cloncurry base the previous day.

UPDATE!  On Thursday 8 December, VH-CUY continued to Forsayth (YFSA) before then returning home to Cloncurry on Friday 9 December.

While Ipswich-based Airborne P/L (Palm Lake Works) Pilatus PC-12/47E VH-VLQ was noted once again visiting Bundaberg Airport from its Gold Coast base.

Capital Jet Charter (Canberra) Pilatus PC-12/47E VH-STE flew into Taroom Aerodrome from Canberra and Moruya.  It is due to return to Canberra on Thursday 8 December.

The Queensland Government Airwing (State of Queensland) Raytheon B300 Super King Air VH-SGQ flew down from Cairns and Townsville to Rockhampton Airport before then returning to Cairns.

Flight One (Services) Beech B200 King Air VH-FON visited Moura Aerodrome from Toowoomba.  It had flown down from its Archerfield base the previous evening.

Victoria-based Cirrus SR22-G6 GTS VH-IPG flew up from Sunshine Coast to Shute Harbour. 

UPDATE!  On Thursday 8 December, VH-IPG continued up to Cairns.

UPDATE!  On Saturday 10 December, VH-IPG started its journey back South, flying down from cairns to Charters Towers Aerodrome and then Longreach Airport.

And CQ Warbird Adventure Flights Yakovlev Yak-52 warbird VH-YAF was noted returning North, flying into Bundaberg, Rockhampton and Mackay Airports while flying back home to the Whitsunday Airport at Shute Harbour.

Finally, also on Wednesday 7 December, Skytrans Airlines Dash-8-100 VH-QQI departed Rockhampton Airport for Townsville as SKP787.  It had originally flown down to Rockhampton Airport from Cairns via Proserpine (Whitsunday Coast) Airport on Monday 5 December and operated three flights to Labona and back to Rockhampton Airport on Tuesday 6 December.

Link Airways (Corporate Air / Vee H Aviation) Metro 23 VH-VEU flew out from Brisbane to Longreach Airport and then Boulia and then back directly to Brisbane. 

And Link Airways Cessna 441 Conquest VH-VEJ flew up from Brisbane to my local Clermont Aerodrome.  It then flew down to Newcastle (Williamtown) and then back to Brisbane.

Bonza Airline Boeing B737-8 MAX VH-UJT Calls into Proserpine (Whitsunday Coast) Airport on a Training Flight

On Wednesday 7 December, Bonza Airline Boeing B737-8 MAX VH-UJT was spotted soon after it arrived into Proserpine (Whitsunday Coast) Airport on what appeared to be a training or proving flight, jetting up from the Sunshine Coast as 'BNZ8101' / "Bonza 8101".

The airline was hoping to begin operations in September but is unable to do so until it receives the crucial Air Operators Certificate (AOC).  Hopefully, the continuing series of flights being operated by VH-UJT and fellow B737-8 MAX VH-UIK are potentially bringing the airline one step closer to achieving clearance from the safety regulator to launch scheduled services.

VH-UJT later departed Proserpine Airport and returned to the Sunshine Coast but as 'BNZ8012'.

Meanwhile, what was thought to be Bonza's next Boeing B737-8 MAX aircraft, VH-UBI, ferried across from Seattle to Tucson in the USA in mid-November before then being placed into storage and de-registered (and placed on the American Aircraft register as N9521B).

A couple more future aircraft for Bonza - VH-UJK and VH-UJZ - were also recently spotted parked at Boeing Field in Seattle in the USA.

UPDATE!  On Saturday 10 December, Bonza Airline Boeing B737-8 MAX VH-UJK commenced its ferry flight from Seattle in the USA to Hawaii, Fiji and then to the Sunshine Coast, with arrival into Australia expected on Monday 12 December.

Bonza originally announced initial plans to launch with a fleet of two to three Boeing B737-8 MAX aircraft before increasing its fleet to eight. A fleet of three would be enough for it to begin operating some of its planned 27 routes in a staggered start.

When Bonza does begin commercial operations, it will fly so-called ‘point-to-point’ leisure services not serviced by the capital city-focused Qantas, Jetstar, Virgin, and Rex.

Bonza has claimed that 93 per cent of its network - 25 out of its 27 routes - are not currently flown by any other airline, while 96 per cent are not served by any other low-cost carrier. Flights are expected to cost around $50 for each hour of the flight.

Destinations on Bonza’s initial route map include Melbourne, Avalon, Sunshine Coast, Mildura, Albury, Cairns, Coffs Harbour, Mackay, Newcastle, Port Macquarie, Rockhampton, Tamworth, Townsville, Proserpine (Whitsunday Coast), Bundaberg, Gladstone, and Toowoomba.

We wish them all the very best!

Photo taken by 'AC'  ©

AirMed Australia Cessna 510 Citation Mustang Bizjet VH-PWX "AirMed 913" Pops into Bundaberg Airport - Plus More!

On Tuesday 6 December, AirMed Australia Cessna 510 Citation Mustang bizjet VH-PWX as "AirMed 913" landed at Bundaberg Airport from Bankstown and Archerfield. then departed back to Archerfield

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While MacKellar Mining Equipment Pty Ltd (Revesco Aviation) Cessna 680 Citation Sovereign bizjet VH-MMC was noted visiting the Labona Station Airstrip within Adani Australia's (Bravus Mining & Resources) Carmichael Coal Mine site. It looked to arrive from and then later depart back to its Sunshine Coast base via Emerald Airport.

And Bowenville (near Toowoomba) based Cessna 525 CitationJet CJ1+ bizjet VH-JSZ flew up from Archerfield to Dalby and Natal Downs before then flying into Rockhampton Airport.  It then departed back to Dalby and Archerfield.

Meanwhile, also on Tuesday 6 December, after arriving the previous day from Archerfield, Brisbane-based Crockett Aviation Group Beech B200 King Air VH-FAQ completed two flights from Rockhampton Airport to the Labona Station Airstrip within Adani Australia's (Bravus Mining & Resources) Carmichael Coal Mine site and back.

UPDATE!  On Wednesday 8 December, VH-FAQ departed Rockhampton Airport for Townsville.  It then flew down to Labona and back to Townsville before heading to Archerfield.

The Queensland Government Airwing (State of Queensland) Raytheon B300 Super King Air VH-SGQ arrived into Rockhampton Airport from Cairns and Townsville and later departed to Brisbane. It then returned directly to Townsville and Cairns.

Telford Aviation Beech A36 Bonanza VH-MPT popped into Rockhampton Airport from Archerfield before then continuing up to the Whitsunday Airport at Shute Harbour.

UPDATE!  On Wednesday 7 December, VH-MPT continued up to Bowen Aerodrome.  It later flew down to Rockhampton Airport and then Bundaberg Airport before continuing back to Archerfield on Thursday 8 December.

Brisbane-based Piper PA-34-220T Seneca III VH-YSA visited Rockhampton Airport from Archerfield.

New South Wales-based Piper PA-30 Twin Comanche VH-UQR flew up from Bankstown to Roma Airport and then to the Whitsunday Airport at Shute Harbour.

Link Airways (Corporate Air / Vee H Aviation) Cessna 441 Conquest VH-VEJ departed Oaky Creek Mine Site for Roma Airport and then Newcastle (Williamtown).  It had arrived there from Brisbane the previous afternoon.

UPDATE!  On Wednesday 7 December, VH-VEJ flew up to Clermont Aerodrome from Brisbane before then departing to Moree and Newcastle and then back to Brisbane.

Brescon (Toowoomba) Beech B200 King Air VH-WXB visited the Labona Station Airstrip within Adani Australia's (Bravus Mining & Resources) Carmichael Coal Mine site from Toowoomba-Wellcamp.

And Tasfast Air Freight (Southern Airlines) Beech 1900C VH-YSO was noted making another visit into Central Queensland, operating the Airlines' weekly Fly-n Fly-out (FIFO) charter flight into Moranbah Airport.  It flew up Melbourne (Moorabbin) and the Latrobe Valley to Bourke and then to Moranbah Airport before it then departed back to those places.

Plus DeGunst Transport P/L Textron (Cessna) 208 Caravan VH-NPZ made its weekly flight from Bundaberg to Nebo Airfield and back but this week, via Rockhampton Airport.

It also seems that VH-NPZ visited Gladstone Airport from Bundy on Monday 5 December.

Finally, also on Tuesday 6 December, Queensland Government (QGAir) Rescue (State of Queensland) Agusta AW139 helicopter VH-ESH was noted arriving into Emerald Airport from Townsville and a bit later departed to Archerfield. It had been operating in Townsville as "Rescue 521".

As posted below, sistership VH-ESZ passed through Emerald Airport heading north to Townsville from Archerfield on Monday 5 December.

Photo taken by Steve Vit  ©

Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) Boeing EA-18G Growler Electronic Warfare Jets in Exercise Rogue Ambush 2022 at the Shoalwater Bay Training Area (SWBTA)

On Tuesday 6 December, three Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) Boeing EA-18G Growler electronic warfare jets were again heard participating in the RAAF's Exercise Rogue Ambush which is currently underway within the Shoalwater Bay Training Area (SWBTA) and also the Townsville Training Area. They were heard to be complete sorties from RAAF Base Amberley to eventually land at Townsville - as pictured below - before then later returning to Amberley.

The three Growlers to land at Townsville were identified as A46-305, A46-303 and A46-309 and were again heard to be flying as "Sabre" and "Wolf 21".

They were joined by the 'usual' three flights of RAAF Lockheed Martin F-35A Lightning II fighter aircraft as "Hunter", "Hawkeye" and "Hipshot", which all completed sorties out of and back to RAAF Base Amberley both in the morning and afternoon.  Plus other RAAF Boeing EA-18G Growler electronic warfare jets as "Brutal" which joined the F-35A's

RAAF Airbus A330-200 / KC-30A Multi Role Tanker Transport (MRTT) A39-001 as "Dragon 14" was also again noted in the area providing air-to-air refuelling support to the jets.

RAAF Boeing B737-7ES / E-7A Wedgetail Airborne Early Warning & Control (AEW&C) aircraft A30-003 as "Mitchel 12" flew up from RAAF Base Williamtown to the Exercise area, and on completion, then returned to Williamtown.

Meanwhile, also on Tuesday 6 December, the action at Rockhampton Airport included RAAF Pilatus PC-21 Forward Air Control Aircraft A54-048 and A54-049 completing a sortie to the Shoalwater Bay Training Area (SWBTA) and back to Rockhampton Airport as "Mayhem"

And Air Affairs (Australia) LearJet 35A's to complete sorties out of and back to Rockhampton Airport included VH-LFA and VH-SJD as "Fencer" and VH-LJU and VH-VLJ as "Fishbed".

Photos taken by Graham Aspinall and 'BW'  ©

Pratt Aviation Bombardier Global Express VH-FGJ Pops into Bundaberg Airport - Plus More!

On Monday 5 December, Pratt Aviation Bombardier BD-700-1A10 Global Express VH-FGJ was noted visiting Bundaberg Airport.  It looked to arrive from Melbourne (Essendon) and then later depart to Brisbane and then back to Essendon.

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Airlift New Zealand / Flight Options (Australia) Cessna 680 Citation Sovereign bizjet VH-ZEK visited Miles Airport from Brisbane.

And the locally-based Embraer EMB-550 Legacy 500 bizjet N142GZ departed its Mackay Airport base for Brisbane.  It returned to Mackay Airport later in the day.

Meanwhile, also on Monday 5 December, recently registered (to 'Red Rock' near Comet) Cessna 208B Grand Caravan VH-RTC flew across to Rockhampton Airport before later departing to Bundaberg Airport and then to Archerfield.

Sydney-based Hawker Beechcraft G36 Bonanza VH-JKL departed Rockhampton Airport for Archerfield, Boonah and then Bankstown.  It had arrived into Rockhampton Airport from Bankstown via Archerfield last Thursday 1 December.

Machjet (Machjet International) Hawker Beechcraft B200 King Air VH-ZSY arrived into Rockhampton Airport from Townsville and the Labona Station Airstrip within Adani Australia's (Bravus Mining & Resources) Carmichael Coal Mine site.  It then returned to Labona and Townsville.

Aircair Aviation Cessna A185F VH-SLC visited my local Clermont Aerodrome from its Moree (Beela) base.

And Brisbane-based Crockett Aviation Group Beech B200 King Air VH-FAQ arrived into Rockhampton Airport from Archerfield.  At the time of writing, on Tuesday 6 December, it is due to complete two flights from Rockhampton Airport to the Labona Station Airstrip within Adani Australia's (Bravus Mining & Resources) Carmichael Coal Mine site and back.

Finally, also on Monday 5 December, Queensland Government (QGAir) Rescue (State of Queensland) Agusta AW139 helicopter VH-ESZ was noted arriving into Emerald Airport from Archerfield.  It then departed to Townsville.  VH-ESZ has been at Archerfield for planned maintenance.

The Two Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) Pilatus PC-21 Forward Air Control Aircraft A54-048 & A54-049 "Mayhem" Arrive Back into Rockhampton Airport

On Monday 5 December, the same two Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) Pilatus PC-21 Forward Air Control Aircraft that were deployed last week for the RAAF's Exercise Rogue Ambush 2022 returned to Rockhampton Airport from their 'home' at RAAF Base Williamtown.

Photographed (above) parked on the Rockhampton Airport General Aviation (GA) Apron soon after arriving were A54-048 and A54-049, both PC-21s from the RAAF's No. 4 Squadron.  They were heard to arrive together as "Mayhem".

Both PC-21s later completed a sortie up to the Shoalwater Bay Training Area (SWBTA) and back to Rockhampton Airport.

Also on Monday 5 December, the four Air Affairs (Australia) LearJet 35 bizjets that are also deployed for the Exercise also completed sorties out of and back to Rockhampton Airport. VH-SLD and VH-LFA were heard flying together as "Fencer", while VH-LJU and VH-VLJ as "Fishbed" went out and back.

Meanwhile, heard flying through the region, also on Monday 5 December, were RAAF Airbus A330-200 / KC-30A Multi Role Tanker Transport (MRTT) A39-006 as "Dragon 14" which remained in the air most of the day on a flight out of and back to RAAF Base Amberley.

RAAF Boeing B737-7ES / E-7A Wedgetail Airborne Early Warning & Control (AEW&C) aircraft A30-003 as "Mitchel 10" flew up from Williamtown to the area before then landing at Amberley.  During the afternoon, it returned to the Exercise area before then returning to Williamtown.  Of interest, the Wedgetail changes its radio callsign to "Outback" while flying in the Exercise area.

And fast jet action again included flights of RAAF Lockheed Martin F-35A Lightning II fighter aircraft as "Hunter", "Hawkeye" and "Hipshot", all flying out of and back to Amberley.  While joining them were RAAF Boeing EA-18G Growler electronic warfare jets which flew as "Brutal".

An additional three EA-18G Growlers continued up to the Townsville Training Area and eventually landed at Townsville Airport - as shown above.  They were identified as A46-301, A46-309 and A46-305 and were heard to be flying as "Sabre" (x2) and "Wolf 21".

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

Photos taken by Scott Harris and 'BW'  ©