Three Australian Army Boeing CH-47F 'Foxtrot' Chinook Helicopters Arrive into Rockhampton Presumably to Head to TC Alfred Clean-up Zone

On Saturday 8 March, three Australian Army Boeing CH-47F 'Foxtrot' Chinook helicopters were photographed after they had arrived into the Australian Army Defence Support Unit (DSU) camp adjacent to Rockhampton Airport from Townsville.  They were identified as A15-312, A15-313 and A15-314 and were heard to be using the radio callsign of "Chainsaw".

Of interest, these three Chinooks are part of the four 'additional' Chinook helicopters that have entered service with C Squadron, 5th Aviation Regiment, in Townsville.  It is possibly the first time we've seen at least A15-313 and A15-314 in the region since they were delivered to the Australian Army in Townsville in 2021 from US Army Stocks via a USAF C-5M Galaxy transport aircraft.

UPDATE!  On Monday 10 March, all three Chinooks departed the DSU near Rockhampton Airport and flew down to the Oakey Army Aviation Centre.

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

All photos taken by Steve Vit  ©️

Various Civil Helicopters Depart Rockhampton Airport - And Other CQ Places - To Arrive at the Sunshine Coast to form the 'Energex Aviation Crew' to Assist with TC Alfred Clean-up - Plus More!

On Saturday 8 March, a heap of different helicopters departed Rockhampton Airport (mostly) and other parts all heading South to the Sunshine Coast.  It is reported they are forming the 'Energex Aviation Crew' to assist with the relief efforts following Tropical Cyclone Alfred.

Forster Helicopters (Townsville) Airbus Helicopters AS 350 B3 VH-KFT

Executive Helicopters Eurocopter AS 350 B3 Squirrel helicopters VH-YQK and VH-DTS.

Omni Executive (Canberra) Eurocopter AS 350 B3 Squirrel helicopter VH-AB3.

Stirling Helicopters Aerospatiale / Eurocopter AS.350 B2 Squirrel helicopters VH-LBT and VH-LGG.

APA Helicopters Eurocopter AS350B3 VH-83Q.

Rotorco Eurocopter AS 350 B3 Squirrel helicopter VH-LDH.

Cloncurry Mustering Services Robinson R66 VH-8C4. 

All of these helicopters flew down from Rockhampton Airport via either Hervey Bay (Fraser Coast) Airport or Bundaberg Airport before continuing to the Sunshine Coast.

Bush Heli-Services Bell 407 VH-8BU flew down from Clermont to Hervey Bay (Fraser Coast) Airport and then the Sunshine Coast.

 
Meanwhile, also on Saturday 8 March, QantasLink (Alliance Airlines) Embraer E-190 VH-UZK flew down from Cairns to Mackay Airport and then Rockhampton Airport as QFA1793 before it then departed to Townsville as QFA1790.

Alliance Airlines Fokker F-70 VH-NUU as UTY9820 arrived into Rockhampton Airport from Brisbane.

And Skytrans Airlines Dash-8-100 VH-QQI popped into Hervey Bay (Fraser Coast) Airport, arriving from Townsville and departing to Cairns as SKP902/3.

Photos taken by Alan Macdonald and James Hackett  ©

Mitchell Water Cessna 525 Citation M2 Bizjet VH-WMY Calls into CQ Airports - Plus More!

On Friday 7 March, Mitchell Water Cessna 525 Citation M2 bizjet VH-WMY flew up from Melbourne (Moorabbin) and Ararat to Townsville before then flying down to Chinchilla Aerodrome and then Roma Airport.  It then returned to Moorabbin.

File photo

Of interest, VH-WMY was at Roma Airport earlier in the week on Tuesday 4 March.

McNab Aviation Cessna 425 Conquest 1 VH-BSM was noted flying up from its Toowoomba base to the Whitsunday Airport at Shute Harbour.

UPDATE!  On Tuesday 11 March, VH-BSM departed the Whitsunday Airport at Shute Harbour and was noted returning to Toowoomba.

While Bourketown-based Beech 58 Baron VH-AYV flew across to Clermont Aerodrome from Mount Isa.

UPDATE!  On Saturday 8 March, VH-AYV returned to Mount Isa from Clermont Aerodrome.

And Nautilus Aviation Bell Helicopter Textron Canada 412EP helicopter VH-ZVP "Rescue 421" looked to fly into Bundaberg Airport from Cairns via Townsville, Mackay and Rockhampton Airports.

Meanwhile, also on Friday 7 March, LifeFlight (Aeromed) Canadair CL-600-2B16 Challenger 604 bizjet VH-OFB as "Ambulance 624" flew down from Townsville to Proserpine (Whitsunday Coast) Airport and Hervey Bay (Fraser Coast) Airport and is due back to Townsville later.

Of interest, VH-OFB "Ambulance 624" has visited Mackay Airport and Rockhampton Airport (twice) this week.

Fellow LifeFlight Challenger 604 bizjet VH-OFA as "Ambulance 614" has also visited Hervey Bay (Fraser Coast) Airport this week, as well as Longreach and Mackay Airports while operating out of Brisbane.

Finally, also on Friday 7 March, Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) Alenia C-27J Spartan transport aircraft A34-009 as "Wallaby 10" landed at Longreach Airport from RAAF Base Amberley before it then departed to Mount Isa and RAAF Base Tindal.

UPDATE!  On Saturday 8 March, A34-009 "Wallaby 10" again landed at Longreach Airport from Tindal before it then departed to RAAF Base Richmond.  

Photo taken by Lee Holloway  ©

Multiple QantasLink / Alliance Airlines Embraer E-190 and Other Aircraft and Helicopters Continue to Escape TC Alfred to Rockhampton Airport - Plus More!

On Thursday 6 March, Tropical Cyclone Alfred continued to bear down on the South East Queensland coast and as a result, flights in and out of the major Airports down there have all been cancelled causing most aircraft and helicopters to escape the region to safer places including into Central Queensland.  And with the massive hangar and additional parking space available, many Alliance Airlines / QantasLink Embraer E-190 jets landed at Rockhampton Airport mostly from Brisbane for parking while the Cyclone passes.

VH-XVO arrived on the scheduled QFA1986 flight.  

VH-UZI arrived as QFA6293.

VH-XVQ arrived as QFA6284 and was one of three to be parked on Taxiway Juliette.

VH-UZQ arrived as QFA6289.

VH-XVS arrived as QFA6281.

VH-XVX arrived as UTY6296/QFA1942 from Brisbane via Gladstone Airport.

VH-UZF arrived as QFA6288.

And Fokker F-70 VH-NKU flew from Brisbane to Emerald Airport as VOZ1265 then to Rockhampton Airport as UTY9820. 

Plus QantasLink (Alliance Airlines) E-190 VH-UYR flew down from Townsville to Rockhampton Airport and then Brisbane as QFA6295 - presumably to transport crews back to Brisbane.

Meanwhile, also on Thursday 6 March, there was some movement with the McDermott Aviation Group / Machjet International Cessna Citation bizjets that arrived into Rockhampton Airport yesterday.

Cessna 525A Citation CJ2 VH-ZIY as "Machflight 74" departed to Brisbane. SUY was 74 yesterday and ZIY was 421. PIY was 41.  And Cessna 525A CitationJet CJ2 VH-SUY as "Machflight 74" also departed to Brisbane

Finally, also on Thursday 6 March, Linfox Global Charter / Air National Australia Bombardier BD-700-1A10 Global 6000 bizjet VH-LEP flew up from Melbourne (Essendon) to Hamilton Island Airport before then flying down to Rockhampton Airport seemingly also for parking - UPDATED with photo!

UPDATE!  On Saturday 8 March, VH-LEP departed Rockhampton Airport and returned to Hamilton Island Airport before then flying down to Melbourne (Avalon).

Fellow Linfox Express Charter / Air National Australia Canadair CL-600-2B16 Challenger 605 VH-LEF also arrived into Hamilton Island Airport but from Essendon via Sydney.  It looked to remain parked on Hamo.

UPDATE!  On Monday 10 March, VH-LEF departed Hamilton Island Airport for Sydney.

While new Pilatus Australia (South Australia) Pilatus PC-24 Super Versatile Jet VH-DMS looked to visit Mackay Airport from Cessnock.

And three Queensland Government (State of Queensland) aircraft looked to visit Rockhampton Airport.  

Beech B300C Super King Air 350s VH-8PE and VH-8PH visited from Cairns and Brisbane respectively.

UPDATE!  On Friday 7 March, VH-8PE arrived into Rockhampton Airport once again from Cairns and Townsville before later returning direct to Cairns.

Plus the Queensland Police Service (Airwing) (State of Queensland) Textron Aviation (Cessna) 208B Caravan VH-PQX also visited Rockhampton Airport from Cairns.

UPDATE!  On Friday 7 March, VH-PQX visited Rockhampton Airport once again from Cairns.

Sincere thanks to the local plane spotters for their help in gathering information for this historic post - and of course for allowing us to share these great photos!

Photos taken by Nigel Tuckwood, Scott Harris, Steve Vit and Phil M  ©

National Jet Express (NJE) Dash-8-Q400s VH-IYV and VH-8QB Touch Down at Gladstone Airport to Escape TC Alfred - Plus More!

On Wednesday 5 March, two-thirds of the Brisbane-based fleet of National Jet Express (NJE) Dash-8-Q400 turboprops touched down at Gladstone Airport for parking to escape the impending rain and wind associated with Tropical Cyclone Alfred.

VH-IYV arrived first from Brisbane as JTE507 before VH-8QB arrived later in the day, also from Brisbane but as JTE506.  They are looking to be remaining parked on the taxiway at Gladstone Airport for the time being.

Of interest, it is reported that the third National Jet Dash-8-Q400 VH-8QA will be parked at Cairns during the Cyclone.

UPDATE!  On Sunday 9 March, VH-IYV departed Gladstone Airport for Brisbane as JTE506 and VH-8QB departed Gladstone Airport for Brisbane as JTE508.

While up at Rockhampton Airport, three McDermott Aviation Group / Machjet International Cessna Citation bizjets touched down also to escape the impeding cyclonic conditions in the South-East corner of the State.  VH-PIY as "Machflight 41", VH-ZIY as "Machflight 421" and VH-SUY as "Machflight 74" were all photographed arriving into Rocky from the Sunshine Coast.

And there were several diversions around the region, with aircraft reportedly taking on additional fuel before proceeding to Brisbane where several aircraft are being delayed before landing.  

QantasLink Dash-8-Q400 VH-QOR as QLK851D arrived into Rockhampton Airport from Roma Airport before later departing to Brisbane.

Alliance Airlines Embraer E-190 VH-A2U as UTY713 also arrived into Rockhampton Airport but from Cloncurry Airport and then departed to Brisbane.

Alliance Airlines Fokker F-70 VH-NUU as UTY4359 arrived into Rockhampton Airport from Moranbah Airport and then departed to Brisbane. 

And Alliance Airlines Fokker F-100 VH-UQC as UTY8861 landed at Emerald Airport from Trepell and then departed to Brisbane. 

Meanwhile, also on Wednesday 5 March, Vee H Aviation (Link Airways) Beech B200GT Super King Air 250 VH-VEW visited Emerald Airport from Brisbane on a couple of occasions before finishing the day at Goulburn.  Of interest, over the last couple of days, VH-VEW had also visited Clermont Aerodrome, Collinsville Aerodrome and Mackay Airport, plus Oaky Creek Mine site.

Brisbane-based  Cessna 310R VH-NBI arrived into Rockhampton Airport from Archerfield to avoid the weather. 

Austrek Aviation Beech B200 Super King Air VH-ZGD arrived into Rockhampton Airport from Toowoomba and Goondiwindi and then departed back to Toowoomba. 

Queensland Government (QGAir) Rescue (State of Queensland) Agusta AW139 helicopter VH-ESH landed at Emerald Airport from Townsville then departed to Toowoomba and Archerfield. 

NQ Heli-Worx Eurocopter EC135 T1 helicopter VH-MXW was also noted at Emerald Airport and departed heading West.

Helibiz / Heli Lift Bell 205A-1 VH-WOC as "Helitak 420" arrived into Rockhampton Airport from the Whitsunday Airport at Shute Harbour and Mackay Airport before it then departed to Bundaberg Airport. 

Rotorco Eurocopter AS 350 B3 Squirrel helicopter VH-LDH flew up from Redcliffe to Gayndah Aerodrome and then further north. 

UPDATE!  On Thursday 6 March, VH-LDH arrived into Rockhampton Airport from North of Townsville. 

M. D. H. P/L (Cloncurry) Pilatus PC-12/47E VH-MDH flew across from Devoncourt to Kierawonga, North-West of Rockhampton.

FKG Air (Redjet Aviation) Hawker Beechcraft B200GT VH-FKB arrived into my local Clermont Aerodrome from Toowoomba.

UPDATE! On Thursday 6 March, VH-FKB departed Clermont Aerodrome and returned to Toowoomba.

Fly Australia Charter Cessna 207 VH-UBT arrived into Mackay Airport from the Whitsunday Airport at Shute Harbour before later departing to Townsville.

Finally, late on Tuesday 4 March, Nauru Airlines 'classic' Boeing B737-319 VH-XNU visited Mackay Airport from Brisbane as RON 930/1.  This is reportedly a closed Fly-in Fly-out (FIFO) charter flight and more are planned!

Photos taken by Jamie C and Steve Vit  ©

American-Registered Pilatus PC-12/47E (NG) N175NG Pops into Rockhampton Airport - Plus More!

On Tuesday 4 March, American-registered but seemingly Australian-based Pilatus PC-12/47E (NG) N175NG popped into Rockhampton Airport.

It was spotted arriving from Archerfield before it then departed to Julia Creek.

UPDATE!  On Wednesday 5 March, N175NG arrived back into Rockhampton Airport from Julia Creek and then departed to Archerfield. 

Meanwhile, also on Tuesday 4 March, Bowenville based (operated by Real Time Aviation - Brisbane) Cessna 525 CitationJet CJ1+ bizjet VH-JSZ visited Rockhampton Airport from Archerfield.  It also looked to visit Natal Downs from Archerfield via Dalby on Monday 3 March.

Little Wings (NSW) Beech 58 Baron VH-VSA arrived into Rockhampton Airport from Archerfield before later returning there but via Gladstone Airport.

And LifeFlight Agusta A109SP helicopter VH-XNR arrived into Bundaberg Airport from Archerfield.

Plus NQ Heli Worx Eurocopter EC135 T2 helicopter VH-MVY arrived into Rockhampton Airport from the North and then departed to Bundaberg Airport and further South.

Finally, also on Tuesday 4 March, some light General Aviation (GA) aircraft and helicopters began re-positioning away from the South-East corner of the state to seek shelter away from the impending arrival of Tropical Cyclone Alfred.

Executive Helicopters Eurocopter AS 350 B3 Squirrel helicopters VH-YQK and then VH-DTS both arrived into Rockhampton Airport from Archerfield.

And Omni Executive (Canberra) Eurocopter AS 350 B3 Squirrel helicopter VH-AB3 also arrived into Rockhampton Airport from Archerfield.

All photos taken by Steve Vit  ©

Pacific Marine Leasing (USA) Dassault Falcon 900EX Bizjet N999PM Arrives into Hamilton Island Airport - UPDATED with Photo! - Plus More!

On Monday 3 March, Pacific Marine Leasing (USA) Dassault Falcon 900EX bizjet N999PM was noted arriving into Hamilton Island Airport from the Gold Coast.

It looked to arrive there a couple of days prior having spent a couple of weeks in Tasmania after arriving there from overseas in mid-February.

UPDATE!  On Friday 7 March, N999PM departed Hamilton Island Airport for Cairns where it was spotted above.

Meanwhile, also on Monday 3 March, Machjet (Machjet International) Cessna 525A Citation CJ2 bizjet VH-ZIY as "Machflight 421" visited Rockhampton Airport from the Sunshine Coast.

And Gulf Aircraft Textron Aviation (Cessna) 208 Caravan VH-PYO looked to arrive into Hamilton Island Airport from Brisbane.

UPDATE!  On Tuesday 4 March, VH-PYO flew back down from Hamilton Island Airport to Brisbane. 

Photo taken by Jonathan Williams  ©

Search for Trans-Pacific Rower Stranded in Seas Whipped up by Cyclone Alfred Brings AMSA Challenger 604 VH-XNF "Rescue 550" to Rockhampton Airport Plus ADF Support

Across the weekend, a search was launched for Lithuanian national Aurimas Mockus who is in a row-boat, some 740km off the coast of Mackay.  He was attempting to cross the ocean between San Diego and Brisbane, but reportedly ran into trouble on Friday night in massive seas being whipped up Tropical Cyclone Alfred.

Consequently, on Saturday 1 March, Australian Maritime Safety Authority (AMSA) (Cobham SAR Services Pty Ltd) Bombardier CL-600-2B16 Challenger 604 bizjet VH-XNF as "Rescue 550" flew up from Melbourne (Essendon) to Rockhampton Airport before embarking on a near-6-hour search mission.  It then landed back at Rockhampton Airport and departed back to Essendon on Sunday 2 March.

UPDATE!  VH-XNF "Resue 550" returned to the region, again landing at Rockhampton Airport, in the wee small hours of Monday 3 March as the rescue looked to take place.

Also landing at Rockhampton Airport, also on Sunday 2 March, was fellow AMSA Bombardier CL-600-2B16 Challenger 604 bizjet VH-XNC as "Rescue 440" which flew down from Cairns and also patrolled the search area.  It later returned to Cairns but looks to be due to return to Rockhampton Airport on Monday 3 March.

Finally, during the evening on Saturday 1 March, Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) Boeing P-8A Poseidon Maritime Surveillance Aircraft A47-009 as "Rescue 251" flew up from RAAF Base Edinburgh to the search area before it then landed at Townsville - after an 8+ hour flight.

It looked to return to Edinburgh on Sunday 2 March.

Finally, the Royal Australian Navy (RAN) amphibious Bay Class Landing Ship Dock (LSD) ship HMAS Choules has set sail from Brisbane to the search area in an effort to rescue the stranded the rower.

UPDATE!  On Monday 3 March, sailors from HMAS Choules completed the rescue!  Good news!

Photo taken by Tony Haynes  ©

Additional Images from Defence...

Asia Pacific Airlines (PNG) (Cobham Aviation) Dash-8-100 P2-NAX Passes Through Longreach Airport - Plus More!

On Saturday 1 March, Papua New Guinea based Asia Pacific Airlines Dash-8-100 P2-NAX was noted passing through Longreach Airport. It arrived from Cairns and later departed to Adelaide (pictured) where it appears to be going for planned maintenance.

Asia Pacific Airlines is based in Tabubil, Papua New Guinea. It is a subsidiary of Cobham Aviation and the Dash-8's arrival into Adelaide is presumably to undergo maintenance.

Asia Pacific Airlines operates a fleet of three Dash-8-100 aircraft on domestic services, as well as flights to Cairns on behalf of Ok Tedi Mining Limited of which P2-NAX wears the colours and titles.

Meanwhile, also on Saturday 1 March, there was a pair of Rugby League sports charter flights into the region.  QantasLink (Alliance Airlines) Embraer E-190 jet VH-UZK flew down from Townsville to Rockhampton Airport as QFA6281 before returning to Townsville as QFA2693.  It later returned to Rockhampton Airport as QF2692 before then heading back to Townsville as QFA6282.

And Alliance Airlines Fokker F-100 jet VH-UQW flew from Cairns to Mackay Airport and back to Cairns as UTY3381/2 before later flying back to Mackay Airport and then back to Cairns as UTY3383/4.

Photo taken by Tony Haynes  ©

Aerotech Aircraft Holdings (Aerotech Helicopters) Pickering Aviation (Sikorsky) UH-60A Black Hawk helicopter VH-UHS "Helitack 513" Arrives into Bundabreg Airport - Plus More!

On Friday 28 February, Aerotech Aircraft Holdings (Aerotech Helicopters) Pickering Aviation (Sikorsky) UH-60A Black Hawk helicopter VH-UHS "Helitack 513" was noted landing at Bundaberg Airport.  It looked to fly up from Adelaide (Parafield), Mildura, Griffith, Dubbo, Moree and Toowoomba.

It has since been reported that the Black Hawk has arrived into Queensland in preparation for relief efforts following the expected landfall of Tropical Cyclone Alfred which is presently off the Queensland coast.

While the Queensland Government (State of Queensland) Beech B300C Super King Air 350 VH-8PH arrived into Rockhampton Airport from Cairns and then departed to Brisbane. 

And a fan-favourite with Piper PA-30 Twin Comanche B VH-SEX arriving into Rockhampton Airport from Pittsworth and Toowoomba.  It later returned to Pittsworth.

Finally, also on Friday 28 February, a pair of Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) Boeing C-17A Globemaster III transport aircraft were noted flying together in the region at low level while on a flight out of and back to RAAF Base Amberley.  

They were noted to be A41-208 and A41-210 and flew as "Charger" up from Amberley to North-East of Mackay at flight levels before they then turned inland to descend to low level and then flew down to West of Rockhampton before climbing back to flight levels and returning to Amberley.

Photo taken by Neil Richardson  ©