Conoco Phillips (USA) Gulfstream G550 (G-V-SP) Bizjet N797CP Calls into Hervey Bay (Fraser Coast) Airport - Plus More!

During the late afternoon on Thursday 7 November, a nice corporate bizjet in the form of Conoco Phillips (USA) Gulfstream G550 (G-V-SP) bizjet N797CP arrived into Hervey Bay (Fraser Coast) Airport from Brisbane.  It had arrived from overseas earlier in the week.

UPDATE!  During the late afternoon on Saturday 9 November, N797CP departed Hervey Bay (Fraser Coast) Airport for Brisbane and then back overseas.

While Victorian-based but American-registered Embraer EMB-505 Phenom 300 N227SL flew down from Townsville to Rockhampton Airport and then later down to Archerfield. 

And GCH Jet Operations (New Zealand) Bombardier Challenger 604 bizjet ZK-JCJ arrived into Hamilton Island Airport from the Sunshine Coast.  It had earlier flown across from Christchurch in New Zealand.

UPDATE!  On Thursday 14 November, ZK-JCJ departed Hamilton Island Airport for the Sunshine Coast and back to Christchurch and Taupo in New Zealand.

Meanwhile, also on Thursday 7 November, Hughes Aviation (Hughes Pastoral Group) (Gympie) Pilatus PC-12/47E NGX VH-8HP flew from Tierawoomba to Hamilton Island Airport and then down to Keeroongooloo and this afternoon flew East to Bundaberg Airport and then back up to Tierawoomba. 

Aero Professional Services SOCATA TBM700 VH-VSV flew down from its Denison Downs (Emerald) base to Dalby. 

Rural Funds Management (A.C.T.) Pilatus PC-12/47E VH-STE arrived into Rockhampton Airport from Brisbane and later departed to Bundaberg Airport. 

Aero Express Investments (Brisbane) Diamond DA62 VH-8R8 flew up from Gold Coast to the Whitsunday Airport at Shute Harbour before it later flew down to Archerfield. 

Link Airways (Corporate Air / Vee H Aviation) Cessna 441 Conquest VH-VEJ flew up from Brisbane to the Oaky Creek Mine site and then Clermont Aerodrome before returning to Brisbane.  Of interest, on Wednesday 6 November, VH-VEJ was noted departing Oaky Creek (after arriving at the start of the week) and flying to Emerald Airport and then Rolleston Aerodrome before flying down to Brisbane.

And 1959-built Cessna 180B Skywagon VH-AUE was noted visiting Bundaberg Airport from Kilcoy.

Photos taken by James Hackett  ©

Poolhurst Aviation Air Charter Services Pilatus PC-24 jet VH-VTF Calls into CQ Airports - Plus More!

On Monday 28 October, Poolhurst Aviation Air Charter Services Pilatus PC-24 jet VH-VTF arrived into Rockhampton Airport from Archerfield.  It later departed to Hervey Bay (Fraser Coast) Airport and then back to Archerfield.

File photo

While Bowenville (near Toowoomba) based Cessna 525 CitationJet CJ1+ bizjet VH-JSZ flew up from Archerfield and Dalby to Natal Downs before then flying down to my local Clermont Aerodrome and then back to Archerfield.

LifeFlight (Aeromed) Canadair CL-600-2B16 Challenger 604 bizjet VH-OFC "Ambulance 634" visited Gladstone Airport from Brisbane.

And the locally-based Embraer EMB-550 Legacy 500 bizjet N142GZ flew up from Brisbane back to Mackay Airport.  It looks to have flown down last Thursday 24 October.

Meanwhile, also on Monday 28 October, Fly Weel Pilatus PC-12/47E VH-KWZ landed at Emerald Airport from the Gold Coast and then departed to Mackay Airport.  It then returned to the Gold Coast. 

The Queensland Police Service (QPS) / Queensland Government (State of Queensland) Textron Aviation B300C Super King Air 350 VH-8PD visited Rockhampton Airport from Cairns and Townsville.

Aero Professional Services SOCATA TBM700 VH-VSV visited Bundaberg Airport from its Denison Downs (Emerald) base.

UPDATE!  VH-VSV completed two similar flights from Denison Downs to Bundy and back on both Saturday 2 November and Sunday 3 November.

Link Airways (Corporate Air / Vee H Aviation) Cessna 441 Conquest VH-VEJ flew up from Brisbane to the Oaky Creek Mine Site and then my local Clermont Aerodrome before then heading back to Brisbane. 

And Southern Air Beech 1900C VH-VSO looked to complete the weekly visit to Moranbah Airport, arriving from Melbourne (Moorabbin) and Toowoomba-Wellcamp and then departing back to Wellcamp.

Photo taken by Ryan Hothersall  ©

Nauru Airlines Boeing B737-319 VH-XNU at Mackay Airport on Behalf of Bonza Airline - Plus More!

On Sunday 3 December, Nauru Airlines 'classic' Boeing B737-319 VH-XNU was noted arriving into Mackay Airport from the Gold Coast operating a flight for Bonza Airline as RON1609.

VH-XNU arrives into the Gold Coast prior to departing to Mackay Airport

It later returned to the Gold Coast as RON1610.

This seems to be the first time that VH-XNU has operated for Bonza, and certainly into Central Queensland.

Meanwhile, also on Sunday 3 December, LifeFlight (Aeromed) Canadair CL-600-2B16 Challenger 604 bizjet VH-OFA "Ambulance 614" flew down from Townsville to Gladstone Airport and then to Brisbane.

And LifeFlight (Aeromed) Bombardier Challenger 604 bizjet VH-URR "Ambulance 604" flew into Rockhampton Airport from Brisbane before then departing to Cairns. Later it flew down to Mackay Airport and then back to Brisbane.

Finally, also on Sunday 3 December, Aero Professional Services SOCATA TBM700 VH-VSV departed its Denison Downs (Emerald) base for the Whitsunday Airport at Shute Harbour.

UPDATE!  VH-VSV looked to return to its landing site on Thursday 7 December.

Photo taken by Brodie Lawson  ©

Some General Aviation (GA) Plane Spotting at Rockhampton Airport on Tuesday (and Wednesday - UPDATED!!)

***This post has been re-written and re-published

On Tuesday 1 August, Great Western Aviation Beech B200 King Air VH-XGV arrived into Rockhampton Airport from Archerfield and then flew to the Labona Station Airstrip within Adani Australia's (Bravus Mining & Resources) Carmichael Coal Mine site and back.

UPDATE!  On Wednesday 2 August, VH-XGV flew to Labona and back to Rockhampton Airport before it then departed to Archerfield.

McDermott Aviation Group / Machjet International Beech B200 King Air VH-ZPY as 'MC121' / "Machflight 121" arrived into Rockhampton late the previous day and on Tuesday morning, it flew out to Labona and back. 

UPDATE!  On Wednesday 2 August, VH-ZPY again as "Machflight 121" flew to Labona and back to Rockhampton Airport before it then departed to Cairns. 

On arrival back both aircraft unloaded their passengers at the main apron then went to parking at the General Aviation (GA) Apron.

Skytrans Airlines Dash-8-300 VH-QQL continues to complete the closed Fly-in Fly-out (FIFO) charter flights from Rockhampton Airport from Labona and back.  It has presently been parking in front of the new Alliance Airlines hangar at the Southern end of the Rockhampton Airport parking apron areas.

Fellow Skytrans Airlines Dash-8-100 VH-QQB as "Skytrans 955" flew up from Brisbane to Longreach Airport and then Osbourne Mine before then returning direct to Brisbane.

Seair Pacific (Istlecote) Cessna 208B Grand Caravan EX VH-LYI and Cessna 208 Caravan VH-TQI flew up from Lady Elliott Island to Proserpine. 

UPDATE!  On Wednesday 2 August, VH-TQI flew from Proserpine Airport to Labona then to Rockhampton Airport and then Lady Elliott Island.

UPDATE!  On Wednesday 2 August, VH-LYI flew down from Proserpine Airport to Middlemount Aerodrome and then to Maryborough Airport. 

Meanwhile, some other GA movements in the area, also on Tuesday 1 August, included Aero Professional Services SOCATA TBM700 VH-VSV which departed its Denison Downs (Emerald) base for Rockhampton Airport before later returning there.

Brescon (Toowoomba) Beech B200 King Air VH-WXB flew up to Labona from Archerfield and then across to Bowen Aerodrome. 

UPDATE!  On Wednesday 2 August, VH-WXB flew down from Bowen Aerodrome to Archerfield. 

Telford Aviation Beech A36 Bonanza VH-MPT flew up to my local Clermont Aerodrome from Archerfield. 

UPDATE!  On Wednesday 2 August, VH-MPT departed Clermont Aerodrome for Moura Aerodrome.

M. D. H. P/L (Cloncurry) Pilatus PC-12/47E VH-MDH flew up from Archerfield to Kierawonga, a Fattening Lot North-West of Rockhampton. 

UPDATE!  On Wednesday 2 August, This afternoon PC12 MDH departed Kierawonga to Devoncourt Station. 

And Kalgoorlie-based Leahy Aviation Pilatus PC-12/47E VH-8ML arrived into Rockhampton Airport from Townsville. 

UPDATE!  On Thursday 3 August, VH-8ML departed Rockhampton Airport for Archerfield. 

Finally, also on Tuesday 1 August, Jetstream Aviation (Emprja P/L) Cessna 550 Citation II VH-VDF visited Proserpine (Whitsunday Coast) Airport from the Sunshine Coast. 

And Bowenville (near Toowoomba) based Cessna 525 CitationJet CJ1+ bizjet VH-JSZ flew up from Wangaratta in Victoria to Glen Innes in New South Wales and then to my local Clermont Aerodrome and then down to Archerfield. 

All photos taken by John Lee  ©

Jampair P/L (Navair Flight Operations) Embraer EMB-505 Phenom 300E bizjet VH-NSQ "Navair 131" Calls into Mackay Airport - Plus More!

On Monday 1 May, Jampair P/L (Navair Flight Operations) Embraer EMB-505 Phenom 300E bizjet VH-NSQ as "Navair 131" was noted arriving into Mackay Airport from Bankstown, Sydney and Taree.

File photo

UPDATE!  On Tuesday 2 May, VH-NSQ "Navair 131" departed Mackay Airport for Toowoomba-Wellcamp and Toowoomba (City) Airport.

Meanwhile, also on Monday 1 May, AirServices Australia / Pearl Aviation Hawker Beechcraft B300 Super King Air VH-FIY landed at Longreach Airport from Darwin and then later departed to Brisbane.

Recently delivered Aero Professional Services SOCATA TBM700 VH-VSV departed its Denison Downs (Emerald) base Rockhampton Airport before later returning there.

Chartair (or Darwin, Northern Territory) Cessna 441 Conquest VH-JFU landed at Longreach Airport from Alice Springs and then departed back to there.

Capital Jet Charter (Canberra) Pilatus PC-12/47E VH-STE arrived into Rockhampton Airport from Canberra and Toowoomba and then later departed to Brisbane.

UPDATE!  On Tuesday 2 May, VH-STE returned to the region, looking to arrive into Rolleston and Springsure Aerodromes before flying across to Bundaberg Airport.  Then on Wednesday 3 May, VH-STE flew to Maryborough Airport before returning to Canberra via Brisbane and Bankstown.

Seair Pacific / Istlecote Cessna 208 Caravan VH-TQW arrived into Rockhampton Airport from Hervey Bay (Fraser Coast) and Maryborough Airports then departed to Middlemount Aerodrome and back to Rockhampton Airport.  It then returned to Middlemount Aerodrome again and then flew back to Rockhampton Airport.

UPDATE!  On Tuesday 2 May, VH-TQW completed a flight from Rockhampton Airport to the Labona Station Airstrip within Adani Australia's (Bravus Mining & Resources) Carmichael Coal Mine site and back to Rockhampton Airport.  It then flew to the Gold Coast and back to Rocky before heading out to Labona again and then again returning to Rocky.  VH-TQW eventually departed Rockhampton Airport for Hervey Bay Airport and the Gold Coast - what a day!

And Link Airways (Corporate Air / Vee H Aviation) Cessna 441 Conquest VH-VEJ looked to visit Collinsville Aerodrome from Brisbane.

Photo taken by 'AC'  ©

Stroud Aviation and Transportation (Boonah) / Navair Flight Operations Cessna 510 Citation Mustang Bizjet VH-SHI "Navair 125" Calls into Maryborough Airport - Plus More!

On Thursday 20 April, Stroud Aviation and Transportation (Boonah) / Navair Flight Operations Cessna 510 Citation Mustang bizjet VH-SHI as "Navair 125" arrived into Maryborough Airport from Archerfield. 

File photo

VH-SHI "Navair 125" then departed Maryborough Airport for Grafton (Clarence Valley Regional Airport) before returning to Archerfield.

Homada Pty Ltd Cessna 560XL Citation XLS bizjet VH-XCU was noted visiting Hamilton Island Airport.  It flew up from Melbourne (Moorabbin) and Melbourne (Essendon) before returning direct to Moorabbin. 

Machjet (Machjet International) Cessna 525A Citation CJ2 bizjet VH-ZIY was noted arriving into Hamilton Island Airport from the North.  It then departed Hamo for Sydney and the Sunshine Coast.

UPDATE!  On Friday 21 April, VH-ZIY looked to return to Hamilton Island Airport, arriving from and departing back to the Sunshine Coast.

Meanwhile, also on Thursday 20 April, Brisbane-based Crockett Aviation Group Beech B200 King Air VH-FAQ visited the Labona Station Airstrip within Adani Australia's (Bravus Mining & Resources) Carmichael Coal Mine site from Archerfield and the Sunshine Coast.

As did Flight One (Services) Beech B200 King Air VH-FON which also visited Labona but from Archerfield via the Sunshine Coast. 

And recently delivered Aero Professional Services SOCATA TBM700 VH-VSV departed its Denison Downs (Emerald) base Rockhampton Airport before later returning there.

Photo taken by Trevor Hardsman  ©

Robindale Group (Bathurst) / Air Link Cessna 510 Citation Mustang Bizjet VH-CMK Pops into Mackay Airport - Plus More!

On Wednesday 12 April,  Robindale Group / Air Link Cessna 510 Citation Mustang bizjet VH-CMK flew up from Orange and the Sunshine Coast to Emerald Airport.

File photo

UPDATE!  On Thursday 13 April, VH-CMK departed Emerald Airport and returned to the Sunshine Coast and Orange.

While also visiting Emerald Airport was Gulf Aircraft Textron Aviation (Cessna) 208 Caravan VH-PYO which looked to arrive from Toowoomba and Maryborough Airports before it then appears to continue to the North-West.

Plus recently delivered Aero Professional Services SOCATA TBM700 VH-VSV departed its Denison Downs (Emerald) base for the Ballina / Byron Bay Gateway Airport.

And Bowenville (near Toowoomba) based Cessna 525 CitationJet CJ1+ bizjet VH-JSZ flew up from Archerfield to Dalby and then Rockhampton Airport.

UPDATE!  On Thursday 13 April, VH-JSZ departed Rockhampton Airport and returned to Archerfield.

Meanwhile, also on Wednesday 12 April, locally-based Beech F33A Bonanza VH-ZWB flew across to Rockhampton Airport from and back to Capella.  It had also completed the short hop to Emerald Airport and back to Capella at the start of the week.

Victoria-based Cessna 340A VH-OVY flew up from Lethbridge Airpark to Mackay Airport via Ararat and Walgett.

  

UPDATE!  On Thursday 13 April, VH-OVY departed Mackay Airport for Middlemount Aerodrome and Narromine.  It looked to return 'home' to Lethbridge on Friday 14 April.

FKG Air (Redjet Aviation) Hawker Beechcraft B200GT VH-FKB flew up from Toowoomba to Bundaberg Airport and then Mackay Airport before later returning to Toowoomba.

While ZephAir Australia - Aircraft Charters Piper PA-31 Navajo VH-AYT also visited Mackay Airport but from its Townsville base.

And Mackay Airport-based Flyon Helicopters Agusta A109E VH-XUM flew up from Redcliffe to the Old Station, Rockhampton Airport and then Mackay Airport at the conclusion of some planned maintenance.

Photos taken by 'AC'   ©

Emerald-based Aero Professional Services Take Delivery of SOCATA TBM700 VH-VSV - Plus More!

We reported last week that Emerald-based aerial ag operator Aero Professional Services has taken delivery of former Brisbane-based (Bishopp Aviation) SOCATA TBM700 VH-VSV.  It arrived into their Denison Downs property last Monday 13 March.

https://www.facebook.com/aeroprofessionalservices

So, on Friday 24 March, VH-VSV was noted departing Denison Downs and heading West to complete airwork and then landing at Barcaldine Airport.  It later returned to the property.

UPDATE!  On Saturday 25 March, VH-VSV was back in the air, this time heading further West to Longreach Airport where it again completed airwork and landed for a short time.  It then returned to the Denison Downs property.

Meanwhile, also on Friday 24 March, South Australia-based Mooney M20P VH-FAF finally departed Longreach Airport for Roma Airport and Toowoomba.  It had arrived last Thursday 16 March when the Mooney Pilots Association of Australia annual fly-in happened at Longreach Airport.

Recently registered (to a property near Richmond in Queensland) Quest Kodiak 100 VH-84M looked to fly from Mackay Airport up to Proserpine (Whitsunday Coast) Airport and back to Mackay Airport.  It had arrived there on delivery from overseas in mid-January.

While new Bell Textron 407GXi helicopter VH-JUF flew up from Bankstown to Townsville via Gunnedah, Narrabri(?), Roma and Clermont Airports, presumably on delivery to Cairns-based Nautilus Aviation.

UPDATE!  On Saturday 25 March, VH-JUF indeed continued from Townsville to Cairns.

McDermott Aviation Group / Machjet International Beech B200 King Air VH-ZPY flew up from Sunshine Coast to the Labona Station Airstrip within Adani Australia's (Bravus Mining & Resources) Carmichael Coal Mine site before then flying across to Rockhampton Airport and then back to the Sunny Coast.  It had flown the reverse inbound flight at the start of the week.

Fellow Machjet (Machjet International) Hawker Beechcraft B200 King Air VH-ZSY flew down from Cairns to Labona then to Mackay Airport and then later back up to Cairns. 

And Hinterland Aviation Beech B200 King Air VH-HJS as HND626 flew down from Cairns to Labona then to Rockhampton Airport and then back to Cairns. 

Finally, also on Friday 24 March, Jetstream Aviation (Emprja P/L) Cessna 550 Citation II VH-VDF departed Proserpine (Whitsunday Coast) Airport and returned to the Sunshine Coast.

It had arrived at Prosie from the Sunny Coast on Wednesday 22 March.

Photo taken by 'AC'  ©

Machjet (Machjet International) Cessna 525 Citation CJ1 Bizjet VH-SIY Calls into Hamilton Island Airport - Plus More!

On Monday 13 March, Machjet (Machjet International) Cessna 525 Citation CJ1 bizjet VH-SIY arrived into Hamilton Island Airport from the Sunshine Coast.

https://www.facebook.com/machjetinternational/

UPDATE! On Wednesdays 15 March VH-SIY departed Hamilton Island Airport and returned to the Sunny Coast.

While Homada Pty Ltd Cessna 560XL Citation XLS bizjet VH-XCU was also noted visiting Hamilton Island Airport.  It arrived from Melbourne (Moorabbin) and later returned there via Melbourne (Essendon).

And NSW-based CJ Aerospace Raytheon B200 King Air VH-EEL also visited Hamilton Island Airport but from Bankstown.

Meanwhile, also on Monday 13 March, Aircraft Australia Cessna 310R VH-JQK flew up to Bundaberg Airport from Redcliffe via Toowoomba-Wellcamp.  It later returned to Redcliffe.

Victoria based Cirrus SR22 VH-SRY flew up to the Whitsunday Airport at Shute Harbour from Lightening Ridge.  It had flown up to there from Tyabb the previous day.

UPDATE!  On Friday 17 March, VH-SRY departed the Whitsunday Airport at Shute Harbour and flew to Wagga Wagga and then Tyabb.

Brisbane-based Crockett Aviation Group Beech B200 King Air VH-FAQ visited the Labona Station Airstrip within Adani Australia's (Bravus Mining & Resources) Carmichael Coal Mine site from Archerfield and the Sunshine Coast.  It then flew up to Rockhampton Airport from Archerfield and later departed there to Labona.  It then returned to Rockhampton Airport.

Seair Pacific / Istlecote Textron Aviation (Cessna) 208B Caravan VH-TQI arrived into Rockhampton Airport from Lady Eliott and later also departed to Labona.  It too then returned to Rockhampton Airport.

Brisbane-based Avcair Cessna 425 Conquest 1 VH-BSM landed at Emerald from Archerfield then departed to Palm Island.

And SOCATA TBM700 VH-VSV departed Archerfield and landed at the Aero Professional Services Airstrip near Emerald.  VH-VSV has only just been re-registered to the aerial ag operator and was presumably completing its delivery flight.

Armada Aviation (Victoria) Pilatus PC-12 VH-NWI at Mackay and Whitsunday Airports - Plus More!

On Wednesday 1 March, Armada Aviation (of Ringwood in Victoria) Pilatus PC-12 VH-NWI was noted departing Mackay Airport for the Whitsunday Airport at Shute Harbour.  It then departed to Archerfield, Bankstown and Melbourne (Essendon).

File photo

It appears that VH-NWI arrived into Mackay Airport from these places very late on Tuesday 28 February.

Meanwhile, also on Wednesday 1 March, the Queensland Government Airwing (State of Queensland) Raytheon B300 Super King Air VH-SGQ visited Rockhampton Airport from Brisbane.

The Queensland Police Service (Airwing) (State of Queensland) Raytheon B1900D VH-PSK visited Rockhampton Airport from Cairns and Townsville.

UPDATE!  On Thursday 2 March, VH-PSK visited Rockhampton Airport once again this time directly from and back to Cairns.

Darwin-based Beech 58 Baron VH-LAP flew down from Cairns to Rockhampton Airport and onwards to Redcliffe.  It had flown across from Darwin to Cairns the previous day.

Of interest, VH-LAP was once based at Mackay Airport with the now defunct Reef Airways (Island Air).

ZephAir Australia Piper PA-34-220T Seneca VH-YSI complete aerial survey work on flights from Gladstone Airport to Biloela / Thangool Airport and then Mackay Airport.  It appears to have been operating around Dubbo and then Gladstone and Thangool Airports over the past few weeks.

While Aero Professional Services Piper PA-46-310P Malibu VH-BGK completed a flight from its Emerald base to Archerfield and back.

And Seair Pacific / Istlecote Textron Aviation (Cessna) 208B Caravan VH-TQI flew up from Lady Eilliot Island to Middlemount Aerodrome.  It then flew down to Maryborough Airport and then Hervey Bay (Fraser Coast) Airport.

Finally, also on Wednesday 1 March, Baron Capital Cessna 525 Citation CJ1 bizjet VH-TFW was back in the region, flying up to Hamilton Island Airport from Armidale and then heading down to Ballina / Byron Bay Gateway, Bankstown and then Armidale Airports.

Photo taken by Brodie Lawson  ©

Careflight Beech B200 King Air VH-ZSU "Careflight 23" Pops into Mackay Airport from Bankstown - Plus More Over the Weekend!

On Sunday 29 January, Careflight Ltd. Beech B200 King Air VH-ZSU "Careflight 23" was noted visiting Mackay Airport.  It looked to arrive from and then later depart back to Bankstown, near Sydney.

File photo

Careflight operates medical evacuation and patient transport services out of Bankstown Airport as well as a long-established based up in Darwin in the Northern Territory.

Meanwhile, also on Sunday 29 January, Jetstream Aviation (Emprja P/L) Cessna 550 Citation II VH-VDF arrived into Proserpine (Whitsunday Coast) Airport from its Sunshine Coast base.

And Aero Professional Services Piper PA-46-310P Malibu VH-BGK looked to visit Bowen Aerodrome from its Emerald (Denison Downs) base.

Finally, on Saturday 28 January, LifeFlight (Aeromed) Canadair CL-600-2B16 Challenger 604 bizjet VH-OFB "Ambulance 624" flew down from Townsville and Cairns to Mackay Airport before it then departed to Brisbane.

Graham Aviation (Cairns) Cessna 510 Citation Mustang bizjet VH-FMZ was noted arriving into Hamilton Island Airport from its Mareeba base via Cairns. It seems to be becoming a regular weekend visitor with it also visiting last weekend as posted below.  After some time in the ground, VH-FMZ returned North to Cairns and then back to Mareeba.

And Clermont-based (but Mackay-registered) Mooney M20J VH-NWF departed Clermont Aerodrome before dawn for Maitland in New South Wales.  It then flew back up to Mackay Airport.

UPDATE!  Early on Monday 30 January, VH-NWF flew back to Clermont Aerodrome from Mackay Airport.

Photo taken by Simon Coates  ©️

Australian Country Choice Properties Cessna 560 Citation V Encore Bizjet VH-ACC Pops into Hamilton Island Airport

On Saturday 17 October, Australian Country Choice Properties (Brisbane) Cessna 560 Citation V Encore bizjet VH-ACC was noted visiting Hamilton Island Airport.

File photo

VH-ACC looked to arrive from Archerfield via some low-level airwork reportedly around a wrecked boat North-East of Bundaberg.  VH-ACC later returned to its Archerfield base.

Meanwhile, on the mainland at Bowen Airport, a pair of Emerald-based Aero Professional Ayres S2R Thrush crop spraying aircraft were photographed preparing for an overnight stay late on Friday 16 October.

S2R-G10 VH-NFZ and S2R-H80 VH-NFW arrived from parts unknown earlier in the day.

All photos taken by James Kirk  ©

Photos from Wings, Wheels and Rugby Union at Rolleston Aerodrome over the Weekend

On Saturday 9 June, we ventured down to Rolleston (90 minutes South of Emerald and 3-and-a-half hours West of Rockhampton) and enjoyed the sights and sounds as the small town was abuzz with activity, raising money for 'Mates 4 Mates' and the Capricorn Helicopter Rescue Service (CHRS).

Rolleston Aerodrome was the venue for the second annual 'Wings, Wheels and Rugby' weekend which saw a fantastic weekend that celebrated vintage and aerobatic aircraft, as well as vintage cars and country rugby union.

A smaller number of aircraft than last year joined local vintage and other aircraft on the ground at the airport.  The CHRS Bell 412EP rescue helicopter VH-VAU "Rescue 300" also flew in from its Rockhampton Airport base for part of the day.

Several aircraft participated in an early fly-past before some took to the aircraft for aerobatic and handling displays.

Nearby, the wheels display had hot rods and other interesting vehicles on show.  Local emergency services had interactive displays and rides of the kids.

Entry for the day was free and we were able to also enjoy novelty stalls, food, bar and live entertainment, as well as wander among the planes and cars speaking to the owners.

A major highlight for me was viewing the outside and inside of the private aircraft collection of Rolleston locals, Ross and Peggy Smith, including their 1937-built Lockheed 12A Electra Junior VH-ABH which known as 'Silver City'.

The Electra also saw time in the 1940s flying Federal Government Ministers and other dignitaries including Prime Minister Robert Menzies.  We were informed that this was 'his seat'.

Also on display was their 1944-built De Havilland DH-82A Tiger Moth VH-BIJ and an unregistered 1941-built PT17 Boeing Stearman Kaydet.

Local graziers also had the opportunity to take part in presentations and demonstrations on drones in agriculture and how they could assist the farming community. 

While children joined in paper aeroplane competitions, face painting, jumping castles and other rides.

As the day wore on, an auction was held and raffles drawn.  All items were donated by various businesses from Central Queensland.

A rugby union 'double header' was a spectacular precursor to the afternoon and evening's entertainment.

'Wings, Wheels and Rugby' was a mighty effort for a small community raising money for two very worthy causes.  A massive congratulations to the organising team for putting on a fantastic day!  We thoroughly enjoyed it!