Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) Dassault Falcon 7X Bizjet A56-003 "Envoy 85" Calls into CQ Airports - Plus More!

On Wednesday 11 December, Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) Dassault Falcon 7X bizjet A56-003 was spotted visiting Hervey Bay (Fraser Coast) Airport after earlier flying up from Canberra and Brisbane as "Envoy 85".

It then departed North to Rockhampton Airport where it was also photographed arriving. 

Soon after it was closed and looked to be spending the night.

UPDATE!  On Thursday 12 December, A56-003 "Envoy 85" made an early departure from Rockhampton Airport and flew West to Longreach Airport.  It later continued up to Cloncurry Airport before then returning to Brisbane and Canberra.

(Of interest, also on Thursday 12 December, fellow RAAF Falcon 7X A56-002 as "Envoy 07" completed a missed approach at Charleville Airport while flying down from Townsville to Canberra)

Meanwhile, also on Wednesday 11 December, Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) Boeing B737-7ES / E-7A Wedgetail Airborne Early Warning & Control (AEW&C) aircraft A30-005 as "Wedgetail 07" was noted completing airwork at Bundaberg Airport. It looked to fly up from and then return to its RAAF Base Williamtown home.

Finally, also on Wednesday 11 December, Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) Alenia C-27J Spartan transport aircraft A34-006 was noted completing circuits at Miles Airport while on a flight out of and back to RAAF Base Amberley.

Photos taken by James Hackett and Steve Vit  ©

American-registered but Australian-based (Essendon) Bombardier BD-700-1A10 Global Express Bizjet N360HP Calls into CQ Airports - Plus More!

On Tuesday 3 December, American-registered but Australian-based (at Melbourne - Essendon) Bombardier BD-700-1A10 Global Express bizjet N360HP was noted visiting a couple of Central Queensland Airports during what has been a busy couple of days flying.

After arriving into Cairns from Essendon the previous day (as pictured above), it then flew down to Townsville.  On Tuesday, N360HP flew down from Townsville to Mackay Airport before then visiting Rockhampton Airport and then Bundaberg Airport before it then continued down to the Sunshine Coast.

While Burbank Homes / Business Aviation Solutions Raytheon Hawker 850XP bizjet VH-BMW departed Hamilton Island Airport for Melbourne (Tullamarine).  It looked to have arrived last Friday 29 November.

And MacKellar Mining Equipment Pty Ltd (Revesco Aviation) Cessna 680 Citation Sovereign bizjet VH-MMC flew up from the Sunshine Coast and landed at the Labona Station Airstrip within Adani Australia's (Bravus Mining & Resources) Carmichael Coal Mine site.  It then flew down to Emerald Airport before later returning to Labona and back to the Sunny Coast.

Meanwhile, also on Tuesday 3 December, the Queensland Government (State of Queensland) Beech B300C Super King Air 350 VH-8PE arrived into Rockhampton Airport from Cairns and later departed to Brisbane.  It then returned to Cairns.

Curley Equipment P/L Textron (Cessna) 208B Grand Caravan EX VH-CUY landed at Longreach Airport from Toowoomba and a bit later departed to Cloncurry Airport.  It looked to have flown South from there over the weekend via Blackall Airport.

And Austrek Aviation Cessna 310R VH-DZU landed at Agnes Water Aerodrome from Toowoomba and Chinchilla and during the afternoon it reversed the flight.

Photo taken by Jonathan Williams  ©

Cloncurry Bushfire Sees a Number of Firefighting Aircraft Pass Through Longreach Airport - Plus More!

On Saturday 26 October, a couple of aerial firefighting aircraft were noted and spotted passing through the region, including at Longreach Airport, while heading up towards Cloncurry where a large bushfire continues to burn outside of the town.

Kennedy Aviation (Kennedy Air Services) North American Rockwell 500S VH-XAS "Birddog 444"  arrived into Longreach Airport from Toowoomba and then departed to Cloncurry.

Meandarra Aerial Spraying Air Tractor AT-802A VH-SDJ "Bomber 424" and VH-NFY "Bomber 426" were spotted taking on fuel at Longreach Airport before departing towards Cloncurry.

It is also believed that Kennedy Aviation / Kennedy Air-Ag Air Tractor AT-802A 'Fire Boss' water bombing aircraft VH-XAJ "Bomber 455" also passed through Longreach Airport heading up to Cloncurry.

And the Bundaberg Airport based Conair Aerial Firefighting Dash-8-Q400MR C-FFQE "Bomber 141" and Agair Logistics P/L Gulfstream Aerospace (AeroCommander) 695-A JetProp 1000 VH-LMC "Birddog 125" both returned to Bundy from a night up at Townsville, flying back via a water-drop at Cloncurry.

Meanwhile, also on Saturday 26 October, Interair (based at Essendon) Beech B200 King Air VH-ITH passed through Longreach Airport arriving from Melbourne (Essendon) and Bourke and departing to Atherton.

MacKellar Mining Equipment Pty Ltd (Revesco Aviation) Cessna 680 Citation Sovereign bizjet VH-MMC flew up to Hamilton Island Airport from the Sunshine Coast. 

UPDATE!  On Monday 28 October, VH-MMC returned to the Sunny Coast from Hamo.

And Inverted Downunder / Matt Hall Racing MX Aircraft MXS VH-CQE was noted arriving into Rockhampton Airport from Melbourne (Moorabbin), Dubbo and Archerfield.

UPDATE!  On Monday 28 October, Matt Hall on board VH-CQE departed Rockhampton Airport for Hamilton Island Airport where he landed and then completed a performance during the early afternoon - photos added below!  He then landed again and then returned to Rockhampton Airport.

UPDATE!  On Tuesday 29 October, VH-CQE departed Rockhampton Airport and returned to its Lake Macquarie base.

Photos taken by Drew Mackay and Glen Bradford  ©

D & G Jet Leasing / Essendon Aviation Services (Mackay!) Cessna 525 CitationJet CJ1 Bizjet VH-VOF Arrives into Longreach Airport - Plus More!

On Monday 15 July, D & G Jet Leasing / Essendon Aviation Services (Mackay!) Cessna 525 CitationJet CJ1 bizjet VH-VOF flew up from Melbourne (Essendon) to Charleville Airport and then Cairns.  It then flew down to Longreach Airport where it looks to be spending the night.

File photo

UPDATE!  On Tuesday 16 July, VH-VOF departed Longreach Airport for Adelaide and Sydney.

Yulgibar Pastoral Company (Victoria) Cessna 560 Citation Encore bizjet VH-YUL also flew into Charleville Airport but from Cairns.  It then continued to Melbourne (Moorabbin).  It also appears that VH-YUL called into Charleville Airport on Thursday 11 July while flying between Cairns and Moorabbin.

While Eagle One Aviation (Navair Flight Operations) Cessna 525B CitiationJet CJ3+ bizjet VH-X8X as "Navair 151" flew up to Hamilton Island Airport from Bankstown.

UPDATE!  On Wednesday 17 July, VH-X8X "Navair 151" departed Hamilton Island Airport and returned to Bankstown.

And Southern Air Services Cessna 525 CitationJet CJ1 bizjet VH-APJ made a late arrival into Roma Airport from Warrnambool and Ballarat.  It appears to have then returned to Warrnambool.
 

Meanwhile, also on Monday 15 July, Link Airways (Corporate Air / Vee H Aviation) Cessna 441 Conquest VH-VEJ flew up from Brisbane to Oaky Creek Coal Mine site and Clermont Aerodrome before returning to Brisbane.

And Flight One (Services) Beech B200 King Air VH-FON flew up from Archerfield and the Sunshine Coast to Clermont Aerodrome and then the Labona Station Airstrip within Adani Australia's (Bravus Mining & Resources) Carmichael Coal Mine site.  It then returned to the Sunny Coast and Archerfield.

Finally, on Sunday 14 July, Mitchell Water Cessna 525 Citation M2 bizjet VH-WMY flew up to the Whitsunday Airport at Shute Harbour from Melbourne (Essendon) and Adelaide before returning direct to Essendon.

And M. D. H. P/L (Cloncurry) Pilatus PC-12/47E VH-MDH departed Longreach Airport for Archerfield before then heading up to Cloncurry Airport.  It looked to have arrived at Longreach Airport from those places over the last couple of days.

Photo taken by Alan Midgley  ©

QantasLink (Alliance Airlines) Embraer E-190 Regional Jet VH-UYR Makes Its Long Awaited First Visit to CQ Airports

On Sunday 14 July, QantasLink operated but Alliance Airlines owned Embraer E-190 regional jet VH-UYR made its long awaited first ever visit to Central Queensland, visiting Proserpine (Whitsunday Coast) Airport on a scheduled QantasLink service from and back to Brisbane as QFA1878/9.

File photo

At the time of writing, it is due to call into Emerald Airport on Monday 15 July, operating as QFA1794/5 from and back to Brisbane.

VH-UYR is ex-N901QQ with the former Copa Airlines E-190 being delivered to Alliance Airlines in Brisbane in October 2021. It was then prepared for operations with Air North in the Northern Territory with it delivered from Brisbane to their Darwin base as ANO4001 at the start of December in 2021. It started flying for Air North just before Christmas.

David Potter / https://www.flickr.com/

After operating out of Darwin with Air North since then, VH-UYR was 'returned' to Alliance Airlines and flew across from Darwin to Townsville on Tuesday 2 July and started flying out of there on Wednesday 3 July, flying out to Cloncurry Airport and back to Townsville as UTY4721/2.

Of interest, three Alliance Airlines E-190s - VH-XFL, VH-XFM and VH-XFC - will be painted into Air North livery and replace the three E-190s which operated in an all-white livery - VH-UYR, VH-UYC and VH-UYJ.

Vanguard Aviation Cessna 525 CitationJet1 Bizjet VH-DAA Calls into CQ Airports - Plus More!

On Sunday 5 November, Vanguard Aviation Cessna 525 CitationJet1 bizjet VH-DAA was noted visiting a couple Central Queensland Airports.  It arrived into Rockhampton Airport from the Gold Coast and Archerfield and then later departed to Proserpine (Whitsunday Coast) Airport.

File photo

VH-DAA later returned to Archerfield.

Hughes Aviation (Hughes Pastoral Group) (Gympie) Pilatus PC-12//47E NGX VH-8HP flew up to Mackay Airport from Armidale and Keeroongooloo. 

Sydney-registered Cessna 208 Grand Caravan Skydiving Aircraft VH-XFB was noted flying up the Queensland coast, arriving into Lakeside Airpark at Bloomsbury, near Proserpine, to take up parachuting operations in association with the nearby Laguna Quays Resort.  It looked to fly up from Caloundra.

VH-XFB seems to be a replacement for Sydney-based Cessna 208 Caravan VH-FYC ferried down from the Lakeside Airpark to Caloundra.

Crown Cattle P/L Textron Aviation (Cessna) 208 VH-MGC arrived into Longreach Airport from Townsville.

And Brisbane-based SOCATA TB-20 Trinidad VH-IPF departed Cloncurry Airport for Barcaldine Airport and then Archerfield.

Photo taken by Jonathan Williams  ©

The Loss of Agair Logistics P/L Gulfstream American Corporation 695A Jetprop Commander 1000 VH-HPY "Birddog 370" Near Mount Isa

Sadly, on Saturday 4 November, Agair Logistics P/L Gulfstream American Corporation 695A Jetprop Commander 1000 VH-HPY "Birddog 370" crashed between Cloncurry and Mount Isa.

Photo taken by Gavin Merten   ©

The aircraft was out on a bushfire-related flight out of Toowoomba and was uncontactable before vanishing from radar between Cloncurry and Mount Isa.

Air Traffic Control (ATC) reportedly tried for over an hour to contact the aircraft and as it got up past the Winton area, ATC had some other aircraft call "oxygen, oxygen, oxygen - descend to 10000 feet" over the radio as a warning. 

An aircraft up near Normanton got through to VH-HPY and got them on to the area frequency and the pilot of VH-HPY said they were 'ops normal' and told ATC what frequency they had been on.  The pilot also described the GPS point they were going to work at and what they were doing there. 

ATC cleared them to there at 28000 feet but a little bit later the aircraft dropped altitude and started heading North-East to East and was again uncontactable. 

RFDS King Air VH-VJU "Flydoc445" was diverted towards Cloncurry and eventually found a crash site.

The Mount Isa based LifeFlight rescue helicopter VH-EHQ "Rescue 400" also headed out to look.  They eventually landed on the site of a large fire. Ground crews were on-site as well. 

AMSA Challenger VH-XNE "Rescue 330" was also noted circling the area too.

Our thoughts and prayers go to all those affected by this terrible tragedy.

Easternwell Group (Avcair) Beech B300 Super King Air VH-EWQ Pops into Mackay Airport - Plus More!

On Saturday 10 June, Easternwell Group (Avcair) Beech B300 Super King Air VH-EWQ was noted visiting Mackay Airport.  It looked to arrive from Brisbane and then depart to the North-West with it eventually finishing the day at Darwin.

File photo

While locally-based (but Mackay-registered) Mooney M20J VH-NWF departed Clermont Aerodrome for Caboolture.

UPDATE!  On Sunday 11 June, VH-NWF returned to the Clermont Aerodrome from Caboolture.

And The Redcliffe Aero Club Vulcanair (Partenavia) P.68C VH-VMV flew from my local Clermont Aerodrome to Rockhampton Airport.  It had arrived into Clermont Aerodrome from Cloncurry Airport on Friday 9 June.

Finally, late on Friday 9 June, LifeFlight (Aeromed) Canadair CL-600-2B16 Challenger 604 bizjet VH-OFC "Ambulance 634" popped into Gladstone Airport during a busy night of flying out of and back to Townsville.

Photo taken by Lloyd Fox  ©

RDO Equipment Co. Pilatus PC-12/47 VH-WPH Spotted at Rockhampton Airport - First Photos with its 7-Bladed Propeller! - Plus More!

On Friday 9 June, the reasonably familiar sight of RDO Equipment Co. Pilatus PC-12/47 VH-WPH was back in Central Queensland with the sleek little turboprop spotted visiting Rockhampton Airport.  It looked to fly in from from Cloncurry Airport and Ucharonidge Station.

After some time on the ground, VH-WPH then departed to its Toowoomba base.

This is first time we have seen VH-WPH in CQ since it has been fitted with a 7-bladed propeller.  

This will reportedly generate less cabin noise and provide increased performance allowing for operations into shorter airfields.

Meanwhile, also on Friday 9 June, Townsville Airlines Beech 1900D VH-RUE arrived into Rockhampton Airport from Cairns and Townsville before it then departed to Brisbane.  VH-RUE then returned directly to Townsville and then Cairns. 

And Dino Air (Interair) Piper PA-31 Navajo VH-XGL was noted completing aerial survey work around Nebo on a flight out of the Whitsunday Airport at Shute Harbour - where the aircraft seems to be currently based - nice!

Finally, some airline news, also on Friday 9 June, with Qantas Freight / Pionair Australia BAe 146-300(QT) VH-SQR making a surprise visit to Mackay Airport, arriving from Brisbane as QFA7298.  It later departed to Cairns as QFA7299.  There were no other flights into CQ.

And after diverting into Rockhampton Airport with a technical problem on Wednesday 7 June - see Blog post below - Alliance Airlines Fokker F-100 was potted receiving some maintenance attention before eventually departing to Brisbane later on Friday as UTY9810.

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

All photos taken by Trevor Hardsman  ©

Queensland Government Airwing (State of Queensland) Raytheon B300 Super King Air VH-SGQ Spotted at Rockhampton Airport - Plus More!

On Tuesday 30 May, Queensland Government Airwing (State of Queensland) Raytheon B300 Super King Air VH-SGQ was spotted visiting Rockhampton Airport.

It arrived from Cairns and Townsville and later returned directly to Carins.

VH-SGQ also visited Rockhampton Airport on Monday 29 May from Cairns as posted below.

Meanwhile, also on Tuesday 30 May, Brescon (Toowoomba) Beech B200 King Air VH-DYN visited the Labona Station Airstrip within Adani Australia's (Bravus Mining & Resources) Carmichael Coal Mine site from Toowoomba-Wellcamp.

Fellow Brescon Beech B200 King Air VH-XDW departed Wellcamp for Yellow Bank Junction, Rolleston Aerodrome and Chinchilla Aerodrome before returning to Wellcamp.

Southern Air Beech 1900 VH-VSO arrived into Moranbah Airport from Latrobe Valley and Bourke, before then departing back to Latrobe Valley and then eventually to Melbourne (Moorabbin).

DeGunst Transport P/L Textron (Cessna) 208 Caravan VH-NPZ completed its weekly FIFO run from Bundaberg Airport to Nebo Aerodrome but via Mackay Airport before returning to Bundy direct.

While Handel Aviation Cessna 402C VH-VID completing an aerial survey flight over Bundaberg Airport after earlier departing the Gold Coast.

And Aerlink (ex Hevilift) ATR 72-500 looked to call into Mackay Airport, flying from and back to Brisbane and Moranbah Airports as HT719/721/722/720.  That's different!

Finally, also on Tuesday 30 May, recently delivered Flight Options (Australia) Textron Aviation (Cessna) 525C CitationJet CJ4 VH-8CJ visited Cloncurry Airport from the Sunshine Coast.

Brisbane-based Teys Australia Cessna 525 Citation CJ2 bizjet VH-TEY visited Gladstone Airport from Archerfield (returning via Brisbane).

And Stroud Aviation and Transportation (Boonah) / Navair Flight Operations Cessna 510 Citation Mustang bizjet VH-SHI "Navair 125" visited Bundaberg Airport from Archerfield.

Photo taken by John Lee  ©

Textron Aviation (Cessna) 208B Grand Caravan EX N673EX Pops into Cloncurry Airport - Plus More!

On Friday 21 April, a nice visitor to the 'far-flung' corners of the region (!) in the form of new Textron Aviation (Cessna) 208B Grand Caravan EX N673EX which appears to be heading 'home' following two months of being 'down under' in the South-Pacific region, completing a demonstration tour of most parts of Australia and also New Zealand and some South-Pacific Island nations.

File photo

N673EX flew into Cloncurry Airport from Brisbane before then continuing to Darwin.  It is expected to depart overseas the next day.

N673EX had originally arrived into Australia back in mid-February and has since spent time in most states of Australia, New Zealand and some small South-Pacific Island nations.

Meanwhile, also on Friday 21 April, the Queensland Police Service (Airwing) Cessna 208 Caravan VH-PSV visited Rockhampton Airport from Cairns and Townsville.

And Skytrans Airlines Dash-8-100 VH-QQB as SKP779 flew up from Brisbane to the Labona Station Airstrip within Adani Australia's (Bravus Mining & Resources) Carmichael Coal Mine site before flying across to Rockhampton Airport and then back to Brisbane.

Finally, also on Friday 21 April, Machjet (Machjet International) Cessna 525A Citation CJ2 bizjet VH-ZIY was noted visiting Hamilton Island Airport again this time from the Sunshine Coast.

Fellow Machjet International Beech B200 King Air VH-ZPY also looked to visit Hamilton Island Airport but from Cairns.  It also appeared to visit Charters Towers Aerodrome the previous day.  

Plus fellow Machjet International Beech B200 King Air VH-ZSY looked to depart Labona for Townsville.

Gold Coast-based but American Registered Cirrus SF50 VisionJet bizjet N958AG flew down from Hamilton Island Airport to the Gold Coast and Maitland.  It looked to arrive from those places on Sunday 16 April.

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

AirMed Australia Cessna 510 Citation Mustang bizjet VH-PWX as "AirMed 998" flew into Hervey Bay (Fraser Coast) Airport from Bankstown before then departing to Coffs Harbour.

And overnight on Thursday 20 April and into Friday 21 April, LifeFlight (Aeromed) Canadair CL-600-2B16 Challenger 604 bizjet VH-OFB "Ambulance 624" flew up from Brisbane to Mackay Airport and then back to Brisbane.  

Photo taken by Tony Haynes  ©

ConocoPhillips Gulfstream Aerospace GV-SP (G550) Bizjet N795CP Pops into Gladstone Airport - Plus More!

On Wednesday 19 April, ConocoPhillips Gulfstream Aerospace GV-SP (G550) bizjet N795CP was noted visiting Gladstone Airport.  It looked to arrive from and later depart to Brisbane - where it is pictured below before departing to the port city.

It appears that N795CP arrived into Brisbane from overseas the previous day.

And AirMed Australia Cessna 510 Citation Mustang bizjet VH-NEQ as "AirMed 922" has flown into Bundaberg Airpot from Archerfield.  It is due to depart to Coffs Harbour and Bankstown later on Wednesday.  Of interest, it appears that VH-NEQ as "AirMed 923" visited Mackay Airport late on Tuesday 18 April from Archerfield.

Meanwhile, also on Wednesday 19 April, Stirling Helicopters Piper PA-23-250 Aztec VH-EQD flew up from Archerfield to Rockhampton Airport before then departing to Roma Airport.  It then flew across to Bundaberg Airport and then back to Archerfield.  

This seems to almost be a weekly run for the Aztec with it visiting at least Rockhampton and Roma Airports over the last couple of Wednesdays.

Brisbane-based Australian Agricultural Company Pilatus PC-12/47E VH-AAC departed Brisbane (pictured) for Emerald Airport and then Canobie Station, North of Cloncurry. 

Dalydine P/L (Pilatus Australia) Pilatus PC-12/47E VH-PDE flew up to Planet Downs Station near Rolleston from Archerfield.

UPDATE!  On Thursday 20 April, VH-PDE returned to Archerfield.

And Brescon (Toowoomba) Beech B200 King Air VH-DYN landed at Emerald Airport from Toowoomba-Wellcamp and Charleville Airports before later returning to Wellcamp. 

All photos taken by Lloyd Fox  ©

Air Gold Coast Cessna 525 Citation CJ1 Bizjet VH-CDG Pops into Bundaberg Airport - Twice! - Plus More!

On Monday 6 March, Air Gold Coast Cessna 525 Citation CJ1 bizjet VH-CDG was noted visiting Bundaberg Airport twice during a busy day of flying.

File photo

It flew up from the Gold Coast to Bundaberg Airport before departing to Stanthorpe.  It later returned to Bundy before returning to the Gold Coast. 

Meanwhile, also on Monday 6 March, Flight One (Services) Beech B200 King Air VH-FON visited the Labona Station Airstrip within Adani Australia's (Bravus Mining & Resources) Carmichael Coal Mine site from Archerfield and the Sunshine Coast.  This time it was heard to use the flight number and callsign of "Navair 170".

Machjet (Machjet International) Hawker Beechcraft B200 King Air VH-ZSY and Beech B200 King Air VH-SUW flew into Rockhampton Airport and completed flights to the Labona Station Airstrip within Adani Australia's (Bravus Mining & Resources) Carmichael Coal Mine site and then back to Rockhampton Airport.

VH-ZSY flew up from the Sunshine Coast, while VH-SUW flew down from Cairns.

UPDATE!  Over most of the rest of the week, both VH-ZSY and VH-SUW continued to fly between Rockhampton Airport and Labona.  On Wednesday 8 March, it appears that VH-ZSY and VH-SUW both departed Labona for Townsville and then Cairns.

The Queensland Police Service (Airwing) (State of Queensland) Raytheon B1900D VH-PSK flew into Rockhampton Airport from Cairns and Townsville.  It then departed to Mackay Airport before returning to Townsville and Cairns.

And Burketown based Dasap P/L Piper PA-31-350 Navajo Chieftan VH-MDM landed at Longreach Airport after flying down from Burketown, Gregory Downs, Mount Isa and Cloncurry.  It then departed to Cunnamulla and Orange in New South Wales.

UPDATE!  On Thursday 9 March, VH-MDM returned to Longreach Airport from Orange and Cunnamulla before later departing to Cloncurry and Mount Isa.

Photo taken by Brodie Lawson  ©

Graham Aviation (Cairns) Cessna 510 Citation Mustang Bizjet VH-FMZ Calls into Roma and Hamilton Island Airports - Plus More!

Over the weekend, on Saturday 11 February, Graham Aviation (Cairns) Cessna 510 Citation Mustang bizjet VH-FMZ was noted arriving into Roma Airport from its Mareeba base via Cairns.  It then continued down to Bankstown.  

File photo

Then, on Sunday 12 February, VH-FMZ flew up from Bankstown to Hamilton Island Airport before it then continued back to Cairns.

VH-FMZ then appears to have completed two more return flights from Cairns to Hamilton Island Airport back to Cairns before it eventually flew back to Mareeba.

Meanwhile, also on Saturday 11 February, LifeFlight (Aeromed) Canadair CL-600-2B16 Challenger 604 bizjet VH-OFB "Ambulance 624" flew down from Townsville to Mackay Airport before it then departed to Brisbane.  It then flew out of Mount Isa and then back to Townsville.

As shown above, VH-OFB now wears the 'new' LifeFlight livery as also worn by sister-ship VH-OFA.

And MH5 Air (Sunshine Coast) SOCATA TB-20 Trinidad VH-CIL visited Rockhampton Airport from its Toowoomba base.

Finally, on Sunday 12 February, Bundaberg-based Aero Optics (General Aviation Maintenance operated) Aero Commander 500-S VH-JAJ was photographed soon after arriving into into Hervey Bay (Fraser Coast) Airport from Archerfield.  It looked to have just completed aerial survey work in the area.

VH-JAJ later returned to Archerfield.

UPDATE!  On Monday 13 February, VH-JAJ was back in the region, this time landing at Bundaberg Airport again after flying up from Archerfield and completing aerial survey work in the area.  It again later returned to Archerfield.

Plus also on Sunday 12 February, Sydney-registered Cessna 208 Grand Caravan Skydiving Aircraft VH-XFB flew up from Caloundra to Lakeside Airpark where it is expected to (re-)commence skydiving operations from there over Laguna Quays.  It had also operated at Lakeside Airpark over the previous week and had operated mostly out of Caloundra in the days and weeks prior.

And across the weekend, Corporate Aviation Bell 429 helicopter VH-EQP flew from Archerfield to Darwin via many stops including Roma, Longreach and Cloncurry Airports.  It had flown up to Archerfield from its Southport base and the Gold Coast on Friday 10 February.

UPDATE!  On Thursday 9 March, VH-EQP was cancelled from the Australian Aircraft Register and reportedly placed on the Indonesian Aircraft Register.

Photos taken by Nick Sainsbury, Mary Marshall and Alex Eecen  ©

Queensland Government (QGAir) Rescue Agusta AW139 Helicopter VH-ESZ Flys South via Emerald Airport - Plus More!

On Thursday 3 November, Queensland Government (QGAir) Rescue (State of Queensland) Agusta AW139 helicopter VH-ESZ was spotted arriving into Emerald Airport as it was ferrying South from Townsville to Archerfield for planned maintenance.

As mentioned below, on Wednesday 2 November, fellow Queensland Government (QGAir) Rescue (State of Queensland) Leonardo S.P.A. Helicopter (Agusta) AW139 helicopter VH-EGK was noted passing through Gladstone and Mackay Airports while ferrying North from Archerfield to Townsville.

Meanwhile, also on Thursday 3 November, Brisbane-based Teys Australia Cessna 525 Citation CJ2 bizjet VH-TEY flew from Archerfield to land at Biloela / Thangool Airport.  It then continued up to Rockhampton Airport before later returning to Archerfield.

While several lighties around the region included the Queensland Government Airwing (State of Queensland) Raytheon B300 Super King Air VH-SGQ which flew into Rockhampton Airport from Cairns before departing to Townsville. It then returned to Rockhampton Airport from Townsville before returning back to Cairns.

Austrek Aviation Beech B200 Super King Air VH-ZGD flew up from Toowoomba to Longreach Airport and then Tambo before flying across to Maryborough Airport.  VH-ZGD then returned to Toowoomba.

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.

Central Highlands Aerial Services (CHAS) Cessna 208 Caravan VH-LMZ looked to fly out of its Emerald base to a place North of Clermont possibly in support of their aerial ag operations.  (It also did the same on Friday 4 November).

Aero Logistics / Bayswater Road Aerial Surveys Cessna 404 Titan VH-WGS continues to operate aerial survey flights out of Longreach Airport.

UPDATE!  On Saturday 5 November, VH-WGS looked to depart Longreach Airport for Mareeba.

Fellow Aero Logistics / Bayswater Road Aerial Surveys Cessna 441 VH-LEM looked to complete some aerial survey operations out of Emerald Airport, departing there for an aerial survey over Dysart before then continuing up and landing at Mackay Airport.

And Emerald Air Surveys P/L Diamond DA 42 NG VH-PXT landed at Longreach Airport from Ayers Rock before it then departed to the Whitsunday Airport at Shute Harbour.

Finally, on Wednesday 2 November and also on Thursday 3 November, a special flight was operated by QantasLink Dash-8-Q400 VH-QOT which flew into Charleville Airport from Brisbane before continuing to Longreach Airport and then Cloncurry Airport as QLK660/1.

The special flight set out to re-trace the first ever fare-paying passenger and freight carrying Qantas flight across the Queensland outback which took off over a century ago.

The anniversary flight is following the 882-kilometre route originally taken by an open-cockpit FK8 biplane and is carrying another bag of mail in the cargo containing 106 handwritten letters from schoolchildren in Charleville to kids in Longreach and Cloncurry.

All photos taken by 'AC' and Zac Fitzgerald  ©

Jetstream Aviation (Emprja P/L) Cessna 550 Citation II Bizjet VH-VDF Arrives into Proserpine (Whitsunday Coast) Airport - Plus More!

On Saturday 29 October, Jetstream Aviation (Emprja P/L) Cessna 550 Citation II VH-VDF was spotted on the ground at Proserpine (Whitsunday Coast) Airport after earlier flying up from its Sunshine Coast base.

At the time of writing, it appears that VH-VDF is staying at Prosie for at least the night.

While Homada Pty Ltd Cessna 560XL Citation XLS bizjet VH-XCU looked to call into Hamilton Island Airport, arriving from Melbourne (Moorabbin) via Melbourne (Essendon).  It then flew back directly to Moorabbin.

Falcon Air (NSW) Cirrus Design Corp. SF50 Vision Jet VH-LCR (ex N755DS) flew back to Newcastle (Williamtown) and Bankstown from the Whitsunday Airport at Shute Harbour.

And Mitchell Water Cessna 525 Citation M2 bizjet VH-WMY flew up to Mackay Airport from Melbourne (Moorabbin) and Melbourne (Essendon).  It then flew up to Hamilton Island Airport before flying back down to Cootamundra and then back to Moorabbin.

Meanwhile, also on Saturday 29 October, American-registered Cirrus SR22 N555VG flew up from the Gold Coast to land at Bundaberg Airport before it then continued up the Whitsunday Airport at Shute Harbour. 

It joins fellow American-registered Cirrus SR22 N108CD at the Whitsunday Airport at Shute Harbour.

Handel Aviation Cessna 310R VH-NXS looked to complete an aerial survey flight around Maryborough and Hervey Bay, while on a flight out of and back to the Gold Coast.

RDO Equipment Co. (ex Vanderfield) Cessna 182 VH-JQC flew from Emerald Airport to the North and then back.  It seems to be currently based at Emerald Airport once again.

Austrek Aviation Cessna 310 VH-DZX flew out from its Toowoomba base to Longreach Airport, before continuing to Devoncourt Station and Cloncurry Airport.

UPDATE!  On Sunday 30 October, VH-DZX departed Cloncurry Airport and returned Devoncourt Station and Longreach Airport before then also returning to Toowoomba.

Finally, late on Friday 28 October, Property Maintenance Australia P/L Pilatus PC-12/47E VH-WJA flew up from Dubbo and Archerfield to Rockhampton Airport once again before it then flew down to Chinchilla Aerodrome and then back to Dubbo.

Photo taken by 'AC'  ©

Airlift New Zealand / Flight Options (Australia) Cessna 680 Citation Sovereign Bizjet VH-ZEK Arrives into Hamilton Island Airport - Plus More!

On Tuesday 4 October, re-registered Airlift New Zealand / Flight Options (Australia) Cessna 680 Citation Sovereign bizjet VH-ZEK was noted visiting Hamilton Island Airport.

It arrived from and then later departed back to Brisbane.

Meanwhile, also on Tuesday 4 October, a number of Pilatus PC-12 turboprops were noted visiting several Central Queensland Airports.

Recently privately registered New South Wales based PC-12/47 VH-YGO landed at Bundaberg Airport from Dalby before then flying up towards Mount Isa.

Ipswich-based Airborne P/L (Palm Lake Works) Pilatus PC-12/47E VH-VLQ also visited Bundaberg Airport but from its Gold Coast base.

Property Maintenance Australia P/L Pilatus PC-12/47E VH-WJA arrived into Rockhampton Airport from Dubbo before then flying up to Kidston. 

RDO Equipment Co. (ex Vanderfield) Pilatus PC-12/47 VH-WPH departed Emerald Airport for Saint George and Goondiwindi before then later returning to St George and Emerald Airport.  VH-WPH then flew down to Toowoomba. 

And flying through the region, M. D. H. P/L (Cloncurry) Pilatus PC-12/47E VH-MDH flew down from Devoncourt Station to Archerfield and Brisbane-based Australian Agricultural Company Pilatus PC-12/47E VH-AAC flew down from near Camooweal to Archerfield. 

Finally, also on Tuesday 4 October, Hawker Beechcraft G58 Baron VH-EZD departed Hamilton Island Airport for Rockhampton Airport and then Monto Aerodrome.  It had flown into Hamo from Monto Aerodrome last Friday 30 September.

Brescon (Toowoomba) Beech B200 King Air VH-XDW flew up from Toowoomba-Wellcamp to Thargomindah and then Rockhampton Airport.  It later departed back to Wellcamp. 

Brescon (Toowoomba) Beech B200 King Air VH-DYN arrived into the Labona Station Airstrip within Adani Australia's (Bravus Mining & Resources) Carmichael Coal Mine site from Toowoomba-Wellcamp.  It is due to return to Wellcamp early on Wednesday 5 October.

While New South Wales National Parks and Wildlife Textron Aviation (Cessna) 208B Caravan VH-TFV "Park Air 26" flew up from Ballina / Byron Bay Gateway Airport to the Sunshine Coast and then Mackay Airport where it appears to be staying. 

UPDATE!  On Wednesday 5 October, VH-TFV "Park Air 26" departed Mackay Airport for Mount Isa.

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 West Sale and Bourke to Moranbah Airport before it then departed back to Bourke Charleville Airport, West Sale and onwards to Melbourne (Moorabbin).

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 Gladstone and Rockhampton Airports.

And Pel-Air SAAB 340A Freighter VH-KDK was noted flying up from Brisbane to Rockhampton Airport and then Mackay Airport as PFY7416/8.  It then flew back to Brisbane from Mackay Airport as PFY7410.

I assume these flights are once again for Qantas Freight and replace the BAe 146 freight flights that have operated each week-day morning also into Rockhampton Airport and Mackay Airport for the last month.

UPDATE!  NO!  On Wednesday 5 October, Qantas Freight (Pionair Australia operated) British Aerospace BAe 146-200QT VH-SFV was noted back on the Brisbane to Rockhampton and Mackay Airports run.

Photo taken by 'AC'  ©

LifeFlight (Aeromed) Bombardier Challenger 604 Bizjet VH-URR "Ambulance 604" Spotted at Maryborough Airport - Plus More!

On Friday 16 September, LifeFlight (Aeromed) Bombardier Challenger 604 bizjet VH-URR "Ambulance 604" was spotted visiting Maryborough Airport.

It looked to arrive from Townsville and then later depart to Brisbane.

Meanwhile, also on Friday 16 September, Metro Holdings Australia (Air Link - Dubbo) Textron Aviation (Cessna) 510 Citation Mustang bizjet VH-SQV was noted visiting Bundaberg Airport from Archerfield.

And Australian Corporate Jet Centres' operated Embraer EMB-135BJ Legacy bizjet VH-VLT visited Hamilton Island Airport from its Melbourne (Essendon) base.

Finally, also on Friday 16 September, new Curley Equipment P/L Textron (Cessna) 208B Grand Caravan EX VH-CUY arrived into Proserpine (Whitsunday Coast) Airport from its Cloncurry base.

As mentioned previously, this new Grand Caravan EX was delivered from the USA to the Gold Coast in June as N4291Z before then being registered as VH-CUY.  It appears to have arrived into Cloncurry in late June, flying up from the Gold Coast via Roma Airport.

VH-CUY replaces their Raytheon G58 Baron also registered VH-CUY.  It was re-registered as VH-WFE in March.

Brisbane-based Cessna T303 VH-TFA was noted arriving into Hamilton Island Airport from Archerfield.

UPDATE!  On Thursday 22 September, VH-TFA departed Hamilton Island Airport for Mackay Airport.

While Edwards Coaches Cessna 441 VH-TAZ arrived into Rockhampton Airport from Archerfield. It then departed to Armidale.

Fellow Edwards Coaches Cessna 441 Conquest II VH-OXY passed through Emerald Airport twice while flying between Armidale and Innisfail and back.

And New South Wales based Beech A36 Bonanza VH-BIG arrived into Rockhampton Airport from Port Macquarie before then departing to Hamilton Island Airport.

UPDATE!  On Tuesday 20 September, Bonanza VH-BIG flew back down from Hamilton Island Airport to Rockhampton Airport and then Port Macquarie.

Photos taken by David Geck and 'AC'  ©️

UP Aviation (Victoria) Bombardier BD-700-1A10 Global Express 6000 Bizjet VH-UBH Calls into Longreach and Cloncurry Airports - Plus More!

On Tuesday 5 July, UP Aviation (Victoria) Bombardier BD-700-1A10 Global Express 6000 bizjet VH-UBH was noted visiting a couple of Central Queensland Airports.

File photo

It looked to fly up from Melbourne (Tullamarine) to land at Longreach Airport.  It then flew to Cloncurry Airport and Cairns before eventually returning to Tullamarine.

While a trio of Cessna Citation bizjets were also noted visiting some CQ Airports.

Avia Aviation (Victoria) Cessna 510 Citation Mustang bizjet VH-MSU visited Gladstone Airport from Bankstown.

Machjet (Machjet International) Cessna 525 Citation CJ1 bizjet VH-SIY arrived into Rockhampton Airport from the Sunshine Coast and the Gold Coast before then departing up to Hamilton Island Airport.  VH-SIY then returned to the Sunny Coast.

And Brisbane-based Teys Australia Cessna 525 Citation CJ2 bizjet VH-TEY was noted arriving into Rockhampton Airport from Archerfield.

UPDATE!  On Wednesday 6 July, VH-TEY departed Rockhampton Airport and returned to Archerfield.

Finally, American-registered Eclipse EA500 bizjet N257AK flew up from Archerfield to complete airwork at Hervey Bay (Fraser Coast) and Kingaroy Airports before it then returned to Archerfield.   

Meanwhile, also on Tuesday 5 July, recently re-registered Brescon (Toowoomba) Beech B200 King Air VH-DYN visited my local Clermont Aerodrome from Toowoomba-Wellcamp.

Brisbane-based Crockett Aviation Group (ex FIFO Jet P/L) Beech B200 King Air VH-FAQ visited Hamilton Island Airport from Archerfield.

While Brisbane-based Hewitt Cattle Australia P/L SOCATA TBM 700 VH-PGA flew out of Archerfield to land at Alice Springs, flying via Moura and Longreach Airports.

UPDATE!  On Thursday 7 July, VH-PGA returned to Archerfield from Alice Springs, again flying via Longreach and Moura Airports.

And Tasfast Air Freight (Southern Airlines) Beech 1900C VH-YSO made its first visit to Central Queensland, visiting Emerald Airport on this new weekly flight.  VH-YSO flew up from Devonport, Melbourne (Essendon) and West Sale to Emerald Airport before it then departed to Bourke, West Sale and Melbourne (Moorabbin).

Finally, also on Tuesday 5 July, not quite within the CQ region (but close enough!) but Victoria based Piper PA-30 VH-PBH and Piper PA-24-250 VH-CDB, in company with New Zealand-based Piper PA-24-250 Comanche ZK-BAZ, all flew into Winton Aerodrome from Alice Springs.  The three had flown together from Birdsville to Alice Springs late last week, with ZK-BAZ flying across from the Gold Coast after arriving there from New Zealand in the days prior.

Photo taken by Hayden Matthew Alexander  ©️

McDermott Aviation Group / Machjet International Cessna 525C CitationJet CJ4 Bizjet VH-PIY Spotted at Bundaberg Airport - Plus More!

On Saturday 7 May, McDermott Aviation Group / Machjet International recently delivered Cessna 525C CitationJet CJ4 bizjet VH-PIY was spotted visiting Bundaberg Airport.  

It looked to arrive from the Sunshine Coast and then later depart to Brisbane.

UPDATE!  On Sunday 8 May, VH-PIY returned to Bundaberg Airport from Brisbane before then later returning to its Sunshine Coast base.

Meanwhile, also on Saturday 7 May, New M. D. H. P/L (Cloncurry) Pilatus PC-12/47E VH-MDH flew across from Cloncurry to Mackay Airport before then flying down to Keeroongooloo.

UPDATE!  On Sunday 8 May, VH-MDH departed Keeroongooloo and called into Moranbah and then Mackay Airports before then returning 'home' to Devoncourt Station.

While Victoria-based Cirrus SR22T VH-EPG flew up from Archerfield to Hamilton Island Airport.

UPDATE!  On Thursday 12 May, VH-EPG departed Hamilton Island Airport and flew all the way down to Tamworth.

Finally, on Saturday 7 May, Kirkhope Aviation (of Melbourne) Beech B200 King Air VH-ZOK flew up from Melbourne (Moorabbin) and Broken Hill to Windorah and then Winton.

Sincere thanks to Dan B from Dan Beck Photography for allowing us to share these great photos!

All photos taken by Dan B  ©