Colourful Babcock Mission Critical Services Australasia Leonardo AW139 Helicopter VH-8HD Spotted at Rockhampton Airport - Plus More!

On Wednesday 27 November, Babcock Mission Critical Services Australasia Leonardo AW139 helicopter VH-8HD was spotted departing Rockhampton Airport for Archerfield.  It had arrived late yesterday from Cairns and Townsville.  The colourful rescue helicopter is one of two operated out of Horn Island by Babcock along with VH-8HB. 

While Heli Holdings P/L / Stirling Helicopters Eurocopter AS 350 B3 Squirrel VH-XBO was also spotted departing Rockhampton Airport on a local flight.

And the new Queensland Police Service / Surf Life Saving Queensland (SLSQ) Eurocopter EC135 P2+ helicopter VH-NVF was photographed at Hervey Bay (Fraser Coast) Airport. 

Meanwhile, also on Wednesday 27 November, Comet-registered Cessna 208B Grand Caravan VH-RTC flew down from Hedlow Airfield to Consuelo and later returned to Hedlow. 

RDO Equipment Co. Pilatus PC-12/47 VH-WPH visited Emerald Airport from Toowoomba. 

Poolhurst Aviation Air Charter Services Pilatus PC-12/47E VH-PDE landed at Planet Downs from Archerfield and later returned back to there. 

And Pilatus PC-12/47E VH-VLQ of Ipswich-based Airborne P/L (Palm Lake Works) visited Bundaberg Airport from the Gold Coast.

Finally, also on Wednesday 27 November, Brenzil Dassault Aviation Falcon 7X bizjet VH-CRW visited Hamilton Island Airport from Brisbane.

LifeFlight (Aeromed) Canadair CL-600-2B16 Challenger 604 bizjet VH-OFA "Ambulance 614" arrived into Rockhampton Airport from Brisbane and then departed to Mount Isa and Cairns. 

Victorian-based but American-registered Embraer EMB-505 Phenom 300 N227SL arrived into Rockhampton Airport from Townsville and then later departed to Archerfield. 

And Bombardier CL-600-2B16 Challenger 605 N605JL which had flew up to Hamilton Island Airport from Sunshine Coast this morning, flew down to the Gold Coast and back to Sunshine Coast.

Photos taken by John Lee and 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  ©

Central Queensland Helicopter Rescue Service (CQ Rescue) Takes Delivery of their New Leonardo AW139 Helicopter VH-XQ8 at Mackay Airport - Plus More!

On Wednesday 28 August, the nice new Central Queensland Helicopter Rescue Service (CQ Rescue) / CQ Aeromedical Leonardo AW139 helicopter VH-XQ8 was officially delivered to CQ Rescue at Mackay Airport.

https://www.facebook.com/CQRescue/

https://www.facebook.com/CQRescue/

It flew up from Caloundra via the Sunshine Coast and a fuel stop at Gladstone Airport where it was also photographed below.

The brand-new helicopter (msn 32053) was registered in May this year and flew into Caloundra Aerodrome in July for fit-out following some time being prepared and painted at Melbourne (Essendon) Airport.

VH-XQ8 is the first of two Leonardo AW139 helicopters (the other is already registered VH-XQ9 but yet to arrive into Australia) that will be operated by the Mackay Airport based CQ Rescue as they commence operations with their own CASA Air Operator Certificate, without the need to out-source this to another company.

The 'official' arrival of VH-XQ8 also revealed the stunning new orange and blue colour scheme adopted by CQ Rescue to coincide with their new naming rights sponsor of the BHP Mitsubishi Alliance (BMA).

Meanwhile, also on Wednesday 28 August, another helicopter on delivery to a Far North Queensland helicopter rescue service was Babcock Mission Critical Services Australasia Leonardo AW139 helicopter VH-8HD.  It flew up from Redcliffe to Cairns via Rockhampton and Townsville Airports.

It is assumed that VH-8HD will join VH-8HB which arrived up into Cairns also from Redcliffe via Rockhampton and Townsville Airports back in June.

Finally, also on Wednesday 28 August, Robindale Group / Air Link Cessna 510 Citation Mustang bizjet VH-CMK flew from Emerald Airport to Bundaberg Airport.  It then flew to the Sunshine Coast and to its Orange base.  It appears to have flown up from Orange over the same route the previous day.

MT Air Charters / Pilatus Australia Pilatus PC-24 Super Versatile Jet VH-PIL visited Hamilton Island Airport again this time from Newcastle (Williamtown). 

Bowenville (near Toowoomba) based Cessna 525 CitationJet CJ1+ bizjet VH-JSZ arrived into Rockhampton Airport from Archerfield and my local Clermont Aerodrome.  It then departed to Archerfield.

Western Down Civil (Chinchilla) Raytheon B200 King Air VH-85H flew from Roma Airport to Toowoomba.  

Kelsall P/L (Aeronautics and Technology Holdings) Pilatus PC-12/45 VH-PID which had arrived into Rockhampton Airport on Monday, departed there to the South. 

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

UPDATE!  On Thursday 29 August, VH-SGQ arrived into Rockhampton Airport from Cairns, Townsville and Mackay Airports and then departed to Brisbane.

The Queensland Police Service (Airwing) (State of Queensland) Cessna 208 Caravan VH-PSQ flew up from Brisbane to Mackay Airport.

NSW based Beech A36 Bonanza VH-BIG arrived into Rockhampton Airport from Port Macquarie and then departed to Hamilton Island Airport. 

Seair Pacific / Istlecote Textron Aviation (Cessna) 208B Caravan VH-TLH flew up from Hervey Bay (Fraser Coast) Airport to Middlemount Aerodrome.  It then flew to Rockhampton Airport.

Rural Funds Management (A.C.T.) Pilatus PC-12/47E VH-STE departed Emerald Airport to Rolleston Aerodrome and then to Kaluroo and then Ballina.  It looks to have flown up to Emerald Airport from Canberra via Griffith the previous day.

UPDATE!  On Thursday 29 August, VH-STE flew up to Bundaberg Airport from Ballina.

UPDATE!  On Friday 30 August, VH-STE flew from Bundaberg Airport to Maryborough Airport and then Brisbane, Ballina and back to Canberra.

Photos taken by Jamie C and Graham Aspinall  ©️

MacKellar Mining Equipment Pty Ltd (Revesco Aviation) Cessna 680 Citation Sovereign VH-MMC Calls into the Labona Airstrip at the Carmichael Mine - Plus More!

On Tuesday 27 August, MacKellar Mining Equipment Pty Ltd (Revesco Aviation) Cessna 680 Citation Sovereign bizjet VH-MMC visited the Labona Station Airstrip within Adani Australia's (Bravus Mining & Resources) Carmichael Coal Mine site from the Sunshine Coast.

File photo

Poolhurst Aviation Air Charter Services Pilatus PC-12/47E VH-PDE landed at Planet Downs from Archerfield and later returned back to there. 

The Queensland Police Service (Airwing) Cessna 208 Caravan VH-PSY arrived into Rockhampton Airport from Cairns and then departed to Brisbane.

And Helicorp (Australian Army) Leonardo (Agusta) AW139 helicopter VH-YQC as "Rescue 902" flew out from The Glen Airfield within the Shoalwater Bay Training Area (SWBTA) and landed at my local Clermont Aerodrome. It then departed to Townsville.

UPDATE!  Over the next couple of days, VH-YQC "Rescue 902" continued from Townsville to Darwin in the Northern Territory.

It was believed that there was an Australian Army training exercise on within the Shoalwater Bay Training Area so VH-YQC "Rescue 902" was no doubt on site to provide aero-medical support.

Finally, also on Tuesday 27 August, Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) Beech B350 Super King Air A32-671 as "Beaufort 15" landed at Longreach Airport from the North and then departed to Sydney and RAAF Base East Sale.  It had flown up to Cape York from East Sale the previous day.

Private American Registered Dassault Falcon 7X Bizjet N997X at Hamilton Island Airport - Plus More!

On Monday 26 August, private American registered Dassault Falcon 7X bizjet N997X flew South from Hamilton Island.   It looked to have arrived on Thursday 22 August after flying over from New Zealand and then up from the Sunshine Coast.

File photo

The Falcon 7X seems to be based 'Down Under' with it spending a lot of time flying around both Australia and New Zealand.  It was reportedly re-painted and re-registered in mid-2023 after previously wearing the American Registration marking of N656FN.

While MT Air Charters / Pilatus Australia Pilatus PC-24 Super Versatile Jet VH-PIL departed Hamilton Island Airport for Bankstown.  It seems to have arrived from there last Friday 23 August.  VH-PIL then flew back up to Archerfield and then back up to Hamilton Island Airport before then flying down to Sydney.

Air Charter Services / Flight Options (Australia) Embraer EMB-505 Phenom 300 bizjet VH-VKX visited Hamilton Island Airport from Brisbane. 

McDermott Aviation Group / Machjet International Cessna 525A CitationJet CJ2 bizjet VH-SUY as "Machflight 41" flew up from the Sunshine Coast to Mackay Airport.  It then continued to Townsville and then Cairns.

And Metro Holdings Australia (Air Link - Dubbo) Textron Aviation (Cessna) 510 Citation Mustang bizjet VH-SQV visited Rockhampton Airport from the Sunshine Coast.

Meanwhile, also on Monday 26 August, Pilatus PC-12/45 VH-PID of Kelsall P/L (Aeronautics and Technology Holdings) arrived into Rockhampton Airport from the South. 

Queensland Police Service (QPS) / Queensland Government (State of Queensland) Textron Aviation B300C Super King Air 350 VH-8PD arrived into Rockhampton Airport from Cairns and then departed to Brisbane.  It returned North later. 

Fellow QPS B300C Super King Air 350 VH-8PE also arrived into Rockhampton Airport but from Mount Isa before it then too departed to Cairns.

And Southern Air Beech 1900C VH-VSO visited Moranbah Airport from Archerfield.  It appeared to fly up to Archerfield from Melbourne (Moorabbin) yesterday.

Sincere thanks to Sydney-based specialist aviation photographer Grahame Hutchison for allowing us to share this great photo!

Do check out more of Grahame's fantastic images on his well-known Sydney Airport based website http://www.16right.com/

Photo taken by Grahame Hutchison  ©

Orange Helicopters (NSW) Kawasaki BK117 B-2 helicopter VH-VCB Passes Through CQ Airports on way to PNG - Plus More!

On Saturday 3 August, Orange Helicopters (NSW) Kawasaki BK117 B-2 helicopter VH-VCB was noted passing through some Central Queensland Airports while reportedly heading up to Papua New Guinea (PNG).

It arrived into Bundaberg Airport from Southport and then departed to Rockhampton Airport and Whitsunday Airport at Shute Harbour before finishing the day at Townsville.

VH-VCB is due to depart further to Carins and Far North Queensland before heading up to PNG on Sunday 4 August.

Meanwhile, also on Saturday 3 August, CHC Helicopters Australia / Lloyd Helicopters Agusta AW139 helicopter VH-RQY as "Choppa 41" landed at Longreach Airport from Mount Isa then departed to Roma Airport and RAAF Base Amberley.

And six Victoria based and two Queensland based helicopters landed at Agnes Water, flying up via Orchid Beach.  Locally-based AS350 Squirrel VH-WMW and Eurocopter EC130 VH-EHY were joined by Victoria-based Robinson R44s VH-LLZ and VH-CMS, Robinson R66 VH-VVU, AMT OH-58A Kiowa VH-DJW, Bell 505 VH-ZVJ and Bell 206B VH-NXZ.

Finally, also on Saturday 3 August, LifeFlight (Aeromed) Canadair CL-600-2B16 Challenger 604 bizjet VH-OFA "Ambulance 614" flew up to Rockhampton Airport from Brisbane before then departing for Cairns.

While Regional Express (REX) Airlines SAAB 340+ VH-ZLA visited Moranbah Airport from Cairns as RXA9472/3.

The Queensland Police Service (Airwing) (State of Queensland) Cessna 208 Caravan VH-PSQ landed at Bundaberg Airport from Brisbane and then departed to complete airwork East of there. 

Aero Express Investments (Brisbane) Diamond DA62 VH-8R8 flew up to Hamilton Island Airport from Archerfield. 

And Piper PA-34-200 Seneca VH-IAJ arrived into Springsure Aerodrome from Tamworth. 

Photo taken by Arthur Scharf  ©

Bundaberg-based Wide Bay Warbirds Yakovlev Yak-52 VH-UHO at CQ Airports Heading to Donnington Airpark - Plus More!

On Thursday 25 July, Bundaberg-based Wide Bay Warbirds Yakovlev Yak-52 VH-UHO arrived into Rockhampton Airport from Bundaberg Airport before it then flew a couple of local flights. 

https://widebaywarbirds.com.au/

The Yak is due to continue up to Donnington Airpark via Proserpine (Whitsunday Coast) Airport on Friday 26 July where it will spend the weekend operating joyflights.

VH-UHO was built in 1984 in Romania and was first registered in Australia in 2006.  The aircraft is powered by a Vedeneyev M14P nine cylinder 435 HP radial engine and has a two bladed Whirlwind propeller.

UPDATE!  On Monday 29 July, VH-UHO returned South to Bundaberg Airport from Donnington Airpark via stops again at Prosie and Rocky.

Meanwhile, also on Thursday 25 July, Queensland Police Service (QPS) / Queensland Government (State of Queensland) Textron Aviation B300C Super King Air 350 VH-8PD arrived into Rockhampton Airport from Cairns and Townsville.  It then departed to Mackay Airport before returning to Cairns.

Austrek Aviation Beech B200 Super King Air VH-ZGD landed at Longreach Airport from Toowoomba before it then departed to Winton Airport.  This afternoon, it then flew across to Hervey Bay (Fraser Coast) Airport and then back to Toowoomba. 

Easternwell Group (Avcair) Beech B200 King Air VH-EWG was noted landing at the Goonoo Feedlot from Mount Isa.

And Gold Coast-based EADS SOCATA TB-21 Trinidad TC VH-MTD flew up to my local Clermont Aerodrome from its Southport base.  It is due to return to Southport on Friday 26 July.

Finally, also on Thursday 25 July, LifeFlight (Aeromed) Canadair CL-600-2B16 Challenger 604 bizjet VH-OFA "Ambulance 614" landed at Gladstone Airport from Townsville and then departed to Brisbane. 

Stroud Aviation and Transportation (Boonah) / Navair Flight Operations Cessna 510 Citation Mustang Bizjet VH-SHI "Navair 143" Pops into Moranbah Airport - Plus More!

On Wednesday 24 July, Stroud Aviation and Transportation (Boonah) / Navair Flight Operations Cessna 510 Citation Mustang bizjet VH-SHI as "Navair 143" visited Moranbah Airport from Archerfield.

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And Isle of Man registered Bombardier BD-700-1A11 Global 5000 bizjet M-CVGL finally departed Hamilton Island Airport for the Sunshine Coast after arriving from there about a week ago.

Meanwhile, also on Wednesday 24 July, Easternwell Group (Avcair) Beech B300 Super King Air VH-EWQ visited Rolleston Aerodrome from Toowoomba.

FKG Air (Redjet Aviation) Hawker Beechcraft B200GT VH-FKB arrived into Rockhampton Airport from Bowen Aerodrome before it then departed to Archerfield and then Toowoomba. 

UPDATE!  On Thursday 25 July, VH-FKB returned to Rockhampton Airport from Toowoomba before it then departed to Chinchilla Aerodrome and then back to Toowoomba.

Outback Aero Cessna 208 Caravan VH-FTT departed Longreach Airport for Boulia and Alice Springs. 

Queensland Police Service (QPS) / Queensland Government (State of Queensland) Textron Aviation B300C Super King Air 350 VH-8PD arrived into Rockhampton Airport from Cairns and Townsville before it then departed to Cairns. 

And Mackay Quality Plasterers P/L Cessna 210G VH-UCT visited my local Clermont Aerodrome from its Mackay Airport base.

UPDATE!  On Thursday 25 July, VH-UCT returned to Clermont Aerodrome and on Friday 26 July, it flew back to Mackay Airport.

Photo taken by Trevor Hardsman  ©

Alliance Airlines Fokker F-70 Jet VH-KBX Departs Rockhampton Airport For Good - Heading Back to the Netherlands - Plus More!

On Friday 19 July, Alliance Airlines Fokker F-70 jet VH-KBX departed Rockhampton Airport for Brisbane as 'SXI2451' / "Southern Cross 2451" on the first leg of a reported ferry flight out of Australia and back to the Netherlands.

https://www.facebook.com/southerncrossinternational

UPDATE!  On Saturday 20 July, VH-KBX departed Brisbane for Darwin and overseas.  It arrived into Woensdrecht Air Base in the Netherlands on Monday 22 July (local).

https://www.facebook.com/southerncrossinternational

UPDATE!  VH-KBX was struck off the Australian Aircraft register at the end of the July and was reportedly re-registered as 2-OKBX.

VH-KBX arrived into Rockhampton Airport as 'UTY9812' from Brisbane in August 2023 and was placed in storage.   

As we've mentioned previously, VH-KBX previously flew with the Royal Netherlands Air Force / Government of the Netherlands as a VIP transport aircraft and carried the Dutch registration marking of PH-KBX. It arrived into Brisbane in August 2017 and entered the Australian Aircraft Register as VH-KBX soon after. VH-KBX looked to finally enter service in May 2019. 

Meanwhile, also on Friday 19 July, McDermott Aviation Group / Machjet International Cessna 525A CitationJet CJ2 bizjet VH-SUY as 'Machflight 55' visited Mackay Airport from the Sunshine Coast.

LifeFlight (Aeromed) Canadair CL-600-2B16 Challenger 604 bizjet VH-OFC "Ambulance 634"  flew into Rockhampton Airport from Townsville and Brisbane. It then departed back to Townsville.

At the time of writing, fellow LifeFlight (Aeromed) Canadair CL-600-2B16 Challenger 604 bizjet VH-OFA "Ambulance 614" is visiting Emerald Airport from Brisbane.

UPDATE!  On Saturday 20 July, VH-OFA "Ambulance 614" visited Gladstone Airport also from Brisbane.

And Air Link (Dubbo) Cessna 510 Citation Mustang bizjet VH-SEQ visited the Labona Station Airstrip within Adani Australia's (Bravus Mining & Resources) Carmichael Coal Mine site from Archerfield.  Plus late on Thursday 18 July, VH-SEQ visited Rockhampton Airport also from Archerfield.

Finally, also on Friday 19 July, Tillair Services / ACTAS P/L Cessna 208B Caravan VH-POV was noted arriving into Longreach Airport from Winton.

Brescon (Toowoomba) Beech B200 King Air VH-WXN visited Hamilton Island Airport from Toowoomba-Wellcamp.

Curley Equipment P/L Textron (Cessna) 208B Grand Caravan EX VH-CUY landed at Glen Prairie, North-East of Marlborough, from Hughenden.

Queensland Police Service (QPS) / Queensland Government (State of Queensland) Textron Aviation B300C Super King Air 350 VH-8PD arrived into Rockhampton Airport from Cairns and Townsville and then departed back to those places. 

Skytrans Airlines Dash-8-300 VH-QQL as "Skytrans 765" arrived into Rockhampton Airport from Townsville and then flew to Labona and back as "Skytrans 777/778".  It then departed back to Townsville as "Skytrans 766".  Of interest, fellow Skytrans Airlines Dash-8-300 VH-QQM is currently parked at Rockhampton Airport.

Bayswater Road / Australian Aerial Mapping (AAM) Cessna 404 Titan VH-LAD landed at Longreach Airport from Archerfield.

And locally-based Cessna TR182 Skylane RG VH-BAE flew from Clermont Aerodrome to Mackay Airport.  It is due to return on Saturday 20 July.

Navair Flight Operations Embraer EMB-500 Phenom 100 VH-HQK Pops into Rockhampton Airport - Plus More!

On Thursday 11 July, Navair Flight Operations Embraer EMB-500 Phenom 100 VH-HQK visited Rockhampton Airport from Dubbo then departed back to there. 

File photo

While Victorian-based but American-registered Embraer EMB-505 Phenom 300 N227SL arrived into Rockhampton Airport from Melbourne (Essendon) and Tocumwal.

UPDATE!  On Friday 12 July, N227SL departed Rockhampton Airport for Archerfield.

New Nioa Aviation (Avcair) Embraer EMB505 Phenom 300 bizjet VH-NJR flew down from Townsville and Cairns to Mackay Airport.  It then departed to Brisbane

And Linfox Global Charter / Air National Australia Bombardier BD-700-1A10 Global 6000 bizjet VH-LEP was noted departing Hamilton Island Airport for Melbourne (Essendon).  It had arrived from there on Sunday 7 July.

Meanwhile, also on Thursday 11 July, Mandalay Two P/L Raytheon B300 Super King Air VH-SCQ landed at Longreach Airport from Toowoomba and then departed to Winton and Hervey Bay (Fraser Coast) Airport.  It then returned to Toowoomba.

New 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.

FKG Air (Redjet Aviation) Hawker Beechcraft B200GT VH-FKB arrived into Rockhampton Airport from Toowoomba before later returning there via Chinchilla Aerodrome.

Aerometrex Vulcanair (Partenavia) VH-EPX visited Clermont Aerodrome from Rockhampton Airport.  It has been completing aerial survey flights in the region over the last couple of days.

And Pilatus PC-12/45 VH-PID of Kelsall P/L (Aeronautics and Technology Holdings) visited Rockhampton Airport from Toowoomba and Hervey Bay (Fraser Coast) Airports.

Photo taken by Paul Tyler  ©

New Queensland Police Service (QPS) / Queensland Government (State of Queensland) Textron Aviation B300C Super King Air 350 VH-8PD Pops into Rockhampton Airport

On a quiet Friday 5 July, the new Queensland Police Service (QPS) / Queensland Government (State of Queensland) Textron Aviation B300C Super King Air 350 VH-8PD was noted visiting Rockhampton Airport.

It arrived from Cairns and then departed to Brisbane.  

VH-8PD then returned to Cairns.

Photo taken by Brodie Lawson  ©

Poolhurst Aviation Air Charter Services Pilatus PC-24 Jet VH-VTF Spotted at Gladstone Airport - Plus More!

On Tuesday 18 June, Poolhurst Aviation Air Charter Services Pilatus PC-24 jet VH-VTF was spotted at Gladstone Airport.

It looked to arrive from Archerfield and then depart to Cairns. 

While new Nioa Aviation (Avcair) Embraer EMB505 Phenom 300 bizjet VH-NJR and Air Charter Services / Flight Options (Australia) Embraer EMB-505 Phenom 300 bizjet VH-VKX both appeared to depart Longreach Airport together bound for the Gold Coast.

They appear to have arrived together over the weekend from Ayres Rock via Winton.

And MacKellar Mining Equipment Pty Ltd (Revesco Aviation) Cessna 680 Citation Sovereign bizjet VH-MMC landed at Emerald Airport from the Sunshine Coast.  It then hopped to the Labona Station Airstrip within Adani Australia's (Bravus Mining & Resources) Carmichael Coal Mine site and back to Emerald Airport.  Then during the afternoon, it hopped back to Labona and then departed there to the Sunshine Coast. 

Meanwhile, also on Tuesday 18 June, the new Queensland Police Service (QPS) / Queensland Government (State of Queensland) Textron Aviation B300C Super King Air 350 VH-8PD arrived into Rockhampton Airport from Cairns and then departed to Brisbane. 

Amateur-built Avipro Bearhawk VH-MHU landed at Gladstone Airport from Heck Field and then departed to the Whitsunday Airport at Shute Harbour. 

Cessna 172N VH-JER also landed at Gladstone Airport but from Southport and then also departed to Shute Harbour. 

Plus Raytheon G58 Baron VH-OCC also flew up to Shute Harbour but from the Gold Coast. 

While Brescon (Toowoomba) Beech B200 King Air VH-WXN flew up from Toowoomba-Wellcamp to Rolleston and Yellowbank Aerodromes before then departing to the Sunshine Coast and back to Wellcamp. 

McDermott Aviation Group / Machjet International Beech B200 King Air VH-NSN as "Machflight 55" arrived into Rockhampton Airport from Cairns and Townsville before it then departed back to Townsville.  It then flew down to Mackay Airport from Townsville and then headed back to Cairns. 

Brescon (Toowoomba) Beech B200 King Air VH-XDW departed Bowen Aerodrome for Archerfield and Toowoomba-Wellcamp.  It had arrived into Bowen Aerodrome from Wellcamp and Archerfield via Labona the previous day.

And Nautilus Aviation Bell Textron 407GXi helicopter VH-JIW continues to fly around the region - reportedly on aerial survey flights - departing Emerald Airport for the South.

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

All photos taken by Jamie C  ©

Brisbane-based Teys Australia Cessna 525 Citation CJ2 Bizjet VH-TEY Spotted at Rockhampton Airport - Plus More!

On Friday 14 June, Brisbane-based Teys Australia Cessna 525 Citation CJ2 bizjet VH-TEY was spotted visiting Rockhampton Airport.  It arrived from and later departed back to its Archerfield base.

While Bowenville (near Toowoomba) based Cessna 525 CitationJet CJ1+ bizjet VH-JSZ landed at Moura Aerodrome from Archerfield and then departed to Charleville and Birdsville Airports.  It then reversed the flight and returned to Archerfield.

Stroud Aviation and Transportation (Boonah) / Navair Flight Operations Cessna 510 Citation Mustang bizjet VH-SHI as "Navair 173" was in the region again, this time visiting Bundaberg Airport from Archerfield.

And LifeFlight (Aeromed) Canadair CL-600-2B16 Challenger 604 bizjet VH-OFB "Ambulance 624" was back in the region again, flying out from Brisbane to Longreach Airport and then Rockhampton Airport before then flying up to Townsville.

Meanwhile, also on Friday 14 June, the new Queensland Police Service (QPS) / Queensland Government (State of Queensland) Textron Aviation B300C Super King Air 350 VH-8PD flew down from Cairns and Townsville to Rockhampton Airport before later returning direct to Cairns.

Diamond DA-62 VH-8R8, departed the Whitsunday Airport at Shute Harbour and returned to Archerfield.  It had flown up to there from Archerfield via Rockhampton Airport last week.

Recently re-registered LifeFlight Australia (Cronin Aviation Services) Bell 412EP helicopter VH-EPH as "Guardian 20" landed at Longreach Airport from Archerfield, Dalby and Roma Airports.  It then departed to Mount Isa.

And Link Airways (Corporate Air / Vee H Aviation) Cessna 441 Conquest VH-VEJ completed its usual Friday pick-up from my local Clermont Aerodrome, arriving from and departing back to Brisbane.  I don't think we will report on this common movement moving forward.

Photo taken by Steve Vit  ©

Flight Options (Australia) Embraer EMB-505 Phenom 300 Bizjet VH-87X Calls into CQ Airports - Plus More!

On Tuesday 11 June, Flight Options (Australia) Embraer EMB-505 Phenom 300 bizjet VH-87X flew up from Sydney to Hamilton Island Airport.  It then down to Mackay Airport and back to Sydney.

File photo

And Bowenville (near Toowoomba) based Cessna 525 CitationJet CJ1+ bizjet VH-JSZ which, on Sunday, flew from Archerfield to Moura Aerodrome and then to Mount Isa and yesterday, flew back to Moura Aerodrome, this morning departed there to Archerfield.

Meanwhile, also on Tuesday 11 June, Brescon (Toowoomba) Beech B200 King Air VH-XDW flew out from Toowoomba-Wellcamp and the Sunshine Coast to Rolleston and Yellowbank Aerodromes before then returning to the Sunshine Coast and Wellcamp.

While the new 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.

McDermott Aviation Group / Machjet International Beech B200 King Air VH-NSN as "Machflight 73" arrived into Rockhampton Airport also from Cairns and Townsville on a prisoner transfer flight. It then departed to Brisbane before later flying back to Cairns.

And the Cirrus Design Corporation new demonstration aircraft SR22T G7 GTS N20GH arrived into Rockhampton Airport from Archerfield and was on display at the Rockhampton Aero Club.

Of interest, the aircraft has a new four-blade prop and has only 15 hours up on airframe. There is also extra de-icing fitted! 

During the afternoon, N20GH then departed Rockhampton Airport for Mackay Airport where it will be on display on Wednesday 12 June.

UPDATE!  On Wednesday 12 June, N20GH was on display at the Mackay aero Club and later departed Mackay Airport for Cairns.

Photos taken by Tony Haynes, Trevor Hardsman and Drew Mackay  ©

Air Link (Dubbo) Cessna 510 Citation Mustang Bizjet VH-SEQ Pops into Rockhampton Airport - Plus More!

On Tuesday 13 February, Air Link (Dubbo) Cessna 510 Citation Mustang bizjet VH-SEQ passed through Rockhampton Airport while flying up from Archerfield and onwards to Mount Isa. It then returned to Rockhampton Airport and then departed back to Archerfield.

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And MacKellar Mining Equipment Pty Ltd (Revesco Aviation) Cessna 680 Citation Sovereign bizjet VH-MMC visited the Labona Station Airstrip within Adani Australia's (Bravus Mining & Resources) Carmichael Coal Mine site from the Sunshine Coast.

Meanwhile, also on Tuesday 13 February, the Queensland Police Service (Airwing) (State of Queensland) Raytheon B1900D VH-PSK flew down to Rockhampton Airport from Cairns and Townsville before later departing to Brisbane. It then flew back up to Townsville and Cairns.

The Queensland Government Airwing (State of Queensland) Raytheon B300 Super King Air VH-SGQ flew up from Brisbane to Biloela / Thangool Airport before then departing to Kingaroy and then back to Brisbane.

Machjet (Machjet International) Beech B200C King Air VH-PUY as "Machflight 55" arrived into Rockhampton Airport from Labona before then departing back to there.  It later returned to Rockhampton Airport.

And Beech 95-B55 Baron VH-MYM visited Mackay Airport from its Gayndah Aerodrome base.

Finally, also on Tuesday 13 February, Skytrans Airlines Dash-8-300s VH-QQM and VH-QQL swapped over Rockhampton Airport out at Labona.  Skytrans Dash-8-100 VH-QQL as SKP778/523 flew into Rockhampton Airport from Labona before it departed to Townsville.

Photo taken by John Lee  ©️

Shortstop Jet Charter Dassault Falcon 900C Bizjet VH-OAA Arrives into Hamilton Island Airport - Plus More!

On Friday 2 February, Shortstop Jet Charter Dassault Falcon 900C bizjet VH-OAA flew into Hamilton Island Airport from Melbourne (Essendon).

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And LifeFlight (Aeromed) Canadair CL-600-2B16 Challenger 604 bizjet VH-OFB "Ambulance 624" flew into Mackay Airport from Brisbane.  It then departed to Townsville but later returned to Mackay Airport and then back to Brisbane.

Meanwhile, also on Friday 2 February, Auscott P/L Beechcraft B200GT King Air VH-NMW flew into Gladstone Airport from Toowoomba via Cunnamulla and Roma Airports.  It then departed back to Toowoomba.

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

The Queensland Police Service (Airwing) (State of Queensland) Raytheon B1900D VH-PSK arrived into Rockhampton Airport from Townsville and then departed to Brisbane. 

Comet-registered Cessna 208B Grand Caravan VH-RTC departed Hedlow Airfield for Gladstone Airport and then Croydon, Redrock Station, Sunshine Coast and Archerfield. 

Pilatus PC-12/47E VH-VLQ of Ipswich-based Airborne P/L (Palm Lake Works) flew up from the Gold Coast to Hervey Bay (Fraser Coast) Airport and back on airwork.

And Stirling Helicopters Aerospatiale AS 350 B2 Squirrel VH-LBT, which flew North last Friday and has been working out of Charters Towers Aerodrome for a week, arrived back at Rockhampton Airport from Charters via Clermont Aerodrome.

Finally, also on Friday 2 February, Australian Army Aviation operated (Omni Aviation Services) Cessna 208B Caravan VH-KNQ as "Curlew 20" landed at Longreach Airport from the Oakey Army Aviation Centre and then departed to Mount Isa. 

Photo taken by Tony Haynes  ©

Unexpected Emergency Landing at Rockhampton Airport by Brisbane-based Teys Australia Cessna 525 Citation CJ2 Bizjet VH-TEY - Plus More!

On Monday 15 January, Brisbane-based Teys Australia Cessna 525 Citation CJ2 bizjet VH-TEY made an unexpected visit into Rockhampton Airport.

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The sleek little Citation was enroute from Archerfield to Townsville when it was forced to make a rapid descent and land at Rockhampton Airport due to the smell of smoke and the loss of its ESB(?).  

It landed safely and parked on the Northern Apron.  VH-TEY was on the ground for only 40 minutes and then departed to Townsville before later returning to Archerfield.

Meanwhile, also on Monday 15 January, the Queensland Police Service (Airwing) (State of Queensland) Cessna 208 Caravan VH-PSQ arrived into Rockhampton Airport from Brisbane before it then departed to Cairns.

Hughes Aviation (Hughes Pastoral Group) (Gympie) Pilatus PC-12//47E NGX VH-8HP flew down from Tierawoomba, near Nebo, to Archerfield and the Gold Coast.

UPDATE!  On Tuesday 16 January, VH-8HP flew back from the Gold Coast and Archerfield to Mackay Airport.

Air Link Piper PA-31-350 Navajo Chieftan VH-MZI visited Biloela / Thangool Airport from Archerfield.  It later departed Archerfield for Bankstown.

And Link Airways (Corporate Air / Vee H Aviation) Cessna 441 Conquest VH-VEJ visited Emerald Airport from Brisbane.  

Fellow Link Airways Metro 23 turboprop VH-VET visited Rockhampton Airport from Brisbane.

Of interest, Link Airways Metro 23 VH-VEK completed their Regular Passenger Transport (RPT) flight to Biloela / Thangool Airport.  Plus SAAB 340B VH-VEF completed their Fly-in Fly-out (FIFO) closed passenger charter flight from Brisbane to the Sunshine Coast and Theodore Aerodrome and back.  

There is a temporary hold on some Link Airways flights in and out of Bundaberg Airport at the moment.

Finally, also on Monday 15 January, The Redcliffe Aero Club Vulcanair (Partenavia) P.68C VH-VMV completed an aerial survey flight out of Rockhampton Airport before departing to Caloundra.  It had arrived into Rocky on Saturday 13 January and completed some flights on Sunday 14 January.

Photo taken by Graham Aspinall  ©

National Jet Express Dash-8-Q402 VH-8QA Calls into Emerald and Moranbah Airports - Plus More!

On Tuesday 9 January, National Jet Express Dash-8-Q400 VH-8QA arrived into Emerald Airport from Brisbane as JTE388D.  This is its first visit in Emerald Airport and the first time in a number of weeks that a National Jet Express Dash-8-Q400 has touched down at Emerald Airport.

UPDATE!  After spending the night, on Wednesday 10 January, VH-8QA was spotted soon before departing Emerald Airport for Moranbah Airport before it then flew down to Brisbane all as JTE381D.

Meanwhile, also on Tuesday 9 January, DeGunst Transport P/L Textron (Cessna) 208 Caravan VH-NPZ completed its weekly Fly-in Fly-out (FIFO) charter flight into Nebo Aerodrome from Bundaberg Airport - this time flying there and back direct.

Finally, also on Tuesday 9 January, the Queensland Police Service (Airwing) (State of Queensland) Cessna 208 Caravan VH-PSQ arrived into Rockhampton Airport from Cairns before it then departed to Brisbane.

The Queensland Government Airwing (State of Queensland) Raytheon B300 Super King Air VH-SGQ also flew down from Cairns to Townsville but then into Mackay Airport before then also continuing to Brisbane.

Mike Tango Operations (Toowoomba) Textron Aviation (Beech) B200GT Super King Air 260 VH-8MT arrived into Hamilton Island Airport from Bankstown.  As posted below, VH-8MT was also in the Whitsundays late last week.

UPDATE!  On Monday 15 January, VH-8MT departed Hamilton Island Airport and returned to Bankstown.

And the visiting Emerald Air Surveys P/L (Western Australia) Diamond DA42NG Twin Star VH-PXT looked to depart the Whitsunday Airport at Shute Harbour for Birdsville and Coober Pedy.  It is due to continue to Forest and Jandakot in Western Australia the next day.

It had arrived into Shute on Saturday 30 December after a two-day flight across the country.  It appears to have completed some local flights while it has been in the Whitsundays.

Photo taken by 'AC'  ©

Some Nice Helicopters Pass Through CQ Airports incl Nautilus Aviation Bell Helicopter Textron Canada 412EP VH-ZVP - Plus More!

Some nice helicopters were noted passing through some Central Queensland Airports on Wednesday 3 January, including Nautilus Aviation Bell Helicopter Textron Canada 412EP helicopter VH-ZVP which flew down from Mackay Airport to Gladstone, Bundaberg and Toowoomba Airports before then finishing at the Oakey Army Aviation Centre.

VH-ZVP spotted at Toowoomba

UPDATE!  On Tuesday 23 January, VH-ZVP returned North to Cairns from Oakey flying via Gladstone, Mackay and Townsville Airports.

While Forster Helicopters Eurocopter AS 350 B3 Squirrel helicopter VH-DTS flew up from Redcliffe to Townsville via Rockhampton and Mackay Airports.   It seems to have flown down there via Mackay and Gladstone Airports at the end of last week.

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Rotorco Eurocopter AS 350 B3 Squirrel helicopter VH-LDH also flew up from Redcliffe to Rockhampton Airport before it then continued up to Cairns.  It seems have flown South also via Rocky also at the end of last week.

UPDATE!  On Friday 5 January, VH-LDH returned back South from Cairns to Redcliffe flying via Rockhampton Airport.

And Helifox Aviation / Skyline Aviation Group (New South Wales) Bell Helicopter Textron 206B helicopter VH-XJQ looked to visit Maryborough Airport from the Sunshine Coast.

UPDATE!  On Thursday 4 January, VH-XJQ was noted visiting Bundaberg Airport from the Sunshine Coast.

Meanwhile, also on Wednesday 3 January, Bowenville (near Toowoomba) based Cessna 525 CitationJet CJ1+ bizjet VH-JSZ visited Rockhampton Airport once again from Archerfield.  It also visited over the weekend.

Poolhurst Aviation Air Charter Services Pilatus PC-24 jet VH-VTF flew into Hamilton Island Airport from Sydney and Brisbane.

UPDATE!  On Thursday 4 January, VH-VTF departed Hamilton Island Airport for Archerfield.

And LifeFlight (Aeromed) Canadair CL-600-2B16 Challenger 604 bizjet VH-OFC "Ambulance 634" again made two visits into the region this time visiting Hervey Bay (Fraser Coast) and Gladstone Airports from and back to Brisbane.

Finally, also on Wednesday 3 January, Seair Pacific / Istlecote Cessna 208 Caravan VH-TQW visited Middlemount Aerodrome from Hervey Bay (Fraser Coast) Airport.

New South Wales-based Pilatus PC-12/47 VH-YGO flew up from the Gold Coast to Bundaberg Airport before then flying out to Mount Isa and Ucharonidge Station.

The Queensland Police Service (Airwing) (State of Queensland) Cessna 208 Caravan VH-PSQ visited Rockhampton Airport from Townsville.

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

Stirling Helicopters Piper PA-23-250 Aztec VH-EQD arrived into Rockhampton Airport from Roma Airport.

And Townsville-based ZephAir Australia Piper PA-34-220T Seneca VH-YSI as “Zedair 440” landed at Gayndah Aerodrome from Townsville. It then departed to Roma Airport via some aerial survey work.

Photos taken by Garry Wilkinson and Steve Vit  ©