Sunday, November 30, 2014

A Surprise Visit by a QantasLink Dash-8-Q400 into Hervey Bay Airport from Sydney

Interesting to note that on Sunday 30 November QantasLink operated Dash-8-Q400 VH-QON on the scheduled QF1558/1559 service into Hervey Bay / Fraser Coast Airport from Sydney.

File photo

Of interest, I can only recall one other occurrence where the usual Cobham Aviation-operated Boeing B717-200 has been substituted to a Dash-8-Q400 on this route.

Virgin Australia Embraer E-190 Jet VH-ZPM Visits Gladstone Airport Sunday

Another Sunday...  Another Virgin Australia E-190 jet at Gladstone Airport!


On Sunday 30 November, Virgin Embraer E-190 VH-ZPM flew into Gladstone Airport operating the scheduled VOZ1717/1720 service from and back to Brisbane.  Local plane spotter Anthony S was on hand and captured some fantastic photos of the newly re-painted jet.







It appears that Virgin E-190s are becoming a familiar sight on Sunday afternoons - and the occasional Thursday.








Meanwhile, Anthony also captured QantasLink (Cobham Aviation) Boeing B717-200 VH-NXJ as it too touched down at Gladstone Airport from Brisbane but as QJE1716.



And finally on the really light side of aircraft, Jabiru J-120 24-7201 was captured shortly after landing from parts unknown.


Some fantastic photos from the Gladstone plane spotters and we thank them sincerely for allow us to share them!

Photos taken by Anthony Schulz and Col  ©

RAAF B737 Wedgetail A30-001 Makes a Rare Weekend Visit to Rockhampton Airport

Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) Boeing B737-7ES / E-7A Wedgetail Airborne Early Warning & Control (AEW&C) aircraft - A30-001 - conducted a missed approach at Rockhampton Airport on Sunday 30 November.

File photo taken by 'IAD'  ©

It was a most welcome visitor to the skies over the beef capital especially on the weekend!

A30-001 flew up from the South, and after performing the approach, departed back to the South.  It was heard using the radio callsign on "Mitchell 07".

Of interest, it was the first Wedgetail to be using the "Mitchell" callsign to be noted conducting airwork at Rocky.

REMINDER! JetGo Australia to Start Sydney to Gladstone Airport Flights Tomorrow!

A big reminder for local plane spotters and enthusiasts - or just the plain curious! - that JetGo Australia will start RPT flights between Sydney and Gladstone Airport from tomorrow - Monday 1 December.  They will be operated by 36-seat Embraer E-135 regional jets.

VH-JGB at Gladstone Airport recently  (Photo taken by Col  ©)

JetGo will initially provide a twice-daily service from Monday to Friday, departing Sydney at 6am and 4.20pm (daylight savings time), arriving in Gladstone at 6.50am and 5pm.  Flights will depart Gladstone at 7.30am and 5.30pm, arriving back in Sydney at 10.20am and 8.10pm.

Sadly, JetGo was due to start operating flights between Sydney and Roma Airport this week as well, however low demand and economic conditions were cited by the airline for cancelling these flights less than two weeks from launch.

Unfortunately, due to the slow response of bookings and the decline of future projects throughout the Roma district, a business decision had to be made – one that has not been made lightly,” Jetgo said.

The original start date in mid-November was pushed back in early November to December, due to what the airline said at the time were delays in establishing its systems at Sydney Airport.

JetGO has also planned to operate Tamworth-Brisbane services from January 2015.

Saturday, November 29, 2014

TRIP REPORT - Mackay Tiger Moth Museum Scenic Flight from Mackay Airport - DH-82A VH-CYA

Recently, Rockhampton Plane Spotter and regular contributor to the CQ Plane Spotting Blog, Travis W, was lucky enough to receive a gift voucher for a 30 minute scenic flight over Mackay in one the Mackay Tiger Moth Museum's fantastic antique De Havilland DH-82A Tiger Moths.  Travis' Brother-in-law also had a voucher and joined him in enjoying not only a flight on board the Tiger Moth, but also a look over the Museum in their building at Mackay Airport.




On the day, the Museum's more recently acquired Tiger Moth - 1942-build DH-82A registered VH-CYA - had the duty of flying around Mackay.  Peter was the pilot and Jim the ground handler.




VH-CYA was acquired in 2010 and delivered in 2011, and was later christened “David and Irie Dalrymple” by David and Irie Dalrymple.  VH-CYA was built to order for the Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) as A17-551.




The Museum's other Tiger Moth - 1943-built De Havilland DH-82A Tiger Moth, registered VH-IVN - is unfortunately in the maintenance hangar after a nasty landing incident earlier this month.

After climbing on board, the single Gypsy Major piston engine was fired up, and VH-CYA was cleared to line-up and wait for a QantasLink (Cobham Aviation) Boeing B717-200 on the smaller cross Runway 05 at Mackay Airport.





After a quick take-off, VH-CYA turned north abeam the beach and tracked up the coast to the Mackay Harbour, Slade Point, Blacks Beach, Eimeo, Shoal Point and Green Island.







Turning West, VH-CYA headed inland towards the town of Walkerston, which is West of Mackay in the middle of vast sugar cane fields.







From here, it was a direct track to make a straight-in approach back onto Runway 05 at Mackay Airport.



Taxi back to the Museum hangar and engine shut-down.






Travis (and his Brother-in-Law) both describe the day and especially flight as "absolutely fantastic".  

My sincere thanks to Travis for sending through his report and his great photos!

The Mackay Tiger Moth Museum operates their Tiger Moths out of Mackay Airport, in front of their new hangar beside the Mackay Aero Club, on Casey Avenue, Mackay.

20, 30, and 60 minute joyflights and gift vouchers are available  Bookings can be made through Whitsunday Office Machines on 4998 5677.

Full details are available on the museum's website - http://www.mackaytiger.com.au/