A stroll around Eagle Copters / Aeropower Bell Helicopter 212 VH-UEC

Currently albeit temporarily based at Rockhampton Airport and presumably in support of military exercises "Hamel" and "Talisman Saber 2015" at nearby Shoalwater Bay Training Area (SWBTA), is Aeropower Bell Helicopter 212 VH-UEC.

 

Of interest, VH-UEC is actually owned by Eagle Copters Ltd of Calgary, Canada however is operated by Aeropower Pty Ltd of Redcliffe Aerodrome, Brisbane.

 

Manufactured in 1974, VH-UEC is powered by a single Honeywell International T5318B Turboshaft powerplant.    

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Queensland Police Service (airwing) Beechcraft 1900D VH-PSK spotted at Rockhampton Airport

Although a regular sight at many airports along the Queensland while travelling between Cairns and Brisbane most weeks, I did however take an opportunity on Monday, June 29 to capture more photo's of Queensland Police Service (airwing) Beechcraft 1900D VH-PSK while briefly making a stop-over at Rockhampton Airport.

 

Throughout the day, VH-PSK operated Cairns - Townsville - Rockhampton - Maryborough - Rockhampton - Townsville - Cairns.

 

As previously reported, Beechcraft 1900D VH-PSK operates from Cairns to Brisbane and return along the Queensland coast on Monday's, Wednesday's and Friday's of most weeks with a number of stops made along the way which generally include the cities of Townsville, Mackay, Rockhampton, Gladstone, Bundaberg and / or Maryborough depending on operational requirements.  

 

 

Beechcraft 1900D VH-PSK.

 

Beechcraft 1900D VH-PSK.

 

Beechcraft 1900D VH-PSK.

 

Beechcraft 1900D VH-PSK.

 

Beechcraft 1900D VH-PSK.

 

 

Beechcraft 1900D VH-PSK.

 

Beechcraft 1900D VH-PSK.

Royal New Zealand Air Force (RNZAF) NH90 NZ3303 visits Bundaberg

As reported earlier, the New Zealand Defence Force (NZDF) recently ferried a pair of NH90 helicopters to Australia aboard HMNZS Canterbury to participate in Talisman Saber 2015.

For the purpose of conducting a navigation exercise, Royal New Zealand Air Force (RNZAF) NH90 NZ3303 flew from Rockhampton to Bundaberg and return on Thursday, June 25 and local planespotter Micah S was on hand to sight the chopper while visiting the rum city. 

While enjoying a conversation at the fenceline with the crew aboard NZ3303, Micah was invited to take a closer look at the NH90 from airside. Needless to say, the budding pilot himself jumped at the opportunity.  

Meanwhile, a few days earlier, Micah sighted CareFlight Agusta A109E VH-ZCF while departing Bundaberg on a medivac flight to the nearby township of Agnes Waters.

Of interest, VH-ZCF is only temporarily based at the rum city while one of CareFlight's Kawasaki BK117-B2 rescue choppers undergoes heavy maintenance. 

On a final note, many thanks to Bundaberg planespotter Micah S for not only taking the time to capture, but forward the following photo's.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Customs Australia Dash 8-200 VH-ZZI and VH-ZZP fly to and from Noumea, New Caledonia

There has certainly been a number of interesting movements by Surveillance / Customs Australia de Havilland Dash 8-200 aircraft recently with VH-ZZI and VH-ZZP both operating to and from La Tontouta International Airport, Noumea, New Caledonia.

 

On Saturday, June 20 - VH-ZZI departed Bundaberg for an approximate 4 hour flight to La Tontouta Intl. However, at the time of writing, FlightAware listed no further activity.

 

On Sunday, June 21 - Flightaware indicated VH-ZZP departed Cairns for La Tontouta Intl, a flight that also took approximately 4 hours. 

 

But ... on Monday, June 22 and Tuesday, June 23 - it appears VH-ZZP was active with movements originating from and ending back at La Tontouta Intl, surveillance / SAR flights perhaps !   

 

On Wednesday, June 24 - VH-ZZP departed Noumea for the return trip back to Cairns however was routed via Bundaberg, presumably to take onboard fuel.

 

The following day, VH-ZZI followed suit and operated Noumea - Bundaberg however did not proceed north to Cairns but instead remained overnight at the rum city.

 

Question ... did VH-ZZI become unserviceable while in Noumea and replaced by VH-ZZP ? 

 

After arriving back on Australian shores, local planespotter Micah S was on the scene at Bundaberg Airport to capture the Dash 8's and has kindly allowed Air Queensland.blogspot to share the following photo's.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Talisman Saber 2015 - RNZAF NH90's arrive at Rockhampton Airport.

As highlighted earlier, preparations for Talisman Saber 2015 has been gaining momentum over recent days and activity at Rockhampton Airport is certainly in no short supply.    

 

Among the more notable movements at the weekend was the arrival of two Royal New Zealand Air Force (RNZAF) NH90 helicopters which made the short hop north to the beef capital after disembarking HMNZS Canterbury while berthed alongside at Gladstone. The ship had sailed from Wellington, New Zealand.

 

Purchased to replace the aged Iroquois fleet, the RNZAF operates eight NH90 helicopters and were delivered brand new between 2011 and 2014. To maintain commonality and help reduce costs, it is reported the configuration of the New Zealand NH90's are similar to the Australian MRH-90's.      

 

Many thanks to Rockhampton planespotter Ash Burggraaff for allowing Air Queensland.blogspot to share these magnificent photo's.  

 

 

RNZAF NH90 NZ3303. (Ash Burggraaff)

 

RNZAF NH90 NZ3303. (Ash Burggraaff)

 

RNZAF NH90 NZ3303. (Ash Burggraaff)

 

Australian Army MRH-90 A40-032. (Ash Burggraaff)

 

Australian Army MRH-90 A40-032. (Ash Burggraaff)

 

Australian Army Boeing CH-47D Chinook A15-152. (Ash Burggraaff)

 

 

HMNZS Canterbury.

 

HMNZS Canterbury.

 

HMNZS Canterbury.

 

HMNZS Canterbury.