Planespotting - Hervey Bay Airport - Flight One Cirrus Design Corporation SR20 VH-FOH

Sighted among other light aircraft movements during our visit to Hervey Bay / Fraser Coast Airport earlier this month was Archerfield based Flight One Cirrus Design Corporation SR20 VH-FOH.

Manufactured in 2015, VH-FOH is powered by an 200hp, IO-360-ES, 6-cylinder, Lycoming engine which reportedly propels the plane to an approximate cruise speed of 150 knots depending on payload and weather conditions.

Of interest, the latest variant designated SR20 G6 introduced this year is fitted with a moderately more powerful 215hp, IO-390-C3B6, 6-cylinder, Lycoming engine along with other minor improvements including an enhanced Garmin Perspective-Plus flight deck.

The Cirrus SR20 as well as the more powerful SR22 and SR22T siblings, are perhaps best known for being equipped with the Cirrus Airframe Parachute System (CAPS), an emergency whole plane parachute capable of lowering the aircraft (and occupants) safely to the ground after a loss of control, structural failure or mid-air collision.

Additional information about Cirrus Design Corporation aircraft on sale in Australia can be viewed at : http://cirrussunshinecoast.com.au/

 

 

 

Meanwhile, Bundaberg planespotter Dan B has forwarded several photos of QantasLink Bombardier Dash 8-Q400 VH-QOA sporting the new (revised) Qantas livery.

Re-painted by Townsville company Flying Colours Aviation, VH-QOA was the first of type to have the revised livery applied while retaining the name 'Gladstone'.

Manufactured in 2005, VH-QOA is the oldest of thirty-one, 74-seat Bombardier Dash 8-Q400's operated by QantasLink, comprising twenty-one original Q-402 models and ten next-generation Q-402(NG) variants. The last of these was manufactured and delivered in 2014.

The Next Generation Q400 incorporates an updated cabin with improved lighting, windows and larger overhead bins while operational improvements include minor revisions to the landing gear aswell as reduced fuel burn and maintenance costs. 

Planespotting - Hervey Bay Airport - Air Fraser Island

As mentioned in our previous post, we recently spent a few magnificent days soaking up the summer atmosphere in Hervey Bay, and while there, equally enjoyed capturing some aviation movements at Hervey Bay / Fraser Coast Airport.

As with any other visit to Hervey Bay Airport, we made an effort to catch-up with the friendly folks at Air Fraser Island, and upon request, was allowed to photograph GippsAero GA-8 Airvan VH-BNX and Cessna U206G Stationair VH-UPK before they departed on another adventurous day to Fraser Island.

Air Fraser Island is uniquely known for providing passenger transfers from Hervey Bay and Sunshine Coast to Fraser Island and use the fabulous beaches as a landing strip for their small fleet of GippsAero GA-8 Airvans and Cessna 206 Stationairs.

Air Fraser Island also provides day trips and overnight packages incorporating 4x4 hire to the World Heritage listed island as well as scenic flights from Hervey Bay and off the beaches on Fraser Island.

During the traditional Humpback Whale northern migration period between August and October each year, scenic flights to witness these truly magnificent marine animals is another Air Fraser Island specialty.

To learn more about Air Fraser Island, feel free to contact them on (07) 4125 3600 or by visiting thier official website at : http://www.airfraserisland.com.au/

Air Fraser Island can also be found on FB : https://www.facebook.com/AirFraser

The largest aircraft operated by Air Fraser Island is a pair of GippsAero GA-8 Airvans which are supported by three Cessna U206G Stationairs and a lone Piper PA-24-220T Seneca III which is predominately used for general charter.

Powered by a single 300 HP (220 kw) Textron Lycoming IO-540-K1A5, 6 cylinder, air-cooled piston engine - the GippsAero GA-8 Airvan is manufactured in Victoria by GippsAero (formerly Gippsland Aeronautics), a member of the Mahindra Group of companies.

Designed to fulfill a perceived niche market that fits between the Cessna 206 and Cessna 208 models, the GA-8 Airvan is ideally suited as a platform to transfer passengers / tourist as well as freight, sightseeing, parachuting, observation and search & rescue missions.

The GA-8 Airvan is capable of accommodating seven passengers (plus a pilot), cruise at 120 knots (222 km/h, 138 mph), achieve an approximate range of 1352 km (840 miles) and certified to a service ceiling 20000 ft (6096 m).