Wednesday, July 20, 2016

Chopper spotting at Airlie Beach / Shute Harbour

Among a variety of fixed-wing aircraft based at Shute Harbour / Whitsunday Airport is a modest fleet of helicopters, and a helicopter sales and training centre.
 
Arguably the most prominent company is Helibiz, reportedly Australia’s authorised Robinson Dealer and Service Centre since 1997, and specialise in the sales of new and pre-owned helicopters, aswell as training and servicing.   
 
 
 





 
Another notable helicopter company based at Whitsunday Airport is HeliTaxi, and not only provide a range of charter and transfer options from the aerodrome, but from Abell Point Heliport at Abell Point Marina. 
 
Additionally, transfers to and from Proserpine Airport to meet RPT and charter services are also available.
 
For further information, HeliTaxi can be found at : http://www.helitaxi.com/   
 

 



 
 



Saturday, July 16, 2016

GSL Aviation GippsAero GA8 Airvan VH-ASI

Air Queensland.blogspot recently spent a few days soaking up the magnificent weather and scenery at Airlie Beach / The Whitsundays and naturally took an opportunity to enjoy some planespotting at Shute Harbour / Whitsunday Airport.
 
Over the next couple of weeks or so, a number of posts will be published to not only share the experience, but take a look at some of the local operators.
 
Among a small fleet of fixed winged aircraft and helicopters based at Shute Harbour / Whitsunday Airport is GippsAero (Mahindra Aerospace) GA8 Airvan VH-ASI. Manufactured in 2015, this near new high-wing aircraft is operated by GSL Aviation (more about them soon) in a variety roles including sightseeing, passenger transfers and private charters. 
 
Powered by a single 300hp (220kw) Textron Lycoming IO-540-K1A5, 6 cylinder, air-cooled piston engine, VH-ASI was manufactured in Victoria, Australia by GippsAero (formerly Gippsland Aeronautics), a member of the Mahindra Group of companies.
 
Of interest the GA8 Airvan was designed to fulfill a perceived niche market that fits between the Cessna 206 and Cessna 208 models and predominately used as a platform to transfer passengers / tourist aswell as freight, sightseeing, parachuting, observation and search & rescue missions.
 
The GA8 Airvan is capable of accommodating seven passengers (plus a pilot), cruise at 130 knots (240km/h), achieve an approximate range of 1 011km (546nm) and certified to a service ceiling 14 500ft (4 420m). These figures are based on the normally aspirated (non-turbo) version.  
 


 








 

Friday, July 15, 2016

Maryborough Aviation Services enters the 'Jet Age'

Maryborough Aviation Services (MAS) have taken on a new and rather unique responsibility in recent days when Capital Jet Resources Israel Aircraft Industries (IAI) 1124A Westwind II VH-IER  ferried from Illawarra Regional Airport, Wollongong, to it's new base at Maryborough Airport on Sunday, July 10.

Announced on their official Facebook page, MAS commented they have entered the 'jet age' as Westwind II VH-IER will now be housed, maintained and operated from Maryborough Airport. At this stage, we do not have any information as to why this new arrangement has come about, however, will endeavour to learn more shortly.

Manufactured in 1982 and powered by a pair of Garrett TFE 731-3-1G turbofans, VH-IER is a specialist medical retrieval and evacuation (medivac) aircraft and one model type of several including Pilatus PC-12NG, Beechcraft B200 Super King Air, Raytheon Hawker 800XP and Cessna Citation C680's operated by Inflight ER.

Of interest, Inflight ER is short for Inflight Emergency Room, and more information about the aerial medical provider can be found at : http://www.inflighter.com.au/

Additionally, the Maryborough Aviation Services Facebook page is located below :

https://www.facebook.com/Maryborough-Aviation-Services-729782680444983/

Air Queensland.blogspot would like to sincerely thank David G of Maryborough Aviation Services for taking the time to forward these magnificent photo's - always appreciated !
    
 



 
 
Meanwhile, Callum Bain of Aussie Aviation Photography has kindly shared a couple of magnificent photo's captured of VH-IER when based at Illawarra.
 
To view many more photo's by Callum at Aussie Aviation Photography, click onto the adjacent link : https://www.flickr.com/photos/78427482@N03/albums
 

Tuesday, July 12, 2016

Australian Border Force de Havilland Dash 8-200 VH-ZZJ sighted at Bundaberg

Bundaberg planespotter Micah S took time-out of his normal routine last week to capture some of the more interesting movements at the rum city.
 
Among the activity sighted was Australian Border Force (ABF) de Havilland Dash 8-200 VH-ZZJ which was noted taking onboard fuel before being secured for an overnight stay after touching-down from an unknown location on Friday, July 08.   
 
 
 
 
 
 
With Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk onboard, State of Queensland Raytheon Hawker 850XP VH-SGY arrived from Brisbane on Wednesday, July 06 and remained parked for a number of hours before returning to the state capital.




 
Presumably while conducting a training flight of some sort, Queensland Police Service Cessna 560 Citation Ultra VH-PSU made a brief stop at Bundaberg on the same day and observed sitting at idle for about 10 minutes before leaving. 
 
VH-PSU had earlier departed Brisbane and was noted conducting airwork at Gladstone before returning to Brisbane via Bundaberg.  
 



 
Air Queensland.blogspot would like to sincerely thank Micah S for taking the time to share more fabulous planespotting photo's from Bundaberg ... always appreciated !