May 2012

N707MQ Boeing 707-368C (KC-707) (cn 21368/925) of Omega Air

On finals to runway 21, arriving from RAAF Amberley (Queensland) via Alice Springs (NT) at 15:54, using the call sign “OMEGA71”.

The aircraft had refuelled some RAAF F/A-18 Hornets which were deployed to RAAF Base Pearce for the 2012 Air Show.

Omega Air is a US-based civilian company which conducts contract air refuelling for the US Navy, US Marine Corps, and RAAF. Omega has two KC-707s in service and recently purchased former RAAF 707 tankers, which have underwing refuelling pods. They also own a DC-10 tanker.

The two round fairings on the underside of the rear fuselage contain the two Sergeant Fletcher hose and drogue refuelling systems. Only one can be used at a time, the other is a spare. They carry 156,000-160,000 lbs of fuel.

This aircraft was originally delivered in June 1977 to Saudia as HZ-ACK, then transferred to the Saudi Government as HZ-HM3 in July 1979, and was used as a diplomatic transport aircraft. In May 2003 it was registered N707MQ to Alameda Corporation and converted to an air refuelling KC-707.

Photo 1 & 3: © Keith Anderson

Photo 2: © Matt Hayes

VH-FNF Fokker 50 (cn 20200) of Skywest Airlines

On final approach to runway 21 at 15:40 during crew training circuits.

Photo © Matt Hayes

PK-GFH Boeing 737-8U3 (cn 36850/3389) of Garuda Indonesia

Flight GA726 from Denpasar (Bali) on final approach to runway 21 at 15:51.

Photo © Matt Hayes

9V-SRQ Boeing 777-212ER (cn 33371/449) of Singapore Airlines

Flight SQ226 to Singapore, taking off from runway 21 at 16:10.

Photo © Matt Hayes

VH-EBI Airbus A330-202 (cn 898) of Qantas, named “Yarra Valley”

Taking off from runway 21 as flight QF77 to Singapore at 16:25

Photo © Matt Hayes

VH-XFC Airbus A330-243 (cn 1293) of Virgin Australia, named “Mooloolabah Beach”

Arriving on runway 21 as flight DJ559 from Sydney at 16:27.

Photo © Matt Hayes

VH-FKJ Fokker 100 (cn 11372) of Alliance Airlines

Flight QQ804 to Leinster, taking off runway 21 at 16:28.

Photo © Matt Hayes

VH-XFC Airbus A330-243 (cn 1293) of Virgin Australia, named “Mooloolabah Beach”

This new A330 operated its first revenue service with Virgin Australia the previous day, flying from Melbourne to Perth.

The aircraft made its first flight on 15 February 2012 with Airbus test registration F-WWYU, and was delivered to Virgin on 5 April 2012.

On 10 May 2012, the aircraft sustained damage to a wing tip whilst being towed at Melbourne – it collided with a Jetstar A330-200. The damage was repaired so that the aircraft could enter service on 15 May 2012.

Seen here arriving on runway 21 as flight DJ553 from Sydney at 10:57.

Photo © Keith Anderson

VH-PPD Dassault Falcon 900C (cn 185) of Maxem Aviation, operated for Paspaley Pearling Company

On final approach to runway 21 at 11:39, arriving from Sydney.

Photo © Keith Anderson

VH-EBP Airbus A330-202 (cn 1174) of Qantas, named “Ningaloo Valley”

An artistic photo, with an interesting cloudscape as a backdrop.

Flight QF485 from Melbourne, on final approach to runwat 21 at 10:37.

Photo © Keith Anderson

ZS-SNC Airbus A340-642 (cn 426) of South African Airways, in Star Alliance special colours.

Flight SA280 from Johannesburg, on final approach to runway 21 at 13:05.

Photo © Keith Anderson

VH-X.. De Havilland Canada Dash 8 of Skippers Aviation

An artistic photo to include the cloudscape.

Taking off from runway 21 at 15:18 to Sunrise Dam, a gold mine located 55 km south of Laverton, WA.

Photo © Keith Anderson

VH-YVD Boeing 737-8FE (cn 40998/3848) of Virgin Australia, named “Salmon Beach”

Taking off from runway 21 at 15:24 as flight DJ1843 to Port Hedland.

Photo © Keith Anderson

VH-QPJ Airbus A330-303 (cn 712) of Qantas, named “Port Stephens”

Taking off from runway 21 as flight QF71 to Singapore at 15:50.

Photo © Keith Anderson

9V-SRP Boeing 777-212ER (cn 33369/448) of Singapore Airlines

Flight SQ226 to Singapore, taking off from runway 21 at 15:56.

Photos © Keith Anderson

VH-WPX Eurocopter AS365N3+ Dauphin 2 (cn 6936, ex F-WWOX) of WA Police Air Wing

WA Police held the public launch of their new $24 million helicopter, VH-WPX, which will use the call sign POLAIR62. Police Minister Rob Johnson and Police Commissioner Karl O’Callaghan attended the unveiling ceremony.

The helicopter was delivered in September 2011, and it was hoped to be ready for CHOGM, but fitting out the helicopter with equipment and training the pilots took longer than expected. It will be flying on trials for CASA during the next two weeks and be in service by the end of May 2012.

More than 3500 hours were spent on designing and integrating various systems, including communications, sensors, a forward-looking infra-red (FLIR) camera, Tasking and Dispatch Information Systems (TADIS), special lighting, a rescue winch and other equipment.

The Dauphin 2 will be able to access security camera footage and can carry up to 10 passengers, three more than the current BK-117 helicopter.

Photos © Matt Hayes

VH-WPE Pilatus PC-12/45 (cn 704) of WA Police Air Wing

Callsign “POLAIR 63”. Based at Jandakot, and used mainly for staff deployment across the southern half of WA.

Photo © Matt Hayes