Maroomba Airlines (parent company is Nantay Pty Ltd) was formed in 1985 and was formerly known as Maroomba Air Service and Maroomba Aviation. The airline is based at its own terminal at Perth Airport. Maroomba provides aircraft charter services, Fly In/Fly Out (FIFO) services to the resources industry, FBO (Fixed Base Operator) services, and aircraft management. It operates a Hawker 850XP and Beech B200 King Air for the WA Government. Updated 11 Jan 2020.
Maxem Aviation is located in their own private facility at the Maxem Jet Centre, 151 Fauntleroy Avenue, Perth Airport. Provides executive aircraft charter, management services and FBO / Ground Handling services for both domestic / international clients. Updated 11 Jan 2020.
Medical Air was established as a subsidiary of Formula Aviation(see separate entry) in 2013, based at Jandakot Airport. It provides aeromedical air ambulance services on behalf of insurance companies, which began with the purchase of their first Learjet, VH-LJG. Updated 10 Jan 2020.
VH-IJG
Gates Learjet 35A
35A-608
Medical Air / Aus West Airlines
VH-KJG
Gates Learjet 35A
35A-667
Medical Air / Aus West Airlines
VH-LJG
Gates Learjet 35A
35A-121
Medical Air / Aus West Airlines
VH-TSG
Gates Learjet 35A
35A-657
Medical Air / Aus West Airlines
VH-UJG
Gates Learjet 35A
35A-622
Medical Air / Aus West Airlines
Midwest Aerial Ag
Midwest Aerial Ag Pty Ltd is based at Carnamah and provides aerial agriculture services such as crop spraying. Updated 11 Jan 2020.
Minovation is a flying school based at Jandakot Airport, providing aircraft hire and flight training from ab initio through to Private Pilot’s License (PPL), or Commercial Pilot’s License (CPL) level. Minovation also manages the operation of Curtin Flying Club’s aircraft (see separate entry). Minovation was formed in 1997 by Min Stokes, the Chief Flying Instructor, and her husband Karl Valentin. Updated 11 Jan 2020.
Morawa Gliding Club are based at Morawa, and are the only gliding club in the northern wheatbelt. It offers joyflights, glider flight training and glider hire. Updated 11 Jan 2020.
Narrogin Gliding Club Inc was founded in 1964 and is based at Narrogin Airfield, providing joyflights, glider flight training, and glider hire. Updated 11 Jan 2020.
Northam Aero Club was founded in 1968 and is based at Northam Aerodrome. The Club owns a Cessna 172 aircraft, which is used for flight training and for private hire to members. Updated 11 Jan 2020.
Northwest Regional Airlines is a sister company to Broome Aviation, but all aircraft are registered under the name of Broome Aviation. Aircraft based at Halls Creek and Wyndham are reported to be assigned to Northwest Regional Airlines. See entry for Broome Aviation.
Norwest Air Work (trading as Shark Bay Aviation – see separate entry)
Ozwest Aviation was formed in late 2009 by Martin Brooker and Dr Peter Mulrooney, and is based at Jandakot Airport. It provides scenic flights. Updated 11 Jan 2020.
Paul Lyons Aviation was formed in September 1986 and is based at Jandakot Airport. The company is owned and operated by Paul and Jan Lyons, and provides air charter, FIFO, freight charter, and scenic flights. Updated 5 Jan 2021.
Pearce Flying Club was founded in 1980 as a civilian flying training and flying club organisation, based at RAAF Base Gingin and Jandakot. Updated 11 Jan 2020.
Pearl Aviation is owned by Paspaley Pearling, and provides a wide range of services, including aircraft charter, executive jet charter, FIFO (Fly In/Fly Out) contract charters for the resources industry and government, medevac/air ambulance services, and special mission work. Pearl Aviation is based at Darwin, but has other bases at Adelaide, Alice Springs, Brisbane, Broome, Essendon, Cairns, Gove, Katherine, Mungalalu Truscott, Perth Airport.
Pearling company Paspaley Pearling had been operating its own aircraft to their pearl farms since 1986. In 1996 Paspaley purchased the WA-based Skywest Aviation, which can trace its history back to 1964, and renamed it Pearl Aviation Australia. Skywest also owned East-West Airlines including air ambulance flights for the Ambulance Service of New South Wales, and this operation also became part of Pearl Aviation until 2003, when the RFDS won the contract. In 2004, Pearl won a contract to operate air ambulances for the Northern Territory Aerial Medical Service, but this contract ended 30 June 2010. Pearl also operates FBOs (Fixed Base Operator) services at Pearl Flight Centre in Darwin, Darwin Jet Centre, and Perth Flight Centre.
Pearl Aviation formed AeroPearl (see separate entry) in partnership with Aerodata GmBH, (manufacturers of the flight inspection equipment) to operate two King Airs under contract to Airservices Australia on flight inspection operations.
It formerly operated AeroRescue to undertakes SAR (search and rescue) and maritime surveillance under contract to AMSA and Border Protection, using a fleet of five Dornier 328s. Updated 11 Jan 2020.
Pearl Coast Helicopters Pty Ltd (previously Pearl Coast Mustering) is based in Broome and specialises in aerial cattle mustering. Updated as at 27 August 2014.
Penjet was formed in 2019, with bases at Perth, Jandakot and Melbourne. It offers mining FIFO (Fly In, Fly Out) charter, general aircraft charter and air freight services. Updated 5 Jan 2021.
PHI International was established in 2017 when PHI Inc acquired HNZ New Zealand Limited (HNZ). In Western Australia, the company has bases at Broome and Karratha.
Petroleum Helicopters International Inc. (PHI Inc), is an American commercial helicopter operator, founded in 1949, based in Lafayette, Louisiana. It provides services for the oil and gas industry, aeromedical services, pilot training and aircraft maintenance.
Helicopters (NZ) (HNZ) was established in New Zealand in 1955, where it was also focused on aerial spraying. Over the years, the company expanded through acquisitions and reorganisations. HNZ Australia (previously Helicopters Australia) was formed in the early 1980s as Westcoast Helicopters at Perth Airport. Other subsidiary helicopter companies were based in Laos and Cambodia. Only aircraft based in WA are listed below. Updated 10 Jan 2020.
Pilbara Helicopters is a subsidiary of parent company Williambury Helicopters. Williambury Helicopters was started in 1997 by Donald Percy and originally based at Williambury Station, approximately 250 kilometres northeast of Carnarvon. The company is now based at Yalleen Station, near Pannawonica in the Pilbara region. Services include: Aerial Photography, Aerial Spotting, Aerial Surveying, Emergency Services, Exploration Support, Mining Support, Sling Loads. Updated 12 Jan 2020.
Polar Aviation is based in Port Hedland, and was formed there by Clark Butson in 1981. It has a second base at Newman. The company provides air services in the Pilbara Region, including Air Charter, Air Freight services, Scenic tours and Flight Training. Updated 5 Jan 2021.
Qantas (Queensland and Northern Territory Aerial Services, now Qantas Airways Ltd) was established on 16 November 1920 at Winton, Queensland with a single Avro 504K. The company moved headquarters to Longreach in 1921, Brisbane in 1920 and Sydney in 1957. Qantas commenced international flights in May 1935 from Darwin to Singapore. In June 1959, their first jet was delivered – a Boeing 707-138.
QantasLink is the regional brand used by Airlink, Eastern Australia Airlines Sunstate Airlines and Network Aviation. In WA, Cobham operates QantasLink Boeing 717s and on 13 December 2010, Qantas acquired Network Aviation, which also operates under the QantasLink brand. See QantasLink entry below.
Updated 5 Jan 2021. Airbus A380 fleets excluded, as these rarely visit Perth and they are in storage.
VH-VXA
Boeing 737-838
29551/1042
‘Broome’
VH-VXB
Boeing 737-838
30101/1045
‘Yananyi’ (formerly wore ‘Yananyi Dreaming’ livery) Aboriginal art aft of cockpit window depicting Ayers Rock/Uluru and a goanna lizard
VH-VXC
Boeing 737-838
30897/1049
‘Gippsland’
VH-VXD
Boeing 737-838
29552/1063
‘Tenterfield’
VH-VXE
Boeing 737-838
30899/1071
‘Coffs Harbour’
VH-VXF
Boeing 737-838
29553/1096
‘Sunshine Coast’
VH-VXG
Boeing 737-838
30901/1102
‘Port Douglas’
VH-VXH
Boeing 737-838
33478/1137
‘Warrnambool’
VH-VXI
Boeing 737-838
33479/1141
‘Oodnadatta’
VH-VXJ
Boeing 737-838
33480/1157
‘Coober Pedy’
VH-VXK
Boeing 737-838
33481/1160
‘Katherine’
VH-VXL
Boeing 737-838
33482/1172
‘Charleville’
VH-VXM
Boeing 737-838
33483/1177
‘Mount Hotham’
VH-VXN
Boeing 737-838
33484/1180
‘Fremantle’
VH-VXO
Boeing 737-838
33485/1183
‘Kakadu’
VH-VXP
Boeing 737-838
33722/1324
‘Logan’
VH-VXQ
Boeing 737-838
33723/1335
‘Retro Roo II’ 1959-61 retro livery.
VH-VXR
Boeing 737-838
33724/1340
‘Shepparton’
VH-VXS
Boeing 737-838
33725/1352
‘St. Helens’
VH-VXT
Boeing 737-838
33760/1412
‘Townsville’
VH-VXU
Boeing 737-838
33761/1420
‘Wollongong’
VH-VYA
Boeing 737-838
33762/1532
‘Narooma’
VH-VYB
Boeing 737-838
33763/1534
‘Cape Otway’ First visit 2 Aug 2004.
VH-VYC
Boeing 737-838
33991/1612
‘Arnhem Land’ First visit 9 Dec 2004.
VH-VYD
Boeing 737-838
33992/1706
‘Eudunda’
VH-VYE
Boeing 737-838
33993/1712
‘Alice Springs’. First visit 7 June 2005.
VH-VYF
Boeing 737-838
33994/1727
‘Evandale’. First visit 24-25 June 2005.
VH-VYG
Boeing 737-838
33995/1736
‘Australind’. First visit 17 July 2005.
VH-VYH
Boeing 737-838
34180/1815
‘Queanbeyan’
VH-VYI
Boeing 737-838
34181/1840
‘Bathurst Island’
VH-VYJ
Boeing 737-838
34182/1842
‘Cann River’
VH-VYK
Boeing 737-838
34183/1846
‘Moree’
VH-VYL
Boeing 737-838
34184/1854
‘Wangaratta’
VH-VZA
Boeing 737-838
34195/2502
‘Port Augusta’
VH-VZB
Boeing 737-838
34196/2623
‘Lake Macquarie’
VH-VZC
Boeing 737-838
34197/2649
‘Innisfail’
VH-VZD
Boeing 737-838
34198/2659
‘Port Geelong’
VH-VZE
Boeing 737-838
34199/2661
‘Bunbury’
VH-VZF
Boeing 737-838
34200/2989
‘Ballarat’
VH-VZG
Boeing 737-838
34201/3006
‘Yarralumla’ – First visit 25 Feb 2018.
VH-VZH
Boeing 737-838
34202/3048
‘Woden’ – First visit 28 March 2018.
VH-VZI
Boeing 737-838
34203/3515
‘Ballina’
VH-VZJ
Boeing 737-838
34185/3542
‘Bowral’
VH-VZK
Boeing 737-838
34204/3552
‘Proserpine’
VH-VZL
Boeing 737-838
34194/3621
‘Newcastle’
VH-VZM
Boeing 737-838
34192/3644
‘Bathurst’
VH-VZO
Boeing 737-838
34191/3692
‘Bendigo’ First visit 17 July 2011
VH-VZP
Boeing 737-838
39362/3714
‘Whyalla’. First visit 9 August 2011
VH-VZQ
Boeing 737-838
39357/3881
‘Belconnen’
VH-VZR
Boeing 737-838
39357/3754
‘Coral Bay’
VH-VZS
Boeing 737-838
39358/3769
‘Tamworth’. First visit 26 September 2011
VH-VZT
Boeing 737-838
34186/3798
‘Kalgoorlie’. First visit 29 October 2011
VH-VZU
Boeing 737-838
34187/3826
‘Lorne’
VH-VZV
Boeing 737-838
34189/3856
‘Palm Cove’. First visit 20 December 2011
VH-VZW
Boeing 737-838
39359/3881
‘Beaconsfield’
VH-VZX
Boeing 737-838
34188/3910
‘Daylesford’
VH-VZY
Boeing 737-838
39363/3944
‘Temora’ First visit 8 March 2012
VH-VZZ
Boeing 737-838
39445/4010
‘Walpole’.
VH-XZA
Boeing 737-838
39367/4150
‘Leeton’
VH-XZB
Boeing 737-838
39360/4192
‘Mudgee’
VH-XZC
Boeing 737-838
39361/4199
‘Walwa’
VH-XZD
Boeing 737-838
39368/4400
‘Moranbah’
VH-XZE
Boeing 737-838
39369/4421
‘Pine Creek’
VH-XZF
Boeing 737-838
39370/4450
‘Cygnet’
VH-XZG
Boeing 737-838
39371/4477
‘Bungendore’
VH-XZH
Boeing 737-838
39372/4521
‘McLaren Vale’
VH-XZI
Boeing 737-838
39364/4630
‘Kalbarri’
VH-XZJ
Boeing 737-838
39365/4669
‘Mendoowoorrji’ Aboriginal art livery
VH-XZK
Boeing 737-838
39366/4705
‘Cook’
VH-XZL
Boeing 737-838
44573/5009
‘Flinders’
VH-XZM
Boeing 737-838
44574/5018
‘Coonewarra’
VH-XZN
Boeing 737-838
44575/5060
‘Wagga Wagga’
VH-XZO
Boeing 737-838
44576/5108
‘Leichhardt’
VH-XZP
Boeing 737-838
44577/5164
‘James Strong’ – bow tie under name, 1970s orange strip Retro Roo livery
VH-EBA
Airbus A330-202
508
‘Cradle Mountain’
VH-EBB
Airbus A330-202
522
‘Albany’
VH-EBC
Airbus A330-202
506
‘Surfers Paradise’
VH-EBD
Airbus A330-202
513
‘Traralgon’
VH-EBE
Airbus A330-202
842
‘Kangaroo Valley’
VH-EBF
Airbus A330-202
853
‘King Valley’
VH-EBG
Airbus A330-203
887
‘Barossa Valley’
VH-EBJ
Airbus A330-202
940
‘Margaret River’
VH-EBK
Airbus A330-202
945
‘Savannah Way’
VH-EBL
Airbus A330-203
976
‘Whitsundays’
VH-EBM
Airbus A330-202
1061
‘Tamar Valley’
VH-EBN
Airbus A330-202
1094
‘Clare Valley’
VH-EBO
Airbus A330-202
1169
‘Kimberley’
VH-EBP
Airbus A330-202
1174
‘Ningaloo Valley’ First visit & first revenue service 19 December 2010
VH-EBQ
Airbus A330-202
1198
‘Wolgan Valley’
VH-EBR
Airbus A330-202
1251
‘Lockyer Valley’
VH-EBS
Airbus A330-202
1258
‘Swan Valley’
VH-EBV
Airbus A330-202
1365
‘Kangaroo Island’ Oneworld titles.
VH-QPA
Airbus A330-303
553
‘Kununurra’
VH-QPB
Airbus A330-303
558
‘Freycinet Peninsula’
VH-QPC
Airbus A330-303
564
‘Broken Hill’
VH-QPD
Airbus A330-303
574
‘Port Macquarie’
VH-QPE
Airbus A330-303
593
‘Port Lincoln’
VH-QPF
Airbus A330-303
595
‘Esperance’
VH-QPG
Airbus A330-303
603
‘Mt Gambier’
VH-QPH
Airbus A330-303
695
‘Noosa’
VH-QPI
Airbus A330-303
705
‘Cairns’
VH-QPJ
Airbus A330-303
712
‘Port Stephens’
VH-ZNA
Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner
39038/615
‘Great Southern Land’. First visit 1 Nov 2017.
VH-ZNB
Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner
39039/641
‘Waltzing Matilda’. First visit 11 Feb 2018.
VH-ZNC
Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner
39040/655
‘Quokka’. First visit 29 Jan 2018.
VH-ZND
Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner
63390/669
‘Emily Kame Kngwarreye’. ‘Yam Dreaming’ Aboriginal art livery. First visit 6 March 2018, operated first Perth – London service 24-25 March 2018 and London-Perth direct service 25-26 March 2018.
National Jet Systems started operations on 1 July 1990 with a fleet of British Aerospace 146 aircraft. It later operated some routes on behalf of Australian Airlines from Perth, mainly to Alice Springs and Ayers Rock with Australian Airlines colours and Airlink titles. In 1993, Australian Airlines was taken over by Qantas and National Jet continued the Airlink operations, with the aircraft being repainted in Qantas colours with Airlink titles.
In 2002, QantasLink was created as the regional brand of Qantas, including the Qantas regional subsidiaries Airlink, Sunstate, Eastern Australia Airlines, and Southern Australia Airlines. The 146s were later painted in QantasLink titles.
QantasLink also operated a number of Boeing 717 aircraft in the eastern states, inherited from the Qantas purchase of Impulse Airlines in 2001. In May 2004, Qantas started a new low-cost airline, Jetstar Airways, to take over the Impulse Airlines 717s and routes. Jetstar later standardised its fleet on the Airbus A320, and the 717s were placed in storage. In 2005-6, National Jet won a Qantas contract to operate Boeing 717s for QantasLink, replacing the BAe 146s. In early 2009, National Jet was rebranded as Cobham Aviation Services Australia. The 717s are maintained at Cobham’s maintenance facilities in Adelaide and Perth, and operate in Western Australia, Northern Territory and north Queensland.
QantasLink opened a Perth base with Bombardier Dash 8-Q400s in late 2011, using an initial two Dash 8-Q400 aircraft, with the aircraft coming from Sunstate Airlines and pilots coming from Eastern Australia Airlines in Sydney. The aircraft were operated using the Sunstate Airlines AOC (Air Operators Certificate), with operations starting in August/September 2011. Maintenance is carried out in Perth by Network Aviation, which is now a Qantas subsidiary. This operation ended in March 2015.
On 20 May 2020, Cobham Australia and Qantas Group announced that Qantas will bring its Boeing 717 operation ‘in house’ within the Qantas Group, after reaching an agreement with Cobham Aviation Services for Qantas to acquire National Jet Systems. On 27 August 2020, Qantas Group announced that it would close the Boeing 717 bases in Perth and Cairns, to relocate them to Melbourne.
Updated 5 Jan 2021. (Only includes Western Australia based aircraft)
Rainbow Coast Flying School was formed in 2006 and is based at Albany Airport, providing Recreational Aviation (RAAus) flight training. It is affiliated with Great Southern Aviation (see separate entry), which conducts CASA general aviation flight training. Updated 12 Jan 2020.
24-8554
Brumby R610 Evolution
036
Repacholi Aviation
Repacholi Aviation conducts aerial agriculture operations (crop spraying/crop dusting) and has its main base at Jandakot Airport, with other bases at Esperance, Narembeen, Bunbury, and Morawa. Updated 12 Jan 2020.
Revesco Aviation was formed in 2006 and is based at Perth Airport, using the facilities of Hawker Pacific around Australia, Execujet in Sydney, Interair in Melbourne and Pearl Aviation in Darwin. The company offers corporate jet air charter, air ambulance and aerial photography. Updated 5 Jan 2021.
VH-PNM
Embraer 500 Phenom 100
50000206
VH-MQZ
Beech B200 King Air
BB-1961
Operated for Western Australian Government Department of Premier and Cabinet
VH-ZLT
Cessna 550 Citation Bravo
550-0878
VH-PSU
Cessna 560 Citation Ultra
560-0515
VH-NJC
Embraer 505 Phenom 300
50500080
VH-MQY
Raytheon Hawker 850XP
258807
Operated for Western Australian Government Department of Premier and Cabinet
Rotorvation Helicopter Services (Heysen Gums Pty Ltd) provides helicopter flight training, helicopter charter and commercial operations, helicopter and scenic tours. The company is based at Jandakot, with a helipad at Hillarys Boat Harbour. Updated 12 Jan 2020.
VH-IDW
Robinson R44 Raven II
12335
VH-OTA
Robinson R66 Turbine
0312
Leased from Connery Investments Pty Ltd
VH-ZJP
Eurocopter AS350B2 Squirrel
3297
Leased from Peter Morrison / Helicopters (WA) Pty Ltd
Rottnest Air-Taxi was formed by Frank Stynman in the mid-1990s. It provides an air-taxi service between Jandakot and Rottnest Island (about 15 minutes flying time), coastal/Perth city/Swan River scenic flights from Jandakot and scenic/joy flights from Rottnest. Updated 12 Jan 2020.
The Royal Aero Club of Western Australia is based at Jandakot and also owns Murray Field (near Mandurah). It conducts joy flights, scenic flights, flight training, aircraft charter, and aero club activities such as flying competitions and fly-ins.
The Royal Aero Club of Western Australia is the oldest flying training club in WA. It was incorporated in August 1929 as the Aero Club of Australia (W.A. Branch) Inc. and first flew its aircraft from Maylands Aerodrome in April 1930. On that date, the Club officially took over training from Perth Flying School with two de Havilland DH.60 Moth aircraft donated by the Federal Government. In 1934, the name was changed to Aero Club of Western Australia and in 1936, the Royal prefix was added, changing the name to the Royal Aero Club of Western Australia Inc. Prior to World War Two, the Club held several air carnivals where RAAF aircraft participated, and the events drew thousands of visitors to Maylands.
By September 1939, the Club had flown over 14,500 hours and the fleet had grown to six aircraft. During that time, many hundreds of pilots had been trained to both private and commercial standard. The Club ceased operations during World War Two when its aircraft were impressed into service with the RAAF, but following the end of the war in 1945 the Club was re-established at Maylands and in the next few years it became the dominant flying training and charter operator in WA.
In post-war years, the Club progressively improved its fleet of aircraft, stepping from de Havilland Tiger Moths to de Havilland Chipmunks and then to Cessna aircraft; the first of which was delivered in 1958. The Club moved its operation from Maylands to Guildford Aerodrome (Perth Airport) in 1959, and then to Jandakot Airport in 1965.
Updated 5 Jan 2021.
VH-RWV
Airplane Factory Sling 2
229
VH-BFT
Cessna A152 Aerobat
A1520898
VH-BFV
Cessna A152 Aerobat
A1520853
VH-FWM
Cessna A152 Aerobat
A1520772
VH-IBP
Cessna A152 Aerobat
A1520795
VH-JBX
Cessna A152 Aerobat
A1520785
‘Ian Metcher’
VH-RCF
Cessna A152 Aerobat
A1520962
VH-RWF
Cessna A152 Aerobat
A1520811
VH-RWJ
Cessna A152 Aerobat
A1520845
VH-RWQ
Cessna A152 Aerobat
A1520896
VH-RWY
Cessna A152 Aerobat
A1520889
VH-TNO
Cessna A152 Aerobat
A1520864
VH-UWC
Cessna A152 Aerobat
A1520849
VH-TQO
American Champion 8KCAB Decathlon
928-2003
VH-CKF / A17-421
De Havilland DH.82A Tiger Moth
DHA596
RAAF markings – yellow
VH-FAS / A17-37
De Havilland DH.82A Tiger Moth
DHA34
RAAF markings – yellow. Leased from Griffin Aviation Pty Ltd.
The RFDS was created by Reverend John Flynn, a Presbyterian Church minister who started the Australian Inland Mission (AIM) in 1912. During World War One, Clifford Peel wrote to Flynn and planted the idea of using aircraft to help transport Doctors to people in remote areas. Flynn struggled to get funding for the concept but finally on 15 May 1928, opened the Australian Inland Mission Aerial Medical Service at Cloncurry, Queensland. It soon expanded across the country.
The Victorian Section of the Australian Aerial Medical Services was formed in 1934, and this provided aero medical and other services to the Kimberley region of Western Australia, with the first base at Wyndham opening in 1935.
In 1935, a provisional Western Australian Section purchased a de Havilland DH.83 Fox Moth Aircraft in 1935, and this section was officially registered on 14 June 1936. On 10 October 1936, the Section’s first base at Port Hedland opened, with the first medical flight also occurring on that date.
In the early 1930s (1931 or 1932), the Goldfields Flying Doctor Service provided a air medical service for people in the Goldfields region, before most other parts of Australia. An Eastern Goldfields Section of Australian Aerial Medical Services was formed in 1937, based at Kalgoorlie.
In 1942, Australian Aerial Medical Services was renamed the Flying Doctor Service, and in 1951 became the Royal Flying Doctor Service. Until the 1960s, the RFDS rarely owned its aircraft, relying on contractors to provide aircraft, pilots and servicing. They then began to purchase their own aircraft and employ our own pilots and engineers.
On 14 October 2009, the RFDS officially began operating its first jet aircraft in Australia – the Hawker 800XP “Rio Tinto LifeFlight Jet”, registered VH-RIO. It will be used to transport urgent care patients from around WA and the Indian Ocean Territories, cutting flight times significantly.It carries three stretcher patients and three clinical staff, and is fitted with a Lifeport PLUS specialist aeromedical interior. On 3 December 2018, the RFDS took delivery of their first PC-24 jet, VH-VWO.
RFDS – Western Operations now operates from five bases in Western Australia – Jandakot, Kalgoorlie, Meekatharra, Port Hedland and Derby. Updated 5 Jan 2021.
Norwest Air Work, trading as Shark Bay Aviation, is based at Exmouth and Shark Bay, providing scenic flights, aircraft charter, freight charter, filming/photography, survey and airwork in the Pilbara, Gascoyne, Murchison and Kimberley regions. Updated 11 Jan 2020.
Shine Aviation is based at Geraldton, and has another base at Carnarvon. The company offers FIFO (Fly In/Fly Out) contracts for resources companies, aircraft charter, flying training, aerial work, aircraft hire, and scenic flights. Updated 13 Jan 2020.
Shoal Air was founded by Steve Irvine in 2004 with a fleet of two aircraft and two staff, conducting air charter operations from Kununurra, in the Kimberley region of Western Australia. The fleet grew, and the company opened a second base at Wyndham in 2007. Their services now include passenger charter, scenic tours, air freight and remote area logistics, aerial surveys, aerial photography, and search and rescue. Updated 13 Jan 2020.
Singapore Flying College was established in 1988. It is a wholly-owned subsidiary of Singapore Airlines. The college is headquartered in Singapore (with five Singapore-registered Cessna 172s) but has bases at Jandakot in WA and Maroochydore (Sunshine Coast Airport), Queensland.
The Jandakot base originally operated Beech Bonanza F33As and Beech Baron 58s. It now operates the Cessna 172R Skyhawk and the Baron 58 for ab-initio training, leading to a multi-engine Commercial Pilot’s License (with Instrument Rating).
The college opened a base in Maroochydore, Queensland in 2002, which conducted advanced jet training using Learjet 45s (later replaced by Cessna Mustangs), and this underwent a $40 million upgrade in 2010. However, the College announced on 23 July 2013 that the Maroochydore base is to close during 2014, with the jets to be sold, as that training will in future be conducted on simulators. Jandakot operations are unaffected.
Singapore Flying College also leases Cessna 172S Skyhawk SP and Piper PA-44-180 Seminole aircraft from Airflite Pty Ltd. Updated 5 Jan 2021.
Skippers Aviation is based at Perth Airport with their own terminal and maintenance facilities on Bungana Avenue. The company provides aircraft charter, and scheduled RPT (Regular Passenger Transport) services and FIFO (Fly In/Fly Out) services.
Skippers Aviation started operations in 1990 with three Cessna 441 Conquests and a Cessna 402C, operating from Perth Flight Centre. In 1995, they began acquiring new Fairchild Metro 23s, eventually acquiring six. In 1997/98, Skippers built their own terminal and maintenance facility, and set up a second base in Broome. In July 1998, they added a pair of De Havilland Dash-8-100s, and two more were added in 1999-2000. In 1999, their AOC (Air Operators Certificate) was upgraded to allow scheduled RPT (Regular Passenger Transport) services. In October 1999, they purchased their first Embraer Brasilia, with more Brasilias delivered in 2001-2006. In 2006-8, DeHavilland Dash 8-300 aircraft were added. In 2013, they added their first jets, two Fokker 100s. Updated 5 Jan 2021.
Skydive Australia was founded in 1998 as Skydive the Beach Sydney in Wollongong NSW, using a single six-seater Cessna 206. It now has 17 drop zones across Australia, with two in Western Australia – Perth (Rockingham) and York. Updated 13 Jan 2020.
Skydive Geronimo (AGSR Pty Ltd) is based at Rottnest Island Airport and Busselton Regional Airport, conducting skydiving operations over Rottnest Island, Busselton and Margaret River. The company offers tandem skydiving, with a beach landing, as well as Accelerated Free Fall training. Updated 13 Jan 2020.
VH-JHL
Cessna 182Q Skylane II
18265575
VH-FGN
Gippsland GA8-TC 320 Airvan
GA8-03-025
Prototype turbocharged Airvan – converted from standard Airvan
Skytraders was founded in 1979 and is headquartered at Melbourne-Tullamarine Airport, with an office in Hobart to manage their Antarctic services, and an administrative office in New South Wales.
The company conducts Antarctic flights, charter and freight flights. In 2002, Skytraders was awarded a long term contract by the Australian Antarctic Division for the provision of Antarctic air services. From November to March each year, this aircraft operates on behalf of the Australian Government’s Australian Antarctic Division on a weekly service from the Division’s base in Hobart, Tasmania to an ice runway at Wilkins, Antarctica (hence the “Snowbird” radio callsign).
Their A319 CJ and CASA 212 aircraft are available for private charter or use by other government agencies for periods throughout the summer season and uninterrupted use during the Australian winter. The two CASA 212-400s are not listed here as they rarely visit Western Australia. Updated 13 Jan 2020.
VH-VCJ
Airbus A319-132
1880
Callsign ‘SNOWBIRD 2’
VH-VHD
Airbus A319-115CJ
1999
Callsign ‘SNOWBIRD 1’
VH-VHP
Airbus A319-132
3757
Callsign ‘SNOWBIRD 5’
Smoothy Helicopter Services
Smoothy Helicopter Services was formed by Brent Smoothy, and is based at Newman Airport, Newman, WA. Updated 13 Jan 2020.
South-West Microlight School was established in 1995 and is located at Bunbury Airport. The school is a registered microlight flight training facility and is the Western Australian distributor for the Airborne range of microlight (trike) aircraft.
Southern Aviation is based at Bunbury Airport also operates as Bunbury Flying School, although all aircraft are registered under the name of Southern Aviation. Bunbury Flying School is the largest flight training facility in regional Western Australia, providing flight training, scenic, aerobatic and adventure flights. Southern Aviation offers charter flights. Updated 14 Jan 2020.
The Sport Aircraft Builders Club (SABC) was formed in 1973 and is based at Serpentine Airstrip, which was constructed and is maintained by club members who also build and fly their own aircraft. VH-DJR is the club’s aircraft, available for hire by members of SABC. Updated 14 Jan 2020
Founded in 1985 as Star Charter, Star Aviation is based at Perth Airport. It provides private charter and Fly In/Fly Out (FIFO) contract charters to the mining industry. Updated 5 Jan 2021.
The Super Light Aircraft Club of WA Inc (SLACWA) has been operating from the Bindoon Hill airfield (YBHL – 80km north of Perth) since the early 1980s. The club is the sole owner and operator of the airfield and works to promote sport aviation to the community and provide access to enjoyable, affordable, safe, and easy flying. The club hosts a wide variety of aircraft including fixed wing, gyrocopter, and microlight aircraft.
Surveillance Australia Pty Ltd is headquartered in Adelaide, with bases in Cairns, Darwin and Broome. A subsidiary of Cobham Aviation. The company operates the Australian Border Force Coastwatch contract, flying maritime surveillance patrols within the Australian Exclusive Economic Zone (AEEZ), searching for illegal fishing vessels, people smugglers, drug smugglers, immigration and quarantine breaches, and SAR (Search and Rescue) operations.
They operate a fleet of six DHC-8-202 Dash 8s and four larger DHC-8-315 Dash 8s highly-modified for maritime patrol and surveillance. The aircraft are fitted with Raytheon SeaVue surface search radars, in addition to an Inverse Synthetic Aperture Radar (ISAR), Synthetic Aperture Radar (SAR) and Moving target indication (MTI) capability, advanced electro-optical sensors and communications suites. They can operate day and night and can search an area of 110,000 km² per flight. Each year they fly 2,500 missions and 15,000 hours.
The company also operates and maintains the modified Dash 8-200 LADS (Laser Airborne Depth Sounding) owned by Fugro LADS – this does not visit WA, so is not listed here. They also operate the four Challenger 604 search and rescue jets for Cobham SAR Services.
National Jet formed Surveillance Australia in 1994 after winning the Border Protection Command Coastwatch contract. They initially used a mix of Rockwell 500S Shrike commanders, Britten-Norman Islanders, Reims/Cessna F406 Vigilants, and DHC Dash 8-200MPA.
In 2005, the $1 billion Coastwatch contract was renewed through to the year 2020, and the fleet was changed to 10 Dash 8s for the Coastwatch contract, which is now under Australian Border Force. Updated 14 Jan 2020.
VH-ZZA
De Havilland Canada DHC-8-202MPA Dash 8
419
Operated for Australian Border Force. Modified for maritime patrol.
VH-ZZB
De Havilland Canada DHC-8-202MPA Dash 8
424
Operated for Australian Border Force. Modified for maritime patrol.
VH-ZZC
De Havilland Canada DHC-8-202MPA Dash 8
433
Operated for Australian Border Force. Modified for maritime patrol.
VH-ZZI
Bombardier DHC-8-202MPA Dash 8
550
Operated for Australian Border Force. Modified for maritime patrol.
VH-ZZJ
Bombardier DHC-8-202MPA Dash 8
551
Operated for Australian Border Force. Modified for maritime patrol.
VH-ZZP
De Havilland Canada DHC-8-202MPA Dash 8
411
Operated for Australian Border Force. Modified for maritime patrol.
VH-ZZE
Bombardier DHC-8-315MPA Dash 8
640
Operated for Australian Border Force. Modified for maritime patrol.
VH-ZZF
Bombardier DHC-8-315MPA Dash 8
643
Operated for Australian Border Force. Modified for maritime patrol.
VH-ZZG
Bombardier DHC-8-315MPA Dash 8
644
Operated for Australian Border Force. Modified for maritime patrol.
VH-ZZN
De Havilland Canada DHC-8-315MPA Dash 8
399
Operated for Australian Border Force. Modified for maritime patrol.
VH-XNC
Bombardier CL-600-2B16 Challenger 604
5619
Operated for Australian Maritime Safety Authority (AMSA). Modified for search and rescue.
VH-XND
Bombardier CL-600-2B16 Challenger 604
5634
Operated for Australian Maritime Safety Authority (AMSA). Modified for search and rescue.
VH-XNE
Bombardier CL-600-2B16 Challenger 604
5647
Operated for Australian Maritime Safety Authority (AMSA). Modified for search and rescue.
VH-XNF
Bombardier CL-600-2B16 Challenger 604
5656
Operated for Australian Maritime Safety Authority (AMSA). Modified for search and rescue.
Swan River Seaplanes / Rottnest Air Express
Swan River Seaplanes is a luxury tourism company, operating from the Swan River in Perth to the Margaret River wine region in the southwest of Western Australia.
Officially launched on 23 January 2017, the first revenue service operated on 27 January 2017, using a Cessna 208 Caravan amphibious seaplane (VH-MOX) leased from Horizontal Falls Seaplane Adventures.
Flights depart on Thursdays to Sundays from pontoon on Queen Street Jetty on the South Perth Foreshore at 9am, taking off from the Swan River and enjoying views of the city and coastline, before landing at Margaret River Airstrip (on land) one hour later at 10am – the same journey by car takes three hours. The trips include a tour of the Margaret River wineries before the aircraft departs Margaret River at 3pm, landing on the Swan River and docking at Queen Street Jetty at 4pm. Updated 10 Jan 2020.
Taurus Aviation (Cropcair WA Pty Ltd) was formed in 2000 and is based at Northam Airfield, providing aerial agriculture services such as crop spraying. Updated 14 Jan 2020.
Toll Aviation is a cargo airline operating between most of the capital cities within Australia.
In Western Australia, Toll uses Boeing 737-300SF and -400SF freighters registered in New Zealand and leased from Airwork (New Zealand). The aircraft usually operate from the Domestic Cargo Terminal, alongside the Qantas Freight Boeing 737-300SFs and -400SFs. Toll also leases light aircraft and two ATR42 freighters, but these do not visit WA. Updated 14 Jan 2020 (aircraft which visit WA only).
ZK-TLE
Boeing 737-3S1(SF)
24834/1896
Freighter – Leased from Airwork (New Zealand). First visit 1 July 2011
ZK-JTQ
Boeing 737-476(SF)
24442/2371
Freighter – Leased from Airwork (New Zealand). First visit 13 Feb 2012.
ZK-TLF
Boeing 737-4Q8(SF)
24709/2115
Freighter – Leased from Airwork (New Zealand). First visit 20 June 2012.
ZK-TLJ
Boeing 737-476(SF)
24432/1879
Freighter – Leased from Airwork (New Zealand). First visit 20 Oct 2015.
ZK-TLK
Boeing 737-476(SF)
24434/1912
Freighter – Leased from Airwork (New Zealand). First visit 29 Apr 2016 (as ZK-TLK)
ZK-TLL
Boeing 737-484(SF)
25362/2142
Freighter – Leased from Airwork (New Zealand). First visit 21 Sep 2016.
Topfun Aviation operates from Muchea Greenside (YGSD), Moora (YMRO) and Bindoon Hill (YBHL), providing RAAus flight training on ultralight aircraft. Updated 14 Jan 2020.
Truenorth Helicopters was established in 2000. It initially operated a Bell 407 on helicopter adventure flights for guests on its adventure cruise ship in the Kimberley region, with the helicopter conducting fire fighting operations in the summer months in NSW. In 2005, the company introduced the first Eurocopter EC145 in Australia. The main hanger facility is located in Rosewood near Tumbarumba NSW, but the company operates in the Kimberley and Pilbara regions of WA, and elsewhere in the Eastern States. Services provided include helicopter charters, adventure tourism, aerial crane, mining support, aerial filming, and emergency support. Updated 14 Jan 2020.
United Aero Helicopters is based at Camden, NSW, but operates nationally, offering a wide variety of helicopter services. This includes airborne geophysical surveys, aerial mineral exploration, fire-fighting operations, aerial construction / air crane, flood relief and rescue, power lines stringing / inspection and maintenance, locust eradication, aerial photography and filming, charter flights, maintenance and spare parts, and flight training. In Western Australia, they operate the a Squirrel helicopter for aerial filming, mainly for Channels 7 and 9. Updated 11 Jan 2020.
VH-BTV
Eurocopter AS350B2 Squirrel
9038
Used for aerial news filming by Channel 7 and Channel 9.
The University Flying Club is one of WA’s oldest flying clubs, based at Jandakot Airport. It is a not-for-profit flying club which owns an aircraft and provides its members with affordable private aircraft hire for flight training and recreational use. Members don’t need to be a university student. UFC previously owned VH-IGG, a Grumman AA-5B Tiger. This aircaft has was sold in the Eastern States, and a new Piper Sport VH-EZT was delivered in April 2011. In December 2019, UFC acquired a Vans RV-9A to replace the Piper Sport. The aircraft is based with Air Australia International at Jandakot. UFC is also affiliated with Curtin Flying Club, providing access to Curtin’s aircraft. Updated 14 Jan 2020.
On 4 May 2011, the former Virgin Blue Group revealed its new brand, Virgin Australia. Virgin Australia confirmed that the entire fleet will be repainted in the new livery over about four years.
Virgin Australia is Australia’s second-largest airline, with a fleet of 75 aircraft serving 28 cities in Australia. The airline is based at Brisbane, with secondary hubs at Sydney and Melbourne, and “focus cities” at Adelaide, Canberra, Gold Coast Airport, Hobart, Perth Airport and Townsville.
In WA, Virgin Australia operates Broome to Adelaide, and the following destinations from Perth, using Boeing 737-700s and -800s and Embraer 190s:
Adelaide
Broome
Darwin
Karratha
Melbourne
Newman
Port Hedland
Sydney
In May 2011, Virgin Australia is to start using Airbus A330-200 aircraft to serve Perth from Sydney.
Virgin Blue was founded by Sir Richard Branson’s Virgin Group, with Brett Godfrey as CEO. Virgin Group later sold 50% of Virgin Blue to Patrick Corporation, and then sold more shares publicly. A hostile takeover by Patrick Corporation in early 2005 gave them 62% of Virgin Blue, with Virgin Group retaining 25%. In May 2006, Toll Holdings acquired Patrick, in the process becoming majority shareholder in Virgin Blue, but in July 2008 Toll sold its holding and now owns only 1.7%.
Virgin Blue started operations on 31 August 2000 with two Boeing 737-400s leased from Virgin Express (Belgium), but later replaced these with a fleet consisting only of Boeing 737-700s and -800s. Virgin Blue was lucky in its timing, as the collapse of Ansett Australia in September 2001 enabled the airline to grow rapidly (as did Qantas), and gave them access to ex-Ansett terminals. Virgin Blue started services into Perth using Boeing 737-700 aircraft on 9 September 2001, just five days before the Ansett collapse. The first service was from Melbourne via Adelaide, using 737-800 VH-VOF. Virgin Blue initially used the International Terminal for their domestic flights, then moved to the former Ansett terminal on the domestic side of the airport on 8 Dec 2002. From September 2007, the airline started taking delivery of Embraer 170s and 190s to open new routes.
Virgin Blue could not use the Virgin brand on its international operations, due to an agreement between Virgin Blue stakeholder Richard Branson when Singapore Airlines bought 49% of Virgin Atlantic in 2000. Virgin Blue Group’s international carriers were named V Australia and Pacific Blue. Due to aircraft being rotated onto domestic flights, this meant that aircraft in Pacific Blue titles often operated on Virgin Blue domestic services, but aircraft painted with Virgin Blue titles were not allowed to fly international services.
In September 2003, Virgin Blue created Pacific Blue as a subsidiary to fly internationally with 737s between New Zealand and Australia, New Zealand domestic flights, and flights from Australia and New Zealand to the Pacific Islands, Bali and Phuket. In September 2010, Pacific Blue ended New Zealand domestic flights to focus on other parts of their network. On 6 December 2011, Pacific Blue was merged under the Virgin Australia brand.
In early 2006, Virgin Blue’s parent company announced the creation of a long-haul international carrier operating from Australia to Los Angeles or San Francisco. V Australia commenced passenger services on 27 February 2009, and now operates flights from Sydney, Brisbane and Melbourne to Los Angeles. Flights from Australia to South Africa, Thailand and Fiji will soon end and the carrier will add flights between Australia and Abu Dhabi. On 6 December 2011, V Australia was merged under the Virgin Australia brand.
With the formation of Virgin Australia in May 2011, the airline has now confirmed that an agreement was recently made with Singapore Airlines allowing use of the Virgin brand on international services. It will now operate its domestic services as Virgin Australia, and the international carriers V Australia and Pacific Blue will also use the Virgin Australia name by the end of 2011.
Polynesian Blue was formed as a joint venture with the Samoan government operating one Boeing 737-800 aircraft. It was rebranded as Virgin Samoa on 6 December 2011.
On 10 January 2011, Virgin Blue Group (now Virgin Australia) and Skywest Airlines signed a 10-year alliance with Skywest operating up to 18 new Virgin Australia branded ATR72-500 & -600 aircraft to a number of existing and new destinations around Australia. Virgin Australia later took over Skywest and renamed it as Virgin Australia Regional Airlines – see separate entry below.
On 17 October 2014, Virgin Australia purchased the remaining 40% of Tigerair Australia owned by Singapore Airlines, making Virgin Australia the sole owner of Tigerair Australia. As of October 2015, Virgin Australia took full ownership of Tigerair Australia. Tigerair was closed during 2020.
Updated 5 Jan 2021.
VH-VBY
Boeing 737-7FE
34323/1751
‘Kingston Beach’.
VH-VBZ
Boeing 737-7FE
34322/1777
‘Cronulla Beach’
VH-VOK
Boeing 737-8FE
33758/1359
‘Johanna Beach’
VH-VOL
Boeing 737-8FE
33759/1364
‘Newport Beach’
VH-VON
Boeing 737-8FE
33795/1375
‘Greenmount Point’
VH-VOO
Boeing 737-8FE
33796/1377
‘Peaceful Bay’
VH-VOQ
Boeing 737-8FE
33798/1391
‘Margaret River’ Stored at Alice Springs since 18 Oct 2020
VH-VUE
Boeing 737-8FE
34167/1676
‘Curl Curl Beach’ Stored at Melbourne since 7 Sep 2020
VH-VUG
Boeing 737-8FE
34438/1948
‘Jasmine Tasman’ To Singapore 2 Jan 2021
VH-VUH
Boeing 737-8FE
34440/2003
‘Lady Rebecca’
VH-VUK
Boeing 737-8FE
36602/2353
‘Seaford Beach’
VH-VUL
Boeing 737-8FE
36603/2356
‘Ocean Grove’
VH-VUO
Boeing 737-8FE
36601/2525
‘Eighty Mile Beach’
VH-VUP
Boeing 737-8FE
36604/2650
‘Lighthouse Beach’
VH-VUQ
Boeing 737-8FE
36605/2710
‘Merewether Beach’
VH-VUS
Boeing 737-8FE
36607/3082
‘Seaspray Beach’
VH-VUT
Boeing 737-8FE
36608/3132
‘Alma Bay’
VH-VUW
Boeing 737-8KG
39449/3398
‘Pebbly Beach’ Stored at Adelaide since 4 Apr 2020
VH-VUY
Boeing 737-8KG
39450/3494
‘Snapper Rocks’
VH-VUZ
Boeing 737-8FE
39921/3536
‘Lennox Head’
VH-YFC
Boeing 737-81D
39413/3592
‘Bondi Beach’
VH-YFE
Boeing 737-81D
39414/3623
‘Sunshine Beach’
VH-YFF
Boeing 737-8FE
40994/3664
(‘Wineglass Bay’ – not wearing name as at Feb 2015). First visit 24 Jun 2011
VH-YFG
Boeing 737-8FE
40999/3941
‘Hanson Bay’
VH-YFH
Boeing 737-8FE
40996/3801
‘Mindil Beach’. First visit and first revenue service 21 Oct 2011
VH-YFI
Boeing 737-8FE
41000/3963
‘Porpoise Bay’. First visit 3 Apr 2012
VH-YFJ
Boeing 737-8FE
41001/4089
‘Surfers Paradise Beach’
VH-YFK
Boeing 737-8FE
41004/3861
‘Long Beach’. First visit 25 Dec 2011.
VH-YFL
Boeing 737-8FE
41002/4047
‘Sandy Bay’
VH-YFN
Boeing 737-8FE
41009/4456
‘Ballina Beach’
VH-YFP
Boeing 737-8FE
41011/4476
‘Nobby’s Beach’
VH-YFQ
Boeing 737-8FE
41010/4494
‘Whiting Beach’
VH-YFR
Boeing 737-8FE
41012/4543
‘Salamander Beach’ ‘100th Boeing 737′ titles near cabin door
VH-YFS
Boeing 737-8FE
41027/5525
‘Sellicks Beach’. First visit 13 Sep 2015
VH-YFT
Boeing 737-8FE
41028/5557
‘Admirals Arch’. First visit 18 Sep 2015
VH-YFU
Boeing 737-8FE
41029/5600
‘Emu Bay’. First visit 1 Nov 2015
VH-YFV
Boeing 737-8FE
41030/5641
‘Princess Charlotte Bay’. First visit 4 Dec 2015
VH-YFW
Boeing 737-8FE
41037/5978
‘Turquoise Bay’
VH-YFX
Boeing 737-8FE
41013/6330
‘Mackenzies Bay’
VH-YFY
Boeing 737-8FE
41016/6494
‘Mungalla’
VH-YFZ
Boeing 737-8FE
41005/6551
‘Lake St Clair’
VH-YIA
Boeing 737-8FE
37824/3718
‘Henley Beach’. First visit 22 Aug 2011
VH-YIB
Boeing 737-8FE
37825/3758
‘Trinity Beach’. First visit 18 Sep 2011
VH-YID
Boeing 737-8FE
38709/3851
‘Rainbow Beach’. First visit 15 Dec 2011
VH-YIE
Boeing 737-8FE
38708/3875
‘Fingal Beach’. First visit 10-11 Jan 2012
VH-YIF
Boeing 737-8FE
38710/3904
‘Sorrento Beach’. First visit 8 Feb 2012
VH-YIG
Boeing 737-8FE
38711/3921
‘Kings Beach’. First visit 20 Feb 2012
VH-YIH
Boeing 737-8FE
38712/4070
‘Hastings Point’
VH-YIJ
Boeing 737-8FE (scimitar winglets)
39924/4109
‘Pennington Bay’
VH-YIL
Boeing 737-8FE
38713/4123
‘Seventy Five Mile Beach’
VH-YIM
Boeing 737-8FE
38716/4119
‘Bridgewater Bay’
VH-YIO
Boeing 737-8FE
38714/4132
‘Lameroo Beach’
VH-YIQ
Boeing 737-8FE
38715/4156
‘Hyams Beach’
VH-YIR
Boeing 737-8FE (scimitar winglets)
39925/4172
‘Cactus Beach’
VH-YIS
Boeing 737-8FE (scimitar winglets)
39926/4201
‘Casuarina Beach’
VH-YIT
Boeing 737-8FE
38717/4194
‘Lammermoor Beach’. First visit 26 Oct 2012
VH-YIU
Boeing 737-8FE (scimitar winglets)
40699/4560
‘Middleton Beach’. First visit 4 Sep 2013
VH-YIV
Boeing 737-8FE (scimitar winglets)
40698/4571
‘Cylinder Beach’
VH-YIW
Boeing 737-8FE
40700/5085
‘Mona Vale Beach’
VH-YIY
Boeing 737-8FE
40701/5280
‘Stanwell Park’. First visit 2 May 2015
VH-YIZ
Boeing 737-8FE
40702/5061
‘Black Rock’
VH-YVC
Boeing 737-8FE
40997/3832
‘Jetty Beach’. First visit 19 Nov 2011
VH-YVD
Boeing 737-8FE
40998/3848
‘Salmon Beach’. First visit 28 Dec 2011
VH-YWA
Boeing 737-800
41042/6572
‘Cable Beach’
VH-YWD
Boeing 737-800
41020/6664
‘Tinamirakuna’
VH-YWE
Boeing 737-800
41015/6775
‘Dreamtime Beach’
VH-XFC
Airbus A330-243
1293
‘Mooloolaba Beach’
VH-XFD
Airbus A330-243
1306
‘Bells Beach’
VH-XFE
Airbus A330-243
1319
‘Manly Beach’. Stored at Perth since 9 March 2020.
Virgin Australia Regional Airlines (formerly Skywest Airlines) is based at Perth Airport and provides scheduled RPT (Regular Passenger Transport) air services, FIFO (Fly In/Fly Out) contract services to resources companies, and air charter/contract charter.
Skywest can trace its history back through a series of mergers to 1963, when Carnarvon Air Taxis was formed at Carnarvon, flying charter flights with small aircraft. In 1979 it was renamed Skywest Aviation and relocated to Jandakot Airport. Skywest Airlines was formed at Perth Airport in 1980, and purchased Stillwell Airlines. The Skywest Airlines/Skywest Aviation fleet included GAF N-24 Nomads, Embraer EMB 110 Bandeirantes, Beechcraft King Air 200s, Swearingen SA-226 Metro IIs, a Gulfstream I turboprop, and smaller GA aircraft. In 1982, Skywest Airlines merged with TransWest airlines.
On 16 December 1983, Ric Stowe’s Skywest Airlines Pty Ltd took over East-West Developments Pty Ltd, and its controlling interest in East-West Airlines. In February 1984, Skywest took delivery of the first of four new 19-seat British Aerospace Jetstream 31 turboprops. On 24 May 1985, Skywest proposed a merger with East-West, but this did not proceed and they maintained separate identities, although some routes were rationalised. East-West also began operating some WA flights for Skywest, using Fokker F.28-3000s and -4000s to Karratha and Port Hedland.
After losing the lucrative Government Coastwatch contract in 1987, Skywest was acquired by the Perron group on 17 July 1987. On 31 July 1987 it was sold to Bodas Group (TNT/News Ltd – the owners of Ansett), and it began operating as part of the Ansett group. The East-West aircraft were moved to Queensland and later integrated into Ansett. Skywest was operating most of its services with the Jetstream 31s. On 5 October 1994, Skywest introduced its first (of several) Fokker 50s into service, the aircraft being transferred from Ansett. The Jetstreams were gradually withdrawn and sold. In 1996, Skywest Aviation was sold to Paspaley Pearls, becoming Pearl Aviation Australia (see separate entry).
On 14 September 2001, operations by Ansett Australia and its subsidiaries – including Skywest – were suspended by Ansett’s administrators. With WA Government support, on 23 September 2001, Skywest Airlines resumed reduced operations on intrastate routes with Fokker 50s. On 21 February 2002, Skywest Airlines was sold by the Ansett administrators to Airline Investments Ltd. In November 2002, their first Fokker 100 (VH-FNY) was delivered, and more were subsequently added, joining a growing fleet of Fokker 50s. In 2004, a hostile takeover by Singapore-based investment company CaptiveVision Capital Ltd succeeded. Skywest is now a 100%-owned subsidiary of Singapore incorporated Advent Air Ltd.
Since early 2007, Skywest has increased its share of the resources industry FIFO (Fly In/Fly Out) business, acquiring more Fokker 50s and 100s in the process. Skywest’s first Airbus A320 (VH-FNP) was delivered to Perth on 23 October 2010 and will operate FIFO services between Perth and Cloudbreak for Fortescue Metals Group.
On 10 January 2011, Virgin Blue Group (now Virgin Australia Group since 4 May 2011) and Skywest Airlines signed a 10-year alliance with Skywest operating new Virgin Australia branded ATR72s to a number of existing and new destinations around Australia. The first six ATRs replaced Virgin Australia’s Embraer E170 fleet for eastern states operations, with additional aircraft operating to new regional destinations. Virgin Australia wet-leased the aircraft from Skywest, who leased them from Avation PLC.
On 10 April 2012, Virgin Australia acquired a 10% stake in Skywest Airlines, worth around $8 million. On 30 October 2012, Virgin Australia announced that it had made a $98.7 million takeover offer for Skywest Airlines, subject to approval from regulators and shareholders. After the regulatory approvals were received, Fokker 100 VH-FSQ became the first Skywest-branded aircraft to be repainted in Virgin Australia Regional colours, arriving in Perth on 10 April 2013, after repainting in Townsville, Queensland. On 11 April 2013, the takeover became effective.
On 7 May 2013, Virgin Group founder Sir Richard Branson and Virgin Australia Chief Executive Officer John Borghetti flew into Perth to officially launch the rebranded airline as Virgin Australia Regional Airlines. The first two Skywest aircraft to be repainted in Virgin Australia’s livery were also officially unveiled – Fokker 100 VH-FSQ “Bill’s Bay” and Fokker 50 VH-FNA “Rockingham Beach”, together with A320 VH-YUD, which was delivered in Virgin Australia colours the same day. The Fokker 100s will be repainted.
The Fokker 50 fleet was retired from October 2015, with the final four being retired on 27 February 2016.
Updated 3 Apr 2019 (only WA aircraft – ATR72s are based in Eastern States).
The WA Police Air Wing has two units, based at Jandakot and Karratha. Their aircraft and helicopter are used for surveillance, patrols, SAR, and transport.
Below is a list of aircraft previously operated by the WA Police:
VH-IQP Cessna 182P Skylane II (cn 18264987): 8 December 1976 – 17 June 1986.
VH-PGN P.68 Observer (cn 249-05-OB): 12 August 1982 – 30 June 1989, named “William G Pense”.
VH-HCP Cessna 310R (cn 310R0849): “Polair 64” – 1 July 1989 – CRASHED 26 January 2001 at Newman, killing all aboard.
VH-NJL Aerospatiale AS355F-1 Twin Squirrel (cn 5039): “Polair 1” – 2 May 1990 – CRASHED 8 May 1992 at Kelmscott – descended too rapidly, crashed and burnt on a sports oval during a demonstration for school children and cancelled from register on 24 September 1992.
VH-DEP Piper PA-31-310 Navajo C (cn 31-7812125): “Polair 63” – 25 February 1992 – 30 August 2006 – traded in to Pilatus
VH-OTP Beech 58 Baron (cn TH-274): 2 August 1993 – reregistered 18 November 1993 as VH-FLZ, sold 11 January 2000
VH-DEQ Piper PA-31-310 Navajo (cn 31-8012091): 4 December 2002 – 22 December 2005 – traded in to Pilatus
VH-WPF/VH-EPP Cessna 182R Skylane (cn 18268545). Sold to Airflite Pty Ltd – 15 Nov 2012.
Updated 14 Jan 2020 (callsigns may be incorrect).
VH-WPF/ POLAIR 64
Gippsland GA-8 Airvan
GA8-12-176
VH-WAH / POLAIR 61
MBB-Kawasaki BK117B-2
1051
‘Malcolm D Stornoway II’ Converted from BK117B-1. Based at Jandakot. Used for police patrol, high-speed pursuits, surveillance, search and rescue and officer deployment. Fitted with a Star Safire III FLIR unit with downlink capabilities, Avalex digital recorder, Avalex moving map system, 4 monitors, Wulfsberg tactical radio, Nitesun search light and double lift 600lb rescue winch.
VH-WPX / POLAIR 62
Eurocopter AS365N3+ Dauphin 2
6936
Delivered to Jandakot on 23 September 2011. Entered service 31 July 2012.
VH-WPE / POLAIR 65
Pilatus PC-12/45
704
Based at Jandakot. Used mainly for staff deployment across southern half of WA.
VH-WPY
Pilatus PC-12/45
720
Based at Karratha. Used for transport and crew deployment roles in the northern half of WA. Fitted with a in-flight opening door for air-dropping, to assist with search and rescue and natural disaster relief operations.
West Australian Skydiving Academy was formed in 1987 and is based at Jandakot and Pinjarra, offering skydiving lessons, and skydiving flights for experienced skydivers. The company has a dropzone at Tompkins Park, next to the Swan River at Alfred Cove, and another at Pinjarra. Updated 14 Jan 2020.
The Westpac Lifesaver Rescue Helicopter is owned by Surf Life Saving Western Australia (SLSWA), and sponsored by Westpac Banking Corporation and the Multiplex Group. It is based at the Fremantle Heliport, at Rous Head.
A Bell 206 JetRanger (VH-FHA) was operated in a similar role by the Surf Life Saving Association in the early 1980s. Later, the State Government subsidised shark spotting patrols flown by Cessna 172s of Edith Cowan University.
From late 2008 to early 2011, Surf Life Saving WA leased another Bell 206B JetRanger from Heliwest (VH-BIN) at a cost of $1200 per hour, and it accrued 300 flying hours in five months, and did 77 days of flying over the 2010/11 summer season. The JetRanger was based at Jandakot, but each morning would relocate to City Beach for its beach patrols.
Later in 2011, it was announced that a used AgustaWestland A119 Koala helicopter was to be purchased (rather than leased). The A119 had previously operated in a rescue role in New Zealand, and was modified and repainted in Auckland, New Zealand by Heliflite Pacific before delivery.
With delivery of the A119 delayed and following three fatalities in Western Australian waters from shark attacks, the WA Government provided Surf Life Saving WA with $1 million in funding. This enabled them to lease an Aerospatiale AS.350B2 Squirrel (VH-FLL) in the interim period whilst waiting for the A119 to be delivered. The Squirrel performed better than the JetRanger with a full payload in high temperatures and is more reliable, but costs more at $1500 per hour. The Squirrel was also selected as it was available immediately. The leased Squirrel was used solely for shark and beach patrols, and was not fitted with a winch for rescue work.
Surf Life Saving WA took delivery of a $2 million Agusta Westland A119 Koala rescue and beach patrol helicopter (VH-FOI) in December 2011. The A119 helicopter is fitted with floats, a rescue winch, first-aid equipment, sirens to alert swimmers, a GPS to pinpoint sightings, and radios to communicate with life savers on the beach. It conducts beach patrols, shark spotting and surveillance, and SAR (Search And Rescue) missions. It normally operates with a pilot, an aircrew member and one or two rescue swimmers. It flies beach patrols no more than 5 km from the coastline, operating as far south as Mandurah and north as far as Yanchep, and Rottnest Island. The A119 will fly for 189 days in 2011-12, and will be airborne for about four hours a day. The A119 was later sold (2016?).
Updated 14 Jan 2020.
VH-ELR
Eurocopter AS350BA Squirrel
2151
Leased from SLS Queensland.
Westside Rural
Westside Rural is based at Hyden, WA and provides aerial agriculture services including crop dusting and crop spraying. Updated 14 Jan 2020.
White Gum Aviation (previously Sky Sports Flying School) is located at White Gum Farm, off Cameron Road, just east of York, WA. The school provides flight training on microlights and ultralights. Updated 13 Jan 2020.
Windward Balloon Adventures was established in 1982 and is based at Northam Airport, offering balloon charter and sightseeing flights. Flights are conducted from April until late November, as the hot and windy weather in WA’s summer is unsafe for ballooning. During the season, flights are scheduled every Friday, Saturday, Sunday and Monday at dawn with no minimum number of passengers required. On Tuesdays and Wednesdays flights will be scheduled only if four passengers are confirmed. No flights are conducted on Thursdays due to CASA’s duty time limitations for pilots. Updated 4 January 2014.
Just an update to Virgin Australia Regional Airlines fleet, they now have VH-VNJ A320 from Tiger on their aoc and painted up in Virgin colours as well.
Please guide me to find job in light aircraft maintenance technician or non licensed aircraft engineer. I’m based in London but want to start new life and be based in Perth WA either in Jandakot, Fermantle or the surrounding area. Please either email the aircraft maintenance organisation name or email so that I may be able to contact them?
Thanking you in advance for your help,
Sincerely,
Gerald.
It is my understanding that all aircraft maintenance engineers have to be licensed here.
If search on Google for “aircraft maintenance Jandakot”, you will see a number of the operators listed.
dear
david
regarding your website ,,you just info for air operator at australia.
can you add the list of maintenace repair oraganization all australia
thanks
edi
Hi Edi,
It takes a great deal of time and effort to compile and maintain the air operator list, and that is what our website users are mainly interested in. We also only cover operators who fly to/from Western Australia, not all air operators across Australia.
We will therefore not be adding an MRO list – sorry.
Regards,
David
Another A320 on the way to VARA with Tigers vh-vnf arriving in Singapore on oct 8 for heavy maintenance and a Virgin paint job. I will update when it’s in Perth and on line.
Southern Aviation have sold both 24-5323 CZAW Sport Cruiser and 24-4831 Jabiru J230.
They have purchased an Evektor SportStar 24-4052.
I am a “Member” of The Bunbury Flying School (Southern Aviation).
Hi David, ex tiger a320 vh vnf is now operating on the vara aoc in virgin livery.
Vh-VNF (ex tiger A320 ) is in Singapore getting heavy maintenance and a repaint to be delivered to VARA soon.
Hi David,
A320 VH VNB returned to Perth from Singapore on the 23rd of March sporting a Virgin Australia livery.
Regards Simon.
Thanks Simon – have updated the page.
Hi David,
More news about further aircraft movements from Tiger to Virgin Australia Regional Airlines today.
A320 VH-VNP today operated from Singapore to Perth in Virgin Australia colours and will be transferred to the VARA AOC in a week or so.
Cheers
Thanks Simon – was advised it had Virgin livery – has the name ‘Little Parakeet Bay’.
Ok, VNB is next, will advise when more comes to hand.
Hi David,
Just an update to Virgin Australia Regional Airlines fleet, they now have VH-VNJ A320 from Tiger on their aoc and painted up in Virgin colours as well.
Cheers
Hello David,
Please guide me to find job in light aircraft maintenance technician or non licensed aircraft engineer. I’m based in London but want to start new life and be based in Perth WA either in Jandakot, Fermantle or the surrounding area. Please either email the aircraft maintenance organisation name or email so that I may be able to contact them?
Thanking you in advance for your help,
Sincerely,
Gerald.
It is my understanding that all aircraft maintenance engineers have to be licensed here.
If search on Google for “aircraft maintenance Jandakot”, you will see a number of the operators listed.
VH-YOT has been removed from the register, and also from the Polar Aviation fleet. Probably about time you removed it from this website
Thanks Clark – have updated this.
dear
david
regarding your website ,,you just info for air operator at australia.
can you add the list of maintenace repair oraganization all australia
thanks
edi
Hi Edi,
It takes a great deal of time and effort to compile and maintain the air operator list, and that is what our website users are mainly interested in. We also only cover operators who fly to/from Western Australia, not all air operators across Australia.
We will therefore not be adding an MRO list – sorry.
Regards,
David
thanks a lot for your Analysis of airline and aircraft. it was very helpfull for me
regards aidana kassenova (student of academy of civil aviation)
Hello Aidana,
Thank you for your kind compliments.
Regards,
David Eyre
President
AAWA / AviationWA
Hi David,
Another A320 on the way to VARA with Tigers vh-vnf arriving in Singapore on oct 8 for heavy maintenance and a Virgin paint job. I will update when it’s in Perth and on line.
Regards Simon
Regarding Southern Aviation and the SportStar 24-4052. I have been told that they “cross hire” this aircraft.
Thanks Ted – have updated the listing.
Regards,
David Eyre
Southern Aviation have sold both 24-5323 CZAW Sport Cruiser and 24-4831 Jabiru J230.
They have purchased an Evektor SportStar 24-4052.
I am a “Member” of The Bunbury Flying School (Southern Aviation).
Many thanks for the update Ted – will update the listing.
Regards,
David Eyre