AOPA Pilot Magazine - December 2013 - 48

REMOVING THE ceiling

panels (far right)
of the Albatross
reveals the
components of
Row 44's
satellite-based
Wi-Fi system. The
main landing-gear
legs (right) retract
and extend
asymmetrically
and create a
noticeable yaw
while operating.

Trim is provided about all three axes using spring-loaded toggle
switches. There is a trim tab on each elevator that is operated by its
own toggle switch. Cummings advised me to engage both elevatortab switches simultaneously to prevent unequal elevator forces from
developing. The cowl flaps also operate electrically.
The airplane does not have a stall-warning indicator, nor does
it need one. Ample airframe buffeting occurs five to 10 knots before
the break. Although rolling moments during a stall can be strong,
recovery is conventional.
The throttles are pulled aft to idle the engines at touchdown.
You then push up on the throttle handles with the palm of your
right hand. This moves the throttles into a detent that electrically activates and hydraulically positions the 11-foot Hamilton
Standard propellers into reverse pitch. The throttles then can be
pulled farther aft to create additional reverse thrust for braking.
Reversing, however, is most valuable for steering the big boat on
the water. Unlike single-engine seaplanes-and like most other
multiengine seaplanes-the Albatross does not have a water rudder. By using the throttles differentially (moving one aft and the
other forward) with one propeller in reverse and the other in
forward pitch, the Albatross can pivot on a dime. With both propellers in reverse, you can drive the aircraft backwards.
UNFORTUNATELY, I did not have a chance to operate the Albatross
as a seaplane because the only convenient body of water during
our flight was the Pacific Ocean. Cummings doesn't like to operate the airplane in salt water because of the added cleaning and
maintenance this requires.
The Albatross, though, has a well-earned reputation for being
eminently seaworthy, designed to withstand the punishing forces
associated with operating in six-foot waves and 10-foot swells. In
1956, an Albatross was landed in 15-foot waves to rescue a downed
airman. A takeoff would have been impossible in these horrific
conditions, so the pilot taxied his aircraft 100 miles to Okinawa.
In the air, however, the HU-16 can go much farther. The primary
fuel system consists of two 340-gallon wing tanks, and the wingtip
floats are auxiliary fuel tanks, each holding more than 200 gallons.
48  |  AOPA PILOT  December 2013

ON THE

WEB

Additional information about
the Grumman Albatross can be
found online (www.hu-16.com).

(Fuel in the floats should be consumed before a water landing to prevent the possibility of fuel imbalance and to avoid damaging loads that
could occur with heavy floats when landing in rough seas.) Military
versions of the Albatross were equipped with drop tanks that gave the
airplane a range of 2,600 nm and an endurance of more than 20 hours.
This made the airplane well-suited for search-and-rescue operations,
not to mention submarine hunting and other long-range missions.
The Albatross could be refueled at sea from a seaplane tender or barge. It also could be configured as a triphibian, meaning
that you had the choice of operating it from land, sea, snow or ice.
Production of the Albatross ended in 1961 after 466 had been
built. During the late 1970s, Grumman purchased back 57 surplus
HU-16Bs with the intent of converting them into 28-seat commuter airliners. It was intended that these aircraft, designated as
G-111s, would become the amphibious equivalent of the Douglas
DC-3. But the demand never materialized, and only 13 were produced. Twelve were operated by Chalk's International Airline
and carried passengers between Florida and the Bahamas. The
remaining airplane was sold to Conoco Oil. Chalk's operation was
downsized during the mid-1980s to Grumman Mallards, and airline use of the G-111 came to an end.
Today there are 26 of these ex-military warriors flying privately. An additional 20 are in storage-some flyable, some not.
Many of these flying yachts and their proud owners gather at a
splash-in held annually at Boulder City, Nevada, and on nearby
Lake Mead.
AOPA
VISIT the author's website (www.barryschiff.com)


http://www.hu-16.com http://www.hu-16.com http://www.barryschiff.com

AOPA Pilot Magazine - December 2013

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of AOPA Pilot Magazine - December 2013

AOPA Pilot Magazine - December 2013
Contents
President’s Position
Visual Approach
Letters
Waypoints
Proficient Pilot
Foundation Focus
License to Learn
Pilot Counsel
Fly Well
What Happens in Vegas...
AOPA Sweepstakes
Aviation Jobs
Gift Guide
Pilot Products
Pilot Products
News
People
Yacht of the Air
Around the World in 25 Days
Aviation Legends Walter Extra
Safety Pilot Landmark Accident: Unpredicted, Unadvised, Unaware
Summit 2013: Meeting Mr. Baker
Technique
Proficiency
Wx Watch
Technology
Ownership
Frugal Flier
Never Again
State and Local Action
Member Products
AOPA Foundation
Member Services
Government Affairs
AOPA Insurance Agency
Fly by Wire
Pilots
AOPA Pilot Magazine - December 2013 - AOPA Pilot Magazine - December 2013
AOPA Pilot Magazine - December 2013 - Cover2
AOPA Pilot Magazine - December 2013 - Contents
AOPA Pilot Magazine - December 2013 - 2
AOPA Pilot Magazine - December 2013 - 3
AOPA Pilot Magazine - December 2013 - President’s Position
AOPA Pilot Magazine - December 2013 - 5
AOPA Pilot Magazine - December 2013 - 6
AOPA Pilot Magazine - December 2013 - 7
AOPA Pilot Magazine - December 2013 - 8
AOPA Pilot Magazine - December 2013 - 9
AOPA Pilot Magazine - December 2013 - Visual Approach
AOPA Pilot Magazine - December 2013 - 11
AOPA Pilot Magazine - December 2013 - Letters
AOPA Pilot Magazine - December 2013 - 13
AOPA Pilot Magazine - December 2013 - 14
AOPA Pilot Magazine - December 2013 - 15
AOPA Pilot Magazine - December 2013 - Waypoints
AOPA Pilot Magazine - December 2013 - 17
AOPA Pilot Magazine - December 2013 - Proficient Pilot
AOPA Pilot Magazine - December 2013 - 19
AOPA Pilot Magazine - December 2013 - Foundation Focus
AOPA Pilot Magazine - December 2013 - 21
AOPA Pilot Magazine - December 2013 - License to Learn
AOPA Pilot Magazine - December 2013 - 23
AOPA Pilot Magazine - December 2013 - Pilot Counsel
AOPA Pilot Magazine - December 2013 - 25
AOPA Pilot Magazine - December 2013 - Fly Well
AOPA Pilot Magazine - December 2013 - 27
AOPA Pilot Magazine - December 2013 - What Happens in Vegas...
AOPA Pilot Magazine - December 2013 - 29
AOPA Pilot Magazine - December 2013 - AOPA Sweepstakes
AOPA Pilot Magazine - December 2013 - 31
AOPA Pilot Magazine - December 2013 - Aviation Jobs
AOPA Pilot Magazine - December 2013 - 33
AOPA Pilot Magazine - December 2013 - Gift Guide
AOPA Pilot Magazine - December 2013 - Pilot Products
AOPA Pilot Magazine - December 2013 - Pilot Products
AOPA Pilot Magazine - December 2013 - 37
AOPA Pilot Magazine - December 2013 - News
AOPA Pilot Magazine - December 2013 - 39
AOPA Pilot Magazine - December 2013 - People
AOPA Pilot Magazine - December 2013 - 41
AOPA Pilot Magazine - December 2013 - Yacht of the Air
AOPA Pilot Magazine - December 2013 - 43
AOPA Pilot Magazine - December 2013 - 44
AOPA Pilot Magazine - December 2013 - 45
AOPA Pilot Magazine - December 2013 - 46
AOPA Pilot Magazine - December 2013 - 47
AOPA Pilot Magazine - December 2013 - 48
AOPA Pilot Magazine - December 2013 - 49
AOPA Pilot Magazine - December 2013 - Around the World in 25 Days
AOPA Pilot Magazine - December 2013 - 51
AOPA Pilot Magazine - December 2013 - 52
AOPA Pilot Magazine - December 2013 - 53
AOPA Pilot Magazine - December 2013 - 54
AOPA Pilot Magazine - December 2013 - 55
AOPA Pilot Magazine - December 2013 - 56
AOPA Pilot Magazine - December 2013 - 57
AOPA Pilot Magazine - December 2013 - 58
AOPA Pilot Magazine - December 2013 - 59
AOPA Pilot Magazine - December 2013 - Aviation Legends Walter Extra
AOPA Pilot Magazine - December 2013 - 61
AOPA Pilot Magazine - December 2013 - 62
AOPA Pilot Magazine - December 2013 - 63
AOPA Pilot Magazine - December 2013 - Safety Pilot Landmark Accident: Unpredicted, Unadvised, Unaware
AOPA Pilot Magazine - December 2013 - 65
AOPA Pilot Magazine - December 2013 - 66
AOPA Pilot Magazine - December 2013 - 67
AOPA Pilot Magazine - December 2013 - Summit 2013: Meeting Mr. Baker
AOPA Pilot Magazine - December 2013 - 69
AOPA Pilot Magazine - December 2013 - 70
AOPA Pilot Magazine - December 2013 - 71
AOPA Pilot Magazine - December 2013 - Technique
AOPA Pilot Magazine - December 2013 - 73
AOPA Pilot Magazine - December 2013 - 74
AOPA Pilot Magazine - December 2013 - 75
AOPA Pilot Magazine - December 2013 - Proficiency
AOPA Pilot Magazine - December 2013 - 77
AOPA Pilot Magazine - December 2013 - 78
AOPA Pilot Magazine - December 2013 - Wx Watch
AOPA Pilot Magazine - December 2013 - 80
AOPA Pilot Magazine - December 2013 - Technology
AOPA Pilot Magazine - December 2013 - 82
AOPA Pilot Magazine - December 2013 - Ownership
AOPA Pilot Magazine - December 2013 - 84
AOPA Pilot Magazine - December 2013 - 85
AOPA Pilot Magazine - December 2013 - Frugal Flier
AOPA Pilot Magazine - December 2013 - 87
AOPA Pilot Magazine - December 2013 - Never Again
AOPA Pilot Magazine - December 2013 - 89
AOPA Pilot Magazine - December 2013 - 90
AOPA Pilot Magazine - December 2013 - 91
AOPA Pilot Magazine - December 2013 - State and Local Action
AOPA Pilot Magazine - December 2013 - 93
AOPA Pilot Magazine - December 2013 - Member Products
AOPA Pilot Magazine - December 2013 - 95
AOPA Pilot Magazine - December 2013 - AOPA Foundation
AOPA Pilot Magazine - December 2013 - 97
AOPA Pilot Magazine - December 2013 - Member Services
AOPA Pilot Magazine - December 2013 - 99
AOPA Pilot Magazine - December 2013 - Government Affairs
AOPA Pilot Magazine - December 2013 - 101
AOPA Pilot Magazine - December 2013 - AOPA Insurance Agency
AOPA Pilot Magazine - December 2013 - 103
AOPA Pilot Magazine - December 2013 - 104
AOPA Pilot Magazine - December 2013 - 105
AOPA Pilot Magazine - December 2013 - 106
AOPA Pilot Magazine - December 2013 - Fly by Wire
AOPA Pilot Magazine - December 2013 - 108
AOPA Pilot Magazine - December 2013 - 109
AOPA Pilot Magazine - December 2013 - 110
AOPA Pilot Magazine - December 2013 - 111
AOPA Pilot Magazine - December 2013 - Pilots
AOPA Pilot Magazine - December 2013 - Cover3
AOPA Pilot Magazine - December 2013 - Cover4
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