[The Globetrotter]

Many years ago ,we were on Paradise Island,Nassau,Bahamas,we watched a Chalks Albatross seaplane land & park.
We enquired about prices,routes,etc.There was a man who wore many hats in their operation..Office Manager,Sales Manager,Ramp and flight ops manager etc.
We bought a r/t NAS/BIMINI/MIA..and waited for the a/c to be prepped.
The pilot had problems starting 1 engine,he called the ‘Manager’ who with the help of a local taxi & rope,got the engine started!
This did not instill confidence…but we boarded,behind us was a huge oil drum taking up 2 seats..empty?..who knows..The Cpt.said hello & walked to the cockpit,the entrance of which was shaped like a coffin!…to cut a story short,it was a hell of an experience….sadly,that very a/c crashed many years later nr.Mia…due wing corrosion, and Chalks were no more.

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LuganoPirate

[Poshgirl58]

According to Australian Aviation, the Albatross will return by 2025. To be built in Darwin by Amphibian Aerospace Industries (AAI). It will feature digital avionics and new P&W engines.

The new aircraft will be called the Albatross G-111T. More here

(Credit: Adam Thorn, Australian Aviation 13/12/2021)

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LuganoPirate, The Globetrotter

[Swissdiver]

Nice topic…

This is G-BLDV, a Britten Norman Islander operated by Loganair in the Orkney Islands. That landing was fun as it was windy.

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The Globetrotter

[Poshgirl58]

Apologies, my attempt at a link above didn’t work!

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The Globetrotter

[Johnnyg]

https://www.flyer.co.uk/grumman-albatross-makes-modernised-comeback/

[Johnnyg]

[postquote quote=1195502]

https://www.flyer.co.uk/grumman-albatross-makes-modernised-comeback/

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The Globetrotter, Poshgirl58

[The Globetrotter]

It really was a unique experience flying on the Albatross, glad to hear it will make a comeback.
A passenger experiences a totally new environment ,eg.the landing into Miami,very low over the Ocean Liners & great close up views of South Beach.
The whole process of boarding/deplaning is far quicker too!.

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LuganoPirate

[Tasclean]

Did the Chalkies trip from Nassau back to Miami years and years go but afraid I dont remember a lot about it other than the noise and great views coming in to land. To be fair, this was the day after the legendary Baccara rum party at the end of the SORC ocean racing series. Rum cocktails mixed in (new) rubbish bins and the recipe was roughly a doz bottles of Goslings, half a doz large cans each of pineapple and orange juice, plus another juice of some type, half a bottle of grenadine, lots of ice, mix with one’s forearm and serve.. Phew, what a night

[Author]

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