Grumman HU-16 Albatross Adventure

[yankees368]

I was lucky enough to go for a ride in a Grumman HU-16 Albatross out in LA, and what an adventure it was. Like nothing I have ever experienced before. The aircraft is owned and operated by Row44 as a test aircraft for their satellite connectivity systems. Here's what I got.

The Queen Mary makes for a heck of a backdrop
http://i880.photobucket.com/albums/ac1/yankees368/LA/DSC_0625-2_zpsa898a847.jpg

As does an LAPD Helicopter, which was there for no reason other than to check us out!
http://i880.photobucket.com/albums/ac1/yankees368/LA/DSC_0631-3_zps3b96b7a4.jpg

Clear blue seas
http://i880.photobucket.com/albums/ac1/yankees368/LA/DSC_0672-4_zpsde9ed59f.jpg

http://i880.photobucket.com/albums/ac1/yankees368/LA/DSC_0687-5_zps732abc42.jpg

http://i880.photobucket.com/albums/ac1/yankees368/LA/DSC_0688-6_zps02b888e2.jpg

http://i880.photobucket.com/albums/ac1/yankees368/LA/DSC_0689-7_zps9a8e8ba9.jpg

http://i880.photobucket.com/albums/ac1/yankees368/LA/DSC_0691-8_zpsf93b0238.jpg

http://i880.photobucket.com/albums/ac1/yankees368/LA/DSC_0704-9_zpsef0a418a.jpg

http://i880.photobucket.com/albums/ac1/yankees368/LA/DSC_0711-10_zps77f9d226.jpg

http://i880.photobucket.com/albums/ac1/yankees368/LA/DSC_0712-11_zps03911645.jpg

http://i880.photobucket.com/albums/ac1/yankees368/LA/DSC_0714-12_zps3dae1648.jpg

http://i880.photobucket.com/albums/ac1/yankees368/LA/photo_zps16f95915.jpg

Forward looking port hole!
http://i880.photobucket.com/albums/ac1/yankees368/LA/DSC_0720-14_zps42d98b8b.jpg

Takeoff video. Skip to about 2:30 for throttle up:

http://youtu.be/JIEwduE0ldQ?hd=1

Buzzing the coast:

http://youtu.be/1NNYhqWsRVY?hd=1

Nose bubble landing

http://youtu.be/XSCtr2AdQcg?hd=1

[megatop412]

Sweet! We tried to get a ride on one of those when they were flying between LA and Catalina Island but the airline was out of business by the time we got there in '85

[Whitese]

did u have a headset or earplugs on?

[yankees368]

Only while in the seat up front, otherwise, no.

[gonzalu]

Sick videos... what great opportunity!

[yankees368]

The second shot, the one with the helicopter, is one of my favorites shots I've ever taken

[Bones]

yankee368 those were great videos