That Albatross WAS CERTIFIED eventually after a lot of paperwork being the first of it's type in Oz., It was approved on an AOC to do SAR work and IT DID do a few missions out of Darwin. It's now owned by a Darwin bloke who among other machine's has coupla Queeny's
All G-111's are Charter category., very low time air frames still around if someone has the dosh to get it going.,., Stay tuned for the first G-111 into Aus
Had we kept quiet, finished the work and returned flying with the blessing of the expert and the two engineers I'd be off on the most lucrative series of flights ever for our company. Instead voluntarily opening the door to the authorities has closed it on our business.
A lesson to be learned by all. Inviting involvement of the regulator when there was not a need to, invites this sort of problem. Some of these guys cannot help themselves and will always find something that needs to be rectified. They have to prove that their visit wasn't a waste of time, and in some cases, also show that their knowledge is superior, and even worse some have egos that need to be stroked.
As I was told once on another aviation related matter, "Only tell them what you have to"
Perhaps also your comment
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a number of people are quietly approaching me whispering of secret agendas behind closed doors.
also casts some light on the matter.
Unfortunately I fear the only path to resolution is the slow bureaucratic path, these sort of people are not known for backing down, they don't need to make a dollar to live but they can strangle you with their impractical rulings.
A report in The West Australian newspaper states that an Albatross has recently been acquired for use in the Kimberley region in the far north of WA. Not sure if it is VH-MAH though.
There is a Grumman Albatross on the Australian register - VH-MAH:
CASA Search -- CASA Aircraft Register
Photo here: Warbirdz Aviation Photography
A report in The West Australian newspaper states that an Albatross has recently been acquired for use in the Kimberley region in the far north of WA. Not sure if it is VH-MAH though.
Regards, David
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hi David,
It's not MAH which is a HU16 and not Charter certified. It's a G111 and a bloody nice looking one too
Smoothie.,.,
FFS guys the thread is about a Lake Buccaneer flying boat operation in Vanuatu not about Mallard and Albatross's that may or may not have flown in OZ.
Not sure if any help but you could contact Volcanic Air Safaris in Rotorua NZ. I think they operate C182's and a single eng "Beaver" ahhh "Otter"???? Operating under NZCAA regs they mite be able to help shed some light on your CAA predicament. They have been around for a while. Just a thought
Pretty sure Volcanic Air Safaris operate an Otter and 206's on floats, however I think they only operate off fresh water. I think part of the problem here may be salt water ops. Currently I don't think there's any floatplanes operating off salt water in NZ.
Location: turn L @ Taupo, just past the Niagra Falls...
Posts: 499
Keith Hubber in NZNV used to operate a 206 on floats off the briny deep... Phil Kean of Mainland Air was his CP. Might be worth having a yarn with Phil.
If you're on here, as per lake250's posting, can you give us an update on how you went? Your website's all active and there are comments from people on Trip Advisor indicating they've been flying with you recently, but we'd love to hear what happened and what you had to do to get throiugh the difficulty.
Not knowing who may read this its difficult to know how to reply appropriately sorry. Suffice to say yes we survived the 'interesting experience' last year due to the support of many. Thank you all.
It was an interesting learning experience and I have much sympathy for others involved in similar situations.
