Albatross Road Trip 2025
Welcome to Our Blog: The Grumman HU-16 Albatross USA Road Trip!
#ITPSAlbatrossTour
Join us as we follow the incredible journey of the iconic Grumman HU-16 Albatross, a legendary amphibious seaplane, on its unforgettable road trip across the United States. The adventure begins with a dramatic takeoff from Oshkosh, Wisconsin, the heart of aviation passion and home to the world-famous EAA AirVenture airshow.
From the shores of the Great Lakes to remote mountain lakes, sunny coastal waters, and everything in between, this classic bird will showcase its unique amphibious capabilities as it lands on both land and water across America.
Buckle up and follow along as we share behind-the-scenes stories, breathtaking photos, and updates from each leg of the journey!
28 July, 2025
The International Test Pilots School USA tour made its first major stop, Seattle. Our HU-16 made its stately way across the Cascades Mountains and, in sight of Mount Rainier, skimmed the overcast to descend into Puget Sound. The Seattle skyline is an impressive backdrop to our approach into Boeing Field. The Museum of Flight very kindly accommodated us on their ramp. Waiting for us is our friend and former Society of Flight Test Engineers President, Jennifer Uchida, who has been incredibly helpful in making the most of our visit. It’s going to be a good one!









26, July 2025
International Test Pilots School‘s Grand Old Lady crossed the Continental Divide and en route regaled us with stunning views of Mount Rushmore National Memorial in South Dakota and Devil’s Tower National Monument in Wyoming, then on, skirting Glacier National Park and on down the Clark Fork river for a splash down at Pende Oreille for an overnight stop at Sandpoint.
Seaplane operations are instructive to test pilots as the airplane’s handling, particularly transitioning from waterborne to airborne, provides rapid changes in workload. Take-off requires active input in three axes whilst in contact with the surface, countering torque effects, and the varying stability off and on the step. Compensating for variable wind conditions and avoiding boat traffic adds to the many challenges!
On to Seattle next!


















21 July, 2025
The International Test Pilots School team made it to Oshkosh! Landing on 36R with the ol’girl added some last-minute excitement! (We are sure it’s meant to be a taxiway!?) Great to be back!!!










We departed OSH on the first leg of our US tour, which over the next two weeks includes visits to flight test organisations around the country. Configured as a flying laboratory, our HU-16 is a key asset on the International Test Pilots School fleet.
A big shoutout to our Crew Chief Darrin Ropp, for whom keeping the Grand Old Lady in tip-top shape is a true labour of love. First major stopover is Seattle, keeping our overall schedule flexible and looking for opportunities to make a splashdown wherever possible along the way!




