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Albatross Road Trip 2025

July 29, 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!

plane above clouds looking over mountain horizon
Giorgio Clementi piloting Grumman Albatross HU-16
hu-16 plane above clouds
upgraded HU16 cockpit
HU-16 cockpit on runway
ITPS team with Jen Uchida in front of HU-16
ITPS group stand together in front of Farmers Market in Seattle
ITPS group stand together in front of Grumman HU-16 Albatross
ITPS team and friends stand together

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!

flying above mountain in HU-16
continental divide mountain
mount rushmore memorial
Mount Rushmore from above
HU-16 on water
Stan Constantin, Giorgio Clementi and Matty Jacobs on boat with HU-16 Seaplane behind them
Grumman Albatross on water
propellar HU-16
Giorgio Clementi and Stan Constantin stand outside of HU-16 hatch
Grumman Albatross HU-16 ported on water
Giorgio Clementi and Matty Jacobs in HU-16 on water
man tying rope to buoy on water from HU-16 nose
Test Pilots out of HU-16 hatch
HU-16 on water
HU-16 landing on water
HU-16 departing from water
HU16 seaplane on water
HU-16 on water by forest

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!!!

Giorgio Clementi stands beside Grumman HU-16 Albatross
Giorgio Clementi and Stan Constantin stand in front of HU-16 Albatross
Darren standing on ladder at HU-16 propellar
planes lined up for display on grass at airport
planes lined up for display
Nose of HU-16 Albatross
spectators gathered around ITPS branded HU-16 Albatross
spectators looking at HU-16 landing gear
Airshow attendee raising arms in HU-16 cockpit
AME Darren on HU-16 Wing

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!

May displaying flight path
2 pilots in cockpit of HU-16 Albatross seaplane
Giorgio Clementi in HU-16 cockpit
Stan Constantin in HU-16 Cockpit giving thumbs up
Grumman HU-16 Albatross on taxiway