Gallery Update: Albatross Sightings in Kelso

I flew up to the Southwest Washington Regional Airport located in Kelso, Washington for the first time about a month ago and noticed some unusual aircraft on the ramp; back then I didn't have much time to stop, so I rectified that today by flying myself on a solo cross-country outing to get some ramp shots in. The two aircraft I was after were a pair of Grumman HU-16 Albatross amphibious sea planes. As these planes were post-war era warbirds, it was definitely worth going up to see them as I continue to build up my flight hours. 

Kelso (KLS) 1

Preview:

Grumman G-111 Albatross (N121FB) parked on the ramp. It's always neat to see something this vintage and unique!

Global Eagle Entertainment - GEE Grumman HU-16B Albatross (N44HQ) parked on the ramp.

Formerly registered to the United States Coast Guard in the mid-70s as 7249 and later with the United States Air Force as 51-7249 with the military designation HU-16E.

Air Tractor AT-802A "Tanker 822" (N30757) parked on the ramp. Seeing these parked at airports all over means one thing: wildfire season is just around the corner...

Not everyday one gets to see two Grumman HU-16s in the same place, let alone get two in the same frame!

Cessna 177 Cardinal (N3251T) parked on the ramp. Definitely could use a coat of fresh paint!

Face-to-face with N121FB. After it's military career, this Albatross changed hands several times in the civilian market, most recently as a flying billboard as the "Billabong Clipper" for Billabong International Limited, an Australian clothing retail company that focused on gear for surfers. Other stints for this airframe includes Chalk's International Airlines, the Smithsonian Institution, and the Republic of Singapore.

Face-to-face with N44HQ. Formerly with the United States Air Force as 51-0025. 

Previously operated by Row 44, a private Internet service provider that specialized in providing in-flight broadband and Internet service via satellite for several airlines and their passengers. Row 44 was absorbed by and became a subsidiary of Global Eagle and continues to serve as a testbed and demonstrator aircraft for in-flight WiFi systems and services. Quite unusual to see a half century old plane being used to test the future of in-flight connectivity (and for the fraction of the cost too!)!

Piper PA-28-140 Cherokee (N1636H), the plane I flew up to Kelso in. Today was actually my first time flying the Cherokee in over five months since it went down for engine overhaul and avionics upgrades. It's been back online for a month now and available to fly cross-country flights for engine break-in; this poor Cherokee hasn't been flying as much as it should have (mainly because not everyone in the club is checked out to fly it!), so I decided to take it up and help out with the engine break-in process! This plane is also now the club's "Technically Advanced Airplane" (TAA) with the required electronic Primary Flight Displays (PFDs), electronic Multifunction Display (MFD) in the form of a moving-map display GPS, and a two-axis autopilot. This plane will be an ideal platform for club members to get their required TAA hours if pursuing a commercial pilot certification!