Warbird Information Exchange

Does anyone know of any Grumman G-111 sales over the last few years?

Trade A Plane

VERY RARE TRANSPORT category G-111 Albatross (not HU-16!) Titanium spar with no wing life, 19-seats, low airframe and engines. Make offer, must sell! No reasonable offer refused! Sherman Aircraft Sales, West Palm Beach, Florida, (toll free U.S. only) FL/(888) 683-0102; (561) 799-1919; FAX (561) 799-1920. http://www.shermanaircraft.com

Steve

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"Any excuse is good enough if you're willing to use it!"

What exactly is the Titanium spar mod? Was this something only on the G-111 series and not the HU-16's? Can anyone explain more about this, the history, and it's implications of having that mod?

How is it different from the normal wing? Does the non-titanium wing have a certain number of hours on it, whereas the titanium one doesn't?

In order for Grumman to be able to get a civilian type certificate (G-111), they had to replace the wing spar, and yes all of the military HU-16's have a wing life limit on them. I have been told that most of the long wing airplanes are about out of time; these are what the Coast Guard flew. The Navy and Air Force all flew short wing models and had a lot more time left on them. What the life limit is I do not know. So if you are to go out and buy an HU-16 you can only fly it in "Experimental Category" which means you cannot fly for hire, and only essential crew are to be on board. At least that is what the Federal Aviation Regulations used to say, I hope that helps.
Scott......

So, I assume that when Chalks used to fly the airplane, they flew the G-111 version? Is that correct, or is the "experimental category" something that was changed after their accident a few years ago?

So, when the long wing version is out of time, does that mean that the wing is completely "junked" and non-useable anymore? Is there anyway one can "zero time" the wing and start the clock over again like an engine overhaul?

The G-111 was modified with a titanium spar as part of a civil certification package by Frakes Aviation for Resorts International who owned Chalks in the mid-70's. I believe there were twelve converted before the program died as a result of less than expected demand and Resorts changing business priorities.

Tom-

Now Chalks did operate a few G-111's, but their main aircraft was the Grumman Mallard, which was little version of the Albatross (G-111) you could say. The reason the G-111's were not all made operational was the operating cost were pretty high compared to that of the Mallard.
Scott.......

The mod is a titanium spar cap vs. aluminum cap. The short wing Alba doesn't have a life limit but the long wing does. The G-111's were done for Resort Int. and I believe they are all owned by Chalk's. and most of them are sitting in the desert waiting for a good home. The G-111 is in the "Standard" category with the Alba in "Restricted". Problem is a G-111 is $1.5m and an Albatross is $500k (depending on the a/c).

Patrick

Patrick;
I thought all of the military HU-16's had wing life limits, If the short wing does not that is some good information to know. I know the one major item on the HU-16 is landing gear, the parts are hard to come by if you get some the are beyond repair for corrosion.
Scott......

Scott,

I will have to double check my source, but I believe that is correct. Not sure about the landing gear issue that you speak of.

Patrick

Patrick;
I had a friend that was working on an HU-16 that came out of the bone yard and the airplane just sat until sold, well the new owner wanted it tricked out and made a good solid airplane. Well all three of the gear struts were leaking pretty bad so the decided to pull the gear and overhaul it, when they tore it down they found some pretty bad corrosion in the barrel of the upper strut. They deemed it to be beyond limits, and started looking for an acceptable replacement. They had a hard time coming up with one, that is the one incident that I know of.
Scott.......

Scott,

Have your friend give Steve Penning a call at Aerocrafters in Santa Rosa, CA. They know Albatross'.

Patrick

Albatri?