While Vintage Wings of Canada is dedicated to telling the compelling story of Canada's aviation history by operating the finest collection of flyable aircraft north of the 49th parallel, there are times when we must tell you about stories, aircraft and people that are making a difference in other countries. One story has come to our attention that combines vintage aircraft operations and the most important news story of the day - the earthquake in impoverished Haiti.

In 1949, when Grumman first introduced the HU-16 Albatross amphibious flying boat, it was in the role as an air-sea rescue aircraft - bringing hope and succor to downed Navy and Air Force pilots and aircrew. That was sixty years ago.

Today, only a handful of the original 466 Albatrosses still fly. Quite a few of them, follow the "Cool mon" image started by Parrothead singer-songwriter Jimmy Buffett and are employed in the luxury and marketing roles.  Lifestyle companies such as Quicksilver, Red Bull and Billabong utilize their HU-16s as flying brandwagons for clothing and beveridges, and Row 44, an in-flight service provider, uses theirs as a flying test bed and marketing platform. All well and good and a great way for an old winged gal to live out her days. But one former US Navy Albatross has put aside her well-earned retirement status and gone back to rescue work on a scale not originally planned for by her original designers.

The Mission

A group of twelve doctors and nurses from Marquette, Michigan, were trying to find a way to get themselves and several tons of donated supplies from the US to Haiti to participate in the relief efforts.  The doctors and nurses have partnered with Partners In Health, a long-standing Haitian health provider with an excellent reputation, to man an under-staffed hospital in the Haitian city of Les Cayes.

Their biggest problem was that they had no way to get to or through the crowded Port-au-Prince Airport.  Had they gotten there, the state of the roads and the lack of infrastructure would have kept them from contributing to the relief efforts.

This group managed to make contact with long-time Albatross owner and operator, Bill DaSilva. Bill’s plane, US registered N7025N, was already in Florida for the winter.  Bill DaSilva quickly agreed to donate their aircraft and time to get these doctors and nurses to their destination, bypassing the usual, blocked relief routes by flying directly to the beach at their destination. Only the Albatross is capable of carrying this load from Miami directly to the waters off of Haiti and returning without refueling in Haiti.  Without this transport, the mission was doomed.

The following excerpt is extracted from from the Mission's blog. This entry was written by Stuart P. Sarasin and first published in Upper Michigan Source, January 25th, 2010. We thank Stuart and the Albatross Haiti Relief Team for allowing us to share it with you.

Sunday morning, after fueling and final preflight preparations, the giant Albatross taxied out, about to set out on a critical humanitarian relief mission, the sort of duty for which it was originally designed.  As a result of the high takeoff weight, the aircraft struggled to become airborne in the hot Florida air, with Captain DaSilva struggling to climb the relief crew to a minimum altitude. The nearly-five hour flight in the vintage craft; loud, slow and with spartan interior, was met with an appreciation for the capability of the ex-Navy aircraft.  With vantage points in the cockpit as well as the nose port viewing area, the medical team was able to get a unique view of the Caribbean from an altitude of only 1,000 feet.  The sheer weight of the crew and supplies, as well as a strong headwind which reduced the speed of the 140 mph Albatross even further, led to the long flight at such a low altitude.  Fortunately, the air was clear and smooth as the temperature in the non-air-conditioned aircraft exceeded ninety degrees.
 
After a long, slow climb to clear the mountains of western Haiti, the Albatross descended into the area of the port city of Les Cayes.  The flight crew completed a reconnaissance inspection of the landing area, flying low over the city and bay selecting a suitable landing site.  Activity in the port city was abuzz as the sight of the low-flying Navy seaplane caught the attention of the entire area.  The first landing approach was stable and on-target, yet the rush of local boats and canoes into the bay forced a pull-up and return for landing.  Fortunately, the small watercraft were separated enough that a landing clearway was available on the second approach.  The rough seas and large swells tested the limits of the Albatross and crew, as the aircraft was launched by a swell on the first touchdown, forced again skyward as the veteran seaplane pilot DaSilva used every bit of his experience and ability to wrestle the ship through several more oscillations and high sea waves to safely bring the relief mission to a stop in the turbulent Caribbean sea.

The serenity of the long, scenic flight was exploded by the flurry of activity that met the crew as they attempted to approach the shore and anchor in the bay. With thousands of local residents rushing to the shore, many jumping into the bay and swimming toward the strange site that was the ex-Navy Albatross, as well as dozens of small watercraft approaching the sturdy yet surface-fragile aircraft, the team members struggled to communicate to the non-English speaking residents to remain clear of the aircraft and especially not allow small canoes and boats to puncture the aircraft's skin. Fortunately, with a combination of local residents' slight understanding of english and Dr. Dan Hardie's usable command of the Creole language, improved greatly by his bushing up by studying the Creole dictionary on the 5-hour flight, minimal order was achieved as the self-contained dinghy was inflated and Dr. Hardie and two team members made their way to shore. The U.N. security force, luckily having a presence in Les Cayes, was able to set up a security perimeter with their significant numbers and allow the off-load of crew and supplies from the relief ship. The transfer of the entire cargo load was arduous at best in the rough sea waters, as concern mounted over the possibility of damage to the craft from the local boat that was offered for assistance. Fortunately, the load was safely transferred and the last of the crew boarded the ancient, but sturdy, boat.

The flight crew wasted no time in preparing the Albatross for take-off, as the team members on the ground coordinated with local residents to clear the take-off lane.  DaSilva and the flight crew of three battled the high waves and turbulent sea to return the aircraft to a more natural element as they lifted off the water and began the long return flight to South Florida.  DaSilva would later describe the entire experience in a single phrase, exclaiming, "That was sporting!"

Meanwhile, the initial medical team members were met with a hero's welcome as hundreds of local residents, many children, rushed to the streets to catch a glimpse of the spectacle.  Cheers went up as the crew rounded every turn, slowly making their way to the Hopital Immaculee Conception (Hospital Immaculate Conception)  to meet up with the local medical staff.  Back at the landing site the remainder of the crew awaited further instructions and made friendships with the much-appreciative locals.  Handshakes and smiles were evident throughout the crowd as the battered yet resilient Haitian locals greeted the relief members.  After the crew was re-assembled they conducted a tour of the facility and supplies and began plans for the week-long mission, on what will assuredly prove to test the limits of supplies and equipment as the dedicated crew of doctors and staff prepare to supply aid to a ravaged country by helping residents of this Haitian port city. 

During preparations for the mission, members' health was a concern as proper immunizations and anti-malaria medication was provided as well as provisions for sleeping in infested areas - plastic sheeting, special bedding and mosquito nets - as well as means of purifying drinking water.  Fortunately, former Upper Peninsula residents Virginia and John Bell, who live in the port city of Les Cayes and still spend part of the year in Paradise, Michigan, operate the Belle Maison, a secure home for volunteers working with the mission Centre International de Recherche et d'Action pour le Developpement Durable, or CIRADD.  The Bells graciously offered their home to the entire relief mission, providing sleeping quarters, sanitary conditions and food throughout the week.  The Bells are keeping close contact with their daughter, Jayme Bell, an elementary music teacher in the Marquette School District.  Additionally, local resident Jean Michelle Baquin, a local Les Cayes resident, is proving to be invaluable in providing information, translation and coordination efforts with the relief team and local medical officials.  Baquin had to opportunity to study in the United States, a result of the support of the local missionary.  Baquin's diverse study included opportunities in Iowa, Illinois and South Dakota.  Baquin holds a P.H.D. and returned to his home town, struggling to bring significant change to the infrastructure of Haiti.

As the medical team settled in, the flight crew continued the challenge of the entire mission as they made their way back to Florida, now proceeding in the ever darkening skies of the Caribbean.  The strong headwinds suffered during the flight to Haiti necessitated a fuel stop in the Turks and Caicos Islands.  After refueling, the Albatross lumbered into the sky once again, but shortly after takeoff, enroute to Florida, the aircraft suffered an electrical failure which affected the navigation gyro instruments, and, additionally, had a warning light that led to a forced landing in Nassau, the Bahamas.  The crew spent the night, repaired the electrical problem and headed back to Ft. Lauderdale.  Plans are under way to facilitate the transport of the remaining supplies and medical crew aboard the Albatross to Les Cayes, hopefully Monday afternoon.

The return trip from the first mission flight to Les Cayes, did not go routinely as an electrical malfunction was followed by an indicator light that predicted a problem with one of the huge radial engines.  A forced landing was made in Nassau the Bahamas.  An inspection revealed no indications that the engine suffered any damage or malfunction and, thus, a faulty light was suspected. Repairs were made to the electrical system and the flight crew returned the Albatross to Ft. Lauderdale. The aircraft was refueled and serviced for the next flight and the supplies and team members were loaded.  The relief flight lifted off to begin the four-hour flight, however, shortly after takeoff the same warning light illuminated.  Not able to assume a faulty light, the flight was forced to return to the airport and the flight was scrubbed.  Repairs were again made and a test flight is planned for early morning.  Pending a successful test, the team will again load up and depart for Les Cayes, hopefully arriving prior to noon.

The team continues to prepare for additional flights to beleagured and grateful Haiti, but the prohibitive $12,000 required for fuel and oil on each trip means that they rely on the donations of people like Vintage News readers. If you would like to make a donation to help keep this remarkable classic in the air and fighting despair in Haiti, you just have to visit their website to contribute.  Keep 'em flying, keep 'em fighting.

Contributed by: By Dave O'Malley, Manager, Communications, Vintage Wings of Canada