The vintage 1952 Grumman Albatross – Photo: Jason Rabinowitz

“Do you have time this week for a flight in a 1952…”

’œYes.’

’œWhat time do you have ava’¦’¦’

’œI’ll make time available. Just grab me a seat!’

That’s pretty much the conversation I had prior to the 2015 APEX Expo, where Global Eagle subsidiary Row 44 had its Grumman Albatross on hand to give demo flights throughout the week. Naturally, when offered the chance to hop on board for one of the flights, I made it my business to be available.

The classic controls – Photo: Jason Rabinowitz

Global Eagle is the in-flight internet provider to a few major airlines in the United States, including Southwest Airlines. While its satellite equipment is installed on hundreds of commercial aircraft, an aircraft it can call its own is necessary to constantly test the service and upcoming products. While our friends at Gogo now have a 737 to call their own, Global Eagle kind of went the other way on this one. Its test aircraft is this wonderful old Albatross. What better way to test the future of in-flight connectivity than with a half century old twin’“radial engine amphibious flying boat?