Grumman G-111 Albatross amphibian to be based in the Kimberley region of WA; plus “Helicopter Golf” proposal for Perth area
David Eyre 17 February 2012:
An article in The West Australia by Kent Acott on 16 February 2012 reported that WA businessman and former SAS mountaineering instructor Mr Mack McCormack had purchased a Grumman G-111 Albatross amphibian during the previous week.
He intends to operate in the Kimberley region, in the far north of Western Australia.
A total of 418 Grumman Albatross aircraft were built between 1947 and 1961. In the early 1980s, Grumman bought 57 ex-military Albatrosses for conversion to civil G-111 configuration, which is certified to conduct airline and charter operations. Although Grumman thought that there was a market for 200 G-111s, only 13 were converted.
Mr McCormack also proposes to use the Rottnest Island Golf Course as a parachute drop zone and to develop “helicopter golf” where tourists could be transported between Rottnest and other Perth golf courses.
