The Otter is back!

[buglerbilly]

Always liked flying the T'Otter................

Viking Twin Otter Nears Certification

Mar 1, 2010



By Kerry Lynch

Canada-based Viking Air recently began flight testing the first new Twin Otter to be produced since de Havilland Canada ended production in 1988. First flight came shortly before Canadian supplemental type certification is expected and just weeks after Viking Air opened its new 84,000-square-foot facility in Victoria, British Columbia, to support production of the DHC-6 Series Twin Otter, along with ongoing customer support of de Havilland legacy aircraft (BA, Feb. 8/61).

The aircraft, Canadian registration C-FMJO, carries the manufacturer’s serial number (MSN) 845, picking up from the last delivery of MSN 844 more than two decades ago. The first of the new line of Twin Otters will be delivered to Zimex Aviation of Switzerland. “The aircraft performed exactly as expected, it felt very stable, fast, and even with my thousands of hours on type, this new Series 400 Twin Otter brought a smile to my face,” said Steve Stackhouse, manager of flight operations, who piloted the first flight along with Viking President and CEO David Curtis.

The Zimex Twin Otter is equipped with a Honeywell Apex IFR digital flight deck and configured with a commuter interior for use throughout North Africa for the oil and gas industry. The Canadian registration was in commemoration of former Viking board member Michael J. Orr.

Viking had produced and supplied components for de Havilland airplanes for decades, but in 2006 acquired the type certificates for seven vintage models, including the DHC-2 Beaver, the DHC-3 Otter, and the DCH-6 Twin Otter. The company formally launched a new production program for the Twin Otter a year later, and a float-equipped prototype flew in 2008. The updated aircraft incorporates more than 400 modifications, including the integration of the Honeywell Primus Apex digital avionics suite and Pratt & Whitney PT6A-34 turbine engines.

Viking expects to win Canadian certification shortly and begin deliveries soon thereafter. Company officials estimate the backlog for the Twin Otter has reached $200 million.

By Kerry Lynch (kerry_lynch@aviationweek.com)

Photo credit: Viking

[tiddles]

Here is a Link to the Viking Air Website which has a download with info about the new Series 400 Twin Otter.
http://www.google.com.au/url?sa=t&source=web&ct=res&cd=1&ved=0CAYQFjAA&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.vikingair.com%2F&rct=j&q=viking+aircraft&ei=DPWMS6CVKYWOtAPYvtTUAw&usg=AFQjCNHZMxC1dm9lzTWm54P9e0_bxcjOqg&sig2=TPByM1u5ZmFwjhEEo6Q2BQ
Tiddles

[Jezza]

you never know they may do a caribou or buffalo now that would be good

[buglerbilly]

Vietnam Navy Selects Viking Series 400 Twin Otter for First Air Wing

(Source: Viking Air; issued May 4, 2010)

GENEVA, Switzerland --- Viking Air of Victoria, BC, Canada and the Vietnam Navy have finalized a purchase agreement for six DHC-6 Twin Otter Series 400 aircraft. With this historic purchase the Vietnam Ministry of Defense has acquired its first-ever western built-aircraft, and the formation of the Navy's initial fixed-wing-aircraft Air Wing.

The Series 400 Twin Otters are scheduled for delivery between 2012 through 2014, and will be equipped for amphibious operations. The six aircraft will be configured with convertible interiors covering VIP, commuter, and utility layouts, with three of the six designated "Guardian 400" maritime patrol variants. Ideally suited for the Navy's operations, the Twin Otter Series 400 aircraft will be used for transport, resupply, maritime surveillance and search and rescue throughout Vietnamese coastal regions.

Included in the agreement are sensor package options, air conditioning, galley and lavatory installations, and a comprehensive spares support package. All technical and flight training from ab initio through commercial multi-engine, and including Twin Otter Series 400 amphibious float operating experience will be provided by Viking's sister organization Pacific Sky Aviation, a flight training unit located in Victoria International Airport, Canada.

Representatives of the Vietnamese Navy, in collaboration with the GAET Company from the Ministry of Defense, have been working with Viking and its local representative, Canam Active Enterprises Inc., over the past several years to develop the contract. Following an extensive evaluation and configuration phase, the DHC-6 Series 400 was selected as best suited to meet the operational requirements of the Vietnam Navy.

David Curtis, Viking president and CEO, commented, "After a long and thorough procurement process, Viking is proud to have been selected by the Vietnamese Navy to supply new DHC-6 Twin Otter aircraft, perfectly suited for use over Vietnam's extensive 3400 km coastline. It is also significant to note that the Series 400 is the first western built, fixed-wing aircraft to be selected by the Vietnam Department of National Defense, another highlight to add to the long list of Twin Otter program milestones."

-ends-

[buglerbilly]

Pretty pic time! Great plane, always loved flying in them.............

[buglerbilly]

New Life for an Old Bird

Canadian Firm Finds Military Buyers for 'Bush' Plane

By DAVID PUGLIESE

Published: 31 May 2010

VICTORIA, British Columbia - For Viking Air, a venerable 45-year-old Canadian aircraft is flying into a niche market for affordable smaller military planes.

Viking is building new de Havilland Canada Twin Otters and has an order backlog estimated at 250 million Canadian dollars ($234 million) through 2014.

The U.S. Army has purchased three of the light turboprop planes for its Golden Knights parachute team, the United Arab Emirates (UAE) has ordered 10 for its special forces and earlier this month, Vietnam's military arranged a deal tto buy six of Viking Air's DHC-6 Twin Otter Series 400 planes.

Viking Air, based here, expects to deliver its first Twin Otter Series 400 in June to Zimex Aviation in Switzerland, with the U.S Army order to be filled later this year or in early 2011. The UAE planes will be delivered between sometime this year and 2013; deliveries for Vietnam's Navy will start in 2012.

In total, 50 aircraft have been ordered by a mix of military and civilian customers.

"We are totally involved in the Twin Otter program," said Dave Curtis, Viking's CEO and president. "The challenge for us is dealing with the backlog we have right now."

The Twin Otter went out of production in 1988, but Vi-king Air has resurrected the aircraft with a completely modernized cockpit. The Series 400 model features more than 400 modifications and improvements centered on a modernized flight deck and new safety systems while retaining the original aircraft's robust airframe, the company said. Among the changes were the incorporation of a Honeywell Primus Apex digital avionics suite and Pratt & Whitney PT6A-34 engines.

A commercial Twin Otter can carry 19 passengers, and the plane can be fitted with pontoons to take off from and land in water.

Viking Air has about 450 workers with facilities in Calgary, Alberta, and here. It's owned by Westerkirk Capital, a Toronto investment firm.

Viking does not publicly release its revenue or profit figures or financial details about its contracts. But Curtis said the company is projecting a production run of 200 Twin Otters over a 10-year period.

In particular, he said that he sees the aircraft finding a niche in the military and government security market, pointing to a trend toward smaller and more affordable planes, such as the King Air, being equipped for military missions. The King Air is a light twin-turboprop plane built by Hawker Beechcraft, Wichita, Kan.

"Folks aren't just that familiar that the Twin Otter is back and that it's a third of the cost of a similarly equipped King Air," Curtis said. "Once we get airplanes out there, the awareness that the aircraft are back in production will build."

The company can offer various mission packages for the plane, including sensors. For Vietnam's military, the Twin Otter Series 400 will be used for transport, supply, maritime surveillance, and search and rescue.

The first Twin Otter flew in 1965. The plane's original manufacturer, de Havilland Canada, began operating in the Toronto area in 1929 as a subsidiary of de Havilland Aircraft of the United Kingdom. Over the years, it had a number of owners and was eventually incorporated into Bombardier Aerospace, Montreal, a maker of business jets and regional airliners.

Viking Air has been around since 1970, performing aircraft modifications and repairs. In 2006, it acquired the type certificates from Bombardier for all of the original de Havilland designs, gaining the exclusive right to restart production of any of the seven de Havilland Canada aircraft types.

"The big thing is that you've got an airplane that has demonstrated its reliability and its capability," Curtis said. "So it's supported. People know the [Twin Otter], so it's got a great reputation."

Viking Air is looking at whether it should take the same route with the de Havilland DHC-5 Buffalo, a twin-turboprop utility plane. Curtis is noncommittal at this point, saying the company is focused on the Twin Otter.

But he added there is interest, particularly from military customers, in newly built Buffalos.

"There is an interesting market niche that is below what [an Alenia Aeronautica] C-27J costs for heavy lift," Curtis said. "What we get asked most often from our potential military and government clients is, 'What about the Buffalo?'"

Since it is considered the original equipment manufacturer (OEM) for de Havilland Canada aircraft, Viking also has several military clients for those out-of-production planes. The U.S. Army flies Dash-7s, while the Canadian, Egyptian and Kenyan militaries fly Buffalos.

"Viking is the OEM, so we're the guys who do the continuing air worthiness," Curtis said. "We've had to get the operator groups together, deal with spare [part] supply challenges, come up with alternate sources of supply."

Earlier this month, Viking completed a heavy maintenance and engine upgrade contract for a Series 200 Twin Otter operated by Argentina's Air Force. Following that service's acceptance of the plane, negotiations began for Viking to work on a second contract.

Aerospace analyst Richard Stoneman said Viking Air has made a significant accomplishment in putting an out-of-production plane back on the market, with a healthy number of orders so far.

Stoneman, an analyst for Dundee Securities in Toronto, said the new Twin Otter is likely too expensive for the bush pilots who once used to own and operate it. He said he agreed with Curtis that Viking Air will be able to carve out a niche in the paramilitary and military markets.

Eventually, Westerkirk will take Viking public, Stoneman predicted. "That's usually what happens to these successful companies that are privately held," he said. ■

E-mail: dpugliese@defensenews.com

[buglerbilly]

Things With Wings

The Commercial Aviation Blog

New Twin Otter Eyes Russian Market

Posted by Graham Warwick at 7/20/2010 12:31 PM CDT

Canada's Viking Air has signed an MoU with Vityaz Avia of Mosciw that could lead to the new Twin Otter Series 400 being assembled in Russia, where the 1940s-vintage Antonov An-2 biplane is still the STOL utility workhorse. The agreement was announced at the Farnborough show.


Photo: Viking Air

Vityaz is already the Series 400 sales representative in Russia and has ordered two commuter-configured aircraft for use as demonstrators. Viking will work with Vitzay to secure certification for the updated Twin Otter in Russia, citing the "enormous untapped potential market" for the 19-seat STOL utility aircraft.

If it goes ahead, the final-assembly plant in Eastern Russia could become a service center and training facility for the Twin Otter 400, Viking relaunched production of the DHC-6 Twin Otter in 2007. The first new-production aircraft flew in February this year, and Viking says it has a backlog through 2014.