Viking Air (static display) has just flown its prototype DHC-6 Twin Otter Series 400, just days after the aircraft had its power switched on.
The aircraft flew on October 1 from Victoria International Airport. Its main upgrades are in the cockpit - it has a Honeywell Primus Apex avionics suite that includes two PFDs and two MFDs that are active matrix LCDs with wide viewing capability.
“The aircraft performed beautifully,” says Steve Stackhouse, Viking’s manager of flight operations and pilot-in-command. Michael Moore, engineering test pilot and co-captain adds: “The first flight went smoothly and the aircraft handled exactly as expected.”
This example is fitted with two Pratt & Whitney Canada PT6A-34 engines and has Wipline 13000 amphibious floats. It took off from less than 1,000ft of runway.
It carries the MSN #845, as it is being flown under the original DHC Type Certificate, but after flight testing is complete, the certification and subsequent aircraft will conform to the revised Viking DHC-6 Twin Otter Type Certificate.
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“This is a special moment for all at Viking and physically represents the many months of hard work by Viking employees since the announcement of Series 400 aircraft program late last year,” says president David Curtis. “While Viking has been in the aviation industry for many years, manufacturing new aircraft is a different avenue for the company and could not have been possible without the commitment and support of our stakeholders and Westerkirk Capital.”
PT6A-35 engines are optional for hot and high performance. The Twin Otter Series 400 is available on standard landing gear, straight floats, amphibious floats, skis, wheel skis, or intermediate flotation (Tundra) landing gear, and can be customized for private, commercial, or military use in diverse and extreme operating environments.
Viking says the original Twin Otter was one of the best selling 19-passenger aircraft of all time, and more than 600 heritage Twin Otters remain in active service.
The Series 400 will continue to maintain its popularity for generations to come. Viking launched the Series 400 aircraft program in 2007. More than 40 have already been ordered, and customer deliveries due to commence in the summer of 2009.
Source: Flight Daily News