Restart of De Havilland Canada DHC-6 Twin Otter

[Pieter C. 5]

After a break of more than 18 years, there will be a re-start of the production of the De Havilland Canada DHC-6 Twin Otter.

The Canadian company Viking Air Limited purchased the designs as well as the production-rights in 2005 for all De Havilland Canada aircraft, except the Dash8, which is produced by Bombardier Aerospace.

 

An order of Air Seychelles for 2 Twin Otters plus an option of a 3rd aircraft prompted the re-start of the production of this aircraft. The total orders and options of this 3.2 million dollar costing series 400 has increased, in the meantime, to over 20 aircraft.

 

The Twin Otter 400 has basically the same design as the 300 series, but will be built with a 'glass' cockpit, more powerful Pratt & Whitney Canada PT6A-34 engines, as well as more lighter materials, specifically for the nose-section, doors and fairings.

The Twin Otter first flew in 1965. It offers a maximum of 19 seats. Up to 1988 more than 800 were built.

 

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Believe this is an excellent replacement for the current DHT's operating the RAS !!!

[Rozhan 0]

A great aircraft the Twin Otter is and glad it is coming back into production. I guess it shows that no currently produced aircraft could equal, let alone exceed its capabilities.

[BC Tam 2]

Believe this is an excellent replacement for the current DHT's operating the RAS !!!

The rate and manner in which the RAS is being juggled about like some incurable curse by the current players, it doesn't look like anyone will be rushing to invest in new equipment for this purpose anytime soon !!

But then, there is always PMB, Ministry of Finance Malaysia and Malaysia Boleh spirit !!

[Aaron Goh 1]

THought the twotter would be extinct in due time. Now its been revived,

[Pieter C. 5]

Found this interesting article in the latest Aviation International News May 2007 issue:

 

"Welcome back Twin Otter.

 

British Columbia based Viking Air, which purchased a number of de Havilland Canada type-certificates from Bombardier last year, announced last month it was going to begin production on the turbo-prop Twin Otter. This will be the company's first venture into aircraft production, having provided service and support on its DHC type certificates since last year.

According to Viking, a number of significant events transpired for it to be able to restart production on the 19-seat twin-turboprop workhorse. The company received sufficient firm orders, there was further investment for the majority shareholders of parent company Westerkirk Capital and, not least, federal funding in the form of research and development loans became available. President and CEO DavidCurtis said he expects the company to receive funding from the Canadian government's Strategic Aerospace and Defence Initiative program.

Viking is calling the new aircraft the Twin Otter 400, marking the fact that it succeds the Series 300, last produced by de Havilland Canada before the line went quiet. Deliveries of the aircraft are expected to begin within two years; the $3.2 million price tag will be adjusted for the respective consumer price index at the time of delivery. Major components will be built at the company's Victoria, British Columbia facility, with final assembly and customer delivery in Calgary, Alberta.

The price as quoted includes the bare bones in interior and avionics. Customers wishing to upgrade will likely have the option via a supplemental type certificate.. Though no contract with a provider has been announced yet, a Viking spokesman said, that Garmin is offering the G1000 cockpit.

As the aircraft is perhaps best known for its off-airport capabilities, including ice, water, snow and dirt, viking said appropriate options will be offered. However, at this time, the company said, popular options, such as skis, floats and full de-ice will be aftermarket only. Standard engines will be Pratt & Whitney Canada PT6A-34's, with an option for the more powerful -35s. Four blade propellers will also be an option.

Viking expects stellar demand for the updated Twin Otter. Market research firm Conklin & de Decker confirmed that the company could be looking at demand for more than 400 aircraft over the next 10 years. This number isn't surprising when you consider de Havilland Canada built 844 copies of the aircraft between 1965 and 1988. And with many doing hard time on water, snow and dirt, companies will be clamoring for replacements, not to mention additional aircraft to support expansion."