Honeywell Primus Apex Glass Panel Fired Up

A major milestone has been reached for a small company hoping to resurrect the storied de Havilland DHC-6, better known as the Twin Otter. Viking Air tells ANN its new DHC-6 Twin Otter Series 400 Technology Demonstrator achieved "power on" status this week, in advance of an official rollout and first flight set to take place at the end of next month.

With major structural components installed, electronics wired, control systems rigged and modernization upgrades incorporated, the Technology Demonstrator is the prototype Series 400 Twin Otter aircraft produced by Viking Air Limited, of Victoria, BC, and brings the Twin Otter into the 21st century.

Outfitted with a Honeywell Primus Apex avionics suite, the flight deck has two primary flight displays (PFDs) and two multifunction displays (MFDs) that feature clear, high resolution Active Matrix Liquid Crystal Displays (AMLCDs) and wide viewing capability, allowing for cross-cockpit scanning. The Apex platform offers integrated aircraft systems, safety sensors and navigation information, decreases pilot workload and improves safety through enhanced situational awareness.

"While switching on the power may seem like a minor detail in the grand scheme of things, it is actually a significant step in the design certification process, and literally infuses life into the 400 Series Program," said David Curtis, Viking president & CEO.

The "Tech Demo" will undergo flight testing under a flight permit to complete the Series 400 certification program. All subsequent aircraft will conform to the revised Viking DHC-6 Twin Otter Type Certificate.

Powered by two Pratt & Whitney Canada PT6A-34 or optional PT6A-35 Hot & High Performance engines, and available on standard landing gear, straight floats, amphibious floats, skis, wheel skis, or intermediate flotation (Tundra) landing gear, the Series 400 Twin Otter can be customized for private, commercial, or military use in diverse and extreme operating environments.

Viking launched the Series 400 aircraft program in 2007, with customer deliveries scheduled to begin in summer 2009. The company also provides OEM support for the worldwide fleet of de Havilland heritage aircraft, up to the current DHC-8 produced by Bombardier.

FMI: www.vikingair.com