The Twin Otter Lives!

Aero-News has learned Viking Air Limited -- which last year announced it was considering re-starting production of the 19-passenger DHC-6 Twin Otter -- has confirmed the program will proceed.

The company tells ANN it met its required goals: sufficient firm orders, further investment in the company by its majority shareholder Westerkirk Capital, approval by the company board of directors, and the existence of a federal government program that could provide repayable financial assistance for research and development to update the Twin Otter design for operation in the 21st century.

Viking president and CEO David Curtis said he was encouraged by the recent announcement by the federal government of the Strategic Aerospace and Defense Initiative (SADI) program. Curtis fully expects the Viking Twin Otter program will meet the requirements set out by Industry Canada, which will administer the SADI program.

Viking has also had positive discussions with Export Development Canada (EDC), a federal government crown corporation which can provide a number of financial services for purchasers of new Twin Otters. EDC has expressed a desire to work with Viking and its customers on this newly-launched program.

One of the lead orders, for five aircraft, was received from Trans Maldavian Airlines (TMA). The airline currently operates 15 Twin Otters built by the original manufacturer, de Havilland Canada. Loch Ard Otters, LLC, of Palm Beach, FL has also stepped up for six aircraft firm plus six options. These aircraft will be offered for lease to operators worldwide.

Other launch customers include Air Seychelles for two airplanes, Air Moorea for two and Zimex Aviation of Switzerland for one. Between them, these three airlines currently operate more than 25 'heritage' Twin Otters.

Deliveries of new aircraft will commence within 24 months and the anticipated production rate will ramp up to fulfill the demand as necessary, according to Curtis. Production airplanes will be built under a slightly-modified original type certificate.

The new aircraft, on wheels, and with a standard 19-seat commuter interior and basic instrumentation, sells for US $3.2 million in 2006 dollars, adjusted to the consumer price index at the time of delivery. Full de-ice, float, amphibious and ski landing gear will be offered as aftermarket options. Operators will also option exterior paint as well as avionics systems.

"Today marks a significant milestone for Viking and for the Canadian aerospace industry," Curtis said. "With today's announcement we become the country's only manufacturer of certificated aircraft west of Ontario by returning to production, after almost 19 years, the world's best-selling 19-passenger aircraft, one that is respected worldwide for its capability, reliability and safety. We are extremely proud of this moment, this decision and this airplane."

TMA managing director Bram Stellar believes new-production Twin Otters will allow his company to grow significantly. "Finding airplanes is next to impossible, and often requires major refurbishing or rebuilding," he said. "Our current fleet is well-maintained but will benefit from the addition of new aircraft. The Twin Otter Series 400 will be perfect for our routes."

Commenting on the move to purchase the new aircraft, Air Seychelles' chairman and chief executive, Captain David Savy, says: "We have been seeking the replacement of our Twin Otter DHC-6 Series 300 fleet for some time now and we were looking at an aircraft which could meet the peculiarities of our demanding domestic operations. We fly very short sectors, land on rugged, short airstrips and operate in a saline, humid environment. This is a very challenging environment for our technical and maintenance crews.

"The current Twin Otter Series 300 aircraft is an ideal, robust aircraft adapted to inter-island operations of Air Seychelles," Savy added. "We faced a lot of difficulty in finding a suitable replacement to the Series 300. For some years now we have been urging the manufacturers to re-commence production. Fortunately, Viking Air has taken-up the challenge."

Loch Ard will be Viking's preferred leasing partner, providing potential operators with an alternative to straight purchase. Loch Ard is owned and managed by a team with extensive experience in transportation asset financing and leasing.

The new Series 400 aircraft, based on the original 19-seat Series 300, will have their major components built in Victoria with aircraft assembly and customer delivery in Calgary, Alberta. It will incorporate a number of improvements based on today's available technologies. The original Pratt & Whitney Canada PT6A-27 engines will be replaced by higher output PT6A-34 engines, flat-rated for better performance in all flight regimes. PT6A-35 engines and four blade propellers will be offered as optional equipment.

Twin Otters are flown by such diverse operators as commuter airlines, Antarctic and desert expeditions, inter-island and coastal taxis, para-droppers, airborne research firms and corporate transportation departments.

Viking acquired the type certificate and production rights to the Twin Otter from Bombardier Aerospace in early 2006. Viking owns the Type Certificates for the de Havilland Canada DHC-1 Chipmunk, DHC-2 Beaver, DHC-2T Turbo Beaver, DHC-3 Otter, DHC-4, Caribou, DHC-5 Buffalo, DHC-6 Twin Otter and DHC-7 DASH 7 and has been providing all product support functions for the fleet since May 2005.

FMI: www.vikingair.com