"Series 400" Amphib Takes To The Skies In Front Of Cheering
Employees
Perhaps it's not wholly accurate to call the inaugural flight of
Viking's DHC-6 Series 400 a true "first flight;" after all, the
plane's fundamental design is over 40 years old. But don't tell
that to the dozens of cheering workers who watched the plane ascend
for its first time this week.
Just days after initial power-on, the new Twin
Otter Series 400 -- dubbed a "Technology Demonstrator" by the
company -- took off at Victoria International Airport in the middle
of a clear and sunny Wednesday afternoon, amid cheers and clapping
from employees and onlookers.
"The aircraft performed beautifully," remarked Steve Stackhouse,
Viking’s manager of flight Operations and pilot-in-command.
Michael Moore, engineering test pilot and co-captain added "the
first flight went smoothly and the aircraft handled exactly as
expected."
Powered by two new Pratt & Whitney Canada PT6A-34 engines,
outfitted on Wipline 13000 amphibious floats, and modernized with
Honeywell Primus Apex avionics suite, the Technical Demonstrator
took off from less than 1000 feet of runway, proving the
type’s famed STOL performance.
"This is a special moment for all at Viking," said David Curtis,
president & CEO, "and physically represents the many months of
hard work by Viking employees since the announcement of Series 400
aircraft program late last year." He added, "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."
Viking employees and their families were given the opportunity
to preview the aircraft prior to the first flight at a roll out
event late last week, where she was officially dubbed "Viktoria" in
honor of her home town and in keeping with tradition of Turbo
Beaver predecessor "Olivia", of Immortal Beaver fame.
The best selling 19-passenger aircraft of all time, over 600
heritage Twin Otters still in active service... and Viking says
demand is increasing by the minute for the versatile STOL
turboprop.
Viking launched the Series 400 aircraft program in 2007 with
customer deliveries scheduled to commence in Summer 2009. Viking
provides OEM support for the worldwide fleet of de Havilland
heritage aircraft (DHC-1 through DHC-7), and is part of Westerkirk
Capital Inc., a Canadian private investment firm with substantial
holdings in the hospitality, aviation and real estate sectors.
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