Will Replace Golden Knights' Older Twin Otters, Porter

The US Army Golden Knights parachute team will soon be ferried aloft in some new rides. Viking Air Limited announced Monday it has won a $14.3 million contract to supply three new DHC-6 Twin Otter Series 400 aircraft to the team.

The Golden Knights, established in 1959 as the official US Army Parachute Team, becomes the 9th operator to purchase Viking's new Twin Otters. They will replace the team’s existing fleet of two Twin Otter Series 300 (UV-18 in Army designation), purchased new by the US Army from de Havilland Canada in 1979; and one Pilatus Porter.

"Our two original Twin Otters have been serving the US Army since 1979, first in the remote tundra of Alaska as ski planes, and since 1997 with the Golden Knights parachute team, providing flawless support for thousands of demonstration, competition and tandem jumps," said Green Beret Lieutenant Colonel Tony Dill, Golden Knights’ Commander. "This is a superb aircraft, with a lifetime of service to the US Military and nearly 10,000 hours and 18,000 landings with the Golden Knights. It provides an efficient jump platform; short time to climb; and the capacity to accommodate 16 jumpers at the same time. We are confident that our new airplanes will provide outstanding support to the US Army for years to come."

Delivery of the first new aircraft will take place in 2010, with the remaining two delivered in 2011.

"Being awarded this contract is great news for us; it confirms our belief in the performance and qualities of the Twin Otter", says David Curtis, president of Viking. "We are glad it has been chosen once again by the Golden Knights, as we believe that this aircraft and its enhanced performance are a true match for the team’s competitive spirit and mission."

In addition to the demonstration team, the Golden Knights' aircraft have also transported former President George Bush, actor Chuck Norris, and golfer Tiger Woods.
"Each made their first jump with the US Army from one of our Twin Otters," said Dill.

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. As ANN reported, the company announced early last year the re-launch of Twin Otter production program, after acquiring sufficient investment and customer orders.

To date, the company counts over 40 firm orders and options for the relaunched Twin Otter.

FMI: www.vikingair.com, www.goldenknights.com