New Twin Otter set to fly

[bmc]

http://www.aviationtoday.com/ran/topstories/26397.html

Monday, September 29, 2008

New Twin Otter Set to Fly
Viking Air plans the first flight of the first new Twin Otter in 20 years this week with more than 40 customers awaiting its final development, according to CanWest News Service. All have signed contracts with deposits for the $4 million, 19-seat aircraft that is a resurrection of one of the aircraft that helped build the post-deregulation regional airline industry. The flight will take off from Victoria, British Columbia, home to Viking, which bought the aircraft’s original plans from de Havilland and started anew. In command will be Steve Stackhouse of the Twin Otter 400 when it takes to the air sometime this week.

Viking is owned by Westerkirk Capital which now holds exclusive rights to the Twin Otter and other de Havilland aircraft. Today, the worldwide fleet includes 600 of the original 800 sold by de Havilland, mostly some of the most hostile aviation environments for which the aircraft is known.
Viking projects production of seven planes next year and the company is sold out until 2012 with launch customer Zimex Aviation taking the first aircraft, destined for oil field work in Angola, next April. Other customers include Air Maldivian Airways with five on order to add to its 18-aircraft Twin Otter fleet. United Arab Emirates has one on order for its air force.
Viking is anticipating gross sales of $30 million this year from its work repairing and overhauling de Havilland aircraft. Gross sales will double to $60 million next year, according to the company with $100 million in 2010.

[Mad Flying Ace]

4 million a plane? seems like quite a bit of money.

I wonder if Borek will buy any or just keep finding old ones to add to the fleet?

wwwwwwwwwwwweeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee!!!

Mad Flying Ace

[iflyforpie]

Pretty sure you could start with a data plate and a pile of wreckage and make one for less than 4 mill.

[North Shore]

Not sure about that, seeing as Viking owns all of the parts jigs - if you needed a replacement part, how happy are they going to be to sell you one, when they are trying to market their own plane?

That being said, I think that this is more about the fact that there are only ~ 800? -6 airframes in existence, and a market for more than that..

[bmc]

Wasn't there an issue with the wings being only good for 20,000 hrs?

[just curious]

Yeah, that's why we started building wings a few years ago.

[flying4dollars]

Does this new twotter look the exact same as the old? or is it noticeably diff?

[Ref Plus 10]

I think it's basically the same airframe with some upgrades to the systems and avionics

[flying4dollars]

I guess all I had to do was google it

http://www.vikingair.com/uploadedFiles/to_brochure.pdf

[Shep]

Yeah, that's why we started building wings a few years ago.

Ummm We at borek dont build wings....... We apply a life extension STC to old time ex'd ones.

[ettw]

Yeah, that's why we started building wings a few years ago.

Ummm We at borek dont build wings....... We apply a life extension STC to old time ex'd ones.

And Shep would know....I think I saw a tear in his eye everytime he looked up at seXXyB's exhaust stained flame tracks! Actually....I think I have a tear in my eye thinking about seXXyB....sniff...sniff.......

Cheers,

ETTW

[Rowdy]

Aren't the viking machines basically copies of borek 300's (all our STC's) with different avionics?

[twotterflyer]

I'm sure those are tears of happiness there ETTW!!!!

How is the old Sky Pig or have you moved to the 42?
I haven't started my training yet!!!! TOO BUSY!!!! Flying

[Airtids]

Well, Viking and Pacific Sky are married, so to speak, so I might be able to shed some light here. Understand I have nothing to do with the -400 project, but have been milling around in the background on occasion. From a distance. Rummaging through the parts bins...

First, yes indeed the -400 proof of concept is scheduled to fly this week. Steve Stackhouse (Martin Mars) has been hired as head of the flight department and test pilot. Likely be airborne here at CYYJ on Wednesday. The goal is to get it down to Orlando for the NBAA convention next week, complete with avionics package, but green interior. I've seen it, and it looks fantastic. The folks at Viking have been going flat-out to meet this goal, and I give them all the credit in the world.

This proof of concept is a -300 with different engines (-34 with -35 options), all the Viking mods (stretched, bigger door, etc.) and the new avionics suite. While totally unfamiliar with the PC12, my understanding is it is the same panel. It will be equipped with Wip amphibs, straight floats, or wheels as per the customer's request. Viking owns the DHC6 Type Certificates which they bought from Bombardier several years ago (along with the DHC1,2,3,4,5,and 7). THEY WILL BE BUILT NEW. The DHC6 is an incredibly proven machine, and the thinking was, I believe, don't change a winning formula. They have taken what the operators asked for, and delivered. There is still a huge demand for this kind of machine globally, with very few competitiors. I understand the order book is looking like 40ish plus, and that's before the thing has even been unveiled! Talk to Rob Maraucher, VP sales and Business Development for more info 250 656-7227.

[Rudy]

It's going to have the same panel as the pilatus? Hahaha. That would make my life easier.

[longjon]

they can't make to many changes as it has to be built to the certification of the original

a few yrs back someone said they would never allow them to re build the DHC-6 because of the fuel cells in the belly, but it was certified so I guess its ok.

a good used high S.N sold for 3.2 mil so go figgure if 4 mil is a hight price for a new one.

the oil companies and others are going to say we dont want to use old machines anything with a 20 yr life we wont charter so those with the new airframes will have an advantage

the new machine will not be going to Angola as the newpaper says bad info on their part.

[Airtids]

Well, I just watched the first takeoff and landing! Looks pretty substantial. Congratulations to the Viking folks. Well done!

[sdogg0]

Why is everyone giving them a hard time for bringing back the otter, that is probably the best news ive heard in a long time.
Quick question, can you bring back the beaver???$$$$$$

[linecrew]

So has the thing flown or what??????!!!!

[Rudy]

[Intentional Left Bank]

[AntiNakedMan]

Holy shit that guy doesn't have his beacon light on and his engines are running! how will all of those people know not to walk into him?

That's awesome though, I want one. Right after I win the lottery.

[C-GGGQ]

ooooooo shiney

[Phileas Fogg]

I wish I could be the first to roll a drum on that new floor...

[Westrules]

That's not the first time that A/C has flown. It was manufactured in 1974. Check the registry for C-FDHT. Anyone can upgrade the avionics and engines on a -300. Borek does it all the time. Let me know when Viking actually flies their own metal.