Viking Air of Sidney, British Columbia, flew its DHC-6 Twin Otter Series 400 prototype for the first time on October 1 from Victoria International Airport. Said Steve Stackhouse, pilot-in-command and Viking’s manager of flight operations, “The aircraft performed beautifully.” Michael Moore, co-captain and engineering test pilot, echoed, “The first flight went smoothly and the aircraft handled exactly as expected.” The airplane is on display in the NBAA static park at Orlando Executive Airport.
To create the -400, Viking made 120 modifications to a technology demonstrator -300 series Twin Otter, the last model built. The improvements include a new engine, Pratt & Whitney Canada’s PT6A-34, which is more powerful than the original PT6A-27, but is flat-rated to match the -27’s takeoff power for better hot-and-high performance. Performance figures will remain the same, although the new Twin Otter will have a lower empty weight. Viking also plans to offer PT6A-35 engines and four-blade propellers as an option. The prototype has Wipline 1300 amphibious floats.
More In Aircraft
