New-build Twin Otter will pull oil-field duty

Canada’s Viking Air celebrates a major milestone here this afternoon when it hands over its first new Twin Otter 400 to launch customer Zimex Aviation.

By Curt Epstein • Business Aviation Services Editor

July 17, 2010

Canada’s Viking Air celebrates a major milestone here this afternoon when it hands over its first new Twin Otter 400 to launch customer Zimex Aviation. The Swiss operator plans to send the aircraft to North Africa to work in support of contracts for the oil and gas industry. The revamped, 21st-Century version of the classic twin turboprop made its first flight in February and completed the Canadian and European certification process last month. U.S. certification is expected by the end of this year.

This first production version of the Series 400, which is appearing in the daily flight display at Farnborough, was given Serial Number 845, thus continuing the type’s original de Havilland run, which ended 22 years ago. Viking (Hall 2 Stand C20a) holds orders for 50 of the new model with a collective value of some $200 million and the Canadian company says it is working on possible deals with some 40 prospective clients.

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