Viking Series 400 Twin Otter certification work has entered the final phase towards the goal of achieving Transport Canada and European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) certification, expected in the next 90 days.

Primary activities are focused on completing final checkout configurations for this versatile aircraft, which due to the unique nature of Twin Otter operations, encompasses functionality for standard landplane, tundra tire, ski plane, float plane, and amphibian. The Primus Apex's flexible architecture supports the aircraft's unsurpassed capability with a comprehensive software package. This will provide each customer with the ability to select the configuration suited for their specialized operating environment, further increasing the aircraft's versatility.

Noise testing to FAR36 has been completed on landplane gear and amphibious floats. .The aircraft is also undergoing hot temperature testing to validate hardware performance in extreme temperatures. Over the coming weeks legacy Twin Otter pilots will be exposed to the new systems to validate Viking's training programs prior to customer deliveries taking place.

While certification work continues, production is well advanced with seven aircraft in various stages of final assembly at Viking's Calgary, Alberta facility. In Victoria, major sub assembly components are in work for the next set of six aircraft, in line with the projected build rate of twelve aircraft scheduled for 2010.

As the aircraft start lining up in anticipation of delivery, the order book continues to grow. Vityaz Avia Corporation of Moscow is the newest Twin Otter Series 400 customer, purchasing two of the commuter configured aircraft for use in Russia. Vityaz will be the first Twin Otter operator in the country, and will also act on behalf of Viking as the Series 400 Sales Representative within the region.

Says Sergey Antsiferov, Vityaz Avia general manager, "we are thrilled to be the first Twin Otter operator in Russia, and are excited to work with Viking to tap into this huge market opportunity."

Also adding to the growing Series 400 order book is Petro Air, a commercial organization developed exclusively to handle aviation requirements for the oil and gas industry in Libya. Petro have signed up for a single commuter Series 400 aircraft to add to their fleet of nine legacy Twin Otters, along with a full training and support package.

"Aside from the minor changes in our certification schedule," noted Robert Mauracher, Viking vice president business development, "we are confident with our product, and so too are our customers, as reflected by an increasing order book in the face of the current economic climate." He added, "The certification aircraft is performing flawlessly and will be worked hard over the coming weeks as we near our goals."