Viking readies 100th production Series 400 Twin Otter for delivery

Viking Air Limited of Victoria, British Columbia, has disclosed that its 100th production Series 400 Twin Otter, serial number 944, has now flown from its production facilities as part of the completion process in advance of delivery to Viking's sister company Pacific Sky Aviation Inc. The aircraft will be utilized as a factory demonstrator, and represents a significant milestone for the Series 400 Twin Otter production program.

Originally launched in March 2007, the Viking Twin Otter production program was a natural progression after Viking acquired the Type Certificates for the legacy de Havilland aircraft fleet (DHC-1 through the DHC-7) in February 2006. The decision to launch the Series 400 was made after a market study, supported by the worldwide Twin Otter operator group, revealed a strong demand for the new platform to replace the aging legacy fleet.

“When I take a moment to reflect on the Series 400 program from the original launch to completion of our 100th aircraft, and all the challenges we have overcome in between, I am truly amazed at what the Viking team has accomplished,” commented David Curtis, Viking president & CEO. “While there was doubt that a relatively unknown aerospace manufacturing company on the west coast of Canada would be up to the task, here we are, 100 production aircraft later.”

The Series 400 program got off the ground on February 16th 2010, when the company's first production aircraft completed its inaugural flight from Viking's final aircraft assembly facility in Calgary, Alberta, and four months later, on June 24th, 2010, Transport Canada issued Series 400 Type Certification. The global reach of the Series 400 Twin Otter has been proven with new aircraft operated in 29 countries. With the 100th Series 400, Viking has recorded deliveries to 34 distinctive customers.