The new DHC-6 Twin Otter Series 400 Technology Demonstrator achieved "power on" status in advance of an official rollout and first flight, set to take place at the end of next month.
With major structural components installed, electronics wired, control systems rigged and modernization upgrades incorporated, the Technology Demonstrator is the prototype Series 400 Twin Otter aircraft produced by Viking Air Limited, of Victoria, BC, and brings the Twin Otter into the 21st century.
Outfitted with a Honeywell Primus Apex avionics suite, the flight deck has two primary flight displays (PFDs) and two multifunction displays (MFDs) that feature clear, high resolution Active Matrix Liquid Crystal Displays (AMLCDs) and wide viewing capability, allowing for cross-cockpit scanning. The Apex platform offers integrated aircraft systems, safety sensors and navigation information, decreases pilot workload and improves safety through enhanced situational awareness.
"While switching on the power may seem like a minor detail in the grand scheme of things," commented David Curtis, Viking president & CEO, "it is actually a significant step in the design certification process, and literally infuses life into the 400 Series Program."
The "Tech Demo" will undergo flight testing under a flight permit to complete the Series 400 certification program. All subsequent aircraft will conform to the revised Viking DHC-6 Twin Otter Type Certificate.
Powered by two Pratt & Whitney Canada PT6A-34 or optional PT6A-35 Hot & High Performance engines, and available on standard landing gear, straight floats, amphibious floats, skis, wheel skis, or intermediate flotation (Tundra) landing gear, the Series 400 Twin Otter can be customized for private, commercial, or military use in diverse and extreme operating environments.
The best selling 19-passenger aircraft of all time, with more than 600 heritage Twin Otters still in active service and an increasing demand, the Series 400 will continue to maintain its popularity for generations to come.
Viking launched the Series 400 aircraft program in 2007 with customer deliveries commencing summer 2009. Viking provides OEM support for the worldwide fleet of de Havilland heritage aircraft (DHC-1 through DHC-7), and is part of Westerkirk Capital Inc., a Canadian private investment firm with substantial holdings in the hospitality, aviation and real estate sectors.
| Contact details from our directory: | |
| Honeywell Aerospace | Air Conditioning Equipment, Air Conditioning Equipment, Magnetometers, Cockpit Printers, Airborne Communication Systems, Cooling Systems, Cargo Systems, Airspeed Indicators, WAAS Equipment, Starter Generators, Bleed Air Systems, Air Purification Systems, Flight Management Systems, Engine Parts, Pneumatic Systems Equipment, Automatic Flight Control Systems, Inertial Components & Systems, Multi-Mode Receivers (MMR), Auxiliary Power Units, Cabin Pressure Control Systems, Autopilots, Cockpit Control Systems, Avionics Management Systems, Automatic Direction Finders, Distance Measuring Equipment, Transceivers, VOR (Omnirange) Receivers, Radio Communications Equipment, GPS, Attitude and Heading Reference Systems, Radar/Radio Altimeters, Terrain Awareness and Warning Systems, Horizontal Situation Indicator, Heading Indicators, Onboard Intercom Systems, Electronic Flight Instrument Systems, Flight Recorders, Collision Avoidance Systems/TCAS, Fly-by-Wire Systems, Air Data Computers, Cabin Management Systems, Weather Mapping Radar, Emergency Locator Transmitters, Radar Transponders, IFF Interrogators, Glide Slope Receivers, Weapons Countermeasures, LCD Displays, Moving Maps, Enhanced Vision Systems (EVS), Inflight Entertainment, Angle of Attack Indicators, Proximity Sensors, Testing Services, Environmental Testing Services, Electromagnetic Test Services, Electric Power Controllers, Cockpit Video Displays, Fibre Optic Gyroscopes, Fuel Tanks & Systems |
| Pratt & Whitney Canada | Turboshaft Engines, Electric Motors, Turboprop Engines, Auxiliary Power Units, Turbofan Engines, Compressors, Engine Parts, Piston Engines |
| De Havilland Aircraft of Canada Limited | Airframer |
| Related aircraft programs: |
| Viking Twin Otter Series 400 |
| Related directory sectors: |
| Flight and Data Management |
| Engines |
Weekly news by email:
See the latest Bulletin, and sign up free‑of‑charge for future editions.
Altair supports Manta's hybrid electric eVSTOL
T-7A Red Hawk passes three key testing milestones
Boeing takes over GKN's St Louis operations
