Canada-based Viking Air recently began flight testing the first new Twin Otter to be produced since de Havilland Canada ended production in 1988. First flight came shortly before Canadian supplemental type certification is expected and just weeks after Viking Air opened its new 84,000-square-foot facility in Victoria, British Columbia, to support production of the DHC-6 Series Twin Otter, along with ongoing customer support of de Havilland legacy aircraft (BA, Feb. 8/61).

The aircraft, Canadian registration C-FMJO, carries the manufacturer’s serial number (MSN) 845, picking up from the last delivery of MSN 844 more than two decades ago. The first of the new line of Twin Otters will be delivered to Zimex Aviation of Switzerland. “The aircraft performed exactly as expected, it felt very stable, fast, and even with my thousands of hours on type, this new Series 400 Twin Otter brought a smile to my face,” said Steve Stackhouse, manager of flight operations, who piloted the first flight along with Viking President and CEO David Curtis.

The Zimex Twin Otter is equipped with a Honeywell Apex IFR digital flight deck and configured with a commuter interior for use throughout North Africa for the oil and gas industry. The Canadian registration was in commemoration of former Viking board member Michael J. Orr.

Viking had produced and supplied components for de Havilland airplanes for decades, but in 2006 acquired the type certificates for seven vintage models, including the DHC-2 Beaver, the DHC-3 Otter, and the DCH-6 Twin Otter. The company formally launched a new production program for the Twin Otter a year later, and a float-equipped prototype flew in 2008. The updated aircraft incorporates more than 400 modifications, including the integration of the Honeywell Primus Apex digital avionics suite and Pratt & Whitney PT6A-34 turbine engines.

Viking expects to win Canadian certification shortly and begin deliveries soon thereafter. Company officials estimate the backlog for the Twin Otter has reached $200 million.

By Kerry Lynch (kerry_lynch@aviationweek.com)

Photo credit: Viking