Image Update

A nice set of contributed photographs - thanks to the original photographers.

MSN 295 - DHC-6-300 Vistaliner N173GC
Grand Canyon Airlines (Diamond Bar LLC)
Grand Canyon, AZ (KGCN) 19-Jul-2012
MRC Aviation Photo

MSN 480 - DHC-6-300 P2-SWE
Southwest Air
Cairns, QLD (YBCS) 30-Jul-2012
FNQ Skies Photo

MSN 579 - DHC-6-300 5Y-BIO
AirKenya
Masai Mara - Michwa Tembo, Kenya 11-Jul-2012
Felix Gottwald Photo

MSN 697 - DHC-6-300 Vistaline N178GC
Grand Canyon Airlines (Cortez Fisher LLC]
Grand Canyon, AZ (KGCN) 19-Jul-2012
MRC Aviation Photo

Information Required

The following is a request from a reader, but I am also interested in knowing more if possible as well!

On Saturday 28-Jul-2012 a DHC-6 routed Reykjavik, Iceland - Vagar, Faroe Islands - Stornoway, U.K.  In trail by about 5-10 minutes on the same routing was a French Air Force C.160 Transall. Given that, it is quite possible it is also a French Air Force Twin Otter. Can anyone offer any additional information?

Update:

The aircraft has been identified as MSN 730 DHC-6-300 F-RACA/730 CA of the French Air Force, returning from duties in South America and the French Caribbean. The aircraft was scheduled to carry on today from Stornoway to Leeds/Bradford, UK (EGNM)

Image Update

A Norlandair duo from Akureyri, Iceland (BIAR) taken last month, courtesy of David Roura/Iberian Spotters. David's collection can be seen at Airliners.net

Norlandair was formed in June 2008 when Air Iceland divested their Akureyri-based Twin Otter operation. Norlandair's roots however date back to 1974 when they were better known by their Icelandic name Flugfelag Nordurlands, who merged with Air Iceland in 1997.

One of Flugfelag Nordurlands original Twin Otters, TF-JME can be seen in the bottom picture.

MSN 413 - DHC-6-300
Norlandair
Akureyri, Iceland (BIAR) Jun-2012
David Roura - Iberian Spotters Photo

MSN 475 - DHC-6-300
Norlandair
Akureyri, Iceland (BIAR) Jun-2012
David Roura - Iberian Spotters Photo

MSN 98 - DHC-6-100
Flugfelag Nordurlands
Akureyri, Iceland (BIAR) - Jul-1978
Baldur Sveinsson Photo



On the Move

642 - DHC-6-300 C-GSGF Sanders Geophysics Ltd., Ottawa, ON

Flew Narssarssuaq, Greenland (BGBW) - Goose Bay, NL (CYYR) 26-Jul-2012, and Goose Bay, NL (CYYR) - Ottawa, ON (CYOW) 27-Jul-2012.

The Skydivers Page Update

For the readers coming over from Dropzone.com the Image Archive album "The Skydivers" has been updated with an additional fifteen Twin Otter pictures

Image Update & On the Move

Image Update

Next Generation and Legacy at Work

A great shot of two Zimex Aviation Twin Otters at work abroad;

taken at the Kajjansi Airfield, south of Kampala, Uganda.

MSN 845 DHC-6-400 HB-LUX (foreground)
Zimex Aviation
MSN 636 DHC-6-300 HB-LRN (back)
Zimex Aviation
24-Jul-2012

On the Move

642 - DHC -6-300 C-GSGF Sanders Geophysics Ltd., Ottawa ON

Flight planned for Dublin, Ireland (EIDW) - Reykjavik, Iceland (BIRK) 25-Jul-2012 returning to Canada, although that will undoubtedly be temporary. It looks like C-GSGF has been abroad since 13-Sep-2011 when it left Goose Bay, NL (CYYR) for Narssarssuaq, Greenland. (BGBW)

Image Update

Amphibians - Next Generation and Legacy

MSN 857 DHC-6-400 TC-KHC
Korfez Havacilik, Istanbul Turkey
Vienna-Neustadt, Austria (LOAN) 21-Jul-2012
Franz Lackner Photo

MSN 739 DHC-6-300 C-GOGA
Province of Ontario - Ministry of Natural Resources
Round Lake, Ontario 20-Ju1-2012
Mike Schryer Photo

On the Move & Information Required

On the Move

857 - DHC-6-400 TC-KHC Korfez Havacilik, Istanbul, Turkey

Flew Altenrhein, Switzerland (LSZR) - Vienna-Wiener Neustadt, Austria  (LOAN), - Timisoara-Traian Vuia, Romania (LRTR) - Bucharest-Otopeni, Romania (LROP) - Istanbul-Ataturk, Turkey (LTBA) 21-Jul-2012 on delivery

.

857 - DHC-6-400 TC-KHC Korfez Havacilik
Altenrhein (LSZR) 20-Jul-2012
Andreas Nagel Photo

Information Required

719 - DHC-6-300 C-GNFZ Ashe Aircraft Enterprises, Calgary, AB (491549 Alberta Ltd. dba)

As noted in the blog entry of 17-Jul-2012, this aircraft flew from Springbank, AB to Goose Bay, NL on 17/18-Jul-2012. Since that time the aircraft has not appeared on any transatlantic records, so I suspect it may still be in Labrador. It remains registered to 491549 Alberta Ltd. as of today. Is this operating with Air Labrador or Innu Mikun?  Additional information appreciated. 

On the Move

851 - DHC-6-400 HB-LPY Zimex Aviation, Glattbrugg

Flew Farnborough, UK (EGLF) - Altenrhein, Switzerland (LSZR) 17-Jul-2012 for import formalities at Altenrhein Aviation.

857 - DHC-6-400 C-GVVA Viking Air Ltd., Sidney, BC

Canadian registration officially cancelled 18-Jul-2012 on export to Turkey. Has become TC-KHC for Korfez Havacilik, Istanbul and has likely now left Altenrhein following the re-installation of its amphibious floats.

On the Move

719 - DHC-6-300 C-GNFZ Ashe Aircraft Enterprises, Calgary, AB

Flew Springbank, AB (CYBW) - Regina, SK (CYQR) - Winnipeg, MB (CYWG) - Geraldton, ON (CYGQ) - Val d'Or, QC (CYVO) on 17-Jul-2012; and on 18-Jul-2012 Val d'Or, QC (CYVO) - Sept-Iles, QC (CYZV) - Goose Bay, NL (CYYR).

The last recorded flights we have for this one were Keflavik, Iceland (BIKF) - Iqaluit, NU (CYFB) - Thompson, MB (CYTH) - Springbank, AB (CYBW) 07/08-Nov-2011. The aircraft is a 1980-build originally delivered to Helicopteros Nacionales de Colombia, and has subsequently been registered in the U.S., South Africa, and the Republic of Congo.

Image Update

Some nice contributed photographs from Istanbul, Turkey & the British Virgin Islands

382 DHC-6-300 TC-SBASeabird Airlines
Istanbul, Turkey 28-Jun-2012
Kerim Bozcurt Photo

382 DHC-6-300 TC-SBASeabird Airlines
Istanbul, Turkey 28-Jun-2012
Kerim Bozcurt Photo

Jost Van Dyke, British Virgin Islands, 2005
T. Delgado Photo

On the Move

865 - DHC-6-400 C-GFAP Viking Air Ltd., Sidney, BC

Officially registered 09-Jul-2012

On the Move

852 - DHC-6-400 C-FMJO Viking Air Ltd., Sidney, BC

Cancelled from Canadian register 10-Jul-2012 on export to U.S.A.

This coincides with the receipt of U.S. type certification on 09-Jul-2012. MSN 852 is currently at the Ikhana Group FESC in Murietta/French Valley, CA where it arrived on 03-Jul-2012. It is destined for the U.S. Army Golden Knights Parachute Team.

Viking Series 400 Sales Update

Viking has announced a successful break into the Chinese market for the Twin Otter Series 400. A total of five aircraft will be acquired by Meiya Air of Hainan Province. The float equipped aircraft will be used in support of their flightseeing, charter and corporate operations based in Sanya, and the surrounding region of the South China Sea.

Loch Ard Otters have also ordered an additional four aircraft, which will join the three that have already been delivered. The three delivered aircraft are  MSN 853 OK Tedi Mining's P2-IRM, MSN 855 IMP's Tahiti-based C-GNOA, and MSN 857 Korfez Havacilik's TC-KHC - the latter of which has been with Altenrhein Aviation for reinstallation of it's amphibious floats.

This add-on order makes Loch Ard the largest non-military customer for the Series 400, second only to the Peruvian Air Force order for twelve aircraft.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Viking has also announced the successful signing of a $15M, four-year contract with Administracion Aeronautica Argentina for oversight on repairs and modifications to the nine legacy Twin Otters operated by the Argentine Air Force. The work will be carried out at the Quilmes Air Base south of Buenos Aires. Viking has developed a strong relationship with the Argentine Air Force over the past several years with projects in both Quilmes and Victoria.

Congratulations to Viking on these newest orders, and the continuing work in Argentina.

Viking Series 400 Achievements at Farnborough

Today, 09-Jul-2012, Viking Air has announced they have received U.S. Federal Aviation Administration Type Certification for the Series 400 Twin Otter. This adds to the list of nine countries recognizing the type since introduction in 2007. The U.S. type certification paves the way for the delivery of three aircraft to the U.S. Army Golden Knights Parachute team. As covered previously in the blog (03-Jul-2012) the first aircraft MSN 852 C-FMJO positioned down to Murietta/French Valley that day for incorporation of customized military modifications.

The Russian Interstate Aviation Committee Aviation Register (IACAR) has also recently issued type certification for the Series 400 Twin Otter, which will also allow for delivery of the first of two aircraft ordered by the Russian launch customer Vityaz Avia, of Moscow. The Russian destined aircraft will also be the first of the next-generation Twin Otter to be fitted with the optional wheel/skis, intermediate floatation gear, and extreme cold weather operational kits. These are also the first Twin Otters (of any series) to ever be registered in Russia.

Congratulations to everyone at Viking for these notable achievements, and for the continuing success of the next generation Twin Otter.

Incident Report

454 - DHC-6-300 8Q-TMT Trans Maldivian Airways, Male

09-Jul-2012 While manoeuvering into the dock at the Conrad Maldives Resort at Rangali Island a float failed causing the aircraft to become mostly submerged. All occupants were evacuated safely.

MSN 454 - DHC-6-300 8Q-TMT
Trans Maldivian Airways
Kuredu Lhaviyani Atoll Maldives - 08-Aug-2010
Stephen Rendle Photo

8Q-TMT is owned by Rocky Mountain Aircraft of Calgary, AB and has been operating for Trans Maldivian since 2009.

Image Update & On the Move

Image Update

MSN 851 DHC-6-400 HB-LPY
Zimex Aviation
Farnborough, U.K. 06-Jul-2012
A.J. Best photo

MSN 355 DHC-6-300 C-FCSW
Alkan Air
Atlin, YT 29-Jun-2012
Fred Wallis Photo

MSN 44 DHC-6-100 CF-OEQ
Province of Ontario, Ministry of Lands & Forests
Tukanee Lake, ON 1968
Neil Ayers Photo

MSN 23 DHC-6-100 CF-INB and MSN 243  DHC-6-300 C-FOPI
Inco & Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources
McFarlane Lake, ON 1971
Neil Ayers Photo

MSN 739 DHC-6-300 C-GOGA
Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources
Muskoka, ON 21-May-2012
Andy Cline Photo

MSN 750 DHC-6-300 C-GOGC
Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources
Muskoka, ON 21-May-2012
Andy Cline Photo

On the Move

572 - DHC-6-300 C-GOYX Avmax Aircraft Leasing, Calgary, AB

I'm not totally sure where this one was held up along the way, however here is an updated version of the latter part of the delivery flight: 06-Jul-2012 Sondrestromfjord, Greenland (BGSF) - Iqaluit, NU (CYFB) - Churchill, MB (CYYQ) and 07-Jul-2012 Churchill, MB (CYYQ) to Calgary-Springbank (CYBW) where it arrived at 13:41 local time.

On the Move

61 - DHC-6-100 N204EH Skydive Factory Inc., Rochester, NH

To JST Management LLC, Zephyrhills, FL & registered 03-Jul-2012. Operated by Skydive City, Zephyrhills, FL.

Incident Report Update

330 - DHC-6-300 P2-MCZ Airlines PNG, Port Moresby

The Incident Report appearing on the blog entry of 14-Jun-2012 identifies the aircraft as being MSN 703 P2-MCX, which has proven to be incorrect.

The correct aircraft is, as noted above, MSN 330 P2-MCZ and can be seen in the photo below.

Kevin Dayonga Photo

On the Move

324 - DHC-6-300 FAP 317 Fuerza Aerea del Peru

As noted in an earlier blog entry on 21-Mar-2012, FAP 317 crashed on landing at Laguna de Caballococha on 09-Mar-2012.

This aircraft is currently being offered for salvage by GAB Robins with bids closing on 19-Jul-2012. It is offered "as is, where is" with the following known damage:

Right wing: spoiler broken and skin corrugated; leading edge of outboard flap cracked and skin corrugated; flap ruptured and skin corrugated; leading edge of inboard flap dented and skin corrugated; flap hinges bent; wing roots distorted; wing strut ruptured and deformed. Left wing: wing is deformed and there are cracks on its upper side surface; there is also extensive damage on the trailing edges of the wing, flap and spoiler; strut is deformed at its attachment to the fuselage. Fuselage: severely distorted, especially around the central fuselage at the unions of the wings and struts. Most windows on both sides are damaged. Empennage: vertical fin is broken and the horizontal stabilizer deformed Pontoons: right destroyed and the left deformed. Fuel System: damaged and contaminated. Hydraulic System: damaged and contaminated. Flight Controls: damaged and corrosion has started. Inspection is highly recommended as we do not warrant the above information and this aircraft salvage is being offered “AS IS WHERE IS” .

A .PDF document containing pictures of the aircraft is available at the following link:

http://www.aviationls.com/en/sitecore/content/Salvage_Repository/~/media/Images/Salvage/Aircraft%20Salvage%20Photos/Salvage%20FAP-317.ashx

The information pertaining to the sale can be found at:

http://www.aviationls.com/en/sitecore/content/Salvage_Repository/FAP-317_de_Havilland_DHC-6.aspx

Lastly, below is a picture of the aircraft prior to the accident occurring:

Image Update

Thank-you to the contributing photographers below for allowing the use of these nice images from Turkey, the Seychelles, and Australia

382 DHC-6-300 TC-SBA
Seabird Airlines
Istanbul, Turkey 28-Jun-2012
Kerim Bozcurt Photo

499 DHC-6-300 S7-AAJ
Air Seychelles
Bird Island, Seychelles 08-Jun-2012
Andreas Barowski Photo

623 DHC-6-300 S7-AAF
Air Seychelles
Bird Island, Seychelles 05-Jun-2012
Andreas Barowski Photo

623 DHC-6-300 S7-AAF
Air Seychelles
Approaching Bird Island, Seychelles 05-Jun-2012
Andreas Barowski Photo

846 DHC-6-400  S7-CUR
Air Seychelles
Mahe, Seychelles (FSIA) 08-Jun-2012
Andreas Barowski Photo

615 DHC-6-300 Vistaliner N615AR
Twin Otter International
Adelaide-Parafield, SA (YPPF) 25-Mar-2012
Andrei Bezmylov Photo

On the Move

518 - DHC-6-300 C-GSOZ Unity Group Ltd., Calgary, AB

Registered 03-Jul-2012, ex PJ-WIN (see below)

On the Move

518 - DHC-6-300 PJ-WIN Windward Island Airways Int'l, Saint Maarten

Officially imported to Canada 13-Jun-2012. Noted clearing customs at Calgary, AB (CYYC) on 21-May-2012, and presumably returning to lessor Unity Group of Calgary.

518 DHC-6-300 PJ-WIN Windward Island Airways International (Winair)
Calgary, AB (CYYC) 21-May-2012
Mike MacKinnon Photo

572 - DHC-6-300 C-GOYX Avmax Aircraft Leasing, Calgary, AB

Flew Prestwick, Scotland (EGPK) - Keflavik, Iceland (BIKF) - Iqaluit, NU (CYFB) 02-Jul-2012, then continuing on 03-Jul-2012 to Churchill, MB (CYYQ) and finally Springbank, AB (CYBW) where it is expected about midnight. The delivery flight from Africa to Canada began in Nairobi, Kenya on 26-Jun-2012.

852 - DHC-6-400 C-FMJO Viking Air Ltd., Sidney, BC

Interestingly having spoken about this aircraft in the post below, today 03-Jul-2012 it has flown Victoria, BC (CYYJ) to Seattle-Boeing Field, WA (KBFI) - Redding, CA (KRDD) and Murietta/French Valley, CA (F70), where it will enter the R.W. Martin facility.

Image Update

MAF Papua New Guinea DHC-6-300 P2-MFB flew Mount Hagen-Horn Island-Cairns-Mareeba and is pictured here at Cairns. MSN 289 has had a worldly career since being built for Oasis Oil in 1970; it went on to fly in France, the U.S., Canada and Madagascar before joining the Missionaries in 1987.

MSN 289 DHC-6-300 P2-MFB
MAF Papua New Guinea
Cairns, QLD (YBCS) 03-Jul-2012
Andrew B Photo

Taxiing in at Victoria is MSN 863 C-FVAT the third aircraft (along with MSN 852 & 862) for the U.S. Army Golden Knights parachute team.

MSN 863 DHC-6-400 C-FVAT
Victoria, BC (CYYJ) 02-Jul-2012
Tim Martin Photo

On the Move

Today, 02-Jul-2012, there is a flight plan filed for a Southern Cross DHC-6 as SXA944 from Brownsville, TX (KBRO) to Veracruz, Mexico (MMVR). If anyone is aware of the identity of the aircraft involved, please let me know.

On the Move

573 - DHC-6-300 ex-N573SA

Since follow up comments below can be easy to miss, I'm pleased to say that we have located the above aircraft questioned in the "Information Required" entry on 28-Jun-2012. The aircraft, which was cancelled to Papua New Guinea (P2-) in November 2010 is currently hangared in Cairns, QLD at Hevilift, undergoing a rebuild which is expected to be completed by November 2012. Thanks to Robert for the update.

851 - DHC-6-400 HB-LPY Zimex Aviation, Glattbrugg

Catching up on the delivery routing ---  30-Jun-2012 flew Iqaluit, NU (CYFB) to Nuuk, Greenland (BGGH), Kulusuk, Greenland (BGGK) and then Akureyri, Iceland (BIAR); 01-Jul-2012 from Akureyri, Iceland (BIAY) to Wick, Scotland (EGPC), today 02-Jul-2012 it flew down to Farnborough (EGLF). Given the destination, and date I'd expect that it will be Viking's display aircraft at the upcoming Farnborough Air Show.