DHC-6 Operators Asia Update

The DHC-6 Operators Directory for Asia has been fully updated to the new format. The major differences being the addition of the immediate previous identities for each aircraft (if applicable) and the overall look of the directory. A screenshot can be seen below:

The remaining global directories are currently under transition to the new format as well, so some areas will be a mixture of old and new format until everything is completed.

The Antarctica-Canada Migration for 2015 Has Begun

338 - DHC-6-300 C-FDHB C-GKBH Kenn Borek Air Ltd., Calgary, AB

31-Jan-2015

• Managua-Sandino, Nicaragua (MNMG/MGA) - McAllen-Miller, TX (KMFE/MFE)

480 - DHC-6-300 P2-SWE Southwest Air, Mendi

31-Jan-2015 Planned

• Port Moresby-Jackson, PNG (AYPY/POM) - Cairns, QLD (YBCS/CNS)

732 - DHC-6-300 C-GKBH Kenn Borek Air Ltd., Calgary, AB

31-Jan-2015

• Managua-Sandino, Nicaragua (MNMG/MGA) - McAllen-Miller, TX (KMFE/MFE)

Pictured below is the Hilcorp Alaska DHC-6-400 N814SS, which was delivered in Aug-2014. The aircraft is used almost exclusively on the Anchorage-Kenai route where Hilcorp operates oil & gas production facilities.

MSN 901 - DHC-6-400 N814SS
Hilcorp Equipment LLC
Trading Bay, AK ? Jan-2015
Scott Brown Photo

A nice shot of Transwest's DHC6-100 C-FSCA at La Ronge, SK still working hard after 49 years in service. The aircraft was originally delivered to Shell Canada in 1966.

MSN 17 - DHC-6-100 C-FSCA
Transwest Air
La Ronge, SK Jan-2015
Tim Langton Photo

MSN 524 N251SA Arrives Rutherfordton on Delivery to CAAMS

N251SA arrived at the CAAMS MRO facility in Rutherfordton, NC this afternoon on delivery, as seen in the photograph below. Following maintenance work the aircraft will be available for lease.

MSN 524 - DHC-6-300 N251SA
Montecito New York LLC (Seaborne Airlines)
Rutherfordton, NC 30-Jan-2015
CAAMS Photo

First Picture First Flying

MSN 916 C-GVVA is seen below on arrival in Victoria yesterday, with thanks to Tim Martin. This is the second one for First Flying, the previous being MSN 915 C-GVEP which is painted in the same scheme, but featuring different colours. 

The new Twin Otters are expected to bring the type back into use again in Japan's Ryukyu Islands where Southwest Airlines began flying legacy DHC-6-300's in 1973. First Flying operates a varied fleet including helicopters, single-engined Cessna's and Britten-Norman Islanders from their base at Yao, in Osaka Prefecture and in Okinawa in the Ryukyu chain.

MSN 916 - DHC-6-400 C-GVVA
First Flying/Dai-Ichi Koku
Victoria, BC 29-Jan-2015
Tim Martin Photo

524 - DHC-6-300 N251SA Montecito New York LLC, Scottsdale, AZ

30-Jan-2015

• Fort Lauderdale, FL (KFLL/FLL) - Lantana-Palm Beach County, FL (KLNA/LNA)
• Lantana-Palm Beach County, FL (KLNA/LNA) - Savannah, GA (KSAV/SAV)
• Savannah, GA (KSAV/SAV) - Rutherfordton, NC (KFQD/FQD)

N251SA is continuing today on its delivery flight to CAAMS at their Rutherfordton, NC facility. The aircraft left San Juan, PR on 28-Jan-2015.

MSN 916 C-GVVA Exits the Paint Shop & Departs to Victoria

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

29-Jan-2015

• Spokane, WA (KGEG/GEG) - Victoria, BC (CYYJ/YYJ)

C-GVVA has today departed the paint shop bound for Victoria. It had been present in Spokane since 18-Jan-2015.

A nice shot of the NRC's DHC-6-100 C-FPOK taken at their Ottawa facility last week.

MSN 116 - DHC-6-200 C-FPOK
National Research Council
Ottawa, ON 22-Jan-2015
J.R. Rod Digney Photo

EASA Validates the Ikhana DHC-6-200HG Upgrade

IKHANA Aircraft Services (IKHANA) announced that the European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) has validated IKHANA’s RWMI DHC-6-200HG™ modification. The RWMI DHC-6-200HG is now an FAA, Transport Canada, and EASA approved Supplemental Type Certificate (STC) allowing aircraft operations to 12,500 pounds (5670 Kg).

“Validation of our RWMI DHC-6-200HG STC provides added capabilities for operators of DHC-6-100 and -200 Twin Otters who follow European EASA regulations,” says John A. Zublin, President and CEO of IKHANA. “The legacy -100 & -200 series aircraft tend to have lower empty weights, by approximately 300 to 500 pounds, when compared to a similarly equipped DHC-6-300 aircraft. This makes our DHC-6-200HG an attractive alternative for adding payload capacity and revenue.”

The RWMI DHC-6-200HG STC increases the payload capabilities of the basic DHC-6-100/-200 aircraft from 11,579 pounds (5252 Kg) to 12,500 pounds (5670 Kg), providing an increase of 921 pounds (418 Kg) or nearly 8%. Operations are allowed to the full 620 shaft horsepower (50 psi torque) of its PT6A-27 engines, effectively transforming a DHC-6-200 to match the capabilities of a DHC-6-300 aircraft.

IKHANA Aircraft Services provides Design-Build-Fly solutions to the aerospace industry through integration of new technologies, aircraft modifications, heavy maintenance, major repair, and critical parts manufacturing. Headquartered at the French Valley Airport (F70) in Murrieta, California, IKHANA holds FAA, EASA, Transport Canada, and Fiji repair station approvals, FAA Parts Manufacturer Approval (PMA), and is a Viking Air Factory Endorsed Service Center.

IKHANA has a proven reputation for developing unique engineered solutions across a wide variety of aircraft platforms and diverse customer base including extensive experience in the DHC-6 Twin Otter, King Air, and Gulfstream airframes.

Seaborne's N251SA Departs San Juan on Delivery

524 - DHC-6-300 N251SA Montecito New York LLC, Scottsdale, AZ (Seaborne Airlines)

28-Jan-2015

• San Juan-Marin Int'l., PR (SJU/TJSJ) - Providenciales, Turks & Caicos (MBPV/PLS)
• Providenciales, Turks & Caicos (MBPV/PLS) - Nassau, Bahamas (MYNN/NAS)
• Nassau, Bahamas (MYNN/NAS) - Fort Lauderdale, FL (KFLL/FLL)

N251SA departed San Juan this morning on the first leg of its delivery flight up to Rutherfordton, NC. The aircraft will be available for lease by CAAMS following installation of fresh -27 engines.

This is the second ex-Seaborne machine to head to North Carolina, with the third expected to make the trip in early Feb-2015.

MSN 524 - DHC-6-300 N251SA
Montecito New York LLC (Seaborne Airlines)
CAAMS Photo

917 - DHC-6-400 C-GLVA Viking Air Ltd., Sidney, BC

27-Jan-2015

• Calgary, AB (CYYC/YYC) - Spokane, WA (KGEG/GEG)

DHC-6 Operators Canada Update

The DHC-6 Operators Directory for Canada has been fully updated to the new format. The major differences being the addition of the immediate previous identities for each aircraft (if applicable) and the overall look of the directory. A screenshot can be seen below:

The remaining global directories are currently under transition to the new format as well, so some areas will be a mixture of old and new format until everything is completed.

Photos of Tropic Air's TG-JOC and Grand Canyon's N148SA

112 - DHC-6-100 TG-JOC ARM Aviacion S.A., Guatemala City

Leased to Tropic Air, Belize City Dec-2014 as seen in the photograph below. Interestingly, this particular aircraft was previously operated by Tropic Air from 1988 to 1994.

MSN 112 - DHC-6-100 TG-JOC
Tropic Air (ARM Aviacion)
Dec-2014
Gersson Marroquin Photo

MSN 112 - DHC-6-100 TG-JOC
Tropic Air (ARM Aviacion)
Dec-2014
Bebetino Photo

Below is the same aircraft back in 1994 when it was registered V3-HTA

MSN 112 - DHC-6-100 V3-HTA
Tropic Air
Belize City Mar-1994
Karel Jegr Photo

A nice shot of MSN 409 N148SA in the latest scheme to be adopted by Grand Canyon Airlines.

MSN 409 - DHC-6-300 Vistaliner N148SA
Zuni LLC
Jake Tomlin Photo

719 C-GNFZ heads into Rocky Mountain Aircraft for work

719 - DHC-6-300 C-GNFZ PAL Airlines Ltd., St. John's, NL

25-Jan-2015 as PVL940

• Goose Bay, NL (CYYR/YYR) - Wasbush, NL (CYWK/YWK)

26-Jan-2015 as PVL940

• Dryden, ON (CYHD/YHD) - Winnipeg, MB (CYWG/YWG)
• Winnipeg, MB (CYWG/YWG) - Regina, SK (CYQR/YQR)
• Regina, SK (CYQR/YQR) - Springbank, AB (CYBW/YBW)

Provincial's C-GNFZ is currently en route to Rocky Mountain Aircraft's facility at Springbank, AB where it will undergo a wing change.

MSN 719 - DHC-6-300 C-GNFZ
Innu Mikun/Provincial Airlines
Goose Bay, NL
Pinemarten Photo

CAAMS Prepares MSN 620 N888PV for Delivery to Indonesia

MSN 620 N888PV, which was noted in the blog entry for 11-Jan-2015 on its delivery flight is seen below at the CAAMS MRO facility in Rutherfordton, NC. The aircraft is having freshly overhauled engines installed prior to delivery to an Indonesian operator next month.

At the moment the aircraft still remains registered to Montecito New York LLC, the Arizona holding company affiliated with Seaborne Airlines.

MSN 620 - DHC-6-300 N888PV
Montecito New York LLC
Rutherfordton, NC 23-Jan-2015
CAAMS Photo

The other two land-based DHC-6-300's previously operated by Seaborne have also been acquired by CAAMS LLC. MSN 524 N251SA is expected to arrive in Rutherdforton on 29-Jan-2015, and MSN 389 N288SA on 01-Feb-2015. Both of these aircraft are available for long term dry lease.

CLICK HERE FOR FULL SPECIFICATIONS

CLICK HERE FOR FULL SPECIFICATIONS

Photos for Friday

The week wraps up as it began, with very little activity to report in the Twin Otter world. So, a few photographs - one current, and a couple historical.

MSN 291 - DHC-6-300 C-FOPN
Air Labrador
Goose Bay, NL Jan-2015
Air Labrador Photo

MSN 264 DHC-6-300 N72GC
LC Peru
Photographer Unknown

MSN 404 DHC-6-300 N404X
Crown Airways/Allegheny Commuter
Nov-1977
Photographer Unknown

MSN 339 Restored to Canadian Register with Kenn Borek

339 - DHC-6-300 C-GOKB Kenn Borek Air Ltd., Calgary, AB

Registered 20-Jan-2014, ex TC-SBO; as covered in prior blog entries, the aircraft was returned from Turkey in Nov-2014, and was officially imported to Canada on 13-Jan-2015.

916 Heads to Paint & Photos from Labrador and China

Very quiet on the news front, so to start the week we have one Series 400 heading to paint, and a couple of pictures.

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

18-Jan-2015

• Calgary, AB (CYYC/YYC) - Spokane, WA (KGEG/GEG)

A really nice scenic shot of Air Labrador's C-FCSW taken at Nain, Labrador.

MSN 355 - DHC-6-300 C-FCSW
Air Labrador
Nain, NL Jan-2015
Brandon Shepherd Photo

MSN 868 - DHC-6-400 PK-OCG
Airfast Indonesia
Zhangmx969 Photo

TC-SBO Officially Imported to Canada, C-FVAM heads to Vancouver

339 - DHC-6-300 TC-SBO Seabird Airlines, Istanbul

Officially imported to Canada 13-Jan-2015; this aircraft departed Turkey back on 15-Nov-2014 returning to Kenn Borek Air.

MSN 339 DHC-6-300 TC-SBO
Seabird Airlines
Istanbul Golden Horn Marine Terminal 19-Sep-2014
Robbie Shaw Photo

908 - DHC-6-400 C-FVAM Viking Air Ltd., Sidney, BC

14-Jan-2015

• Victoria, BC (CYYJ/YYJ) - Vancouver, BC (CYVR/YVR)

MSN 908 - DHC-6-400 C-FVAM
Viking Air Ltd. (Aurora Air Company)
Victoria, BC 22-Sep-2014
Tim Martin Photo

MSN 802 C-GKPG in Calgary

Looking decidedly chillier than the previous photo in Honolulu in December, C-GKPG is seen below in Dave's photo from Calgary yesterday. DHC-6-200HG C-FFNT can be seen in the background as well as it awaits departure to the Maldives.

MSN 802 - DHC-6-300 C-GKPG
Unity Group Ltd.
Calgary, AB 11-Jan-2015
Dave Subelack Photo

N888PV Continues to Rutherfordton, NC

620 - DHC-6-300 N888PV Montecito New York LLC, Scottsdale, AZ (Seaborne Airlines)

10-Jan-2015

• Nassau, Bahamas (MYNN/NAS) - Fort Lauderdale, FL (KFLL/FLL)
• Fort Lauderdale, FL (KFLL/FLL) - Winter Haven, FL (KGIF/GIF)

11-Jan-2015

• Winter Haven, FL (KGIF/GIF) - Kissimmee-Gateway, FL (KISM/ISM)
• Kissimmee-Gateway, FL (KISM/ISM) - Savannah, GA (KSAV/SAV)
• Savannah, GA (KSAV/SAV) - Rutherfordton, NC (KFQD/FQD)

Incident Report

685 - DHC-6-300 PK-YRU Trigana Air Service, Jakarta

11-Jan-2015

Left runway while landing in strong wings at Enarotali, Papua, sustaining damage to nose gear and propellers. The aircraft was arriving from Timika with only crew onboard.

This is Trigana Air Services eighth Twin Otter accident, and the second to occur with PK-YRU. It was previously damaged in another runway excursion on 01-Jun-2007.

N888PV Heads to Bahamas & Fort Lauderdale, DHC-6-400's MSN 919 & 920 Are Registered

Not exactly sure whether N888PV below is newsworthy or not, but I will keep an eye on it. Yesterday it had also filed to continue on from Nassau to Fort Lauderdale as well, however it only made it as far as Nassau. This aircraft, along with the other land-based Seaborne Twin Otters had recently been offered for sale, having been replaced by Saab 340's.

620 - DHC-6-300 N888PV Montecito New York LLC, Scottsdale, AZ (Seaborne Airlines)

09-Jan-2015

• Providenciales, Turks & Caicos (MBPV/PLS) - Nassau, Bahamas (MYNN/NAS)

919 - DHC-6-400 C-GFVT Viking Ar Ltd., Sidney, BC

Registered 09-Jan-2015


920 - DHC-6-400 C-GVZQ Viking Ar Ltd., Sidney, BC

Registered 09-Jan-2015

MSN 802 C-GKPG Departs to Calgary & Next Series 400 for Airfast Indonesia

Today the former MASwings DHC-6-300 is flight planned to continue on to Calgary, AB thereby completing its delivery flight to Unity Group.


802 - DHC-6-300 C-GKPG Unity Group Ltd., Airdrie, AB

09-Jan-2015 Planned

• Klamath Falls, OR (KLMT/LMT)- Calgary, AB (CYYC/YYC)

Maps generated by the Great Circle Mapper - copyright © Karl L. Swartz

MSN 914 was photographed yesterday by Tim Martin in full Airfast Indonesia colours. This will be the third Series 400 for Airfast. It had flown to Victoria from the paint shop on 22-Dec-2014.

MSN 914 - DHC-6-400 C-FMJO
Viking Air Ltd. (Airfast Indonesia)
Victoria, BC 08-Jan-2015
Tim Martin Photo

MSN 915 C-GVEP Exits Paint Shop

915 - DHC-6-400 C-GVEP Viking Air Ltd., Sidney, BC

08-Jan-2015 

• Spokane, WA (KGEG/GEG) - Victoria, BC (CYYJ/YYJ)

New Twin Otter Spotter Website Previews

Below you will see some basic screenshots of the rebuild of Twin Otter Spotter, which has been underway since November. The structural changes will give me more ability to customize the overall look and content, and improve the functionality for the readers. 

Blog Pages & Pictures

Viking Series 400 Production Quick Reference

Viking Series 400 Gallery

DHC-6 Operator Directories

Aurora DHC-6-400 RA-67284 In Service Photos

A nice selection of  in service pictures of the Aurora DHC-6-400 RA-67284 courtesy of the website
http://funnyshots.livejournal.com/138145.html

MSN 889 - DHC-6-400 RA-67284
Aurora Air Company
Jan-2015

MSN 889 - DHC-6-400 RA-67284
Aurora Air Company
Jan-2015

MSN 889 - DHC-6-400 RA-67284
Aurora Air Company
Jan-2015

MSN 889 - DHC-6-400 RA-67284
Aurora Air Company
Jan-2015

MSN 889 - DHC-6-400 RA-67284
Aurora Air Company
Jan-2015

MSN 802 C-GKPG Departs Honolulu for California

After a fairly lengthy rest in Honolulu (having arrived there 21-Dec-2014) C-GKPG has resumed its delivery flight to Canada today. The aircraft originally filed for a destination of Redding, CA however approaching the mainland it re-filed for Klamath Falls, OR instead.

802 - DHC-6-300 C-GKPG Unity Group Ltd., Airdrie, AB

08-Jan-2015

• Honolulu, HI (PHNL/HNL) - Klamath Falls, OR (KLMT/LMT)

MSN 802 - DHC-6-300 C-GKPG
Unity Group Ltd.
Honolulu, HI 25-Dec-2014
Aeros/Honolulu Rarebirds Photo

Maps generated by the Great Circle Mapper - copyright © Karl L. Swartz

2014 Viking DHC-6-400 MSN 906 Available For Sale

CAVU Aviation Finance LLC has DHC-6-400 MSN 906 available for sale or lease. New, at the factory and can be configured to Customer requirements.

Click on the Picture below for additional details and contact information.

MSN 906 - DHC-6-400 C-GVTU
Viking Air Ltd.
Victoria, BC 23-Aug-2014
Tim Martin Photo

New Registration for MSN 766 Confirmed

The new identity for MSN 766, which is leased to SVG Air has now been confirmed as noted below.

766 - DHC-6-300 J8-GLS SVG Air, Saint Vincent

Registered 05-Dec-2014, ex C-GKPV

Incident Report

721 - DHC-6-300 XA-UOA Transportes Aereos Terrestres S.A.

22-Dec-2014

Starboard wing hit a tree on take-off from the Vista Hermosa air strip at Tequesquitengo, Morelos causing the aircraft to veer to the right and collide with shipping containers. The entire tail section of the aircraft was severed as a result of the collision. 

Gravitas DHC-6-300 CC-PQI to U.S. Register as N244AD

The former Barrick DHC-6-300 CC-PQI, which was acquired by Gravitas Aviation in 2014 has now been registered to Texas Air Services.

It can be seen in the two photographs below, in its most recent role and as it was originally delivered.


244 - DHC-6-300 N244AD Texas Air Services Inc., Dickinson, TX

Registered 05-Jan-2015, ex CC-PQI

MSN 244 - DHC-6-300 CC-PQI
19-Mar-2014

MSN 244 - DHC-6-300 N100AS
Alaska Airlines
30-May-1974
J.B. Hayes Photo

Photos from Male and Calgary

Trans Maldivian's latest Twin Otter, 8Q-TAE is pictured below having now been fully painted. The aircraft had arrived in Male on 12-Dec-2014, and is leased from Calgary's Ashe Aircraft Enterprises.

MSN 372 - DHC-6-300 8Q-TAE
Trans Maldivian Airways
Male, Maldives 31-Dec-2014
Thomas Jones Photo

C-GKKN arrived in Calgary on 02-Jan-2015 from Kota Kinabalu, Malaysia and is seen below in Dave Subelack's photo taken the following day. It will be joined by MSN 802 C-GKPG in due course.

MSN 792 - DHC-6-300 C-GKKN
Unity Group Ltd.
Calgary, AB 03-Jan-2015
Dave Subelack Photo