499 S7-AAJ Continues to California & 697 N178GC Returns from Costa Rica

The DHC-6 Operators pages for Caribbean/Mexico/Central America and U.S.A. have been updated as of today.


499 - DHC-6-300 S7-AAJ Air Seychelles, Mahé

29-May-2015

• Pueblo, CO (KPUB/PUB) - Lake Havasu City, AZ (KHII/HII)
• Lake Havasu City, AZ (KHII/HII) - Murrieta, CA (F70)

S7-AAJ departed from Pueblo, CO earlier this morning, and after a stop in Lake Havasu, AZ arrived safely in Murrieta this afternoon. The delivery flight from the Seychelles began on 21-May-2015 and covered close to 12,000 miles.

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

697 - DHC-6-300 N178GC Cortez Fisher LLC, Kirkland, WA

Registered 28-May-2015, ex TI-AZD; operated by Grand Canyon Airlines, N178GC had been delivered to Costa Rica in Nov-2014 on lease to Nature Air.

499 S7-AAJ Continues towards Western U.S. & Pacific Sky Breaks Ground on Training Centre

499 - DHC-6-300 S7-AAJ Air Seychelles, Mahé

26-May-2015

• Santa Maria, Azores (LPAZ/SMA) - St. John's, NL (CYYT/YYT)

27-May-2015

• St. John's, NL (CYYT/YYT) - Towanda-Bradford, PA (N27)

28-May-2015

• Towanda-Bradford, PA (N27) - Kokomo-Municipal, IN (KOKK/OKK)
• Kokomo-Municipal, IN (KOKK/OKK) - Plattsmouth-Municipal, NE (KPMV/PMV)
• Plattsmouth-Municipal, NE (KPMV/PMV) - Pueblo, Colorado (KPUB/PUB)

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

Pacific Sky Aviation Inc. and Viking Air Ltd. Break Ground on World’s First Twin Otter Full Flight Simulator / Seaplane Trainer

Victoria International Airport, Canada - May 26, 2015: In a ceremony held earlier today at the Victoria International Airport, Pacific Sky Aviation Inc. and Viking Air Ltd. broke ground at the site of the world’s first full flight simulator featuring a seaplane configuration for the legendary Twin Otter aircraft. 

The 10,000 square foot, world-class Twin Otter Training Centre will be located next to Viking headquarters in Victoria, British Columbia, Canada. The Training Centre will house a state of the art Level “D” Full Flight Simulator / Seaplane Trainer and a flat panel Integrated Cockpit Procedures Trainer (IPT), utilizing the highly successful Series 400 Twin Otter aircraft as the launch platform. It is expected that the new facility will create approximately 20 new jobs at the Victoria airport and will result in hosting several hundred Twin Otter pilots from all over the world at the Victoria Airport each year for training. 

The purpose-built facility will initially house one simulator bay for the Twin Otter, a dedicated IPT room, state of the art classrooms and briefing rooms, a customer lounge, staff offices and boardroom. The facility is configured so that additional simulator bays can be added for future expansion.

Michael Coughlin, CEO of Pacific Sky Aviation said, “This is an exciting day for Pacific Sky and Viking as we break ground on the new facility. Our new Twin Otter Training Centre will in turn break new ground in the industry – the Level “D” simulator offers the same level of training experience for Twin Otter crews as is currently available only to the most advanced commercial flight crews of major international OEM aircraft. For Twin Otter seaplane operators, pilots will be able to experience simulated takeoffs, landings and docking operations on a range of sea states and water conditions, including glassy water and a variety of wind conditions, reducing the time and cost for operators to develop seaplane captains.” Pacific Sky Aviation expects that the facility and simulator will be certified and Ready For Training (RFT) by the fall of 2016.

David Curtis, President and CEO of Viking commented, “The Twin Otter operates in some of the most inhospitable regions of the world, ranging from the extreme climates of the Arctic and Antarctica to the tropics of South East Asia. It operates in the heights of the Himalayas and the Andes, to the open ocean of the Maldives. With such diversity of operating capabilities and configurations, being able to provide our customers with the highest level of training is absolutely essential.” Curtis added, “When considering the number of new build aircraft being added to the worldwide fleet, and the significant growth in international Seaplane operations, having access to the world’s only Twin Otter Seaplane simulator will not only allow us to alleviate the impending pilot shortage caused by long training cycles for qualified Seaplane crews, but will help us remove significant constraints to our future growth.”

Sherry Brydson, Chairman of the Board of Pacific Sky, added, “The re-launch of the Twin Otter program by Viking was a collaborative effort, with input from everyone who had a stake in the outcome. Those who build it, certify it, fly it, use it, own it, repair it and improve it are all part of a huge Twin Otter fan club. I am proud and happy to be part of that fan club as we celebrate this groundbreaking of the new Twin Otter Training Centre.”

Shirley Bond, British Columbia Minister of Jobs, Tourism and Skills Training and Responsible for Labour noted, “Locating the world’s first seaplane simulator and the Twin Otter Simulator training facility at the Victoria International Airport is exciting news for B.C.’s aerospace industry. This is good news for the economy with the creation of up to twenty jobs and major benefits as hundreds of pilots from around the world will be training annually at the facility. This is cutting edge technology that will provide a type of skills training for pilots that is in demand worldwide.”

The Level “D” simulator is being manufactured by TRU Simulation + Training of Montreal, Quebec, a Textron company, who are developing the integration of flight and marine models that will drive the visual and motion cues to replicate the aircraft performance in wheeled or seaplane configuration.

In April, Pacific Sky, along with partners at the National Research Council (NRC) of Canada, conducted over 100 hours of flight testing and nearly 1,000 test maneuvers to complete the extensive Twin Otter flight test program on both wheeled and seaplane configurations. 

Based at Victoria International Airport in British Columbia, Canada, Pacific Sky Aviation specializes in Transport Canada approved flight training for private and commercial pilot licenses and ratings and has recently begun to offer flight operations and seaplane base consulting services. A related company to Viking, Pacific Sky also provides Twin Otter developmental and production flight testing services for all Twin Otter Series 400 aircraft, ferry services to customer locations, and in-country Twin Otter pilot training. 

924 C-GUVA at Calgary

Taken the day prior to it departing to Spokane for painting, MSN 924 C-GUVA is seen below at Calgary.

MSN 924 - DHC-6-400 C-GUVA
Viking Air Ltd.
Calgary, AB 20-May-2015
yyce3 Photo

Australia & Seychelles Photos

With thanks to Lance Higgerson in Australia a nice shot of VH-TZR taken back in 2008 when it was operating for the Lady Elliot Island Reef Resort.

MSN 145 - DHC-6-200 VH-TZR
Lady Elliot Island Reef Resort
Sydney-Bankstown 22-Oct-2008
Lance Higgerson Photo

Air Seychelles has appeared in the blog over the past few days as S7-AAJ is moved to the U.S.A., however the following pictures from Markus Bischof earlier this month were just too nice to pass by.

MSN 623 - DHC-6-300 S7-AAF
Air Seychelles
Praslin May-2015
Markus Bischof Photo

MSN 899 - DHC-6-400 S7-BRD
Air Seychelles
Praslin May-2015
Markus Bischof Photo

MSN 846 - DHC-6-400 S7-CUR
Air Seychelles
Praslin May-2015
Markus Bischof Photo

MSN 898 - DHC-6-400 S7-LDI
Air Seychelles
Praslin May-2015
Markus Bischof Photo

264 N72GC Returns to U.S. Register, 499 S7-AAJ Arrives in Santa Maria

264 - DHC-6-300 N72GC Monarch Enterprises Inc., Kirkland, WA

Registered 22-May-2015, ex TI-BFV; operated by Grand Canyon Airlines; N72GC had been delivered to Costa Rica in Nov-2014 on lease to Nature Air.

499 - DHC-6-300 S7-AAJ Air Seychelles, Mahé

24-May-2015

• Malta-Luqa (LMML/MLA) - Cascais, Portugal (LPCS)
• Cascais, Portugal (LPCS) - Santa Maria, Azores (LPAZ/SMA)

Yesterday, S7-AAJ continued on to Cascais, Portugal before setting out across the Atlantic for its first stop in Santa Maria, in the Azores.

Nepal Airlines Tenders for DHC-6 Upgrade Work

Nepal Airlines have recently called for tenders for the supply of TAWS (Terrain Awareness Warning System) & TCAS (Traffic Collision Avoidance System) for three DHC-6-300's. The aircraft involved are MSN 812/9N-ABT, MSN 814/9N-ABU and MSN 830/9N-ABX of which only one is reportedly currently in flyable condition.

In late 2014 Nepal Airlines began to take delivery of six new Harbin Y-12E aircraft from China, which were ostensibly to replace the Twin Otters. It is interesting to see that by mid-2015 the company is now investing in a retrofit of their 30+ year old  DHC-6's.

Older versions of the Y-12 were used by both Nepal Airlines and Yeti Airlines beginning in the early 1990's, but the type never gained a serious foothold in the market.

499 S7-AAJ Arrives in Malta

499 - DHC-6-300 S7-AAJ Air Seychelles, Mahé

23-May-2015

• Aswan, Egypt (HESN/ASW) - Malta-Luqa (LMML/MLA)

S7-AAJ has recently arrived in Malta from Aswan, Egypt as can be seen in the photo below. Tomorrow it will continue on to Portugal.

MSN 499 - DHC-6-300 S7-AAJ
Air Seychelles
Malta 23-May-2015
GM Photos

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

918 G-SGTS Officially Registered to Loganair

918 - DHC-6-400 G-SGTS Loganair Ltd., Glasgow, UK

• Registered 21-May-2015, leased from Highland & Islands Airports Ltd., ex C-FVIK

499 S7-AAJ Continues to Egypt, and 924 C-GUVA Heads to Spokane for Paint

499 - DHC-6-300 S7-AAJ Air Seychelles, Mahé

22-May-2015

• Nairobi-Wilson, Kenya (HKNW/WIL) - Aswan, Egypt (HESN/ASW)

Today, S7-AAJ has departed from Wilson, and is proceeding to the next stop at Aswan, Egypt. From there it is expected to continue on to Malta tomorrow.

924 - DHC-6-400 C-GUVA Viking Air Ltd., Sidney, BC

21-May-2015

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

Yesterday, C-GUVA flew to Spokane for painting.

499 S7-AAJ Departs the Seychelles on Ferry to U.S.

499 - DHC-6-300 S7-AAJ Air Seychelles, Mahé

21-May-2015

• Mahé, Seychelles (FSIA/SEZ) - Nairobi-Wilson, Kenya (HKNW/WIL)

S7-AAJ has departed the Seychelles, and at the time of writing is currently on the ground at Wilson Airport, in Nairobi, Kenya. The aircraft is bound for the U.S.A. and is being flown by Calgary-based Worldwide Ferry.

499 S7-AAJ Set to Depart the Seychelles

499 - DHC-6-300 S7-AAJ Air Seychelles, Mahé

S7-AAJ is currently being readied for departure from the Seychelles in the next few days bound for North America. It is expected to transit both Malta and the Azores en route. Further details will be posted as they become available.

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

Twin Otter Re-Engine Program by Ikhana

IKHANA Aircraft Services begins development of a Twin Otter Re-Engine program using GE H Series engines. 

IKHANA Aircraft Services (IKHANA) announces a collaborative effort with General Electric Aviation (GE) to develop a variant of the de Havilland DHC-6 Series Twin Otter aircraft re-engined with GE’s H series turboprop engines. “IKHANA looks forward to working with GE in developing a modification option for the DHC-6 Twin Otter using the H series engines,” states Mr. John A. Zublin, IKHANA President and CEO. “The significantly higher horsepower of the H series compared to other existing engine offerings is intended to provide improved utility and mission capabilities not currently available to Twin Otter operators.” 

IKHANA offers a variety of customized Supplemental Type Certificate (STC) modifications for the DHC-6 Twin Otter series aircraft that include improvements for expanded mission capabilities and increased payloads. The RWMI DHC-6-200HG™ STC increases the payload  capabilities of the basic DHC-6-100/-200 aircraft from 11,579 lbs. (5252 Kg) to 12,500 lbs. (5670 Kg), while IKHANA’s RWMI DHC-6-300RG™/-400RG™ STC is a restricted category STC allowing operation of DHC-6-300/-400 series aircraft from 12,500 pounds (5670 Kg) to 14,0000 lbs. (6350 Kg) for special purposes. The IKHANA RWMI DHC-6-300HG™/-400HG™ is currently in the FAA approval process as a Standard Category STC, which will allow operations to 14,000 lbs. (6350 Kg) and will be applicable to all operators. 

IKHANA’s products include a line of proprietary “Re-Life” STCs: RWMI DHC-6 Re-Life Wing Box™, RMWI DHC-6 Re-Life Nacelles™, RWMI DHC-6 Re-Life Flight Controls™, and RWMI DHC-6 Re-Life Fuselage™, which are all FAA, TCCA, and EASA approved. IKHANA also manufacturers the Twin Otter X2™, a “Zero Time” Twin Otter aircraft with new structural life limits of 66,000 hours or 132,000 cycles, whichever comes first, the same as a factory-new aircraft. Offered with a brand new interior, new engines, customized avionics, and all new wiring, the Twin Otter X2™ combines IKHANA’s Re-Life™ STCs as an entire airplane packaged with a new fully useful life. 

IKHANA Aircraft Services, a DBA of IKHANA Group Inc., 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. 

For further information, contact: Naras “Bo” Alksninis, Director, Special Missions Sales Tel: +1.951.600.0009 x218; Mobile: +1.818.554.5906; Email: BAlksninis@IKHANAgroup.com 

Iraqi Air Force Twin Otters & G-HIAL Officially Registered to Loganair Ltd.

? - DHC-6-.... YI-391 Iraqi Air Force, Baghdad-Al Muthanna Air Base

One of two operated by the Iraqi Air Force, YI-391 has been operated by the Utility Squadron at Al Muthanna since Oct-2014.

Is one of these perhaps the aircraft seen below in Dec-2013 at Erbil?  N212RA in the photograph below has never been on the official USCAR.

917 - DHC-6-400 G-HIAL Loganair Ltd., Glasgow, UK

Officially registered 15-May-2015, leased from Highlands & Islands Airports Ltd., ex C-GLVA

Fiji Link DHC-6-300's in Latest Livery

Two of the three Fiji Link DHC-6-300's are seen below now featuring the latest colour scheme adopted by parent company Fiji Airways. 

MSN 410 - DHC-6-300 DQ-PSE
Fiji Link
Nadi, Fiji 16-May-2015
Bonnie Bula Photo

MSN 414 - DHC-6-300 DQ-PSD
Fiji Link
Nadi, Fiji 16-May-2015
Bonnie Bula Photo

DHC-6 Operators Update Progress

I have now completed the updating and re-posting of four more DHC-6 Operators files with the addition of DHC-6 Operators Europe,  DHC-6 Operators Asia,  DHC-6 Operators Australia-Papua New Guinea-Oceania and DHC-6 Operators Indian Ocean

This leaves Africa - Middle East as the last remaining file to be updated, which will likely occur over the course of the weekend.

Paint Scheme Updated on MSN 493 C-GKSN

We have seen MSN 493 C-GKSN a couple of times since it returned from painting in Arkansas, however the latest photo indicates that it has now received the tail logo, which had previously been absent.

MSN 493 - DHC-6-300 C-GKSN
Air Labrador
Goose Bay, NL May-2015
Air Labrador Photo

DHC-6 World Operators Pages Update

The DHC-6 Operators Pages for Canada and the U.S.A. have been revised and re-posted this morning. The DHC-6 Operators Page previously known as DHC-6 Operators Americas (which covered Mexico, the Caribbean and South America) has been removed, and in its place there are updated separate pages entitled DHC-6 Operators Caribbean/Mexico/Central America and DHC-6 Operators South America.

The reason for the change (and those that are forthcoming to other regions) is to try and make the updating process easier. A blog is not necessarily the best way to present this type of information, so updating the data has always been a challenge. With the latest change I hope that updating the information will be a bit easier, and will allow me to stay ahead of the curve on the changes.

Brief Editorial and Two Cancellations from the U.S. Register

Advertising availability in the header bar is currently nearing capacity again, with two (possibly three) spots left available. Addition of another line is unlikely without reducing the size of the blocks to 180 pixels, which is something I would like to avoid. As of today I have had seven inquiries for space that have not been confirmed, and those remaining header spots will be allocated on a first come, first served basis.

As an alternative, advertising space in also available in the side bars, and these too also appear on every page of the blog. They are available at a flat annual rate by contacting the Editor.

The people who advertise here, and those that continue to make personal donations are the ones that are responsible for the blog continuing. This also allows me to dedicate some time to working on TwinOtterArchive, where a total of 85 files have been rewritten since 01-May-2015, and 91 photos added since 01-Mar-2015.

Thank-you for your ongoing support.

207 - DHC-6-200 N37ST Ted McGill, Fort Lauderdale, FL

Registration cancelled 05-May-2015; N37ST was written off on 16-Mar-1995 when it ditched into the Pacific, 175 miles NE of Honolulu, HI. It was on delivery to Great Barrier Airlines in New Zealand at the time.

542 - DHC-6-300 X2™ N34KH D.P. Acquisitions Inc., Wilmington, DE

Registration cancelled 06-May-2015 to P2-BBM

923 C-FVGY Exits the Paint Shop in Kokomo Resort Colours

923 - DHC-6-400 C-FVGY Viking Air Ltd., Sidney, BC

09-May-2015

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

C-FVGY departed from the paint shop in Spokane yesterday afternoon, and arrived in Victoria as can be seen in Tim's photo below. This is the first aircraft for the Walker Corporation's Kokomo Resort, located on the Fijian island of Yaukuve.

MSN 923 - DHC-6-400 C-FVGY
Viking Air Ltd.
Victoria, BC 09-May-2015
Tim Martin Photo

The balance of the report for this Sunday morning are some photographs, with thanks to the contributors and/or original photographers.

Sitting outside the Viking facility in Victoria last week a couple of white examples, as well as the next aircraft for Aurora Airlines.

MSN 908 - DHC-6-400 C-FVAM
Viking Air Ltd.
Victoria, BC 07-May-2015
Bob Kobzey Photo

MSN 905 - DHC-6-400 C-FVAT and MSN 906 DHC-6-400 C-GVTU
Viking Air Ltd. (CAVU Aviation Finance)
Victoria, BC 07-May-2015
Bob Kobzey Photo

The two Series 400's for Highlands & Islands Airports Limited, which were delivered to Scotland last week have already had their Canadian identities removed in favor of the new United Kingdom registrations. 

MSN 917 - DHC-6-400 G-HIAL
Highlands & Islands Airports Ltd.
Glasgow, UK May-2015
Sterling Glessing Photo

MSN 918 - DHC-6-400 G-SGTS
Highland & Islands Airports Ltd.
Glasgow, UK May-2015
Sterling Glessing Photo

Lastly, a gathering of Scilly Skybuses inside the company hangar at Land's End.

Calum MacFarlane Photo

838 DQ-KVV Seen at Brisbane-Archerfield Yesterday

The Air Kaibu DHC-6-300 DQ-KVV flew from Fiji to Australia for work earlier this month, arriving at Brisbane's Archerfield Airport on 04-May-2015. With thanks to Francis Nickelson, below is a photograph of DQ-KVV as it sits in front of Quality Avionics.

MSN 838 - DHC-6-300 DQ-KVV
Air Kaibu/Kaibu VatuVaru Resort
Brisbane-Archerfield, QLD 09-May-2015
Francis Nickelson Photo

918 C-FVIK Continues to Scotland

918 - DHC-6-400 C-FVIK Viking Air Ltd., Sidney, BC

07-May-2015 

• Iqaluit, NU (CYFB/YFB) - Sondre Stromfjord, Greenland (BGSF/SFJ)
• Sondre Stromfjord, Greenland (BGSF/SFJ) - Reykjavík, Iceland (BIRK/REK)

08-May-2015

• Reykjavík, Iceland (BIRK/REK) - Glasgow, UK (EGPF/GLA)

Ikhana Officially Delivers Twin Otter X2™ to Tropicair Papua New Guinea

IKHANA Aircraft Services Delivers First Twin Otter X2™

to Tropicair of Papua New Guinea

IKHANA Aircraft Services (IKHANA) announces delivery of the first Twin Otter X2™ to Tropicair Ltd. of Papua New Guinea.  “IKHANA is delighted to be working with Tropicair as the launch customer for the first Twin Otter X2™ aircraft” states Mr. John A. Zublin, IKHANA President and CEO. “Our Twin Otter X2™ is unlike any Twin Otter aircraft on the market and provides the same dependability that legacy series Twin Otter operators have come to expect, but as a zero-time airplane with technological improvements where it matters.”  Mr. Tony Honey, CEO and founder of Tropicair Ltd. states, “The Twin Otter X2™ provides us with a value that makes sense and expands on our ability to service the entire region. This aircraft is ideally equipped to fit within our operation as the provider of the best maintained and most reliable turbine powered aircraft in the region.” The aircraft sale was managed by Hopkinson Aircraft Sales Ltd. as the company’s exclusive aircraft sales agents.

IKHANA’s “Re-Life” process delivers the Twin Otter X2™ as a “Zero Time” Twin Otter with new structural life limits of 66,000 hours or 132,000 cycles, whichever comes first, the same as a factory-new aircraft. Offered with a brand new interior, new engines, customized avionics, and all new wiring, the Twin Otter X2™ combines IKHANA’s Supplemental Type Certificates (STC’s) to “Re-Life” the entire airplane to a new fully useful life. The Twin Otter X2™ includes the RWMI DHC-6 Re-Life Wing Box™, RMWI DHC-6 Re-Life Nacelles™, RWMI DHC-6 Re-Life Flight Controls™, and RWMI DHC-6 Re-Life Fuselage™ Supplemental Type Certificates (STCs), which are FAA, TCCA, and EASA approved. 

Tropicair Ltd. was founded in Papua New Guinea (PNG) in 1998 as a charter operator with one aircraft.  Today the company has evolved into one of the most safe and reliable charter operators in PNG, providing private and commercial clients an efficient, affordable charter service with modern safe aircraft. The company provides services for the transportation of both passengers and freight, aerial surveillance, VIP transport and medevac.

Hopkinson Aircraft Sales Ltd. is Canada’s oldest and largest aircraft brokerage offering transaction services, appraisals and consulting services. Having been in business for over 40 years, Hopkinson Aircraft Sales Ltd. have facilitated the purchase or sale of over 4,000 aircraft during that time period and continue to be an industry leader in providing individuals and corporations with comprehensive service from the planning stages right through to the completion of the transaction. Through Hopkinson’s Corporate and Airline Divisions, the company provides services for the entire range of corporate, regional, and transport category aircraft.

IKHANA Aircraft Services, a DBA of IKHANA Group Inc., 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.

For further information, contact Naras “Bo” Alksninis, Director, Special Missions Sales

Tel: 951-600-0009 x218; Mobile: 818.554.5906; Email: BAlksninis@IKHANAgroup.com

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

07-May-2015 

• Reykjavík, Iceland (BIRK/REK) - Glasgow, UK (EGPF/GLA)

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

918 - DHC-6-400 C-FVIK Viking Air Ltd., Sidney, BC

07-May-2015 

• Iqaluit, NU (CYFB/YFB) - Sondre Stromfjord, Greenland (BGSF/SFJ)

C-FVIK departed Iqaluit earlier today and is currently approaching the Greenland coast for landing at Sondre Stromfjord.

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

542 N34KH Becomes P2-BBM, 917 C-GLVA Departs to Reykjavík, 918 C-FVIK Departs to Iqaluit

542 - DHC-6-300 N34KH D.P. Acquisitions Inc., Wilmington, DE

The new Papua New Guinea identity for N34KH can be seen in the photograph below, although it has yet to appear on the formal P2 register.

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

06-May-2015 

• Iqaluit, NU (CYFB/YFB) - Reykjavík, Iceland (BIRK/REK)

C-GLVA has departed Iqaluit, and is currently en route to Iceland. The flight plan calls for the stop to be made at the Reykjavík airport, rather than out at Keflavík where the vast majority of Twin Otter deliveries have made the transit. The Iqaluit-Reykjavík sector today is expected to run 7 hours and 29 minutes.

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

918 - DHC-6-400 C-FVIK Viking Air Ltd., Sidney, BC

06-May-2015

• Churchill, MB (CYYQ/YYQ) - Iqaluit, NU (CYFB/YFB)

C-FVIK is scheduled to depart from Churchill this morning, bound for Iqaluit.

N34KH Handed Over to Tropicair, Second Highland Series 400 Departs On Delivery

542 - DHC-6-300 N34KH D.P. Acquisitions Inc., Wilmington, DE

04-May-2015

• Majuro, Marshall Islands (PKMJ/MAJ) - Port Moresby, Papua New Guinea (AYPY/POM)

N34KH arrived safely in the Papua New Guinea capital, completing the trip from Majuro in about 12 1/2 hours. Excellent performance across the Pacific, two stops during the 6,742 mile trek, accomplished in three days.

The aircraft has been handed over to Tropicair, as can be seen in the photo below.

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

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

05-May-2015 

• Churchill, MB (CYYQ/YYQ) - Iqaluit, NU

C-GLVA arrived in Churchill, MB yesterday completing the journey from Calgary in 4 hrs and 35 minutes. Today the aircraft is filed to continue on to Iqaluit, NU.

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

918 - DHC-6-400 C-FVIK Viking Air Ltd., Sidney, BC

05-May-2015

• Victoria, BC (CYYJ/YYJ) - Calgary, AB (CYYC/YYC)
• Calgary, AB (CYYC/YYC) - Churchill, MB (CYYQ/YYQ)

A couple days in trail of MSN 917 C-GLVA the second Highlands & Islands Airports aircraft has joined the first and departed Victoria on delivery as well.

MSN 918 - DHC-6-400 C-FVIK
Viking Air (Highlands & Islands Airports Ltd.)
Victoria, BC 06-Mar-2015
Tim Martin Photo

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

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

Canadian registration cancelled 04-May-2015. The Transport Canada database is currently showing the cancellation is to Indonesia, which is incorrect. The aircraft was exported to Russia to become RA-67286 with Chukotavia.

Deliveries Continue, and 838 DQ-KVV arrives in Brisbane

542 - DHC-6-300 N34KH D.P. Acquisitions Inc., Wilmington, DE

04-May-2015

• Majuro, Marshall Islands (PKMJ/MAJ) - Port Moresby, Papua New Guinea (AYPY/POM)

N34KH arrived safely in the Marshall Islands, completing the trip in 12 hours and 15 minutes. Today the next and final sector to Port Moresby is planned at 11 hours and 31 minutes, after which the aircraft will be handed over to Tropicair.

838 - DHC-6-300 DQ-KVV Air Kaibu, Fiji

01-May-2015

• Noumea-La Tontouta, New Caledonia (NWWW/NOU) - Gold Coast, QLD (YBCG/OOL)

04-May-2015

• Gold Coast, QLD (YBCG-OOL) - Brisbane-Archerfield, QLD (YBAF/ACF)

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

04-May-2015 

• Calgary, AB (CYYC/YYC) - Churchill, MB (CYYQ/YYQ)

C-GLVA has recently departed from Calgary, AB bound for Churchill, MB; this sector is expected to take approximately 5 hours.

542 N34KH Continues to the Marshall Islands, 917 C-GLVA Departs for Scotland

542 - DHC-6-300X2™ N34KH D.P. Acquisitions Inc., Wilmington, DE

03-May-2015 Planned

• Honolulu, HI (PHNL/HNL) - Majuro, Marshall Islands [PKMJ/MAJ)

N34KH has filed to depart from Honolulu today, continuing on the next sector of its delivery flight to Tropicair. Yesterday it completed the trip from Santa Maria, CA in 13 hrs and 11 mins, while today's sector to Majuro is expected to be 12 hrs and 29 mins.

MSN 542 - DHC-6-300X2™ N34KH
D.P. Acquisitions Inc. (Tropicair PNG)
Murrieta, CA - Apr-2015
Ikhana Group Photo

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

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

03-May-2015 

• Victoria, BC (CYYJ/YYJ) - Calgary, AB (CYYC/YYC)

The first Series 400 for Highlands & Islands Airports Ltd. has departed Victoria today, bound initially for Calgary and then on to Churchill.

The eventual operator of this aircraft, along with MSN 918 is yet to be determined. The Public Service Obligation tender for routes to Campbeltown, Tiree and Barra was opened on 07-Apr-2015 and is expected to be awarded at the end of July. The current operator is Loganair.

Today's aircraft is seen below in Victoria back in Feb-2015, it is expected to become G-HIAL in due course.

MSN 917 - DHC-6-400 C-GLVA
Viking Air Ltd. (Highlands & Islands Airports)
Victoria, BC 14-Feb-2015
Tim Martin Photo

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

A nice shot below of one of Skydive Arizona's machines, DHC-6-200 N128WJ from back in 2006.

MSN 128 - DHC-6-200 N128WJ
Kavalair LLC (Skydive Arizona)
Rantoul, KS 23-Jul-2006
Ian Atkinson Photo

542 - N34KH Departs California for Hawaii - First Customer Delivery for Twin Otter X2™

542 - DHC-6-300X2™ N34KH DP Acquisitions Inc., Wilmington, DE

02-May-2015

• Santa Maria, CA (KSMX/SMX) - Honolulu, HI (PHNL/HNL)

N34KH has just departed the Santa Maria airport bound for Honolulu, on the second leg of its delivery flight to Papua New Guinea. The flight to Honolulu is planned at, 12,000 ft and is expected to take 13 1/2 hours. It is being flown by Calgary based World Wide Ferry.

The aircraft can be seen below yesterday, prior to leaving the Ikhana facility in Murrieta, CA. This marks the first Customer delivery of a Twin Otter X2™.

MSN 542 - DHC-6-300 N34KH
DP Acquisitions Inc. (Tropicair)
Murrieta-French Valley, CA 01-May-2015
Ikhana Group Photo

The Ikhana Twin Otter X2™ is a completely remanufactured aircraft, taken to zero time for a new 66,000 hour/132,000 cycle life. As part of the process the aircraft includes new interior, engines, avionics and wiring, and the application of RWMI STC's for Wing Box, Nacelles, Flight Controls and fuselage.

149 N469TS Moves to Skydive Spaceland Atlanta

149 - DHC-6-200 N469TS Desert Sand Aircraft Leasing Inc., Carson City, NV

22-Apr-2015

• Mena-Intermountain, AR (KMEZ/MEZ) - Atlanta-South Regional, GA (4A7)

Skydive Spaceland's N469TS flew into the National Aerotech facility in Hampton, GA on 22-Apr-2015 in preparation for transfer to Spaceland's new operation in Rockmart, GA, located some 55 miles from Atlanta. The new dropzone had its grand opening today, and the aircraft can be seen below sporting new paint and titles a few days ago at National Aerotech.

MSN 149 - DHC-6-200 N469TS
Desert Sand Aircraft Leasing/Skydive Spaceland Atlanta
Atlanta-South Regional 28-Apr-2015
National Aerotech Photo

First Twin Otter X2 Departs Ikhana on Delivery

542 - DHC-6-300X2 N34KH  D.P. Acquisitions Inc., Wilmington, DE

01-May-2015

• Murrieta-French Valley, CA (F70) - Santa Maria, CA (KSMX/SMX)

N34KH, the first Twin Otter X2 to be delivered has just departed the Ikhana Group facility in Murrieta. The aircraft is initially being positioned up the coast to Santa Maria before heading across the Pacific for Hawaii, and eventually to Tropicair in Port Moresby, Papua New Guinea. 

The delivery flight is being operated by Calgary based World Wide Ferry. 

MSN 542 - DHC-6-300 X2 N34KH
DP Acquisitions Inc.
Murrieta, CA Apr-2015
Ikhana Group Photograph

223 N223AL Leaves Chicago & Positions Up to Montréal for the Summer

223 - DHC-6-200 N223AL Win Win Aviation, Wake Forest, NC

01-May-2015

• Ottawa-Skydive Chicago, IL (8N2) - Pontiac-Oakland County, MI (KPTK)
• Pontiac-Oakland County, MI (KPTK/PTK) - Montréal-Trudeau, QC (CYUL/YUL)

After having included N223AL in the report from earlier this morning, it has now departed Skydive Chicago and is en route to its regular summer operation in Québec. It is testament to the distances travelled by some of the Skydive Twin Otters as they move seasonally for work. This aircraft has flown 2,500+ miles in the past two weeks from central Mexico to eastern Canada.

244 HB-LRJ Officially Registered to RUAG

244 - DHC-6-300 HB-LRJ RUAG Schweiz AG, Emmen, Switzerland

Registered Apr-2015

As noted in the blog entry for 07-Apr-2015 the former N244AD was cancelled from the U.S. register on 02-Apr-2015. Although we knew the new owner and new Swiss identity then, it was not yet shown on the Swiss FOCA database. This has since changed, and it is now officially registered to RUAG while it undergoes maintenance, painting and float installation prior to delivery to European Coastal Airlines as 9A-TOB.

223 N223AL Heads to Chicago, 838 DQ-FVV in New Caledonia & 914 C-FMJO Cancelled to Indonesia

223 - DHC-6-200 N223AL Win Win Aviation, Wake Forest, NC

21/22-Apr-2015

• Brownsville, TX (KBRO/BRO) - Houston-Southwest, TX (KAXH/AXH)
• Houston-Southwest, TX (KAXH/AXH) - Hot Springs, AR (KHOT/HOT)
• Hot Springs, AR (KHOT/HOT) - DeKalb-Taylor, IL (KDKB/DKB)
• DeKalb-Taylor, IL (KDKB/DKB) - Ottawa-Skydive Chicago IL (8N2)

As MSN 27 N227WW departed the Skydive Chicago dropzone on 21-Apr-2015 en route to Mexico for Skydive Cuautla, MSN 223 N223AL departed Mexico en route to Skydive Chicago as a replacement for it.

Skydive Chicago is currently utilizing some leased capacity while repairs are undertaken to N30EA and N70EA following their incident at Sebastian, FL back in Feb-2015.

The aircraft can be seen below during 2013 when it was operation for Parachutisme NouvelAir in Farnham, QC.

MSN 223 - DHC-6-200 N223AL
Win Win Aviation
Farnham, QC 15-Jun-2013
Pierre Gillard Photo

838 - DHC-6-300 DQ-KVV Air Kaibu, Fiji

01-May-2015

• Noumea-La Tontouta, New Caledonia (NWWW/NOU) - Gold Coast, QLD (YBCG/OOL)

The Kaibu Resort Twin Otter DQ-KVV has recently departed Fiji for New Caledonia, and yesterday had filed to continue on to Coolangatta/Gold Coast in the Australian state of Queensland. It appears however that at least for now, the aircraft remained in Noumea, likely due to local weather conditions in Queensland.

DQ-KVV normally operates guest transfer flights between Nadi and the Kaibu Vatuvara Resort. It can be seen below in a photograph from 2012. 

MSN 838 - DHC-6-300 DQ-KVV
Air Kaibu
Nadi, Fiji 09-Aug-2012
Wayne Grant Photo

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

Canadian registration cancelled 30-Apr-2015 to PK-O....