IKHANA Aircraft Services Begins FAA Flight Testing Phase for RWMI DHC-6-
300HG™ allowing 14,000 LBS MTOW Standard Commuter Category STC
IKHANA Aircraft Services (IKHANA) announced FAA airworthiness certification and the first
flight of Twin Otter Series 300, N808RT, modified to 14,000 lbs. MTOW as an FAA Certified
flight test aircraft in support of IKHANA’s RWMI DHC-6-300HG™ Standard Commuter Category
Supplemental Type Certificate (STC) program. “At this early stage, all indications show we are
going to turn a great airplane into an exceptional one.” states Mr. John A. Zublin, President and
CEO of IKHANA, “The flight test pilots were extremely happy with the DHC-6-300HG™
performance, especially the added horsepower and quietness of the four bladed propellers. Our
next steps will validate the 14,000 MTOW to the rigorous FAA regulations to provide operators
increased payload and the opportunity for increased revenues.”
The RWMI DHC-6-300HG™ STC increases the payload capabilities of the basic DHC-6-300
and, potentially, DHC-6-400 Twin Otter Series aircraft from 12,500 lbs. (5670 Kg) to 14,000 lbs.
(6350 Kg) MTOW. As a Standard Commuter Category STC, DHC-6 Series 300 and, possibly
Series 400, aircraft will be approved to operate in revenue service without special purpose
restrictions. IKHANA’s current RWMI DHC-6-300RG™/-400RG™ STC is limited to special
missions operations, constraining operators from carrying passengers for revenue service.
IKHANA has been a key provider of enhancements for the worldwide DHC-6 Twin Otter fleet
with products including the RWMI DHC-6 Re-Life Wing Box™, RWMI DHC-6 Re-Life
Fuselage™, RWMI DHC-6 Re-Life Flight Controls™, RWMI DHC-6 Re-Life Nacelles™, RWMI
DHC-6-200HG™ (allowing DHC-6- 100 and 200 series to operate at 12,500 lbs.), enhanced air
conditioning, upgraded avionics, VIP amenities, cargo handling, camera hatches, and
integration of surveillance/patrol systems. IKHANA’s modifications support a variety of
customers in executive transport, regional/commuter airlines, and special missions operations.
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.
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| MSN 499 - DHC-6-300HG™ N808RT IKHANA Group Murrieta, CA 25-Oct-2016 IKHANA Photo |
Viking Sells Twin Otter Series 400 to Government of Panama’s
Servicio Nacional Aeronaval (SENAN) Air Group
Orlando, Florida, November 1st
, 2016: Viking Air Limited of Victoria, British Columbia has sold
its first Series 400 Twin Otter to the government of Panama for use by its Servicio Nacional
Aeronaval (SENAN) Air Group based in Cocoli, Panama. The aircraft is scheduled for delivery in
the coming weeks, and will be utilized to support the agency’s humanitarian aid missions
throughout the country.
The Series 400 will be the first Twin Otter to be introduced to SENAN’s operational fleet, and will
be integral to the successful development of services the agency provides to the Panamanian
population.
David Caporali, Viking’s regional sales director for Latin America, commented, “SENAN is excited
to be adding the Series 400 Twin Otter to their operational capacity, where its performance and
amazing versatility will be put to good use on the many short-field airstrips common in the region.”
About SENAN:
The Servicio Nacional Aeronaval (SENAN) Air Group is responsible for indoctrination, training,
coordination and monitoring air operations for compliance with the State’s mission to protect life,
honor, property and other rights and freedoms of individuals within the Republic of Panama. SENAN
is renowned for its professionalism and high operational performance, and is comprised of Airlift
Squadron, Helicopter Squadron, and Air Training unit.
About Viking Air Limited:
Headquartered in Victoria, BC, Viking is the global leader in utility aircraft support and services,
and the manufacturer of the world-renowned Series 400 Twin Otter. Viking is the Original Type
Certificate holder for all out-of-production de Havilland aircraft, from the DHC-1 Chipmunk through
the DHC-7, and provides exclusive spare parts manufacturing for the legacy de Havilland fleet.
In 2007 Viking launched the Twin Otter Series 400 production program, and to date over 125 new
aircraft have been sold to 29 countries worldwide, averaging a production rate of one new aircraft
delivered every 15 business days.
In October 2016, Viking completed the acquisition of Bombardier’s amphibious aircraft program,
including transfer of the Type Certificates (manufacturing rights) for the CL-215, CL-215T, CL-
415 aircraft and all variants to Viking. In addition to the Type Certificates, Viking has also
assumed responsibility for product support, parts and service for the fleet of 170 water bombers
currently in operation around the world.
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| MSN 946 - DHC-6-400 C-GVVA (AN 261) Viking Air Ltd. Victoria, BC 14-Sep-2016 Tim Martin Photo |
Viking Twin Otter Series 400 Receives Type Certification in Brazil
Orlando, Florida, November 1st, 2016: Viking Air Limited of Victoria, BC, Canada has now received
Type Certification for the Series 400 Twin Otter in Brazil, adding to the list of twenty-nine countries
now recognizing the type worldwide. The Certification was granted by Brazilian civil aviation authority
ANAC (Agencia Nacional de Aviacao Civil) in October 2016, and will help pave the way for the first
ever Twin Otter to enter the Brazilian market.
With the recent focus by Brazil’s government to develop policies that foster regional air transport links
to remote locations throughout the country, certification of the Twin Otter Series 400 by ANAC is an
integral factor in moving forward within the rapidly expanding Brazilian market.
“The Series 400 Twin Otter is the perfect solution for the remote areas of Brazil as it can provide
essential air transportation to areas lacking infrastructure development,” said David Caporali,
Viking’s regional sales director for Latin America. “The Series 400 platform is ideally suited for the
harsh operating conditions that Brazil presents, and we are confident it will prove itself to be the
aircraft of choice for commercial and government operations alike.”
