It’s a big week for Viking Air Limited.
From the Farnborough International Airshow in the U.K., the Sidney, B.C.-based builder of Twin Otters announced they have secured crucial certification in several countries, which opens the door to a bigger presence in the global market.
U.S. Gateway
Viking’s receipt of the U.S.-type FAA certification for their DHC-6 Series 400 Twin Otter paves the way for the delivery of three Viking aircraft ordered by the US Army Golden Knights Parachute Team, the first of which is en route to Viking Factory Endorsed Service Centre IKHANA Group of California for incorporation of customized military modifications.
A First in Russia
The Russian Interstate Aviation Committee Aviation Register (IAC AR) has also recently issued type certification for the Series 400 Twin Otter, just weeks before the scheduled delivery of the first of two aircraft ordered by the Russian launch customer and Viking representative, Vityaz Avia Corporation of Moscow. Robert Mauracher, Viking’s vice-president of business development, says, “We are extremely pleased to be delivering the first Twin Otter in history to our friends in Russia.”
Expanding into China
Following on the heels of Viking’s successful Singapore Airshow and South East Asia aircraft demonstration tour, the first Chinese company to sign on for the Series 400 Twin Otter nineteen passenger regional commuter is Meiya Air of Hainan Province, ordering five float equipped aircraft with deliveries commencing in 2013. Meiya plans to put the aircraft into service supporting their seaplane flightseeing, charter, and corporate aircraft operations based in Sanya and the surrounding Hainan region.
Argentina Legacy
Viking has been awarded an airforce support contract of up to $15 million from the Administracion Aeronautica Argentina (AAA). The four-year contract means Viking will provide auditing, engineering support, training and factory spares for the overhaul of nine legacy Twin Otter aircraft.
“Over the past several years we have built up a strong partnership with the Argentine Air Force on projects conducted at both our facility in Victoria and their base in Quilmes,” says Mauracher, “so we are extremely pleased to have been awarded this additional in-country support and services contract.”
Bestseller in Flight
With Twin Otter Series 400 sales in 16 countries and a backlog exceeding $400M, Viking says the Series 400 is now confirmed as the bestselling next-generation 19-passenger aircraft available today.
Viking has a new Series 400 Twin Otter on static display at this week’s Farnborough Airshow, en route for delivery to Zimex Aviation of Switzerland. The second Series 400 to be added to Zimex’s fleet of Twin Otters will be displayed at the Farnborough show on wheel gear with standard 19-passenger interior.
