Viking Air of Sidney, British Columbia, said it has received Transport Canada final production approval for the Series 400 Twin Otter, a new-production airplane based on the original DHC-6 Twin Otter that features more powerful Pratt & Whitney Canada engines and advanced Honeywell Primus Apex avionics.
With the first five new aircraft already completed and another 10 in final assembly, the manufacturing certificate awarded last week allows Viking to issue airworthiness certificates for aircraft it has produced, the final step in putting the Series 400 Twin Otter into service. Viking received type approval from both Transport Canada and the European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) for the Series 400 Twin Otter last year.
The company said it has also obtained Transport Canada approval for the inclusion of avionics to its maintenance ratings, allowing it to deliver modernization avionics packages in the Series 400 aircraft. Viking launched the DHC-6 Twin Otter Series 400 production program in 2007, and currently has a production backlog estimated at more than $300 million with production slots filled through 2014. The company has announced more than 50 orders since launching the Series 400 program in 2008.
Viking also provides OEM support for the worldwide fleet of de Havilland line of aircraft (DHC-1 through DHC-7) and sells upgraded versions of the DHC-2 Beaver.
