With the first five aircraft completed and another 10 in final assembly, Viking Air of Sidney, BC, Canada has now received Transport Canada final “Production” approval for the manufacture of the Series 400 Twin Otter.
This manufacturing certificate is an approval to manufacture duplicate products under the Transport Canada type design (type certificate), allowing Viking to issue airworthiness certificates for aircraft produced under their revised manufacturing approval, according to company officials.
The official Production Manufacturing approval from Transport Canada is the final key to Viking’s aircraft production program, after receiving Type Approval from both Transport Canada and the European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) for the Series 400 Twin Otter in 2010, officials added.
Viking has also obtained Transport Canada approval for the inclusion of “Avionics” to its Maintenance Repair & Overhaul (MRO) Organization’s maintenance ratings, a significant element in the modernization package of the Series 400 aircraft. The addition of Avionics capability license to the current approvals will allow the MRO to conduct the full spectrum of maintenance requirements for both legacy Twin Otter and Series 400 customers, according to company officials.
Viking launched the new DHC-6 Twin Otter Series 400 production program in 2007, and currently has a production backlog estimated at more than $300 million through 2014. Viking provides OEM support for the worldwide fleet of de Havilland heritage line of aircraft (DHC-1 through DHC-7), and is part of Westerkirk Capital Inc., a Canadian private investment firm.
For more information: 800-663-8444, VikingAir.com
