Is the DHC-6 Twin Otter pressurized?
In 1965, De Havilland Canada developed the DHC-6 Twin Otter aircraft – a high winged, un-pressurized twin engine turbine powered aircraft with fixed tricycle land gear.
How high can a Twin Otter fly?
De Havilland DHC-6-300 Twin OtterTypeDe Havilland DHC-6 Twin Otter, Series 300 United Aircraft of Canada Limited PT6A-27 (turboprop)Crew2 Pilots + 6 ScientistsCeiling12,500 feet (without supplemental cabin oxygen) 25,000 feet(with supplemental cabin oxygen)14 more rows
Is the Twin Otter single pilot?
The Twin Otters are extremely versatile and can be modified to allow airborne surveying and other scientific equipment to be fitted. The aircraft can be operated single pilot and with a long-range fuel tank.
What engine does a Twin Otter have?
Pratt & Whitney Canada PT6de Havilland Canada DHC-6 Twin Otter / Engine typeThe Twin Otter is powered by two Pratt & Whitney Canada PT6A-27 engines. These engines drive a constant speed, fully feathering, reversible propeller. The PT6 turbine engines provide ample power for climbing over steep terrain, working at altitudes up to 7,000 m and can withstand frequent rapid power changes.
How much fuel does a Twin Otter use per hour?
Payload for 400 nautical mile (741 km) range: 3,031 lbs. (1,375 kg.) Fuel cost is based on an average ground speed of 165kts and typical sector fuel burn of 575lb per hour at a fuel cost of $6 per US Gallon. For a higher ground speed of 175kts, a typical sector fuel burn of 640lbs should be used.
How much does a Twin Otter cost?
Depending on numerous factors, the average price for a pre-owned VIKING Air/DeHavilland 6-300 Twin Otter is $3,000,000.00. A $1,500,000.00 loan over 120 months including $6250 per month in interest equates to a $75,215.57 per-period payment.
Do you need a Type Rating for Twin Otter?
In Canada it is not a Type Rating because the Twin Otter is not type certificated as requiring a minimum of two pilots, nor is it a "high performance" aircraft. In the United States it is not a Type Rating because it is not a jet, nor does it have a MGTOW of greater than 12,500 lbs. Flight Safety is expensive.
Why is it called a Twin Otter?
Developed in 1965 as a larger and more powerful version of its predecessor, the single-engine DHC-3 Otter ("twin" refers to its two engines) Used for inter-city commuting and bush flying. One of several de Havilland Canada aircraft named after North American wildlife.
Is Twin Otter a turboprop?
The De Havilland Aircraft Company of Canada DHC-6 Twin Otter is a twin-engine, turboprop short take-off and landing (STOL) passenger / utility aircraft seating up to 20 passengers.
Does the Twin Otter have retractable landing gear?
The Twin Otter is a high-wing twin-engine turboprop aircraft with a non-retractable tricycle gear, a non-pressurised cabin and two constant-speed props. In FlightGear, there are three versions available: Wheels, Floats (amphibious) and skis.
Are Twin Otters still manufactured?
De Havilland finally ceased production of the Twin Otter in 1988, ending a production run of 23 years, which saw a total of 844 aircraft built.
Is the Twin Otter still being built?
The Twin Otter is still being manufactured After a 20-year break, British Columbia-based Viking Air purchased the rights to build a new version of the Twin Otter while still supplying parts for older models.
Does a Twin Otter require a type rating?
It is certified as a single pilot aircraft by the manufacturer, and is not a type designated as being "High Performance." Therefore the DHC-6 Twin Otter does not require a Type Rating, nor an ATPL to be Pilot In Command.....which would be the case if it were one of those previously mentioned situations.
Which plane is bigger beaver or otter?
For passengers, the Otter surpasses the Beaver because the cabin features both a seat for each passenger and a window for each seat, along with additional legroom, enabling not only more passengers in the cabin but also a more comfortable viewing experience.
How many passengers can a Twin Otter carry?
20 passengersThe De Havilland Aircraft Company of Canada DHC-6 Twin Otter is a twin-engine, turboprop short take-off and landing (STOL) passenger / utility aircraft seating up to 20 passengers.
Do they still make Twin Otters?
De Havilland finally ceased production of the Twin Otter in 1988, ending a production run of 23 years, which saw a total of 844 aircraft built.
Engines
Two, Pratt & Whitney Canada PT6A-34, single stage, free-turbine engines.
Propellers
Two, Hartzell, HC-B3TN-3DY, three bladed reversible pitch, constant speed, fully feathering propellers.
Lights
The aircraft comes equipped as standard with external and internal LED lighting.
Flight Deck
Standard avionics is the Honeywell Apex Suite which also controls the following Honeywell Equipment
Why did the Twin Otter fail?
Trials in Barra with heavier planes than the Twin Otter, like the Short 360, failed because they sank in the sand. The Twin Otter is also used for landing at the world's shortest commercial runway on the Caribbean island of Saba, Netherlands Antilles .
How many ft can a Twin Otter carry?
The Twin Otter has been popular with commercial skydiving operations. It can carry up to 22 skydivers to over 17,000 ft (a large load compared to most other aircraft in the industry); presently, the Twin Otter is used in skydiving operations in many countries. The United States Air Force operates three Twin Otters for the United States Air Force Academy 's skydiving team.
What is a DHC 6 Twin Otter?
The de Havilland Canada DHC-6 Twin Otter, currently marketed as the Viking Air DHC-6 Twin Otter, is a Canadian 19-passenger STOL (Short Takeoff and Landing) utility aircraft developed by de Havilland Canada, which produced the aircraft from 1965 to 1988; Viking Air purchased the type certificate, then restarted production in 2008. The aircraft's fixed tricycle undercarriage, STOL capabilities, twin turboprop engines and high rate of climb have made it a successful commuter passenger airliner as well as a cargo and medical evacuation aircraft. In addition, the Twin Otter has been popular with commercial skydiving operations, and is used by the United States Army Parachute Team and the United States Air Force 's 98th Flying Training Squadron .
Where are Twin Otters located?
A number of commuter airlines in the United States got their start by operating Twin Otters in scheduled passenger operations. Houston Metro Airlines (which later changed its name to Metro Airlines) constructed their own STOLport airstrip with a passenger terminal and maintenance hangar in Clear Lake City, Texas, near the NASA Johnson Space Center. The Clear Lake City STOLport was specifically designed for Twin Otter operations. According to the February 1976 edition of the Official Airline Guide, Houston Metro operated 22 round-trip flights every weekday at this time between Clear Lake City (CLC) and Houston Intercontinental Airport (IAH, now Houston George Bush Intercontinental Airport) in a scheduled passenger airline shuttle operation. Houston Metro had agreements in place for connecting passenger feed services with Continental Airlines and Eastern Airlines at Houston Intercontinental, with this major airport having a dedicated STOL landing area at the time specifically for Twin Otter flight operations. The Clear Lake City STOLport is no longer in existence.
How many Twin Otter aircraft are there?
The Twin Otter has been popular not only with bush operators as a replacement for the single-engine de Havilland Canada DHC-3 Otter but also with other civil and military customers, with over 890 aircraft built. Many commuter airlines in the U.S. got their start by flying the Twin Otter in scheduled passenger operations.
When was the first Otter flies?
Development of the aircraft began in 1964, with the first flight on May 20, 1965 . A twin-engine replacement for the single-engine DHC-3 Otter retaining DHC's renowned STOL qualities, its design features included double-slotted trailing-edge flaps and ailerons that work in unison with the flaps to boost STOL performance.
How much horsepower does a PT6A-27 have?
Both aircraft performance and payload were improved by fitting more powerful PT6A-27 engines. This was a 680 hp (510 kW) engine that was flat-rated to 620 hp (460 kW) for use in the Series 300 Twin Otter.
How fast can a Viking DHC-6 fly?
Viking DHC-6 can rise at speeds of 8.1m / s. The maximum speed and cruising of each aircraft are 314 km / h and 278km / h. The kiosk speed is 107 km / hour. The service range and ceiling are 1,690 km and 7,620 m respectively. Maximum durability is nine hours.
How many blades does a Viking DHC-6 have?
The Viking DHC-6 is powered by two Pratt & Whitney Canada PT6A-34 turboprops, each producing 559kW of output power. Each engine is equipped with two propellers, three Hartzell blades made of aluminum. The propeller can rotate at a constant speed of 2,200 rpm. The epicyclic speed reduction gearbox is installed in the engine to reduce propeller noise by optimizing the output speed.
What is a Twin Otter?
The Twin Otter has been widely used in Antarctica, Four Twin Otters are used by the British Antarctic Survey and several also provide support the United States Antarctic Program, operated by Kenn Borek Air. VP-FAZ is one of several DHC-6 Twin Otters operating in support of the British Antarctic Survey. After De Havilland ceased production in ...
How many series of DHC-6 Twin Otter?
The De Havilland Canada DHC-6 Twin Otter was produced in three variants, the Series 100 (two 550 shp PT6A-20), Series 200 (with lengthened nose and additional baggage capacity) and the Series 300 (two 620 shp PT6A-27A engines). The first six aircraft produced were designated Series 1, indicating that they were prototypes and development aircraft. The initial production run the consisted of Series 100 aircraft (Serial numbers 7 to 115).
When did Viking Air start producing the 400?
In September 2006, Viking announced its intention to produce a Series 400 aircraft with 27 orders already secured. By November 2007, this had grown to 40 firm orders and so Viking Air put the DHC-6 Twin Otter back into production as the Twin Otter Series 400 with more powerful PT6A-34/35 engines.
Who owns the DHC-6 Twin Otter?
After De Havilland ceased production in Canada, tooling was acquired by Viking Air of British Columbia who produced replacement parts and components for existing aircraft. In 2006, Viking Air purchased the type certificate for DHC-6 Twin Otter from Bombardier Aerospace. Subsequently, they also purchased the type certificates for all ...
Is the Twin Otter still in production?
The Twin Otter remains in production with Viking Air and is in service world-wide.
Overview
The de Havilland Canada DHC-6 Twin Otter is a Canadian STOL (Short Takeoff and Landing) utility aircraft developed by de Havilland Canada, which produced the aircraft from 1965 to 1988; Viking Air purchased the type certificate, then restarted production in 2008 before re-adopting the DHC name in 2022. The aircraft's fixed tricycle undercarriage, STOL capabilities, twin turboprop engine…
Design and development
Development of the aircraft began in 1964, with the first flight on May 20, 1965. A twin-engine replacement for the single-engine DHC-3 Otter retaining DHC's STOL qualities, its design features included double-slotted trailing-edge flaps and ailerons that work in unison with the flaps to boost STOL performance. The availability of the 550 shp (410 kW) Pratt & Whitney Canada PT6A-20 turbopro…
Operational history
Twin Otters could be delivered directly from the factory with floats, skis, or tricycle landing gear fittings, making them adaptable bush planes for remote and northern areas. Areas including Canada and the United States, (specifically Alaska) had much of the demand. Many Twin Otters still serve in the far north, but they can also be found in Africa, Australia, Asia, Antarctica, and other regions where bu…
Variants
DHC-6 Series 100 Twin-engine STOL utility transport aircraft, powered by two 550 shp (432 kW) Pratt & Whitney Canada PT6A-20 turboprop engines. DHC-6 Series 110 Variant of the Series 100 built to conform to BCAR (British Civil Air Regulations). DHC-6 Series 200 Improved version. DHC-6 Series 300 Twin-engine STOL utility transport aircraft, powered by two 680 shp (715 ESHP) (46…
Operators
A total of 270 Twin Otters were in airline service in 2018, and 14 on order: 111 in North/South America, 117 in the Asia-Pacific and Middle East (14 orders), 26 in Europe and 13 in Africa.
The Twin Otter has been popular not only with bush operators as a replacement for the single-engine de Havilland Canada DHC-3 Otter but also with other civil and military customers, with over 890 aircraft built. Many commuter airlines in the U.S. got their start by flying the Twin Otter in sc…
See also
Related development
• de Havilland Canada DHC-3 Otter
• de Havilland Canada DHC-7 Dash 7
Aircraft of comparable role, configuration, and era
• Antonov An-28
External links
• de Havilland DHC-6 Twin Otter website by Neil Aird
• de Havilland DHC-6 Twin Otter blog by Erik Johannesson
• Official website