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AIRCRAFT

 

Viking DHC-6

See other Multi-engine turboprops

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Overview

The DHC-6 Twin Otter is a high-winged, unpressurised, 19 passenger utility aircraft developed by de Havilland Canada and currently produced by Viking Air, under the operating brand of DHC. The twin engine turbine-powered STOL DHC-6 replaced the single engine DHC-3 Otter, retaining its double slotted trailing edge flaps and ailerons. It has a high rate of climb and can be fitted with floats, skis or tricycle landing gear, making it suitable for remote areas with difficult flying environments or short field rural airports, as well as passenger, cargo, medical evacuation and skydiving operations. Its reliability across all environments and minimal maintenance requirements gave rise to the saying that the only thing that can replace a Twin Otter is another Twin Otter.

Development began in 1964 and the first flight took place on 20 May, 1965. The first six aircraft were prototypes, designated Series 1. The initial production run consisted of Series 100 aircraft, powered by 550 shp Pratt & Whitney Canada PT6A-20 turboprop engines. Series 200 production began in 1968, with improvements to the STOL performance, a longer nose and a larger door to the rear baggage compartment.

Series 300 was introduced in 1969, with improvements to performance and payload thanks to more powerful 680 shp PT6A-27 engines. Production in Toronto by de Havilland Canada ended in 1988.

On 24 February, 2006 Viking Air purchased the remaining tooling and type certificates for all out-of-production DHC aircraft, which gave it exclusive rights to manufacture new aircraft. The Series 400 Twin Otter production programme was started in 2008, giving the aircraft more powerful PT6A-34 engines, fully integrated Honeywell Primus Apex digital avionics suite and around 800 other modifications. Production was suspended in 2019 during the COVID pandemic.

June 2023 saw the launch of the DHC-6 Twin Otter Classic 300-G, the fifth generation of Twin Otter aircraft. It has the same rugged airframe, is propelled by P&W technology, but the lighter weight delivers increased payload range and decreased operating costs. It has an all-new cabin interior and the flight deck features a Garmin G1000 NXi fully integrated avionics suite.

Specifications
  • Typical passenger capacity:   19
  • Range:   700 - 800nm
  • Cruise speed:   160 - 182 kts
  • Cabin height:   4.92 ft
  • Cabin width:   5.25 ft
  • Cabin length:   18.5 ft
  • Cabin volume:   421 cu ft
  • Active fleet worldwide:   254
  • Available for charter worldwide:   193
  • Production dates:   1966 - 1988, 2008 - current
  • Includes DHC-6 100, DHC-6 200, DHC-6 300, Series 400 and Classic 300-G. Figures given for 300. Now in production by Viking Air

  • Engines:   Pratt & Whitney Canada PT6A-6/15/20/30/41 S
Variant types
World fleetCharter fleetTypical paxCabin volumeCruiseRangeYears
De Havilland DHC-6-100 10 7 19 421 cu ft 160 kts 800 nm 1966 - 1968
De Havilland DHC-6-200 10 7 19 421 cu ft 1968 - 1970
De Havilland DHC-6-300 196 147 20 421 cu ft 182 kts 700 nm 1970 - 1988
Viking DHC-6-400 38 32 19 419 cu ft 181 kts 779 nm 2008 - current

 

Supplemental Type Certificates

Browse or search through all recent STCs.

26/07/2023 EASA: 10082436. Main wheel and brake assembly for the Viking Air DHC-6 series aircraft.
De Havilland DHC-6-300, De Havilland DHC-6-200, De Havilland DHC-6-100, Viking DHC-6-400
STC holder: Team JAS
20/06/2023 EASA: 10082199. Removal of Beta Backup System.
De Havilland DHC-6-300, De Havilland DHC-6-200, De Havilland DHC-6-100
STC holder: Kenn Borek Air
24/04/2023 EASA: 10069925. Install Aircraft Wheel and Brake Conversion Kit 199-92, NC, dated 31 March 1986.
De Havilland DHC-6-300, De Havilland DHC-6-200, De Havilland DHC-6-100
13/04/2023 EASA: 10040247. Installation of either Universal Avionics CVR-120A or CVR-120R in accordance with Transport Canada STC SA11-80, Issue 1.
De Havilland DHC-6-300, De Havilland DHC-6-200, De Havilland DHC-6-100
STC holder: Rocky Mountain Aircraft
See also: Universal Avionics, an Elbit Systems company
18/05/2022 EASA: 10079311. Ladder relocation from aft door LH to aft door RH.
De Havilland DHC-6-300
18/03/2022 EASA: 10042599. Replacement of nose wheel BF Goodrich 8.90-12.5 P/N 3-1197 by Beringer wheel assembly P/N: RA-008. Revision 2: Update with new servicing instructions within ICA document.
De Havilland DHC-6-300, De Havilland DHC-6-200, De Havilland DHC-6-100, Viking DHC-6-400
STC holder: Beringer Aero
18/02/2022 EASA: 10078650. STC-AT-151 DHC-6 IR suppression system. The standard exhausts are replaced with two modified exhaust tubes which are additionally shielded for IR suppression.
Viking DHC-6-400
STC holder: Airborne Technologies
10/02/2022 EASA: 10078321. Replacement cargo door latching mechanism on the Viking Air DHC-6 series aircraft.
De Havilland DHC-6-300, De Havilland DHC-6-200, De Havilland DHC-6-100, Viking DHC-6-400
STC holder: Team JAS
21/01/2022 EASA: 10078182. STC-AT-150 DHC-6 MX-25 Integration. A L3 Wescam MX-25 camera is installed in the nose of the aircraft. The associated supporting equipment as commander Workstation is installed in the passenger cabin.
Viking DHC-6-400
STC holder: Airborne Technologies
19/01/2022 EASA: 10075339. Installation of Acorn Welding C6SC1107-NG exhaust stacks in accordance with Transport Canada Civil Aviation (TCCA) STC SA20-28.
De Havilland DHC-6-300, De Havilland DHC-6-200, De Havilland DHC-6-100, Viking DHC-6-400
STC holder: Acorn Welding
14/01/2022 EASA: 10078142. Installation of a PMA Design and Manufacturing nose landing gear (NLG) shock strut assembly, PDM71-300-STC, as a direct replacement for the original equipment manufacturer (OEM) NLG shock strut assembly.
De Havilland DHC-6-300, De Havilland DHC-6-200, De Havilland DHC-6-100, Viking DHC-6-400
STC holder: Team JAS

 

Manufacturing data
For detailed information about the manufacture of this aircraft, please consult our sister publication Airframer: Viking Twin Otter Series 400
Charter operators
Canada Air Borealis , Air Inuit , Air Tindi , Aklak Air , Enterprise Aviation Group , Flightexec , Harbour Air Seaplanes , Kenn Borek Air , North-Wright Airways , RiseAir , South Nahanni Airways , Summit Air , Wasaya Airways
U.S.A. Bald Mountain Air Service , Berry Aviation , Grand Canyon Airlines , Maritime Helicopters , Rampart Aviation
Maintenance centres
Canada Aero Aviation , AircraftWorks , Aviation B.L. , Avmax Aviation Services , Central Aircraft Maintenance , Davis Aircraft Services , Enterprise Aviation Group , Execaire , Fast Air , Firkus Aircraft , FlinFlon Aircraft Maintenance , Flying Colours Corp. , Handfield Aviation , Harbour Air Aerospace Services , Keewatin Air Service , Lake Central Air Services , Lakeland Aviation , Northwestern Air Lease , Pacific Rim Aviation Academy , Ray Air Maintenance , Recon Air Corporation , RiseAir , Riverside Aircraft Maintenance , Rocky Mountain Aircraft , Sealand Aviation , Sky Wrench Aviation , Springer Aerospace , Stolairus Aviation , Thunder Bay Aviation , Unity Aviation Canada , Viking Air
U.S.A. AEVEX Aerospace , Berry Aviation , Falcon Air Service , Jet Midwest Technik , Straight Flight , Turbo Air , WipAire (FL) , WipAire (MN)
Completions centres

Sorry, no completion centres currently listed. Please use our Feedback form to advise us.

Type rating training providers
Canada FlightSafety Toronto Learning Center , Pacific Sky Training
Manufacturer
Canada De Havilland Aircraft of Canada Limited
New aircraft sales

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News from Business Air News
Hartzell service centre doubles warranty length
February 27, 2024
The Hartzell Service Center's warranty on work performed at its FAA-certified repair station in Piqua, Ohio is now two years or 2,000 flight hours, whichever occurs first, extended from one year or 1,000 flight hours.
Wipaire gains TSO approval for Twin Otter floats
October 23, 2023
Wipaire has met its goal of reducing weight from the existing Wipline 13000 seaplane floats. Now it will continue towards FAA approval for installation.
Soneva leases Twin Otter for Maldives operations
August 31, 2023
The Soneva team are on a journey towards zero emission aviation, having leased a Twin Otter from Monte for operations in the Maldives.
August 3, 2023Canary Islands operator swoops on hydrogen-electric power for seaplane
June 23, 2023DHC and Zimex put pen to paper for Twin Otter 300-G
June 19, 2023DHC launches economical 'Classic' Twin Otter
June 7, 2023Winair welcomes DHC-300 with Garmin 950
December 28, 2022Twin Otter order puts Island Aviation on resort service
October 25, 2022Aerodynamic upgrades and maintenance support grow Ampaire stable
October 21, 2022AEVEX offers performance enhancements for 400 series Twin Otter
September 26, 2022DHC makes Alberta manufacturing move
June 16, 2022Powertrain deal brings H-electric thrust to Monte turboprop lease offer
February 8, 2022Viking Air rebrands within consolidation of LAC companies
December 7, 2021Genesys delivers over 1,000 S-TEC 3100 autopilots
November 18, 2021European operators select SkyTrac SDL-350 Certus
November 5, 2021Next generation exhaust gains STC for Twin Otter
August 9, 2021Viking and PAL prepare to deploy Twin Otter firefighters
May 10, 2021StandardAero has got Air Seychelles Twin Otters covered
March 22, 2021Ampaire builds stellar team to deliver electric flight
January 6, 2021BAS won’t be on thin ice thanks to Centrik
August 17, 2020Twin Otters supported for Peruvian Amazon ops
April 13, 2020SAS offers safe transfers while teaming with Loganair
April 2, 2020Acorn receives Transport Canada go-ahead for Otter exhaust
March 23, 2020De Havilland and Viking manufacturing shuts down
February 23, 2020Seaplane delivery brings Trans Maldivian fleet to 57
February 17, 2020Twin Otter passes milestone for Viking
February 5, 2020Canada adds aircraft to marine surveillance programme
December 16, 2019Optical option broadens scope of the Guardian
December 1, 2019Twin Otter pair commence Chad operations for Avmax
November 10, 2019Trans Maldivian opts for rust-busting door handles
September 30, 2019Viking and Unity combine Twin Otter know-how
August 25, 2019Rampart receives first commuter category DHC-6-300HG
July 16, 2019Airplus certifies wi-fi for Twin Otters
June 24, 2019Maldivian engines enjoy StandardAero support
June 18, 2019Viking endorses SAJF for all its turboprops
April 23, 2019EASA certifies Twin Otter MTOW upgrade
February 27, 2019Maldivian integrates entire fleet with eMRO solution
January 28, 2019Pacific Sky Aviation chooses Fox Training Management System
April 12, 2018EASA-approved sim delivers Twin Otter training
August 24, 2017Air Seychelles introduces scenic charter flights
November 9, 2016Caverton signs another Twin Otter for oil contract
September 23, 2015RN-Aircraft signs with Viking for ten Twin Otters
July 7, 2015Viking names Liftec as sales representative
February 12, 2015Viking signs Veling Tayara as Middle East rep
July 10, 2013Vityaz Avia's Twin Otters to serve remote Russia
April 10, 2012Twin Otter seaplane service suits Turkey's coastal terrain
Press Releases

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