De Havilland Canada DHC-6 Twin Otter 717467 225966477 2008-07-16T06:33:47Z BillCJ 2043601 Removed the Dash 7 from Variants, as it's not a variant, but a related development {{lowercase|de Havilland Canada DHC-6 Twin Otter}} <!-- This article is a part of [[Wikipedia:WikiProject Aircraft]]. Please see [[Wikipedia:WikiProject Aircraft/page content]] for recommended layout. --> {{infobox Aircraft |name = DHC-6 Twin Otter |type = [[bush plane|utility aircraft]] |manufacturer = [[de Havilland Canada]] |image = Image:WestCoastAirFloatplane.jpg |caption = A [[West Coast Air]] Twin Otter [[floatplane]]. |designer = Fred Buller and Dick Hiscocks |first flight = [[20 May]] [[1965 in aviation|1965]] |introduced = [[1966 in aviation|1966]] |retired = <!--not applicable for this aircraft--> |status = <!--widespread use--> |primary user = <!--not applicable for this aircraft--> |more users = <!--not applicable for this aircraft--> |produced = 1965–1988, 2008- |number built = 844 |unit cost = |developed from = |variants with their own articles = }} The '''DHC-6 Twin Otter''' is a 20-passenger [[STOL]] (Short Takeoff and Landing) [[bush plane|utility]] [[aircraft]] developed by [[de Havilland Canada]]. It has often been called the most successful aircraft program in Canada's history. The aircraft's fixed tricycle undercarriage, STOL abilities and relatively high rate of climb have made it a successful cargo, regional passenger airliner and [[MEDEVAC]] aircraft. In addition, the Twin Otter has been popular with commercial skydiving operations. ==Design and development== Development of the aircraft began in 1964, with the first flight on [[20 May]] [[1965 in aviation|1965]]. A twin-engined replacement for the Otter had been planned by de Havilland Canada. Twin engines not only provided improved safety but also allowed for an increase in payload while retaining the renowned STOL qualities. 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 Pratt and Whitney Canada PT6A-20 propeller turbine engine in the early 1960s made the concept of a twin more feasible. To bush operators, the enhanced reliability of turboprop power and the enhanced performance of a twin-engined configuration made it an immediately popular alternative to the single engine, piston-powered [[de Havilland Canada DHC-3 Otter|Otter]] which had been flying since 1951. [[Image:IMG_0324.jpg|thumb|DHC6 Super Twin Otter taking off]] The first six aircraft produced were designated Series 1, indicating that they were prototype aircraft. The initial production run consisted of Series 100 aircraft, serial number seven to 115 inclusive. In [[1968 in aviation|1968]], Series 200 production began with serial number 116. Changes made at the beginning of Series 200 production included improving the STOL performance, adding a longer nose that was equipped with a larger baggage compartment (except to aircraft fitted with floats) and fitting a larger door to the rear baggage compartment. All Series 1, 100 and 200 aircraft and their variants (110, 210) were fitted with the 550 shaft horsepower [[Pratt & Whitney Canada PT6A|PT6A-20]] engines. In 1969, the 300 series was introduced, beginning with serial number 231. Both aircraft performance and payload were improved by fitting more powerful [[Pratt & Whitney Canada PT6A|PT6A-27]] engines. This was a 680 hp engine that was flat-rated to 620 hp for use in the Series 300 Twin Otter. The Series 300 proved to be the most successful variant by far, with 614 Series 300 aircraft and their sub-variants (Series 310 for United Kingdom operators, Series 320 for Australian operators, etc.) sold before production ended in [[1988 in aviation|1988]]. [[Image:Twin Otter 7a 1996-07-29.jpg|thumb|left|Twin Otter taking off from a gravel airstrip near Sila Lodge at Wager Bay ([[Ukkusiksalik National Park]], [[Nunavut]], Canada)]] ==Operational history== Twin Otters could be delivered directly from the factory with [[float]]s, [[ski]]s or [[tricycle landing gear]] fittings, making them adaptable [[bush plane]]s for remote and northern areas including Canada and the [[United States]], specifically [[Alaska]]. Many Twin Otters still serve in the far north, but they can also be found in Africa, Australia, Antarctica and other regions where bush planes are the optimum means of travel. Their versatility and maneuverability have made them popular in areas with difficult flying environments, including Papua New Guinea. In [[Norway]], the Twin Otter paved the way for the network of short-field airports, connecting the rural areas with the larger towns with outstanding reliability, and remained in service until 2000 on certain routes. [[Widerøe]] of Norway was, at one time, the world's largest operator of Twin Otters. During one period of its tenure in Norway, the Twin Otter fleet achieved over 96,000 cycles (takeoff, flight and landing) per year. Twin Otters, rated for flight down to −75°C (−103°F),<ref>[http://www.nsf.gov/od/lpa/news/press/01/pr0129.htm NSF PR 01-29—Civilian Aircraft to Evacuate South Pole Patient]</ref> are a staple of [[Antarctica|Antarctic]] transportation. Four Twin Otters are employed by the [[British Antarctic Survey]] on research and supply flights. On [[24 April 24]]–[[25 April|25]] [[2001]], two Twin Otters performed the only winter flight to [[Amundsen-Scott South Pole Station]] to perform a medical evacuation.<ref>[http://www.70south.com/resources/evacuations/2001-southpole 2001—Doctor Evacuated from the South Pole]</ref><ref>[http://www.usatoday.com/news/science/cold-science/doctor/2001-04-27-pilot.htm Pilot says pole flight wasn't his most challenging]</ref><ref>[http://www.cbc.ca/news/story/2001/05/03/antarctic_bas_010503.html Pilots return after historic South Pole rescue]</ref><ref name=aircraft> | url = [http://www.antarctica.ac.uk/living_and_working/aircraft_and_vehicles/aircraft/index.php Aircraft in Antarctica: British Antarctic Survey] Retrieved: [[31 December]] [[2007]].</ref> As of August [[2006]], a total of 584 Twin Otter aircraft (all variants) remain in service worldwide. Major operators include: [[Libyan Arab Airlines]] (16), [[Maldivian Air Taxi]] (17), [[Trans Maldivian Airways]] (15), [[Kenn Borek Air]] (17) and [[Scenic Airlines]] (11). Some 115 airlines operate smaller numbers of the aircraft including [[Yeti Airlines]] in Nepal and the British Airways subsidiary airline, [[Loganair]]. [[Image:Twin Otter 4 1997-08-02.jpg|thumb|de Havilland Canada DHC-6 Twin Otter on [[Beechey Island]] at seamen graves of [[John Franklin]] expedition (Nunavut, [[Canada]]) c. 1997. Note the "tundra tyres."]] [[Ontario]]'s [[Ministry of Natural Resources (Ontario)|Ministry of Natural Resources]] is also a long-time operator of the Otter. The Twin Otter has been popular with commercial skydiving operations. It is generally limited to carrying 22<ref>hauling loads of up to 22 skydivers to over 13,500'[http://www.skydiveorange.com/Otter.htm]</ref> jumpers (a relatively 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. The cadets affectionately call the aircraft the "'Twotter." ===New production=== After series production ended, the remaining tooling was purchased by [[Viking Air]] of [[Victoria, British Columbia|Victoria]] which manufactures replacement parts for all of the out of production de Havilland Canada aircraft. On [[24 February]] [[2006]], Viking purchased the [[type certificate]]s from [[Bombardier Aerospace]] for all the out of production de Havilland DHC-1 through DHC-7 aircraft.<ref>[http://aiabc.com/artman/publish/printer_47.shtml Viking acquires DeHavilland type certificates] Press Release, [[24 February]] [[2006]].</ref> The ownership of the certificates gives Viking the exclusive right to manufacture new aircraft. On [[17 July]] [[2006]], at the [[Farnborough Air Show]], Viking Air announced its intention to offer a "Series 400" Twin Otter.<ref>[http://aiabc.com/artman/publish/printer_71.shtml Viking seeks to launch new Twin Otter production] Press Release [[17 July]] [[2006]]</ref> Restarting the production would be dependent on the ability to realize enough initial orders. In April 2007, Viking announced that it would restart production of the Twin Otter with a more powerful PT6A-34/35 engine.<ref>[http://www.flightglobal.com/Articles/2007/04/02/212989/viking-restarts-twin-otter-production.html Viking restarts Twin Otter production]</ref> At the time, Viking had 27 orders and options in hand. As of November 2007, 40 firm orders and 10 options have been taken and a new assembly plant has been established in [[Calgary, Alberta]] with production tentatively scheduled to start in January 2008.<ref name= 400prod>[http://www.vikingair.com/content.aspx?id=392 News releases: Viking Air]</ref> The parts are made in [[Victoria, British Columbia]] then shipped to Calgary, Alberta for assembly. [[Zimex Aviation]] of Switzerland will receive the first aircraft.<ref>http://www.zimex.ch/home/fleet/twin-otter.aspx</ref> ====Orders==== *[[Air Moorea]] (2) <ref name= 400prod/> *[[Air Seychelles]] (2}<ref name= 400prod/> *[[Loch Ard Otters]] (6 plus 6 options)<ref name= 400prod/> *[[Trans Maldivian Airways]] (5)<ref name= 400prod/> *[[United States Army Parachute Team]] (3)<ref> [http://www.vikingair.com/content.aspx?id=304 Viking Lands Three Orders for New Twin Otter Series 400 Aircraft from U.S. Army]</ref> *[[Zimex Aviation]] (1)<ref name= 400prod/> ==Variants== ;DHC-6 Series 100 : Twin-engined STOL utility transport aircraft, powered by two 432-kW (550-shp) Pratt & Whitney Canada PT6A20 turboprop engines. ;DHC-6 Series 200 : Improved version. ;DHC-6 Series 300 : Twin-engined STOL utility transport aircraft, powered by two 620-shp (462-kW) Pratt & Whitney Canada PT6A-27 turboprop engines. ;DHC-6 Series 300M : Multi-role military transport aircraft. Two of these were produced as 'proof of concept' demonstrators ;DHC-6 Series 300MR : Maritime reconnaissance version. ;DHC-6 Series 300S : Six demonstrator aircraft fitted with 11 seats, wing spoilers and an anti-skid braking system. ;CC-138 : Twin-engined STOL utility transport, search and rescue aircraft for the [[Canadian Forces]]. ;UV-18A : Twin-engined STOL utility transport aircraft for the [[U.S. Army]] [[Alaska National Guard]]. Six built. It has been replaced by the [[C-23 Sherpa]] in US Army service. ;UV-18B : Parachute training aircraft for the United States Air Force Academy. The United States Air Force Academy's 98th Flying Training Squadron maintains three{{Fact|date=September 2007}} UV-18s in its inventory as freefall parachuting training aircraft, and by the Academy Parachute Team, the Wings of Blue, for year-round parachuting operations. [[Image:2004 0806hebridies0040.JPG|thumb|de Havilland Twin Otter in British Airways Livery taking off from [[Barra Airport (Scotland)|Barra Airport]] in summer 2004]] ==Operators/Former Operators== ===Civil operators=== *[[Adlair Aviation]] *[[Aerolinea de Antioquia (ADA)]] *[[Aircalin]] *[[Air Greenland]] *[[Air Iceland]] *[[Air Kenya]] *[[Aeroperlas]] *[[Aerovias DAP]] *[[Air Panama]] *[[Air São Tomé and Príncipe]] *[[AirSea Lines]] *[[Air Seychelles]] *[[Air Turks & Caicos]] *[[Air Vanuatu]] *[[Carib Aviation]] *[[Cayman Airways]] *[[China Flying Dragon Aviation]] *[[CrownAir (San Juan, PR-USA)]] *[[Crown Airways (Falls Creek, PA)]] *[[Dorado Wings]] *[[Eastern Metro Express/Metro Airlines (USVI)]] *[[Grand Canyon Airlines]] *[[Isles of Scilly Skybus]] *[[Kenn Borek Air]] *[[Loganair]] operating a franchise from [[British Airways]] *[[Maldivian Air Taxi]] *[[MASWings]] *[[Nature Air]] *[[Nepal Airlines]] *[[NorOntair]] *[[Pilgrim Airlines]] *[[Scenic Airlines]] *[[Seaborne Airlines]] *[[Solomon Airlines]] *[[Trans Maldivian Airways]] *[[Yemenia Airlines]] *[[Yeti Airlines]] ===Military operators=== {{Multicol}} ; {{AFG}} ; {{ARG}} * [[Argentine Air Force]] * [[Argentine Army]] * [[Argentine Navy]] ; {{AUS}} ; {{BEN}} ; {{CAN}} [[CC-138]] ; {{CHL}} ; {{COL}} {{Multicol-break}} ; {{DOM}} ; {{ECU}} ; {{ETH}} ; {{FRA}} * [[French Air Force]] * [[French Army]] ; {{HTI}} ; {{JAM}} ; {{MAS}} ; {{NPL}} {{Multicol-break}} ; {{ANT}} ([[Sint Maarten]]) ; {{NOR}} (Retired from active service) ; {{PAN}} *[[Military of Panama|Panamanian Air Force]] (until 1988) ; {{PRY}} ; {{PER}} ; {{SDN}} ; {{SWI}} ; {{PER}} ; {{UGA}} ; {{USA}} * [[United States Air Force]] * [[United States Army]] {{Multicol-end}} ==Accidents and incidents== * 1981 - Panamanian Air Force (FAP-205) DHC-6 Twin Otter crashed, killing all passengers and crew including General [[Omar Torrijos]]. * 1995 - [[Merpati Nusantara Airlines]] Twin Otter crashed. <ref>[http://www.airdisaster.com/cgi-bin/view_year.cgi?year=1995 AirDisaster.Com Accident Database]</ref> * On 17 March 2000 a De Havilland Canada DHC-6 Twin Otter, registration HP-1267APP with 2 crew and 8 passengers on board crashed. The AeroPerlas Twin Otter departed Aeropuerto Marcos A. Gelabert at 08:46 for a flight of about 55 minutes to Puerto Obaldia. The aircraft disappeared some 20 minutes prior to the ETA. En route altitude was 7500 feet and weather conditions allowed VFR. At first the aircraft was thought to have been hijacked to Colombia. On March 22 however a search party aboard HP-1355 found the wreckage on a mountainside 12.5nm from Puerto Obaldia at 11:35. The wreckage was found at the 2500 feet level of a 2790 feet high mountain. All onboard were killed. * 2006 - a DHC-6 Twin Otter Series 300 of [[Air São Tomé and Príncipe]], crashed in Ana Chaves Bay in the north east of São Tomé Island during a training flight. There were four fatalities, and the aircraft was damaged beyond repair.[http://www.jornal.st/noticias.php?noticia=1839] * [[17 November]] [[2006]] - [[Trigana]] DHC-6 Twin Otter 300 on a charter flight from [[Mulia]] to [[Ilaga]] crashed into mountainside. All 9 passengers and 3 crew members were killed. * [[2007 Air Moorea DHC-6 Twin Otter crash]] killed all passengers and crew. * 2008 - June 18th, a DeHavilland C6 Twin Otter crashed upon takeoff at Barnstable Municipal Airport in the town of Hyannis on Cape Cod, Massachusetts. The pilot was killed. There were no other occupants. * 2008 - July 1st, a DeHavillan DHC-6 Twin Otter touched a high voltage cable and crashed in a hill near the town of Cochamó, in Chile. The pilot and two passengers were killed. ==Specifications (300 series)== {{aero-specs}} [[Image:de Havilland Canada UV-18A TWIN OTTER.png|right|350px|Orthographically projected diagram of the de Havilland Canada DHC-6 Twin Otter.]] {{aircraft specifications <!-- if you do not understand how to use this template, please ask at [[Wikipedia talk:WikiProject Aircraft]] --> |plane or copter?=<!-- options: plane/copter --> plane |jet or prop?=<!-- options: jet/prop/both/neither --> prop <!-- Now, fill out the specs. Please include units where appropriate (main comes first, alt in parentheses). If an item doesn't apply leave it blank. For instructions on using |more general=, |more performance=, |power original=, and |thrust original= see [[Template talk:Aircraft specifications]]. --> |ref= |crew= Minimum one, commonly two. (A flight attendant must be on board if there are more than 19 passengers) |capacity=19 or 20 passengers |length main= 51 ft 9 in |length alt= 15.77 m |span main= 65 ft |span alt= 19.8 m |height main= 19 ft 6 in |height alt= 5.9 m |area main= 420 ft² |area alt= 39 m² |airfoil= |empty weight main= between 7,000 lb (3,363 kg) and 8,000 lb |empty weight alt= 3,628 kg |loaded weight main= <!--lb--> |loaded weight alt= <!--kg--> |useful load main= <!--lb--> |useful load alt= <!--kg--> |max takeoff weight main= 12,500 lb |max takeoff weight alt= 5,670 kg |more general= |engine (prop)= [[Pratt & Whitney Canada PT6|Pratt & Whitney PT6A-27]] |type of prop=[[turboprop]] engines |number of props=2 |power main= 620 hp - 680 hp |power alt= 460 kW - 507 kW |power original= |max speed main= 183 knots |max speed alt= 210 mph, 338 km/h |cruise speed main= 143 kt |cruise speed alt= 165 mph 265 km/h |never exceed speed main= <!--knots--> |never exceed speed alt= <!--mph,km/h--> |stall speed main= <!--knots--> |stall speed alt= <!--mph,km/h--> |range main= 920 nautical miles |range alt= 1,050 mi, 1,705 km |ceiling main=26,700 ft |ceiling alt= 8,140 m |climb rate main= 1600 ft/min |climb rate alt= 8.1 m/s |loading main= <!--lb/ft²--> |loading alt= <!--kg/m²--> |thrust/weight= <!--a unitless ratio--> |power/mass main= <!--hp/lb--> |power/mass alt= <!--W/kg--> |more performance= |armament= |avionics= }} ==See also== {{aircontent| |related= * [[de Havilland Canada DHC-3 Otter]] * [[de Havilland Canada Dash 7]] |similar aircraft= * [[Antonov An-2]] * [[Antonov An-28]] * [[Britten-Norman Islander]] * [[Britten-Norman Trislander]] * [[Fairchild Dornier 228]] * [[GAF Nomad]] * [[Harbin Y-12]] * [[IAI Arava]] * [[LET L-410]] * [[Shorts SC.7 Skyvan]] |lists= |see also= }} ==References== ===Notes=== {{reflist|2}} ===Bibliography=== {{refbegin}} * Hotson, Fred W. ''The de Havilland Canada Story.'' Toronto: CANAV Books, 1983. ISBN 0-07-549483-3. * Rossiter, Sean. ''Otter & Twin Otter: The Universal Airplanes''. Vancouver: Douglas & McIntyre, 1998. ISBN 1-55054-637-6. {{refend}} ==External links== {{commons|DHC-6 Twin Otter}} * [http://www.vikingair.com Viking Air] * [http://www.bush-planes.com Bush planes] * [http://media.libsyn.com/media/airspeed/AirspeedListenOtter.mp3 Ambient cabin audio of a skydiver load in a Twin Otter to 15,000 feet and back again] * [http://media.libsyn.com/media/airspeed/AirspeedOtter2.mp3 Cockpit intercom audio of a skydiver load in a Twin Otter, including demonstration of flight characteristics] {{de Havilland Canada}} {{US STOL and VTOL aircraft}} {{aviation lists}} [[Category:Propeller aircraft]] [[Category:Multiple engine aircraft]] [[Category:High wing aircraft]] [[Category:Canadian civil utility aircraft 1960-1969]] [[Category:Canadian military utility aircraft 1960-1969]] [[Category:STOL|de Havilland Canada DHC-6 Twin Otter]] [[Category:Seaplanes and flying boats]] [[Category:de Havilland Canada aircraft|DHC-6]] [[da:De Havilland Canada DHC-6 Twin Otter]] [[de:De Havilland Canada DHC-6]] [[es:De Havilland Canada DHC-6 Twin Otter]] [[fr:DHC-6]] [[he:דה הבילנד DHC-6 טווין אוטר]] [[id:DHC-6]] [[ms:De Havilland Canada DHC-6 Twin Otter]] [[ja:デハビランド・カナダ DHC-6]] [[no:De Havilland Canada DHC-6 Twin Otter]] [[ru:De Havilland Canada DHC-6 Twin Otter]]