The Twin Otter flies again

Keen interest for Twin Otter, the rugged, twin-engine bush plane came from airlines and governments in Southeast Asia, Africa, India and the Middle East, participated in Singapore Airshow.
"The Twin Otter is Canada's best-known export," Mr. David Curtis, Viking Air Ltd. chief executive officer said in an interview from Viking's head office and plant near Victoria International Airport.
20 years after manufacturing was halted, now the Victoria plant is gearing up to make Twin Otter components, adding 100 workers over the past year to bring its payroll to 265 people. Final assembly of the plane will be in Calgary, where there are now six employees, but will ramp up to 75 people within a year. The plane's engines will be supplied by Pratt & Whitney Canada Corp.'s plant in Lethbridge, Alta.
Viking will be producing an updated Twin Otter prototype this spring with a more powerful engine and lighter composite materials than the first-generation model, but for the most part, the original design remains intact.
Mr. Curtis reckons that the Twin Otter will sell like hotcakes, at $3.5-million to $4-million each, depending on the specifications.
In India, where the original Twin Otter isn't even flown because of restrictions on importing planes older than 15 years, Viking is fielding unexpected inquiries. Mr. Curtis met recently with aviation officials in Delhi, Bangalore and Mumbai, and he's optimistic of orders from India. But first, India must set rules for seaplanes - the Twin Otter can be fitted with floats, wheels or even skis.
While it could be another five or 10 years away, Mr. Curtis envisages India as a potential site for a second assembly site, to complement the Canadian manufacturing operations.
He acknowledges the challenges of cracking the Indian market, but figures that if either a substantial portion of components come from India's aerospace sector or if final assembly is located on the subcontinent, then Viking stands a better chance of winning government approval for Indian airlines to place orders.
The Twin Otter was first built in Toronto from 1965 at the Downsview plant formerly owned by de Havilland Inc.
Production of the now-famous bush plane stopped in 1988. The Twin Otter is enjoying an international revival as foreign carriers seek a durable aircraft capable of taking off and landing on short runways or water.
10/03/08 Brent Jang/Globe and Mail, Canada

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Categories: Foreign Mar 2008, Indian Aviation- In General Mar 2008, New Mar 2008